TRS Study Groups Policy

1. The purpose of the study group: The purpose of the study group is to conduct research, produce and distribute information, and conduct informative activities for the public regarding the respiratory system, especially in areas and subjects that require particular attention, experience and knowledge. The tasks and activities conducted by study groups in this context are listed below.
2. The Formation of a study group: Study groups will be formed based on the request of the members and the decision of the Central Administrative Board of the Turkish Respiratory Society. The formation of study groups will follow the procedures and processes described below.
3. The structure of the study group: Study groups consist of members, a general assembly and a steering committee.

3a. Membership to a study group: Only members of the Turkish Respiratory Society may become members to a study group. Each member of the society can become member to a maximum of two study groups. For this reason, members will indicate in their membership registration form two study groups in which they are interested, listing them according their order of importance. Each member may participate to the general assembly of only one study group; they will also have only one vote during the general assembly meetings.

3b. General Assembly of the Study Group: The general assembly of the study group is performed with the participation of the study group members. During these meetings, the elections for the steering committee will be performed by taking into account the information in the Member Registration Book. The general assembly of the study group will convene once a year, during the National Congress of the Turkish Respiratory Society.

3c. Steering Committee of the Study Group: The steering committee of the study group consists of five members.

1. The members of the study group’s steering committee are elected by secret vote during the general assembly.
2. The term of office for the members of the study group’s steering committee is two years.
3. The elected members will determine among themselves a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and accounting officer.
4. Members of a study group’s steering committee cannot become chairman for two consecutive terms. After a single term in which they were not appointed as chairman, a member may once again become a chairman in the following term.
5. An individual cannot become a steering committee member in more than one study group.
6. To become a candidate for a study group’s steering committee, the individual must have studied the relevant subject over the past 5 years.
7.  A study group must perform at least two meeting a year; one of these meetings must be held in the national congress of the society. The frequency of the study group’s meetings may vary according to the group’s activities. The decisions taken by the steering committee will be recorded in writing in the decision book. The decision book will then be sent to the society’s central office, where it will be forwarded to the Central Administrative Board.
8. Steering committee decisions will be taken based on a majority vote. In case both sides/decisions have an equal number of votes, the side/decision for which the Chairman of the committee voted will be accepted as the steering committee’s decision. Decisions taken by the steering committee will enter into force following their approval by the Turkish Respiratory Society’s Administrative Board.
9. In case a steering committee member resigns from his/her post, the Central Administrative Board will appoint another study group member in his/her place. The study group’s steering committee will then determine the new distribution of tasks between the committee members (chairman, vice chairman, accounting officer). In the event that the majority of steering committee members resign from their posts; the study group’s steering committee will be dissolved by the Central Administrative Board, and a new steering committee will be formed from the members of the study group. In other words, the new steering committee will formed through direct appointments by the Central Administrative Board. This new steering committee will then determine the distribution of tasks between its members, and continue its tasks and activities until the next general assembly elections.

4. The Tasks and Activities of Study Groups:

1. To organize symposiums, seminars, educational courses, scientific meetings, educational programs for the public, etc.
2. Study groups may not organize congresses separately and independently from the Turkish Respiratory Society.
3. To promote and organize scientific research.
4. To develop databases at a national level, and to ensure the continuity of these databases.
5. To prepare books, guides, short reports, and all other forms of printed materials.
6. In order to conduct detailed evaluations and studies on a particular subject, study groups may form research groups or consensus panels with other study groups or associations/societies.
7. To establish relations with international associations, or with the study groups of these associations.
8. For all their activities and assignments, study groups must first obtain the approval of the Central Administrative Board.

5. The Revenues and Expenses of Study Groups: All records of revenues and expenses associated with the activities of the study groups will be prepared in the name of the Turkish Respiratory Society. Thus, the accounting of the study groups’ revenues and expenses will be performed as part of the Turkish Respiratory Society’s general accounting. The supervision of study groups shall be performed by the Central Administrative Board through the Turkish Respiratory Society’s Accounting Officer. All resources and revenues generated by the activities of the study groups will be collected on behalf of the Turkish Respiratory Society. Payments associated with the study groups will thus be performed to the bank accounts of the Turkish Respiratory Society; these payments/revenues will then be spent according to the accounting procedures and rules of the Turkish Respiratory Society. The final budget of all the activities that were performed must be presented to the Central Administrative Board within two months at latest following the completion of the activities.

6. Dissolution of a Study Group’s Steering Committee: A study group’s steering committee will be dissolved by the Central Administrative Board if it is deemed necessary, or if the majority of a steering committee’s members resign from their posts. Under these circumstances, the Central Administrative Board will appoint several members of the study group as the new members of the steering committee; the steering committee will then determine the distribution of tasks among its members. The newly appointed steering committee will continue its activities until the elections of the study group’s next general assembly.

7. Closing a Study Group: If deemed necessary, a study group can be closed by decision of the Central Administrative Board.

8. For newly formed study groups, a Founding Steering Committee will be appointed by the Central Administrative Board. Thus, a study group will begin its activities with a founding steering committee, which has the same structure, authority and responsibilities as any elected steering committee. This steering committee will conduct its first meeting as soon as it is possible, and determine the distribution of tasks among its members; the decisions of this first meeting will be reported to the Central Administrative Board. The founding steering committee will conduct its activities until the elections of the next general assembly. The members of the founding steering committee can be reelected to the steering committee.

9. In all aspects that are not covered by this Regulation, the decisions of the Central Administrative Board will be followed.

10. This regulation has entered into effect with the decision taken by the Central Administrative Board on 30.06.2012. In accordance with this decision, the former regulation has been abolished.