The Australian Society for Microbiology

To view information about each group, please click on the SIG names below.

If you would like further information on our Special Interest Groups, please get in touch using the Contact Us form, or by emailing admin@theasm.com.au.

Special Interest Group By-Laws

Updated June 2008

National Council and the Society recognises the value and need for Special Interest Groups (SIG's) within the framework of the ASM. The function delegated by Council to the SIG's is to advance the science of its special interests in microbiology or related discipline within the framework of the Society, it's Constitution and By-Laws and in addition to and in co-operation with those activities already maintained by the Society.

Establishment

Council will consider the establishment of a SIG upon the receipt of a formal submission signed by ten (10) members of the Society of any class except Sustaining Members. if there is no reason to the contrary, Council shall establish the SIG and inform the proposer by letter of this decision.

Membership

Eligibility for membership of the group shall be open without formality to any member of the Society or of kindred Societies who have an interest in the activities of the Group.

Structure

Upon establishment, the SIG shall convene at the Annual Scientific Meetings of the Society and elect a Convenor, who must be a Member of the Society, and a Committee. It is the responsibility of the SIG to ensure the eligibility of the Convenor. Where possible, it is recommended that the Committee include a representative from each of the Branches.

If the National SIG determines to set up sub-groups at the Branch Level, such a group will be subject to Branch By-Laws which must not contain clauses determined by Council to conflict with the spirit of this By-Law.

Representatives from Branches on the National Committee must be members of the local SIG sub-group committee and act as liaison persons between the two groups.

The Convenor shall serve for a term of two (2) years and be eligible for re-election. It is the responsibility of the members of the SIG to ensure that elections are carried out appropriately. The mechanism, if this does not occur and the membership is unhappy, is to make representation to the Council.

Where appropriate to the functioning of the SIG, a list of registered members, where different to the National Office Database, is to be compiled and kept current by the Convenor and /or Secretary of the Group and be provided to the National Office once annually at the time of submission of the Annual Report.

A registered member is a person who on an annual basis renews interest in the Group and its activities regardless of whether there is an opt in or out clause, each renewal still has to be scrutinised. Affiliation of the SIG with other Societies must be sought through Council.

Responsibilities to the Society

The SIG Committee shall be responsible through consultation for policies and activities generated by the group.

The Convenor or Secretary of the SIG shall submit to Council a report suitable for publication in Microbiology Australia and/or an Annual Report of the activities fo the SIG, together with a Financial Statement, not later than six (6) weeks following the Annual General Meeting of the SIG.

Financial responsibility for the Group reposes with the Council which will consider requests for financial assistance submitted to it from time to time by the Committee of the Group.

There are to be no subscriptions raised nor fees applied to members to meet the costs of administering the Group without prior Council approval.

The establishment of a Group or the appointment of any member or members of its committee may be terminated at any time by Council, subject to review at the next Annual General Meeting of the Society. Failure to present an Annual Report or Financial Statement within any sixteen (16) month period shall be grounds for Council to consider such a step. Upon disbandment, all funds held by the Group are to be placed in the National Tresury.

If a specific letterhead is used by the SIG, prominence must be given to the relationship of the Group to The Australian Society for Microbiology Inc, as the parent body, using the logo and colour as specified in the By-Laws.

Following an Annual General Meeting of the Group, the Convenor shall notify the National Office of any changes in membership of the Committee.

Activities

The Group's activities shall include an Annual General Meeting, normally held in association with the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society, to discuss scientific or organisational matters pertaining to its special interests.

In co-operation with NSAC and the Organising Committee of the Annual Scientific Meeting, the SIG is encouraged to organise additional scientific sessions for the general membership.

The Group should promote itself by publishing its activities in Microbiology Australia, together with scientific articles or reviews dealing with its area of special interest. Groups should appoint a publication liaison member to assist in achieving this aim, the name of whom should be transmitted to the Editor of Microbiology Australia.

From time to time, Council may require a SIG to deal with specific issues or to represent it in an official capacity.

Variations to Policies and Procedures for SIG's
Council may, on application from any SIG, vary for that SIG aspects of the Structure, Responsibilities to the Society and Activities delineated in these By-Laws that will facilitate the functioning of the SIG within the framework of the ASM

Antimicrobials

AQUASIG - Water Microbiology

Clinical Serology and Molecular

Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals

Culture Media

Education

Food Microbiology

Laboratory Leadership and Management

Microbial Ecology

Microbial Informatics

Microbial Physiology

Molecular Microbiology

Mycobacteria

Mycology

Mycoplasmatales

Ocular Microbiology

Parasitology and Tropical Medicine

Probiotics and Enteric Microbial Diversity

Public Health Microbiology

Rapid Methods

Serology

Students

Veterinary Microbiology

Virology

Women's and Children's Microbiology