Aims and activities

 

The object of the Society shall be to promote the study of spinal disorders with particular attention to the surgical treatment of spinal disease and disorders.

The society will stimulate research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of spinal disease. It will liaise with relevant government, educational, professional and public bodies relevant to all spinal disorders. It will particularly encourage professionals dealing with the surgical and non surgical treatment of spinal disorders to meet and share common goals and purpose.

Most of the members of the society are spinal surgeons who may have trained in either Orthopaedic surgery or Neurosurgery. Some members have an exclusive spinal practice other members may have spinal surgery as a major sub specialty interest.  We are keen to encourage surgeons in training to join.

The society encompasses all spinal disorders with the exception of paediatric spinal deformities. Information on this specialist topic is available from the British Scoliosis Society. Serious spinal disorders are not common but may require specialist treatment that sometimes involves surgery.

The spine connects the head to the pelvis and as with all specialist fields' different members will have different skills and experience in treating cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral disorders. We are not a society that just treats low back disorders.

Many spinal disorders do not require specialist assessment and treatment can often be appropriately given by other health care professionals.  BASS is unable to provide individual medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice or wish to find a consultant, you should consult your GP.

British Association of Spine Surgeons Constitution

1.         NAME

            The Society shall be called theBritish Association of Spine Surgeons or B.A.S.S. hereafter referred to as TheSociety.

 

2.         OBJECTS

 

i)          The objects of the Society shall be to promote the study of spinal disorders with particular attention to the surgicaltreatment of spinal disease and disorders. The society will stimulate researchinto the causes, prevention, and treatment of spinal disease. It will liaisewith relevant government, educational, professional and public bodies relevantto all spinal disorders. It will particularly encourage professionals dealingwith the surgical and non surgical treatment of spinal disorders to meet andshare common goals and purpose.

 

ii)         In furtherance of these objects, butnot otherwise, the Society shall have the following powers:-

 

a.         purchase, take on lease or in exchange,receive by way of gift, grant or otherwise, hire or in any other manner acquireany real or personal property and any rights or privileges which the Societymay think necessary or desirable for the promotion of its objects or any ofthem, and to construct maintain and alter any buildings or erections necessaryor desirable for the work of the Society:

b.         sell, let, mortgage, dispose of, orturn to account all or any of theproperty or assets of the Society as may be thought expedient with a view tothe promotion of its objects:

 

c.         borrow or raise money for the purposesof the Society on such terms and on such security as may be thought fit:

 

d.         invest the monies of the Society notimmediately required for its purposes in or upon such investments, securitiesor property as may be determined by the Society.

 

e)         To do all such things as are necessary for the attainment of any or allof the above objects.

 

3.         MEMBERSHIP

 

Membership of the Society shall be opento all qualified medical practitioners who work within the British Isles andare registered with the General Medical Council. 

ii)         Membership of the Society shall be inthree principal classes:

 

a.         Ordinary Members, for whom thegeneral qualifications, privileges, and subscriptions shall be determined bythe Society's bye-laws, shall be consultants practicing in spinal surgery or ina related specialty in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

b)         Associate Members are traineesin spinal surgery or in a related specialty for whom the generalqualifications, privileges, and subscriptions shall be determined by theSociety's bye-laws. Associate members will automatically have the privilege tobe elected as an ordinary member at the next AGM of the society following theirtaking up a consultant position.

 

c)         Honorary Members elected by theSociety as a mark of respect in recognition of distinguished contributions tofurthering the objects of the Society. Honorary members shall be entitled to attend all meetings and otheractivities of the Society, but shall not have the right to vote at businessmeetings or to receive the particular benefits secured by subscribing to theSociety.

d)         Retired Members shall beentitled to electronic communications relating to the society and will beentitled to attend all meetings and other activities but shall not have theright to vote at business meetings or to receive the particular benefits securedby subscribing to the Society.

 

iii)        Candidates for all classes of membershipshall require nomination in writing by oneOrdinary Member of the Society.  This maybe by letter or by proposal forms for this purpose which are be obtained fromthe Honorary Membership Secretary or Honorary Secretary. Direct Debit Mandateforms must be completed accurately with the full postal address of the membersbank including the post code or they will be returned forthwith. Direct DebitMandate will be retained by the Honorary Membership Secretary until the finalapproval of the candidate at the next AGM and on approval, will be sent to thecandidates bank for payment.

 

iv)        Lists of candidates for membership,identifying the name of the Ordinary Member making each nomination, shall bepublished at the AGM of the Society.  Ifno objections are raised, persons nominated shall be deemed duly elected.  If objections are raised, election shall be determinedby the support of a simple majority of Ordinary Members present after duediscussion.

 

 

V)        Membership may be terminated

a.        By resignation at any time.

b.        By expulsionfor adequate motives on decision of the Annual General Meeting convened forthat purpose, with at least 75 % of the present votes (personally or representedby a valid proxy) in favour, on proposal of the Executive Committee who willsubmit a report specifying the reasons for the proposed expulsion.

The concerned Member will be advised in advanceabout the proposal and report of the Executive Committee.  He will upon his request be heard previouslyto the final vote by the Annual General Meeting.

c.         By death.Membership is exclusively personal.  Thebeneficiaries, successors of the dead members have no right at all to belong tothe Society.

d.        Ordinary memberswho are three months in arrears shall be warned by the Honorary Treasurer thatunless the subscriptions are paid forthwith the privileges of membership shallbe withdrawn.  An Ordinary Member who ismore than twelve months in arrears and has been duly notified thereof by theTreasurer shall, unless immediate payment is made, cease to be a Member of theSociety.  Ordinary Membership may berestored at the discretion of the Executive Committee on full payment of arrearsof subscription.

e.         Ordinary membersmust attend at least one annual meeting every three years to retain the rightto membership.

 

4.         SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

i)          An annual Scientific Meeting shall beheld in every calendar year. The site of the annual meeting will be determinedat the AGM at least two years in advance. The Annual meeting may combined withother societies at the discretion of the executive.

 

ii)         Additional Scientific Meetings shall beheld at the discretion of the Executive Committee, may be arranged inconjunction with other organisations, and may be held in countries other thanthe United Kingdom.

 

iii)        The business transacted at ScientificMeetings shall consist of scientific communications and/or clinical case orother demonstrations.  The dates of allScientific Meetings for the ensuing year shall be notified to all members atthe Annual Scientific Meeting.  Formalnotice of each Scientific Meeting, together with a programme for the meeting,shall be sent to all Ordinary Members at least six weeks before the scheduleddate of the meeting.

5.         BUSINESS MEETINGS

i)          An Annual General Meeting shall beheld each year at a time determined by the executive as most likely to have thebest attendance of the members. and the business to be transacted shallinclude:

 

a)         consideration of reports from theExecutive Committee and the Honorary Treasurer;

 

b)         election of members;

 

c)         election of officers and members of theExecutive Committee;

 

 

The quorum foran Annual General Meeting shall be thirty members.

 

ii)         An Extraordinary General Meeting may beconvened by the Executive Committee whenever it thinks fit, and by the HonorarySecretary if so required by the president or within one month from the receiptof a requisition in writing signed by not less than twenty Ordinary Members statingthe purpose for which an Extraordinary General Meeting is beingrequisitioned.  The Quorum for anExtraordinary General Meeting shall be one third of the members.

 

iii)        Ordinary Members may move formalresolutions at any Business Meeting providing that, not less than four weeksbefore the date of the meeting, they give due notice in writing thereof to theHonorary Secretary and at the same time submit a copy of such resolution.

 

iv)        Formal notice of and an agenda paper foreach Business Meeting shall be provided to all members two weeks ahead of thescheduled date of the meeting.

 

v)         The quorum for a Business Meeting shallbe thirty Ordinary Members present in person. Subject to Article 9 hereof questions shall be determined by a simplemajority on a show of hands unless a poll is demanded by the Chairman of theMeeting or by at least three Ordinary Members present in person.  A poll shall be taken in such a manner and atsuch time as the Chairman may direct.  Acasting vote may be exercised by the Chairman of the Meeting.

6.         OFFICERS

             i)         TheHonorary Officers of the Society shall be: A President, a President Elect, aTreasurer, a Secretary, a Membership Secretary, a Webmaster, an EducationSecretary, an Audit Secretary, Trainee Representative and three OrdinaryExecutive members without portfolio.

With the exception of the TraineeRepresentative, only Ordinary Members shall be eligible for election toHonorary Office and nominations for office shall require the support of twoOrdinary Members.  The TraineeRepresentative must be an Associate Member and both ordinary and associatemembers may nominate for this post.

 

All Honorary Officers shall be electedat an Annual General Meeting of the Society and shall assume their dutiesimmediately after the conclusion of the meeting at which they are elected.  Upon ceasing to hold Honorary Office or to beimmediate past President or immediate past Secretary a member shall not beeligible to serve as a member without portfolio on the Executive Committee forone year.

President Elect.        The President Elect shall be electedannually at the Annual General Meeting. After holding this office for one year the member so elected shallsucceed to the post of President

President.  The President shall hold office for one year, after which he shall succeedto the executive, which office shall be held for one year.  After these periods of office shall have beencompleted, the member shall not be eligible for re-election to this office.

v)         Honorary Treasurer.  The Honorary Treasurer shall serve a term oftwo years and may be re-elected for a second term  of two years. He shall be responsible fordirecting the Society's financial transactions and maintaining a database ofmembers for collection of dues.  Allcheques shall be signed by the Honorary Treasurer.

 

(v)        Honorary Secretary.  An Honorary Secretary shall be elected at anAnnual General Meeting and shall serve a term of two years. He shall beresponsible for the recording of meeting minutes, documentation and filing forfuture reference. The member shall continue to serve on the Executive Committeeas immediate past Secretary for a further year after these periods of officehave been completed.

 

Honorary Membership Secretary shall beelected at an Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of two years Heshall be responsible for the maintenance of the member database, and, inconjunction with the Honorary Treasurer, the administration of the membershipfees.

 

Honorary Webmaster shall beelected at an Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of two years andmay be re-elected for a second term  oftwo years. He shall be responsible for the maintenance and development of theWebsite together with any links to other sites and the monthly Newsletter..

Honorary Education Secretary shall beelected at an Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of two years.. Heshall be responsible for education in the field of spinal surgery and shallliase with other bodies within the United Kingdom and Europe in the field ofeducation and training.

Honorary Audit Secretary shall beelected at an Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of two years. Heshall be responsible for audit and the development of a spinal registry.

 

The Trainee representative shall beelected at an Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of one year. andmay be re-elected for a second term  ofone year. He shall not be eligible for re-election if he has taken up aconsultant post.

The Ordinary Executive Members shall beelected at an Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of two years butwithout prejudice to their eligibility for Honorary Office within orimmediately after such period. 

(xii)      In the event of an Officer being unable tocomplete his term of office, his duties shall be assumed until the next AnnualGeneral Meeting by his designated successor or by such other member of theExecutive Committee as the committee shall nominate.

 

7.         EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE

 

i)          The governing body of the Societyshall be the Executive Committee, and shall consist of the President, thePresident Elect, the Immediate Past President, the Honorary Treasurer, theHonorary Secretary, the Immediate Past Secretary, three Ordinary ExecutiveMembers and a Trainee Representative.

 

ii)         The Executive Committee shall beresponsible for deciding the arrangements for all meeting and other business ofthe Society.  Four shall form aquorum.  The Executive Committee shallhave the power to co-opt and to set up subcommittees, and to determine theSociety's representation on other bodies. Sub-committees must report their acts and proceedings fully and promptlyback to the Executive Committee.

 

iii)        The Executive Committee shall usuallymeet on every occasion that a meeting of the Society is held, and on such otheroccasions as they or the President consider may be necessary.

 

iv)        Members of the Executive Committee (andother Honorary Officers) due to retire after the next Annual General Meetingshall be notified to members with the formal notice of the meeting, togetherwith the Executive Committee's nominations to fill these vacancies.  On receipt of such notice, any OrdinaryMember of the Society may propose alternative candidates by sending in writingthe name of each candidate supported by the endorsement of another OrdinaryMember and the consent of the candidate to the Honorary Secretary to arrive inhis hands not later than the commencement of the business of the Annual GeneralMeeting.

 

v)         If candidates for office are nominatedin excess of the number of vacancies available, voting shall take place at theAnnual General Meeting and the candidates securing the largest number of votesshall be elected to the vacancies that exist.

 

8.         FINANCE

i)          The Society's business shall beconducted in, and the Accounts shall be made up to a year ending on 30thSeptember in each year.

 

ii)         The income and property of the societyshall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Society asset forth in this Constitution, and no portion thereof shall be paid ortransferred, directly or indirectly, by way of dividend bonus, or otherwisehowsoever by way of profit to the Members of the Society, provided that nothingshall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remunerationand out-of-pocket expenses to any officer or servant of the Society, or to anyMember of the Society in return for any services actually rendered to theSociety, nor prevent the payment of interest at a rate not exceeding 5 per centper annum on money lent, or reasonable and proper rent for premises let by anyMember of the Society.

 

iii)        The Society's accounts shall be checkedeach year by an independent examiner, not being a member of the Society,elected at the AGM.  The report of theindependent examiner shall be published with the Societys annual report andstatement of accounts.

 

iv)        The Treasurer shall keep account of allmonies received and expended on account of the Society.  A bank account shall be opened in the name ofthe Society and all cheques drawn upon the said account shall require thesignature of the Hon Treasurer and one other member of the Executive Committee.

v)         The membersare not personally responsible for the debts of the Society.  The debts are exclusively guaranteed by theassets and liabilities of the Society. The Society is not responsible for thedebts of its members

 

9.         CONSTITUTION

i)          The Executive Committee shall have thepower to make, vary and repeal Bye-Laws and Regulations for the conduct of thegeneral affairs of the Society, its officers and servants, and for the despatchof the business of the Society, but so that no such Bye-Laws or Regulationsshall be of effect if and so far as they are inconsistent with or repugnant tothe provisions of this Constitution.

 

ii)         Notice of any proposal to amend oralter this Constitution must be sent to the Honorary Secretary not less thanthree weeks before the next ensuing Annual General Meeting, or 3 weeks beforean Extraordinary Meeting called for that purpose.  Such proposal will be circularised to allmembers and will appear on the Agenda of the said meeting in the form of amotion.  The quorum for amendments to theConstitution shall be one third of all Ordinary Members present in person, andthe proposed amendment shall require the support of two thirds of the OrdinaryMembers present to be passed.  If aquorum shall not be present, the Executive Committee shall be empowered toconduct a postal ballot on the motion, and in these circumstances the proposedamendment shall require the support of two-thirds of the votes cast andreceived by the Honorary Secretary by a date to be specified on the notice ofballot.

 

iii)        The Society may at any time by aresolution passed in General Meeting, in accordance with the terms of Article9(ii), be wound up and dissolved and in that event the books and records of theSociety shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the ExecutiveCommittee and all other property of the Society shall be transferred to suchbody or bodies whether incorporated or not as shall be specified by theresolution for winding up, provided that such body or bodies has or have noobjects contrary to the objects of the society.

 

 

 

AFFILIATIONSAND LINKS

The society isaffiliated to the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), its parent body, as aSpecialist Society member along with the other specialist societies of the BOA.The society is provided with a secretary with office space, trainingfacilities, and meeting rooms when necessary by the BOA. It has a link from andto the website of the BOA.

A possible futureaffiliation is to the Society of British Neurological Surgeons.  Another possible future affiliation isto Eurospine, the Spine Society of Europe, with possible benefits to members inthe form of reduced membership fees to Eurospine, the European Spine Journaland linked training with a view to a European Diploma in Spinal Surgery. Suchaffiliations will require negotiation and ratification by the full meeting ofthe society.

Links: The society haslinks to the two other spinal societies of the United Kingdom, namely theBritish Scoliosis Society and the Society for Back Pain Research, and workswith these societies to further the joint aims of all three societies and tofurther the development of treatment of spinal pain and deformity.                  

BYELAWS

1.         ORDINARY MEMBERS

i)          In considering nominations forelection to Ordinary Membership the individual's current involvement as aconsultant in spinal surgery or an associated speciality is a requirement. Inconsidering nominations for election to Associate Membership the individual'scurrent involvement in descriptive or investigative work directed to enhancingknowledge and understanding of spinal disorders shall be taken into account.Election of membership is contingent upon nominees fulfilling some or all ofthese requirements, and being nominated in writing by one Ordinary member ofthe Society.

The Privileges of Ordinary Membershipshall include eligibility for election to office in the Society or to theExecutive Committee, the right to nominate candidates for membership of theSociety and receipt of any material issued by or for the Society.

 

iii)       Erasure from the Medical Registerwill result in suspension of membership from the Society.

2.         SUBSCRIPTION

i)          The rate of subscription for OrdinaryMembers as at 1 January 2009, is 35.00 per annum and25.00 for Associate Members. The subscription is waived for Retired andHonorary Members

 

ii)         Subscription rates apply to a calendaryear or part thereof, and are due within twenty one days of election tomembership and on 1st January each year thereafter.  Members elected at the Annual General Meetingshall not be liable for subscription until lst January immediately following.

Past meetings

Venue                 Local Organiser

Sheffield 2009                                  Ashley Cole, Lee breakwell, Neil Chiverton                                                  Combined with BCSS 

Britspine 2008
Belfast                                                 Spine societies and local hosts 

Middlesborough  Feb 2007                  Professor Charles Greenough 

Britspine 2006
Cardiff                                                  Spine societies and local hosts 

Aberdeen  Feb 2005                            Mr Douglas Wardlaw 

Britspine 2004
Nottingham                                           Spine societies and local hosts 

Ipswich  Feb 2004                                Mr David Sharp
                                                              Mr John Powell 

Britspine 2002
Birmingham                                           Spine societies and local hosts