Membership

Objectives and activities

Benefits of membership

Membership fees

Membership application

Our objectives and activities

• The German Society of Human Genetics (GfH) is a German-wide scientific association of medical specialists and basic researchers in the field of human genetics
• Principal objectives of the society include the promotion of research, education and practice in all areas of human genetics. This is achieved by the organization of scientific conferences to share research findings, by promoting educational programs for young geneticists or professionals of related fields of activity, and by committees. In addition, the Society will encourage and integrate the various scientific and clinical specialty areas of human genetics
• Development of guidelines and statutes to establish standardised quality assessment policy
• Public relation
• Representation of geneticists in scientific, political, and legal/ethical committees
• Assistance in the realization of new concepts of professional training for the medical specialist in human genetics in collaboration with the Berufsverband Deutscher Humangenetiker e.V. (BVDH)
• To guarantee a qualified education of scientists in the field of clinical genetics by the certification as clinical specialist for human genetics
• Assistance in the reformation of educational programs for medical students
• To offer German-wide external quality assessment schemes in molecular genetics and cytogenetics in collaboration with the BVDH
• Close collaboration with European and International Societies for Human Genetics
• Encouragement of patients needs and concerns and close collaboration with support groups of patients with genetic diseases
• Cooperation in the development of online data bases of rare diseases and quality assurance programs in human genetics
• The German Society of Human Genetics (GfH) is co-editor of the journal medizinischegenetik, which serves as a communication forum for human geneticists in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

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Benefits of membership

• Reduced registration fees to participate in national and international conferences on human genetics
• Free subscription to the journal medizinischegenetik 4 times /year. (subscription without membership: 80 Euro)
• Free subscription to the edition medizinischegenetik
  Volume 1: Ataxia teleangiectatica, 1999
  Volume 2: Fanconi Anämie, 2002
  Volume 3: QM-Manual
• Free registration at the "Directory of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling"
• Reduced rates for job advertising services at the homepage of the GfH and the BVDH, and in the journal medizinischegenetik.
• Reduced rates for quality assurance programs of the BVDH
• Reduced rates for registration at the directory of services of the BVDH

Regular membership

Any person who is interested in supporting the objectives and activities of the GfH is eligible for membership in the Society. Members may be elected, and vote on Society matters.

Sustaining membership

Individuals or legal entities (organizations) that support the objectives and activities of the Society may become sustaining member. They are entitled to all membership rights and benefits except to hold elected positions and to vote.

Annual fees

Membership fees starting from 1st Jan 2009

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Membership application

If you wish to become member of the German Society of Human Genetics (GfH) fill in the application form and send it to the GfH-office (Fax 0049 (0)89 / 55 02 78-56)

Excerpt from the GfH Constitution

§ 7 Membership

(1) Regular members of the Society may be individual persons; sustaining members may be individual persons or corporate bodies. Honorary members may be nominated. These honorary members enjoy all of the rights of regular members. The Society may also appoint researchers as corresponding members.

(2) Admission to regular membership shall take place upon a written application to the Council. The application must be supported by a written recommendation of two regular members. Successful admission will be dependent upon the written acknowledgment of the Council. In the case of a refusal of admission, an appeal may be made to the General Meeting. The appeal will be decided by a simple majority.

(3) Admission to sustaining membership shall require a written application and be subject to approval of the Council; admission will be effective only upon written notification.

(4) The appointment of a corresponding member requires a regular member to submit an application to the Council. After a hearing of the Scientific Advisory Board, the Chair appoints a committee to review the application. The decision of the committee will be presented for approval at the next General Meeting.

(5) The appointment of an honorary member must be proposed by the Council. Only the Council has the right to propose candidates for honorary membership. The honorary member is approved by a simple majority vote of the General Meeting. Acceptance of honorary membership is mandatory.

(6) An individuals membership shall end

(a) upon the death of the member,

(b) upon written notification by the member of the desire to terminate their membership; the notice must be received by the Chairman or the secretary,

(c) through a decision of Council in the case of non-fulfillment of payment obligations after two written requests,

(d) through a decision of the General Meeting. The Council must submit a written statement indicating the reasons for termination to the respective member no later than four weeks prior to the General Meeting. Objections to termination may be presented in written or oral form at the membership meeting. Written objections must be read out loud at the General Meeting.

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