Members

Active Members . Active members must be MDs. Spine activity must represent more than 50% of their activity. Need to pay the annual dues. Only active members have the right to vote, may hold elected offices and serve on the Board of Directors.

Affiliate Members . Affiliate members include physicians or equivalents who devote less than 50% of their professional activities to spine, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physicians assistants, chiropractors, physical therapists, researchers, technical professionals or other health care professionals with an interest in spine. Affiliate members pay annual dues set by the Board of Directors.

Emeritus Members . Emeritus members are individuals who have been members in good standing of the Society for at least fifteen (15) years and have retired. Requests for emeritus membership must be made in writing to the Society headquarters. Emeritus members do not pay annual dues.

International Members . International members are health care professionals with an interest in spine who are living outside Arabic countries. International members pay annual dues set by the Board of Directors.

Honorary Members , are individuals who are recognized for leading achievements and contributions to spine surgery or science. Honorary members do not pay annual dues but shall demonstrate continuing participation in the Society. Honorary members can be of non-Arabic nationality.

Application for Membership

Application Requirements. A curriculum vitae or résumé must accompany the application for membership with two references from active members in the ArabSpine.

Application. Shall be reviewed by the Membership Review Committee. Committee shall submit the name(s) for approval of at least two thirds (2/3rds) of the Board of Directors.

Termination of Membership.  Membership shall terminate upon i) resignation if accepted by the Board of Directors; ii) non-payment of dues for a period of two years; iii) dissolution; iv) death; or v) any member whose license to practice medicine is suspended or revoked for unethical conduct.

Renewal of Membership. Each year all memberships shall be renewed by the payment of annual membership dues.

Elected Officers of the Society

The principal elected officers of the Society shall be :

The Vice President (President Elect)  who shall serve the following term as President: The Presidential line shall be defined as the Past President, the President, the Vice President or President Elect. The president is elected for a period of one (1) year.

Secretary , who may serve for up to three (3) years.

Scientific Chair , who may serve up to three (3) years

Treasurer , who may serve for up to three (3) years

 Such other officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this Article V.

Election and Term of Office –  Election of officers of the Society, shall take place at the regular scientific meeting of the Society. Each officer shall hold office for no longer than three consecutive years, as defined in these Bylaws. The term shall begin with the last day of the regular scientific meeting of members in the year of appointment.

Qualifications –  Only active members in good standing may be elected as officers.

Removal  – An officer may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the Board of Directors.

Compensation  – Officers of the Society shall ordinarily not receive any compensation for their services. Any reasonable expenses required must be approved by the majority of the Board of Directors.

DESIGNATION AND FUNCTIONS OF ELECTED OFFICERS

President – Serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive Committee and shall supervise all the business of the society. He may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the Society authorized by the Board of Directors, contracts, or other instruments which the Board has authorized to be executed. The President shall hold office for a term of one (1) year. He shall convey the office of Presidency to the Vice-President (President Elect) when his term is finished prior to closure of the business session of the regular scientific meeting.

The President shall also serve as principal liaison with other professional or academic societies, but may delegate this role to the Vice-President (President Elect), or to the Past President or other appointees as may be prudent to the interests of this Society and to maintain continuity in said liaison. At the end of his term, the President is appointed by his successor to Past-President.

Vice-President (President Elect) – In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, after the approval of the Board majority.

Secretary  – Shall keep the minutes of the Meetings of the Members and the Board of Directors, give all as required the by-laws, be custodian of the Society’s corporate records and the seal of the Society and affix that seal where necessary to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Society under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. He shall keep a register of the addresses, telephone, email and facsimile numbers of each member. He shall notify all Members of the Committees of the appointments and duties assigned to them. The Secretary shall be elected for a term of three (3) years, with his term not to coincide with that of the Treasurer.

Chairman of the Scientific and Training Committee : Shall be elected between board members, shall put the scientific and training plan for the society supported by committee members. Coordinate with the national/local spine societies for the scientific activities and training. Shall supervise the ArabSpine concerned committee of the Arab Spine Course Diploma (ASCD) Establish and reinforce relations with spine societies or similar organizations worldwide.

Treasurer  – The Treasurer or the Executive Director acting in his stead, shall keep the accounts of the Society and collect all moneys due the Society. He and the President or Executive Director shall oversee the payment of all Reasonable expenses of the Society. He shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Society, and shall receive and give receipts for moneys including those due and payable to the Society from any source whatsoever and deposit in banks all such moneys in the name of the Society. He shall keep a correct record of all monetary transactions, providing such records for audit, whenever so directed by the Board. He shall also serve on the Executive Committee of the Board. The Treasurer shall be elected for a term three (3) years, with his term not to coincide with that of the Secretary.

Past President  – The Past President shall serve, on appointment by the presiding President, in an exofficio capacity on the Board of Directors of the Board for one year. Other duties may be assigned to him by the President or the Board of Directors.

Executive Director  – The President, with approval of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee, may hire an Executive Director. It shall be the duty of the Executive Director to understand and enforce the By-laws and policies of this Society. The Executive Director shall act to implement such policies and actions as directed by the President or the Board. He may hire assistants, consultants or other outside service providers, subject to approval by the President and the Board of Directors or Executive Committee, to assist in the administration of the Principal Office and in the Society’s  business affairs. He shall also serve, ex-officio, on the Board of Directors.

Principal Office  – The Board of Directors may establish a Principal Office for the Society at such location as the Board determines is appropriate, to facilitate the policies, activities, meetings and business affairs of the Society. The Executive Director shall be charged with the administration of the Society’s Office.