All existing members, and all applicants for membership, shall comply with the conditions for membership, including the payment of annual membership fees. The due date for payment of the membership fee is established by the Board of Trustees. Membership of AFRAN is terminated:
1) upon the death of a Member
2) upon the written resignation of a Member
3) if membership fees are unpaid by the due date, membership is suspended until fees are paid
4) in the event of conduct which contravenes the ethical standards of AFRAN
Membership Information
Objectives of AFRAN
The principal purpose of AFRAN is to promote the development and establish scientific identity for African nephrology. For this purpose AFRAN shall organize, support and sponsor the following activities:
- Holding of regular congresses in African countries.
- Publishing of African Journal of Nephrology (AJN) and AFRAN Newsletter.
- Improvement of nephrology education in Africa through support and hosting of workshops and continuing nephrology education.
- Establishment of relevant registries.
- Promotion of research specifically addressing nephrological problems in Africa, particularly at a multinational level.
Membership
AFRAN shall consist of five classes of membership: full, associate, honorary, corporate and life.
Full Members
Section 1. Eligibility:
Eligible for full membership are qualified African physicians dealing with renal disease at clinical and/ or investigational levels. Acknowledged qualification shall be defined by the Board of Trustees in accordance with scientific disciplines in the various African countries. Full members shall pay annual dues fixed by the Board of Trustees. Full members may be individual members or group members. Group membership is available when at least 5 members of a National Society of Nephrology join AFRAN, at a fee of 50% of the full fees at the time.
A 50 % reduction in the membership fees will be in place for young nephrologists (<40 years of age). For fellows in training, the first year's fees will be waived, and the second year's fee will be 30% of the full fees at the time.
‘Physician’ includes adult and paediatric nephrologists, nephropathologists, kidney transplant surgeons and other medical specialists engaged in the field of nephrology as approved by the AFRAN Board.
Section 2. Application:
Application for full membership shall be made in writing, together with submission of the applicant’s curriculum vitae, to the Secretary and supported by a full member. Acceptance for membership shall be ratified by the Board of Trustees.
Associate Members
Section 1. Eligibility:
Clinicians and scientists not satisfying the qualification requirements for full membership and paramedicals including nurses, biomedical engineers and technicians can become associate members. They shall pay 30% of the membership fee at the time and shall participate in all scientific activities of the Association. However, they shall not be members of the General Assembly, they shall have no right to vote, and cannot be members of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. Application:
Application for Associate Membership shall be made to the Secretary in writing, accompanied by a curriculum vitae, and acceptance shall be ratified by the Board of Trustees.
Honorary Members
Clinicians and scientists from any country may be elected as Honorary Members in recognition of their outstanding scientific or other contributions to African nephrology. Honorary Members shall not pay any subscription fees, shall not be members of the General Assembly and cannot be involved in any AFRAN organizational activities. Honorary Members shall be nominated by the Board of Trustees and ratified by the General Assembly.
Corporate Members
Corporate membership of AFRAN is by invitation. Corporate members shall participate in all scientific activities of the Association. However, they shall not be members of the General Assembly, they shall have no right to vote, and cannot be members of the Board of Trustees.
The membership level will depend on the level of commitment, being:BRONZE; SILVER;GOLD; PLATINUM.
Life Members
African physicians or paediatricians who are, or have been, full AFRAN members, may be elected as Life Members in recognition of their outstanding scientific or other contributions to African nephrology. Life Members shall not pay any subscription fees and may be involved in any AFRAN activities as full members. Life Members shall be nominated by full members of AFRAN to the Board of Trustees and ratified by the General Assembly.