Africa Reproductive Care Society - ARCS

ARCS aims to be the foremost contributor and the partner of choice in advancing the reproductive and fertility care solutions and advocating for improving access to regulated and equitable fertility care solutions and breaking the stigma around infertility in Africa with special focus on Sub- Saharan Africa.

ARCS will work closely with its members and partners to further its aim and objectives through supporting and facilitating programs of education, training, communication of knowledge, exchange of experience and networking.

Introduction:
The Africa Reproductive Care Society -ARCS is a non-governmental organization established in 2020, representing the Reproductive Care Scientific, Clinical and Social Communities across Africa . The ARCS provides free valuable opportunities for its members to interact, network and exchange experience with the aim to support developing , building and advancement the capacity of science , care , cultural, and ethical aspects in the field of Reproductive Care .

The objectives of our Africa Reproductive Care Society- ARCS are:

a. Support building capacity of Reproductive Health care in Africa with special focus on Sub- Saharan Africa and Young potential Healthcare providers in order to establish a strong platform of future experts of fertility specialist and Embryologists in the continent.
b. Contribute and support programs and campaigns aim to break Infertility stigma and change the misconception of infertility across African communities.

c. encourage clinical, basic science and applied clinical research and the dissemination of knowledge in all aspects of ART.

d. Encourage awareness programs to contribute to improving the understanding of infertility causes and prevention.

g. Support African Governments to improve access to regulated, equitable and effective ART care in the continent.

h. Provide platforms for advocacy building to further the aim and objectives of the ARTSA .

i. Hold regional meetings and participate at regular intervals together with Partners and members when possible.

j. Promote at national conferences organized by societies, and to also ensure regional representation and participation at Global congresses when possible. 

k. Establish and maintain relations with other organizations if it will aim to promote activities which further the objectives of the Society. 

l. Maintain a non-state relation with WHO and the Regional level and at the Headquarters for the promotion of reproductive health in Africa when it is possible.
i. Work closely with relevant partners such as ; African Governments , ministries of health , medical societies , academia, medical and scientific societies and other foundations  who can  help accomplishing  the objectives of ARCS .

MEMBERSHIP:
infertility has very strong cultural and social dimension and not only medical and scientific dimension. We strongly believe the multisectoral approach is the right strategy to address the challenges of Access to reproductive and fertility care solutions. Therefore, not only Healthcare providers but several stakeholders will be able to apply for the membership of ARCS .
Membership is open to individuals from several interest groups who engaged in practicing , developing and building capacity of the Reproductive Health care , science , ethics and management . it is also open for individuals who involved in advocacy building and raising awareness with the aim to break the stigma of infertility, empowering infertile women and improve access to equitable, safe and effective fertility care solutions in Africa.
Members include; medical doctors, embryologists, scientists, , psychologists, social workers, fertility nurses and consolers , fertility advocates and health media representatives as well as affiliated nonprofit stakeholders who are involved in ART field.
ARCS Membership application is subject to the ARCS Executive Board approval and is free of charge.
ARCS will not raise or receive fund from any organization or individuals.
Members will be able to apply for training programs which will be subject to ARcS scientific and educational committee screening and proceeding with affiliated training institutions with the purpose of recommendation.

The ARCS Society Governance:
To undertake its business and further the aims and objectives of the ARCS . it is necessary to have an administration supported by a committee structure. In order for this structure to function effectively it is essential that members of the committees make an active contribution to its work. This policy sets out the expectations placed on members of the ARCS committees
ARCS consists of: two Co founders And CO Chairpersons , president

appointed Executive Board members on annual basis , appointed Scientific and Educational Committee on annual basis
A. The two cofounder will be cochairung the society and will be Entitled to appoint the Executive Board members and the Permanent Secretary if needed.
ARCS Executive Board is Board accountable to the Co founders for the running of the ARcS and co-chaired by:
Dr, OLadopa Ashiru & Dr. Rasha Kelej,

and consists of three members from different African countries. The three members serve for up to five years renewed on annual basis.

B. President, appointed by Co founders , prof. Ashiru.

C. ARCS Executive Board appoints the ARTSA scientific and educational committee.
ARCS scientific and educational committee will consists of a chairperson and two to five members and serve for up to five years,renewed annually.
The Scientific Committee is sub‐committee of the Executive Board and is accountable to the Executive Board for the production and content of the scientific meetings and educational programs of ARCS .
Status of committee membership
Membership of ARCS committees is on voluntary basis. No remuneration is provided.

Policy for membership of committees
a. there is no formal recruitment process for officers or ordinary committee members. However, members of committees should possess a contemporary professional qualification relevant to the field of reproductive medicine and hold a current institutional affiliation.
d. members of committees should have the qualities and skills to support the aims and objectives of the ARCS .

Behavior of committee members

a. Members of ARCS committees are expected to uphold the ARCS Constitution and its By‐Laws, promote the ARCS vision, mission and further its aims and objectives.
b. Members of ARCS committees are expected to undertake their work in line with the principles of good corporate governance.
c. Focusing on the organization’s purpose and on outcomes for African scientific communities and societies
d. Taking informed, transparent decisions and managing risk

Members of the ARCS committees are expected to uphold the principles of public life namely:

• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership

Remuneration
No remuneration is provided to committee members.