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The BAPO Constitution
The British Association for Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology Constitution
Updated 2022
1
TITLE
1.1
The Association shall be known as the British Association for Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology.
2
AIMS
2.1
To promote all aspects of paediatric otorhinolaryngology.
2.2
To hold meetings at which those interested in paediatric otorhinolaryngology may meet, discuss clinical practice and present clinical and research papers.
2.3
To take an overall interest in the development of paediatric otorhinolaryngology in Great Britain, with special reference to the needs of those in training.
2.4
To provide advice on paediatric otorhinolaryngology to ENT-UK and other organisations and bodies.
2.5
To liaise with similar organisations in Europe and worldwide.
3
MEMBERSHIP
3.1
Full membership is open to medically qualified professionals in Great Britain with an interest in paediatric otorhinolaryngology.
3.2
Associate membership is open to health care professionals in Great Britain with nonmedical qualifications who have a similar interest in paediatric otorhinolaryngology.
3.3
Overseas membership is open to those with an interest in paediatric otorhinolaryngology, who reside abroad.
3.4
Applicants for membership should email the Honorary Secretary or Associate Secretary as per the website. No sponsorship is required. Membership is subject to approval by Council. Applicants for membership should set up a direct debit.
3.5
The subscription will be fixed at the AGM and will be the same for full, associate and overseas members. The subscriptions are payable before March 1st annually, and may be changed by a two-thirds majority of full members attending an Annual General or Extraordinary Meeting of the Association.
4
COUNCIL
4.1
Membership of Council shall consist of the following Full Members holding specialist accreditation:
4.1.1
The Chairman: the Chairman of the Council is also the President of the Association.
4.1.2
The Past President, President Elect and President Elect Designate.
4.1.3
The Honorary Secretary.
4.1.4
The Treasurer.
4.1.5
The Associate Secretary.
4.1.6
Other Members: no less than four and no more than eight full members.
4.1.7
Members can be co-opted to serve on Council as required.
4.1.8
Two trainee representatives (not holding specialist accreditation) who will liaise with the Association of Otolaryngologists in Training and represent trainee matters.
4.1.9
A quorum of four members, including one executive officer, shall be required for Council meetings.
4.1.10
The President and Secretary are the executive officers of the Association.
4.2
Election of Council
4.2.1
The Council shall be elected by Full members at the Annual General Meeting.
4.2.2
Nominations from a full member, a date specified in the call for nominations. If more than one nomination per vacancy is received an election will take place at the AGM. Information on candidates will be made available and each full member will have a vote. Nominations for President/ Honorary Secretary/ Associate Secretary/ Treasurer can be made by a full member and seconded by full member. Candidates should be current or past council members. If more than 1 nomination is received then vote of elected council members will take place at the council meeting. The trainee representative candidates can self-nominate. If there are 10 or more trainee members, the vote will be of trainee members only. If there are less than 10 trainee members then the full membership will vote. The local trainee representative is nominated by the local organizer of the forthcoming BAPO meeting one year in advance and will be co-opted for the Spring and Autumn council meetings.
4.3
Terms of Office
4.3.1
The Chairman/President shall normally serve for one year. This will be preceded by one year on council as President Elect designate, one year as President Elect and followed by one year as Past President. The current and President elect designate will also assume positions as Council members for the European Society of Paediatric Otolaryngology.
4.3.2
The Honorary Secretary shall normally serve for four years, and be eligible for re-election for a further two two-year terms. The Treasurer shall normally serve for four years, and be eligible for re-election for a further two two-year terms. The Associate Secretary shall normally serve for four years, and be eligible for reelection for a further two two-year terms.
4.3.3
Council Members shall normally serve for four years.
4.3.4
The Chairman and Council Members shall not be re-elected within two years.
4.3.5
The elected trainee representative shall serve for a period of two years. They are not eligible for re-election as trainee representative but will be eligible to stand for Council election within two years, if specialist accreditation has been achieved. The co-opted local representative shall serve for a period of one year prior to the BAPO meeting. They will be eligible for election as trainee representative following this.
5
MEETINGS
5.1
The annual meeting shall consist of a concise Annual General Meeting and a scientific programme.
5.2
The Annual General Meeting shall present the Associations accounts, elect new officers to the Council and report on the business of the Association.
5.3
The content of the scientific programme shall be the responsibility of the Council.
5.4
The Susanna Leighton Fellowship Prize will be awarded to the presenter of the most outstanding oral presentation. The prize is 1000EUR to attend the next meeting of the European Society of Paediatric Otolaryngology. The prize is awarded to the presenter and non-transferable.
5.5
The venue and date of the Annual General Meeting will be agreed by Council and approved at the AGM.
5.6
Other meetings may be convened by Council at times other than the Annual General Meeting. Council may also arrange academic meetings at other times than the Annual General Meeting.
5.7
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by thirty of the Full Members of the Association, or by a majority of Council Members.
6
CONSTITUTION
6.1
The constitution may be changed by a two-thirds majority of Full Members attending an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.
6.2
Proposed changes to the Constitution will be notified to Full Members by email.