Abstract
ESFM bye laws
The European Society of Feline Medicine (ESFM) is a division of the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB). FAB is an incorporated charity, and ESFM falls within, and is subject to, FAB's Memoranda and Articles (a copy of which is available on request). ESFM functions within FAB's global aim of promoting feline health and wellbeing, and was created to provide a focus for veterinarians with an interest in feline medicine in Europe and beyond. The term ‘medicine’ is used to encompass all aspects of feline clinical practice.
The guidelines or bye-laws below lay out rules for the day-to-day running and management of ESFM.
ESFM objectives
To work with FAB (and its other divisions) to provide a focus for, and promote the subject of, feline medicine among veterinary practitioners and scientists in Europe and beyond. To provide continuing professional education (conferences etc) on the subject of feline medicine. To develop and maintain further qualifications in feline medicine. To publish the society journal (the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery - JFMS) which will include clinical and relevant research studies. Working with FAB, to develop links with other like-minded organisations.
Structure
ESFM is a membership organisation. Being a sub-division of FAB, ESFM members are also de facto FAB members and have voting rights at the FAB Annual General Meeting.
The ESFM Executive Committee (EC) is responsible for fulfilling the objectives of ESFM in cooperation with, and under the direction of, FAB. Under appropriate charity governance, the ESFM EC is a sub-committee of, and appointed by, the FAB Committee (the body of Charity Directors [formerly Trustees] who are legally and ethically responsible for the work of FAB and ESFM).
Because the ESFM EC is a sub-committee of the FAB Committee, a nominated FAB Director must be responsible for reporting and co-ordination between the ESFM EC and the FAB Committee.
Membership of the ESFM EC is not limited to FAB Directors, but the composition and appointees of the EC must, of necessity, be ratified by the Directors. Generally, the Executive Committee will comprise up to eight individuals:
FAB liaison/coordinator who is a veterinary FAB Director and appointed by the FAB Committee. Together with the President and Secretary, this person will be responsible for setting the agenda for ESFM EC meetings and for liaising between the FAB Directors and the ESFM EC. Up to seven further members These will include:
FAB Chief Executive who can nominate a representative if he/she is unable to attend a meeting, FAB Chairman or another Director nominated by the Chairman Up to five further members who will be elected by ESFM to help the ESFM EC fulfil its remit. It is desirable that these five members reflect the broad geographical influence of ESFM in Europe. The members holding these five elected positions on the EC will normally hold office for a period of three years, but they may be re-elected once. Having served six consecutive years on the EC (in whatever position) elected officers will need to stand down for a minimum of 12 months. Nominations for vacant positions can come from the EC or from the ESFM membership. Where nominations exceed the number of vacancies a vote will be held at the ESFM Annual Members' Meeting (AMM). All elected members and office-holders will be ratified by ESFM at the AMM.
From within the EC its members will nominate a President, who is a figurehead, able to act as a representative for ESFM, and who will normally chair ESFM EC meetings; and a Secretary, who is responsible for organising ESFM EC and Annual Members' Meetings (AMM) and ensuring accurate minutes of the meetings are kept. They should also work with the Co-ordinator and President to set and distribute the agendas for the meetings.
The ESFM EC will work in close co-operation and consultation with the FAB Executive (CEO and employees, who have overall responsibility for implementation of FAB and ESFM strategic objectives), and is answerable to the FAB Board of Directors.
Meetings and proceedings
The Executive Committee shall hold at least two meetings each year of which one may (of necessity) be a teleconference.
EC members will be expected to attend at least one meeting a year.
There shall be a quorum when at least five members of the EC (including at least two of the fixed positions - FAB Directors and Chief Executive), are present at a meeting.
Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the EC present, but in the case of equality of votes the FAB Chairman shall have a second and casting vote. No resolution by the ESFM EC can be at odds with the aims and objectives of either ESFM or FAB (the latter laid out in its Memoranda and Articles). Furthermore, decisions made by the EC, of necessity, have to be ratified by the FAB Committee.
The Executive Committee may form a working group or seek the help of an external group or individual for specific projects. However, no powers or decisions normally held by the EC can be delegated to such groups.
The EC shall be responsible for calling each AMM of the ESFM and shall give at least 28 days' notice to all members. All members of ESFM shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. The President of ESFM shall be the Chairman of each AMM, but if he or she is not present, before any business is transacted, the EC members present shall appoint a Chairman for the meeting.
The EC will be expected to report on the activities of the EC and ESFM over the preceding year and discuss relevant issues with members.
Nominations for the EC must be made by members of the EC or ESFM in writing and must be in the hands of the Secretary of the EC at least 100 days before the AMM. Should nominations exceed vacancies election shall be by ballot at the AMM.
Membership/subscriptions
The subscription rate will be set by the EC in agreement with the FAB Committee.
Journal
The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery is the official Journal of ESFM and will be received by all members. Its Feline Focus pages provide information on ESFM. The European Editor of JFMS must be an ESFM member and will be answerable to the ESFM EC and may be required by the ESFM EC to attend EC meetings at its discretion.
Scientific meetings
ESFM will aim to provide a minimum of two scientific meetings per year, usually including at least one ‘stand alone’ conference and one at the annual BSAVA congress. The venue of the ‘stand alone’ congress will normally change from year to year. ESFM members will be entitled to reduced attendance fees where ESFM has control of costs.