CONSTITUTION OF THE RESUSCITATION COUNCIL OF ASIA
ARTICLE 1 - Name and location of the Association
1.1 The name of the Society is "Resuscitation Council of Asia”, an Interdisciplinary Council for Resuscitation Medicine. The abbreviated name of the Society is "RCA".
1.2 The Society shall be governed by its statutes which are subject to Singapore laws.
2.1 The place of business of the Society shall be at “National Resuscitation Council Secretariat , Blk A, Level 6, National Heart Centre, 226 Outram Road, Singapore 169039, Republic of Singapore” or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the Executive Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Society shall carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
ARTICLE 2 - Objectives of the Society
2.1 The Society shall have the following objectives:
(a) to preserve life by improving standards of resuscitation and the Chain of Survival in Asia and
(b) to co-ordinate the activities of Asian organizations with a major interest in resuscitation medicine.
2.2 The Society shall pursue its objectives by, in particular:
(a) Producing guidelines and recommendations appropriate to Asia for the practice of resuscitation.
(b) Updating these guidelines upon critical review of resuscitation practice.
(c) Promoting audit of resuscitation practice, including standardization of records of resuscitation attempts.
(d) Designing standardized teaching programs suitable for all trainees in Asia, ranging from the lay public to qualified physicians.
(e) Promoting and coordinating appropriate research.
(f) Organizing relevant congresses and other scientific meetings in Asia.
(g) Promoting political and public awareness of resuscitation requirements and practices in Asia.
(h) Promoting exchange between different organizations which demonstrate interest or active participation in the field of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). 2
(i) Advising relevant Asian and other national and international bodies on all matters and problems related to resuscitation.
ARTICLE 3 - Members of the Association
3.1. The Society shall be composed of Active members, Associate members, Honorary members and Patron members.
3.2. Active members:
National Resuscitation Council or equivalent multidisciplinary organizations from Asian countries/regions/territories active in the field of CPR can apply for active membership. The council or organization should be endorsed by either the National Health Authority or related medical organizations.
3.3. Associate members: For Asian countries/regions/territories that do not have a National Resuscitation Council or equivalent multidisciplinary organisation, any relevant academic body or society active in the field of CPR can apply first as an Associate member.
3.4. Honorary members: Honorary members are individuals who have displayed outstanding merit in promoting the objectives of the Society.
3.5. Patron members: Patron members comprise organizations or individuals who have made significant contributions to the Society.
3.6. Active and Patron members shall pay annual fees of the amount set by the General Assembly.
3.7 The Annual Subscription for
(a) Active members is US$200
(b) Patron members is US$500
3.8 Application for membership.
(a) Application for Active and Associate membership should be submitted to the Secretariat of the Society, reviewed and nominated by the Executive Committee, and approved by the General Assembly.
(b) Honorary and patron members are nominated by the Executive Committee, and approved by the General Assembly.
3.9. Cessation of membership.
Membership shall cease in the event of: 3
(a) resignation,
(b) persistent non-paying of subscription for two consecutive years,
(c) conduct prejudicial to the welfare or reputation of the Society, the member concerned having first been invited by registered letter to appear before the Executive Committee to explain his actions.
ARTICLE 4 – General Assembly
Composition:
4.1 The General Assembly shall be composed of Active members of the Society. Each Active member of the Society shall be entitled to one vote.
4.2 Each Active member shall be entitled to be represented by two national representatives, though other representatives may attend as observer.
4.3. The General Assembly shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Society, or in his place by the Vice-Chairman of the Society.
Powers:
4.4 The General Assembly is the principal decision making body of the Society. It is considered active only if more than two-thirds of its Active members are present. In the event of there being no quorum at the commencement of a General Assembly, the meeting shall be adjourned for half an hour and should the number then present be insufficient to form a quorum, those present shall be considered a quorum, but they shall have no power to amend any of the existing rules.
4.5 Only the General Assembly shall have the power to adopt and amend the Constitution of the Society and to decide on the dissolution of the Society.
4.6 The decisions of the General Assembly shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Active members present.
Convocations:
4.7 Normally, the General Assembly shall meet at least once every two years. Meetings may also be arranged on an ad hoc basis if at least half of the Society’s members are able to confirm attendance.
4.8 Notice of the General Assembly shall be given at least three months before it is to be convened.
All members of the Society are invited to attend the meeting. The agenda of the General Assembly shall be determined by the Executive Committee, but suggestions are welcomed. The Executive Committee is entitled to add items of an urgent nature to the agenda. 4
4.9 The agenda shall be sent to members at least two weeks before the meeting.
ARTICLE 5 - The Executive Committee
Powers:
5.1 The Executive Committee shall direct and manage the Society, and pursue the following objectives:
(a) Determine and study questions which fall within the objectives of the Society.
(b) Adopt resolutions and recommendations in the name of the Society.
(c) Determine the agenda of meetings for the General Assembly, the congresses and scientific sessions.
(d) Decide on financial matters.
Composition:
5.2 The Executive Committee of the Society will be elected by the General Assembly and shall be composed of:
(a) Four officers, namely
- the Chairman
- the Vice-Chairman
- the Hon. Secretary
- the Hon. Treasurer
(b) The chairperson of the Working Groups. They shall be elected by the General Assembly.
Terms of Office
5.3 The period of office of members mentioned under 5.2.a,b shall normally be from the time of election until the end of the General Assembly in the second year after their election.
Decisions:
5.4 The Executive Committee’s decisions shall be determined by a majority vote of its members.
ARTICLE 6 - The Officers
6.1 The Officers are: The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. Treasurer.
6.2 The Chairman, the Hon. Treasurer, the Hon. Secretary and the Vice-Chairman shall be elected for a term of 2 years, and may be re-elected once.
6.3 The Hon. Secretary shall be responsible for the Society’s administrative matters. 5
6.4 The Hon. Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances and the accounts of the Society.
ARTICLE 7 - The Working Groups and Task Forces
7.1 Working groups and Task Forces can be established or dissolved by the General Assembly.
7.1.1 Ad hoc Task Forces:
These will be established if there is a need to solve a special problem.
7.2 Any member of the Society is eligible to become a member of a working group, subject to approval by the General Assembly.
7.3 Each working group is headed by a chairperson, who will be nominated by the General Assembly. The term of office is 2 years, subject to extension by the General Assembly.
7.4 Statements of the working groups need a final decision of the Executive Committee to become official documents of the Society.
ARTICLE 8 - Financial responsibility
8.1 The funds of the Society consist of:
(a) Annual member subscriptions,
(b) Subsidies from governments, local authorities and industry,
(c) Income from activities of the RCA, e.g. meetings, publications and educational materials.
8.2 The Society assumes financial responsibility for commitments entered into by a member of the Executive Committee within the scope of his duties.
8.3 The Society is a non-profit making organization. It may not favor anyone with expenses who is not serving the purpose of the Society, nor may it dispense disproportionately high compensation.
Members leaving the Society have no claim to any part of the Society’s assets.
ARTICLE 9 - Audits
9.1 The accounting period shall be the calendar year.
9.2 All financial operations of the Society shall be audited by one or more auditors elected by the General Assembly. 6
9.3 The auditor or auditors shall present to the Executive Committee an auditing report for each accounting period.
ARTICLE 10 - Fees and Payments
10.1 The amount of the fees to the Society shall be determined by the General Assembly .
10.2 The members shall pay their fees to the Society before the end of March of each year.
10.3 The Treasurer shall specify the bank account into which the fees shall be paid, and in what currency, free of costs and taxes.
ARTICLE 11 - PROHIBITIONS
11.1 Gambling of any kind, excluding the promotion or conduct of a private lottery which has been permitted under the Private Lotteries Act Cap 250, is forbidden on the Society's premises. The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.
11.2 The funds of the Society shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in a court of law.
11.3 The Society shall not engage in any trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore.
11.4 The Society shall not attempt to restrict or interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any recommendation to, any arrangement with its members which has the purpose or is likely to have the effect of fixing or controlling the price or any discount, allowance or rebate relating to any goods or service which adversely affect consumer interests.
11.5 The Society shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes.
11.6 The Society shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Society or its office-bearers, Committee or members unless with the prior approval of the relevant authorities.
11.7 The Society shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes without the prior approval in writing of the Head, Licensing Division, Singapore Police Force and other relevant authorities. 7
ARTICLE 12 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
12.1 No alteration or addition/deletion to this Constitution shall be made except at a General Assembly and with the consent of two-thirds of the voting members present at the General Assembly, and they shall not come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies.
ARTICLE 13 - INTERPRETATION
13.1 In the event of any question or matter pertaining to day-to-day administration which is not expressly provided for in this Constitution, the Executive Committee shall have power to use its own discretion. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final unless it is reversed at a General Assembly of members.
ARTICLE 14 - DISPUTES
14.1 In the event of any dispute arising amongst members, they shall attempt to resolve the matter at an Extraordinary General Assembly in accordance with this Constitution. Should the members fail to resolve the matter, they may bring the matter to a court of law for settlement.
ARTICLE 15 - DISSOLUTION
15.1 The Society shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than 3/5 of the total voting membership of the Society for the time being resident in Singapore expressed, either in person or by proxy, at a General Assembly convened for the purpose.
15.2 In the event of the Society being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Society shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be disposed of in such manner as the General Assembly of members may determine or donated to an approved charity or charities in Singapore.
15.3 A Certificate of Dissolution shall be given within seven days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.
ARTICLE 1 - Name and location of the Association
1.1 The name of the Society is "Resuscitation Council of Asia”, an Interdisciplinary Council for Resuscitation Medicine. The abbreviated name of the Society is "RCA".
1.2 The Society shall be governed by its statutes which are subject to Singapore laws.
2.1 The place of business of the Society shall be at “National Resuscitation Council Secretariat , Blk A, Level 6, National Heart Centre, 226 Outram Road, Singapore 169039, Republic of Singapore” or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the Executive Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Society shall carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
ARTICLE 2 - Objectives of the Society
2.1 The Society shall have the following objectives:
(a) to preserve life by improving standards of resuscitation and the Chain of Survival in Asia and
(b) to co-ordinate the activities of Asian organizations with a major interest in resuscitation medicine.
2.2 The Society shall pursue its objectives by, in particular:
(a) Producing guidelines and recommendations appropriate to Asia for the practice of resuscitation.
(b) Updating these guidelines upon critical review of resuscitation practice.
(c) Promoting audit of resuscitation practice, including standardization of records of resuscitation attempts.
(d) Designing standardized teaching programs suitable for all trainees in Asia, ranging from the lay public to qualified physicians.
(e) Promoting and coordinating appropriate research.
(f) Organizing relevant congresses and other scientific meetings in Asia.
(g) Promoting political and public awareness of resuscitation requirements and practices in Asia.
(h) Promoting exchange between different organizations which demonstrate interest or active participation in the field of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). 2
(i) Advising relevant Asian and other national and international bodies on all matters and problems related to resuscitation.
ARTICLE 3 - Members of the Association
3.1. The Society shall be composed of Active members, Associate members, Honorary members and Patron members.
3.2. Active members:
National Resuscitation Council or equivalent multidisciplinary organizations from Asian countries/regions/territories active in the field of CPR can apply for active membership. The council or organization should be endorsed by either the National Health Authority or related medical organizations.
3.3. Associate members: For Asian countries/regions/territories that do not have a National Resuscitation Council or equivalent multidisciplinary organisation, any relevant academic body or society active in the field of CPR can apply first as an Associate member.
3.4. Honorary members: Honorary members are individuals who have displayed outstanding merit in promoting the objectives of the Society.
3.5. Patron members: Patron members comprise organizations or individuals who have made significant contributions to the Society.
3.6. Active and Patron members shall pay annual fees of the amount set by the General Assembly.
3.7 The Annual Subscription for
(a) Active members is US$200
(b) Patron members is US$500
3.8 Application for membership.
(a) Application for Active and Associate membership should be submitted to the Secretariat of the Society, reviewed and nominated by the Executive Committee, and approved by the General Assembly.
(b) Honorary and patron members are nominated by the Executive Committee, and approved by the General Assembly.
3.9. Cessation of membership.
Membership shall cease in the event of: 3
(a) resignation,
(b) persistent non-paying of subscription for two consecutive years,
(c) conduct prejudicial to the welfare or reputation of the Society, the member concerned having first been invited by registered letter to appear before the Executive Committee to explain his actions.
ARTICLE 4 – General Assembly
Composition:
4.1 The General Assembly shall be composed of Active members of the Society. Each Active member of the Society shall be entitled to one vote.
4.2 Each Active member shall be entitled to be represented by two national representatives, though other representatives may attend as observer.
4.3. The General Assembly shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Society, or in his place by the Vice-Chairman of the Society.
Powers:
4.4 The General Assembly is the principal decision making body of the Society. It is considered active only if more than two-thirds of its Active members are present. In the event of there being no quorum at the commencement of a General Assembly, the meeting shall be adjourned for half an hour and should the number then present be insufficient to form a quorum, those present shall be considered a quorum, but they shall have no power to amend any of the existing rules.
4.5 Only the General Assembly shall have the power to adopt and amend the Constitution of the Society and to decide on the dissolution of the Society.
4.6 The decisions of the General Assembly shall be determined by a simple majority vote of the Active members present.
Convocations:
4.7 Normally, the General Assembly shall meet at least once every two years. Meetings may also be arranged on an ad hoc basis if at least half of the Society’s members are able to confirm attendance.
4.8 Notice of the General Assembly shall be given at least three months before it is to be convened.
All members of the Society are invited to attend the meeting. The agenda of the General Assembly shall be determined by the Executive Committee, but suggestions are welcomed. The Executive Committee is entitled to add items of an urgent nature to the agenda. 4
4.9 The agenda shall be sent to members at least two weeks before the meeting.
ARTICLE 5 - The Executive Committee
Powers:
5.1 The Executive Committee shall direct and manage the Society, and pursue the following objectives:
(a) Determine and study questions which fall within the objectives of the Society.
(b) Adopt resolutions and recommendations in the name of the Society.
(c) Determine the agenda of meetings for the General Assembly, the congresses and scientific sessions.
(d) Decide on financial matters.
Composition:
5.2 The Executive Committee of the Society will be elected by the General Assembly and shall be composed of:
(a) Four officers, namely
- the Chairman
- the Vice-Chairman
- the Hon. Secretary
- the Hon. Treasurer
(b) The chairperson of the Working Groups. They shall be elected by the General Assembly.
Terms of Office
5.3 The period of office of members mentioned under 5.2.a,b shall normally be from the time of election until the end of the General Assembly in the second year after their election.
Decisions:
5.4 The Executive Committee’s decisions shall be determined by a majority vote of its members.
ARTICLE 6 - The Officers
6.1 The Officers are: The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. Treasurer.
6.2 The Chairman, the Hon. Treasurer, the Hon. Secretary and the Vice-Chairman shall be elected for a term of 2 years, and may be re-elected once.
6.3 The Hon. Secretary shall be responsible for the Society’s administrative matters. 5
6.4 The Hon. Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances and the accounts of the Society.
ARTICLE 7 - The Working Groups and Task Forces
7.1 Working groups and Task Forces can be established or dissolved by the General Assembly.
7.1.1 Ad hoc Task Forces:
These will be established if there is a need to solve a special problem.
7.2 Any member of the Society is eligible to become a member of a working group, subject to approval by the General Assembly.
7.3 Each working group is headed by a chairperson, who will be nominated by the General Assembly. The term of office is 2 years, subject to extension by the General Assembly.
7.4 Statements of the working groups need a final decision of the Executive Committee to become official documents of the Society.
ARTICLE 8 - Financial responsibility
8.1 The funds of the Society consist of:
(a) Annual member subscriptions,
(b) Subsidies from governments, local authorities and industry,
(c) Income from activities of the RCA, e.g. meetings, publications and educational materials.
8.2 The Society assumes financial responsibility for commitments entered into by a member of the Executive Committee within the scope of his duties.
8.3 The Society is a non-profit making organization. It may not favor anyone with expenses who is not serving the purpose of the Society, nor may it dispense disproportionately high compensation.
Members leaving the Society have no claim to any part of the Society’s assets.
ARTICLE 9 - Audits
9.1 The accounting period shall be the calendar year.
9.2 All financial operations of the Society shall be audited by one or more auditors elected by the General Assembly. 6
9.3 The auditor or auditors shall present to the Executive Committee an auditing report for each accounting period.
ARTICLE 10 - Fees and Payments
10.1 The amount of the fees to the Society shall be determined by the General Assembly .
10.2 The members shall pay their fees to the Society before the end of March of each year.
10.3 The Treasurer shall specify the bank account into which the fees shall be paid, and in what currency, free of costs and taxes.
ARTICLE 11 - PROHIBITIONS
11.1 Gambling of any kind, excluding the promotion or conduct of a private lottery which has been permitted under the Private Lotteries Act Cap 250, is forbidden on the Society's premises. The introduction of materials for gambling or drug taking and of bad characters into the premises is prohibited.
11.2 The funds of the Society shall not be used to pay the fines of members who have been convicted in a court of law.
11.3 The Society shall not engage in any trade union activity as defined in any written law relating to trade unions for the time being in force in Singapore.
11.4 The Society shall not attempt to restrict or interfere with trade or make directly or indirectly any recommendation to, any arrangement with its members which has the purpose or is likely to have the effect of fixing or controlling the price or any discount, allowance or rebate relating to any goods or service which adversely affect consumer interests.
11.5 The Society shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes.
11.6 The Society shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its members or not, in the name of the Society or its office-bearers, Committee or members unless with the prior approval of the relevant authorities.
11.7 The Society shall not raise funds from the public for whatever purposes without the prior approval in writing of the Head, Licensing Division, Singapore Police Force and other relevant authorities. 7
ARTICLE 12 - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
12.1 No alteration or addition/deletion to this Constitution shall be made except at a General Assembly and with the consent of two-thirds of the voting members present at the General Assembly, and they shall not come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies.
ARTICLE 13 - INTERPRETATION
13.1 In the event of any question or matter pertaining to day-to-day administration which is not expressly provided for in this Constitution, the Executive Committee shall have power to use its own discretion. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final unless it is reversed at a General Assembly of members.
ARTICLE 14 - DISPUTES
14.1 In the event of any dispute arising amongst members, they shall attempt to resolve the matter at an Extraordinary General Assembly in accordance with this Constitution. Should the members fail to resolve the matter, they may bring the matter to a court of law for settlement.
ARTICLE 15 - DISSOLUTION
15.1 The Society shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than 3/5 of the total voting membership of the Society for the time being resident in Singapore expressed, either in person or by proxy, at a General Assembly convened for the purpose.
15.2 In the event of the Society being dissolved as provided above, all debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Society shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be disposed of in such manner as the General Assembly of members may determine or donated to an approved charity or charities in Singapore.
15.3 A Certificate of Dissolution shall be given within seven days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.