CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY FOR GENOMICS POLICY AND POPULATION HEALTH

Preamble

As genomic knowledge advances and the links between genes and human health and disease become clearer and better understood, so the need to incorporate this new knowledge into health policy and planning in ways that are rational, robust and vigorous becomes ever more important. Policy and planning should be the result of consideration of evidence in the context of informed debate and should be underpinned by a clear framework that reflects and respects the limitations and possibilities created by novel understanding of the links between genomic knowledge and other health determinates.

The Society for Genomics Policy and Population Health exists to promote interdisciplinary discussion of and research into the issues, possibilities, threats and challenges that are created as a result of research and development in the area of genomics and health. This requires the involvement of key stakeholders; patients and families, the clinical and academic communities, policy makers, planners, legislators and the media. The Society seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of policy and practice options that is driven by a commitment to evidence. It also aims to promote a planning and regulatory framework which can secure the equitable application of genomic knowledge speedily, effectively and appropriately for the benefit of health, whilst seeking to restrict the possibility for misuse or abuse.

General

The name of the Society will be The Society for Genomics Policy and Population Health (the Society).
The aim is to provide a forum for those with an interest in the impact of genetic and molecular science on population health and in particular, on genomic aspects of population health and health services including policy and the ethical, legal and social issues raised by genomic and post-genomic science and technologies. It will seek to attract to its membership public health and other health professionals, lawyers, philosophers, social scientists, and policy makers as well as geneticists, scientists, and those from other relevant disciplines.
Further, but not exclusively, the objects of the Society shall be:
1. The advancement of genomic aspects of population health and health services
2. The promotion of study and research into the genomic aspects of population health and health services including policy and the ethical, legal and social issues raised by genomic and post-genomic science and technologies
3. To support, guide and inform relevant professions
4. To offer informed opinion on issues relevant to the Society
5. To promote public awareness
Further, but not exclusively, the Society will seek to promote these objects through the following activities :
1. the development of a strong and articulate national collective voice for the population aspects of genomics
2. the provision of education to members
3. the facilitation of debate
4. developing networks of people with similar and complementary interests
5. promoting opportunities for interdisciplinary research
6. the production of commentary and opinion on issues of national policy and practice
The membership of the Society for Genomics, Policy and Population Health shall be open to those with a professional interest in population and policy implications of genetics, molecular science or other relevant scientific advances, or otherwise at the discretion of Council.
The Society shall consist of Ordinary, Senior and Honorary Members and Overseas Affiliates. Associate membership will be available for students.
All candidates for Membership shall complete a form of application and, unless they are Honorary or Senior Members, will pay an annual subscription fee.
The Council shall recommend candidates for election to any Business Meeting of the Society, as Ordinary Members, from amongst persons who have completed a membership application. Should there be any objection to a candidate his or her application shall be referred back to the Council for further consideration.
Ordinary Members on reaching the age of 65 years, or on retirement, may cease to be Ordinary Members, and become Senior Members, enjoying benefit of Membership without payment of full subscription.
Persons of eminence who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge in fields relevant to the aims of the Society shall be eligible for Honorary Membership. They shall be elected to the Society on the recommendation of the Council. They shall pay no subscription.
Overseas Affiliates shall be normally resident outside the United Kingdom. Overseas Affiliates and Associate Members shall have the same rights and obligations as Ordinary Members, but will not be eligible for election to office.
The annual subscription shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting, payable by cheque or bankers draft drawn on a UK Bank. Overseas members may pay by credit card by special arrangement.
Non-payment of the subscription within six months after it is due shall be considered equivalent to resignation.
The Council shall consist of a President and between 5 and 10 general Council members which will be elected by the Ordinary Members of the Society save for the initial appointment of members of Council whereby the President and the Council members shall decide on the officer positions of the Council, i.e. Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer and a Meeting Organiser amongst themselves.
At the discretion of Council from time to time, up to three places on Council may be designated to represent a coherent sub-group of Members each one with a special interest or to represent a substantive special interest consistent with the aims of the Society. One or more Council members may be appointed as liaison members to the Faculty of Public Health and British Society for Human Genetics.
Decisions of Council will be by simple majority vote of those present.
The Council of the Society will meet at least once per year.
The office of the President shall be tenable for two years and will serve a further year as a general member of the Council to support the newly elected President.
The general members of the Council shall hold office for three years, and the holder shall normally be eligible for re-election for one further term only.
The posts of the President and General Secretary shall not be combined with any other post.
Subject to clause 14, the Officers of the Society will be directly elected to their posts by the Ordinary Members of the Society.
At least six weeks before the Annual General Meeting, the Secretary shall send to each Member of the Society the names of the Officers and members who are due to retire from the Council, and invite nominations for their successors.
Those nominated must signify their written agreement to being nominated. If no nomination for a post is received in time for postal ballot, an election by show of hands may be held at the Annual General Meeting; this provision shall not apply to the post of President. Where the number of nominations received exceeds the number of posts available, a postal ballot of all Ordinary Members will be held, so timed that the results of the ballot are available to be announced at the Annual General Meeting. Where the number of nominations does not so exceed the number of posts available, those nominated should be declared elected, subject to ratification by simple majority vote at the Annual General Meeting.
The Society shall support at least one Meeting each year during which the Annual General Meeting will also be held. At least six weeks prior to each Meeting, the Meeting Organiser shall send a preliminary notice to each member.
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by Council at any time. Thirty Ordinary Members of the Society may demand an Emergency General Meeting, giving at least six weeks notice for a motion to be put to the Society. Members of the Society shall be notified of the time, place and agenda of any General Meeting at least three weeks in advance.
The agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be arranged by the Council. Members wishing to have matters included on the agenda must inform the Secretary, in writing, at least six weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting.
The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be 20% of its fully paid-up membership and for Council four members, including at least two officers.
Members shall have the privilege of inviting non-members to attend and take part in the Scientific Meetings on payment of appropriate registration fees.
The Secretary shall record and make available the Minutes of Council and the General Meetings of the Society.
No alteration to these rules shall be made except at a General Meeting, and unless proposed by the Council or by at least ten Members in writing. In the latter case, the proposal must reach the General Secretary at least six weeks before the date of the meeting. Notice of the proposed change shall be circulated to every Member at least one week before the meeting at which it is to be brought forward, and it shall be decided by two-thirds majority vote of those Ordinary Members present at the meeting.
The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Society as set forth in the Rules, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit to the Members of the Society.
Provided that nothing therein shall prevent the payment, in good faith, of reasonable and proper remuneration to any Officer or servant of the Society, or to any Member of the Society, in return for any services rendered to the Society, or prevent the payment of interest, at a rate not exceeding 4% per annum on money lent, or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let by any Member to the Society; but so that no member of the Council or Governing Body of the Society shall be appointed to any salaried office of the Society or any officer of the Society paid by fees, and that no remuneration or other benefit in money’s worth shall be given by the Society to any Member of such Council or Governing Body, except repayment for out-of-pocket expenses and interest at the rate aforesaid on money lent or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let to the Society; provided that the provision shall not apply to any payment to any Company of which a Member of the Society or Governing Body may be a member and in which such a Member shall not hold more than one one-hundredth part of the capital and such Members shall not be bound to account for any share of profits he/she may receive in respect of such payment.
If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Society there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid or distributed among the Members of the Society, but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable institution having objects similar to the objects of the Society, and which shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their Members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Society under or by virtue of the last preceding rule, such charitable institution or institutions to be determined by Members of the Society at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then to some other charitable object.