Constitution
of
Australian Institute Of Biological Medicine  
(non-profit)

DEFINITION

We have, since "Pasteur" subscribed to and practiced the  "germ theory" of medicine.  This is to say that we succumb to a germ of one sort or another through no fault of our own.   One then visits the physician, is prescribed a  "remedy" and is, within a short time cured. That is until the next acute infectious episode. which may, depending on our immune status, be it next year, next month or next week.

 Alternatively in the case of the more common chronic  debilitating conditions one is medicated for lifetime symptomatic relief with little regard to treatment of the underlying cause of the disease.

 The Institute is concerned with a health field, which offers a broader approach to all health related matters. The four principal elements are :-

                    Human Biology

                    Environment

                    Lifestyle

                    Health Care Organization

 These four elements identified as the etiology of illness and disease (psychosomatic), can be briefly described as follows :-
Human Biology: "all those aspects of health both physical and mental, that are developed within the human body as a consequence of the basic biological and individually unique biochemistry of the individual". This includes genetic inheritance, processes of growth, maturation, aging, and the function and maintenance of integrity of each of the twelve organ/tissues systems of the human body.

Environment: "all those factors relating to health that are external to the human body over which the individual has little or no control". Examples include industrial pollutants which determine air quality, the food supply, and the water supply and all of those substances which contaminate the food and water to the detriment of the human economy, thus reducing the individuals cellular resistance to disease..

Lifestyle: "the lifestyle variables such as eating habits, exercise patterns, relaxation and sociocultural practices over which the individual more or less has control. That is to say, that are most easily modifiable given the education and motivation".

Health Care Organization:  "the quantity, quality arrangement, nature and relationships of people and resources in the provision Of health care".  Included are the diversity of hospitals, clinics, medical practices, dental services, community and public health services that are currently referred to as the health care system.  However, with a new directional focus: Biological Medicine embracing "predictive-preventive medicine", which is by nature, nutrition and lifestyle orientated. 

 Thus, Biological Medicine is based on the principle of intelligent support of the bodies own natural health restoring powers inherent in the living organism.  Prevention is the primary objective with the secondary objective being the correction of the underlying cause of disease through therapeutic and supportive measures which include nutritional and biological therapies with attention to the mental, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual.

 VISION
To establish an organization composed of qualified health practitioners of all modalities engaged in or interested in the practice of and/or research into al aspects of Biological Medicine.

MISSION
The first mission of the Institute shall be to conduct ongoing research into the nutritional and biological causes of disease and to apply the findings of such research to the prevention of disease in man.

To foster the study and practice of Biological Medicine and its application to the prevention and treatment of disease.

 To promote and advance the study of Biological Medicine in medical, and dental schools and hospitals, schools, colleges, universities and medical research institutions.

 To institute and conduct courses of study for the benefit of those desiring to increase and\or improve their knowledge of Biological Medicine.

 To co-operate with groups in various parts of Australia and throughout the world, to conduct clinical meetings, to hold annual sessions and to support research projects in Biological Medicine.

 To foster the education of the people in terms of Biological  Medicine.

To foster and advance in commerce and industry the benefits of Biological  Medicine in the Workplace, especially in relationship to Health In The Workplace and the Training Guarantee objectives of Increased Productivity, Flexibility and Safety.

 To foster through education the manufacturing, processing, growing, storing, packaging, preparation of food and food substances so as to afford as near optimally nutritious food and food substances as is possible.

 To edit and print such publications and proceedings as shall be authorized by the board of governors.

 At all times the welfare of the people will be the paramount objective of the Institute.

 THE EXECUTIVE

 Membership Of The Executive:

The Institute shall be governed by the board of governors which shall be five in number.

 The founding governors shall hold office for life unless a founding governor resigns from the Institute or is by unanimous vote of the board of governors asked to resign from the Institute.

 The governors excepting the founding governors will be appointed for a minimum term of three years and shall be appointed by secret ballot by the clear majority vote of the existing governors

 Office Bearers:

The Institutes office bearers shall consist of: 

(I)  Health Planning & Management Director

 (II) Education Director

 (III) Secretary

 The Office bearers shall be appointed by unanimous vote of the board of governors for an unspecified period. The directors will have complete autonomy for the day to day running of the Institute and shall report in writing to the board of governors at each general meeting, and shall hold office on such terms and conditions, as to remuneration and expenses as decided by the board of governors.

 The directors will jointly be responsible for the appointment of all other Institute staff.

 DISTINCTIONS

 Fellowship of the Institute may be conferred on practitioners who have practiced functional, biological, or wholistic medicine regardless of modality for a period of not less than three years. Or to any such practitioner who may have made a significant contribution to Functional Medicine as may be determined by the board of governors.

 MEMBERS

 Membership of the Institute may be granted by the board of governors to any person whom may be deemed fit to hold that office.

 All appointments to the Institute will be made regardless of class, creed, color or sex.

 FEES

 No fee is applicable.

 MEETINGS

 The board of governors shall meet not less than three times per calendar year. Extraordinary meetings may be called by any governor provided that such call is made in writing not less than fourteen clear days prior to the called meeting.

 The annual general meeting shall be held in July of each year and shall include the following:

 (a) Confirmation of previous minutes.

 (b) Annual report.

 (c) Election of office bearers.

 (d) Election of auditor.

 (e) Decisions as to funding for research projects for the coming year.

 QUORUM: quorum for meetings will be 3 governors.

 SEAL: The governors shall provide for the safe custody of the seal.

 FINANCE: Appropriate account books shall be kept by the secretary. Receipts shall be paid into the Institutes bank account and all expenditure paid by cheque. Cheques shall be signed by either of the directors and statements shall be presented at each meeting as requested.

 INSPECTION OF RECORDS

 The governors shall determine whether and to what extent, and at what time and places and under what conditions, the accounting records and other documents of the Institute or any of them will be open to inspection by any person other than the governors.  No person other than the governors will have the right to inspect any document of the Institute except as provided by law or authorized by the governors in general meeting.

 NON-PROFIT MAKING

 The assets and income of the Institute shall be applied solely in furtherance of its above mentioned objectives and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organization except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the organization.

 CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

 This constitution with the exception of the concept of Biological Medicine may be altered by a three fifths majority vote of the board of governors present at a meeting called for this purpose.

 DISSOLUTION

 In the event of the Institute being dissolved the funds remaining after such dissolution and settlement of all debts and liabilities shall be paid and applied by the board of governors to an organization which is exempt from income tax under section 23 of The Income Tax Act of The Commonwealth Of Australia.

 Certified Copy

 Geoffrey Leigh.,MSc.,D.N.Sc.,D.B.M.,N.D.,F.I.A.M.P.,F.A.I.B.M.
 (Clinical Director)