About

The name of this association shall be King Edward Medical College Alumni of the United Kingdom (KEMCA UK).    The Association shall be non-profitable, non-political and educational.  

The name of the King Edward Medical College was changed to King Edward Medical University (KEMU) in 2006 but there will be no change of name of the KEMCA UK.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of the KEMCA UK shall be to bring into one Association the eligible members of the alumni of the King Edward Medical University ((KEMU), Lahore, Pakistan.   

The aims and objectives shall be:

• To keep a database of all Kemcolians in the UK including Ireland and other countries in Europe.
• To have a website for better communication (www.kemc.org.uk) and to provide an opportunity for Kemcolians to contact other Kemcolians.
• To arrange annual get-together for its members.
• To provide a forum for the Kemcolians to share their expertise and experiences with fellow members.
• To provide a forum for the members to establish academic and social links with the college (KEMU) and its other Alumni associations. 
• Identify charitable projects both in the UK and overseas and raise funds for these projects.
• To participate in the activities of other alumni associations of Pakistani medical colleges/universities in the UK.   
• To provide information to the junior Kemcolians wishing to pursue their careers in the United Kingdom.
• To provide guidance including CV preparation and help with interviewing techniques.
• To provide advice and guidance to the junior Kemcolians in a particular field or speciality by an expert in that area.

Under the above-entitled name, and for the objectives expressed, the Association shall have the power and authority to make rules/regulations, to alter, amend and change the same and to do everything needful for its good maintenance, support and viability. It shall be and is empowered to hold, lease, receive, purchase and convey all manners of property, both real and personal, accept and receive donations, legacies and bequests; borrow or lend money; to invest its funds as it so chooses; to own, publish, conduct, and circulate such literature as will further its expressed purposes; to name and appoint such managers and employees as its interests and convenience may require; and otherwise to do and perform all acts and things requisite and necessary to carry out the aims and objectives of this Association.

MEMBERSHIP

There will be membership of the Association and it will include the medical graduates of the King Edward Medical College subscribing to the objectives of the Association and residing in the UK, Ireland or any other European country are eligible to become members. The Executive Committee will approve the membership application. The members shall have all dues paid and shall be entitled to all of the privileges of the Association including the right to vote and hold office.  A member must comply with the rules and regulations of the Association.  

There shall be no discrimination based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin in the membership of the Association.

MEMBERSHIP FEE

All members shall pay full dues as determined by the Executive Committee and approved by the general body. The term of the annual dues shall be from 1st January to 31st December.  Any member whose dues are not paid by 31st January will be considered in arrears and will not be eligible to hold an office in the Association, but may vote as long as all dues are met prior to the election.

The spouses of deceased UK Kemcolians will be exempted from the membership fee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

The Executive Committee (EC) shall be the governing body of the KEMCA UK and consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Social Secretary, Treasurer and 13 executive committee members one of which will be a CPD lead. The EC shall control the management of the financial affairs and funds of the association. The Committee shall fix the date and place of meetings.  It shall create and authorise the appointment of standing and ad-hoc committees and maintain an up-to-date directory of members. The Committee shall be responsible safekeeping of all financial and pertinent records.  EC will nominate one executive member to be the lead for the development and delivery of the CPD activities. 

The executive committee members (ECMs) will be elected by the KEMCA UK members every two years.   All of the ECMs shall serve until their successors are elected and installed.  If all ECMs elected are new then the executive committee will nominate two ECMs from the existing committee.  These ECMs will be called non-elect ECMs and will be appointed for 12 months to maintain the continuity.  The secretary and the treasurer will stay up to 12 months as non-elect members.   Each ECM shall maintain physical residence in the UK during his/her tenure.  

All KEMCA UK members will be eligible for nomination to any post in the executive committee.  Thirty days notice will be given to send nominations.   There shall be at least one nominee for each position.  A member can nominate himself/herself or be nominated by another member (with the agreement of the nominee).   All nominees will be asked to submit their portfolio, exceeding not more than 200 words and their photograph to the executive committee. Any member contesting for election is not allowed to sit on any Executive Committee of other medical alumni organisations in the UK, which may include but is not limited to the APPS UK, APPNE, PAGHE, and NODFA.

A candidate for the post in the executive committee cannot hold another post in the executive committee of other Pakistani alumni associations of doctors including but not limited to APPS UK, APPNE, NODFA and PAGHE. One can hold a trustee role in solely charitable organisations. All representations of KEMCA UK in other alumni associations should be made by the chairperson or any other nominated executive committee member in his/her absence.

These nominations will be sent to all members for vote.  30 days notice will be given for its return.  All members shall have the right to vote.  All elections shall be by postal ballot.  A simple majority of the votes cast is necessary to elect. The Election panel will open/count the votes at least within a week before the AGM.  Its results will be announced at the AGM by the chairperson. An election panel will be nominated by the EC to supervise and monitor the election.   The election panel will comprise of three members.  These members must not be contestants for any EC post. The Election panel will open/count the votes at least within a week before the AGM.  Its results will be announced at the AGM by the chairperson.

No candidate shall be elected to any office for more than two consecutive terms unless two-thirds of the members waive this restriction in the AGM.  

The office of the KEMCA UK shall be declared vacant by the committee when an officer resigns or leaves the UK for a period longer than four months without prearrangement with the council or becomes disabled to carry out duties of the office for reasons of health or otherwise.

If the executive committee post becomes vacant, the executive committee will nominate a temporary successor for the unexpired term.

The executive committee will meet face to face or virtually every six months but for any urgent/important issue, the chairperson can convene any extra meeting. The minutes of the meetings will be available to its members if requested. 

Duties of Executive Committee

 The duties of the Executive Committee shall include the following:

• To perform all acts and transact all business for and on behalf of the Association
• To manage the funds of the Association and conduct the affairs, works, and activities of the Association except as may be otherwise provided for in these regulations
• To authorize and appoint such committees as are necessary to carry out the work of the Association.
• To fill in any vacancies in a committee not otherwise provided for in these regulations.
• To fix the date and place of the annual social get-together, the AGM and make all appropriate arrangements.
• To supervise and oversee all the Association’s activities.
• To adopt measures in support of its members to uphold the aims and objectives of the Association.
• To perform such other duties as may be required by the AGM or other rules of the Association.

President

The Chairperson shall be the general executive member of the Association. The duties of the chairperson shall include the following:

• To chair the annual get-together and the AGM of the Association.
• To chair all meetings of the Executive Committee.
• To serve as an official spokesperson of the Association.
• To appoint all future committees of the Association subject to approval by the Executive Committee (such as Academic/CPD, Election Committee, IT/website, Newsletter, project work etc).
• To appoint an editor of the Newsletter and Website.
• To represent KEMCA UK at the other alumni meetings in Pakistan and other countries.  
• To deliver an annual address.

Secretary

The duties of the Secretary shall include the following:

• To serve as a recording officer of the Executive Committee and the AGM.
• To supervise and maintain the preparation of and a permanent record of all official minutes of the Association meetings.
• To serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
• To supervise and maintain an up-to-date record/data of the members and the King Edward Medical College Alumni residing in the United Kingdom and other European Countries including names, addresses, telephone numbers, year of graduation, specialty and e-mail addresses.
• To supervise all publications including the website of the Association.
• To supervise all arrangements for the holding of each meeting in compliance with the constitution regulations and instructions of the Executive Committee.
• To send out all official notices of meetings, committee appointments, special committee assignments, and elections to office.
• To notify members and Kemcolians alumni in the UK or other European countries   about dues, dues reminders etc.
• To perform such other duties that may be required of him/her by the Chairperson.
• To communicate with its members on the AGM, elections, any proposed changes, and dissolution if required.

President-Elect

The duties of the Secretary shall include the following:

• To serve as members of the Executive Committee
• To shadow the president in activities and help where required so that the handover process is smooth for ongoing projects to the next executive body.
•  To chair meetings of the Executive Committee in the absence of the President.
• To represent KEMCA UK at the other alumni meetings in Pakistan and other countries on behalf of the President.

Social Secretary

• To organize and manage annual social get-togethers and any other social functions agreed by the Executive Committee.
• To perform such other duties that may be required of them by the Chairperson, Executive Committee, and the AGM.
• To raise funds, including sponsorship etc from different sources.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all the invested funds such as membership dues, sponsorships etc. He/she shall be accountable, through the committee to the Association. The duties of the Treasurer shall include the following:

• To conduct all financial affairs of the Association.
• To act as custodian and transfer for all monies and securities subject to approval by the Executive Committee.
• To collect all annual membership dues, donations, and such monies that may be due to the Association.
• To draw, sign and send all vouchers payment for indebtedness.
• To serve as a member of the executive committee.
• To present an annual report at the annual general meeting.
• To present a budget at the annual general meeting.
• To render a report to the Executive Committee reviewing the Association funds and imparting recommendations for the advancements for the Association’s interest at each meeting of the Executive Committee.
• To be responsible for the submission of all reports as required by the UK Charity Commission 

Executive Members

The duties of the Executive Members shall include the following:

• To serve as members of the Executive Committee.
• To enlist new members and encourage active participation of other Kemcolians.
• To perform such other duties that may be required of them by the President, Executive Committee, and general body.

ADDRESS

• The address of the Association shall be the location and physical address of the Secretary of the Association and may change from time to time.

TRUSTEES

The trustees of the charity will be appointed by the majority of the executive committee members.  The outgoing Chairperson of the EC will become a trustee to assist the EC in maintaining the continuity. A trustee will be a member of the KEMCA UK and his/her tenure will be for 2 years which can be renewed by the newly elected EC in their first meeting. Responsibilities of the trustees include;

• To advise EC on important issues.
• To participate in EC and Trustees meetings.
• To oversee and advise on charitable projects.

AMENDMENTS

Any constitutional amendment requires a majority of two-thirds vote in the AGM.   All proposed amendments should be received by the chairperson with a minimum of 30 working days before the AGM. The secretary should inform in writing the date, time and venue of the AGM to its members.

DISSOLUTION

No proposal for dissolution of the KEMCA UK shall be considered unless recommended by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee.   The secretary will communicate this to its members giving at least 30 working days notice in writing.   The secretary will call an urgent AGM and two-third members need to agree for its approval.  At least two-third of the members should be present in this AGM.

Upon the dissolution of the Association, the Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of all assets of the Association exclusively for the Association to a nominated charity/ or equally distribute to its member or give a donation to the parent college.    

ANNUAL MEETINGS

The Association shall hold at least one annual social get-together.   Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the Executive Committee.   Such social meetings shall be presided over by the President, or in his/her absence the Secretary/President-Elect.   Written notice of the annual social meeting shall be delivered to each member of the Association at least thirty days in advance of the meeting.

The time and place of the annual social get-together shall be determined by the Executive Committee which shall be responsible for the necessary arrangements. 

AGM

• The AGM will be convened within 15 months of the last AGM.
• The Treasurer shall present the financial status of the Association to its members in the AGM.
• Any proposed amendments to the constitution will be considered. The last amendment approved during AGM 2023, which reduced the tenure of the executive committee from 3 years to 2 years, changed the chairperson title to President, introduced the additional post of President-Elect and increased total executive numbers to 18. The tenure of trustees reduced to 2 years as well.
• Three motions passed and approved by 2/3rd majority during AGM 2024. To contest for KEMCA UK executive, paid membership is mandatory for at least 6 months. To contest for president, general secretary, treasurer, social secretary and president elect, a member should have worked for at least two years as executive member before nomination. As election are happening every two years, there is need for election panel, which could include 2 trustees (not contesting for any post) and an election commissioner (Names of Prof Shabbar Jaffery, Muhammad Abid, Rana Hafeez ur Rehman suggested).
• Annual membership fee will be reviewed.