CABTSG CONSTITUTION

(as amended January 1994)

Chairman: Des Thompson

Title: 
 The study group shall be known as the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group (CABTSG).

Objects:
The objects of the study group shall be to promote the study, practice, teaching and research of behaviour therapy in companion animals within a veterinary context.

Functions:
The functions of the study group shall be to: a. Publish a journal/newsletter. b. Run courses, lectures and meetings. c. Exchange information, experiences and ideas between members and associate members. d. Hold an annual general meeting.

Membership:
a. Full voting membership of the study group shall be restricted to veterinary surgeons, practitioners and current Committee members.

b. Veterinary students and qualified nurses may be admitted to the study group as associate members on application to, and at the discretion of the Committee.

Other interested individuals may also apply to the committee for associate membership status. Their application should state their interests and activities in the field of animal behaviour therapy.

NOTE: 
 Membership of a behaviour or training body with its own code of practice, which is recognised and approved by the committee, will usually result in an automatically successful application for the individual. (Subject to note I below). T he committee retains the right to make the final decision in all cases.

c. Where possible, all members and associate members shall receive all CABTSG newsletters/journals published for the year in which they subscribe.

d. The committee shall have the power to propose to the AGM that Honorary Life Membership shall be conferred on a member of the Study Group, who has made an outstanding contribution to the CABTSG or companion animal behaviour therapy. [Honorary Life Members shall have their annual subscription waived.

e. Any person wishing to resign from the study group shall give notice in writing to the secretary, but resigning members shall be liable for any payment due.

NOTE 1. 
 Whilst the group is affiliated to the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) it will comply with any requirements that may be demanded of it by the Association.

The Committee:
1. The Committee shall consist of the officers of the study group (Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Editor). Together with a maximum of four other committee members. full members and Associate members may stand for election to the committee, but the chairman and a majority of the committee shall be members (i.e. veterinary surgeons).

2. Position on the committee will be reviewed after a maximum period of two years.

3. Elections will take place at a time deemed suitable by a majority of the current committee members.

4a. Following election to the committee, new members will sit as "Committee members elect" on all study group committee meetings until formal admission to their positionS at a time determined by the outgoing committee.

4b. Members elect may vote at the committee meetings. In the event of a tied decision, the party with the majority of current committee members will carry the vote. If this is also evenly divided, the chainnan shall have the final decision.

5. Thc Chairman will be decided by the current committee only and must be a veterinary surgeon.

6. The secretary must be a veterinary surgeon.

7. The secretary will normally be responsible for liaison with BSAVA as necessary.

One member of the committee (Veterinary Nursing Liaison Officer) will be given responsibility for liaison with the veterinary nursing profession.

Additions and Amendments to the Constitution.
These may be proposed by any member (full or associate), at any time. A minimum of sixty (60) days written notice of the full proposal will normally be required by the committee chairman before any vote is taken on the matter. The vote will then take place at the next General Meeting of the group. All full members will be given the right of a proxy vote.