CONSTITUTION OF THE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL FELLOWSHIP
OF SOUTH AFRICA
1.1 NAME
The name of the Fellowship will be the CHRISTIAN MEDICAL FELLOWSHIP OF SOUTH AFRICA
Registered address will be the address of the General Secretary of the Fellowship
1.2 AIMS
The aims of the Fellowship will be –
1.2.1 To unite Christian doctors, dentists, medical students and members of the paramedical services in a Fellowship for the promotion of Christian witness, prayer and Bible study
1.2.2 To inspire its members to win others for Jesus Christ and to increase among members of the medical profession faith in Him and acceptance of His ethical teaching
1.2.3 To propagate and defend the fundamental truths of Christianity as set forth in the Doctrinal Basis cf. Paragraph 1.3
1.2.4
a) To foster interest in mission work
b) To assist in the recruitment of Christian medical women and men for the mission field
c) To assist actively those already engaged in medical mission work
d) To encourage members to consider working in neglected or under-served areas, medical or geographical, where Christian witness is needed
1.2.5 To establish and promote national and international contact with organisations having similar aims.
1.3 DOCTRINAL BASIS
As a Fellowship we confess to –
1.3.1 The divine inspiration and entire trustworthiness of Holy Scripture, as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct
1.3.2 The unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Godhead
1.3.3 The universal sinfulness and guilt of all people since the Fall, rendering them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation
1.3.4 Redemption from the guilt, penalty, dominion and pollution of sin, solely through the sacrificial death (as our Representative and Substitute) of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God
1.3.5 The bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and His ascension to the right hand of God
1.3.6 The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration
1.3.7 The justification of the sinner by the grace of God through faith alone
1.3.8 The indwelling work of the Holy Spirit in the believer
1.3.9 The one Holy, Universal Church which is the Body of Christ and to which all true believers belong
1.3.10 The expectation of the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ
1.4 MEMBERS
1.4.1 The Fellowship will consist of partner members, ordinary members, student members and honorary members
1.4.2 Membership will be subject to the signing of the following declaration of faith –
In joining the Christian Medical Fellowship I declare my faith in God the Father and in God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is my Saviour. I desire to be ruled by God the Holy spirit speaking through the Bible, the divinely appointed authority in matters of faith and conduct
1.4.3 Any registered graduate member of the health team may apply for membership
1.4.4 Any person registered as a student in a Faculty of Medicine may apply for student membership
1.4.5 Any nominated member by two members and elected at a Council Meeting may become an associate member
1.4.6 Honorary members: Anyone who has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of the aims of the Fellowship, will be eligible for election as an honorary member. Motivation of a proposal for honorary membership must be signed by four members of the Fellowship and presented to Council for approval
1.5 VICE PRESIDENTS
The Council will elect members who are highly esteemed in the medical or dental profession as well as outspoken Christian witnesses in their profession for a period of three years as Vice Presidents. Such members must still be active in their profession
1.6 DISSOLUTION OF THE FELLOWSHIP
1.6.1 A majority vote taken at a Council Meeting at which two-thirds of the members are present and which was properly constituted for this purpose, and after notice has been given of the business to be discussed there, will be necessary for the dissolution of the Fellowship
1.6.2 In the event of the Fellowship ceasing to exist the Council will ensure that the remaining assets will be transferred to charitable, religious or educational institutions within the Republic of South Africa which are themselves except from Income Tax in terms of Section 10 (1) (f) of the Income Tax Act. Should the Council not have met for three consecutive years it will be deemed to have dissolved
1.7 REGULATIONS
The Fellowship may from time to time make, recall or change such Regulations as it may deem necessary for the attainment of its aims. Until the following Regulations (see 2. hereunder) are recalled, rescinded or changed, they will be Regulations of the Fellowship
1.8 ALTERING THE CONSTITUTION OR REGULATIONS
1.8.1 The Constitution may be altered by a seventy-five percent (75%) majority of all members of the Council and Vice Presidents, at a meeting or by means of a postal vote. Change in the Regulations will require only a simple majority
1.8.2 Any proposed changes to the Constitution shall reach the General Secretary at least six weeks prior to such a meeting. S/He shall ensure that Council Members and Vice Presidents receive notice of such proposals not less than three weeks before the meeting
1.8.3 A copy of all constitutional/regulatory amendments shall be submitted to the Commissioner for the South African Revenue Services within a period not exceeding three months (following such amendments)
2. REGULATIONS
2.1 THE COUNCIL
2.1.1 The business of the Fellowship will be conducted by a Council consisting of –
a) a President, who will be the Chairperson
b) a Vice Chairperson
c) a Treasurer
d) a maximum of six additional members
2.1.2 Members of Council will be appointed for a period of three years, one per Province, by Regional Committees
2.1.3 If there is more than one active Region in a Province, the Regional Committees are to agree as to whom the Provincial Member will be
2.1.4 The President, Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer will be appointed by Council for a Period of three years. No person may be appointed as President for more than two consecutive periods
2.1.5 The Council may co-opt extra members from Provinces where there are several active Regions, with a maximum of three from one Province. They will have voting powers
2.1.6 The Vice Chairperson will assume the duties of the President in his/her absence
2.1.7 Minutes will be kept of all meetings convened by the President
2.1.8 Four members will form a quorum for a Council Meeting. The President will have an ordinary vote as well as a casting vote at all meetings of the Council and of the Executive Committee
2.1.9 The President may attend any meetings of the Regional Committees
2.1.10 The Vice Presidents may attend Executive committee and Council Meetings as voting members
2.1.11 Observers: The Vice Presidents may attend Regional Committee Meetings as observers and advisers. They may not vote unless they are also members of the Regional committee
2.1.12 Members of the Council and Vice Presidents must sign the full declaration of the Doctrinal Basis as set out in 1.3 of this Constitution
2.1.13 In the event of death, resignation or transfer of a Council Member, the Regional Committee concerned will appoint a replacement
2.1.14 Council will from time to time appoint and/or dismiss staff, and will determine their service conditions and emoluments
2.1.15 Council may delegate its powers to the Executive Committee as and when necessary
2.2 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2.2.1 The Executive Committee will consist of the President, Treasurer and one other member appointed by the Council. The President and Treasurer should preferably be of the same Region geographically
2.2.2 The Executive Committee should meet at least twice a year
2.2.3 The Executive Committee will implement the decisions of the Council and will be empowered to act on behalf of the Council in matters or urgency
2.2.4 The Executive Committee will endeavour to ensure that the Provincial and Regional work of the Fellowship is developing satisfactorily
2.2.5 The Executive Committee will be the Trustees of the Fellowship
2.2.6 Additional members may be co-opted, as necessary, for particular meetings, or for a certain period
2.3 REGIONAL COMMITTEES
2.3.1 The Regional Committees will consist of a maximum of six members. Additional non-voting members may be co-opted.
2.3.2 The Regional Committees are responsible for the execution of the aims of the Fellowship in agreement with the policy of the Council. The CMF Regions will normally be the Provinces of the Republic of South Africa. Council has the power to sub-divide any Region into smaller Regions if deemed necessary
2.3.3 The Council will determine the total number and exact demarcation of Regions
2.3.4
a) Regional committees will be elected by fully paid-up members of CMF, resident in such Regions, on a triennial basis. The Executive Committee will call the elections
b) Elections will be organised by the outgoing Regional Committee. This may be in a meeting duly constituted for the purpose of electing the Regional Committee, with a minimum of three weeks’ notice having been given. Votes by proxy will be allowed
c) Where a meeting is deemed impractical, the particular Regional Committee will be elected by postal vote organised by the Executive Committee. Should insufficient nominations for a region be received, the Executive Committee will make the necessary further nominations
2.3.5 A Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer will be appointed by the Committee at the first meeting following election
2.3.6 The Regional Committee will meet at least three times a year and table an annual report at the Council Meeting
2.3.7 Every active Province will have at least one member on the Council
2.3.8 It will be expected of Regional Representatives on the Council to attend Council Meetings. Each Region may appoint one alternate member with voting powers for a Council Meeting
2.3.9 The relevant Regional Committees will be responsible for student contact in order to promote the aims of the Fellowship
2.4 GENERAL SECRETARY
2.4.1 The Council will appoint a General Secretary whose duties and conditions of employment shall be determined by council
2.4.2 The General Secretary will be responsible to Council
2.4.3 The General Secretary will be an ex officio non-voting member of CMF Council and Executive Committees, and may attend any other CMF Committee Meeting in a similar capacity
2.5 EDITOR
2.5.1 The Executive Committee will appoint a person to occupy the post of Editor
2.5.2 The Editor will be responsible for the editing and distribution of a regular newsletter and for the general publication programme of the Fellowship
2.5.3 The Editor may, at the invitation of the President, attend Council Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings as an observer if s/he is not a member of the Council or the Executive Committee
2.6 MEMBERSHIP
Any person who qualifies for membership of the Fellowship and wishes to become a member must apply for membership on a specified form on which s/he signs the declaration of faith as indicated in the Constitution under clause 1.4.2. The Executive Committee may accept or refuse any application for membership without having to give reasons for the refusal
2.7 MEMBERSHIP FEES
2.7.1 Membership fees will be determined from time to time by the Council and will be fixed with regard to the income of the members
2.7.2 Membership fees are payable annually on the first of January
2.7.3 Members who are more than two years in arrears with their membership fees may be suspended at the discretion of the Council
2.8 FINANCES
2.8.1 The Council is empowered to acquire movable and fixed property for the Fellowship. It may purchase, pledge, mortgage, sell, donate, hire or let such property. All such property will be kept and used for the furthering of the aims of the Fellowship. All immovable property obtained by the Council will be registered in the name of THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL FELLOWSHIP OF SOUTH AFRICA
2.8.2 The Council is empowered to invest money in and to borrow from registered financial institutions as defined in Section 1 of the Financial Institutions (Investment of Funds) Act, 1984, and in securities listed on a licensed stock exchange as defined in the Stock Exchange Control Act, 1985 (Act No. 1 of 1985) – It is further empowered to provide or require such security as is deemed necessary
2.8.3 The Executive Committee is empowered to open and to operate a banking account at a bank or building society
2.8.4 Any two members of the Executive Committee may sign on behalf of the Fellowship. A third person will be appointed by the Committee with the right to sign in case one of the two members of the Executive is not available
2.8.5 An audited Balance sheet will be presented to the Council Meeting annually
2.8.6 The income of the Fellowship may be increased by gifts, bequests, grants or in any manner which the Executive committee finds acceptable
2.8.7 Regional Committees may open and operate petty cash accounts. These Committees may request financial assistance from the central fund for specific purposes. The Executive committee will decide on the merit of such requests
2.8.8 The Fellowship is not empowered to enter into such operations which may be classified as Commercial Business
2.8.9 Funds of the Fellowship will be applied to the activities within the Republic of South Africa in accordance with the stated aims of the Fellowship in Section 1.2.1 – 1.2.5
2.8.10 Financial control is vested in the Executive Committee of the Council viz. The President, Vice Chairman and Treasurer who are appointed triennially
2.9 INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATION
In 1966 successful application was made for full membership of the International Congress of Christian Physicians, now known as the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA). Financial support for this body will be decided on from time to time by the Council in accordance with the tariff of fees as determined by the Executive committee of the ICMDA.
