| 1. |
GENERAL |
| 1.1 |
The Association shall be called the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association. |
| 1.2 |
The Association is instituted for the advancement of pharmaceutical care as laid down in the objectives. |
| 1.3 |
Clinical pharmacy has become a term used to describe the style of practice required by a pharmacist to contribute to patient care. |
| 1.4 |
Pharmaceutical care puts that contribution into a context of overall outcomes for the patient. |
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| 2. |
OBJECTIVES |
| 2.1 |
To stimulate development of pharmaceutical care in the United Kingdom for the benefit of patients. |
| 2.2 |
To improve the quality of patient care by encouraging the rational and effective use of medicines. |
| 2.3 |
To promote the role of the pharmacist within a multidisciplinary approach to drug therapy irrespective of setting. |
| 2.4 |
To promote the conduct of research into pharmacy practice. |
| 2.5 |
To encourage life-long learning by pharmacists in an environment which fosters sharing. |
| 2.6 |
To assist in the development of standards against which pharmaceutical care might be measured. |
| 2.7 |
To encourage the dissemination of innovation within pharmaceutical care. |
| 2.8 |
To establish links with colleagues in other countries as appropriate. |
| 2.9 |
To publish material relevant to clinical pharmacy practice to inform members. |
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| 3. |
MEMBERSHIP |
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Eligibility for membership of the Association shall be determined by the General Committee and shall be open to individuals and to bodies corporate willing to comply with its objectives.
The following classes of membership are recognised:-
ORDINARY, STUDENT, ASSOCIATE, CORPORATE, HONORARY |
| 3.1 |
Ordinary Membership is open to all pharmacists working within the United Kingdom. |
| 3.2 |
Student Membership is open to all pre-registration pharmacy graduates, undergraduate students of pharmacy, and postgraduate students of pharmacy not in receipt of a salary. Student members may attend and speak, but not vote, at General Meetings of the Association. |
| 3.3 |
Associate Membership is open to health care professionals not eligible for other forms of membership who support the objectives of the Association. Associate members may attend and speak, but not vote, at General Meetings of the Association. |
| 3.4 |
Corporate Membership is open to corporate bodies who have expressed their willingness to support the objectives and activities of the Association. Corporate members may attend and speak, but not vote, at General Meetings of the Association. |
| 3.5 |
Honorary Membership of the Association may be conferred on the recommendation of the General Committee. |
| 3.6 |
When a person has become a member of the Association, she/he shall receive a copy of the Constitution. |
| 3.7 |
All members have the right to be informed about the activities of the Association and are entitled to participate in its meetings. |
| 3.8 |
Members may be expelled at the Annual General Meeting (see 5.6) |
| 3.9 |
Each member shall pay an annual subscription. The subscriptions for the following year shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting and shall become effective on the 1st July following the Annual General Meeting (as agreed at the AGM held on 14th May 1999). |
| 3.10 |
Subscription shall become due immediately on joining and subsequently on the anniversary of joining. |
| 3.11 |
No member shall be entitled to vote or to enjoy any privilege of the Association so long as that member’s subscription shall be in arrears for more than six months. |
| 3.12 |
No dividend, gift, division, or bonus in money, shall be made to or between any Ordinary, Student, Associate, Corporate or Honorary members of the Association, provided that nothing shall prevent reasonable and proper remuneration being paid to any member of the Association for any services actually rendered to the Association or expenses properly incurred in or about the execution of the objects of the Association. |
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| 4. |
MANAGEMENT |
| 4.1 |
The strategic management of the Association shall be conducted by the General Committee. |
| 4.2 |
The business of the Association shall be conducted by the honorary officers, sub-committees and employees in a manner determined by the General Committee. |
| 4.3 |
The General Committee shall consist of 12 ordinary members elected by postal ballot, based on a simple majority of votes cast, for a three year term with one third retiring annually. The procedure shall be as described in paragraph 5.8. |
| 4.4 |
Retiring members are eligible for re-election on two further occasions without a break. They are then not eligible for re-election until one year has passed. |
| 4.5 |
In exceptional circumstances to preserve continuity, the General Committee may allow an elected member to be eligible for re-election on a third further occasion. |
| 4.5 |
The Honorary Officers of the Association shall be:
- Chairman
- Professional Secretary
- Treasurer
and such other officers as the Committee may determine.
The Honorary Officers will be elected annually by the Committee from amongst its own members.
The Honorary Officers shall submit a written report at each Annual General Meeting.
The Honorary Officers shall have authority to act on behalf of the Association within Standing Financial Instructions, but must report their actions to the General Committee. |
| 4.6 |
The Chairman shall be responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the Association and shall normally represent the Association. |
| 4.7 |
The Professional Secretary shall conduct the correspondence and shall be responsible for the organisation of all aspects of such committee meetings as are decided by the General Committee. |
| 4.8 |
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Association subject to the direction of the General Committee and shall submit an audited Statement of Accounts for approval at the Annual General Meeting. |
| 4.9 |
Auditors shall be appointed annually by the General Committee, to audit the accounts of the Association. |
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| 5. |
PROCEDURE |
| 5.1 |
The Official Year shall be from 1st April to 31st March. |
| 5.2 |
An Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the 31st May each year at which the election of one third of the General Committee shall take place. |
| 5.3 |
A quorum at General Meetings of the Association shall be 50 members eligible to vote. |
| 5.4 |
Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to Members at least 28 days prior to the Meeting. |
| 5.5 |
Any alterations to the Constitution of the Association shall be made only when two-thirds of the votes cast at the Annual General Meeting support the change. Proxy votes shall be allowed. Any proposals for an alteration to the Constitution shall be notified to the Members at least 28 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. |
| 5.6 |
Members may be expelled from the Association by a decision of two thirds of the members present at the Annual General Meeting. |
| 5.7 |
A Special General Meeting of the Association shall be called if requested by a minimum of 50 Members. Members shall be given at least 28 days' notice of such a meeting and of its Agenda. |
| 5.8 |
The following procedure shall be used to elect the General Committee of the Association: - |
| 5.8.1 |
Any member may nominate any other ordinary member for election as Member of the General Committee. Nominations in writing and signed by the nominator and a seconder, must reach the Professional Secretary not later than two months preceding the date of the Annual General Meeting and must be accompanied by a statement signed by the nominee expressing willingness to serve if elected. |
| 5.8.2 |
Ballot papers for election of Members of the General Committee shall be issued to each member not less than 28 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. |
| 5.8.3 |
The Professional Secretary shall act as Returning Officer unless she/he is standing for election, in which case another member of the General Committee shall be appointed by the Chairman. |
| 5.8.4 |
All validly completed ballot papers received by the Returning Officer by the last post on the closing date shall be opened and counted. |
| 5.8.5 |
The Returning Officer shall not disclose the result until the Annual General Meeting, when the announcement shall be made publicly to those present. |
| 5.8.6 |
Members shall come into office immediately following their election at the Annual General Meeting. |
| 5.9 |
The General Committee shall have the power to co-opt not more than three additional members. Such co-option should have the objective of adequate representation of the membership. The term of office for co-opted members shall be one year. The names of co-opted members shall be announced to members at the first practical opportunity. |
| 5.10 |
If a casual vacancy occurs, the General Committee shall fill this vacancy by co-option of another ordinary member. This member shall hold office for the remainder of the period of office of the member of whose place she/he takes and shall be eligible for re-election. |
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| 6. |
TRUSTEES |
| 6.1 |
The property of the Association shall be vested in not less than three and not more than six trustees, who shall hold the same on behalf of the Association and who shall deal with the same as directed by the General Committee. The Trustees shall invest the monies of the Association whether received by subscriptions, bequest or otherwise, in securities for the time-being authorised by law for the investment of trust funds or in such other investments (including the purchase of freehold or leasehold land) as the General Committee shall select on the advice of its financial advisors given at the time of investment. |
| 6.2 |
The trustees shall be appointed by resolution of the Association in general meeting whereof 28 days written notice shall first have been given to members. |
| 6.3 |
A certificate from the Professional Secretary shall be sufficient evidence of the appointment of a trustee. |
