The Society will be known as The South African Lymphatic and Venous Society (SALVS) (hereafter referred to as the Society).

The South African Lymphatic and Venous Society will act as an independent group.

The objectives of the Society are:

  • To improve the lives of individuals afflicted with venous and lymphatic disorders
  • To enhance knowledge and skills of vascular surgeons, trainees, lymphatic therapists and sisters;
  • To develop a multidisciplinary network to ensure holistic care;
  • To stimulate research in all aspects of venous and lymphatic disease;
  • To promote awareness of venous and lymphatic disorders and treatment within the public and within healthcare sector;
  • To act as a mouthpiece for allied medical health professionals with an interest in venous and lymphatic disease;
  • The advancement of knowledge and the science of venous and lymphatic disease.

4.1. Full Membership

  • Applicants for full membership need to have a special interest in venous and lymphatic conditions, be resident in the Republic of South Africa and need to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, The South African Nursing Council or a relevant Professional Medical Society
  • Full membership is obtained by a majority vote of the Executive Committee of the Society after the applicant has been proposed and seconded by two full members of the Society.

Full member retains his/her membership until it is terminated:

  • by the member handing in his written resignation to the Secretary/Treasurer or,
    the Executive Committee of the Society comes to such a decision by means of a majority vote;
  • After a year has lapsed and a member has failed to pay outstanding membership fees, the Executive Committee may cancel the membership.
  • Membership which has been cancelled may be reviewed after the outstanding subscription fees have been paid. During this period of cancellation of membership, the member will not have the right to vote and may not be elected to an office.

4.2. Associate Member

Persons in the following categories may request to be accepted as Associate member of the Society:

  • Healthcare practitioners who are not resident in the Republic of South Africa who
    • have a special interest in the treatment of venous and lymphatic conditions.
    • are members of their respective national medical societies wherever such societies exist;
  • Individuals who are resident in the Republic of South African and who have a special interest in venous and lymphatic conditions
  • The election of Associate members takes place by means of a majority vote of the Executive Committee of the Society after the applicant has been proposed and seconded by two members of whom one has to be a full member of the Society.
  • Associate Members have all the advantages of full members except the right to vote and they may not be elected to office.

4.3. Honorary Member

SALVS shall on application supported by at least 5 (five) full members, through its Exco bestow honorary membership of SALVS.

  • Such appointment shall be based on unique contribution to the SALVS organisation and the field of interest.
  • Such persons may be invited to attend general meetings or participate in other SALVS activities, and to receive selected communications.
  • Honorary members shall not be liable to pay any membership fees and shall have no voting rights.

  • The Annual General Meeting quorum will be 10% of full members, if this is not achieved the next society meeting with a quorum will constitute the AGM.
  • The Executive Committee will comprise of at least 7 members proposed and elected at the Annual General Meeting to serve a two-year term, according to the provision:
    • The election of the Executive Committee takes place by means of an ordinary vote during the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
    • The President will be elected by full members with voting rights during the AGM.
  • The Executive Committee shall from its members elect:
    • Vice-President
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • With 3 members at large (without official portfolios)
    • And may co-opt additional members as needed.
  • The general administration and handling of the policies and interests of the Society is in the hands of the Executive Committee.
    • The Executive Committee Meeting quorum will be at least 3 members.
    • The President, in addition to his/her ordinary vote, has a casting vote in case voting should result in a tie.
    • The Secretary of the Society keeps minutes of all meetings of the Society or the Executive Committee, and handles all correspondence of the Society.
    • The Treasurer receives all moneys and effects all payments that have been endorsed by the Executive Committee on behalf of the Society.
    • The Exco may appoint a management company to provide administrative and management support.

  • Annual General Meeting of the Society will, as far as possible, be at the same time as the main academic meeting of the Society.Other meetings may from time to time be arranged by the Executive Committee. This will include meetings which will take place in co-operation with other societies that have an interest in venous and lymphatic diseases.
  • Special General Meetings may be arranged if 5 full members of the Society address such a request in writing to the Secretary.
  • Voting by proxy will be allowed at the General Meetings.
  • The Executive Committee meets biannually, not less than once per year.

The Society may take legal and other steps, as considered by the Executive Committee, in all matters concerning the legal interests of its members.

  • Annual subscription fees are payable by all members of the Society to provide funds for the activities of the Society.
  • Amount levied as subscription fees are decided by the Executive Committee.

  • The Society may form sub-groups and committees of the Society.
  • A sub-group must elect a Committee consisting of a Chairman and at least two members during an Annual General Meeting.
  • Sub-groups may be allowed to act independently in matters of local interest provided that such action is not contrary to the policy and rules of the Society.
  • Each sub-group must report to the Exco of the Society on all activities of the sub-group.

The President and Treasurer of the Society must submit an annual report and a financial statement to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

  • The Society will be dissolved if there should at any stage be less than 3 full members.
  • On dissolution of the society a special meeting will be held, and a special resolution will be passed on the distribution of the funds and assets of the organisation. The special meeting and resolution will be passed to nominate and determine non-profit organisation/s with similar objectives to distribute the funds and assets to.