Constitution

NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY  (NiSIR)

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

We the Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology (NiSIR), for the purpose of promoting, understanding and cooperation among ourselves, find it desirable apart from being obedient to our rules and regulations as laid down in NiSIR constitution do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves the following constitution.

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL PROVISIONS

  1. MISSION

The mission of the Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology (thereafter referred to as NiSIR or society) is to provide and improve the healthcare services through pioneering advances in image-guided therapy with emphasis on:

  1. provision of continuing education and training to physicians and scientists with an active interest in Interventional Radiology for diagnosis, treatment or preventive purposes; 
  2. Promoting the exchange of ideas and information to further define the role, direction and goals of Interventional Radiology as a subspecialty of radiology.

CONSTITUTION

As approved by vote of the members.

  1. NAME
    The name of this nonprofit corporation is the Nigerian Society of Interventional Radiology (hereinafter known as NiSIR).
  2. PURPOSE
    The purpose of the NiSIR is to advance the art and science of Interventional Radiology and research through educational, scientific, literary, advocacy, regulatory and professional activities.
  1. THE MAIN OBJECTIVES/ CORE VALUES
  2. a)       Leadership: NiSIR and its members will lead in the development, advancement and maintenance of minimally invasive, image-guided therapies.
  1. Innovation: NiSIR will advances the creative and innovative spirit of interventional radiology by supporting research, procedures and technology that improve patient care.
  2. Scholarship: NiSIR and its members are devoted to building their specialty through the advancement of medical knowledge and the practice of evidence-based medicine.
  3. Patient care: NiSIR members will provide the highest quality care to patients and value to professional colleagues through development of standard operating procedures, guidelines and accreditations for the purpose of improving safety profile and compliance to ethical standards.
  4. Excellence: NiSIR and its members are committed to developing and maintaining the highest standards of excellence in patient care, integrating disease management, imaging and technical expertise and image-guided therapies.
  5. Membership: Radiologists practicing interventional radiology in Nigeria (or Nigerians practicing Intervention Radiology in diaspora) will provide representation for the implementation of these goals. The society should affiliate with the Association of Radiologists in Nigeria (ARIN), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and other cooperate bodies to achieve the set goals.
  6. Ethics: The NiSIR adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior, placing the interest of patients first.

CHAPTER: TWO

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

  1. Full Members

All Radiologists with an active interest and competence in Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, residing in Nigeria. This also applies to Nigerians with similar expertise practicing in diaspora.

They have the right to vote and hold office.

They shall be subject to the membership fees.

  1. Associate Members

Are doctors in training with an active interest and/or competence in  Interventional Radiology, residing in Nigeria.

They have the right to vote.

They shall be subject to reduced membership fees.

Associate Members will automatically become Full Members after completion of the relevant fellowship programme.

  1. Corresponding members

All Radiologists residing outside Nigeria, who otherwise fulfils all the criteria for membership.

They shall not have the right to vote or hold office.

They shall be subject to the membership fees.

  1. Honorary members 

Any radiologists or scientist with outstanding contributions towards advancement of cardio-vascular and interventional radiology can be considered for honorary membership by the executive council, subject to ratification by the annual general meeting.

They shall not have the right to vote or hold office.

They shall be exempted from payment of membership fees.

  1. Corporate members

This category is for cooperate organizations, industries and vendors with businesses related to interventional radiology. They have right to exhibit their products and services at the activities of the society. However, they have no right to vote and be voted for.

CHAPTER THREE: ACTIVITIES 

  1. Statutory activities:
  2. The organisation of annual congresses, scientific meetings and various educational activities;
  3. The publication of a biannual journal;
  4. The circulation of NiSIR official biannually journal, ‘Nigerian Journal of Interventional Radiology’ among all members and international scientific community via the online version;
  5. The promotion of Interventional Radiology at appropriate forums especially in the West African Sub-region.
  6. Long-Term Activities

In the pursuit of its objectives, SIRIN aimed not only to address but to also provide suggestions and solutions regarding the important issues which currently face Interventional Radiology by adopting more of an active role within the radiological industry and the government and its relevant agencies. In order to achieve its aim, the Society’s on-going long-term activities include:

  1. The promotion of Interventional Radiology to young doctors;
  2. The establishment of formal fellowship program, accredited by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons
  3. The encouragement of appropriate recognition for Interventional Radiology from the industry;
  4. The communication to relevant authorities of problem areas within Interventional Radiology.
  5. International recognition of interventional radiology fellowship/licensing form Nigeria.
  6. Affiliation with more experienced sister organizations regionally and globally for the purpose of advancement of the science and practice of cardio-vascular and interventional radiology in Nigeria and beyond.

CHAPTER FOUR: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The executive council shall consist of the following members:

  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. Secretary General
  4. Assistant Secretary
  5. Treasurer
  6. Public Relation Officer
  7. Nigerian Journal of Interventional Radiology Editor
  8. Ex-officio includes immediate past president and secretary
  1. TENURE

(a) The President shall be elected to serve a two-year (2) term which is renewable for another two years by re-election. The President may not be re-elected to this office after four years of service without interruption.
(b) The Vice-President, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for a two-year (2) term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. They may be re-elected at the end of their terms of office for only one more term.

(C)       Committees

                        The General Meeting may form the standing Committees or may allow the Exco Members to form the Committees. There shall be the following standing Committees: education committee, editorial committee (headed by the editor of the Nigerian Journal of  Interventional Radiology), etc as may be decided from time to time.

The Executive Council may pronounce the final ruling of decision on any issue in dispute relating to the interpretation of any bye – laws or rule made pursuant thereto.

  1. Exco Meeting

The Exco members shall meet at least once a month before the General Meeting at any agreeable date of the month to be decided by them.  The meeting shall be presided by the President or the vice president in the absence of the President.

  1. ELECTIONS

The Exco shall be elected by the electoral committee formed during a general meeting and the result is announced immediately after the election.

            1)         Any member of the Exco shall hold the same office for 2 years.

            2)         Exco member who resigns dies or leave his seat on any condition   acceptable then the vacant office shall be filled by electing a new person.

            3)         In the event that the general house reached a consensus on   nominating some members to form the executive council, such persons nominated shall be covered by provision (1) above.

            4)         Voting shall be by show of hands or by secret ballot at the discretion of the Electoral Committee (EC) formed by the general house.  The Electoral Committee shall determine the rules for conducting the election. The Electoral committee shall compose of a chairman and            four members.

            5)         A member of the EC shall not be a candidate for a post in the                                  executive office.

            6)         The tenure of office of the members of the electoral committee shall cease immediately the elected members of the Exco are inaugurated.

7)         Any responsible person, with sense of commitment to the progress of the society can contest.

8)         Any Exco member who served the association on two consecutive terms can contest for any other office.

CHAPTER FIVE: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

  1. The President shall perform the following duties:
  2. a)         Preside over general meetings, other ad hoc meetings of the society and the Exco meetings.
  3. b) Cause the summoning of all kind of meetings.
  4. c) Give direction to other officers of the Exco in the performance of their duties.
  5. Submit a report on the general activities of the society at every annual general meeting and whenever required at any other general meeting.
  6. Vice President shall perform the duties of the president in his absence. He/she also perform all duties assigned to him/her by the president of the society.
  7. The Secretary shall perform all the duties that may be assigned to   him by the association, the society or the President as provided as follows:
  8. The Summoning of:
  9. Annual General Meeting or any Ordinary General Meeting or a meeting of the Executive Council or any other ad hoc meeting of the society on the direction of the President.
  10. A meeting of the Executive Council.

            iii.        An Extra-ordinary General Meeting of the society upon requisition of not less than one fourth of the members of the society.

  1. The recording and keeping of minutes of all meetings including a short summary of all decisions taken at such meetings.
  2. The writing and dispatching of circulars, letters and correspondences of the society and the Executive Council.
  3. The keeping of the roll of members and the updating of list of the   members.                                                                                                                  
  4. The furnishing of annual or special report of the activities of the society or any of its organs.
  5. The performance of all other duties as may be assigned to him by the General Meeting or the Extra-ordinary General meeting of the society.
    1. The Treasurer shall:
      • maintain a register of all members,
      • shall be responsible for the collection of annual dues from members,
      • drawing up an annual budget in conjunction with the finance Committee for consideration of the Exco and general house.
      • Also shall collect any other monies due for the society and forward to the bank account not later than a week from the date of collection and also to organize fund raising activities.

The treasurer shall also

             1         (a)        Maintain the bank account of the society.

                        (b)        Carry out any decision or directive of the general meeting or Exco – meeting on matters relating to expenditure.

(c)        Prepare or cause to be prepared and circulate copies to members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) the audited balance sheet and annual statement of account of the society at least two weeks before such meetings.

  1. The Treasurer may be the Chair of the society’s finance &investment committee of the society and may invest any surplus fund in such securities as may be approved by the General Meeting.
  2. Public Relation Officer (PRO), it shall be the duty of P.R.O. to perform all duties as provided in the society’s constitution as follows:
  3. It shall be the duty of the Public Relation Officer to:

            (a)        Publicize the activities of the society.

            (b)        Issue press release and statements on matter of general interest to the society in consultation with the President and or the Executive Council.

            (c)        Present the correct and progressive image of the society to the public.

            (d)       Be responsible for receiving guest at all meetings and other             occasions.

            (e)        Be part of the education and editorial committees.

            (f)        Maintain good relationship between members of the society and the public.

            (g)        Shall be the Chairman of Welfare and Public Relations committee, members of which are appointed by the Executive Council or the General Meeting.

            (3).       Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the General Meeting or the Executive Council.

D         Ex – Officio = should attend all executive annual meetings, and perform any other duty assigned to them by the constitution, AGM or the President

                        FINANCE

  1. The society source of revenue shall include an annual dues minimum of ten  thousand (N10,000.00) (subject to review) to be paid in the 1st quota of every year by all member, donations as may be requested by the house or the Exco from individuals and corporate bodies or through investments.
  2. All monies belonging to the society shall be kept in its name NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY with such a bank(s) as the general house shall appoint.
  3. All annual dues shall be paid not later than 31st March of every year (subject to review).
  4. Account Signatories: One person from class A comprising either the president or vice president should sign along any of the class B in which could be either the secretary general or any other appointed member.
  5. The account of the association should be domiciled in one of the new generation banks with robust networking facilities.
  6. Audit Committee-

                        There shall be an Audit Committee consisting of three members appointed by the general meeting who shall be charged with the duty of auditing the books of accounts of the society at least once in a year or as otherwise directed by the General Meeting. An Exco-member shall not be appointed into the Audit Committee.

CHAPTER SIX: DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

A member or fellow of the Society may be disciplined or expelled for conduct, which the Society considers unprofessional, unethical, or offensive to the dignity or contrary to the best interests of the Society.

Disciplinary action may be initiated by any one or more violations of the Ethics of the Society. Without restricting the general definition of the foregoing, the following shall automatically be considered not in the best interest or inconsistent with the purposes of the Society:

  1. Suspension or revocation of any right to practice medicine in any state, province or country by reason of a violation of a medical practice act, statute or government regulation.
  2. Conviction of a felony relating to or arising out of the practice of medicine or of moral turpitude.
  3. If the Executive Council receives credible, verifiable evidence that a member or fellow has been involved in one of the two situations described above, such situation shall be considered grounds for automatic expulsion. The Executive Council shall initiate a notification process to the individual as detailed below.

Disciplinary Options

The Executive Council may apply the following disciplinary options to any fellow or member for due cause. Disciplinary proceedings shall be considered confidential. The following levels of disciplinary action are available and defined as follows:

  1. Expulsion: An expelled fellow or member shall no longer be a member of the Society and will be removed from the membership roster. He/she will not be entitled to the benefits of Society membership and shall return to the Society all certificates of membership or fellowship awarded by the Society. Grounds for expulsion are not limited to the two situations outlined above, but may also be invoked by the Executive Council where violations of the Society’s Code of Ethics have occurred.
  2. Suspension: Suspension shall cause the fellow or member to lose all membership benefits for a minimum of one year, or longer, as determined by the Ethics Committee. At the end of the determined suspension period, the Ethics Committee may consider a petition for reinstatement if the individual can show that during his/her suspension he/she has demonstrated the necessary modifications to his/her behavior and has adhered to the ethical principles of the Society. Provided the individual meets the membership criteria then in force, he/she may be fully reinstated as a member upon review by the Executive Council of the Ethics Committee recommendations.
  3. Probation: Probation is for a stated period of time, and causes the fellow or member to lose the right to hold office, serve on committees, or participate in Society-sponsored programs as a presenter, moderator, or panelist. The individual shall retain any other rights, privileges and obligations of membership. During this period, the individual shall be monitored by the Society, and will be eligible for reinstatement to full membership privileges by the Ethics Committee at the end of the stated term.
  4. No Action Indicated: After careful consideration of a complaint, the Ethics Committee may decide that no action is necessary.

Disciplinary Process

Ethics Committee Evaluation: Complaints of ethical misconduct by a member or fellow of the Society shall be filed in writing with the chairman of the Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee shall evaluate the merits of the complaint and decide whether any further action is necessary. If the Ethics Committee finds that there is merit to the complaint, it will schedule a hearing on the matter. Written notice of the complaint and hearing shall be sent to the accused physician and the complainant not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the hearing before the Ethics Committee. Such notification shall require proof of delivery to the physician.

CHAPTER SEVERN: AMMENDMENT

This document is subject to amendment every five years or as it may be deemed fit by the majority of members in attendance at the annual general meeting.

A motion for amendment must be supported by at least two financial members, which shall be ratified by election.

 

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