Constitution

 

Article 1 Name - Duration, Site and Status The World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology (hereafter "the Federation") is chartered as an international non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology discipline throughout the world. The Federation was chartered in 1990.

The main office of the Federation shall reside with the offices of the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR). English will be the official language. The activities of the Federation shall be in accordance with the Constitution, revised in 2002 . All officers of the Federation shall serve their respective terms without any financial remuneration.

Article 2 Mission of the Federation
The mission of the Federation is as follows:

a. To promote all aspects of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology
b. To coordinate the activities of its members and ensure adequate circulation of documents concerning the interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology discipline throughout the world
c.To coordinate interdisciplinary relations among interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology and other specialties dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of Central Nervous System disorders.
d. To promote the development of appropriate methods of teaching interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology and to ensure that standards of training and, where applicable, proper certification are obtained and maintained.

Article 3 Methods to Achieve the Mission
The Society shall:

1. Hold a scientific meeting every two years. The location and the date of the meeting will be designated by the Executive Committee after approval by the general membership during the General Assembly
2. Organize educational courses in interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology.
3. Organize other meetings to promote the Federation.
4. Organize educational awards and scientific prizes to promote its educational and training purposes
5. Promote and support the edition, publication and distribution of an official journal and other educational publications dedicated to the advancement of interventional neuroradiology.

Article 4 Membership
The Society shall be composed of:

A. Full Members

• Senior
• Junior

B. Associate Members
C. Honorary Members
D. Emeritus Members
E. Corporate Members

A. Full Membership
This category shall be limited to physicians active in interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology. Full Members shall enjoy all rights and privileges of membership of the Society, including the right to vote, to serve on committees, and to hold any office in the Society. They shall pay annual dues, (amount to be determined by the Society). Members who default on their annual dues for a period of two calendar years shall forfeit all their rights and privileges. Defaulting members are eligible for reinstatement upon paying the defaulted amount (membership dues that had not been paid

B. Associate Membership
This category is open to any medical practicioner who is not eligible for Full Membership. Associate Members will have the same rights as full members except for the right to vote and to hold an elected office. They can serve as consultants to the various committees of the federation but cannot serve as full members of these committees. They are required to pay annual dues, the amount of which is determined by the federation. Associate members who default on their dues for a period of two calendar years shall forfeit their rights and privileges in the federation.Defaulting associate members are eligible for reinstatement upon paying the defaulted amount (membership dues that had not been paidHonorary Members and Honorary Presidents

C. Honorary Membership
Is conferred by the federation upon individuals who are judged to have made outstanding contributions to interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology. Conferment of Membership will be proposed by the Executive Committee and must be confirmed by a simple majority of voting Members. Honorary members will have all the rights and privileges of Full Membership of the Society.

Distinguished individuals who are deemed by the federation to have made substantial contribution to the disicipline of interventional neuroradiology and to the advancement of the federation may be nominated to become Honorary President. The nomination should be made to the membership committee through the Secretary General. Upon consideration and approval by the membership committee, the executive committee will make the recommendation to be ratified by the general membership during one of the general assembly meeting. Once conferred to a certain individual, the title of Honorary President is for life. Honorary Presidents are not required to pay annual dues.

D. Emeritus Membership
A Full Member who is no longer in active practice may apply to the Executive Committee to modify his or her status to become a member emeritus . Emeritus Members have all the rights and privileges of Full members but are not entitled to vote, serve on Committees (except as consultants), nor hold any elected office in the Annual dues are not required.

E. Corporate Partnership
This category is open to companies and corporations active in fields related to interventional and therapeutic neuroradiology and interested in closer collaboration with the federation . Corporate Members will make an annual contribution to the federation in the form of an educational grant. The amount of the annual educational grant will be determined by the federation. Corporate members who default on their annual contribution will lose their membership to the federation. Defaulting members can be reinstated upon payment of the defaulted contribution.

Election of Members
Candidacy to any of the membership categories can only be sponsored and proposed by full members in the federation. To become a Full Member, applicants must seek active Full Members for sponsorship. Sponsors must certify that an applicant has fulfilled all requirements. The application will then be submitted by the secretary general to the membership committee for approval. Upon recommendation by the membership committee, the applications are submitted to the general membership for approval by a simple majority vote during the general assembly of the federation. Proposals for honorary membership is made directly to and approved by the president of the federation.

Termination of Membership
Membership to the federation is terminated in the following circumstances:

1. A member resigns voluntarily
2. Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee to terminate a member for due cause
3. A member defaults on his or her annual dues or contribution for a period of two calendars year in the case of full members and for a period of one calendar year in the case of corporate members

Article 5 The administrative bodies of the Society
The administrative bodies shall be:

1. Executive Committee
2. General Assembly
3. Ad Hoc Committees as necessary

Article 6 The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of the following officers:
i. The President
ii. The Vice-President
iii. The Past President
iv. The General Secretary
v. The Treasurer
vi. Three Members-at-Large elected by the General Assembly

The Executive Committee is responsible for managing and directing the scientific, financial, as well as other day-to-day activities of the federation.The Committee will meet when directed by the President, or at the request of a majority of its members.

Election of Officers
Any Full Member of the federation can seek the candidacy for any of the following offices: Vice-President, Secretary General, Treasurer or Member-at-Large of the Executive Committee. These Officers are elected by the general membership by means of a general assembly which is held every other year during the scientific meeting officially sponsored by the federation.
The procedure for electing the executive committee officers is as follows:

1. Nomination for candidacy to one of the elected offices on the executive committee has to be submitted to the secretary general by two full members at least three months prior to the date of the general assembly. The secretary general will verify that the candidate is a full member of the federation and in good standing and will then submit the candidacy for vote by the general assembly Voting for each office shall be by secret ballot, unless there is only one unopposed candidate, in which case a show of hands clearly indicating majority vote will suffice.
2. The results of the elections shall be announced at the General Assembly; the candidate receiving the simple majority of votes for a given office shall be elected the winner for that office. In the case of a tie, the vote will be repeated by secret ballot until one candidate is declared the winner Newly elected Officers will take office immediately following the general assembly
3. The president will serve one term. The length of that term is determined by the society to be two consecutive years. The president is not eligible for election for a second consecutive term. However, a past president can run for any elected office four years after his election for the presidency. The Secretary General shall serve for a term determined by the Society (currently two years), and be eligible for re-election.
4. Members-at-Large will serve for two years and will be eligible for re-election.

Duties of the Officers

President
The President shall be the presiding Officer of the Society and will perform the duties customarily associated with his or her office. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Committee, including its meeting with the Council of National Delegates.

The President, with the approval of the executive Committee and shall appoint full members to the various standing and ad hoc Committees. The President may from time to time convene advisory boards or ad hoc committees to consult on specific issues or projects concerning the federation.
The President shall serve for two years. Should the president become incapacitated or unwilling to perform the duties of the presidency, the vice president shall assume the office of the presidency until the next general assembly of the federation or a special business meeting called for by the executive committee for the purpose of electing a new president and vice president.

Vice-President
The Vice-President will assist the President as appropriate and re as sume s the duties of the presidency whenever the president becomes incapacitated or is unable to fulfill his responsibilities as indicated in the preceding clause. He or she will also carry out other duties that may be assigned to him by the president. At the end of his or her elected term, the vice president automatically ascends to the office of the presidency.

Should the vice president become incapacitated or unwilling to perform the duties of the vice presidency, the office will remain vacant until the next general assembly of the federation or a special business meeting called for by the executive committee for the purpose of electing a new vice president. Nominations for the vacated office will be solicited by the executive committee The newly elected Vice-President will then serve until the end of the term of office of the current President.

Past President
After one term in Office the President will automatically become Past President for a period of two years. He or she will assist the President as appropriate, and will also carry out such other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the President. If for some reason the Past President becomes unable or unwilling to continue in office before the end of his or her term, the post will remain vacant until the end of the term of office of the current President.

Secretary General
The Secretary General will maintain the required legal and official records of the federation including those related to the membership and the proceedings of the general assembly and executive committee meetings. He or she will also carry out such other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the President. The Secretary General will serve for two years and can be eligible for re-election.

If for some reason the Secretary General becomes unable or unwilling to continue in office before the end of his or her term, his or her duties will be assumed by the Treasurer until the next General Assembly or a Special Business Meeting convened for the purpose of electing a new Secretary General. The Executive Committee will seek nominations for the vacated office. The new ly elected secretary General will then serve in that capacity until the following general elections for the offices of the executive committee are held.

Treasurer
The Treasurer will be responsible for administering the funds of the Society, keeping a record of financial transactions, and providing a financial report to the General Assembly. He or she will also carry out such other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the President. The Treasurer will serve for two years, and can be eligible for re-election.

If for some reason the Treasurer becomes unable of unwilling to continue in office before the end of his or her normal tern, his or her duties will be assumed by the Secretary General until the next General Assembly or a Special business Meeting convened for the purpose of electing a new Treasurer. The Executive Committee will seek nominations for the vacated office The new ly elected treasurer will then serve in that capacity until the following general elections for the offices of the executive committee are held.

Article 7 The General Assembly
The General Assembly will normally be held in conjunction with the Scientific Meeting of the federation. The Secretary General shall send announcement of General Assembly to all Members at least six weeks prior to the set date of the meeting . All Members may attend the Assembly, but only Full and Honorary Members may vote. The General Assembly may take place and decisions may be taken only when the number of members with voting rights present is at least one fifth of the total voting Members; it will be the responsibility of the General Secretary to ensure that this requirement is fulfilled. If there is no quorum (i.e. one fifth of the total voting members), another meeting shall be convened where no specific quorum is required The announcement for this second meeting shall be sent out to all members at least thirty days prior to the set date of the meeting.

The Following officers shall be elected during the General Assembly: New members recommended by the membership committee, The President, the Vice-President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer, the Members-at-Large of the Executive Committee, and the President of the next annual Scientific Meeting. Changes to the Constitution are proposed, discussed or ratified only during a general assembly where a quorum is present (at least one fifth of the membership).
All items of discussion listed in the agenda of the general assembly must be discussed during the meeting. Under "New Business", any member present at the meeting can raise any pertinent subject for discussion and or a vote. Decisions made during the general assembly are voted upon by a simple majority or by the largest number of votes when more than two choices are presented for a vote.

Special Business Meetings may be convened by the President on written request of one-third the voting members. The agenda for such Meetings shall be included in the announcement to members, and no business other than that indicated by the agenda shall be conducted. The announcement for a Special Business Meeting [and any relevant ballot papers] shall be sent to all Members at least 30 days before the date set for the Meeting.

 

Article 8 Committees Standing Committees

The members and Chairs of these Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. The appointed chair for a given committee shall be ratified at General Assembly or a Special Business Meeting. Any Full member may apply for consideration as Committee member and should do so by informing the Secretary General of his or her willingness to serve. All members on the various committees will serve for a tow year term and are eligible for a second consecutive term. The chair of a committee can appoint a subcommittee or an ad hoc committee as he deems necessary and should advise the executive committee of doing so. The activities of a given committee should be reported to the executive committee and to the general assembly.

The number of standing committees can vary according to the changing needs of the federation The current standing committees are

1. Technical Committees:
   i. Rules Committee
   ii. Membership Committe
   iii. Audit Committee
2. Scientific Committees:
   iv. Publication Committe
   v. Scientific Program Committe
   vi. Scientific Award Committee
   vii. Education Committee

i. Rules Committee
This Committee shall consist of three members, including a Chairman. It shall be responsible for interpreting the Constitution and when necessary for modifying it following suggestions or proposals from the full membership. The rules committee can propose modifications or revisions of the constitution to the executive committee and ultimately to the membership at large for approval.

ii. Membership Committee
This Committee shall consist of three members, including a chairman. It is responsible for collecting from the general secretary applications for new membership and allocate them to the various membership categories. Based on credentials, letters of recommendations and sponsorship, the membership committee will verify the suitability of current members and applicants for membership for the various membership categories. The membership committee will present the executive committee with the proposed full list of new applicants for membership to be approved by the general assembly.

iii. Audit Committee
This Committee shall consist of three members, including a Chairman. The Committee will review the yearly financial reports prepared by the Treasurer, and certify them for accuracyThe committee shall also be responsible for certifying the accuracy of any election in the federation, either during the general assembly or by mail ballot.

iv. Publication Committee
This Committee shall consist of a chairman and two additional appointed members. The chairman of this committee shall be the official editor of the society's scientific journal and is appointed by the executive committee. All three members on the publication committee must be full members of the society who are in good standingThe publication committee shall have the responsibility of overseeing the edition, publication and dissemination of the official journal and any other scientific publication concerning the federation.

v. Scientific Program Committee
This Committee shall consist of three appointed members, including a Chairman. The President of the forthcoming Scientific Meeting is a member ex-officio from the time of the end of the previous Meeting until the end of the Meeting he or she organizes. This Committee shall seek the cooperation of local scientific committees and shall be responsible for the scientific program and organization of the federation's official meeting(s). It shall do so in close consultation with the executive committee.

vi. Scientific Award Committee
This Committee shall consist of three appointed members, including a Chairman. It shall create, organize and supervise the awarding of scientific prizes sponsored by the federation.

vii. Education Committee
This Committee shall consist of three appointed members, including a Chairman. It shall be responsible for the organization of meetings, didactic courses, training sessions or any other educational activity undertaken by the federation or in its behalf. It shall do so in close consultation with the executive committee, and if necessary, it shall seek approval for such activities from the membership at large.

Other Committees
The executive committee may from time to time and, at its discretion, establish specific ad hoc committees to assist in the planning and execution of various endeavors that will promote the purpose and goals of the federation i.e. fund raising, relationship with other organizations, expanding the membership, etc.

Article 9 Meetings
The executive committee shall hold at least one meeting per year.
The federation shall hold one scientific meeting at least once every two calendar years. The date and location of the scientific meeting shall be proposed to the membership at large by the executive committee and shall be voted upon during the general assembly. Any full member shall have the right to apply for the hosting and organization of the scientific meeting. His or her application shall be channeled through the executive committee to the membership at large for approval by way of a vote during the general assembly.

Article 10 Financial Management - Responsibility
All financial contributions to the federation, including membership dues, fees, corporate contributions, philanthropic donations, income from scientific/educational activities shall be paid to and collected by the treasurer on behalf of the federation. The membership dues or other subscription fees shall be established by the executive committee in accordance with the constitution and approved by the membership at large during a general assembly meeting. Funds available to the federation can be used to finance its educational and training activities such as publishing a scientific journal, organize scientific meetings, assist local societies, train young physicians, etc The executive Committee shall assume collective responsibility for its actions, including those relating to disbursement of funds. It shall not, however, be held responsible for actions taken by individual Members of the federation.

Article 11 Changes in the Constitution
Any amendment or change to the constitution must be approved by the membership at large during an official meeting of the General Assembly or during a special business meeting called for by the executive committee. This requires a two-third majority vote of the members present at the meeting. The proposed amendments and or changes to the constitution must be presented to the membership at large prior to the General Assembly or to the special business meeting.

Article 12 Dissolution - Disposal of Property
The Federation can only be dissolved during a general assembly meeting or a special business meeting called for by the executive committee. Dissolution of the federation requires a three fourth (3/4) majority vote of the members present at the meeting. If at the time of dissolution of the federation, there are funds available, they shall be transferred to another non-profit organization with goals and purposes similar to those of the federation.