Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XI - n. 3 - September 1998

MBC NEWS

MEDITERRANEAN CLUB FOR BURNS AND FIRE DISASTERS
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PHYSICIANS, NURSES AND RELEVANT
HEALTH PERSONNEL
1999

The Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters (MBC) awards ten annual Scholarships for specialization in the prevention, therapy, care and functional recovery in the field of burn pathology. The scholarships are divided between physicians, nurses and relevant health personnel. The purpose of the awards, in accordance with the terms of the statutes of the MBC, is to promote the interchange of young physicians, nurses and relevant health personnel from specialized centres in the various countries in the Mediterranean area with the aim of achieving a high standard of care and of stimulating an ever greater spirit of cooperation.
The value of each Scholarship is fixed at the sum of Lit. 4.000.000 (four million Italian lire), less taxes. This amount is intended to cover the cost of the return journey and living expenses.
The Scholar has the obligation to attend abroad, for not less than one month, a qualified Centre for the treatment of Burns and their sequelae, situated in one of the countries comprising the Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters.
All physicians, nurses and relevant health personnel from countries belonging to the Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters are eligible to compete for the Scholarships.
Applications, written in English or French, must arrive by the deadline of 28th February of each year (no account can be taken of any postal delays), addressed to: Segreteria, Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters "Borsa di Studio", c/o Divisione di Chirurgia Plastica e Terapia delle Ustioni, Ospedale Civico, via C. Lazzaro, 90125 Palermo, Italy.
The candidate must specify in the application which Scholarship he or she is applying for (Physicians, Nurses, Health Personnel) and include the following:

1. full name, date and place of birth, home address and telephone numher;
2. the country and the Centre which the applicant intends to visit; 
3. a brief programme describing the aims which the candidate intends to pursue with the support of the Scholarship;
4. a statement by the candidate of competence in a language (English or French) necessary for carryng out the activity, described in the programme;
5. the candidate's signature legally authenticated.

All candidates must enclose with the application:

1. curriculum vitae, indicating academic record, professional activity, attendance at seminars etc.;
2. a declaration of acceptance and training hospitality on the part of the Host Centre which the candidate intends to visit;
3. recent letters of introduction (in the original or in authenticated copies) from Chiefs of Institutes, Divisions or Services with connected Burns Centre, who are members of the Club, attesting to periods of training confirming the candidate's specific preparation in the field of burn pathology;
4. list of qualifications;
5. for physicians, additionally;
   • degree diploma (with marks), in authenticated copy
   • scientific papers, published since graduation
   • certificate of introduction or of guarantee issued by the Chief of the Institute, Division or Service where the candidate is currently working.

The Adjudicating Committee is composed of:

• The President of the Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters
• The Secretary General of the Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters
• A National Representative drawn by lot in the course of the Annual Assembly from among the representatives of the various countries which have not already received scholarships in previous years. This position is not renewable until, in the course of time, the individual countries have achieved equal representation.

The Scholarships will be awarded not later than 30th June each year.
The winners will be informed that within 30 days they must communicate to the Secretariat of the MBC their acceptance, the address of the bank where they wish to have the scholarship money deposited, the period they have chosen to take up the scholarship, and a declaration by the candidate that he or she does not have a criminal record.
The Scholarship must be taken up by 30th May of the year following the award, at the latest.
The Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters will credit in advance two-thirds of the amount by bank transfer, and the remainder on termination of the period chosen, after a declaration of satisfactory attendance issued by the Chief of the Centre where the programme was carried out.
The Scholarship winner must inform the secretariat of the Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters "Borsa di Studi6' of the beginning of the period of attendance and of any interruptions.
The Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters undertakes to publish the Scholarship winners' names, together with relative motivations, in the "Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters", in which the Club may also publish papers resulting from this study.
Any person interested may request a copy of the official announcement of the Scholarships and other information from the Secretariat of the Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters "Borsa di Studio".

CLUB MEDITERRANEEN DES BRULURES ET DESASTRES D'INCENDIE.
BOURSES D'ETUDES POUR MEDECINS, INFIRMIERES ET MEMBRES DU CORPS MEDICAL EN RAPPORT 
1999

Le Club Mediterranéen des Brûlures et Désastres d'incendie (MBC) offre dix bourses d'études de spécialisation chaque année pour la prévention, la thérapie, les soins et le recouvrement fonctionnel en matière de pathologie des brûlures.
Les bourses sont réparties entre médecins, infirmiers et membres du corps médical de compétence. Elles ont pour but, selon les termes des statuts du MBC, de promouvoir l'échange de jeunes médecins, infirmiers et personnel du corps médical de compétence des centres spécialisés entre les différents pays du bassin méditerranéen dans le but d'atteindre un haut niveau en matière de soins médicaux et pour favoriser l'esprit de coopération.
Le montant de chaque bourse s'élève a 4.000.000 lires (quatre millions de lires), rémunération brute. Cette somme permettra de payer le billet de voyage aller-retour et les frais de séjour.
Le boursier devra obligatoirement fréquenter à l'étranger, pendant pas moins d'un mois, un centre spécialisé dans le traitement des brûlures et de leurs séquelles, situé dans l'un des pays appartenant au Club Mediterranéen des Brûlures et Désastres d'incendie.
Tous les médicins, les infirrnierès et le personnel du corps médical de compétence des pays faisant partie du Club peuvent poser leur candidature.
Les demandes, écrites en anglais ou en français, doivent par-venir avant le 28 février de chaque année (on ne tiendra pas compte des retards de la poste) et seront adressées à: Segreteria, Club Mediterranéen des Brûlures et Désastres d'incendie "Boisa di Studio", c/o Divisione di Chirurgia Plastica e Terapia delle Ustioni, Ospedale Civico, Via C. Lazzaro, 90125 Palermo, Italy.
Le candidat devra spécifier dans sa demande quelle bourse illelle sollicite (médecins, infirmiers, personnel sanitaire) et indiquer ce qui suit:

1. nom et prénom, date et lieu de naissance, domicile et numéro de téléphone:
2. le pays et le centre où le candidat désire se rendre; 
3. un bref exposé des projets que le candidate entend réaliser grâce à cette bourse;
4. déclaration par le candidat de connaître bien la langue (anglais ou français) nécessaire pour la réalisation des activités énoncées dans l'exposé;
5. la signature du candidat dûment légalisée. 

Le candidat devra joindre à la demande:

1. un curriculum vitae décrivant le cours de ses études, son activité professionelle, sa participation à des séminaires etc;
2. la déclaration de la part du Centre hospitalier où le candidat désire se rendre que sa demande a été acceptée;
3. quelques lettres de présentation récentes (documents originaux ou copies authentifiées) de directeurs d'Institut, de Division ou de Services avec des Centres annexes pour les brûlures, qui soient Membres du Club, attestant que le candidat a fait des stages dans ces centres pour parfaire sa spécialisation dans la domaine de la pathologie des brûlures,
4. liste des titres;
5. les médicins devront ajouter:
   • copie authentifiée du diplôme de doctorat (avec notes)
   • ouvrages scientifiques publiés après le doctorat en médicine
   • attestation de présence du chef d'Institut, de Division ou de Service où le candidat travaille au moment présent. 

La Commission-Juge est composée: 

• du Président du Club Mediterranéen des Brûlures et Désastres d'Incendie 
• du Secrétaire Général du Club Mediterranéen des Brûlures et Désastres d'Incendie 
• d'un représentant national tiré au sort au cours de l'Assemblée générale parmi les représentants des differents pays n'ayant pas encore gagné de bourses d'étude durant les années precédentes. Chaque pays devant atteindre le même nombre de représentation, celle-ci ne pourra être renouvelée qu'après égalité. 

Les bourses seront attribuées pas plus tard que le 30 juin de chaque année. Les gagnants seront informés qu'ils devront, sous les 30 jours, communiquer au Secrétariat de I'MBC leur acceptation, l'adresse de la banque où ils désirent que soit versé le montant de la bourse, la période qu'ils ont choisie pour retirer cette bourse, et un extrait du casier judiciaire que le candidat n'a commis aucun délit. Le gagnant ne pourra plus bénéficier de la bourse après le 30 mai de l'année suivante. Le MBC verserà sur le compte bancaire du gagnant les deux tiers du montant de la bourse et le reste à la fin de la période choisie, sous présentation d'un certificat d'assiduité délivré par le Directeur du Centre que le boursier aura fréquenté. Le boursier devra informer le Secrétariat de la "Borsa di Studio" MBC du début de la période de service et de toute interruption, Le MBC s'engage à publier le nom des boursiers ainsi que leurs motivations dans "Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters", où le Club pourra aussi publier les ouvrages résultant de leurs études. Toute personne intéressée peut demander une copie de l'avis de concours et toute autre information au Secrétariat de la "Borsa di Studio MBC.

PROPOSALS TO MODIFY THE MBC STATUTES

The MBC was founded in 1983, since when it has been growing in structure and functions. Considering the new organizational structure of the Club, new activities developed in these past years, and future action as WHO Collaborating Centre, it is necessary to consider some modifications in the Club Statutes. The proposals made below will be presented at the General Assembly at the next Meeting of the MBC in Athens.

Present Statute

Art. 6 Ordinary Members of the Club, who include the Founder Members, are appointed among specialists in burns pathology and in fire disasters from all the Mediterranean Countries

Art. 7 The Assembly appoints the President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer who remain in office for three years and may be re-appointed; approves the general direction of the Club's activities, as formulated by the President and the Secretary General; approves the admission of new Members and determines the Membership fees; and approves the budget. For the approval of the budget in years when the Assembly will be unable to meet, the Assembly appoints beforehand, in its last meeting, a Committee that will have the function of approving the budget. The Committee will remain in office until the next Assembly and will be composed of at least five Members. The President and the Secretary General are Members by right of the Committee.
The Secretary General will represent the Club for administrative purposes, and will therefore provide for the presentation of the annual programme and collection of contributions supplied by the State, the Regions, local Bodies and in general by any public or private body, and represent the Club before any administrative Authority of the State (including tax offices).
If the Assembly in proceeding to appoint the Secretary General should nominate for this office a Member not residing in Palermo, the above-mentioned administrative functions will be assigned to the Treasurer for the entire period during which the Secretary General not residing in Palermo remains in office.

Proposed modification

Art. 6 Membership of the Club Membershipcomprises the following categories:

7.8 Regional Representatives: as the Club is designated a WHO Collaborating Centre, its action and presence extend beyond the countries of the Mediterranean. To reflect this global importance the Bureau nominates one Regional Representative for each of the six geographic Regions of the World Health Organization.

Explanatory Notes:

1. Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 remain unchanged.

2. Articles 6 and 7 have been modified in order to further clarify the organizational structure of the Club.

3. The extension of the mandates of the officers to four years is due to the fact that the General Assembly meets every two years. (Points 7.2, 7.3, 7.4)

4. Administrative Committee: to obtain the statutory financial support and make required financial reports it is necessary to present to the legislative Authorities yearly budget proposals and financial statements. (7.5)

5. The revision concerning the election of the National Representatives is in order to ensure that the Member is an active contributor to the Club. The Executive Committee is aware of this activity thanks to the role it plays on the international level, so that it is possible to appoint Members who have particularly distinguished themselves by their contribution. (7.8)
   The National Representative loses office in the event of:

   • retirement from service. This is because, unless institutionally recognized activities continue to be exercised, it is thought that only persons in contact with their own national institutions, and therefore supported by them, are able to offer the Club their active collaboration. It also guarantees the arrival of new support;

   • absence from two consecutive meetings. This is because the National Representatives must constantly guarantee their active function (particularly as regards the initiatives and activities of the country they represent), contacts with the Club, and presence at Meetings.

6. The World Health Organization has divided the World into six Regional Offices. The MBC is now privileged to be its scientific Collaborating Center worldwide on burns and fire disasters. To reflect this distinctive recognition it is desirable that the Club has one person to represent the MBC in each of the six WHO regions outside the Mediterranean membership. The Regional Representatives will have no vote.

7. Transitional rules
   On the occasion of the Athens Meeting, when the modifications are approved by the General Assembly, all official positions will cease, and their renewal decided in the same session, in order to permit application of the new rules.