The Constitution/Bylaws/Statute of  the Association of Health Care Professionals(AHCP) was first published after the approval of the members, General Committee/Council of the AHCP in December 1930. Updated in December 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. 

 The details are stated as follows:
 

ARTICLE 1: Name and Purpose

Section A: Name – The name of this Association shall be The Association of Health Care Professionals (AHCP), which will be referred to as ‘The Association’ in this report.

Section B: Aim – The main aim of the Association is to promote excellence in medical practice, research activities, educational programmes, health and social care activities, accommodation provisions and general community development activities through publications of various educational materials and courses and conferences. 

Section C: Objectives and Purposes – The Objectives and Purposes of the Association shall be:

• Supporting of Health Promotion and Health Education Activities for healthy living
• Promotion of Public Health Initiatives for efficient management of the health of the population in general
• Promotion of health in various communities, including analysing and developing disease prevention strategies
• Providing Educational Programmes in different communities
• Organising Conferences in Medicine and Healthcare Matters for Continuous Professional Development
• Organising Courses in Medical and Healthcare Matters for Lifelong Learning
• Organising Research and Innovative activities in promoting medical practice and education in the community
• Undertaking Publications of Journals, Books, Booklets and Guides in medicine and healthcare matters for knowledge and information provision
• Promote efficient Social Care in Various Communities
• Improve cross-cultural issues for diversity and integration in society
• Organising, research selected and select health and social care related issues to develop the public for general community well-being
• Funding and supporting education of the less privileged from ‘0 age to end of life’ subject to availability of funds
• For community development by acquiring, land(s), buildings, developing and building properties, homes to provide homes for homeless and less privileges including families or individuals that lost their homes or displaced for reason beyond their control.
• Appealing to governments and charitable people and Organisations to support the Association by donating property(s), funding and chattels to support and encourage the promotion of healthcare in general.
• Undertaking work in global projects like proving clean water, sanitations, free education and healthcare subject to means tested.
• Acquiring land(s) through government donation, individual or donation by family/families, community or organization for the Association community development purposes.
• Research, analyse and compare the existing healthcare systems in leading countries in order to promote global health initiatives, which will be beneficial to all communities.
• Organise health and medical care events internationally for sharing and learning together for better society and World.
• Support and collaborate with other organisations and institutions in the field of medicine and healthcare
• Promoting disease prevention activities and encourage healthy living initiatives in society
• Promote the publications of healthcare matters in journals, books and other media in order to educate the public and healthcare professionals
• Support medical and healthcare students, including healthcare professionals in training in order to become very competent tomorrows’ doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, therapists and all professionals working all areas of medicine and healthcare.
• Undertake research and educational activities in healthcare in order to promote medical innovations and advancements in prevention, diagnoses and treatments of various diseases in the society.
• Provide General Education in the Community at all levels in order to educate the public at large for better community development and living.
• Assist in Reducing Health Inequalities and Deprivation Issues in the Community
• Promoting social care services to children, adults and the elderly in various communities.
• Provisions of accommodation services in the community in order reduce homelessness and promote for members of the public sanitations for all and those who, which are vulnerable.

ARTICLE 2: Membership Fees and Benefits

Section A: Eligibility – Membership fees are set by the committee. Membership shall be open to all people in society who have interests in community development, promoting excellence in medical practice, healthcare improvement, educational development, and social care provision through publications of various materials, and running courses and conferences in order to achieve these goals upon the payment of the membership fees as outlined in Section B below.

Section B: Categories Membership Fees – The categories of membership fees are stated in the table below:

The Association has five categories of membership for which a fee is payable once a year starting from the anniversary of the date when your membership started:

Categories of Membership and Fees for the Association

Membership Categories

Membership Fees Per Year

Healthcare Student Membership

£29.00

Nurse, Midwives and Therapists Membership

£59.00

Retired Professionals Membership

£39.00

Full Professional Membership for Doctors, Pharmacists, Therapists and Dentists etc.

£99.00

Corporate Membership

£199.00

Section C: Membership Benefits

The benefits of becoming a member of the Association are many include the following:

• Receipt of free copies of the Association Magazine, which is the official journals of the Association
• Reduced rates for the conference fees for all the International Scientific Conferences, Courses and Meetings for the Association Members 
• Reduced rates for the purchase of al books and publications of the Association
• The right to vote and take parts in the various activities of the Association, including voting at elections of officers and committees’ members
• Participation in various activities of the Association.
• Opportunities to apply for grants and Scholarships offered by the Association, subject to the availability of funds.

Access to members and their families to the Association Membership Services, which include:

• Education Services  
• Estates and accommodation Services 
• Legal Services 
• Publications and Printing Services 
• Events Services 
• Conference Services 
• Health and Social Care Services
• Medical Services 
• Assisting in arranging homes or accommodation for members
• Accounts Services 
• Awards Services 
• Careers Services 
• Mentorship Services 
• And Many More as required by the members of the public

ARTICLE 3: Officers

Section A: Officers of the Association – The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer including other staff on salary and voluntary that are supporting the administration of AHCP. 

Section B: Eligibility – Officers must be a member of the Association with full voting rights. 

Section C: Election – The officers shall be elected by ballot at the last the Annual General Meeting (AGM) by a majority of the vote cast for that office excluding staff on salary employed for the administration of the AHCP work.

Section D: Term – The officers shall serve for three years and their term of office shall begin on 1st day of March of each year.

Section E: Vacancy – If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a special election. In the case that the Vice President is not able to assume the office of the President due to unforeseen circumstances, then the embers will call a special meeting to elect a President.

ARTICLE 4: Duties of Officers

Section A: President – where the vote counted are tied, it shall be the duty of the President to:

• Preside at meetings 
• Vote only in case of a tie to eliminate the tie 
• Represent the Association by making an opening speech 
• Appoint committee chairpersons in advance of the election subject to the approval of the Executive Committee 
• Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee opposed
• Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office 

Section B: Vice-President – It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to:

• Preside in the absence of the President 
• Serve as chairperson of the Programme Committee 
• Vote only in case of a tie to eliminate the tie
• Represent the Association by making an opening speech
• Perform the duties the president supposed to do to the meeting went successfully

Section C: Secretary – It shall be the duty of the Secretary to: 

• Record the minutes of all meetings 
• Keep a file of the Association’s records 
• Maintain a current roster of membership 
• Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the Association 

Section D: Treasurer – It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

• Receive all funds and process Request for Payment, Deposit Slip, and Officer Signature Forms. 
• Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make reports as directed 
• The President can also act as the Treasurer in the absence of a Treasure in the Association.

ARTICLE 5: Meetings

Section A: Meetings – Regular Annual General Meeting shall be held once per year. There should also be Committee meetings held every quarter of the year, for three times a year. 

Section B: Special Meeting – Special meetings may be called by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee to deal with sudden matters arising in the Association’s affairs.

Section C: Quorum – A quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership of the Association or the Committee at a particular time. 

Section D: Parliamentary Authority – Robert’s Rules of Orders, shall govern this Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE 6: Executive Committee

Section A: Responsibility – Management of the Association shall be vested in an Executive Committee responsible to the entire membership to uphold these Bylaws.

Section B: Membership – This committee shall consist of the officers as listed in Article III and the staff advisor.

Section C: Meetings – This committee shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the Association to organise and plan future activities.

ARTICLE 7: Advisor

Section A: Selection – there shall be a staff advisor who shall be selected each year by the membership.

Section B: Advisor Duties – The responsibilities of the staff advisor shall be to:

• Maintain an awareness of the activities and programmes sponsored by the Association. 
• Meet on a regular basis with the leader of the Association to discuss upcoming meetings, long range plans, goals, and problems of the Association. 
• Attend regular meetings, executive board meetings as often as schedule allows. 
• Assist in the orientation of new officers. 
• Explain and clarify the policy and procedures that apply to the Association. 
• Maintain contact with other organisations. 
• Provide direction in the area of parliamentary procedure, meeting facilitation, group-building, goal setting, and programme planning. 
• Assist the Association Treasurer in monitoring expenditures, fundraising activities, and corporate sponsorship to maintain an accurate and up-to-date account ledger. 
• Inform Association members of those factors that constitute unacceptable behaviour on the part of the Association members, and the possible consequence of said behaviors. 

ARTICLE 8: Committees

Section A: Programme Committee – A programme committee composed of the Vice-President as chairperson and four other members shall be appointed by the President before the end of spring semester, whose duty shall be to plan the overall programme of the Association.

Section B: Other committees – The other Committees of the Association shall be:

• Finance and Accounts Committee
• Publicity Committee
• Membership Committee
• Professional Relations Committee
• Health and Social Care Committee
• Publications Committee
• Editorial and Production Committee
• Property, home and accommodation Committee
• Events Committee
• Scientific Committee
• Research Committee
• Awards Committee
• Education Committee
• Awards Committee 
• Publications Committee
• Fund Raising Committee
• Finance Committee
• Community Development
• Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
• The Joint Committee (for collaborating with other charitable Organisations)
• International Affairs Committee
   

Section C: Special Committees – The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee, from time to time as need demands.

Section D: General Committee/Council – All the Committees are referred to as ‘The General Committee’ or Council of the Association and the council will have the power to authorise any officer or member or staff to act on behalf of the Association. The Council will also determine the budgets and the running of the Association. Hence of the Committees listed in Article 8, Section B above shall have a representative on the Council of the Association.

Section E: Steering Group – The General Committee/council, sometimes in consultation with the Present shall appoint any Steering Group for any particular Initiative of the Association, which could be for projects lasting for a specified period.

Section F: Regional Representatives – The Joint Committee shall appoint the Regional Representatives for the global regions of the AHCP. 

Section G: International Ambassadors - The International Affairs Committee shall appoint the International Ambassadors for a specific period as required for various assignments for the AHCP.

ARTICLE 9: Amendments

Section A: Selection – these Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the chapter membership.

Section B: Notice of Proposed Amendment – All members shall receive advance notice of the proposed amendment at least five days before the meeting. The time may be extended to the following meeting, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 10: Assets of the Association

Assets of the Association: The assets of the Association shall remain its indivisible property until the Association is dissolved. In the event of dissolution, the General Assembly shall decide on the further use of the assets. In the event of dissolution of the Association, the assets may only be transferred to a non-profit Organisation.

ARTICLE 11: Finance

Each Regional office is required to open local bank account, one current account and one savings account in the country of designated office to be signed by a Treasury and one member appointed to work in the committee. The Regional office is required to do the following:

a) Organising fund raising activities through social activities, sports, charity selling and so on.

b) Approaching Organisations and individual(s) like philanthropist to make donation to the organisation and so on

c) Any money obtained by the Association shall be credited into the bank account and used only for the Association

d) Any bank accounts opened for the Association shall be in the name of the Association

e) Any cheques issued shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated person.

ARTICLE 12: AHCP Membership Services

Due to the fact that the aim of the Association is to promote excellence in patient care, medical practice, research, science, technology, innovation, development and education, it forms various membership services in order to achieve its objectives. The Association’s membership services include:

• Association of Health Care Professionals (AHCP) Global Services was founded in 1930 in Europe and operates globally. It has been promoting excellence in medical practice, research, education, science, technology, innovation, humanitarian work and community development for over 95 years. 
• International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) Society”, was founded in 1934 in Europe, as a global association. 
• International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) Society Consortium” was founded in 1947 in Europe as a membership service of the AHCP, and operates globally. 
• International Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) Society Consortium Education Academy Learning Centres was founded in 1947 in Europe as a membership service of the AHCP, and operates globally, except in UK and Ireland. 
• The IAHCP Education Academy Learning Centres are membership services of the AHCP, Europe, and the participating centres internationally. The Learning Centres offer of the higher education equivalent subjects and qualifications internationally.
• Santa Maria College (SMC) was founded in 1932 in Europe as membership Service of the AHCP, and operates globally. 
• Medical and Social Care Services (MSCS) Association Consortium was founded in 1947 in Europe as a membership service of the AHCP, and operates globally. 

 ARTICLE 13: Publications of the AHCP and Appointment of Editorial Team

Section A: Publications of the AHCP

As the Association has multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, will be publishing Journals, Books and Guides: These include:

• The international Journal of Medicine (IJM) – (From 1999), formally, the Newsletter of the AHCP, which started from 1930.
• Primary Health Care Journal (PHCJ), which started from 2006
• International Journal of Primary Health Care (IJPHC), which started from 2008
• International Medical Conference Services (IMCS) Books of Proceedings, which started from the year 2000
• Various Educational Books in all aspects of medicine, surgery and healthcare matters.
• Various Medical and Clinical Guides Books in all aspects of medicine, surgery and healthcare matters.

Section B: Appointment of Editorial Team

• The General Committee/Council shall appoint the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) for the 
• AHCP Publications. Editorial Board Members are typically appointed by the Editor-in-Chief (EIC), often in collaboration with the publisher or association/society partner.  
• The process involves selecting experts to ensure high-quality peer review, 
• expertise, and geographical diversity.  
• These appointments are generally reviewed every 2–3 years. 

Section C: Indexing of the Journal and Publications and Legal Deposit 

The editorial Board shall agree the various indexing of the different journals and publications in various online databases, including the library catalogue and Legal Deposits matters/depositions of the publications as legally required.

ARTICLE 14: Incorporating the AHCP Membership Services and the Formation of Consortia of the AHCP

The AHCP has many membership services and consortia to work with while the members maintain their independence. 

Section A: Incorporating a Membership Service

• If the Association wants to incorporate its membership services into legal entities, the General Committee/Council shall nominate the trustees/directors from the AHCP membership.
• A member of the AHCP can be nominated as a Trustee/Director for as many legal entities as possible for the Association’s Membership Services

Section B: Formation of a Consortium
 

• The Association can partner with other Organisations or individuals that share similar aims and objectives to form a consortium in order to achieve specific goals and meet the overall objectives of the Associations/Organisations.
• The consortium partnership agreement can be done in any country, internationally following the rules and jurisdictions of that particular country or territory.

ARTICLE 15: AHCP Courses and Conferences
 

• The Events Committee shall determine the dates, locations/venues and fees for the various courses and conferences offered by the Association.
• The Events Committee shall approve the collaborative and joint working ventures 
• for offering of courses and conferences with collaborators etc.
• The Committee shawl appoint the embers of the courses and conferences Team 
• Members
• The Events Committee shall agree the awarding bodies for the CPD and CME for the courses and conferences 

ARTICLE 16: Awards 

The Association shall provide education and achievement awards to members and no-members subject to availability of funds and means tested.

Section A: Awards Committee

The awards will be managed by the Awards Committee to ensure the fund is allocated to the right applicants.

Section B: Accountability

The Awards Committee is responsible for running, managing and reporting the progress of the award back to Association, at the end of each year or at least once a year. 

Section C: Fund raising Activities

The Awards Committee will support and encourage the activities of fund raising to generate funds to continue provision of awards to members and non-members.

ARTICLE 17: Dissolution of the Association 

Dissolution of the Association: - The decision to dissolve the Association must be taken by least two thirds of its Professional members.
 

Adoption of the Bylaws:

The Bylaws stated in Articles 1 to 12 above were first adopted by vote of membership at the AHCP Annual General Meeting of 26 December 1930.  They were updated as required up till December 2020.

CONTACT DETAILS:


Association of Health Care Professionals (IAHCP) – Global Operations

Email:  info@@ahcpworld.org 

More information about the AHCP can be obtained from our Websites at www.ahcpworld.org Alternatively you can contact us at our Corporate and Legal Services at: info@ahcpworld.org  

First published by the Association of Health Care Professionals in December 1930. Updated in December 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020.  Please note that the updates for 2030 will be published here in due course.