CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION NAMED
EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR SURGERY OF THE SHOULDER AND THE ELBOW
Article 1
:
An association governed by the Act of July 1st 1901 and the Decree of August 16. 1901 and named « Société Européenne de Chirurgie de l’Epaule et du Coude » (SECEC) or « European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and the Elbow » (ESSSE) is founded among the adherents to this constitution.
Article 2
:
The official languages of the Association are English and French.
Article 3
:
The purpose of this association is to establish a scientific cooperation and to provide for continuing training of European orthopaedic surgeons specialized in surgery of the shoulder and elbow in order to contribute to the development of the physiological, pathological and therapeutic study of those joints.
Article 4
:
The association’s registered office is currently fixed :
Le Kiaora / 50 – 52 Avenue Chanoine Cartellier
69230 Saint Genis Laval (France)
Article 5
:
All practitioners able to make a scientific contribution to the association’s purpose are eligible for membership.
Applicants for membership must be sponsored by two members of the association and proposed by the Membership Committee for election at the General Assembly meeting.
Membership is lost by :
-
resignation,
-
death
-
expulsion by the Board of Directors for non-payment of dues when the annual subscription has not been paid for 2 consecutive years or due cause, after the member has been afforded a hearing before the Executive Committee by registered mail. If the member wishes to re-join the society and the board of Directors feel this should be allowed, the Executive Committee will decide upon the financial conditions of his re-integration.
Article 6
:
The members must pay annual dues fixed annually by the membership on committee recommendation. The dues may vary with the class of membership (founding, ordinary, emeritus, honorary members, etc…).
Article 7
:
The association’s funds consist of the initiation fees, public and private grants and subsidies or gifts and dues.
Article 8
:
The classes of membership are :
1 – Founding members :
D. Patte
N. Gschwend – Clinique W. Schulthess
Neumunster Allee – 8032 Zurich (Switzerland)
2 - Ordinary members: Surgeons – orthopaedic surgeons specialized in surgery of the shoulder and the elbow.
3 – Associate members: Practitioners of all disciplines interested in the pathology of the shoulder and the elbow.
4 – Corresponding members: Practitioners of all specialities coming from non European countries and having contributed significantly to shoulder and elbow surgery.
5 – Emeritus members: Retired practitioners who continue to take part in the life of the society. They keep their rights and duties within the society but are exempted from the annual dues (they do not receive the journal for free).
6 – Honorary members: Candidates for the Honorary Membership are elected by secret vote by the ordinary members at the General Assembly on recommendation of both the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
7 – Junior members: Orthopaedic or trauma surgeons who are less than 35 years old ; they become associate members after 35 years upon request.
8 – Affiliate members: physicians (rheumatologists, sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists) or experts (biologists, epidemiologists, engineers) who contributed to knowledge and treatment of shoulder/elbow pathologies.
Article 9
: Organization of the association
The association’s administrative actions are taken by the National Delegates, the Executive Committee, a Board of Directors and a General Assembly.
9.1. National Delegates : Each European country of the association will be represented by one National Delegate.
In countries with 10 Ordinary Members or more the National Delegate will be elected by these members. In countries with less than 10 Ordinary Members the National Delegate will be appointed by the Executive Committee. The term of the National Delegates is three (3) years and they can be re-elected / re-appointed for up to two (2) successive terms. The Executive Committee will endeavour to ensure that each European country will be represented.
9.2. The Executive Committee consists of :
-
1 President elected for 2 years,
-
1 President Elect elected for one year after which he/she will become the President for 2 years,
-
1 Treasurer elected for 3 years,
-
1 General Secretary elected for 3 years,
-
6 Ordinary Members chosen to provide a balanced representation of the European countries.
9.2.1 Executive Committee members are elected by secret vote by the Ordinary members at the General Assembly on the recommendation of both the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee members are elected for a term of three (3) years and are eligible for re-election for asecond three (3) year term. However they can not serve for more than two (2) successive terms. No person can be a member of the Executive Committee for more than six (6) consecutive years except for the President Elect, the President and the General Secretary.
9.2.2. The President Elect is elected by secret ballot by the Board of Directors. He must be an actual or former member of the Executive Committee. He will serve in his position for one year during this which he will help the President during the President’s last year of Presidency and will make preparation for his own Presidency which will last for two (2) years. The President cannot be re-elected for a second term.
9.2.3. The General Secretary is elected for three (3) years by the Ordinary Members at the General Assembly meeting on recommendation of the Executive Committee. He can be elected for two (2) successive terms. In the case of re-election he may stay on the Executive Committee until the end of his second term of office.
9.3 The Board of Directors consists of :
9.3.1
Founding members and the Executive Committee Members who are ex officio members of the Board
9.3.2
National Delegates of each European country of the association
9.4
General Assembly
All of the association’s members of all classes are entitled to attend at regular membership meetings, at least one of which is held every year at the annual SECEC/ESSSE congress or at the International Conference. The members of the association are given at least 30 days notice of membership meetings by the secretary. The notice includes the agenda.
The President, assisted by the Executive Committee members chairs the membership meetings and reports on the association’s non pecuniary condition.
The Treasurer reports on his management and submits the balance sheet for approval by the membership. The membership is also empowered to authorize alienations, purchases and sales.
The Ordinary Members will decide through a vote by secret ballot upon the venue of the annual meeting at least three (3) years in advance. The Ordinary members will have the opportunity to make proposals regarding the main topics of the next congresses. The Executive Committee will then make a choice among these proposals.
Only business on the agenda may be transacted at a membership meeting. Resolution will be taken by majority vote if 30% of the Ordinary Members are present in person or by proxy, and resolutions will be decided by amajority vote. If the quorum requirements are not fullfilled, the vote will be organised later through the SECEC/ESSSE website.
Article 10
: Le Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
10.1 The « Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery » is the official publication of the Society. The Society encourages that scientific and medical articles from Europe containing information regarding the investigation, development, preservation and restoration of the form and function of the shoulder and elbow are published in the journal. Abstracts from official meetings of the society are published in the journal.
10.2 European Member of the «Board of Trustees »
The Society has one member of the Board of Trustees nominated by the Executive Committee and recommended to the society for election at General Assembly. The European member of the Board of Trustees shall serve for a three (3) year term of office and shall be eligible for election to three (3) successive terms.
10.3 European Editorial Board
The European Editorial Board includes three (3) members and is nominated by the Executive Committee of SECEC for a three (3) year term of office and is then eligible for annual nomination by the Executive Committee. The Chairmanship of the European Editorial Board is for a two (2) year term.
The European Editor is responsible for selecting, preparing and transmitting the editorial materials to the publisher of the journal for publication. The European Editor decides about publications of articles coming from European institutions.
The European Editor shall be responsible for nominating individuals for various positions on the editorial staff including co-editor and associate editors.
The European Editor shall prepare an annual report for the Executive Committee together with interim reports as the Executive Committee may require.
Article 11
: Standing Committees
11.1 Membership Committee
The Membership Committee consists of five (5) ordinary members nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed by the General Assembly. One of the members must be a member of the Executive Committee. Their appointment to the Membership Committee will be for two (2) years but members may serve up to two (2) successive terms. The Executive Committee shall designate the chairman of the committee. Also this appointment is for a two (2) year term and the chairman may serve up to two (2) successive terms.
The Membership Committee shall receive sponsoring letters for ordinary members, associate members, and corresponding members. The applications are considered for membership in the society. The Membership Committee should be in close contact with the National Delegates in order to recruit young capable members. The Membership Committee shall present an annual report to the Executive Committee for their consideration. The Membership Committee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.
11.2 Education Committee
The Education Committee consists of five (5) members nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed by the General Assembly. One of these members must also be a member of the Executive Committee. The appointment to the Education Committee will be for a two (2) year term, but members may serve up to three (3) successive terms.
The Executive Committee shall designate the chairman of this committee. The appointment of the chairman is for a two (2) year term of office, and he may serve up to three (3) successive full terms. The Education committee is responsible for the organisation and supervision of educational and teaching activities.
The Education Committee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.
11.3 Research and Development Committee
The Research and Development Committee consists of five (5) ordinary members of the society, nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed by the General Assembly. At least one of these members must be a member of the Executive Committee. The appointment is for a two (2) year term. Members may serve up to three (3) successive terms.
The Executive Committee shall designate the Chairman of the committee. The appointment of the Chairman is for a two (2) year term of office and he may serve up to three (3) successive terms.
The Research and Development Committee is responsible for the organisation of clinical and experimental research activities of the society. The R & D Committee is allowed to build working groups which are headed by a member of the R & D Committee and have to be confirmed by the Executive Committee.
The Research and Development Committee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.
11.4 Ad Hoc Committees
Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee whenever needed but have to be confirmed by the General Assembly.
11.5 Ethical Committee
The Ethical Committee consists of 5 members. The members are appointed by the General Assembly on proposition of the Executive Committee. The members are elected for one year and can be renewed for maximum a total of 6 consecutive years. At least 3 of the members are former Presidents of the society. In any matter potentially involving a member directly or a person or an institution closely related to that member, he / she will automatically withdraw from his / her functions for this matter.
The Ethical Committee serves to investigate alleged unethical conduct involving members of the society, and proposes measures for resolution and prevention to the Executive Committee. The Ethical Committee can propose measures to ascertain the highest possible ethical standards in science and care to be imposed by the SECEC/ESSSE.
11.6 Website Committee
The Website Committee consists of five (5) members nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed by the General Assembly. At least one of these members must be a member of the Executive Committee. The webmaster is appointed by the Executive Committee for a two (2) year term and is ex officio member of the Website Committee. He can serve up to 2 successive terms.The appointment of the Website Committee members is for a two (2) year term. Members may serve up to two (2) successive terms. The Executive Committee shall designate the chairman of this committee who is appointed for a two (2) year term and. may serve up to two (2) successive terms.
The Website Committee is responsible for the contents of the SECEC/ ESSSE website and its updating.
The Website Committee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.
11.7 Eastern Europe Support Committee
The Eastern Europe Support Committee consists of five (5) members nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed by the General Assembly. It is completed by the National Delegates of Eastern countries. At least one of the members must be a member of the Executive Committee. The appointment is for a two (2) year term. Members may serve up to two (2) successive terms. The Executive Committee shall designate the chairman of the committee who is appointed for a two (2) year term and may serve up to two (2) successive terms.
The Eastern Europe Support Committee shall support Eastern European countries in their efforts to develop shoulder and elbow surgery.
The Eastern Europe Support Committee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.
11.8 The Program Committee
The Program Committee consists of six (6) ordinary members nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed by the General Assembly : the President of the next congress, the President of the society and four (4) ordinary members; The Program committee is responsible for abstract selection, preparation of the abstract book. He has to select the reviewers of the abstract selection. The appointment is for a two (2) year term. Members may serve up to one (1) term, except the President of the congress who will end his term after the congress he has organised and the President of the Society who will end his term at the end of his Presidency. The Executive Committee shall designate the chairman of this committee who is appointed for a two (2) year term and may serve up to one (1) term.
The Program Committee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.
Article 12
:
If need be or on requests of half plus one of the members the President may call a special membership meeting as provided in article 9 to take action on constitutional amendments. On first call business may be transacted at a special membership meeting if half of the members are present in person or by proxy, and resolutions being adopted by a two-third majority vote.
On second call there is no quorum requirements, the vote will be organised through the SECEC/ESSSE website and resolutions will be adopted by a two third majority vote.
Article 13
:
Rules and resolutions may be adopted by the Board of Directors, which had been approved at a general assembly.
The purpose of such rules and regulations is to regulate the various matters not provided for in the constitution including those relative to the internal administration of the association.
Article 14
:
If the association is wound up by vote of at least two-third of the members present at a membership meeting at which action is taken as provided in article 13, the members elect one or more liquidators at such meeting and any assets are devolved according to article 9 of the Act of July 1st, 1901 and the Decree of August 16., 1901.
