ASN Constitution

ARTICLE 1

Name of the Society AND Supremacy of the Constitution

ARTICLE 2

Aims and Objectives

ARTICLE 3

Power of the Society

ARTICLE 4

Membership

ARTICLE 5

Discipline

ARTICLE 6

Branches

ARTICLE 7

Annual General/Scientific Conference and Delegates’ Meeting

ARTICLE 8

Quorum

ARTICLE 9

Notice of Meeting

ARTICLE 10

Voting

ARTICLE 11

Election of National Officer

ARTICLE 12

Officers of the Association

ARTICLE 13

National Executive Council

ARTICLE 14

Councils of the Society

ARTICLE 15

Removal from Office

ARTICLE 16

Representation on other bodies

ARTICLE 17

Honorary Award

ARTICLE 18

Finance

ARTICLE 19

Journal of Anatomical Society of Nigeria

ARTICLE 20

Trustee

ARTICLE 21

Auditors

ARTICLE 22

Special Provision

Proscription and de-proscription of the Society

ARTICLE 1

NAME

There shall be a Society of Anatomists to be called the Anatomical Society of Nigeria hereinafter referred to as the ASN.

SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

This constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities, organs, branches and members of the society, and where applicable, on any other person associated with the society.

ARTICLE 2

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To regulate the advancement of teaching, service and research in Anatomical sciences and its relevance to health and allied sciences in Nigeria.
2. To promote the welfare of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria members.
3. To collaborate with international organizations that have similar aims and objectives in the areas of teaching, service and research.
4. To consider and express views on all proposed legislation, national and international issues, on anatomy education in Nigeria.

ARTICLE 3

POWER OF THE SOCIETY

1. The society may make such bye-laws, standing orders or other rules as may be deemed necessary for the management of the affairs of the society including the determination of the qualifications, classification, admission and discipline by whatever manner including suspension and expulsion of members and directives to its officers and members, amendment or repeal of all or parts of this constitution or where no provisions exist, in accordance with decisions determined by two thirds vote of its members at a properly constituted Annual General Meeting; acquisition of any right or privilege necessary or consistent with the purposes of the society and publish regularly or periodically relevant materials or disseminate information necessary for its purposes.
2. The society may receive, acquire, accept and hold real and personal property by gifts or purchase, lease or otherwise acquired for the purpose of the society and may sell, lease, invest or otherwise dispose thereof in such a manner that may be deemed expedient for such purposes.
3. No member or officer of the society shall merely by reason of such membership, be or become personally liable for any of its debts and obligations.

ARTICLE 4

MEMBERSHIP

1. There shall be the following categories of membership:
1. Ordinary Members
   1. (a) These shall be registered anatomists practicing in Nigeria who pay their annual subscription fees regularly as and at when due, unless otherwise exempted by the National Executive Council (NEC). No candidate for election or/and delegate shall qualify for such exemption.
      (b) An anatomist is defined as any one who holds appropriate academic qualifications to teach, practice or research in anatomy as a discipline at the university or any higher allied health sciences institutional level.
   2. It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual anatomist to ensure the payment of his subscription fees to the Anatomical Society of Nigeria (ASN) as and at when due.
2. Honorary Members
   1. These shall be men and women of distinction not ordinarily eligible to be members of the society but who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the profession or/and the society.
   2. The election of the members in the foregoing paragraph shall be proposed by the NEC of the society and ratified by the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
   3. Honorary members shall not be entitled to vote or be voted for at meetings provided this shall not apply to the election of an honorary member to the Fellowship of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria (FASN).
3. Associate Members
   1. Anatomists visiting Nigeria being themselves members of similar association in other countries with whom the society has reciprocity shall be termed as associate members.
   2. Such members shall not be entitled to vote or be voted for at meetings.
4. Student Members
   These shall be accredited anatomy students in any Nigerian university, provided the student members shall not be entitled to vote or be voted for at meetings.
5. Distant Members
   A member of the society not ordinarily resident in Nigeria shall be termed a distant member provided he fulfils all his financial obligations.
6. Fellow of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria (FASN)
   These are senior anatomists and members of the society who are adjudged by the NEC to have made major contributions to the society and the development of anatomy in Nigeria.
2. Termination of membership: Membership may be terminated in any of the following ways:
   1. By expulsion in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
   2. By removal of the name from the ASN register for non-payment of annual subscription fee for three years. Where such a person wishes to have his name re-registered, he shall pay the debt owed plus a 20% surcharge on such debt.

ARTICLE 5

DISCIPLINE

1. A member of the society may be subjected to disciplinary proceedings for any act of omission or commission which has been adjudged by the Anatomical Society of Nigeria, based on acceptable professional ethics, to have brought the profession into disrepute.
2. Any action on the part of an anatomist deemed to have brought the profession into disrepute or conduct detrimental to the interest of the society or disdainful to its rules, may be reported by any aggrieved person, concerned citizen or fellow members of the society to the society through its officers.
3. Procedure
   1. A report made to the national president or secretary-general shall be deemed to have been made to the society.
   2. On receipt of such a report, the secretary-general or the assistant secretary-general or any other person appointed by NEC shall refer the complaint with all supporting documents to the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
   3. The committee shall have the right to conduct its own independent investigation, but shall also call the member against whom the complaint is laid to defend himself through written and oral deposition at a stated place and time after reasonable notice.
   4. Having investigated the case, the committee shall submit a report and its recommendation(s) to the National Executive Council (NEC).
   5. The NEC shall again review the substance of the complaint, the request and the recommendation(s) of the committee and dispose of the matter as it deems fit provided that if the defendant or complainant is dissatisfied, he may appeal to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) through the secretary-general or president in writing within three months of the decision(s) of NEC. The decision of the AGM shall be final.
   6. The NEC shall have power to refer any person and/or matter to the NDC provided it shall do so before the NEC takes a decision on the case as provided for in standing order number 23 and the constitution.
   7. Non payment of annual subscription fee by any person brought before the NDC shall not invalidate the proceedings and decisions of the society.
4. Disciplinary Action
   1. A member found guilty of any act of omission or commission deemed to have brought the profession or the society into disrepute or to be disdainful of its rule, after due process as provided for in this constitution, may be subjected by the NEC to any of the following disciplinary actions according to NEC’s judgments as to the gravity of the offence.
      1. Reprimand
      2. Removal from office
      3. Denial of right to vote
      4. Denial of the right to hold office
      5. Denial of the right to represent ASN on an outside body.
      6. Fine not exceeding 10 times his portion of the annual subscription fee accruing to ASN.
      7. Referral to the Anatomical Society of Nigeria Council for disciplinary proceedings.
      8. Suspension
      9. Expulsion
      10. Any other punishment as may be deemed fit
   2. Any member who fails to pay his annual subscription fee on or before 31st December of the proceeding year shall lose all privileges of membership including the following:
      1. Membership of any committee and/or the National Disciplinary Committee.
      2. The right to hold office or elective position at all levels of the society and professional groups.
      3. The provisions of 5(6)(a)(i), 11(1)(b), 15(1)(c) and 18 shall not apply to any president who is removed from office. Any president who is removed from office shall not have the right to attend any meeting of the society as an immediate past-president or as a past president or in any capacity. He shall also not have the right to represent the society on any body.
5. Disciplinary Action
   Every state branch shall have the right to set up a branch disciplinary committee composed as deemed necessary to investigate complaints and recommend disciplinary action against an erring member, provided that such a member shall be given due opportunity to defend himself and that the committee’s recommendations shall be effected only after the due approval by the NEC and provided further that offences considered to be serious professional import shall be referred to the national body in the first place or after due investigation and provided further that a member not satisfied with disposition at branch level may appeal to the national body.
6. National Disciplinary Committee
   There shall be a National Disciplinary Committee of the society herein before and after referred to as the NDC with following characteristics:
   1. Composition
      1. A past president who shall be chairman of the committee.
      2. Three other members of at least five years of professional experience.
      3. One member from the same branch as the member being investigated.
   2. Appointment
      The members of NDC shall be appointed by the NEC.
   3. Term of Office
      The term of office of every permanent member shall be two years. No member shall be entitled for re-election for more than two consecutive terms without a break of one year.
   4. 1. The secretary of the NDC shall be the assistant secretary-general or any other person appointed by NEC.
      2. The committee on receipt of a complaint shall convene within eight (8) weeks.
      3. NEC shall constitute itself into a disciplinary body and hear complaints and pass judgment if the NDC is unwilling or unable to meet within eight (8) weeks of receipt of a complaint. If the defendant or complainant is dissatisfied, he may appeal to the AGM through the secretary-general or president in writing within three months of the decision of NEC.
      4. An Emergency Delegates’ Meeting or AGM shall constitute itself into disciplinary body if the NEC is unable or unwilling to hear the case within three months of taking it over from the NDC. If the defendant or complainant is dissatisfied with the decision of an Emergency Delegates’ Meeting, he may appeal to the AGM through the secretary-general or president in writing within three months of the decision when and AGM acts as a disciplinary or appellate body, its decision shall be final.
      5. The chairman of the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) shall not be a member of NEC.
      6. Quorum for NDC shall be four members and once quorum is formed, the NDC’s decisions shall be valid.
      7. The secretary of the NDC shall not be a member of the NDC provided this shall not apply where the secretary to the NDC is absent from a meeting and the NDC appoints one of its members to act as the secretary of the meeting.
      8. Non appearance of a member at the NDC when there is evidence that he was in receipt of the meeting notice where he was referred to the committee or in possession of the minutes in which the decision was taken shall be taken as contempt of the NDC, and NEC shall have the right to take any disciplinary actions including those stated in Article 5.
      9. Walking out of the committee or passing any derogatory remark against it when it is in session or out of session shall also constitute contempt. The NEC shall have the right to take any disciplinary actions including those stated in Article 5.
7. 1. The NEC shall have the right by a three-fourth majority to discipline a branch.
   2. An appeal shall be made in writing by the branch within three months of the NEC decision through the president and/or secretary-general to the AGM. An appeal to the AGM shall succeed if the appeal is upheld by two-third majority of members present at the AGM. The decision of the AGM shall be final.

ARTICLE 6

BRANCHES

1. Members of the society in the Department of Anatomy of any university, state or federal shall have the right to constitute themselves into a branch of the society.
2. A branch shall be bound by the provisions of the constitution of the society and shall have the right to make rules and regulations to regulate its functions provided such rules and regulations are not in conflict with any part of the constitution and other rules of the society.
3. 1. In addition to branches, any group of anatomist with special interest can form special professional groups in affiliation with the society. Such affiliated professional groups shall also be bound by the constitution of the society, but shall also have the right to make rules and regulation governing their functions provided such rules and regulations are not in conflict with the constitution of the society.
   2. Special Groups of Members: NEC may from time to time authorize the formation of/or the dissolution of special groups of members having distinctive professional interests and being by reason either of their paucity of members or/of their local distribution unable to obtain adequate representation of those interest through the divisions/zones and branches. Any appeal against a decision of the NEC about a special group shall be made to the AGM whose decision shall be final. The mode of application for the formation of any such special group and the means of ascertaining the views of the members thereof on matters affecting their said interests shall be such as the NEC may from time to time determine and the NEC may provide the meetings of any such special group and for committee thereof and for the attendance of their representative(s) thereof at the meetings of the NEC or the Delegates’ Meeting for the purpose of explaining such views unless otherwise stated herein in this constitution.
4. Where there is conflict between the national constitution and the rules and regulations of such a branch or professional group, the national constitution shall supersede.
5. Any decision of any branch or affiliated professional body, which conflict with the national constitution shall to the extent of the conflict be null and void of the effects.
6. Each branch or affiliated professional body shall give a written report of its activities at the AGM.

ARTICLE 7

ANNUAL GENERAL/SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND DELEGATES’ MEETING

1. There shall be an Annual General/Scientific Conference of the society, to be held in various centers as may be determined by the National Executive Council.
2. The highest decision making body of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria shall be the Annual General Meeting of the society.
3. shall be an Annual General Meeting which shall be the business meeting and which shall hold during the Annual General/Scientific Conference.
4. 1. During the Annual General Conference there shall be plenary session for all categories of members present as stated in Article 4 at which the secretary-general and other officers shall submit reports on the activities of the society for the year. In particular, the president shall present an audited account of the society for the financial year preceding the Annual General Conference. Decisions at the plenary session shall be regarded as non-binding propositions for the consideration of the AGM.
   2. Every branch and recognized professional group, committee, representative of the society on any body where the society is required to be represented shall each submit and annual report in writing to the plenary session provided any other person or group of persons may be directed by the NEC to submit an annual written report to the plenary session.
5. Apart from the AGM and the plenary session, the Annual General Conference may also feature meetings of NEC as well as scientific sessions, teaching seminars and workshops and exhibitions, not only of drugs and equipment but also clinical and scientific advances in the profession.
6. Composition of Delegates’ Meeting
   1. All National Officers
   2. The immediate past President
   3. The immediate past General Secretary
   4. All branch members present at the meeting who have paid their subscription for the year
7. All delegates must be financial members of the Society.
8. Delegates’ Meeting
   1. Only accredited delegates and individual members of the Delegates Meeting as set out in 7(7) shall be allowed to attend and participate at any Delegates Meeting provided that:
   2. Any body can be invited to give information on any item on the agenda of the Delegates’ meeting by a two-third majority decision of the delegates. The person shall give his information, answered, ask questions from members and leave the meeting. The Delegates Meeting shall not discuss the matter in his presence and he shall not participate in the discussion or in the meeting.
   3. Notwithstanding 7(ii) (a) and (b) above, 7(ii) (a) and (b) shall not apply to those who are employed/appointed to service and record the Delegates’ Meeting provided they do not disturb or/and participate at the meeting for whatever reason.
9. Conference Organizing Committee
   1. The chairman of the conference organizing committee of any Annual General Conference (AGC) if organized by a branch shall be the branch chairman. He shall submit an audited account to the NEC within six months if an audited account has not been submitted to the NEC, NEC shall constitute itself into a Disciplinary Committee to try the chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee and any other member that might be connected with the organization of the conference, provided that if anyone is found guilty, the provisions of Article 5(4)(a) shall apply.
   2. Where an audited account of an AGC is not acceptable, the NEC shall have the right to decide on the necessary action to redress the anomaly. Disciplinary actions may be taken against the branch, all or individual officers or any member of the society that might be involved.
   3. The chairman of any conference organizing committee that organizes a conference for the society shall submit its report within three months to be followed by an audited account of the conference within six months of the conclusion of the conference to NEC. The NEC shall have the power to decide on any irregularity discovered as it deems fit including taking any disciplinary action as in 7(12)(a) above.
10. Where it appears to NEC that a chairman of an AGC is unable or unwilling to carry out his functions, it shall have the power to appoint any member as chairman of the AGC organizing committee to replace the chairman.

ARTICLE 8

QUORUM

No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the society unless a quorum is formed at the time when the meeting proceeds to business provided quorum shall not be required for the plenary session and meetings of the National Advisory Council and committee of past presidents.

1. Unless otherwise prescribed herein in this constitution, the presence in person of twenty (20) members shall constitute a quorum for AGM or an Emergency Delegate Meeting (EDM) provided that five (5) branches shall be represented.
2. The quorum of council at all meetings shall be four (4) members; two of the members shall be president or a Vice-president, if the president is not available and the Secretary-General or the presence of the president, vice-president and any other national officer. The council shall hold a meeting at least once every four months.
3. Unless otherwise prescribed in this constitution, quorum at all meetings of the committees, task forces or any body set up by the society shall be one-half where the total voting membership is six or less and one-third where the total voting membership is greater than six, in either case any fraction shall be approximated to the nearest higher whole number.
4. A branch or affiliated body shall have power to establish its own necessary quorum for all members taking into consideration the size of its membership.
5. Quorum shall be constituted by voting members only.
6. Where quorum is formed at a meeting and a chairman and/or secretary of a committee/NDC/task force or any other ad hoc body by whatever name is absent, the members present at the meeting shall elect a chairman and/or secretary from among themselves for the purpose of proceeding with the business of that meeting only.
7. Quorum for the amendment of the constitution and standing orders. There shall be a quorum call before the item on the amendment(s) is taken on the agenda of the ADM. The quorum for the amendments of the constitution and standing orders shall be the presence in person of twenty-five delegates from at least ten branches provided the president shall be present. The process of amending the constitution and the standing orders shall terminate immediately this quorum is lost.

ARTICLE 9

NOTICE OF MEETING

1. Notice of an Annual General/Scientific Conference stating the date, time and venue of the meeting shall be dispatched or published at least twelve weeks before the dates of the conference to members.
2. The National Executive Council or the president on its behalf may, if the occasion so warrants, call an EDM by giving not less than one week notice to members through the mass media and/or by a courier service.
3. Fourteen days notice shall be given for a meeting of the National Executive Council but an emergency meeting of the council may be summoned within the shortest possible time at necessary to assemble a quorum for the consideration of an urgent matter.
4. Provided that a quorum was formed the proceedings of any meetings of the society shall not be invalidated by any accidental omission to give any notice thereby required or by any vacancy or by any defect in the election or qualification of any member or by reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in the proceedings.
5. Any meeting of the society held in parts shall be regarded as one continuous meeting. The provisions of the standing orders as in schedule one of this constitution shall apply as in any one continuous meeting. No member shall be permitted to re-open any specific scientific question upon which the meeting has come to a conclusion in any of the earlier part(s).
6. At any emergency meeting of the society only items on the agenda as stated in the notice of the meeting shall be discussed. The item “Any Other Business (A.O.B.) shall not be included on the agenda.

ARTICLE 10

VOTING

1. At the Delegates’ Meeting, election of officers shall be decided by secret ballot of the members present.
2. Paragraph One
   Voting on other resolutions and issues discussed in the open house at any delegates’ meeting shall be by raising of the hand unless otherwise decided by acclamation or consensus provided any proposed amendment(s) to the constitution or/and standing orders shall not be passed by acclamation or consensus.
   Paragraph Two
   Pursuant to paragraph one above, each constituent member shall be provided with a voting card on which the number of votes to which the constituent member is entitled shall be printed. The constituent member may cast his vote by raising the card when the chairman of the meeting calls for the vote. This method of voting shall be used in the Delegates’ meeting unless another method shall be authorized by the provisions of the constitution.
3. Voting at NEC meetings shall be by show of hands unless otherwise prescribed in this constitution. Method of voting may however be varied by two-third majority of those present at the meeting.
4. In the case of a tie, the president, in addition to his original vote, shall have a casting vote.
5. In any meeting of the society any co-opted member or observer or ex-officio member shall have no right to vote unless otherwise stated in this constitution.
6. 1. At any delegates’ meeting, a decision that will bring about a policy change of a previous decision shall be taken by two-third majority of the delegates present at the delegate meeting provided two-third of the branches of the federation are represented and voting at the meeting.
   2. At NEC meeting, a decision that will bring about a policy change or a change in position from any earlier decision of NEC shall be taken by two-third majority of members present at the NEC meeting.
7. Voting at other meeting of the society unless otherwise stated herein in this constitution shall be by show of hands. Method of voting may however be varied by two-third majority of those present at the meeting.

ARTICLE 11

ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICERS

1. 1. Election of national offices shall hold once every two years.
   2. All members shall be subject to the provision of Article 4 of this constitution, be eligible to contest election to any office, provided that no member may contest more than one office.
   3. The provision of Article 4 section (1) subsection (a) sub-subsection (i) as they apply to any candidate for election shall apply to any proposer or/and seconder to any office of the society.
2. Notice shall be given by the secretary-general of the society for nominations to all national offices at least 12 weeks before the date fixed for the Annual General Conference counted from the date of dispatch.
3. Such nominations shall be on specified forms and shall disclose the title of office, name of the candidate, his signature, the names and signatures of his proposer and seconder as well as a brief resume of the candidate listing previous activities within the society and the profession. Nomination forms shall be designed centrally, and made available at the national secretariats of all branches.
4. Nomination forms duly completed, shall be mailed, sent or brought in sealed envelopes marked “confidential-elections” addressed to the secretary-general at the national secretariat to reach him not later than 15.00 hours (3.00pm) Nigerian time on the specified closing date. Each envelope shall be stamped on the day it is received and kept intact until voting day.
5. 1. Nominations shall close one week before the opening date of the AGC.
   2. Any postponement of the AGC and/or ADM after the closing date shall invalidate these nominations and the closing date as set out in the first notice or/and announcement unless otherwise determined by the ADM.
6. Any postponement of the opening of the nomination envelopes due to non-fulfillment of the provisions of the constitution as in 11(6) above shall not invalidate these denominations and the closing date unless otherwise determined by the ADM.
7. A copy of this compilation shall immediately be sent out to all state branches and all contesting candidates.
8. Any candidate may withdraw his nomination in writing any time before the commencement of the ADC provided the candidate shall ensure the receipt of the withdrawal letter before the commencement of the ADC.
9. 1. Election of national officers, where there is a contest, receipt for the editor of Anatomical Journal, shall take place ate the AGM unless otherwise prescribed herein in this constitution voting shall be done by financial members present.
   2. During an election at the delegates’ meeting, members present shall have the right to propose and second any candidates to any vacant office when these is no validly nominated candidate at the close of the nominations.
10. Before the commencement of the election, the AGM shall appoint a returning officer whose duty it shall be to conduct the election as laid done by the constitution of the society. The appointment shall be by nomination and if required, voting shall be as in 10(1).
11. The president shall following the appointment of the returning officer immediately dissolve the National Executive Council.
12. Every elected officer shall hold office immediately after conclusion of the election in the year of his election until dissolution of the NEC at the next AGM of an election year.
13. Any candidate validly propose and seconded for an office shall be declared elected unopposed if there is no other validly nominated opposing candidate for the office at the close denominations. The tenure of office of the unopposed candidate shall commence either elected officers immediately after the conclusion of the delegates’ meeting in the year of his election until the dissolution of the NEC at the next of an election.
14. If for whatever reason, election of officers becomes inconclusive, the returning officer shall immediately summon a committee of past presidents who shall elect from among themselves at least three members to run the affairs of the society for three months within which another election shall be conducted. The committee so constituted shall select from among themselves a chairman provided it shall not be the immediate past president. The committee shall call for fresh nominations except for offices for which candidates have returned unopposed.
15. Any candidate who is validly nominated and absent from the venue of the election shall be voted for in absentia.
16. All officers shall be voted for at the same time. Announcement of election results shall be made in reverse order of precedence. That is, the presidential election results shall be announced last. The returning officer shall hand over the records of voting and results of the lection to the president who shall in turn hand them over to the Secretary-General for safe keeping as part of the society’s permanent records.
17. Voting by proxy is not allowed.

ARTICLE 12

OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. National Officers
   1. 1. Composition: There shall be:
         President
         Vice President
         General Secretary
         Assistant General Secretary
         National Treasurer
         Financial Secretary
         Editor of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria Journal (ASNJ)
      2. The term of office for all National Officers shall be two years which can be renewable only once.
   2. The order of precedence in the society shall be in the following descending order:
      President
      Vice President
      General Secretary
      Assistant General Secretary
      National Treasurer
      Financial Secretary
      Editor of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria Journal (ASNJ)
   3. In the event of the office of the president of the society becoming vacant during the course of his tenure, the vice president shall immediately become the president and the vacant office of the vice president shall be filled at a bye-election at the next AGM.
   4. In the event of the office of the general secretary becoming vacant during the course of his tenure, the assistant general secretary shall immediately become the general secretary.
   5. In the event of the office of the assistant secretary-general and the national treasurer becoming vacant in the course of their tenures, council shall convene an EDM for the purposes of electing assistant general secretary and/or the national treasurer subject to the provisions of this constitution.
   6. All offices filled pursuant to the above provisions (c) (d) and (e) shall last until the next AGM and shall not be counted as a term of office for whosoever filled the office in the course of somebody else’s tenure.
   7. No elected national officers shall hold a state office simultaneously.
   8. The duties of the National Officers are as specified below:
      1. The President: The president shall preside over all meetings of the society. The president in consultation with the council members shall interpret the constitution and bye-laws and decide any doubtful points. Any disagreement arising from such interpretation shall be referred to the committee of past presidents who shall be referred to the committee of past presidents who shall be the final arbiter. The president shall, as the head of the society, be responsible for the co-ordination of the activities of all the groups and sections established to further the interest of the society.
         The president shall be the chief spokesperson of the society. He shall act as deemed necessary on behalf of the society, in between meetings of the NEC but shall report to the council for ratification at the next meeting of NEC. He shall consult regularly with the other officers on such issues. The president shall present an annual and when necessary supplementary budget(s) for the approval of the NEC each year for the operations of the society that year. He shall also present an audited financial report of the preceding year at the AGM as the accounting officer of the society.
         He shall authorize all expenditure not exceeding the imprest limit which shall by determined by NEC from time to time provided such authorized expenditure shall not exceed twenty per cent (20%) of the approved imprest limit.
         He shall authorize the expenditure not exceeding twenty five per cent (25%) of every line budget of the preceding year before the annual Budget is approved by the NEC.
      2. President: Shall assist the president in his duties. Shall perform other duties as may be determined by the president and/or NEC. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall perform his duties.
      3. General Secretary: The general secretary shall be answerable to the president on the day to day running of the society and shall handle all correspondences. He shall take and keep the minutes of the meetings and records of the society and council. He shall notify new officers of their elections. He shall keep an inventory of all the society’s properties. He shall arrange with the president, the order of proceedings at meeting and shall be responsible for the general management of the secretariat of the society. The general secretary may delegate responsibilities to the assistant secretary-general. The general secretary shall appoint deputy secretary with the approval of NEC to assist him in the discharge of his/her duties provided a quorum is formed.
      4. Assistant General Secretary: Shall act for the general secretary in his absence and shall cooperate with the general secretary at all times. He shall serve as secretary to all standing committees of the society, unless otherwise stated herein in this constitution.
      5. National Treasurer: national treasurer shall receive all monetary income due to the society and make all payments ordered by the council and/or approved by the president. He shall keep an account of all such receipts and payments and shall submit all such receipts and other account books and documents to the auditor after December 31st and in any case in time to enable the auditor prepare a report for the president before the AGM of the new year. He shall also prepare and submit the annual report to the AGM.
      6. Financial Secretary: Shall receive and record all revenues indicating all relevant information for each transaction. Make note of any refunds or disbarments that need to be made. Shall give to the Treasurer all payment slips and invoices of payments and to also reconcile financial records of the Treasurer and investigate discrepancies if any. Assist to ensure financial records are complete and in good order for annual audit purposes.
      7. Editor of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria Journal: The editor shall be responsible for the publication of the journal as defined under Article 19 of this constitution.
      8. Any officer shall perform such other duties as directed by the council or the delegates meeting or the president.
2. 1. 1. National Officers’ Committee (NOC): The composition of the National Officers’ Committee herein before and after referred to as the NOC shall consist of all National officers as in 12 (1) (a) (1). The president shall be the chairman and the secretary-general shall be the secretary of the committee.
      2. The committee shall advice the president in the exercise of his duties as stated in 12(1) (h) (i).
      3. Without prejudice to Article 12 (1) (h) (i), the National Officers’ Committee shall act on behalf of National Executive Council and Anatomical Society of Nigeria in between meetings of the NEC.
      4. The National Executive Council shall meet at least once in four months.
   2. 1. The NEC shall choose any member to act for an officer who is unwilling/unable to act in office. Such decision shall require two-third approval of the next NEC meeting.
      2. Notwithstanding Article 12 (2) (b) (1) above the provisions of Article 5 and 16 shall apply for the removal of any officer from office.

ARTICLE 13

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

1. 1. There shall be a National Executive Council (NEC). The NEC herein before and hereinafter referred to as the council or NEC, as constituted, is the governing body of the society and shall have full power to act on its behalf in the period between the AGM in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the society unless otherwise stated herein in this constitution.
   2. Composition of Council:
      1. All the National Officers of the Society as in article 12(1) above.
      2. Immediate past President of the Society
      3. Immediate past General Secretary of the Society
      4. The chairman or registrar of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria Council (ASNC).
2. 1. The council may co-opt any member to any of its deliberations, but such a member shall have no vote.
   2. The NEC shall have power to co-opt one representative of the professional group as an observer at no cost to the society provided this shall be supported by two-third majority of members present at a NEC meeting. The NEC shall have the power to revoke this privilege at any time without giving reason. This shall be supported by two-third majority of members present at a NEC meeting.
3. Council shall have power to appoint a legal practitioner on the honorarium to advice on legal matters.
4. In pursuance of Article 3 of this constitution, NEC shall have power to make bye-laws to regulate its own functions but shall make recommendations to the AGM in respect of general applicability to the whole society.
5. The NEC shall have power to appoint ad-hoc committees/bodies. The tenure of such ad-hoc committees/bodies shall last two years, but if such committee/bodies are not reconstituted within two years, they shall stand dissolved after thirty months of their existence. Members shall be subject to unlimited re-appointments. The terms of reference and the life span of each ad-hoc body shall be determined by council.
6. 1. NEC shall have power to propose a standing committee by two-third majority to an AGM, the committee shall be approved by two-third majority of delegates present at the AGM.
   2. No proposed standing committee shall function as such before the ratification of the AGM.
   3. Every member of a standing committee shall serve for two years subject to renewal at the discretion of NEC unless otherwise stated herein in this constitution.
7. Unless otherwise stated here in this constitution, a decision of a committee, task-force, NDC or any ad-hoc committee has no effect until it is confirmed by NEC.

ARTICLE 14

COUNCILS OF THE SOCIETY

1. Advisory Council
   There shall be an Advisory Council consisting of:
   1. The President
   2. The General Secretary as Secretary
   3. All past Presidents
   4. All past General Secretaries
   5. Chairman or registrar of the ASNC
   6. The oldest past President shall be the Chairman
2. Committee of Past Presidents
   There shall be a committee of past Presidents. It shall consist of:
   1. The President as Chairman
   2. Immediate past President
   3. All past Presidents
   4. General Secretary, who shall be co-opted member and shall serve as the Secretary.
      It shall meet when the need arises to advice the president and/or the society in any matter. The president shall cause the meeting to be called through the general secretary or the assistant general secretary. This is however, without prejudice to Article 11 (15). The president shall appoint the assistant general secretary to serve as the secretary of the meeting where the general secretary is absent or unable to attend the meeting.

ARTICLE 15

REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

1. Any officer found wanting shall be suspended by motion supported by two-thirds majority of members present and voting at delegates’ meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot and members shall vote individually. Following such a decision, the officer shall remain suspended and the matter referred to the NDC, which shall investigate the matter giving the officer a fair opportunity to defend himself. The recommendations of the NDC shall be subject to approval of the delegates meeting. The decisions of the delegates’ meeting shall take immediate effect.
2. Where the decision is taken at an emergency delegates’ meeting an appeal may be made to the next AGM and submitted to the president or general secretary or the assistant general secretary within three months or before the next AGM which is earlier. The decision of the AGM shall be final.

ARTICLE 16

REPRESENTATION ON OTHER BODIES

1. The council shall have power to elect all representatives of the society on the Anatomical Society of Nigeria Council in accordance with such procedures as may be laid down from time to time by the AGM of the society.
2. Council shall also have power to elect representatives of the society to any other bodies where the society is required to be represented in accordance with provisions of the constitution, but may delegate such responsibility to any branch executive council.
3. The duration of such representation shall be decided by NEC.

ARTICLE 17

HONORARY AWARD

1. Role of Fellows of the Society (FASN)
   
   1. Fellowship of the society shall be the highest honour granted to members whose services, in the interest of the society and of the profession of Anatomy, have been out-standing and merit special recognition.
   2. Any member or group of members may nominate to council, through the general secretary, a member or members to be considered for approval for the award of the fellow of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria (FASN) provided the national committee in awards and honours shall make its recommendation on any nomination known to the NEC before it takes its decision.
   3. The nomination shall be approved in the first instance by at least two-thirds of the total voting membership of the NEC. In other words, every member may vote either in person or by proxy.
   4. The AGM shall finally ratify the nomination of NEC by two-third majority of voting members present at the meeting, provided in each case two-third shall be approximated to the nearest whole number. The recipient shall thereafter be presented with a certificate and decorated a gold medal, at an immediate subsequent Annual general Conference.
   5. In any one year the AGM shall not confer more than three FASN awards on members provided any award by the AGM to any member of past presidents of ASN shall not be included in the above stated three.
   6. Fellows may be appointed post-humously.
   7. A special register of fellows shall be maintained.
   8. There shall be a hall of fame of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria at the national secretariat of the society. The name of the fellows of the society shall be listed in this hall.
2. National Roll of Honour
   
   1. The society shall keep a Roll of Honour of its members who have been outstanding and merit such recognition.
   2. Nomination shall be made to council 18(1) and approval by NEC shall be given by at least two-third of the council provided that two-third shall be approximated to the nearest higher whole number. Every council member may vote in person or in proxy.
   3. A certificate shall be issued by NEC to a member so honoured.
   4. A special register shall be maintained for such honoured members.
3. National Committee on Awards and Honours
   There shall be a standing committee on the provisions of Article 5 and 16 shall apply for the removal of any officer from office. Awards and Honours comprising five members to be constituted as follows:
   1. A past President as Chairman
   2. A past General Secretary
   3. General Secretary as Secretary
   4. Two other members each with not less than ten years of professional experience.
4. Past Presidents
   All former Presidents (excepting the immediate past president for the time being) shall be designated past presidents, and shall be included in the list of past Presidents accordingly.

ARTICLE 18

FINANCE

1. Finance
   Special levies and/or subscription may be recommended from time to time as necessary, by a decision of NEC subject to the ratification of the AGM.
2. Banking
   Money belonging to the society shall be deposited by the National Treasurer in a duly licensed bank in Nigeria or abroad in accordance with the directive of the council. All cheques drawn on the society’s bank account shall be signed by any two of the following officers of the society unless otherwise stated in this constitution.
   
   • The President
   • The General Secretary
   • National Treasurer
3. Conference Account
   The NEC shall approve four signatories to the conference account of the society. Three signatories shall be as in 18(2) above with the chairman of the conference organizing committee being fourth. Any three of the four shall be eligible to sign on behalf of the society provided the chairman shall be one of them.
4. ASNJ Account
   
   1. The signatories to the ASNJ account shall be:
      1. The President
      2. The General Secretary
      3. The National Treasurer
      4. The Editor
   2. Any three of the above can sign provided the editor shall be one of the signatories.
5. Project Account
   The NEC shall approve three signatories to the account of any project which the society serves as an institutional base. In this case, all three shall sign together. One of the signatories shall be a serving or past national officer who is a bonafide member of the society. The other two signatories shall be recommended by the project coordinator(s), director(s) or manager(s) for approval of NEC. The project account shall be physically separated from the accounts of the society.

ARTICLE 19

JOURNAL OF ANATOMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

ARTICLE 20

TRUSTEES

1. 1. Six (6) trustees shall be appointed from among members of the society at the AGM of the society.
   2. Two trustees shall retire every four years in the order of their appointment or through lot if more than three were appointed at the same time.
   3. Every trustee shall be informed at the time of his appointment of his tenure as a trustee.
   4. The retiring trustee(s) shall not qualify for a re-appointment without a break of two years.
   5. The retired trustee(s) shall be replaced at the AGM.
2. The trustee (hereinafter referred to as “The Trustee”) shall be known as “The Registered Trustees of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria”.
3. All properties of the society freehold, leasehold and other interest in land acquired for the use and benefit of the society shall be vested in them.
4. The trustees shall deal with the properties of the society as directed in writing by council.
5. In the event of death, resignation or removal of a trustee, the next AGM shall appoint a replacement.
6. The trustee shall apply for a Certificate of Incorporation under the land (perpetual succession) Act. Cap 98, as may be subsequently amended whenever required.
7. A trustee shall cease to hold office if he:
   1. Resigns his office
   2. Ceases to be a member of the society
   3. Becomes mentally, physically otherwise incapacitated
   4. Is officially declared bankrupt
   5. Is convicted of a criminal offence including dishonesty by a court of competent jurisdiction
   6. Is removed by a majority vote of financial members present at any delegates’ meeting of the society
   7. Ceases to reside in Nigeria
   8. Dies
   9. Retires as in 20(b)
8. The trustee shall have common seal which shall be kept in the custody of the Secretary-General who shall produce it when required for use by the trustees.
9. All documents to be executed by the trustees shall be singed by at least three of them and sealed with a common seal.
10. If the Certificate of Incorporation is granted, the trustees shall have the power to accept and hold in trust all land belonging to the society and to acquire land on behalf of the society subject to such conditions as the government may impose.

ARTICLE 21

AUDITORS

1. 1. There shall be a standing committee known as Internal Audit Committee to be appointed by NEC provided no member of NEC shall be member.
   2. 1. It shall audit the account of the society every year and present a report to the NEC.
      2. It shall examine the externally audited account of the society and present the report to the AGM.
   3. The committee shall consist of three members
      1. A serving or past voting member of NEC as chairman
      2. Two other members
   4. 1. The tenure of office of this committee shall be as provided fir in this constitution for all other standing committee.
      2. Auditor shall be appointed at the AGM on the recommendation of NEC. They shall be charged with the duty of auditing the books and account including fixed and movable assets of the association which shall be kept in proper form by the National Treasurer. Such books and accounts of the society shall be audited at least ones a year covering the 1st January- 31st December and a report thereon submitted to the AGM of the society.

ARTICLE 22

SPECIAL PROVISION

1. The income and real property of the society wherever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the aims and objectives of the society as contained in Article 2 of this constitution.
2. Upon the winding up or dissolution of the society, any remains, after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities, of any property or income, shall not be paid to or applied among the members of the society.
3. On winding up or dissolution, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, all other assets shall be applied, given or transferred to the institutions having objectives of the society. The proviso to the above shall be that such an institution shall prohibit the distribution of its assets amongst its members to an extent at least as much as it imposed on the society under or by virtue of this constitution and also provided that such institution(s) shall be determined by members of the society at or before the time of dissolution.
4. If no institution is entitled to the assets, then the assets shall be given or passed to some charitable objectives.
5. The resignation, suspension, withdrawal, removal or expulsion of a member or group of members of the society from it shall not entitle any such member or group of members to any assets of the society.

PROSCRIPTION AND DE-PROCSRIPTION OF THE SOCIETY

If ever the society is proscribed, the officers in the office when the proscription order was made shall continue to act for the society throughout the proscription period.