Guidance on the Application for Associate Societies Status in the Asian and Oceanic Association for Radiation Protection (AOARP)

1. Criteria for acceptance

Any national or regional society of good standing, with particular devotion to radiation protection may apply to become an Associate Society of AOARP, so long as its confirms to the provisions of the AOARP Constitution and Rules. A "society" may be a section of a larger professional society such a Physical or Medical Society provided that it has sufficient independence within that Society to satisfy the criteria for acceptance. Any society, which is approved as a member of IRPA associate societies, may automatically become a member of AOARP without any criteria for application as followings.

The criteria in judging of an application for Associate Society status are:

(a) The constitution of the society must explicitly address the objective to promote radiation protection by providing scientific and technical information and furthermore shall be consistent with the provisions of the AOARP, i.e. to further radiation protection by promoting knowledge, information, research, etc.

(b) The society must be a nonprofit organization and shall not have objectives or carry out activities or support with their funds any activities that would make them trade unions.

(c) The qualifications for membership of the society shall be generally in accordance with the following criteria: An Associate Society may elect to full membership in the Society reputable persons who

1) have recognized scientific, technical or professional qualification or have a equivalent training and
2) are regularly engaged in one or more appropriate aspect of radiation protection or, in appropriate cases, have an interest and competence in one or more such aspects at a level commensurate with acceptable levels of performance in the country or region where the Society functions.

(d) The procedures for admission of members and for selection of officers and duly competent representatives of the society must be designated to express the will of the majority of the member of society.

(e) The society shall not accept any financial support if this prejudices or compromises the objectives of the society.

2. Application

The Chairperson or another member of EC will normally be assigned to assist in the preparation of the admissions documentation.

The formal application for IRPA Associate Society status must:

(a) be in writing the Executive Office of AOARP and must be signed by the President or other authorized representative of the society. The application must include a statement, that the decision to apply for the AOARP Associate Society status expresses the will of the majority of the members of the society (i.e. by a decision at a General Meeting of the Society).

(b) be accompanied by an authorized copy or excerpt of the constitution or rules (translated into English if necessary) which exemplifies in particular those parts of the constitution and rules, which specifically refer to each of the criteria for acceptance as an Associate Society of AOARP.

(c) clearly specify the name of the country or the name of the countries in the region where the society functions.

(d) be accompanied by a statement of the number of member which should show about 10 full members and names and addresses of the offices of society.

3. Admission procedure

The Executive Officer will pass each application for AOARP Associate Society status to the member of the Executive Committee. The member of the Executive Committee has responsible to approval of the admission. A decision requires the approval of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee.

( The guidance has been approved by the EC meeting in Seoul, Oct.20,2002.)