pakistani Society Of medical genetics bylaws

Article I – Mission

Our mission is to enable/facilitate the provision of affordable medical genetics services to the people of Pakistan and to increase awareness of genetic disorders through patient empowerment for making informed decisions, medical education, community outreach, and research.

Article II – Membership and Dues

A. Types of Memberships

Persons interested in human genetics and genomics are eligible for membership in Society.

REGULAR

1. Geneticists and genetic counselors from around the world
2. Medical professionals interested in genetics education and research 
3. Individuals associated with genetic support organizations in Pakistan 
4. Basic science educators at the university level 

TRAINEE 

1. Postdoctoral fellows, residents, and graduate students interested in medical genetics
   1. Trainee members shall not remain trainees for longer than five years

EMERITUS 

1. Individuals that have retired from their positions or practices in medical genetics-related fields 

B. Dues

Dues shall be decided and changed as needed by the majority decision of the board members. The amount shall be assessed on each member on a calendar-year basis in amounts set for each category of membership by the Board of Directors. Upon payment of the dues assessed, if required, an individual shall be a member in good standing entitled to all membership rights and benefits.

Article III – Board of Directors

The Society shall be managed by a Board of Directors of eight (8) members comprising the President, Vice President (starting in 2022), Secretary, and Treasurer, three (3) other members of the Society, and one trainee non-voting member. Four (4) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.  

The Executive Director can be appointed and hired by the board of directors as needed and is a non-voting and non-elected member of the board.  

Article IV – Election of Directors and Officers

The board members shall elect the board-nominated President-elect, Vice President Secretary, and Treasurer bi-annually by electronic ballot. 

The board of directors will decide when to add a new board member and elect the executive committee. A call for nominations for inclusion into the board of directors shall be sent to the general body. Once the board approves the candidate(s) to be on the board, the candidate(s) will go to the general body for the ratification process. 

Article V – Internal Structure and Organization 

General Body

1.    It shall consist of duly registered paid members of the Society, according to the provisions provided herein. 

2.    This will be the final authority of the Society wielding absolute power on the

conduct of affairs of the Society. However, for the smoother running of Society’s 

affairs, the General Body shall delegate this authority to the board of directors elected by the general body (starting in 2023). 

Board of Directors

1.    It shall act as the overseer and custodian of the Society.

2.    It shall consist of active members of the Society elected as prescribed in the Bylaws. 

3.    It shall have total control of all fixed assets and property of the Society and will manage the finances of the society.

4.    Any new vacancy, expected or unexpected, on the board will be filled by election by the board members' majority decisions. 

5.     The Board of Directors will reach out to the general body for any critical changes in the by-laws or the affairs of the Society. 

Executive Committee

1.    It shall consist of the president, president-elect, secretary, and treasurer. 

2.   Until the first election of the society, the first Executive committee will have four members (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer). Three additional members will be nominated by the president and approved by a majority vote by the founding members.

3.    It shall keep an up-to-date directory of members. 

4.    It shall propose the annual budget and plans to the Board of Directors for approval. 

Article VII – Duties of Officers

The PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint such committees and representatives as directed by the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws. Other committees and representatives may be appointed at the discretion of the President.

The PRESIDENT-ELECT shall preside in the absence of the President. If the President is incapacitated, the President-elect shall act in the stead of the President. In the event of incapacity of the President-elect to act as President, the duties of the President shall be assumed by the Past President, Secretary, or Treasurer, in that order. Incapacity shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

The SECRETARY shall keep the records of the Society and shall report on the status of membership at Board meetings and at the Society's Annual Meeting.

The TREASURER shall be responsible for the Society's funds and the management of revenues and payment of obligations of the Society. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall present a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the funds of the Society. In January of each year, the Treasurer shall present a budget for that fiscal year, for approval by the Board. The Treasurer generally shall make only such expenditures as are authorized by the Board of Directors in the annual budget.