Members & Chapters

Membership Structure:

Full Members:

• Any person who is qualified midwife is eligible to be Full Member. This category of membership includes all Registered Midwives including Auxiliary Nurse Midwives. They should possess RM certificate with registration number.

Associate Members:

Any person having a concern for accomplishing the objectives set by SOMI but may not be a registered midwife is eligible to apply for Associate membership. It includes nurses, birth attendants, doctors, activists, lawyers, researchers, and other interested in improving the quality of maternal health. Associate members are entitled to the same privileges as full members except in the case of elections. Associate members are not eligible to be nominated for executive posts or to vote during elections for executive posts. They are eligible to vote on statements related to maternal health issues by SOMI.

Institution as Members

Any institution within India involved in specialized training or research in midwifery or maternal related issues may be members. Every institution that is a member shall have two free full memberships. They will be given two additional votes during elections. Every institute that is a member will be given a discount of 50 percent for display of its professional products and processes and will be given preference over other institutions for holding special sessions during conferences of SOMI.

Patrons:

Any individual with a high level of expressed commitment to the cause of maternal health and gender equity may be accepted as a Patron of the Society. The patron will also contribute to the utilization of any contributed funds for long term benefits and achievement of goals of SOMI.

Membership Fee:

Type of Members	Fee
Full Members - Practicing Nurse-Midwives such as staff nurses and ANMs	Rs. 500
Full Members - Facilitating Midwives such as tutors, supervisors, faculty members, researchers, administrators and others not directly providing services	Rs. 1000
Indian midwives residing abroad (SIMA of Society of Midwives Abroad)	Rs. 5000
Associate Members	Rs. 1000
Institution as Members	Rs. 50,000
Patron Members	Rs. 1,00,000

Note: Any applicant wishing to join SOMI will have to fill and submit the membership form along with the fee applicable to them.

Membership rules and regulations:

Membership fee is for admission into the SOMI only. Membership fee is:

• Valid for life time
• Individual and non-transferable
• Not refundable upon cancellation or termination

Any amendment/change in the membership fee structure may be proposed in the Annual General Body Meeting

Membership Cards:

Each member will be issued a SOMI Membership Card. By accepting the SOMI Membership Card, members agree to abide by the Rules of the Society and strive to achieve the objectives of the Society. Membership cards shall remain the property of Society. Any Member who loses her/his membership card shall report the loss to the Secretariat. The fee for replacing the lost cards or making changes in the card issued shall be Rs. 100.

Membership Records:

Every member of SOMI will be listed in the national membership list and also in the state/chapter list. The membership list shall be updated every year and circulated to chapter for verification.

Cessation of Membership:

• Resignation

A member may withdraw her/his name from the list of members of the Society by notifying the Secretariat in writing. The Secretariat shall inform the Executive who in turn shall ensure that the member’s name is removed from the list of Members, in consultation with the Governing Council and after written statement is obtained from the member. The name shall be announced to the General Body. However, the membership fee shall not be refunded.

Suspension and Expulsion

Membership will be suspended in the event of:

• Proven harmful practices by any member; or
• Criminal charges against any member; or
• Practice or behaviour that is liable to bring the Society into disrepute; or
• Work or statements issued counter to the objectives of the Society.

The Executive Committee shall initiate proceedings for suspension or expulsion but the decision will be taken by the Governing Council after a fair trial. The matter will be put up to the General Body for ratification.