ESMHD By-laws as approved at ESMHD AGM Haarlem 11/09/07
 

The European Society for Mental Health & Deafness was established in August 1986 by committed individuals from The Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, and Belgium.

ESMHD was registered on 20 November 1987 as “Stichting European Society for Mental Health and Deafness” at Groningen, The Netherlands.

Article 1 Section 1 NAME and DEFINITION

In English:    EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND DEAFNESS

In French:     LA SOCIETE EUROPEENNE DE SANTE MENTALE ET SURDITE.

Hereinafter referred to as ESMHD, is an international non-governmental, non-profit making organization promoting the mental health of deaf people operating, mainly but not exclusively, in an area co-terminus with the World Health Organization European Region.  

Article 1 Section 2 LEGAL SEAT OF ESMHD

 1.2       The seat presently located at Avenue Vauban 8, Namur 5000. Belgium The seat may be transferred to any other location by decision of the ESMHD Council.

Article 1 Section 3 DURATION

 1.3       The duration of ESMHD is unlimited and may be dissolved in accordance with Article 5

Article 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF ESMHD

Article 2 Section 1 AIMS OF ESMHD.

ESMHD promotes the following aims:

2.1.1    Mental health practices appropriate to deaf people’s needs.

2.1.2    Accessible mental health service for deaf people.

2.1.3    Accessible habitation and/or rehabilitation services for deaf people.

2.1.4    National and Transnational networks interested in mental health and deafness.

2.1.5    Exchange of good practice in mental health and deafness.

2.1.6    Exchange of information on needs and mental health & deafness services.

2.1.7    Research into mental health and deafness.

2.1.8   Opportunities for deaf people to provide mental health services for deaf people.

2.1.9    Training of deaf and hearing professionals in mental health and deafness.

2.1.10  Public and professional awareness about mental health and deafness.

2.1.11  Respect for deaf people’s language and culture.

Article 2 Section 2 OBJECTIVES

 2.2.1               ESMHD will stimulate the development of and provide support to networks people within member states, and co-ordinate their activities at transnational level.

2.2.2               ESMHD will disseminate information on mental health care of deaf people.

2.2.3               ESMHD will convene international congresses, thematic seminars, study visits, exchanges of   good practice and other activities to support the aims of ESMHD.

2.2.4               ESMHD will raise, receive, hold and utilize funds, grants, donations, subscriptions and other income to further the aims and objectives of ESMHD.

2.2.5               ESMHD will do other such things to further, directly or indirectly, its aims and objectives.

Article 3 – MEMBERS.

The Society shall be the sole judge of the moral, ethical, and professional qualifications requisite for acceptance or termination of membership. Members of the Society include five (5) categories: Full members, Sponsoring members, Honorary members, Affiliated members and Observers.Application for membership must be made to the ESMHD Head Office by means of a completed official ESMHD Membership Application Form. The names of new members will be published on the ESMHD Web site.All members can terminate their membership at any time by sending a signed letter to the President of the Society.A member can be suspended by the Executive and subsequently excluded from the Society by a decision of the Council taken by a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of all votes cast at the Council.

Article 4 – DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP.

 Full Members: There are two (2) kinds of Full Members:Corporate Members: any, association, institution, company or any similar organisation that supports ESMHD’s aims and objectives. Individual Members: any individual, professional who supports ESMHD’s aims and objectives. Full members have the following rights:

·          To attend and to vote in the Council

·          To be eligible to serve on the executive.

·          To hold office and otherwise participate in membership activities of the Society

Sponsoring Members: Organisations or individuals can apply to become Sponsoring Members of ESMHD. The Executive may accept Sponsoring Members who support the aims and objectives of ESMHD and make a grant, or pay a subscription of at least the annual subscription of one Full Member. Sponsoring members have the following rights:

·          To attend the Council

·          To participate in membership activities of the Society.

Honorary Members: are elected by the Board of Directors for their distinguished service to Mental Health & Deafness. Honorary members are exempt from paying membership dues. All past presidents are automatically honoured with this title. Honorary members have the following rights:

·          To attend the Council.

·          To participate in membership activities of the Society.

Affiliated Members: Affiliated Members shall be residents of countries outside Europe. Organisations or individuals can apply to become Affiliated Members of ESMHD. The Executive may accept Affiliated Members who support the aims and objectives of ESMHD and make a grant, or pay a subscription of at least the annual subscription of one Full Member. Affiliated Members have the following rights:

·          To attend the Council.

·          To participate in membership activities of the Society.

Observers: Executive can invite individuals as non-voting observers. Observers have the following rights:·

          To attend the Council

·          To be invited to participate in specific ESMHD activities

Article 5 - STRUCTURE OF THE SOCIETY.

The Society encompasses the following bodies:

·          Council

·          Executive Committee

·          Advisory Committee

·          Special Interest Groups

Article 6 -THE ESMHD COUNCIL.

The Council is the supreme governing body of the Society and is composed of all members. The Council shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every year. Members being notified by mail in writing (either post or electronic) at least two (2) weeks prior to the AGM. The Council can also be convened extraordinarily upon the request of the Executive or a fifth (1/5) of the Society's members. The Council is presided by the President or, if unavailable, by an ad hoc President appointed by the Council, and deliberates the points listed on the meeting agenda. The minutes of the meeting are published in the ESMHD Web site. Quorum for an ESMHD Council is 20% of its members either present, or voting by proxy.The decisions of the Council, except for changes to the governing statutes, are calculated by a simple majority with an open show of hands. A secret ballot must be held if requested by two or more members. Whenever a vote ends undecided, the President of the Council casts the deciding vote. The Council is responsible for:

• Approval and revision, either partial or total, of the Society's Bylaws
• Statutory nominations
• Decision of agenda proposals. All subjects, requested in writing by 1/20 of the voting members, must be included on the agenda. Subjects not on the agenda raised at the meeting can only be discussed if the majority of members present agree.  
• Amount of annual membership fees
• Approval of the Society's budget and financial reports
• All other items not reserved to other organs of the Society

Article 7 –THE ESMHD EXECUTIVE.

 The Executive Committee is the executive organ of the Society. The task of the Executive Committee is to facilitate the work of the Society and to apply and execute the decisions of the Council. The Executive Committee is composed of three (3) to nine (9) members.Members of the Executive Committee are:

·          The Honorary Office Bearers:

·          The President,

·          The Honorary Secretary,

·          The Honorary Treasurer,

Members of the Council elected for their skills and expertise and, as a non‑voting member:

·          The Executive Director (Manager), appointed by the Executive.

Honorary Officers will be appointed individually for separate three-year terms, renewable for a further three year period. They may only serve a third or more term in the same office if unopposed at the next election. The appointment of the Honorary Officers requires a simple majority, providing that 2/3 of the Council members have the opportunity to vote in person, in writing, fax or e-mail.The Executive Committee designates which of its members shall officially represent the Society, as well as the rights of signature.The Executive Committee shall meet at least one (1) time a year.

Article 8 – ADVISORY COMMITEE.

The Advisory Committee shall advise on and deliberate the affairs of the Society in accordance with the policies determined by the Council and shall promote the purpose of the Society. The Advisory Committee comprises the members of the Executive Committee and the Chairpersons of the Special Interest Groups.The Advisory Committee shall meet or hold a teleconference at least once a year and be convened by the President.

Article 9 – ESMHD SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGS).

 The Council has the power to establish Special Interest Groups (SIG); each one presided by one (1) Chairperson. When the SIG is created, the Council will appoint a member of the Council to take on the role of Chairperson for an initial three (3) years. After three years, the members of the SIG’s will elect their own Chairperson. The SIG’s will report to the Council on its activities at the A.G.M.. The SIG Chairperson may create a Steering Committee to facilitate the daily business of the SIG.The task and responsibilities of each ESMHD SIG’s Committee are as follows:

·         To support the aims of ESMHD.

·         To disseminate information on mental health care of deaf people. 

·         To convene international meetings, thematic seminars, study visits, training courses, exchanges of good practice and other activities.

·         To support and encourage participation in ESMHD events.

·         To provide an annual report on its activities.Development of any program or activity shall require prior approval of the Executive.

Article 11- AD HOC SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS and / or WORKING GROUPS.

 The Council can appoint different ad hoc SIG or working groups in accordance with the needs of the Society. 

Article 12- REINBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.

Officers of the Society are expected to act on a voluntary basis. Their expenses related to ESMHD activities can be granted according to the ESMHD Reimbursement Policy established by the Executive. 

Article 13 - AMENDMENTS TO STATUTE & DISSOLUTION.

A decision to change the Statute or to dissolve the society can only be taken by the ESMHD Council if two thirds of the voting members are present, postal voting or represented.  No such decision can be taken if two thirds of the members are not present, postal voting or represented. If such a quorum is not present, a second meeting can be convened at this second meeting; valid decision can be taken regardless of the number of members present. Members must be informed of any proposed amendment of the Statute or proposition of dissolution at least two months in advance of a meeting to consider these proposals.  The ESMHD Council determines the way in which the society will be dissolved and liquidated. After liquidation, any positive balances are to be donated to an organization that has similar aims and objectives to ESMHD. If no such organization can be identified, another organization that promotes the positive mental health of deaf people shall be selected. 

Article 14 - ACCOUNTS AND BUDGET

The society’s financial year is identical to the calendar year. Treasurer closes the accounts of the previous financial year and prepares the budget of the next financial year. The accounts and budget will be first presented to the Executive for ratification and then submitted to the ESMHD Council at the AGM for approval.

ESMHD By-laws as approved at ESMHD AGM Haarlem 11/09/07