​​​​​PARSA

The Parasitological Society of Southern Africa Constitution

 

​

1. NAME:

The name of the Society shall be THE PARASITOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (DIE PARASITOLOGIESE VERENIGING VAN SUIDELIKE AFRIKA) and shall have the recognised acronym PARSA.

​

2. AIMS:

• To promote and sustain the study of Parasitology.

• To disseminate information on the subject.

• To promote the interests of Parasitologists in southern Africa.

• To provide representation on international organisations.

​

3. AFFILIATION:

The Society shall be affiliated to the World Federation of Parasitologists.

​

4. MEMBERSHIP:

• Membership shall be open to all persons interested in Parasitology, irrespective of race, colour, gender, language, religion and social or national origin.

• Honorary Life membership may be conferred on any individual in recognition for their contribution to Parasitology. All recipients of the Elsdon-Dew Medal automatically become Honorary Life Members.

• Ordinary membership may be attained by application and by payment of such subscriptions as may be defined from time to time in the bye-laws.

• In exceptional cases an individual may be nominated and elected an Honorary Life Vice-President.

​

5. COUNCIL:

Council of the Society shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Promotions Manager, who shall each hold office for three years. Additional members may be co-opted as deemed necessary.

​

6. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION:

This Constitution may be altered by a minimum of two-thirds of the votes received at a meeting provided that:

• Notice of such a proposed alteration and appropriate ballot papers have been circulated to all members at least one calendar month before the relevant meeting.

• Suggested amendments to the constitution can also be circulated to members electronically and they can respond/vote electronically.

• At least half of the members have cast their vote. If more than one-third of the membership is present, the Chairman may, at his/her discretion, accept amendments to such proposed alterations; such amendments requiring the approval of at least two-thirds of those present.

​

​

Bye-Laws

​

1. MEMBERSHIP:

• Ordinary membership: Application, accompanied by the specified subscription and entrance fees shall be made by the candidate to the Treasurer for submission and acceptance by the Council.

• Honorary membership: Nominations for Honorary Membership may be made by any ordinary member, but must be seconded and accompanied by the curriculum vitae of the candidate. The council may thereafter make appropriate recommendation to the Society.

​

2. COUNCIL:

• Council may conduct its business via correspondence, but shall meet at or before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society. Appropriate minutes shall be kept.

• Election:

  • Redistribution of Offices: The councilors shall be elected for a period of three years after which a re-election shall be held; the retiring President and Vice-President shall not seek re-election in the same offices, but the Secretary, Treasurer and Media Manager may be re-elected.

  • Nominations of Council: Nominations, duly seconded and accepted by the candidate must be in the hands of the Secretary at least one month before the AGM. Appropriate ballot papers shall be sent to all members to be returned before or at the AGM. Failing any written nominations, the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting may call for nominations and acceptances from the floor.

  • Voting: Voting shall be by sealed ballot.

• Banking: The Treasurer and one other nominated Member of Council shall be entitled to operate the Society’s funds which shall be lodged with a reputable financial institution. An appropriate balance sheet shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

​

3. MEETINGS:

The Society may hold Scientific Meetings at any time but must hold an Annual General Meeting.

• Scientific meetings: These may be held in conjunction with other scientific or professional organisations.

• Business meetings: In addition to the AGM specified above, additional meetings may be called by Council itself or on request by at least one-third of the members.

  • Notice: Notice of a Business Meeting with its Agenda must be in the hands of the Members at least two weeks before the due date.

  • Agenda: Items for inclusion in the Agenda must be in the hands of the Secretary at least one calendar month before the due date.

 

4. AWARDS:

The Society may make awards for the advancement of Parasitology, as the occasion arises.

​

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Ordinary membership: Each ordinary Member shall pay an annual subscription as specified in advance and due on 31 March in each year (membership is per calendar year). New members shall pay an entrance fee as specified by the AGM. Members whose subscriptions are in arrears for 3 or more years will automatically forfeit all privileges until such time as they are in good standing. All Elsdon-Dew Medal recipients and retired members are exempt from paying membership fees.

​

6. DISSOLVING OF SOCIETY:

Should the Society be dissolved for whatever reason, all monies and assets will be given to an organisation with similar interests of advancing parasitology in southern Africa. All members are liable for their membership fees until the dissolving of the society, thereafter membership of the new organisation would be optional.