CONSTITUTION FOR THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES ASSOCIATION

 Preamble

Whereas it appeared desirable that an association be formed to further
the mathematical sciences in the Southern African Region, it was decided
that the Mathematical Scientists in the countries within the area should
associate for the furtherance of their common purpose, provided that
initially these countries shall be those forming the conglomeration
called the Southern African Development Coordination Council who so
desire to become members of the association. It was further decided
that other countries may apply to join the association and be admitted
or not as the nucleus membership may so wish.
 

Definition

For the avoidance of doubt the male shall include the female.
 

Name of the Association

The association shall be called the Southern African Mathematical
Sciences Association (SAMSA), hereinafter referred to as ``The
Association''.
 

 Aims

The aims of the association shall be:
 

1. to promote cooperation and exchange of ideas in mathematical research and teaching of mathematics and to stimulate communication between mathematicians in the area
2. to organise research seminars and colloquia.
3. to arrange visits to the area of eminent mathematicians and organise inter-departmental visits and exchange visits.
4. to seek and maintain contacts with other mathematical associations within and outside the region, provided that the aims and purposes of such other associations are consistent with the aims and purposes of The Association.
5. to produce a research and information publication, and any other publications deemed to be of value in the promotion of the above aims.

General

The provision herein contained shall be known as the Constitution of
The Association which provisions may be altered by a two-thirds majority
of the full members present and voting as a general meeting of members,
provided that the precise terms of any proposal alteration shall be set
out in the notice convening the meeting.
 

Powers of the Association

The Association shall have the power to
 

1. endow prizes and awards in the mathematical sciences,
2. acquire, dispose of and generally deal in property both movable and immovable,
3. invest and expend money, lend and borrow money and secure the repayment thereof, where applicable, by mortgage or pledge of any of the assets of The Association movable or immovable,
4. generally to carry on, do or transact any act, scheme or enterprise calculated to further the objects of The Association.

Members

Membership shall be in the following categories:
 

1. Full Members who shall normally be residents of member countries and actively engaged in the promotion, extension or application of mathematical knowledge. Such members shall be non-students.
2. Associate Members who, not being students, and being resident in a member country shall have good interest in mathematics but are not so actively engaged in the promotion or application of mathematical knowledge.
3. Student Members who shall be full-time students of universities and other tertiary institutions in member countries, provided that such students shall initially be nominated for membership by a full member.
4. Honorary members who shall have distinguished themselves in the promotion, extension or application of mathematical knowledge.
5. Institutional Members who shall collectively hold, and be eligible for, membership on the basis of their collective and individual interests and active participation in the promotion, extension and application of mathematical knowledge in the region.

Procedures for Admission to Membership

1. Any person may upon due application be elected by a general meeting to one and only one category of membership.
2. A person or institution wishing to become a member of The Association shall make application on a form provided by the Secretary and shall be proposed and recommended by not less that one full member. He/she shall also sign and return to the Secretary the following declaration:

1. An Honorary Member shall be elected by a general voting on a recommendation of the Executive Committee as specified in paragraph 9, below. Upon admission, an Honorary Member shall have all the privileges of membership but shall not be obliged to pay a subscription.
2. Upon admission to membership, except to Honorary Membership, a member shall pay a joining fee, and annually pay a subscription fee, as determined by a general meeting acting on a recommendation by the Executive Committee.
3. A member of an association with which The Association maintains a reciprocity agreement shall upon application be admitted as and remain a member of The Association as a reduced subscription as agreed between the two associations, provided that such a member is not resident in Southern Africa. Members so admitted shall not have the right to vote but shall enjoy all other privileges of membership.
4. A member may resign by giving notice in writing to the Secretary. A member may, at discretion of the Executive Committee, be deemed to have resigned if his subscription is more than 4 months in arrears.
5. Every person who has ceased to be a member of The Association shall, nevertheless, continue to be liable for all sums due from him to The Association at the time when he ceased to be a member.

Executive Committee

There shall be an Executive Committee elected from among the Full
Members of The Association, such Committee to comprise six members as
follows:
 

1. Chairman of The Association

1. Secretary to The Association

1. Treasurer of The Association

1. Three other Full Members of The Association

Functions of the Executive Committee

1. The Chairman shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee and shall be the Chairman of the Biennial Colloquium following after his election, except that a chosen member of the Executive Committee shall exercise the functions of Chairman in the event of the Chairman's absence, or incapacity, or resignation for whatever cause. The functions of the Chairman shall include convening meetings of the Executive Committee.
2. The Secretary shall be the Secretary at meetings of the Executive Committee.
3. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the Association's funds, receiving and disbursing these funds. For this purpose, a Bank Account in the name of the Association shall be opened in one of the member countries to be chosen from time to time by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall decide who, among its members shall be signatories of the Association's cheques and, for the operation of the Association's accounts.
4. A quorum for meetings of the Executive Committee shall be 3, which shall include the Chairman or the Secretary. A special meeting of the Executive Committee, which shall include the Chairman or the Secretary shall be called during the period of a Biennial Colloquium if three of its members, other than the Chairman or Secretary, demand it in writing to the Secretary.
5. The Executive Committee shall appoint an Editor and three other members of an Editorial Board to serve for the life-time of the Executive Committee. The Editorial Board shall be responsible for the publications of The Association and shall exercise its functions under the supervision of the Executive Committee. The Editor shall be the Chairman and Secretary of the Editorial Board.

Biennial Colloquium

The body of members present at Biennial Colloquia shall constitute the
general authority of The Association and shall receive and vote on
matters presented to it in writing by the Secretary not later than the
third day of a Colloquium, except that a Colloquium shall decide the
date and venue of the next Colloquium by a simple majority of members
present and voting for alternative dates and venue as presented to it at
the meeting convened to elect Officers of the Association. Proposals
for a venue shall include the name of the Prospective Chairman of the
Organizing Committee.
 

Membership Fees and Bi-Annual Subscriptions

Membership fees and biennial subscriptions shall be determined by the
Executive Committee and recommended to the Biennial Colloquium for
approval, except that the Organizing Committee of the First Central and
Southern Africa Mathematics Colloquium shall, for this purpose, exercise
the functions of the Executive Committee at the 1981 Biennial
Colloquium.
 

Financial

1. An annual balance sheet shall be prepared and an auditor shall be appointed who may be a member of the Society.
2. Every member of the Society shall at all reasonable times be entitled to inspect all the books of accounts and other documents of the Society, which the Treasurer or other custodian shall accordingly be obliged to produce.
3. Every member of the Society or agent thereof shall be indemnified out of its funds against all costs, charges, expenses, losses and liabilities incurred by him in the conduct of the society's business or in the discharge of his duties. No such person shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any other such person or any loss incurred other than that incurred as the result of his own willful acts or omissions.