BYLAWS
OF THE ASIAN PACIFIC SOCIETY OF DIALYSIS ACCESS
(Approved on the 17th August 2018)

1.Name
The name of this corporation is the Asian Pacific Society of Dialysis Access (APSDA)

2.Mission
The mission of the APSDA is to improve the quality of dialysis patient care by the advancement of research, education, collaboration and clinical practice standards regarding dialysis access.

3.Purpose
The APSDA is organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes.

3.1 Its purposes include:
   3.1.1
   To advance knowledge and clinical practice of medicine related to dialysis access, particularly in the Asian Pacific
   region.

   3.1.2
   To promote scientific exchange and to facilitate communication among societies related to dialysis access within the
   region.

   3.1.3
   To promote education, research and clinical practice initiatives by organizing a regional congress every year or at
   such other times as determined by the Council.

   3.1.4
   To promote and facilitate training in diagnostic and interventional procedures related to dialysis access.

   3.1.5
   To cooperate with other international organizations for scientific and educational programs.

4.Membership

4.1 Categories
    4.1.1 Active membership:
    The active membership shall be made up of physicians, surgeons, radiologists or scientists holding a doctoral
    degree, who have scientific or clinical interest in dialysis access. Active members shall be eligible to serve on
    committees, and vote for the election of council members.

    4.1.2 Associate membership:
    The associate membership shall be made up of nurses, physician assistants, technologists, dialysis technicians,
    medical engineers, and other clinical personnel related to dialysis access care. Associate members shall not be
    eligible to vote for the election of council members, but, shall be eligible to serve on committees.

    4.1.3 Members-in-training:
    The members-in-training shall be made up of fellows, residents, and medical students. They shall not be eligible to
    vote for the election of council members, but, shall be eligible to serve on committees.

    4.1.4 Supporting membership:
    The supporting membership shall be made up industry representatives. Supporting members shall not be eligible to
    vote for the election of council members, but, shall be eligible to serve on committees.

5.Council
The council shall be composed of the Executive Committee and the Council of National Representatives. The council shall have general supervision of the business and affairs of the ASPDA based on prior recommendations made by the Executive Committee.

5.1 Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, President-elect, Secretary-General/Treasurer, Nominating Committee, Education committee, Congress Committee, and Publication Committee.
    5.1.1 President
    The President shall supervise business and affairs of the APSDA as the chief executive, and serve as the APSDA’s
    official spokesperson. He/she may sign any contracts, deeds, bonds, mortgages or other papers on behalf of the
    APSDA, with the approval of the Executive Committee.

    He/she shall chair the council and preside at all meetings, and propose the agenda items previously approved by the
    Executive Committee. He/she shall have the deciding vote in case of a tie.
    If an urgent decision is to be made, the President shall be empowered to make necessary decisions provided that
    he/she has obtained the written approval of the majority of the Executive Committee.

    5.1.2 President-Elect
    In the absence of the President or in the event of the President’s inability or refusal to act, the President-elect shall
    perform the duties of the President. In the case of such an event, the President-elect shall have all the powers of and
    be subjected to all the restrictions on the President. If the President has to relinquish his/her post permanently, the
    President-elect shall assume the position of the President.
    If both the President and President-elect are unable to function, the next in line of succession shall be the
    Secretary-General/Treasurer.

    5.1.3 Secretary-General/Treasurer
    The Secretary-general is responsible for keeping accurate recordings of the proceedings of all meeting of the
    council. He/she shall give notice of all meetings in accordance with these bylaws and maintain a record of the postal
    and/or electronic address of each member of the ASPDA as furnished by the member.
    As the Treasurer, he/she shall be responsible for proposing an annual prospective budget plan to the council and
    oversee the implementation of the approved budget plan.
    He/she shall supervise the receipt of all dues and funds, payment of all debts and obligations. He/she shall keep
    record all financial transactions of the APSDA and render a statement of accounts. He/she shall, under the council’s
    approval, appoint a certified public accountant to audit the accounts of the APSDA annually and present the written
    report to the council at the council meeting.

    5.1.4 Nominating Committee
    The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President who shall serve as Chair of the Committee,
    and two other members appointed by the President. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for conducting
    the election of the Executive Committee and council.

    5.1.5 Education Committee
    The Education Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the President, and two other members appointed by
    the chair. The Education Committee shall have the responsibility for planning, promoting and organizing educationa
    activities of the APSDA.

    5.1.6 Congress Committee
    The Congress Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the President, and two other members appointed by
    the chair. The Congress Committee shall have the responsibility for organizing host countries of future congress at
    least 2 years prior to holding the annual congress of the APSDA.

    5.1.7 Publication Committee
    The Publication Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the President, and two other members appointed by
    the chair. The Publication Committee shall have the responsibility for the APSDA web site administration including
    review and assessment of the contents of the web site.

5.2 Council of National Representatives
The Council of National Representatives shall be composed of delegates representing each country. Each country can include 3 council members at maximum.

5.3 Election of Council Members
The Nominating Committee as described in paragraph 5.1.4, shall develop a list of Council member candidates among eligible members. The Nominating Committee shall previously make an inquiry to each candidate to check for their willingness to perform the prescribed duties of the office for which they are being nominated, as well their willingness to attend regular and called meetings of the council.
The Nominating Committee, with the approval of the council, shall set the date that the ballot will be distributed each year, and the ballot with the slate of candidates will be made available to the council members by email. Votes will be tallied after the deadline date specified by the Nominating Committee and results will be announced at the annual meeting.

5.4 Term of Office
The President and President-elect shall serve for one three-year term. The Secretary-General/Treasurer, Chair of the Executive Committee shall serve for up to three consecutive two-year terms. Council members of National Representatives shall be elected for three consecutive two-year terms. The term of office starts immediately after elections.

5.5 Resignation and Removal of Council Members
Resignation of council members must be made by written notification and are effective upon receipt by a member of the Executive Committee (other than the member submitting the resignation). Council members may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the council members (excluding the member to be removed).

6.Meetings

6.1 Annual Congress
The APSDA shall hold an annual scientific and educational congress that is open to all members of the APSDA and other non-member registrants.

6.2 Council Meeting
An annual face-to-face council meeting shall be held on a date, hour and place fixed by the President. Council members shall be notified not less than thirty days before the meeting. The council meeting shall be presided over by the President, or in his/her absence, by the President-elect.
    6.2.1 The purpose of the annual council meeting shall be:
    6.2.1-a To decide on the place of the future annual congress
    6.2.1-b To install new council members for the forthcoming year
    6.2.1-c To review the financial status of the APSDA
    6.2.1-d To discuss any other items of business which the President brings forth to the Council.

    6.2.2 Minutes of the council meeting shall be prepared by the Secretary-General. The minutes shall be circulated to
    the council members after being endorsed by the President.

7.Language
The official language used by the APSDA shall be English.

8.Office
Offices of the APSDA shall be at such a place as the council may select from time to time.

9.Finances
9.1 The APSDA shall control finances for its needs and activity programs. Funds shall be established through annual dues of society members, subsidies, gifts and any support made to the APSDA by members or persons outside of the APSDA, the acceptance of which is approved by the Executive Committee.

9.2 The Treasurer shall submit an audited account to the council at the annual council meeting.

10. Conflict of Interest
Members of the APSDA shall abide by the Code of Ethics as set by the Executive Committee and approved by the council.

11. Amendments of Bylaws
Amendments of these bylaws may be proposed in writing by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Notice of the proposed amendments containing explanations must be circulated by the Secretary-General at least thirty days before the next council meeting. Proposed amendments shall be adopted after a majority affirmative vote with half of the council members present.

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