Charter

NAME AND CENTER OF THE SOCIETY

Article 1
The name of the society is the Turkish Respiratory Society (Türkiye Solunum Araştırmaları Derneği, TRS).
According to the Council of Ministers decision dated 28 February 1978 and numbered 7/15094, our society is a “public benefit organization.”
The Central Office of the society is located in Istanbul.

THE PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY

Article 2
The society represents a national, professional and scientific organization of pulmonologists.
The society was founded in order to raise the standards of undergraduate medical education, residency education, continuous postgraduate medical education, and professional training/development; to support and promote scientific studies and research; to advocate and defend the rights of its members; and to conduct studies regarding the treatment and prevention of respiratory system diseases.

THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY

Article 3

  1. To conduct and organize scientific studies in order to identify diseases relating to the respiratory system’s structure and function, to demonstrate the underlying causes of these diseases, and to improve the existing body of knowledge regarding the treatment and prevention of respiratory system diseases. To distribute such scientific studies through all available means and organs of publication.
  2. To ensure the exchange of information between our members and other physicians regarding respiratory diseases and their prevention. To educate our members on respiratory diseases, their treatment and their prevention.
  3. To support the development and improvement of undergraduate medical education, residency education, continuous postgraduate medical education, and professional training/development in Pulmonary Diseases. To establish standards for education, to form proficiency/competency committees, and to develop policies in this area.
  4. To support individuals who will contribute to the development of the field of Pulmonary Diseases by purchasing or granting them medical devices, machines and materials.
  5. To support and provide funds for studies on respiratory system diseases and their prevention.
  6. To provide the necessary support to our members who are receiving education in institutions in Turkey and abroad in order to improve their knowledge and skills.
  7. To open branches in different regions and/or cities of Turkey, and to appoint representatives both in Turkey and abroad.
  8. To collaborate and organize joint initiatives with health authorities, the government, professional organizations, health professionals and non-governmental organizations whenever necessary.
  9. To organize educational and informative meetings, courses and social works for the general public in accordance with the objectives of the society.
  10. To organize and participate to congresses, seminars, symposiums, panels, conferences, regional meetings and exhibitions both at a national and international level in accordance with the objectives of the society. To publish printed and/or digital publications relating to these activities.
  11. To establish commissions, foundations, organizations and commercial enterprises in accordance with the objectives of the society, if necessary.
  12. To organize and conduct cultural and social activities in order to reinforce relations between members.
  13. To defend and advocate the rights and interests of the society’s members. In any profession-related adverse event or situation encountered by the society’s members; to perform the necessary applications to the relevant judicial, legislative and executive organs within the context of the law; to provide opinions to these organs; to act as a spokesperson when dealing with these organs; and to take legal action or intervene in legal cases if necessary.
  14. To cooperate with scientific institutions, non-governmental organizations and associations in Turkey and abroad that conduct studies and activities in similar areas.
  15. To engage in all types of activity that are not forbidden by the law – including the purchase, sale, transfer, donation, leasing and renting of real estate, and the provision of financial resources – in order to achieve the objectives of the society.

Article 4. The society cannot engage in any organic or indirect relation with any political party or group. The society may, in accordance with its purpose and principles, provide opinions and recommendations to the political and administrative authorities. The society may also provide its views and opinions in order to contribute to the formulation of current and future policies regarding pulmonary diseases.

Article 5. The owner, director and editors of the society’s publications are determined by the Central Administrative Board.

MEMBERSHIP

Article 6
The society has three types of members, which are the full members, associate members and honorary members

A. Full Members
Full members include:

  1. Pulmonary disease specialists, and research assistants who are receiving their residency education in pulmonary diseases.
  2. Members of the relevant professional groups – e.g. individuals who are working or conducting research on subjects relating to pulmonary diseases.

B. Associate Members
Include individuals who contribute financially and morally to the development of the field of pulmonary diseases. They are selected by the Central Administrative Board. Associate Members may not be appointed to the organs of the society, and are not permitted to vote in the elections for these organs. They are not required to pay a monthly contribution. Citizens of countries other than Turkey are not required to reside in Turkey in order to be granted Associate Membership.

C. Honorary Members
Includes individuals who have contributed to the development of the field of pulmonary diseases through their studies and activities, as well as individuals who have worked in the profession and/or the society for many years. They are selected by the Central Administrative Board. Citizens of countries other than Turkey are not required to reside in Turkey in order to be granted Honorary Membership. Honorary Members are not permitted to vote in elections relating to the organs of the society, and are not required to pay a monthly contribution.

TERMINATION OF A MEMBERSHIP

Article 7
Memberships will be terminated under the following conditions:

  1. In case a member notifies in writing of his/her intention to leave the society.
  2. In case a member fails to pay his/her monthly membership contributions for a period of two years despite written warnings on this issue.
  3. In a case a member behaves in a manner that does not conform with the purpose and/or the charter of the society; and/or engages in behavior that impedes the activities of the society; and/or engages in behavior that damages the institutional reputation of the society (under these circumstances, termination of a membership shall take place with the recommendation of the Honorary Board).
  4. In case a member in a residency program discontinues his/her residency education without completing it.
  5. In a case member legally loses the right to become a member to any association or society in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Associations.

A membership will be terminated by decision of the Central Administrative Board; objections to this decision can be submitted to the General Assembly. The decisions of the General Assembly are final/definitive from the society’s standpoint, but can be taken to court. The General Assembly’s decisions will be announced to the relevant members.
In case a member who previously left the society of his/her own will or was expelled is once again accepted into the society as a member; the member will be required to pay all his/her previously accrued debts to the society (if any).

THE ORGANS OF THE SOCIETY

Article 8
The society consists of the following organs:

  • General Assembly
  • Central Administrative Board
  • Central Supervisory Board
  • Ethical Committee
  • Honorary Board
  • Central Advisory Board
  • General Assembly of Branch Offices
  • Administrative Board of Branch Offices
  • Supervisory Board of Branch Offices

If necessary, the Central Administrative Board may take the decision to appoint coordinators and to form Work Groups, Sub-Divisions for the Administrative Board, or Special Committees. These individuals and organs will be responsible towards the Central Administrative Board. The tasks, authority and responsibilities of the General Assembly and Supervisory Board cannot be transferred/delegated to these organs.

ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLIES

Article 9
Ordinary General Assemblies are held once every three years in the month of October at the location where the national congress is normally held. If required, the Ordinary General Assembly can also be performed at another location according to the decision of the Central Administrative Board. Extraordinary General Assemblies are held when deemed necessary by the Central Administrative Board, or based on the decision of the Supervisory Board, or when requested by one-fifth of the society’s members with a written application. The time and location of an Extraordinary General Assembly shall be determined by decision of the Central Administrative Board. In case the Central Administrative Board does not issue the invitation for a meeting, either a magistrate (pursuant to the request/application of one of the members who demanded an Extraordinary General Assembly) or the Supervisory Board shall assign three members of the society with the task of issuing the invitation for the General Assembly.

Extraordinary General Assemblies shall be held according to the same procedures and principles that apply for Ordinary General Assemblies. The agenda of such meetings shall consist of the subjects that necessitated the Extraordinary General Assembly.

INVITATION PROCEDURE

Article 10
The Administrative Board will, in accordance with the society’s charter, organize the list of members who are entitled to take part in the general assembly. Members who are entitled to take part in the general assembly will be invited at least fifteen days in advance through a newspaper announcement, a written notice or an e-mail that will inform of the date, time, location and agenda of the meeting. Against the possibility of this initial meeting being cancelled due to insufficient participation/attendants, the invitation will also inform of a date, time and location for a second meeting. The time period between the initial meeting and the second meeting cannot be less than seven days, or more than sixty days.
In case the meeting is cancelled for a reason other than an insufficient number of attendants, the cancellation will be announced to the members by using the same procedures that were employed when issuing the first invitation. This announcement will also mention the reasons for the meeting’s cancellation. It is mandatory for the second meeting to be performed within six months at the latest following the meeting that was cancelled. Members will be invited to the second meeting according to the same procedures described in the first Clause of this Article.
A General Assembly cannot be cancelled/delayed for more than once.

MEETING PROCEDURE

Article 11
The General Assembly meetings of the society will be performed on the date, time and location that was announced to the members. Prior to being allowed into the meeting, members taking part in the General Assembly must sign next to their names on the “General Assembly Members Charts” prepared by the Central Administrative Board, and receive their General Assembly Entrance Card. Based on this signed chart, the President of the Association and the General Secretary will determine and officially record the number of attending members and the quorum of the General Assembly. The General Assembly will be opened by the President or Vice-President of the Society after the official record indicating that the majority of the invited members are present is read by the General Secretary. Following the opening of the General Assembly, the members will elect by open vote a Council Chairman and two Secretaries. The Council Chairman will preside over the meeting. The Council Chairman will also be responsible for managing the meeting and maintaining the necessary records. The Secretaries will record the meeting minutes and later sign it with the Council Chairman. At the end of the meeting; all records, minutes and documents pertaining to the meeting shall be delivered to the Central Administrative Board.
The General Assembly will only involve the meeting and discussion of items included in the agenda. However, new items can be added to the agenda during the meeting based on the written request of at least one-tenth of the attending members. The inclusion of items into the agenda based on such requests from the members is mandatory.

THE QUORUM

Article 12 
All General Assembly decisions except for those relating to charter amendments and the dissolution of the society will be taken based on the absolute majority vote of the participating delegates. Decisions on charter amendments and the dissolution of the society must be approved by two-thirds of the society’s members.
Full members who are registered at the society’s branches are entitled to take part and vote in General Assemblies. Every full member has the right to one vote. Members must cast their vote personally. Except for cases explicitly specified by the provisions of the charter, decisions in the General Assembly will be taken by open vote. On the other hand, elections for the society’s organs will be performed by secret vote and open counting. During these elections, members who receive the highest vote will be elected as original members, while those who receive less votes will be elected as substitute members.

ELECTION PROCEDURE

Article 13
Unless there is an explicit decision to the contrary during the General Assembly; the members of the society’s Central Administrative Board and Supervisory Board will be elected by secret vote based on open or block lists indicating the names of the candidates.
The Central Administrative Board is the executive organ of the society, and consists of eleven original and seven substitute members. The Supervisory board is responsible for inspecting and monitoring the financial affairs and other aspects of the society, and consists of three original and three substitute members.
In case several candidates receive the same number of votes above the required threshold for election, lots will be drawn between these candidates to determine relative rankings (and hence the members who are to be appointed to the relevant position).

THE TASKS AND AUTHORITY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article 14
The General Assembly is the most important authorized body of the society, and is responsible for fulfilling the tasks described in the society’s charter in accordance with the applicable laws, and in a manner that benefits the society. The tasks of the General Assembly includes:

  1. To conduct elections for the organs of the society.
  2. To amend the charter of the society.
  3. To review and discuss the reports of the Central Administrative Board and Supervisory Board; to absolve/relieve the Central Administrative Board.
  4. To review and discuss the budget prepared by the Central Administrative Board, and to approve the budget as is or to request changes prior to approving it.
  5. To provide recommendations and authorize the Central Administrative Board on subjects such as the purchase of immovable property for the society; the sale of the society’s immovable properties; and the establishment of health institutions, companies, commercial enterprises or foundations by the society (All disposition rights and property rights in this context shall belong to the Central Office).
  6. To take decisions regarding the society’s establishment of, joining, or separation from associations, foundations, federations and confederations with purposes/objectives similar to that of the society at a national and international level; to take decisions regarding the society’s share and level of involvement in other organizations.
  7. To authorize the Central Administrative Board regarding the establishment of branches in Turkey and abroad.
  8. To discuss and take decisions regarding objections to the Central Administrative Board’s decisions on the termination of memberships
  9. To dissolve the society.
  10. To dissolve the branches of the society.
  11. To change the emblem of the society.
  12. To determine the sum of the contribution to be paid by members upon admission and on a monthly basis.
  13. To fulfill the other tasks specified by the relevant Regulations and the Society’s Charter.

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD

Article 15
The Central Administrative Board is the executive organ of the society. It consists of eleven original members and seven substitute members. Unless there is an explicit decision to the contrary during a General Assembly; the members of the Central Administrative Board will be elected once every three years by secret vote and open counting, based on open or block lists.

  1. In its first meeting following the General Assembly; the Central Administrative Board will select its President, Second President, Vice- President, General Secretary and Accounting Officer, and tasks will be distributed/divided between the board members. Decisions regarding the honorary board, and the specialist and assistant representatives will also be taken during this meeting.
  2. The original members of the Central Administrative Board may be appointed for a maximum of two consecutive terms, and these members can become the President of the Central Administrative Board for a maximum of two terms on condition that they are not consecutive.
  3. The Central Administrative Board needs to convene a minimum of six times a year. The Central Administrative Board can always convene – on condition that all of its members are informed beforehand about the meetings and invited to them. The Board convenes with the simple majority of the members, and decisions during the Board’s meetings are taken with the simple majority of the total number of members. In the case the votes on both sides are equal, the side/decision for which the President voted will the considered as having won the vote.
  4.  A board member who does not take part in three consecutive meetings without presenting a valid excuse that is acceptable for the Central Administrative Board will, by decision of the Board, be considered as having resigned from his/her membership and lose his/her office.
  5. In case an original member resigns or leaves his/her post for other reasons, the substitute member who received the next highest vote during the General Assembly (after the said original member) will be the appointed to this position. The substitute member will complete the term of the member whom he/she is replacing.
  6. In case the member of an Administrative Board at a Branch Office is elected to the Central Administrative Board, the member will be considered as having resigned from his/her post at the Branch Office.
  7. If the President is not present for an Administrative Board meeting, the Second President shall preside over the meeting.
  8. The President of the Central Administrative Board represents the Society. In times when the President of the society is absent, the second President is considered as having all of the President’s tasks and authority.
  9. In case the TRS President from the previous period is not found on the list of the Central Administrative Board, the previous President will nevertheless be invited to the meetings such that he/she may contribute his/her experiences to the Board. However, the previous President will not be allowed to vote during the Central Administrative Board meetings.