Membership

Constitution

I. Name

The Group will be known as the International Child Health Group (ICHG) in association with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

II. Aim and Objectives

The International Child Health Group is one of the Speciality Groups of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. It aims to promote the health and well-being of children internationally, particularly in developing countries and where children are the victims of war, civil war or organised violence. Its objectives are:

To foster links, interest and activity in international child health in and amongst academic institutions, professional bodies such as paediatric associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and appropriate government departments in and beyond the United Kingdom and also through medical journals.
To act as a conduit for the exchange of information, opinion and advice between paediatricians working in developing countries and the RCPCH.
To act as advocate on behalf of children in order to influence government, industry, international agencies and NGOs in their policies and practices in relation to child health. The ICHG may act independently of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
To assist the RCPCH in the formulation of policies and the promotion of activities related to international child health.
To encourage the study and discussion of the prevention and improved management of the diseases that most commonly affect children worldwide.
To provide information on the appropriate training of doctors and other health workers for working in the field of international child health.
To befriend visiting paediatricians from developing countries and provide appropriate advice and help.

III. Membership

Membership will be open to all with a professional interest in advancing child health internationally.

IV. Committee

The Committee will be composed of nine members nominated by the group and elected by postal ballot if necessary. A quorum will be 4 committee members including an officer.
The Committee will select from its number a Convener, Secretary and Treasurer.
The term of office for Committee members and Officers will be 3 years which may be extended for a second term. It is recommended that the Convener and Secretary should not retire from the Committee at the same time.
The Committee may co-opt up to five additional members. They will enjoy full voting rights and be eligible to be part of the quorum. Their term of office shall be two years, extendable by one year. One of the co-opted members will be the Editor of the journal or newsletter , whose term of office may be extended every 2 years up to a maximum of 10 years.

V. Organisation

The Committee will meet at least 3 times a year. There will be an Annual General Meeting held at the time of the Annual Spring Meeting of the RCPCH.
It was agreed that a quorum for the AGM would be 10 members including an officer and one other member of the committee with the majority of ordinary members always exceeding the number of committee members.
The Committee will organise the AGM and at least 2 scientific meetings annually, one of which will be at the RCPCH annual meeting.
The Officers of the Committee will inform the members about the scientific meetings and other relevant programmes and activities at least twice-yearly through its journal or newsletter.
The Constitution can be amended only at the AGM. Any amendment must be submitted to the Secretary in writing not later than 6 weeks before the AGM. The Secretary will give notice to members in writing of these amendments not later than 3 weeks before the AGM.

VI. Finances

An annual subscription will be levied; the amount to be determined at the AGM; with suitable arrangements for members not normally resident in the UK.
There will be a bank account for the Group. A resolution of the Group will give the Treasurer authority to administer the account. Subscription by direct debit is encouraged.
If sponsorship is sought, the source of the sponsorship will require to be approved by the Committee. Sponsorship for meetings and other activities will be sought only from institutions and companies with ethical policies compatible with the objectives of the ICHG.

(Ratified at the ICHG Annual General Meeting, 15 April 1999, York)