CONTENTS
Preamble
Article 1 Name
Article 2 Objectives
Article 3 Associate Societies
Article 4 Administration
Article 5 Officers
Article 6 Executive Committee
Article 7 Regional Congress
Article 8 Financial Support
Article 9 Amendment to the Constitution
Preamble
The Asian and Oceanic Association for Radiation Protection, AOARP, is an international organization that consists of national Associate Societies in the region of Asia and Oceania. Its purposes are to encourage and stimulate exchange of information between the Associate Societies, to strengthen the activities of each Associate Society and assist in the formation of national radiation protection societies in the region. This Constitution defines the work and structure of the AOARP. It was drafted based on the 4th Meeting of the Asian Regional Committee for IRPA-10 held on May 18, 2000, Hiroshima, and was approved on December 8 2000 by the following Associate Societies:
Australasian Radiation Protection Society
Chinese Society of Radiation Protection
Indian Association for Radiation Protection
Japan Health Physics Society
Korea Association for Radiation Protection
Article 1 Name
The name of this international body shall be the Asian and Oceanic Association for Radiation Protection, which may be referred to in abbreviated form as the AOARP.
Article 2 Objectives
The primary objectives of the Association are to:
a. establish cooperation through exchange of information on new developments in radiation protection.
b. strengthen the activities of each Associate Society.
c. disseminate the information on conferences / workshops / seminars / symposiums etc. held by or planned by the Societies/Associates.
d. encourage and assist in the formation of national societies in the region that are devoted to the practice and improvement of radiation protection in co-operation with the IRPA Admissions Committee, encourage and assist.e. encourage cooperation between Associate Societies to improve the practice of radiation protection within those Societies.
f. Stimulate participation of AOARP Associate Societies in IRPA Congresses and activities
Article 3 Associate Societies
Section 1
The AOARP consists of national Associate Societies in Asia and Oceania.
Section 2
Associate Society status may be obtained upon application to the General Secretary followed by approval of the Executive Committee in accordance with the rules of AOARP. Associate Society status may be granted on the condition that qualification for membership in the Society and the stated objectives and purposes of the Society are consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of AOARP.
Section 3
Ten or more individuals in one or more countries may join together to form an Associate Society. No more than one Associate Society will be recognized in any one country.
Section 4
Each Associate Society is required to provide the General Secretary a copy of the constitution and/or rules of the Society at the time it applies for AOARP membership. An Associate Society is required to send to the Executive Officer any changes in its constitution or rules as and when these become effective.
Article 4 Administration
Section 1
The executive functions of the AOARP are performed by the Executive Committee or its officers as directed by the Executive Committee. These functions include, but are not limited to:
a. Review and approval of the application of candidate societies for AOARP Associate Society status.
b. Approval and scheduling of regional meetings (symposia, conferences, etc) to be held under the AOARP.
c. Approval of activities or initiatives to be conducted under AOARP.
d. Communication with its Associate Societies, the International Radiation Protection Association or other organizations on behalf of AOARP.
Section 2
A secretariat, with branch offices, may be established in such place, or places, as are designated by the Executive Committee. The function of the Secretariat is to serve as a communication point with the AOARP, maintain the records of the AOARP, to serve as general headquarters for the AOARP, and to operate the web site of the AOARP.
Article 5 Officers
Section 1
The Chairperson shall be elected by the Executive Committee from among members of the Committee.
Section 2
The General Secretary is appointed by the Executive Committee. The primary duties of the General Secretary are to manage the secretariat and to be responsible for the correspondence of the AOARP. The General Secretary will also be responsible for any funds that accrue from AOARP activities.
Article 6 Executive Committee
Section 1 Function
The Executive Committee has the responsibility for the general management of the affairs of the AOARP performing those functions as are provided for in the Constitution.
Section 2 Membership
The Executive Committee shall be composed of a delegate appointed by each Associate Society.
Article 7 Regional Congress
The AOARP shall hold an Asian and Oceanic Regional Congress at such time and place as may be designated by the Executive Committee. The primary purpose of the Regional Congress is to provide a means whereby the members may discuss their professional experiences, exchange ideas, and acquaint themselves with the scientific and technical problems of their international colleagues. The Congress schedule shall be established in consultation with IRPA to avoid conflict with other international activities related to radiation protection, and to solicit IRPA sponsorship where appropriate.
Article 8 Financial Support
Section 1
The affairs of AOARP shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes the cost of its activities. To extent possible the business of the Executive Committee will be conducted without the need for Executive Committee meetings, through the use of electronic communications. Regional Congresses and the IRPA International Congress should be used as occasions for meetings of the Executive Committee
Section 2
Funding for AOARP activities, other than Regional Congresses, will be paid, in part, by the Associate Societies through support for the travel of their Executive Committee member or direct contribution if necessary.
Section 3
Each Regional Congress conducted by AOARP shall have a budget that includes adequate income from registration fees, commercial exhibitor fees, donations from governments and outside organizations, etc. to cover the costs of the Congress. Any profit realized from a regional Congress will be apportioned between the host Associate Society and the AOARP as agreed at the time the Congress is organized. Generally, the distribution will be equal.
Section 4
Cost of maintaining the AOARP Secretariat, including maintenance of the AOARP website, is to be borne by the host Associate Society.
Article 9 Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Committee or Associate Societies. The Constitution may be amended only by the affirmative vote of at least two-third of the members of the Executive Committee present and voting.
