Statutes

CHAPTER I

NAME, OFFICE, DURATION, GOAL AND PURPOSES

Article 1

  • a) The Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, abbreviated as SPPSM, established on the 8 May, 1991, is a non-profit, public utility scientific association, endowed with legal personality;
  • b) The SPPSM is the continuation of the former Class of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the then called Portuguese Society of Neurology and Psychiatry and Mental Health.

Article 2

  • a) SPPSM has its current office in Lisbon, at Rua Chaby Pinheiro, nº 15, 2º Direito, 1050-096 Lisbon;
  • b) In addition to the national office, sub-delegations may be created in the north, center and south of the continent and in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira.

Article 3

The SPPSM is affiliated with the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), an affiliation that will last indefinitely, and is part of the Council of Associations of the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) and may join or associate with other institutions.

Article 4

The purpose of SPPSM is:

  • a) To promote the development of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the service of the Portuguese population’s health;
  • b) Encourage research in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • c) Promote and disseminate knowledge update in Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • d) Promote national and international contacts and exchanges between different professionals linked to Psychiatry, neurosciences and other Mental Health areas;
  • e) Develop educational activities in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • f) To carry out consultancy activities in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • g) Defend the dignity and identity of the profession of the Psychiatrist;
  • h) Defend patients’ rights to the best treatment and care.

Article 5

In order to achieve its purpose, SPPSM proposes namely to:

  • a) Edit and publish a Journal (official body of the SPPSM) and ensure its dissemination;
  • b) Support specialized scientific journals that, due to their tradition and notoriety, are worthy of it;
  • c) Disseminate scientific and informative documents among its members;
  • d) Promote the creation within it of “Specialized Sections” and “Specific Commissions”;
  • e) Represent Portugal before homologous International Societies and these in our country;
  • f) Promote and cooperate in the organization of educational activities aimed at doctors, health professionals and at general population, in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • g) Promote the study of psychiatric diseases and collaborate in the development of Mental Health Promotion and Mental Disorder Prevention programs, assistance and rehabilitation within the scope of Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • h) Create awards and Scholarships and promote Research Projects;
  • i) Organize and promote Scientific Meetings, namely, National Congresses of Psychiatry and Mental Health and Postgraduate Courses;
  • j) Promote scientific and pedagogical exchange with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and with the Portuguese Language Mental Health Association (ASMELP);
  • k) Act as a social partner and interlocutor of official entities or others, with the aim of pursuing the objectives of the SPPSM.

CHAPTER II

MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATED MEMBERS

SECTION I

CLASSES AND ADMISSION

Article 6

The SPPSM is constituted by physicians and non-medical health professionals, distributed into the following classes:

1. MEMBERS

  • a) Full Members – Psychiatrists (with an officially recognized specialty);
  • b) Honorary Members – Former Presidents and personalities to whom, due to their scientific category, the SPPSM intends to confer this proof of consideration;
  • c) Correspondent Members – Portuguese or foreign Psychiatrists who do not reside in Portugal and who accept or show interest in scientific exchange with SPPSM;
  • d) Adhering Members – Internal physicians specializing in Psychiatry;
  • Aggregate Members – Medical or non-medical professionals working in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health;
  • f) Meritorious Members – Individuals or legal entities who, through relevant services or assistance provided to SPPSM, become worthy of this quality.

2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Medical or non-medical professionals registered exclusively in a Specialized Section.

Article 7

The admission of members is the competence of the General Assembly and must be processed in accordance with the General Regulation.

The admission of associate members is the competence of the General Assembly, under the proposal of the Specialized Sections previously addressed to the Board.

SECTION II

RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Article 8

1. The rights of the partners are:

  • a) Attend SPPSM meetings and take part in its work, namely through the presentation and discussion of scientific communications;
  • b) Participate in General Assemblies;
  • c) Receive a copy of the publications distributed free of charge by SPPSM and be regularly informed of its activities;
  • d) Attend the Head Office and organize meetings or activities approved by the SPPSM Board;
  • e) Appeal to the General Assembly the decisions of the Board that they consider illegitimate or seriously detrimental to their rights as members.

2. The Full Members and Honorary Members shall be entitled to:

  • a) Access to all SPPSM documents;
  • b) Deliberative vote at General Assemblies;
  • c) To be elected to specific positions or functions in SPPSM.

Article 9

1. The duties of the Members are:

  • a) Fully comply with the Statutes and General Regulations of SPPSM;
  • b) Accept the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Board;
  • c) Accept and perform with zeal and diligence the specific positions or functions for which they have been elected or appointed, except for a special reason for excuse which is admittedly impeding;
  • d) Pay the statutorily defined membership fees;
  • e) Communicate to the Board, within thirty days, the change of residence, retirement, and impediments due to prolonged illness.

2. Special situations:

  • a) Honorary and Meritorious Members are exempt from payment of membership fees;
  • b) Members in a situation of impediment due to prolonged illness or retirement, as long as they do not exercise their profession, are exempt from payment of membership fees;
  • c) Members are exempt from the Specialized Sections’ membership fees;
  • d) Interns in the specialty of Psychiatry and Mental Health or undergoing an internship for the respective specialization and the Correspondent Members will pay only fifty percent of the fee;
  • e) When absent abroad for a period exceeding two years, the Principal Members may apply to become a Corresponding Member.

Article 10

Associate Members shall only have the rights and duties inherent in the Specialized Sections to which they belong. It is the duty of Associate Members to pay the annual fees established for full members.

SECTION III

SUSPENSION, READMISSION AND EXCLUSION

Article 11

The non-payment of membership fees for a period equal or superior to one year determines, for the relapsed partner, the suspension of their rights, under the regulatory terms.

If, after being regularly notified, the member says nothing, he will be considered resigned, but may be reinstated upon prior payment of the late fee.

Members of SPPSM or associate members who contribute to its lack of prestige or that harm it, morally or materially, may be excluded by deliberation of the General Assembly.

CHAPTER III

CORPORATE BODIES AND ELECTIONS

Article 12

1. The bodies of SPPSM are:

  • a) The General Assembly;
  • b) The Board;
  • c) The Supervisory Board;
  • d) The Advisory Board.

2. The term of office of the governing bodies is three years, with the election of the respective members taking place under the terms of the General Regulations.

3. With regard to re-elections:

  • a) The re-election for consecutive term in the same body is not permitted for the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Board of Directors, and the Supervisory Board;
  • b) The other members of the governing bodies may be re-elected for two new consecutive terms.

SECTION I

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article 13

The General Assembly, the highest body of the SPPSM, is constituted by the members in full use of their rights and may meet regularly or extraordinarily, with minutes being drawn up for each of the respective meetings.

Meritorious Members, aggregates and correspondents may attend and participate in the work of the General Assembly, without the right to vote.

Article 14

1. The General Assembly will ordinarily meet once a year, simultaneously with the National Congress of Psychiatry and Mental Health, being responsible, namely, to:

  • a) Elect the Board of the General Assembly, the Management and the Supervisory Board, every three years;
  • b) Discuss and vote on the accounting report and the Management report and the respective opinion of the Supervisory Board;
  • c) Admit and exclude members and associate members;
  • d) Ratify the appointment and extinction of the Specialized Sections, under the proposal of the Board;
  • e) Assess and deliberate on any other matters presented by the Members to the respective Board and included in the respective Agenda;
  • f) Ratify the update of membership fees proposed by the Board.

2. The General Assembly will meet extraordinarily whenever convened by the Chairman of the General Assembly, at the request of the Board or the Supervisory Board and at the request signed by at least ten percent of the partners, or by thirty of them, in the full use of their rights.

3. The approval and introduction of amendments to the Statutes of SPPSM shall be made at the General Assembly, upon proposal by the Board or Thirty Members, requiring, for this purpose, a majority of three quarters of the Members present.

4. The approval and introduction of changes to the General Regulation of SPPSM will be made at the General Assembly, upon proposal by the Board or thirty Members, requiring, for this purpose, a simple majority of the Members present.

Article 15

1. The Board of the General Assembly (MAG) will consist of a President, a Vice-President and a Secretary, responsible for:

  • a) Issue at least fifteen (15) days in advance the Calls for the holding of General Assemblies, which must include the Agenda, place, date and time;
  • b) To direct and guide the work of the General Assembly meetings;
  • c) Organize and coordinate the electoral process, under the regulatory terms.

2- It is incumbent upon the President of the Board of the General Assembly:

  • a) Convene the General Assemblies, preside over the sessions, sign and initial the Minutes Book;
  • b) To swear in the other members elected to the governing bodies, signing the respective Book of Terms of opening and closing.

3. The Vice-President will assist the President, replacing him in his absences or impediments.

4. The Secretary will ensure the expedient, prepare the minutes of the sessions, and assist the President in his functions.

5. The absence or impediment of any member of the Board of the General Assembly will be suppressed by whoever the General Assembly appoints.

SECTION II

BOARD

Article 16

The SPPSM Board consists of 9 members: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary General, a Treasurer, the President-elect, the past President and three Members of the Board.

The Vice-President and the Members of the Board will preferably come from the different regions of the country.

Article 17

It is incumbent upon the Board of Directors:

  • a) To develop a triennial program of activities in accordance with the fundamental objectives of the SPPSM;
  • b) To ensure the current, financial and asset management of SPPSM;
  • c) To promote the publication of information on the activities of the SPPSM, as often as it deems convenient;
  • d) To prepare the report of its Management at the end of each social year, to be presented with the Balance Sheet and Accounts and the Opinion of the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Assembly;
  • e) To propose to the General Assembly the updating membership fees;
  • f) To propose at the General Assembly the creation and extinction of Specialized Sections;
  • g) To provide the Specialized Sections with funds for their specific activities;
  • h) Appointing and Terminating Specific Commissions.

Article 18

It is incumbent upon the President of the Board of Directors:

  • a) To officially represent SPPSM;
  • b) To coordinate the activities of the Board and chair its meetings;
  • c) To enforce the Statutes and General Regulations of SPPSM.

Article 19

It is incumbent upon the Vice President:

  • a) To represent the Board of Directors in the region of the country to which it belongs;
  • b) To streamline and coordinate all the activities of the SPPSM in the respective zone, in close collaboration with the Secretary General;
  • c) To represent the SPPSM due to the President’s impediment, or his delegation.

Article 20

It is incumbent upon the President-Elect to collaborate with the President in the pursuit of the activities of the SPPSM and to continue them in accordance with the defined plans and programs.

Article 21

It is incumbent upon the Secretary General:

  • a) To act as secretary for the Board’s Meetings;
  • b) Implement the decisions of the Board;
  • c) Ensure the functioning of the Secretariat;
  • d) Prepare the annual report of the Board.

Article 23

It is incumbent upon the Treasurer:

  • a) Move SPPSM’s revenues and expenses;
  • b) Keep the Management informed of the financial situation of SPPSM;
  • c) Prepare opinions, when requested or on its own initiative, to be presented to the Board and the Supervisory Board;
  • d) Prepare the annual report of accounts.

SECTION III

THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

Article 24

The Supervisory Board is constituted of a President, a Secretary and a Member of the Board.

Article 25

It is incumbent upon the Supervisory Board:

  • a) Examine the accounts of SPPSM;
  • b) Preparing an Opinion and Activity Report of the Board at the end of each social year;
  • c) Request the convening of an Extraordinary General Assembly when the Board’s activity so warrants.

SECTION IV

THE ADVISORY BOARD

Article 26

The Advisory Board is a support body of the Board, which will meet at the request of the President of SPPSM for advice, namely in the case of issues useful to the destinations of SPPSM that relate to its objectives and heritage.

The Advisory Board is inherently made up of the former Presidents of the SPPSM Board. It will have a President chosen from among its members every three years.

Within the scope of the SPPSM, under the regulations, “Specialized Sections” (SE) may be created to study different problems in specific areas in the field of Psychiatry and Mental Health.

The Regulation of the SEs must be in accordance with these Statutes and will be approved at the General Assembly of the SPPSM.

SEs may enrol in similar International Societies, after a favourable opinion from the Board and approval by the General Assembly.

The SEs will have scientific autonomy. The programming of its activity must be in accordance with the general principles and policies supported by the SPPSM.

Associate Members are obliged to pay a fee, to be fixed by the SPPSM General Assembly.

The SEs will have autonomy in the financial management of the funds allocated to them annually by the Board of SPPSM

The SEs will have to send an annual report of activities and accounts to the SPPSM Board.

CHAPTER V

SPECIFIC COMMITTEES

Article 28

In order to implement and promote the specific objectives of the SPPSM, the Board may create, with a temporary or permanent character, Specific Committees (CE).

CHAPTER VI

THE HERITAGE

Article 29

SPPSM’s assets are the set of assets and rights that are allocated to the accomplishment of its purposes, by public or private entities, or acquired by SPPSM.

Article 30

These are, among others, SPPSM’s income:

  • a) Income from its own assets or from which it has usufruct;
  • b) Revenue from the payment of fees or from the activity of the sections;
  • c) Income from the provision of services and the sale of publications;
  • d) Subsidies, or subventions, contributions, donations, inheritances, and legacies.

CHAPTER VII

FINAL DISPOSITIONS

Article 31

The present Statutes will be complemented by the General Regulations of the SPPSM, approved by the General Assembly, given that the omitted cases must be resolved by this one in accordance with the law and the general principles of law.