• “Association” shall mean the Association of Mediators in South Africa (in Divorce and Other Family Matters) as herein constituted.
• “Executive Committee” shall mean the Executive Committee elected in terms of Clause 8.2 hereof.
• “Members” shall, where no specific category of member is mentioned, mean all the members of the Association and shall include Ordinary, Practitioner, Honorary, Affiliate, student and sponsor members.
• “Secretary”: shall mean any person elected or appointed to perform the duties of Secretary.

4.1.1 To promote and facilitate the adoption and use of the procedure of mediation as a means of resolving disputes and to refer persons or families to mediation if required.

4.1.2 To provide education and training for those practicing or wishing to practice as mediators and promote the study and practice relating to mediation.

4.1.3 To determine standards of admission to the various classes of membership of the Association and to provide means for evaluating the qualification of candidates for admission to the appropriate classes of membership.

4.1.4 To promote and facilitate the use of family mediation services where required.

4.1.5 To provide a forum for the exchange of views and information on matters pertaining to mediation and related matters.

4.1.6 To print, publish and circulate among members of the Association and other interested persons, papers, books, periodicals, circulars and other literature dealing with mediation and related matters where requested to do so.

4.1.7 To refer or nominate persons as mediators for the settlement of disputes.

4.1.8 To ensure high standards of professional competence and conduct on the part of its members.

4.1.9 To liaise and present the collective views of its members to related bodies, public authorities and to other interested organizations and persons.

4.1.10 To consider, originate, support and procure improvements in the law relating to families, divorce and mediation and in the general practice of mediation.

4.1.11 To watch over, promote and protect the interests of its members.

4.1.12 To keep, supervise and implement a Register of members who the Association approves of, to practice as mediators.

4.1. 13 To promote the professional status of mediators to do all such things as are necessary to achieve that end.

4.2.1 Generally to take such action as may be required for the achievement of its objects as laid down in the constitution, notwithstanding the specific powers stated in sub-clauses 4.2.2 to 4.2.13 hereunder.

4.2.2 To appoint and dismiss a Secretary and such other employees as it may deem fit, and on such terms as it may from time to time consider expedient.

4.2. 3 (removed)

4.2.4 To receive enrolment fees, annual subscriptions and all other revenues of the Association, to open and operate an account or accounts with any registered financial institution and to draw, accept and endorse bills, cheques, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments; and to invest any moneys of the Association not immediately required for any of its objects on commitments in such manner as may from time to time be determined, provided that the income or profits from any investment or any other source shall be applied to the furtherance of the objects of the Association and not to the payment of any dividend to its members.

4.2.5 To borrow, lend or raise money with or without security, and to secure such loans by any means, including mortgage of the Association’s property or by overdraft from its bankers.

4.2.6 To acquire, purchase, lease or rent furniture, office fittings, office equipment, stationery and any other movable property, reasonably necessary for the furtherance of the Association’s objects, and to dispose of same by way of sale or otherwise.

4.2.7 To determine, where not otherwise provided for in this Constitution, the requirements in respect of educational standards and practical experience for the admission of applicants to the various classes of membership, to receive, consider and decide upon such applications for membership, and to devise appropriate means of assessing the competence of such applicants.

4.2.8 To maintain a register of membership, and to design, print and issue such certificates of membership as may from time to time be prescribed.

4.2.9 To cause to be elected an Executive Committee, President, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and such other office bearers as may from time to time be decided.

4.2.10 To establish such sub-committees and regional committees as may be required or desired and to prescribe for the control, management, administration and regulation of such sub-committees and regional committees and their affairs insofar as these are not regulated for herein, and to delegate to them such powers as may be deemed necessary.

4.2.11 To make, and from time to time alter, amend or rescind rules and/or by- laws for the carrying out of the business of the Association and to provide for all other matters which in terms of this Constitution may be prescribed.

4.2.12 To take any steps with regard to the publication, distribution and disposal of journals, calendars, year books and other forms of printed matter as it may deem necessary and to establish and maintain specialist libraries.

4.2.13 To recommend conditions of appointment and fees to be paid to its members for their services as mediators.

5.1.1 Associate members, being members who have paid their membership fees and are not qualified or do not wish to be mediators.

5.1.2 Practitioner members, who shall have passed such qualifying examination or who have attained such general educational standards as may from time to time be prescribed by this Association and which entitles them to practice as mediators.

5.1.3 Honorary members, who shall be members who have been elected honorary members by the Executive Committee on account of particular expertise, experience or contribution in the field of mediation.

5.1.4 Affiliate members who shall be Associations of Mediators to whom affiliate membership has been granted by the Executive Committee and;

5.1.4.1 who are in the discretion of the Executive Committee, sufficiently geographically distant from Johannesburg

5.1.4.2 whose members that practice as Mediators shall apply for accreditation from the SAAM Committee, on payment of such fees as may be determined by the Executive Committee

5.1.4.3 whose training courses for training of Practicing mediators offered under the auspices of the affiliate members shall be approved by the Executive Committee of SAAM

5.1.4.4 whose members may, should they so desire, apply for membership of SAAM in their own right

5.1.5 Student Members, being members who are bona fide registered students at a University, recognized by the Executive Committee and who are enrolled for a degree in the fields of law and/or mental health or such other degree as may be recognized by the Executive Committee.

7.2.1 He submits his resignation in writing to the Secretary, and his resignation is accepted by the Executive Committee

7.2.2 He fails to pay any annual subscription for which he may be liable within three (3), months of the date upon which such subscription becomes due, subject to the provision that the Executive Committee may on good cause shown, permit him additional time in which to pay his subscription.

8.4.1 He tenders his resignation in writing;

8.4.2 He fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Executive Committee without its consent;

8.4.3 He ceases to be a member of the Association.

9.3.1 To receive and consider the report of the Executive Committee;

9.3.2 To receive and consider the financial accounts of the Association;

9.3.3 To elect members to the Executive Committee to fill any vacancies which may exist;

9.3.4 To consider any matter, proposal or resolution raised or proposed by any member, provided that at least two weeks written notice to the Executive Committee shall be given by the member concerned requesting that such matter, proposal or resolution be included on the agenda of such meeting.

10.2.1 The Chairperson

10.2.2 The vice-Chairperson

10.2.3 The Treasurer