Constitution

Rules of the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy

The Society’s governing instrument is it’s memorandum and articles of association. The following rules are made under article 53 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the British Society for Gene Therapy, Company number 04964174, Incorporated November 14, 2003.The Society members shall be elected as in rules 2, 3, & 4. Members shall be members of the British Society for Gene Therapy (BSGT) Company, with a limited liability of £1. All members of the BSGT at the time of its incorporation shall continue to be members with the same status (Ordinary or Associate) as before with the same rights, privileges and duties as set out in these Rules.
Applicants for membership shall send to the General Secretary their name and qualifications on a special form provided for the purpose. Applicants must accept the rules of the Society, and must have appropriate qualifications, experience or interests, within the remit of the Society. All applications for membership must be approved by the Board, before the benefits and privileges of membership are granted. Ordinary members whose income falls below a level determined from time to time by the board may be eligible for reduced membership. Following retirement from their main employment, members may apply to the Board to continue their membership, with full privileges of membership, but without payment of the annual subscription.
Each member shall pay an annual subscription. The level of subscription shall be set by the Board and shall be payable in advance. No applicant shall be admitted to membership until the first annual subscription has been paid.
Resignation of membership must be made in writing to the Company Secretary, and the member resigning shall be liable for the payment of the annual subscription for the current year, together with any arrears or monies owing up to the date of resignation. Any member whose subscription is more than one year in arrears and who has been duly notified of the fact shall, if the Board sees fit, cease to be a member of the Society and of the company. Persons having ceased to be members because of subscription arrears shall be eligible for election to the Society as in rule
Commercial companies having an interest within the remit of the Society may apply for Corporate Partnership with the Society. The benefits conferred by Corporate Partnership and the level of Corporate Partnership shall be as decided by the Board on an individual basis. Applications for Corporate Partnership shall be considered and approved by the Board.
The trustees of the society, known as officers, shall be the President, Treasurer and General Secretary and a maximum of eight other board members elected by the membership of the Society. The Board shall have the power to co-opt persons to Board in the event of an unforeseen vacancy, or to support the work of the Board. Co-opted persons shall usually be the chairpersons of the Society Committees or representatives of other Societies or Associations whose work is relevant to the aims of the Society. The Board shall generally meet three times each year including a meeting at the same time as the Annual Conference.
The President shall be elected by the Board for a period of four years, and shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of their retirement.
The Treasurer shall be elected by Board for a period of four years. A member serving as Treasurer shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of their retirement.
The General Secretary shall be elected by the Board for a period of four years. A member serving as General Secretary shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of their retirement.
The President-elect shall be elected by the Board for a period of two years before assuming the role of President.
Election of an incoming President, General Secretary or Treasurer can occur in the last 12 months of tenure of the serving member.
Board Members shall be elected by the membership for a period of three years. A member of the Society serving as a Board Member is eligible for re-election for a further period of 3 years, but thereafter shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of their retirement.
Each year, not less than two months before the Annual General Meeting, the General Secretary shall circulate to the Society membership the names of the existing Board and seek nominations to replace any retiring Officer and Board Members. Nominations must be supported by two members, and each nomination must be accompanied by a written statement from the nominee that he or she is willing to serve, together with a short curriculum vitae. Candidates for election to membership must be members of the Society. The closing date for nominations shall not be less than 4 weeks from the date of the call for nominations.
In matters concerning the interpretation of the Rules the decision shall rest with the Board.
The Society may establish Committees with a remit to manage specified aspects of the Society’s activities. Each Committee shall have a chairperson and members appointed by the Board, according to their interests in the specific field taking into account their expertise. The responsibilities of the Committees and of the Committee chairpersons shall be set out as specified by the Board. No Committee shall act independently of the Board of the Society and all financial matters will remain with the Board. Each committee shall include a member of Board who shall report to Board on the activities of the Committee. Committee members will be appointed for 2 years, shall be eligible for re-appointed for a further 2 year period, but shall not be eligible for re-election within one year of their retirement from the Committee.
The Society shall hold an Annual Conference where members shall have to opportunity to discuss their research and any scientific, clinical or other matters of relevance. A non-member may submit a scientific communication to the conference at the invitation of Board or after proposal by a member.
There will be a time specified at the Annual Conference for the Annual General Meeting of the Company and for a business meeting of the Society. The AGM and the business meeting of the Society shall only be open to Company Members.
The proceedings of meetings may only be communicated to the press or media with the consent of the Board.
The Rules may be altered only at a general meeting (AGM or EGM) and only after notice has been given in writing to all the members at least two months previously. No alteration shall be made unless two-thirds of those voting are in favour. Any alteration must accord with the regulations set out in the Act.

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