BY LAWS

AFRICAN SHOULDER AND ELBOW SOCIETY (AFSES)

Introduction:

In this constitution consideration is given to the situation of the Shoulder and Elbow surgery in the African countries with highly variable and wide-ranging numbers of practicing Orthopaedic Surgeons and allied health professionals. It is initiated by the two active shoulder societies in Africa, the Egyptian Shoulder Surgery Association and the Society of South African Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.

The aim is to improve the standard of patient’s service and

the knowledge and experience of the African shoulder and elbow surgeons through teaching and exchange of experience as well as linking the members to the international shoulder and elbow surgeons’ community, surgical new developments, teaching activities and experience.

Article 1

A Society named « African Shoulder and Elbow Society »

is founded on from conjoint efforts of the Egyptian Shoulder Surgery Association and the Society of South African Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, among the adherents to this constitution.

Article 2

The official language of the Society is English and second languages are Arabic and French

Article 3

The purpose of this society is to establish a scientific cooperation and to provide for continuing training of African orthopedic surgeons specialized in surgery of the shoulder and elbow in order to contribute to the development of the physiological, pathological and therapeutic study of the shoulder and elbow joints.

Article 4 Headquarters and Office

Society e-mail and website:

E-mail: info@afses.net

Website: www.afses.net

Egypt:

SASES Headquarters: 57 Boulevard des Charles de Gaulle- Giza, Cairo (EGYPT)

Contacts: Phone: +20 112 4395928

E-mail Cairo office: hqoffice@afses.net

Registration: in the Egyptian Ministry of Social Affairs

South Africa:

SASES Office: Post net Suite #033 Private Bag 30004 Danhof Bloemfontein Free State South Africa 9301

Contacts: Phone: +27 51 430 3280

E-mail South Africa office: saoffice@afses.net

Article 5

Is open to all Orthopedic surgeons or surgeons practicing in Africa with a specialization or are interested in surgery of the shoulder and the elbow

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 ENTRANCE FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

Active members (Ordinary and Associated members) and corresponding members shall pay to the Society the annual subscription (to be decided by the first Head Office of the EXCO) immediately upon receipt of notification of acceptances of membership.

Thereafter, Active members shall pay to the Society an annual subscription for every year during which they remain an Active Member of the Society, which subscription shall be payable by the 31st ( thirty first) day of January in each year.

Honorary and Life Members will not be liable for the payment of annual subscriptions. The Membership subcommittee shall from time to time determine the subscriptions payable by members, provided that such subscriptions may be altered, varied or revoked by the members in a general meeting.

Article 7 Society Funds

The society's funds consist of the initiation fees, public and private grants and subsidies or gifts and membership dues.

Article 8 Membership

8.1 Categories

1. Founding members:

Abdel Salam Eid
Ahmed Abdelsamae
Ahmed Kandil
Basim Fleega
Cameron Anley
Charl Christiaan Van Den Berg
Gamal Elsobhy
Hani Elsayed
Hasan Ali
Jan Stadler Kirsten
Leon Raja
Mahmoud Hafez
Mike Mulder
Mohamed Abdelaal
Mohamed Kotb
Mohamed Yehia
Nitesh Phagwan
Pieter Laubscher
Said Kareem
Sherif Elgamry
Sherif Sokkar
Stephen Roche
Yaser Elsafoury

Are the members who founded this society and established the constitution.

The founding members will elect the first executive committee and the first president, vice president, treasurer, general secretary and member in large as well as the three silent EXCO members (the S-General Secretary, the S-Treasurer and the S-Member at Large, who will be active members and take office after one year from election.)

Ordinary members: Orthopedic Surgeons or Surgeons specialized or interested in surgery of the shoulder and the elbow
Associate members: Practitioners of all disciplines interested in the pathology of the shoulder and the elbow.
Corresponding members: Practitioners of all specialties practicing in non-African countries and having contributed significantly to shoulder and elbow surgery
Honorary Members: Honorary Membership of the Society may be conferred on persons of distinction who are eminent in Science or the Humanities, provided that they have made valuable contributions to the advancement of Medical Science.
Life Members: Life Membership of the Society may be conferred on Active Members who have rendered long and distinguished service to the Society.

8.2 Election of members

Any person who wishes to become a member of the Society shall apply to the Executive Committee for election and shall furnish to the Executive Committee all such information as the Executive Committee shall from time to time require, in particular full details of the qualifications making such person eligible for election as a member.

Members (Ordinary, Associated and Corresponding members) shall be elected (Approved) by the Executive Committee, and the Executive Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to approve, approve with conditions or reject any application.

Honorary Members and Life Members shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and such candidates shall be elected by a majority of those members of the Society present at a general meeting.

Article 9: Organization of the Society

The society’s administrative actions are taken by the

Executive Committee (Including the Head Office EXCO and ordinary EXCO members)
Board of Directors (Including the EXCO, the National Delegates and the Founding members).
General Assembly.

9.1 National Delegates:

Each African country of the society will be represented by one National Delegate

9.1.1 Delegates designation:

In countries where a National Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery does exist, it is whished that the President, or Past President or General Secretary (according to their own bylaws) will be the representative in the African society. If this representative is not a AFSES member, he will be automatically appointed ordinary Member.

When there is no National Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery:

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 endeavor to ensure that each African country will be represented.

9.1.2 Powers and duties of the National delegates

The national delegates are members of the Board of directors and will participate in all decisions and meetings of the board of directors.

9.1.3 Meetings:

At the same time with the board of Directors meeting (every 6 months), either physically or through a virtual platform.

9.2 Executive Committee:

Shall consist of 11 members in the first 2 years then 13 members after 2years and the

following years.

9.2.1 Election

FIRST MEETING OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS:

The founders of the society will meet to elect the first Executive Committee and the EXCO Head Office members who will be in post for two years. They will also elect the three Silent members and approve the constitution. The president of this meeting will be the oldest member of the founders.

9.2.1.1 The first EXCO (11 members) will be elected from the founding members

1 First President elected for the first 2 years, then become EXCO members for 2 years.
1 First Vice President elected for 2 years after which he/she will become the President for 2 years.
1 first Treasurer elected for 2 years, then the S-Treasure will take office.
1 first General Secretary elected for 2 years, then the S-General secretary will take office.
1 first Member at Large elected for 2 years, then the S-Member at Large will take office.
6 Ordinary Members as a minimum chosen to provide a balanced representation of the African countries, or even a number equivalent to the Chairmen of the subcommittees. Are elected for 2 years.

9.2.1.2 Three Silent EXCO-HEAD OFFICE Members

Election is to be done after one year after the election of the Treasurer, General Secretary and Member at Large.

3 Silent members (S-General Secretary, S-member at large, S-Treasurer) are elected. They will take part in all EXCO meeting for one year without voting right. (For the purpose of continuity as they will take the post in office after one year).

S-Treasurer: He will be the Treasurer after one year. (Elected from the board of Directors). He will help the Treasurer during his last year in post and will make preparation for his own post as a Treasurer which will last for two (2) years

S-General Secretary He will be the General Secretary after one year. (Elected from the General Assembly on recommendation of the EXCO). He will help the General Secretary during his last year in post and will make preparation for his own post as a General Secretary which will last for two (2) years.

S-Member at Large He will be the Member at Large after one year. (Elected from the General Assembly on recommendation of the EXCO). He will help the Member at Large during his last year in post and will make preparation for his own post as a member at Large which will last for two (2) years.

9.2.1.3 The second and following EXCO election (5 previously elected and 8 new elections) will be formed as follow:

A- 5 previously elected members will take their post:

: Vice President will take the post as a President for 2 years, then he will be a member of the EXCO for another 2years
: S-Treasure will take the post as a Treasurer for 2 years
General Secretary: S-General secretary will take the post of a General Secretary for 2 years.
Member at Large: S-Member at Large will take the post of a member at Large for 2 years
Past president:will be EXCO member for two years

B- Election of 7 EXCO ordinary members and the Vice President;

1-Vice President: elected for 2 years after which he/she will become the President for

two years, then an EXCO member for 2years

(Elected from the Board of Directors)

2- Seven EXCO Ordinary Members as a minimum chosen to provide a balanced representation of the African countries, or even a number equivalent to the Chairmen of the subcommittees. Are elected for 2 years. (Executive Committee members are elected by secret vote by the active members at the General Assembly on the recommendation of both the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

The elected Treasurer, General Secretary and Member at Large can also be elected for the post of Silent General secretary, Silent Treasurer and Silent member at Large and thus they can serve two successive periods.
The Executive Committee members are elected for a term of two (2) years and are eligible for re-election for a second two (2) year term. However, they cannot serve for more than two (2) successive terms. No person can be a member of the Executive Committee for more than four (4) consecutive years except for the Vice President and the President.
In Summary:The EXCO will recommend the 7 Ordinary members, the General Secretary and the Member at Large for election by the General Assembly. And the Board of Directors will elect the Vice President and the Treasurer.

9.2.2 Meetings:

- The executive committee shall meet at least every three months either physically or through a virtual platform.

9.2.3 Power and duties of the Executive Committee (EXCO)

Approval of resolutions and proposals of the Head Office.
Follow up on their execution
Present activity proposals to the Head Office
Recommendation of Executive Committee members candidates for election by secret vote by the Active members at the General Assembly.
Recommendation of the General Secretary and Member at Large Silent candidates for election by secret vote by the Active members at the General Assembly. (See 9.2.1.2/ 2 and 3)
Appoint National Delegate in countries which less than 10 active members.
Nominate members for election as a Honorary members and Life members to the General Assembly for approval by secret voting of the active members.
Election approval new applications for membership of the society,
Determine time and place of the General Assembly (usually every two years International AFSES Conference or International ICSES conference)
Nomination of the members of the subcommittees for approval by the General Assembly
Designation of the chairman of some Subcommittees (See Subcommittee)
Appoint a member of the Executive Committee in each subcommittee

9.3 Head Office of the Executive Committee (EXCOH)

9.3.1 Formation

The head office will be formed from:

1- President

2- Vice President

3- Treasurer

4- General Secretary

5-Member at large

9.3.2 Meetings

The Executive Committee Head Office shall meet at such times as may be necessary for the transaction of its business.

At least 7 days’ written or verbal notice shall be given of all meetings of the Head Office Executive Committee, unless all the members of the Executive Committee Head Office agree to accept shorter notice.

The quorum for a meeting of the Head Office Executive Committee shall be at least 3 (three) of the members thereof.

The President shall preside at all meetings at which he/she is present. In the absence of the President, the Vice- President shall preside.

Meetings will be either physically or through Zoom meeting.

In the event of a vacancy occurring amongst the members of the Head Office Executive Committee during their term of office, the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall have the powers to co-opt a substitute member.

9.3.3 Powers and duties of the executive committee head office:

The Head Office of the Executive Committee shall manage the affairs of the Society and for these purposes, shall have all the powers necessary to enable it to do so, subject only to the limitation placed on such powers by the context of this Constitution or by any resolution of a general meeting of the members of the Society.

Present a report on activity to the EXCO periodic meeting. Present any new resolutions for approval to the Executive committee members at their periodic meeting every 3 months.

Any resolution of the Head Office shall be carried on a simple majority of all votes cast.

The Head Office can invite the Executive committee for a meeting in written or verbal shorter notice of at least 7 days.

9.4 The Board of Directors

9.4.1 The Board of Directors is composed of:

1- Founding members

2- Executive Committee Members who are ex officio members of the Board

3- National Delegates of each African country of the Society.

9.4.2 Duties of the Board of directors:

1. Approve plan of scientific activities of the Executive Committee

2. Follow up on their execution

3. Approve budget proposal for submission to the General Assembly

4. Election of the president elect (Vice President) of the society

5. Recommendation of Executive Committee members for election by secret vote by the Active members at the General Assembly.

9.4.3 Meetings

- The Board of Directors will meet every 6 months either physically or through a virtual platform.

- The EXCO will decide the time and place of the meeting

9.5 Founding members:

9.5.1

are the members who founded this society and established the constitution.

9.5.2 Duties

They elect the first Board of directors and executive committee. They are 8 members from South Africa and 15 members from Egypt.

The founding members are members of the Board of directors and will participate in all decisions of the board of directors.

9.5.3

Their meeting will be in the same time of the Board of Directors.

9.5 General Assembly

A General Assembly will be held at such time (being not less than 24 (24 months as there is a general assembly meeting and elections election every 2 years) months and not more than 48 months after the preceding General assembly) and place as may be determined by the Executive Committee.

A general meeting of the Society may be called by the Executive Committee at any time.

All of the society’s members of all classes are entitled to attend at regular membership meetings, at least one of which is held every two years at the biennial AFSES Conference and/or at the International Conference. The members of the society are given at least 12 weeks’ notice of membership meetings by the general secretary. The notice includes the agenda as presented from the EXCOH.

The President, assisted by the Executive Committee members chairs the membership meetings and reports on the society’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.

An invitation to apply for the organization of the General Conference meeting will be sent out to the members through the website at least four (4) years in advance. The Executive Committee will consider the proposals and the Board of Directors will take a decision with at least three (3) years in advance in a secret Voting after a 10minuts audiovisual presentation of each applicant in front of the Board of Directors when there is an annual general meeting or Conference meeting.

The General Assembly will select by secret vote the African candidate to ICSES organization. The candidates will present their applications in front of the General Assembly.

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 a majority vote. If the quorum requirements are not fulfilled after one hour of the meeting, the vote will be taken by the majority vote of the members present or by proxy.

Article 10: Subcommittees

(8 Scientific subcommittees and 6 Organization subcommittees)

10.1 Election

a- All subcommittees consist of five (5) members, or more, if needed, 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.

b- 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.

c-Special consideration are made for the Ethics subcommittee and the Program subcommittee (see below)

d- Each of the scientific subcommittees shall present an annual report at the General

Assembly.

10.2 Scientific Subcommittees

Shoulder arthroplasty
Shoulder Instability
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder Trauma

At least one of the committee members must by a physiotherapist or a rehabilitation specialist physician

Elbow
The Research and Development Subcommittee is responsible for the organization 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.

10.3 Organization subcommittees

10.3.1 Membership Subcommittee

The Membership subcommittee shall receive the applications to Ordinary members, Associate members and Corresponding membership.

The applications will be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. The EXCO shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to approve, approve with conditions or reject any application. The membership Subcommittee will then integrate all approved new members in all activities of the society.

The Membership Subcommittee should be in close contact with the National Delegates in order to recruit young capable members.

10.3.2 Education Subcommittee

The Education Subcommittee is responsible for the organization and supervision of educational and teaching activities.

The Education Subcommittee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.

10.3.3 Ethical Subcommittee

In this subcommittee at least 3 of the members are former Presidents of the society (if possible). 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 Subcommittee serves to investigate alleged unethical conduct involving members of the society, and proposes measures for resolution and prevention to the Executive Committee. The Ethical Subcommittee can propose measures to ascertain the highest possible ethical standards in science and care to be imposed by the AFSES.

10.3.4 Website Subcommittee

The Website Subcommittee is responsible for the contents of the AFSES website and its updating.

The Website Subcommittee shall present an annual report at the General Assembly.

10.3.5 Program Subcommittee

The Program Subcommittee consists of the General Secretary, the President of the next congress, the Chairman of the Website Committee and four (4) ordinary members appointed by the Executive Committee and voted at the General Assembly meeting.

The Program Subcommittee is responsible for abstract selection, preparation of the abstract book, scientific program. 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 organized and the General Secretary who will end step down at the end of his term. The General Secretary will be ex officio the Chairman of this subcommittee.

10.3.6 Qualification Committee

The Qualification Committee will work in collaboration with the National Orthopedic Societies in order to set up a qualification process of shoulder and elbow surgeons.

It will support countries in their efforts to develop shoulder and elbow surgery

Article 11

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 society.

The Society

African Shoulder and Elbow Society