THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHARTERED
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN WOMEN’S HEALTH
1 Name
The Association shall be known as the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health (ACPWH – formerly the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
2 Objectives
i To form a representative body which may be consulted and will act in the professional interest of the chartered physiotherapist working in obstetrics, gynaecology, continence and other specific aspects of women’s health
ii To encourage and provide means by which physiotherapists may improve their specialist therapeutic skills and understanding of the speciality by promoting relevant courses, workshops and research
iii To promote and further the role of the physiotherapist in obstetrics, gynaecology and women’s health and inform members of the relevant professional and political developments
iv To foster and encourage relevant research within the speciality
v To foster mutual understanding and provide inter-professional learning opportunities to facilitate good working relationships between the members of the obstetric and gynaecological health care team and their professional bodies
vi To promote all relevant aspects of health education and patient care
3 Policy
No action shall be taken by the Association in any matter affecting the general policy of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) without the consent of the council of the CSP
4 Membership
i Member
Membership shall be limited to annually subscribing members of the CSP who have successfully completed a post-registration course in women’s health (ref; appendix 3). Entry to this category may also be gained by the CSP member presenting a portfolio or evidence of published works relevant to the specialty of women’s health and judged by the association to be of an acceptable standard (ref; appendix 4). Members may attend the annual general meeting (AGM) and have voting rights. From these members shall be drawn the executive committee, usually area representatives and clinical educators
ii Affiliate
Affiliate membership is available to:
a. Annually subscribing members of the CSP who are not included in the above category. They may attend the AGM and also have voting rights but may not be elected to the executive or usually become area representatives or clinical educators.
Members who have graduated in the previous two years will be entitled to a reduced subscription fee.
b. Student members of the CSP.
They may attend the AGM and have voting rights but may not be elected to the executive or become area representatives or clinical educators. They will be entitled to a reduced subscription fee.
iii. Retired chartered physiotherapists
Retired subscribing CSP members will retain their membership category prior to retirement and therefore their original rights. They will be entitled to a reduced membership subscription fee.
iv. Associate
Associate membership is available to:
a. Physiotherapists registered with an organisation which is a member of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists.
b. Retired physiotherapists who were previously members of the CSP
c. Educational establishments e.g. universities, schools and colleges
d. Corporate – Institutions and industrial and pharmaceutical companies whose activities are compatible with the aims of ACPWH
e. Individual – Registered health care professionals who have an interest in Women’s health and do not fall into any other categories e.g. midwives, doctors and health visitors. Other individuals with an interest in women’s health such as fitness instructors
Associate members may not attend the AGM except by special invitation from the executive and have no voting rights.
v. Honorary
Honorary membership may be offered to individuals, and to officers of professional bodies, at the discretion of the executive committee. AGM attendance and voting rights shall be determined by the executive committee.
vi. Termination of membership
Individuals or group members may terminate their membership at any time. However, there will be no reimbursement of any previously paid subscription fee.
The association, through the executive committee, reserves the right to terminate an individual or group membership from any of the aforementioned categories under specific circumstances e.g. withdrawal of registration.
Members and affiliates are expected to practice in accordance with the CSP Rules of Professional conduct and in particular Rule 1. Failure to adhere to these will result in termination of membership.
vii. Lapse of membership
- Members and affiliates who allow their membership to lapse will be reinstated on payment of the appropriate subscription plus a reinstatement fee. The executive will expect that any CSP member seeking reinstatement will be confident in their ability to fulfil the CSP Rules of Professional Conduct and in particular Rule 1. Evidence of non-compliance may result in reinstatement into a new category or refusal of the application.
- Associates who allow membership to lapse will be reinstated on payment of the subscription plus a reinstatement fee.
5 Voting rights
Normally voting rights will be confined to members in categories i and ii only. The chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote. In the absence of the chairman or vice-chairman of the Association the members at the meeting shall elect a chairman
5. Honorary officers and executive committee
i Honorary officers
The honorary officers shall consist of a chairman, vice-chairman, honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, public relations officer, diversity officer, research officer and CIGLC representative who shall be members.
ii The executive committee
The executive committee shall consist of the honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, public relations officer, diversity officer, research officer, CIGLC representative and seven other members.
iii Elections
a The honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, public relations officer, diversity officer, research officer and CIGLC representative shall be elected by members and affiliate members annually at the AGM and if re-elected may serve for three successive years. Thereafter, they shall stand down for at least one year
b Executive committee members shall be elected by members and affiliate members by postal ballot, may serve for three years and if re-elected may serve for a further three years. Thereafter, they shall stand down for at least one year
c The chairman shall be elected annually by the members of the executive committee from among their number at the first meeting after the AGM, and if re-elected may serve a second and third successive year and thereafter shall stand down for at least one year
d The vice-chairman shall be elected annually by the members of the executive committee from among their number at the first meeting after the AGM
e The book and leaflet secretary, now to be known as Publications Secretary, shall be appointed by the executive committee at the first meeting after the AGM
f The membership database shall be managed by a person or administrative company as chosen by the members of the executive committee at the first meeting after the AGM.
g The executive committee shall be empowered to fill any casual vacancy among the honorary or other officers. In such cases the officer appointed shall retire at the next AGM and may seek re-election
h In exceptional circumstances, in the interest of the Association, the chairman and/or the honorary secretary may be co-opted by a majority vote of the executive for a further term of one year. For example, for the smooth running of the Association, the chairman and honorary secretary should not normally leave the committee at the same time
iv Co-option
The executive committee shall have power to co-opt annually not more than three persons who may be of assistance to it and in so doing have in mind regional needs
v Quorum
Five elected members of the executive committee will form a quorum
vi Sub-committees
a These may be appointed by the executive committee for any purpose. The executive committee shall determine the membership objectives and period for which the sub-committee shall serve (see appendices 1 & 2). The chairmen of such sub-committees shall attend executive committee meetings when requested to do so
b The sub-committee shall have power to co-opt up to two persons annually who may or may not be members of ACPWH, for specialist help and for prescribed periods.
vii Meetings
The executive committee shall meet at least three times annually
viii Other officers
These shall be the president, vice-presidents and the accountant
a The president shall be invited to hold this office by the executive committee for three years, and is eligible to continue for further periods of three years
b i) The vice-presidents prior to 2009 were invited by the executive committee to hold this office for life.
b ii) In addition, from 2009, up to four vice presidents, who shall be members of the ACPWH, may be elected by the executive committee from nominations submitted by members. Of these, up to two vice presidents may be elected every two years. The term of office is 4 years and is not renewable.
c The accountant shall be appointed annually by the membership at the AGM
d The president, vice-presidents and accountant may attend the executive committee meetings at the invitation of the executive committee, but may not have the vote
ix Voting
The honorary officers, the executive committee members and chairmen of sub-committees when at committee meetings shall have a vote. The chairman of the executive committee shall have a casting vote in addition to a vote as a member of the executive committee. In the absence of the chairman or vice-chairman, the committee shall elect a chairman from the members of the meeting
7 Nominations
Nominations for the honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, public relations officer, diversity officer, research officer and CIGLC representative and the executive must be submitted to the honorary secretary at a time determined and communicated to the membership by the honorary secretary. Normally this shall not be less than eight weeks before the AGM
8 Annual general meeting
The AGM shall be held at a convenient time each year and is open to members and affiliate members, together with the president, vice-presidents and the accountant. Invited persons who attend shall have a voice but shall not be eligible to vote. The quorum for the AGM shall be forty voting members. All matters of policy concerning the Association shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at the AGM. Twenty one days’ notice of the meeting shall be given. The business shall be:
i To receive and adopt the annual report and accounts for the previous year
ii To conduct the election for honorary secretary, honorary treasurer and public relations officer, diversity officer, research officer and CIGLC representative and to announce the postal ballot results for executive members
iii To appoint an accountant for the ensuing year
iv To agree the annual subscription
v To transact any other business. Such business shall be notified to the chairman not less than forty eight hours prior to the AGM
9 Extraordinary general meeting
The honorary secretary shall arrange and call an extraordinary meeting:
i On receipt of instructions from the executive committee
ii On receipt of a written requisition signed by twenty five members of the Association
iii Twenty one days’ notice shall be given of such a meeting. The meeting shall be chaired by the chairman or vice-chairman and the business shall be limited to the business for which the meeting was called
10 Subscriptions
Administration – replaces membership secretary’s role
i The executive committee shall appoint administrative assistance as required and agreed by it, to manage the membership database and associated activities and to store and distribute small quantities of ACPWH publications. A representative shall attend the executive committee meetings to act as minutes secretary
ii The executive committee shall annually appoint an individual or company to act as event manager for the annual ACPWH conference
iii Non-payment of subscriptions by the stated date will result in that membership being lapsed and membership status will cease. The rejoining subscription will incur an extra administrative fee
11 Funds and accounts
The funds and accounts shall be kept in a bank approved by the executive committee. The bank account maintained by the Association and all invested monies shall be in the name of ‘The chairman and the honorary treasurer for the time being of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health’, and these two officers shall be authorised to sign cheques on behalf of the Association
For accounts requiring two signatures on transaction another member may be given authority to sign cheques by the executive committee if it is thought expedient, such authority to be reviewed annually. No financial liabilities shall be incurred or payments made except under a special or general authorisation of the Association or of the executive committee
The annual financial statement of the Association, made up to 31st March each year, shall be submitted to each member of the Association with an accountant’s report and the notice convening the AGM. The honorary treasurer shall receive and pay all moneys payable to and by the Association respectively, and shall prepare the annual financial statement for submission to the accountant. On retiring from office the honorary treasurer shall hand over to the successor or the president of the Association all books, papers and cash belonging to the Association after they have been duly checked by the accountant
12 Cessation
This may be determined at the AGM, or an extraordinary general meeting. Twenty one days’ notice must be given and the meeting shall decide the allocation of the assets of the Association. Notification of the cessation of the Association shall be lodged with the council of the CSP
13 Alteration in Constitution and Rules
No alteration shall be made to the constitution of the Association or to these rules unless agreed to by a majority vote at an annual or extraordinary general meeting. A written notice shall be given to each member of any proposed alteration at least twenty-one days prior to the date fixed for any meeting at which such alteration is to be considered, and the notice convening the meeting shall state the terms of the proposed alterations
Appendices
Appendix 1 ESC Constitution
Appendix 2 JSC Constitution
Appendix 3 Criteria for post-registration courses qualifying as a route to membership of ACPWH
Appendix 4 Submission for membership of ACPWH by portfolio or published works