The Society's governing instrument is it's memorandum and articles of
association. These rules are made under article 53.
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The Society members shall be elected as in rules 2, 3, & 4. Members shall be
members of the British Society for Gene Therapy (BSGT) Company, with a limited
liability of £1. All members of the BSGT at the time of its incorporation shall
continue to be members with the same status (Ordinary or Associate) as before
with the same rights, privileges and duties as set out in these Rules.
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Applicants for membership shall send to the General Secretary their name and
qualifications on a special form provided for the purpose. Applicants must
accept the rules of the Society, and must have appropriate qualifications,
experience or interests, within the remit of the Society. All applications for
membership must be approved by the Board, before the benefits and privileges of
membership are granted. Ordinary members whose income falls below a level
determined from time to time by the board may be eligible for reduced
membership. Following retirement from their main employment, members may apply
to the Board to continue their membership, with full privileges of membership,
but without payment of the annual subscription.
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Each member shall pay an annual subscription. The level of subscription shall be
set by the Board and shall be payable in advance. No applicant shall be
admitted to membership until the first annual subscription has been paid.
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Resignation of membership must be made in writing to the Company Secretary, and
the member resigning shall be liable for the payment of the annual subscription
for the current year, together with any arrears or monies owing up to the date
of resignation. Any member whose subscription is more than one year in arrears
and who has been duly notified of the fact shall, if the Board sees fit, cease
to be a member of the Society and of the company. Persons having ceased to be
members because of subscription arrears shall be eligible for election to the
Society as in rule 2.
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Commercial companies having an interest within the remit of the Society may
apply for Corporate Partnership with the Society. The benefits conferred by
Corporate Partnership and the level of Corporate Partnership shall be as
decided by the Board on an individual basis. Applications for Corporate
Partnership shall be considered and approved by the Board.
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The trustees of the society, known as officers, shall be the President,
Treasurer and General Secretary and a maximum of eight other board members
elected by the membership of the Society. The Board shall have the power to
co-opt persons to Board in the event of an unforeseen vacancy, or to support
the work of the Board. Co-opted persons shall usually be the chairpersons of
the Society Committees or representatives of other Societies or Associations
whose work is relevant to the aims of the Society. The Board shall generally
meet three times each year including a meeting at the same time as the Annual
Congress.
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The President shall be elected by the Board for a period of four years, and
shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of their retirement.
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The Treasurer shall be elected by Board for a period of four years. A member
serving as Treasurer shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of
their retirement.
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The General Secretary shall be elected by the Board for a period of four years.
A member serving as General Secretary shall not be eligible for re-election
within one year of their retirement.
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Election of an incoming President, General Secretary or Treasurer can occur in
the last 12 months of tenure of the serving member.
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Board Members shall be elected by the membership for a period of three years. A
member of the Society serving as a Board Member is eligible for re-election for
a further period of 3 years, but thereafter shall not be eligible for
re-election within one year of their retirement.
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Each year, not less than two months before the Annual General Meeting, the
General Secretary shall circulate to the Society membership the names of the
existing Board and seek nominations to replace any retiring Officer and Board
Members. Nominations must be supported by two members, and each nomination must
be accompanied by a written statement from the nominee that he or she is
willing to serve, together with a short curriculum vitae. Candidates for
election to membership must be members of the Society. The closing date for
nominations shall not be less than 4 weeks from the date of the call for
nominations.
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In matters concerning the interpretation of the Rules the decision shall rest
with the Board.
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The Society may establish Committees with a remit to manage specified aspects of
the Society's activities. Each Committee shall have a chairperson and members
appointed by the Board, according to their interests in the specific field
taking into account their expertise. The responsibilities of the Committees and
of the Committee chairpersons shall be set out as specified by the Board. No
Committee shall act independently of the Board of the Society and all financial
matters will remain with the Board. Each committee shall include a member of
Board who shall report to Board on the activities of the Committee. Committee
members will be appointed for 2 years, shall be eligible for re-appointed for a
further 2 year period, but shall not be eligible for re-election within one
year of their retirement from the Committee.
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The Society shall hold an Annual Congress where members shall have to
opportunity to discuss their research and any scientific, clinical or other
matters of relevance. A non-member may submit a scientific communication to the
Congress at the invitation of Board or after proposal by a member.
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There will be a time specified at the Annual Congress for the Annual General
Meeting of the Company and for a business meeting of the Society. The AGM and
the business meeting of the Society shall only be open to Company Members.
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The proceedings of meetings may only be communicated to the press or media with
the consent of the Board.
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The Rules may be altered only at a general meeting (AGM or EGM) and only after
notice has been given in writing to all the members at least two months
previously. No alteration shall be made unless two-thirds of those voting are
in favour. Any alteration must accord with the regulations set out in the Act.