This independent group was inaugurated in August 2003. It has at its core past and present pancreatitis patients of the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. It further includes these patients’ families and friends, as well as others with concerns not only for the treatment and care of these patients but also for wider issues in the way the disease is understood and managed.
CONSTITUTION
1. The name of the group shall be Pancreas North, hereafter called the Group.
2. The aims of the Group shall be:
a) to offer various forms of support and advice to patients and others involved;
b) to organise a range of social and/or fund-raising events for all those interested;
c) to disseminate information about, and to raise awareness of, pancreatitis and the help
available to sufferers by means of published material included posters, leaflets and
occasional newsletters.
occasional newsletters.
d) where possible, to assist the medical profession, financially and in other ways, in the
exercise of their care.
3. The Group shall be made up of:
a) individuals who have, or have had, pancreatitis, as well as their families and friends;
b) anyone who wishes to help and support those with pancreatitis.
4. The selection, appointment and obligations of the committee:
a) the Group shall elect and appoint a committee from those who meet the requirements of 3a)
and 3b) above.
b) the committee shall consists of a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary (or Joint Secretaries) and
a maximum of nine others.
c) after four years of continuous service an officer must resign but may offer him/herself for re-
election.
d) medical representation shall be via an honorary post, with attendance at committee meetings
on an ad hoc basis.
e) there shall be one officer and three others present to form a quorum and take a vote.
f) in extenuating circumstances the committee may co-opt replacement members as required.
g) the committee shall meet at least six times a year, dates and times of its meetings being at its
own discretion, it shall also determine dates and times of general meetings.
h) a committee member’s non-attendance at three consecutive committee meetings, without
apologies, shall result in that person ceasing to be a committee member.
5. The financial affairs of the Group
5. The financial affairs of the Group
a) there shall be four signatories to the bank account (s): The Treasurer and three other approved
committee members; all withdrawals shall require the signature of any two of the four.
b) the Treasurer shall provide the Group with a yearly audited statement of accounts at an
Annual General Meeting to be held after 31st March each year.
c) any single item of expenditure under £1000 must be agreed by the committee; any item over
£1000 must be agreed at a general meeting of the Group.
d) the Treasurer shall re-imburse all expenses authorised by the committee; re-imbursement of
the Treasurer’s expenses shall require the approval of one of the other signatories.
e) the Group shall raise sufficient funds to be self-supporting, such funds to be held in the
