ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT VETERINARIANS
(A Division of the British Veterinary Association)
RULES
(Amended March 2004)
1. The title of the Association is “The Association of Government Veterinarians”(formerly the Association of State Veterinary Officers), (Amendment at 2004 AGM) hereinafter referred to as the Association.
2. The Association is a division of the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
3. The Objects of the Association are -
a. The advancement of Veterinary Science.
b. The discussion of scientific subjects relating to the theory and practice of State Veterinary Medicine.
c. The establishment and promotion of goodwill and understanding among its members, and with other members of the veterinary profession.
4. Membership of the Association is open to all veterinary surgeons permanently employed in any United Kingdom Government Department or their Executive Agencies, who are duly elected according to Rule 5. Members shall be entitled to retain their membership on secondment or retirement. (Amendment at 2003 AGM).
Membership shall be of four kinds-
a. Full membership for those who are members of the BVA.
b. Associate membership for those who are not members of the BVA.
c. Honorary life membership for members of the Association who have rendered distinguished service to the Association.
d. Honorary membership for non-members of the Association who have rendered distinguished service to the Association or to the veterinary profession.
5. A candidate for membership shall have a proposer and a seconder, both of whom must be members of the Association.
The application shall be considered by the Council who shall have the right to elect full and associate members.
Nominations for honorary life membership and honorary membership shall be submitted by the Council for approval at the Annual General Meeting.
A member may terminate membership at any time by notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary- The Honorary Treasurer shall report to the Council any member who has failed to pay his subscription for the preceding financial year and at the discretion of the Council, such person shall cease to be a member,
6. All members shall be entitled to vote on all matters relating to the Association- In matters specifically relating to British Veterinary Association policy, only members of BVA shall be entitled to vote.
7. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by Officers and a Council which has authority to act in the name of the Association. The officers and members of Council must be members of the BVA.
8. The Officers shall be appointed by vote at the Annual General Meeting and shall take office at the termination of the Annual General Meeting.
9. The Annual General Meeting shall be held annually. At least 21 days notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given.
Ordinary general meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Officers. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on receipt by the Honorary Secretary of a written request, stating the object of the meeting, signed by any ten members.
Notice of meetings shall be sent in writing to all members at least seven days prior to the meeting.
10. The funds of the Association shall be administered by an Honorary Treasurer appointed at the Annual General Meeting. He shall have authority to open the Association's bank account and to draw upon it over his signature alone. The President and Secretary shall be alternative signatories. The Association's financial year shall end on 31 December. The Treasurer shall submit an audited statement of accounts to the Annual General Meeting. Full and Associate members shall pay an annual subscription, due on the first day of May, in advance, the amount to be determined at the Annual General Meeting. The payment of the current subscription on 1st May following retirement shall be a 'once and for all' subscription.
1 1 A quorum at a general meeting shall be thirty members, and at a council meeting six.
12. Rules of the Association shall not be amended except by a two-thirds majority at an Annual General Meeting, due notice of the proposed amendment having been given in the papers summoning the meeting.
13. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
The President shall be Chairman at all meetings. In his absence one of the Vice Presidents shall so act, or, failing them, the members present shall appoint a Chairman from among their number.
The Chairman shall have a casting vote at all meetings.
Voting at meetings shall be by acclamation or show of hands except that the Chairman may order a ballot.
Matters voted shall be decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting.
It shall be recognised as within the province of the Chairman to allow, limit or exclude discussion as he thinks fit in the interests of the Association.
14. OFFICERS
The Officers shall consist of a President, Senior Vice-President, Junior Vice-President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.
An exceptional vacancy shall be filled by nomination by the Council. An Honorary Treasurer so nominated shall have the authority given in Rule 8.
15. COUNCIL
Council shall consist of the Officers and eight members to be elected from Full Members of the Association. Any member may propose or second a Full Member for election to Council. The election shall be held at the Annual General Meeting.
Members of Council shall be elected to serve for a period of three years, and are eligible for
re-election.
Council shall have the authority to co-opt a maximum of two additional members in exceptional circumstances.
16. HONORARY SECRETARY
The Honorary Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the Association's records and conducting all necessary correspondence. The Secretary may incur such expense as is needed for the proper conduct of the Association's business and shall submit a report of the year's proceedings to the Annual General Meeting.
17. HONORARY TREASURER
The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting, holding and expending of the funds. The Treasurer shall be deemed to have authority to make all usual payments but shall refer to the President of the Council for authority to discharge accounts which are unusual in their nature or amount.
18.HONORARY AUDITORS
Two full members shall be elected as Honorary Auditors and shall be responsible for auditing the Annual Statement of Accounts of the Association. The Honorary Auditors shall be appointed by vote at the Annual General Meeting.
19. REPRESENTATIVES
The Association's representative to serve on the Council of the British Veterinary Association shall be elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.
Members required to represent the Association on other bodies shall normally be appointed at the Annual General Meeting, but, where exceptional vacancies occur or the particular circumstances demand, the Council may nominate members so to act.
20. VISITORS
Members may introduce non-members to general meetings with the prior consent of the Chairman, but not otherwise.
21. PUBLICATIONS
Proceedings of meetings should be presented in a suitable scientific format, to the Veterinary Record or State Veterinary Journal for consideration for publication.