The founding members of the Society shall form an interim Steering Committee for a period commencing prior to the first Annual General Meeting, and ending after a representative Board has been elected at a second general meeting.

The interim Steering Committee shall elect from among its members a Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

The interim Steering Committee shall for the abovementioned period, have all the powers and duties as set out in Clause 9.

The affairs of the Society shall be controlled and administered by the Board, consisting of the designated members, including the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Treasurer (who shall be responsible for Finance and Administration). All these members shall reside in South Africa, and shall have full voting rights. In the event of a tie of votes, the Chairman shall have the deciding vote.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected by ballot (electronic or printed) by all the members entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose.

The Treasurer shall be elected by virtue of his expertise by ballot (electronic or printed) by all the members entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose. If no nomination is received, the Board shall appoint a Treasurer.

The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and all elected Board Members shall hold office for 2 (two) years. Except for the first Board election, membership of at least 1 (one) year is required before a member may stand for election to the Board.

Except for the first Board election, members who wish to submit and second nominations for Board members, must have been SABBS members for at least 1 (one) year.

In the interests of continuity, the following succession planning shall apply:

After the first election of Board members after the implementation of the revised Constitution, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman and approximately 50% of the other Board members - to be determined by agreement or secret ballot within the Board - shall step down at the second election of a Board and a new Chairman or Vice-Chairman and approximately 50% of new Board members shall be elected. Outgoing members shall be eligible for re-election. If any member(s) of the Board announce/s his/their retirement at such election, the ballot (electronic or printed) shall only be cast in respect of the remaining number of Board members who must step down in terms hereof.

At the end of the next year, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman whichever the case may be, and the remaining 50% Board members shall step down, and an election shall be held for their positions. Outgoing Board members and the Chairman/Vice-Chairman shall be eligible for re-election.

Thereafter all elected Board members shall occupy their positions for two years and an election for the positions of the outgoing members of the Board shall be held annually.

In the event of the death or resignation of the Chairman, the Board shall elect a Chairman from among themselves to officiate until the next Annual General or a Special General Meeting.

At the end of their respective terms of office, all Board Members shall be eligible for re-election, provided that preferably no Board member shall serve for a period of more than 4 (four) years, and provided there is no other nomination for that position.

Candidates for Regional Board members shall reside in their regions of representation, and voting shall be restricted to members residing in those regions.

In addition to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer, 9 (nine) regional Board Members for each of the 9 (nine) provinces in South Africa shall be elected by ballot (electronic or printed) by members residing in South Africa and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for this purpose. Members shall be eligible to vote for candidates in their regions only.

The Board Members for neighbouring countries and regions abroad shall be nominated by such regions for appointment to the Board. They shall determine their own election procedures. At the inception of the Society the positions are for Africa, North America (including Canada) and Europe.

The Executive Committee of the Board shall consist of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and 2 (two) members of the Board - the latter to be nominated by, and from the Board.

The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer shall reside in South Africa.

The Executive Committee shall have the following powers and duties:

Day by day administrative, financial and communication management of the affairs of the Society.

Such powers as delegated by the Board from time to time.

To implement and execute decisions made by the Board.

To identify problems and problem areas, and place such on the agenda of the Board together with recommendations.

In addition to the elected members of the Board, the following persons shall serve on the Board in an advisory capacity and be entitled to attend any general meeting.

Representative of the Minister

Co-opted members

Should any elected member of the Board die, resign or cease to be a member of the Society, or be called upon to fill the office of Chairman or Vice-Chairman, the Board may appoint another member of the Society as his substitute with full powers, and for the unexpired period of his term of office. The Board shall be deemed to be duly constituted, and shall continue exercising all the powers conferred upon it, notwithstanding any vacancies in its body.