RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SOCIETY
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ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Application for membership shall be made online through the LTSI website. Membership has to be seconded by two full members of the society accompanied by documentary evidence for eligibility and prescribed membership fees.Each application will be screened by the Governing Council to determine their eligibility and the membership category. The name of any person admitted to membership of the society, shall be entered in the Register with the society maintained in paper or electronic format. -
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIPS
I. Honorary Patron Membership
Honorary membership can be obtained only by invitation and cannot be obtained by application. Honorary membership is awarded to an individual who has contributed significantly to the science or practice of liver transplantation in India as confirmed by the general body. No fees will be charged to the honorary members. Honorary members can nominate new members. Honorary members do not have voting rights. Honorary members will not be eligible to hold governing council office. Honorary members will be able to attend all meetings, receive all official communication and publications. The Governing Council (after approval of the general body) may award not more than two honorary memberships per year.II. Full Membership
Qualified registered medical practitioners with postgraduate degree such as MS, MCh, MD, DM, DNB, PhD or equivalent international qualifications and/or experience in the field of liver transplantation, working in the field of liver transplantation and its allied specialities in registered liver transplant centers within India will be eligible for membership. The tenure of the full membership is 5 years. Membership fee for full members is INR 15,000. All full members (in good standing) will be eligible to vote and contest elections of the society. However, only founder Members (before 31 Dec 2018) will have the privilege to contest for the posts of President and General Secretary for the first 5 years of the Society. Full members will be able to attend all meetings (after paying registration fees), receive all official communication and publications.III. Annual Membership
Qualified registered medical practitioners with postgraduate degree such as MS, MCh, MD, DM, DNB, PhD or equivalent International qualifications will be eligible for Annual Membership. Experience in liver transplantation is not necessary for annual membership. The tenure of the full membership is 1 year. Membership fee for annual members is INR 5,000. Membership will cease after that particular calendar year unless renewed. Annual members will not have voting rights and will not be eligible to hold governing council office. Annual members will be able to attend all meetings (after paying registration fees), receive all official communication and publications during the tenure of their membership.IV. Trainee Membership
Postgraduates or trainees in the field of liver transplantation will be eligible for Trainee membership. Candidates have to produce a certificate from their head of department of the institute certifying the same including the date of start and completion of the training/fellowship, which will also determine the validity of trainee membership. The one-time fee for trainee members will be INR 5,000. The trainee membership will last for the entire duration of the training up to a maximum of three years. Trainee members will be promoted to full members on acquiring the required qualification on payment of INR 10,000. Trainee members will not have voting rights and will not be eligible to hold governing council office. Trainee members will be able to attend all meetings (after paying designated registration fees for trainees), receive all official communication and publications.V. Associate Membership
Associate membership is available for paramedical professionals working in the field of liver transplantation such as technicians, nurses, transplant coordinators, and social workers. Medical doctors of any specialty cannot be associate members if they are eligible for life membership. Other ancillary branches of medical science and persons interested in the welfare of the society may be admitted as associate members on the discretion of the Governing Council. Membership fee for associate members will be INR 5,000. The tenure of the associate membership is 5 years. Associate members will not have voting rights and will not be eligible to hold governing council office. Associate members will be able to attend all meetings (after paying designated registration fees for associate members), receive all official communication and publications.VI. International Membership
Liver transplantation professionals practicing outside India may enrol as international members if they meet requirements equivalent to full membership. The membership fee for International members will be USD 500. The tenure of the international membership is 5 years. International members will not have voting rights and will not be eligible to hold governing council office. International members will be able to attend all meetings (after payment of designated registration fees for international delegates), receive all official communication and publications. RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP
Annual membership is renewable every year. Trainee membership is for the duration of the training. The tenure of full members, associate members and international members is 5 years and a fee will be levied for renewal. The quantum of renewal fee will be decided by the governing council with approval of the general body from time to time.
SUSPENSION / CESSATION / TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
I. Any member may resign from membership at any time by serving a notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary. Membership fees will not be refunded.
II. If material facts mentioned in the application are found to be incorrect, membership may be terminated. Membership fees will not be refunded.
III. If a member fails to pay the renewal fee by due date, the membership will be under suspension and the same shall be notified to the member. The suspension will be revoked without any intervention and membership regularized on payment of the fees and arrears. In case the member fails to pay the membership fees for a period of 6 months or more after the due date, the membership will cease and the member shall lose all rights and privileges of society. The governing council may, if it thinks fit, reinstate the member upon payment of all arrears along with a new application.
IV. Membership may be terminated if a member is found to be indulging in undesirable activities, or found guilty of unprofessional behaviour or conduct, in contravention to the provisions of Transplantation of Human Organs Act, India, 1994 (THOA) and The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules (2014). Membership may also be terminated if member’s name is removed from the register of any medical council for disciplinary reasons. Prior to termination, the member will be served one-month notice of the proposed action. He will be given an opportunity to present his/her case before the Governing Council. The membership shall be suspended if the Governing Council passes, by a majority of not less than three-fourth of total Governing Council members present, a resolution to the effect and terminated if this action is confirmed in General Body Meeting (GBM) by two-third majority of members present.
V. A suspended member may not vote or participate in any meetings or proceedings of the society, except for discussion regarding his / her suspension. The name of any person ceasing to be a member of the society shall be removed from the LTSI Register.
VI. If a suspended member is cleared of charges leading to his / her suspension, the membership may be reinstated by majority resolution of the Governing Council with or without the payment of a further fee if the suspension is lifted and subject to any conditions imposed by Governing Council, and confirmation by the General Body.