The Society is an official group of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), an Association incorporated under Section 21, Reg. No. 05/00136/08 and its name shall be ‘The Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons of South Africa’ (hereinafter called ‘The Society’)
The objectives of the Society are:
Any person who is a registered medical practitioner or a para-medical practitioner is eligible for membership provided that:
Any medical practitioner who is registered as such with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and who is a member of the South African Medical Association (MASA), shall be entitled to apply for full membership of the Society
Medical practitioners registered as such with the HPCSA, including registrars in training in the Speciality of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and who are non-SAMA members shall be entitled to apply for affiliated membership. These members will enjoy all the benefits of the Society but shall not be allowed to vote on matters concerning SAMA nor have the right to be elected too any office of SAMA. Members of the Society shall at all times consist of at least 85% of full members
Persons Registered in SA as para-medical practitioners, including professional nurses with a special interest in the field of Cardio-Thoracic surgery shall be entitled to apply for associated membership provide that their professional body (if any) of which they are members, does not object. Associated members shall have no voting rights in matters affecting the Society or SAMA as a whole, and their participation in the activities of the Society shall be limited to professional and technical matters.
Honorary membership, as defined in the Articles of SAMA, may be granted by the Executive Committee of the Society to persons who qualify for such membership in terms of the Articles of SAMA.
Members of the Society who have left South Africa shall be entitled to apply for overseas membership. This membership carries no voting rights in in matters affecting the Society or SAMA. Any legally qualified medical practitioner who has been a member of the Society residing beyond the borders of the Republic of South Africa may qualify for overseas membership of the Society (including practitioners who are neither SAMA members nor registered with the HPCSA). Overseas members shall be entitled to such privileges as may from time to time be determined by the Executive Committee of the Society.
Candidates for membership shall be elected by a majority of the Executive Committee of the Society after being duly proposed and seconded in writing by any two full members.
Every member shall remain a member until his membership is terminated either by his resignation in writing addressed to the Honorary Secretary, by a decision of the Executive Committee of the Society or by failing to pay the annual subscription. A member may be suspended if after twenty-four (24) months he/she has not paid his/her due subscriptions, but he/she may be reinstated by the Executive Council on payment of subscriptions in arrears. During the period of suspension, he/she shall not retain his/her vote.
The activities of the society shall be suspended if at any time there are less than eleven (11) full members
The annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held as far as is practicable during the Biennial Congress of the South African Heart Association alternating with the Biennial Cardio-Thoracic Forum.
Extraordinary General Meetings of the Society may be held from time to time and shall be called by the Executive Committee on the written request of eleven (11) full members of the society.
Voting by proxy according to the Articles of SAMA shall be allowed at all General Meetings.
An annual subscription shall be payable by members of the Society to provide funds for the carrying out of the work of the Society. The amount of the subscription shall be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time depending on the needs of the Society.
The chairman shall submit an Annual Report and the Honorary Treasurer a Financial Statement at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. A copy of each shall thereafter be transmitted to the Secretary-General of SAMA within thirty (30) days of the meeting.
Amendments to this constitution shall be effected only if passed by a two-thirds majority of those voting at a General Meeting of the Society. Any amendments to the constitution of the Society shall be approved by the Federal Council or Board of Trustees of SAMA before becoming operative.
In the event of the dissolution of the Society any remaining assets of the Society, after all debts have been settled and all obligations met, shall not be paid or given to, or divided among, the members of the Society, but shall be transferred to another Specialist or Special Interest group of SAMA engaged in activities similar to those for which this Society was established. Members attending the final Annual General Meeting of the Society or the Executive Committee of the Society will designate such Group. The assets may also be transferred or given to SAMA.