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ANZSB CONSTITUTION

As amended 1 April 2019 and ratified by the membership on 21 May 2019

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 defines biomechanics as the study of the mechanics of biological systems, which includes the study of motor control, cardiovascular and respiratory biomechanics, rehabilitation biomechanics, sport biomechanics, tissue biomechanics and orthopaedic 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

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 enrolled in an academic program when the term of student membership commences. Membership commences upon payment of membership fees.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee of The Society shall consist of the following positions:

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President

Chairs the Executive Committee.  Oversees the operation of The Society. Becomes the Past President after one term as President.

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Past President

Provides continuity of membership of The Society's Executive. Supervises elections and referendums, counts votes and declares the results of elections and referendums.

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President Elect

Becomes the President after one term on the executive. The President Elect could, but does not have to, concurrently serve as Secretary/Treasurer, Conference Liaison Officer or Communications Officer.

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Secretary / Treasurer

Maintains The Society's membership list. Handles official correspondence for The Society. Maintains The Society's financial accounts. Provides a statement of accounts to the General Meeting.

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Conference Liaison Officer

Liaises with the organising committee or convenor of each ANZSB conference. Represents the views of The Society to the convenor or conference organising committee.

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Communications Officer

Produces a regular newsletter for members of The Society. Manages and updates The Society website. Disseminates updates and information about The Society and related events and activities through social media.

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Student Representative

Represents the interests of student members of The Society. Organises a meeting of student members at ANZSB conferences. The student representative must be a student at the time she/he is appointed to the position.

All of the positions on the Executive Committee are elected with the exception of the Conference Liaison Officer who is appointed by the Executive Committee.

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The ANZSB executive will normally serve for the period between consecutive ANZSB conferences. The maximum term of the executive shall be three years. Executive Committee members may be re-elected. The President and President Elect will not stand for immediate re-election. Nominations for the Executive Committee will be called approximately six months prior to the end of each term. Usually the President-Elect will become the President after one term in that role, in which case it will not be necessary to call for nominations for President. There is no call for nominations for the position of Past-President.

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Nominations for elected positions on the Executive Committee must be received by the Past President (or the Past President’s nominated representative) within one month of the call for nominations. Elections for the Executive Committee will be open for two months.

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If there are no nominations for a position on the Executive Committee, or the position falls vacant between conferences, that position may be filled on nomination with the agreement of a majority of other members of the Executive Committee. The appointee 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 she/he resigns, allows his/her membership fees to fall in arrears, 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 of voting members 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

The Executive Committee shall hold meetings or virtual meetings at least every six months.

GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

The General Meeting of Members will be held at each biennial conference of The Society. The General Meeting is chaired by the President or the President’s nominee from the Executive Committee. The General Meeting shall receive the President’s and the Treasurer’s report. Members will be given an opportunity to raise issues at the General Meeting.

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

Where necessary an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members may be called by the Executive Committee or at the request of at least 10% of members. Extraordinary General Meetings should be held electronically and chaired by the President or the President’s nominee from the Executive Committee.

AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

This constitution may only be amended by a two-thirds majority of voting members. Notice of a proposed amendment must be sent to the members by the Past President or the Past-President’s nominee at least 42 days before the close of the ballot.

DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of The Society, all remaining assets shall be given to a not-for-profit scientific society with similar objectives to The Society.  The recipient of these assets will be decided by a vote of members at the time of dissolution.

CONFERENCES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS

The Executive Committee shall delegate to a local organising committee the authority to organise an ANZSB conference. The conference is normally held every two years.

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