Constitution
As amended July 9, 2003
Name
The Society shall be known as The Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics (ANZSB).
Mission Statement
To promote the scientific study of biomechanics and the application of biomechanical theory within Australia and New Zealand.
Scope
The Society takes the definition of biomechanics in its most basic form: the study of the mechanics of biological systems. The study areas of biomechanics include motor control, cardiovascular and respiratory biomechanics, rehabilitation biomechanics, sport biomechanics, bone and hard tissue biomechanics, connective tissue biomechanics, orthopaedic biomechanics, and cellular and molecular biomechanics. This list is not comprehensive, it merely serves to illustrate the breadth of study.
The Objectives of The Society are to:
- Facilitate communication amongst those actively engaged in the scientific study and application of biomechanics.
- Provide a forum for those actively engaged in the scientific study and application of biomechanics to present their research.
- Promote the dissemination and application of information derived from the scientific study of biomechanical theory.
Membership Criteria
Membership of The Society shall be open to persons who have an interest in the study and/or practice of biomechanics.
Full membership of the Society shall be open to persons who have a
professional and/or scientific interest and/or practice in biomechanics.
Student members shall be bona fide students in an academic program
related to Biomechanics.
Members shall be accepted upon receipt of a completed application form
and annual dues for the first year of membership. The Treasurer shall
notify the Executive Committee of new membership at its annual meeting.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of The Society shall consist of the following positions:
President
Provide leadership in chairing the Executive Committee.
Maintain links between members of the Executive Committee to ensure the
continued operation of The Society.
Past President
Provide continuity of membership of The Society's Executive.
Advise the current President on decisions taken by the previous
Committee.
President Elect
Provide continuity of membership and leadership of The Society.
Be informed of the decisions taken by the current President and
Executive Committee.
Secretary/Treasurer
Maintain The Society's membership list.
Handle all official correspondence for The Society.
Maintain The Society's financial accounts.
Provide an annual audited statement of accounts.
Conference Liaison Officer
Arrange the hosting of the Conference of The Society. This
Conference will be held approximately every two years.
Liaise with the convenor of each conference to provide assistance.
Represent the views of The Society to the committee hosting each
conference.
Maintain a portfolio of previous conferences of The Society to assist
the organisation of future conferences.
Newsletter Editor
Produce regular newsletters to maintain links between members of The
Society.
Liaise with the secretary/Treasurer with regard to sponsorship of The
Society through its Newsletter.
Be involved with the general promotion of the Society.
Each committee member will serve for two (2) years.
Current Executive Committee members may be re-elected. The President of
the Society will not stand for immediate re-election, as he/she will be
serving as Past President.
Nominations for the Executive Committee will be called approximately six
(6) months prior to the end of each term.
Nominations must be received by The Society's Secretary (or representative) within one month of the call for nominations. The Executive Committee will appoint a member of The Society not standing for election to act as Returning Officer.
Elections for the Executive Committee will be held by postal ballot two
(2) months following the distribution of ballot papers. Papers will be
received and counted by the Returning Officer.
If a position is not filled during the election, or falls vacant between
conferences, that position will be filled by nomination by other members
of the Executive Committee. The appointed officer will serve for the
remainder of the normal term.
Fees
All members shall pay membership fees to The Society as set from time to time by a General Meeting of the Society. Students shall pay reduced fees for membership.
Cessation of Membership
- A person ceases to be a member of The Society if the person:
resigns the membership, - allows his/her membership fees to fall more than two years in arrears and has been notified to that effect by the Treasurer,
- dies, or
- is expelled from The Society. A person shall only be expelled if his/her conduct is detrimental to the honour or interests of The Society and a resolution to that effect is passed by a two-thirds majority present at a General Meeting of The Society.
Governing Bodies
The Governing bodies of The Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics shall be:
- The Executive Committee
- The General Meeting of Members
- Extraordinary General Meeting of Members
Executive Committee Meeting
This Executive Committee Meeting shall be held at least biennially,
normally at each biennial conference of the Society.
The Executive Committee Meeting is presided over by the President or
the Past-President.
General Meeting of Members
This will be held at biennially, normally at each biennial conference
of The Society.
The General Meeting is presided over by the President or a nominee of
the Executive Committee.
The General Meeting shall receive the President’s and
the Treasurer’s report, as well as those of the Executive Committee, and
shall discharge them from responsibility of the past tenure of office.
Extraordinary General Meeting of Members
Where necessary an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members may be
called by the Executive Committee on its own behalf, or by the request
of at least 10% of full financial members. This meeting should be held
electronically or at a venue and time where a majority of the Executive
and Members can attend.
The Extraordinary General Meeting is presided over by the President or a
nominee of the Executive Committee.
Amendment of Constitution
This constitution may only be amended by a two-thirds majority of members of the Society who vote by postal or electronic ballot. Notice of a proposed amendment must be sent to the members by the Secretary of the Society at least 42 days before the closing date for the ballot.
Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of The Society, all remaining assets shall be given to another scientific society with similar objectives to The ANZSB. The recipient of these assets will be decided by vote among the members remaining at the time of dissolution.
Conferences and Scientific Meetings
The Executive Committee shall delegate to a local committee, or other appropriate body, the powers necessary to organise each Australasian Biomechanics Conference, normally to be held every two years. The Executive Committee may also endorse appropriate group(s) to host other scientific meetings of relevance to the membership of the Society.