British Arab Psychiatrists Association  

BAPA

Established in 2002

  Terms Of Reference   (Revised: June 2002)

   

  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.

   

  1. 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.

b.      Enhance social and cultural cohesiveness.

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 Mother 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 both seniors & juniors.  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 loosing 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 & for the best  of our nation in our home countries. 

 

 2.9  To promote mental health among Arab community in UK.  We have a partnership with the Right Start Foundation (a UK based Charity led by Mr Amr Khaled). BAPA & Right Start  are currently focusing on Anti Drug Programme to address the needs of Arab community   & other minority ethnic groups in UK.

  1. Membership  

BAPA is open to all Arab psychiatrists practicing in UK. Arab Psychiatrists outside UK could join after consideration by the executive team.   BAPA membership continues to grow & we currently have 150 psychiatrists, mostly senior level including Medical and Clinical directors, Consultants, Senior Lecturers and lecturers in universities. Also colleagues in sub-consultant posts and in Training posts including: Specialist registrars & SHOs.  BAPA offers free full membership (i.e. with full membership rights) to all junior psychiatric colleagues who newly arrived UK and doing clinical attachment until they are in a paid employment. BAPA offer as much practical & moral support as possible to junior colleagues to prepare them to progress in training & to take the lead in the future

3.1  Membership is open to all subscribing Arab psychiatrists, who live and practice in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

3.2  Membership Categories:

3.2.1        Full Member: All consultants and career grade psychiatrists.

3.2.2        Trainee Member: All trainees of any grade.

3.2.3        Affiliate Member: All professions allied to mental health.

3.2.4        Honorary Member: non-Arab psychiatrists and/or other professions allied to mental health.

3.3  Full and Trainee members are the only categories to have Voting Rights.

 

  1. Administration of the Association

4.1  An Executive Committee elected by the membership shall administer BAPA.

4.2  The Executive Committee shall consists of 15 members as follows:

4.2.1        President: Presides Committee and other BAPA meetings.

4.2.2        Vice-President: Presides the above meetings in the absence of the President.

4.2.3        Secretary: Maintains records of the Executive Committee and BAPA meetings, co-ordinates mail shots, communicates with and maintains membership database.

 

4.2.4        Treasurer: Maintains the finances of BAPA, keeps records of all financial dealings, submits records for annual audits, and co-signs with the President and/or Secretary all cheques and financial transactions on behalf of BAPA.

4.2.5        Public Relations Officer: co-ordinates BAPA publicity.

4.2.6        Scientific Officer: Organises BAPA scientific meetings and maintains a database on members’ publications and scientific work.

4.2.7        Career Grade Representative.

4.2.8        Trainee Representative.

4.2.9        Seven Members, including Regional Representatives.

 

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.

 

  1. Association Meetings

5.1  The Executive Committee shall meet quarterly.

5.2  BAPA shall meet annually with the AGM.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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 of two thirds of BAPA members present at the AGM.