2)              Objectives.

        The objectives of the association are as follows:

(a)            to hold symposia and meetings for the purpose of presentation of scientific papers, lectures and demonstrations thereby promoting a good standard of Histopathological Technique in Scotland,

               (b)     to Provide a forum for discussion of matters of relevance 

                        to the organisation and staffing of the service in laboratories in  

                        Scotland,

               (c)     to encourage and promote research in Histopathological

                        Technique, especially by junior members of staff,

               (d)     to encourage a high standard of professional competence in

                        Histopathological Practice.

3.              Administrative organisation.

(a)          Membership.

The Association embraces the whole of Scotland and Membership is open to all biomedical scientists and other professional staff with an interest in Histopathology and its Techniques. Prospective members should complete an application form and submit it to the Membership Secretary (see below).  On confirmation of membership, the member will be a member of the SAH for life unless he/she intimates to the Membership secretary that (s)he wishes to resign.

       (b)     The Executive Committee.

         The SAH shall have an Executive Committee with elected

         Members.  There is no maximum limit on the number of

committee members, however the minimum should be six

         members, with at least one being drawn from non-NHS

         employment.  Members of the committee are elected by the

         membership of the Association for a period of up to five years. 

         The Executive committee will meet at least twice a year.  A

         member of the Committee would not normally be eligible for

         re-election until a period of two years has elapsed.

No laboratory (or other place of employment) should have more then one representative on the Committee at any one time.

Nominations for election to the Committee shall be proposed and seconded by a member of the Association, and in the case of the number of nominations exceeding the number of vacancies, the election shall be decided by a postal ballot.  Should any vacancy occur in the Committee, the Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy by electing the member next in the order of voting.   

Notes: (i) we state that there is no maximum number of committee members yet we talk about exceeding the number of vacancies.

           (ii) do we want the cost of a postal ballot – could we have a secret ballot on the day of the AGM?

          (iii) if we do not have a member who has been unsuccessful in a ballot should we have a clause allowing the Committee to co-opt a member to the committee until the next AGM?   

  We should remove the section “exceeding the number of vacancies”

This should also remove the need for any form of ballot and the need to co-opt also       

Though the responsibilities within the Committee will be decided by the Committee members themselves, there should three formal office bearers namely a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer, all of whom should hold office for no more than two years.  Additionally one member of the committee should act as the Membership Secretary.  Should a situation arise whereby an office bearer demits office at the same time as (s)he completes his/her five years as a Committee Member, the Committee  may co-opt the retiring office bearer for no more than one year to ensure a smooth transition of duties.

(c)    Expenses of Committee Members.

Committee members shall not receive any payment either directly or indirectly for anything except legitimate expenses incurred in carrying out the work of the Association.  The accounts for the Association should be maintained in good order by the Treasurer and should be audited at the end of each financial year by one current non-committee member of the Association.  The audited accounts should be presented to the AGM.  The appointment of the Auditor for the following year should be approved by the members present at the AGM.

4.              Funds on Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, any balance of cash remaining in hand after the realisation of assets and payment of debts shall be gifted to such charitable purposes as the Committee determines.

5.     Alterations to the Constitution.

No clause of this constitution shall be altered, rescinded or added to without the consent of at least two thirds of the members present at an AGM.

08/11/07.