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Proposed Constitution Change 1

Following lots of thought and discussion, the executive has decided the time has come to open our society to the inclusion of colleagues who are not Specialist Anaesthetists, GP Anaesthetists, or trainees of these two specialities.

The SPANZA Executive recognises that the safe and effective delivery of anaesthesia, perioperative care and pain management for children relies on the expertise and skills of a multidisciplinary team including but not limited to, specialist anaesthetists, GP anaesthetists, nurses, anaesthesia technicians, pain medicine specialists, dentists, occupational therapists and psychologists. Over the years, there have been multiple inquiries to the Executive from non-medical health professionals in these areas asking to become SPANZA members.

Currently, to be a member of SPANZA you must be a medical practitioner. There are 4 categories of membership: Ordinary, Associate, Honorary and Retired.

The SPANZA Executive proposes the following changes to the Constitution which will proceed to a vote at the AGM in October 2024;

	Current	Proposed
Ordinary Members	Registered specialist anaesthetists in New Zealand and Australia who have an interest in anaesthesia for children and adolescents and are current in their subscription. Ordinary members are eligible to vote.
Specialist Anaesthetist Ordinary Member		Registered specialist anaesthetists in New Zealand and Australia who have an interest in anaesthesia, peri-procedural care and pain management for children and young people and are current in their subscription. Specialist Anaesthetist Ordinary Members are eligible to vote. Specialist Anaesthetist Ordinary Members are eligible to nominate or be co-opted for the Executive
GP Anaesthetist Ordinary Member		Registered GP anaesthetists in Australia who have an interest in anaesthesia, peri-procedural care and pain management for children and young people and are current in their subscription. GP Anaesthetist Ordinary Members are not eligible to vote. GP Anaesthetist Ordinary Members may be co-opted to but cannot nominate for the Executive.
Associate Member	Medical practitioners who are not entitled to be ordinary members but have an interest in anaesthesia for children and adolescents and are current in their subscription. Associate members are not eligible to vote.	Health professionals who are not entitled to be Ordinary Members but have an interest in anaesthesia, peri-procedural care and pain management for children and young people and are current in their subscription. The cost of the associate membership subscription will be at a reduced subscription fee, determined by the Executive. Associate Members are not eligible to vote. Associate Members may be co-opted to but cannot nominate for the Executive.
Honorary Member	Individuals who have been recognised by the society, to have made an extraordinary contribution to paediatric anaesthesia. Honorary members are eligible to vote.	Individuals who have been recognised by the society, to have made an extraordinary contribution to anaesthesia, peri-procedural care and pain management for children and young people. Honorary ordinary members are eligible to vote. Honorary Associate Members are not eligible to vote. Honorary Ordinary Members can nominate for the Executive. Honorary Associate Members may be co-opted to but cannot nominate for the Executive. Honorary Members will receive complimentary subscription.
Retired Member	Ordinary and Associate Members who have fully retired from anaesthetic practice can continue as retired members by informing the Executive Committee in writing of their change in circumstance. They should be current in their subscription. Retired ordinary members are eligible to vote. Retired associate members are not eligible to vote.	Ordinary and Associate Members who have fully retired from practice can continue as retired members by informing the Executive Committee in writing of their change in circumstance. They should be current in their subscription at the time of notification of retirement. Retired Members are not eligible to vote. Retired Members are not eligible to be co-opted to or nominate for the Executive. Retired Members will receive complimentary subscription.