British Arab Psychiatrists Association – BAPA
Established in 2002
Terms Of Reference (Revised: November 2011)
1. Name of the Group
1.1 The Name of the group is the British Arab Psychiatrists Association. It is also known by the abbreviation BAPA. The Association shall be professional, non-political and non-profitable.
2. Aims of the Association
2.1 To act as a forum for all Arab psychiatrists in the UK to:
a. Promote scientific and professional development of its members.
b. To keep a database of all such psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees in the UK with their areas of expertise and interests.
c. To have an interactive website for Arab psychiatrist to communicate with each other.
2.2 To act as an advocate for the specific needs of its members in relation to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and other medical and governmental bodies.
2.3 To provide support and advice to the newcomers into psychiatry in UK.
2.4 To establish scientific and professional links with Arab psychiatric, Academic and Clinical Institutions, and psychiatric Associations in the Arab Countries, and Worldwide.
2.5 To promote mental health among Arabs in the UK.
2.6 To promote knowledge and understanding of trans-cultural issues in the UK.
2.7 To provide support and promote development & progress of Arab Psychiatrists practicing & living in UK. BAPA gives great interest into social needs of its members to ensure integration of Arab psychiatrists & their families in particular & Arab community in general into the British community without whilst maintaining their Arab identity.
2.8 To establish & maintain strong links with its sister Associations in Arab World: e.g. organizes joint conferences, plan joint research & cooperate in modernizing service & training, exchange experience and work together for the best of the profession.
2.9 To promote mental health among Arab community in UK.
3. Membership
BAPA is open to all Arab psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees practicing in UK. Arab Psychiatrists outside UK could join after consideration by the executive team.
BAPA offers free full membership to all junior psychiatric colleagues who newly arrived in the UK and doing clinical attachment until they are in a paid employment. BAPA can offer practical & moral support to junior colleagues to prepare them to progress in training & to take the lead in the future.
3.1 Membership is open to Arab psychiatrists who are subscribing to the objectives of BAPA, and who live and practice in the UK.
3.2 Membership Categories:
3.2.1 Full Member: All consultants, Associate Specialists, Staff Grades and Speciality Doctors.
3.2.2 Trainee Member: All trainees at any stage of training.
3.2.3 Honorary Member: non-Arab psychiatrists and/or other professions allied to mental health.
3.3 Full and Trainee members are eligible to vote.
4. Administration of the Association
4.1 The Executive Committee elected at the AGM shall be the governing body of BAPA.
The duties of the Executive committee:
4.2 The Executive Committee shall consists of 8 members as follows:
4.2.1 President:
• Chairs the Association meetings.
• To be the official and standing representative of BAPA and/or nominate a representative at other meetings
• To co-ordinate and direct the activities of BAPA
• To deliver an annual address at BAPA general meetings
4.2.2 Vice-President: To assist in co-ordinating the activities of BAPA and chair the above meetings in the absence of the President.
4.2.3 Secretary:
• Maintains records and takes minutes of the Executive Committee and BAPA meetings,
• send out official notices of meetings and updates to members,
• communicates with and maintains membership database.
•Maintains the finances of BAPA, keeps records of all financial dealings, submits records for annual audits, and co-signs with the President all cheques and financial transactions on behalf of BAPA.
4 Executive Members the duties of whom can be agreed by the Executive Committee as they see fit and this can include:
• To serve as members of the Executive Committee
• To enlist new members and encourage participation of Arab psychiatrists.
• To perform such other duties that may be required of them by the President, Executive Committee, and general body.
• To work as a team to achieve targets and activities as collectively agreed by the Executive Committee. This includes maintaining and updating BAPA website, co-ordinating BAPA publicity, scientific publications and meetings and social affairs.
4.3 The Term of Office of the Executive Committee shall be two years renewable for another two years.
4.4 Elections of the Executive Committee shall take place at the AGM.
5.Association Meetings
5.1 The Executive Committee shall meet quarterly.
5.2 BAPA shall meet annually with the AGM.
6. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
6.1 BAPA’s AGM shall be held at an appropriate time and venue to be agreed by the Executive Committee.
6.2 AGM shall include scientific and social agenda.
7. Changes to the Terms of Reference
7.1 The Terms of Reference shall be reviewed, if and when required, at the AGM.
7.2 Amendments to the Terms of Reference shall require the agreements 30 members or those who are present at the AGM regardless of specified numbers.
8. Elections
All members shall have the right to vote. The election will be held at the AGM of the Association. The date of the elections shall be designated on the official agenda of the annual meeting. A simple majority of the votes cast is necessary to elect.
No candidate shall be elected to any office for more than two consecutive terms.
More details can be added here but we do not want it to be too restrictive due to level of commitment!
Membership fees:
Annual Membership is £50 for Consultants and SAS Doctors and £40 for Trainees.
