The Irish Society of Regional Anaesthesia (ISRA) is the Irish division of the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA), representing anaesthetists in Ireland with an interest in regional anaesthesia.
Founded in 2009, ISRA promotes high standards in clinical practice and provides opportunities for clinicians to learn, share expertise and engage with colleagues nationally and across Europe.
Through courses, meetings, grants, educational resources and representation within ESRA, the Society helps clinicians develop their practice and contributes to the continued growth of regional anaesthesia in Ireland.
Membership benefits
ISRA membership supports education, professional development and engagement with the wider ESRA community.
Constitution and Rules
The ISRA Constitution and Rules were adopted by the Annual General Meeting of Irish ESRA members.
- The name of the Society shall be “The Irish Society of Regional Anaesthesia” (ISRA). The Society shall have three nominated trustees, as set out in Appendix 1.
- The seat of the Society shall be located in the Department of Anaesthesia, Cork University Hospital, Wilton Road, Cork.
- The Council may, by a decision taken with the same majorities as are required to amend the bye-laws, transfer the seat of the Society to another location in Ireland.
The non-profit objectives of the Society shall be the advancement of standards and education in regional anaesthesia in Ireland. In furtherance of this objective, the Society shall:
- Provide a forum for discussion;
- Stimulate research;
- Collect relevant information and disseminate it to its members;
- Provide expert advice and make recommendations;
- Liaise with similar or relevant organisations in Ireland and internationally;
- Encourage awareness of regional anaesthesia among medical and surgical practitioners in hospital and community settings;
- Encourage awareness of regional anaesthesia among the general public.
- Membership of the Society shall be open to any medically qualified person involved in the practice of anaesthesia and regional anaesthesia on the island of Ireland.
- Applications for membership from persons who are not medically qualified may be considered at the discretion of the Council.
- Every member of the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy who is resident in Ireland shall be considered a member of the national body, ISRA.
- The Council may expel or suspend from the Society any member whose conduct is, in its opinion, injurious to the interests of the Society.
- Copies of the rules of the Society shall be made available electronically to each member by email on request.
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The management of the Society shall be vested in a Council comprising:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Training/Trainee Member
- Ordinary Member, who may be a former President
- Membership Secretary
The Council may co-opt a maximum of two members of the Society, subject to ratification at the next Annual General Meeting. Co-option shall be for a period of up to two years.
The term of office for each position shall be two years. The Vice-Presidency shall normally precede the Presidency.
- Four members shall constitute a quorum for Council meetings.
- Each member of the Council shall be elected for a period of three years and may stand for a second consecutive term of office.
- Former Council members may stand for office again after a period of one year out of office.
- Persons standing for election to the Council shall be duly proposed and seconded by members of the Society, in writing to the Honorary Secretary, at least two weeks before the Annual General Meeting.
- A secret ballot shall be held at the Annual General Meeting for all elections to office.
- One doctor in training shall be elected to the Council at the Annual General Meeting, having been nominated in writing at least two weeks in advance.
President
The President shall chair all meetings of the Council, the Annual General Meeting and any Extraordinary General Meeting. The President shall have the right to membership of all subcommittees and delegations of the Society.
Vice-President
The Vice-President shall normally be considered the President-elect and shall fulfil the role of the President in the President’s absence.
Honorary Secretary
The Honorary Secretary shall:
- Notify Council members and Society members of meetings, including the Annual General Meeting;
- Prepare meeting agendas and record the minutes;
- Notify members, where appropriate, of matters affecting the Society;
- Conduct ballots as required for the election of Council members and officers under the Constitution;
- Take custody of and ensure the safekeeping of the seal of the Society.
Honorary Treasurer
The Honorary Treasurer shall:
- Collect subscriptions and issue receipts;
- Maintain the accounts of the Society;
- Prepare the Annual Statement of Accounts;
- Incur such expenses and pay such monies as are authorised by the Council;
- Maintain a record of the members of the Society;
- Make the books of the Society and its audited accounts available for inspection by the Registrar of Friendly Societies, in accordance with the schedule set out in Article 8 and upon direct request from the Registrar’s office.
Membership Secretary
The Membership Secretary shall:
- Promote membership of the Society and recruit eligible individuals resident in Ireland, in accordance with Article 3;
- Maintain a register of the members of the Society;
- Collect membership fees when they fall due;
- Liaise with the Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary regarding matters relating to membership administration.