About AHIS (UK & Ireland)

Aims & Objectives

The aims of AHIS (UK & Ireland) are:

To bring together all those who are employed or interested in the dissemination of animal health information
Foster cooperation and resource sharing
Stimulate interest in related matters

The promotion of these objectives shall be by the organization of meetings, discussions and conferences and by the collection and dissemination of information.

Anyone interested in the aims and objectives of AHIS (UK & Ireland) may apply to join.

To see what we have achieved so far, click here.

For further information contact:

Fiona Brown (Chair, Sponsorship, Vet School liaison)
Liaison Librarian, Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Library
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
University of Edinburgh
Summerhall
Edinburgh
EH9 1QH
Scotland
Email: f.brown@ed.ac.uk or complete the online comments form

AHIS (UK & Ireland) Progress To Date

We had an inaugural meeting in Edinburgh in 1993 with representatives from veterinary schools, charities, commercial and government organisations. View our progress since then.

AHIS (UK & Ireland) Committee 2008/2009

Fiona Brown (Chair, Sponsorship, Vet School liaison) Liaison Librarian, Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Library Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies University of Edinburgh Summerhall Edinburgh EH9 1QH Scotland	Robert Taylor (Vice-Chair, Acting Treasurer) CAB International Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 8DE
Maureen McGovern (Membership, Sponsorship, Vet School liaison) Branch Librarian James Herriot Library Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Glasgow Bearsden Road Glasgow G61 1QH United Kingdom	Heather Hulse (Newsletter Printing & Distribution) Librarian Veterinary Laboratories Agency Woodham Lane New Haw Addlestone Surrey KT15 3NB
Clare Boulton Librarian Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Belgravia House 62-64 Horseferry Road London SW1P 2AF	Laurian Williamson (Website) Intute: Health and Life Sciences Room B159 King's Meadow Campus University of Nottingham Lenton Lane Nottingham, NG7 2NR
Dr Penny Street Veterinary Science and Medicine Librarian Harold Cohen Library Liverpool University P O Box 123 Liverpool, L69 3DA	Diarmuid Stokes Veterinary Library Veterinary Sciences Centre University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland
Bert Washington Information Manager ECO Animal Health Ltd PO Box 47542 London, N14 6WS	Richard O. Nicholas Pfizer Ltd Ramsgate Road Sandwich Kent CT13 9NJ

Constitution & Byelaws of AHIS (UK & Ireland)

Name

The group shall be known as Animal Health Information Specialists (UK & Ireland) or AHIS (UK & Ireland).

Objectives

To bring together all those who are employed or interested in the dissemination of animal health information; to foster co-operation and resource sharing, and to stimulate interest in related matters. The promotion of these objectives shall be by the organisation of meetings, discussions and conferences and by the collection and dissemination of information.

Communication

Communication for AHIS business will normally be by email, unless requested otherwise. Members are asked to ensure that the Membership Secretary has their current email address.

Membership

Anyone interested in the aims and objectives of AHIS (UK & Ireland) may join on application. The committee reserves the right to refuse or terminate membership. Members who are unwaged, unemployed or receiving low income may apply to the committee for a 50% reduction in membership fee. The annual subscription rate should be fixed at the Annual General Meeting.

Officers and Committee

The honorary officers shall consist of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer who shall be elected by ballot and take office from the date of the Annual General Meeting following their election.

The affairs of AHIS (UK & Ireland) shall be governed by a Committee consisting of the honorary officers and up to four elected members. The Committee shall have the power to co- opt additional members with the agreement of members present at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee may co-opt additional members in between AGMs, with the co-optee being ratified at the next AGM.

The four elected members of the Committee shall be elected by ballot and shall take office from the date of the Annual General Meeting following their election. Each shall serve for a term of two years.

A quorum shall be four of which at least one must be the Chairman or Vice Chairman.

Elections

The honorary officers and members of the Committee shall be elected by postal ballot. Nominations shall be made in writing signed by two members of AHIS (UK & Ireland) and countersigned by the candidate, who must be a member of AHIS (UK & Ireland). Nominations must be received by the Secretary not later than one month prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall have the power to nominate.

Voting papers, when required, must be emailed to each member of AHIS (UK & Ireland) not later than one month before the AGM (members not wishing to vote by email must state this to the Secretary). A casual vacancy on the Committee may be filled by a decision of the Committee, the term of office to be until the next Annual General Meeting

Each member has one vote.

Meetings

Non members may attend AHIS (UK & Ireland) activities but they may not vote at Annual General Meetings or elections.

An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year. One month's notice of the meeting shall be given to members. The Committee shall submit a report of its work during the year and an audited financial statement for approval. Notices of motions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting must be received by the Secretary in writing not less than 21 days before the meeting. The notice of the meeting and the agenda shall be distributed not less than 10 days before the meeting.

The annual subscription rates shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting.

A Special General Meeting of AHIS (UK & Ireland) shall be called within one month of the receipt by the Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by at least half of the members of AHIS UK, stating the reason for such a meeting. A Special General Meeting may also be called by the honorary officers.

In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, the Committee shall appoint its own chairman.

Secretary's Duties

The Secretary shall convene, attend and take minutes of all meetings of the AHIS UK Committee, and conduct the correspondence of AHIS UK, acting on all occasions under the direction of the Committee.

Treasurer's Duties

The funds of AHIS (UK & Ireland) shall be kept in a bank or building society approved by the Committee and no financial liabilities shall be incurred or payments made, except under a special; or general authorization of the Committee. The Treasurer shall receive all monies belonging to AHIS (UK & Ireland) from whatever source derived, for which he/she be held responsible, shall pay all liabilities of AHIS (UK & Ireland) as directed by the Committee, so far as the funds in hand will permit and shall prepare the annual financial statement of AHIS (UK & Ireland). On retiring from office, he/she shall hand over all books, after being duly audited, papers and cash belonging to AHIS (UK & Ireland) to his successor or the Chairman.

Honorary Auditors

Two honorary auditors other than members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

Alteration of the Rules

The rules shall not be altered or rescinded, except with the consent of at least two thirds of the members present at the Annual General Meeting or the Special General Meeting which has been specially convened for the purpose.

Provided that notice has been posted to members in accordance with the instructions above, rules may be added to or amended by an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting of AHIS (UK & Ireland).

Co-operation

AHIS (UK & Ireland) may work in such co-operation as may be deemed desirable with other bodies.

Dissolution

AHIS (UK & Ireland) may be dissolved only by a vote of two thirds of the members present at a special meeting called for the purpose. Not less than one month notice of the meeting shall be given to all members. The terms of the resolution to be proposed shall be stated in this notice. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objectives similar to the objectives of AHIS (UK & Ireland) as the Officers and Committee determine. These recipients must be chosen from corporations, funds, foundations, or learned societies that are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific or educational purposes and that allow no part of their net earnings to inure to the benefit of any private shareholder, member, or individual.

Contact AHIS (UK & Ireland)

For General enquiries, fill in the online comments form or contact:

Elspeth Keith (Hon Secretary, sponsorship, vet school liaison)
Royal Veterinary College Library
Hawkshead Lane
North Mymms
Hatfield
Herts
AL9 7TA

Tel: +44 (0)1707 666 6535
Email: EKeith@rvc.ac.uk
For Membership enquiries, fill in the online membership form or contact:

Maureen McGovern

AHIS (UK & Ireland) Membership Secretary

Branch Librarian

James Herriot Library

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of Glasgow

Bearsden Road

Glasgow

G61 1QH
Email: M.McGovern@lib.gla.ac.uk
For submissions to the newsletter, contact:

Heather Hulse

Librarian
Veterinary Laboratories Agency
New Haw

Addlestone
Surrey
KT15 3NB

Email: enquiries@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk

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