Note:  Dates in italics flag the dates of recent changes to the regulation, e.g., 10/04 indicates a change made to the following paragraph in October 2004.

Pursuant to Articles 18 and 19

3.1   Regional/National Committees shall:

3.1.1   Advise Council of any matters in their region that may concern the interests of the College and carry out any duties that may be delegated to them by the Council.

3.1.2   Conduct their affairs in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association and with the Regulations of the College.

3.1.3   Submit any document affecting College policy to the Council of the College for approval prior to its promulgation.

3.1.4   Arrange and conduct at least one Regional Educational and Scientific meeting annually.

3.1.5   Hold a Regional Annual General Business Meeting which shall be conducted under the regulations for standing orders at General Meetings of the College (Regulation 9).

3.1.6   Conduct courses of instruction in conformity with College Regulations

3.1.7   Advise the Council of the College on matters affecting training, recognition of training posts and inspection of hospitals.

3.1.8   Submit an Annual Report on the proceedings of the Committee during the preceding 12 months. This should reach the CEO by 31 March each year.

3.1.9   When requested by the Council of the College, nominate a Convenor, a Scientific Convenor and other members of a Regional Organising Committee for the Annual Scientific Meeting.
10/03
3.1.10   Inform the Council of the College of any regional political negotiations and obtain its permission before making any specific commitment.

3.1.11   As the College is a legally incorporated educational and scientific body, matters related to remuneration for professional services may not be negotiated by Regional Committees.
10/04

3.2   Every two years during February, nominations for membership of Regional Committees shall be sought from Fellows in each region.

3.3   The consent of Fellows of the College who wish to submit their names for membership of Regional Committees must be given in writing and must be nominated and seconded in writing by two Fellows resident in that region.

3.4   If the number of Fellows nominated and seconded for membership of a Regional Committee does not exceed the number of positions on that Committee, the names of all nominees shall be forwarded to the College Council in accordance with Regulation 3.9.

3.5   If the number of Fellows nominated and seconded for membership of a Regional Committee exceeds the number of positions on that Committee, ballot lists shall be prepared with the names of nominees in alphabetical order. In the case of Fellows seeking re-election, a record of attendance at Regional Committee meetings must accompany the ballot papers.

3.6   When an election is necessary as established in Regulation 3.5, there shall be a postal ballot held during April of all Fellows in the Region. Voting must be for the same number of nominees as there are vacancies to be filled.

3.7   When a ballot has been held, the Chairman of the Regional Committee shall appoint two scrutineers to count the votes. The scrutineers may not be presenting for election. They shall notify the Secretary of the Regional Committee of the number of votes cast for each nominee. Voting papers which do not comply with regulation 3.6 shall be declared invalid.

3.8   Where there is a tied vote for two or more nominees of whom only one can be elected, the Chairman of the Regional Committee shall exercise a casting vote following the procedure laid down in Article 8 of the Articles of Association.

3.9   The result of the ballot shall be forwarded to the CEO before the May meeting of the Council of the College. The Council will appoint those duly elected as the Regional Committee for the next two years.

3.10  Members of Regional Committees shall be appointed for two years but shall be eligible for re-appointment. Except with the approval of the Council of the College, no Fellow shall serve on a Regional Committee for longer than 12 years unless he or she is an ex-officio or a co-opted member.

3.11   At its first meeting following the May meeting of the Council of the College each year, Regional Committees shall co-opt to membership for the next year a Fellow admitted to the College by examination during the preceding three years. This Fellow shall have full voting rights.

3.12   Members of the Council of the College resident in a region shall be ex-officio members of that Regional Committee and shall have full voting rights.

3.13   Regional Committees may co-opt Fellows of the College for a special purpose. Such co-opted members may attend Committee meetings at the discretion of the Chairman but shall have no voting rights.

3.14   Any vacancy occurring during the term of the Regional Committee may be filled at its discretion.

3.15   At their first meeting following the May meeting of the Council of the College, the Regional Committees shall elect from their members:

3.15.1   a Chairman whose term of office shall not exceed three consecutive years and who shall be a member of the Regional Education Sub-committee. The Chairman shall remain in office and shall exercise the powers and duties as set out in this regulation until his or her successor is appointed.

3.15.2   a Deputy Chairman whose term of office shall not be limited.

3.15.3   a Secretary and a Treasurer who may be the same person and whose term(s) of office shall not be limited.

3.15.4   a Regional Education Officer.

3.15.5   an Education Sub-Committee whose Chairman will ordinarily be the Regional Education Officer.

3.15.6   a Formal Projects Officer.

3.16   Office Bearers of each Regional Committee shall be elected by secret ballot. If no nominee for any position secures a majority on the first ballot, there shall be an exhaustive ballot in accordance with Article 8 of the Articles of Association. The Chairman may exercise both a deliberative and a casting vote.

3.17   Unless determined otherwise by the Council of the College, the elected membership of Regional Committees shall be determined by the number of Fellows in a region on the day on which nominations close, according to the formula:

6/99   The census relating to the number of Fellows in a region shall be taken as at the stated closing date for receipt of nominations.

3.18   The new Regional Committee shall take office at its first meeting after the May meeting of the Council of the College in the year of its election.

3.19   Every Regional Committee shall meet at least three times each year.

3.20   A quorum for Regional Committee members shall be decided at the first meeting of the new Committee and shall be not less than one third of elected together with ex-officio members.

3.21   Unconfirmed minutes must be forwarded to the CEO of the College within one month of each meeting of the Regional Committee. Confirmed minutes should be sent immediately after such confirmation.

3.22   At the time of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the College, the Chairman and Secretary of each Regional Committee shall meet with members of the Council of the College. Due notice of this meeting shall be given by the CEO.

3.23   Attendance of elected members of Regional Committees at meetings shall be recorded in its Annual Report.

February 1999