Grampian Kidney Patients Association
1. The Association shall be known as the Grampian Kidney Patients Association (GKPA).
2. The purpose of the Association shall be to aid Kidney Research at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary through fund raising and voluntary contributions. To offer support both personally and financially to patients with End Stage Renal Failure and their families.
3. Automatic membership of the Association is open to everyone in the Grampian Region and the Northern Isles who are either a Transplant patient, receiving Dialysis or a Low Clearance patient.
4. Associate membership is also available to Live Renal Donors, Renal patients with a rapid progressive disorder, current or past members of the Renal Team, Spouses, Partners and next of kin. Associate members may take part in management meetings but are not eligible to vote unless they are a Trustee.
5. Members are eligible to become a Trustee provided they are not disqualified from becoming a “Charity Trustee” as defined in the “Charities and Investment (Scotland) Act 2005”.
6. Members may be elected/re-elected as a Trustee if proposed and seconded at the AGM. Elected members of the Management Committee shall become “Charity Trustees”.
7. The Management Committee shall be comprised of a Chair Person, Vice Chair person, Secretary, Treasurer and other members. To constitute a quorum the meeting will need to be composed of at least six voting members.
8. Committee meetings will be held on a regular basis as and when required. Social and Fundraising events will be organised at the discretion of the committee. The Committee shall invite members of the Renal Team to attend meetings to ensure links with patient service providers.
9. The Association business will be conducted as per the guidelines produced by Office of Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
10. Changes to the constitution will be required to be approved at a Management Committee Meeting of the Association.
N.B. At least six voting members of the Association are required to constitute a quorum.
11. In the event of the Association having to be wound up any assets, properties or monies left after the settlement of outstanding debts and liabilities will be made over to a charity having similar aims and objectives. This updated document supersedes all other constitutional documents relating to the Grampian Kidney Patients Association.
Glossary
End Stage Renal Failure – Patients whose own kidneys have failed and without Renal Replacement Treatment or a transplant would not survive. This group includes patients who have Transplants, are on Dialysis, are Low Clearance and within 6 months of receiving Dialysis or Conservative care.
Low Clearance Patients – Patients with an eGFR <20
Conservative Care – Patients who have chosen not to have Renal replacement therapy.
Personally support – This is psychological, educational and social support for all patients and families with similar conditions and problems.
Financial Support – This financial help which is only offered to those with End Stage Renal Failure and each case is considered on an individual basis, as agreed at an Association Meeting.
Voting Members – These include all Automatic members and Associate members who are trustees.
Management Committee Meeting – A regular meeting where 6 or more are present to constitute a quorum.