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We cardiologist and cardiovascular specialists, members of the national heart societies of countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), imploring the aid of the Divine Providence, desirous of establishing and promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in advancing knowledge, quality and practice pf cardiovascular medicine and related fields, as well as improving the health and well-being of the peoples in the ASEAN region and the world and conscious of the need to foster region and global integration, unity and peace, do hereby ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
| Section 1. |
The national heart societies and associations in the ASEAN region hereby constitute themselves into Federation to be known as the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology (AFC), hereinafter to be referred to as the Federation. |
| Section 2. |
The Federation is a non-stock; non-profit, non-political regional organization committed to the promotion of the study and practice of cardiovascular medicine and related fields as well as the health, welfare and well being of the peoples primarily in the ASEAN region. |
| Section 3. |
The offices and business address of the Federation shall be periodically rotated and shall be established in the country where the incumbent President of the Federation is based. If this is not possible for any reason, the Governing Council, as constituted in Article IV, shall establish the location. The Federation, however, may establish their office, research, information and training centers in member countries other than the base of the incumbent President or such other countries outside the ASEAN as may be deemed necessary by the Governing Council. |
| Section 1. |
The Federation shall adhere to the following general principles. |
| 1.1 |
The health of peoples of all nationalities is paramount and a right that should be provided to everyone. |
| 1.2 |
The promotion and advancement of the health and well being of the people must be freed from partisan political activities and shall not be compromised to serve the ends of any political group or interest. |
| 1.3 |
Regional understanding, unity and cooperation shall be used to foster the health and well being of peoples of all nationalities as well as the study and practice of cardiovascular medicine and other specialties. In this regard, continuing communications, dialogues and exchanges, sharing and the pursuit of intra-regional and inter regional projects shall be engendered. |
| 1.4 |
The Federation shall serve as a forum for healthy and meaningful sharing and exchange among the national heart societies and associations and their members. |
| Section 2. |
The Federation shall be committed to the following objectives: |
| 2.1 |
To foster the study and dissemination of knowledge and skills in cardiovascular medicine and related fields particularly in the ASEAN region. |
| 2.2 |
To enhance and promote mutual cooperation in the conduct of research, studies and understanding of cardiovascular medicine. |
| 2.3 |
To provide and serve as a forum for the exchange and sharing of information and knowledge as well as dialogues and communication among practitioners of the cardiovascular medicine, not only in the ASEAN region but also worldwide. |
| 2.4 |
To elevate the standards of practice of cardiovascular medicine in the ASEAN region. |
| 2.5 |
To contribute to the promotion of the health and well-being of the peoples of the ASEAN region and the world. |
| 2.6 |
To advance the ASEAN unity and cooperation. |
| Section 1. |
The Federation shall consist of the national heart societies and associations or such institutions representing the heart organizations of the ASEAN member countries. Should there be more than one heart society or association in any member country, only one shall be recognized as representing that country in the Federation as determined by the Council. |
| Section 2. |
The admission to the Federation of the ASEAN countries shall be by invitation. Admission of a country to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations shall not confer automatic membership of its heart organization in the Federation, but shall be granted only upon unanimous consent of the member countries as expressed through their representatives in the Governing Council. |
| Section 1. |
The formulation of policy and the general management of the affair of the Federation shall be vested in the Governing Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council”. |
| Section 2. |
The Council shall be composed of two representatives from each of the member heart organizations of the Federation and the members of the Executive Board as provided in Article V, and the Advisory Board as provided in Article VI. |
| Section 3. |
Each member national heart society or association shall have two representatives in the Council, preferably the President and the Secretary of the national heart organization. |
| Section 1. |
The officers of the Federation shall be the President, Vice-President, the Secretary-General, the Treasurer and the Immediate Past President, who shall compose the Executive Board hereinafter referred to as the “Board”. |
| Section 2. |
The President shall be nominated by the national heart society or association hosting the congress while the Vice President shall be nominated by the host of the next congress. |
| Section 3. |
The President and Vice-President shall serve from the time of their election at the last business meeting of the council during a congress until their successors are elected at the last business meeting of the council during the next congress. In case of death, incapacity or resignation the replacement shall be nominated by the heart society or association of the incumbent and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term, If the concerned heart society or association fails to submit its nomination within 100 days from the time the vacancy occurs, the host of the next congress shall nominate the successor who shall serve the unexpired term. |
| Section 4. |
The Secretary-General and Treasurer shall come from the same country where the permanent secretariat is located. |
| Section 5. |
The Secretary General and Treasurer shall serve for a two year term. They are eligible for reelection by the Council for a total of three times. |
| Section 6. |
All the above nominees shall be subject to confirmation by the council. |
| Section 1. |
Five additional Council members from member countries can be appointed by the President with approval from the Council to be advisors to the Council. They are the Past Presidents of the Federation and/or senior members of each National Society who will serve for a three year term. They are eligible for reappointment by the president with the approval by the council. |
| Section 1. |
The congress of the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology (AFC) shall be held every two years in rotation among the member nations. |
| Section 2. |
The theme and agenda of the congress shall be formulated by the Council in coordination with the Organizing Committee of the Congress. The Congress shall involve issues and subjects deemed important to the growth and development of ASEAN cardiology and the fulfillment of the Federation’s objectives. |
| Section 3. |
The organizing Committee of the Congress shall include two members of the executive Board as approved by the President and the officers and members of the heart society or association where the congress is to be held. As much as possible, the president of the heart society or association of the member country hosting the Congress shall be the Chairman of the Organizing Committee. Otherwise, the host society shall nominate a chairman for the approval of the Council. The Organizing Committee shall coordinate with the Council or Board matters of policy and preparation for the Congress. |
| Section 4. |
Funding of the Congress shall be the responsibility of the heart society hosting the congress and shall be separate from the funds of the Federation. |
| Section 5. |
Funding of AFC Executive Board, Council and the Advisory Board to the ASEAN Cardiology meeting will be the responsibility of the host country. |
| Section 6. |
Should the designated cardiac society be unable for any reason to host the Congress it may request the Council for a postponement for not more than one year or it may waive its right upon due notice to the President of the Federation and the next venue of the Congress shall be determined by the Council in a meeting or a referendum to be conducted by the Secretary-General. |
| Section 1. |
Decisions of the Council shall be made by consensus. |
| Section 1. |
The Council shall have the power to create by laws and amend the same at any meeting of the Council upon consensus of the member societies. |
| Section 1. |
Any member heart society or association may propose amendments to the constitution in writing which shall be acted upon during the next council meeting. Notification of such proposals shall be disseminated to all member heart societies or associations by the secretary general at least three months before the next councils meeting. |
| Section 1. |
The decision to dissolve the Federation shall be made only upon the approval by two-thirds of the member societies. |
| Section 2. |
In case of dissolution the Council shall decide on the disposition of the assets of the Federation and shall elect the persons in charge of carrying out the liquidation. |
| Section 1. |
The present members of the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology (AFC) are: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore Thailand and Vietnam. |
| The Council shall have the following functions: |
| Section 1. |
Act as the governing and highest policy-making body of the federation. |
| Section 2. |
Plan direct and supervise all activities and affairs of the Federation. |
| Section 3. |
Establish such standing and special committees and offices, as it may deem necessary to fulfill the objectives of the Federation. |
| Section 4. |
Establish Budgetary and financial requirements and disbursements. |
| Section 5. |
Plan, schedule and organize business meeting and the biennial Congress of the Federation under Article VI of the Constitution. |
| Section 6. |
Coordinate the national heart societies and associations of the Federation as well as establish linkages and working relationship with other heart organizations worldwide. |
| Section 7. |
Establish a Secretariat and provide funds there of. |
| Section 8. |
Appoint chairpersons and member of committees of the Federation as well as its Secretaries and other personnels. |
| Section 9. |
Perform such other functions as may be necessary in meeting the objectives of the Federation. |
| The Board shall have the following powers and duties: |
| Section 1. |
Provide general administration and managerial direction of the affairs and activities of the Federation. |
| Section 2. |
In consultation with the Council, determine and establish working arrangements and procedures. |
| Section 3. |
Coordinate with the Federation’s activities with those of the various member national heart associations as well as the Organizing Committee of the Congress. |
| Section 4. |
Perform other functions maybe necessary in the fulfillment of the objectives of the Federation. |
| The Board shall have the following powers and duties: |
| Section 1. |
To give advice to President and the Council with regards to Constitution & regulation of AFC. |
| Section 2. |
To ensure the continuity of the function of AFC council. |
| Section 3. |
To advise President & the council regarding the funding for: - Travelling fellow ships, - Travelling fund to attend regional meetings for: Members and Non-members. |
| Section 4. |
To advise President and the council regarding joint participation with international organizations. |
| Section 5. |
To advise President & The Council regarding bidding of member countries for international meeting i.e. A-P. Society, World Congress or other International meeting in the ASEAN Region. |
| Section 6. |
To assist in the planning to facilitate entry into AFC of the non-member countries in ASEAN. |
| Section 7. |
Other matters deemed necessary by the President and the Council. |
| Section 1. |
The President shall be the Chief Executive of the Board and shall provide leadership to the Council. He shall represent the Federation in all official functions and preside over the meetings of the Board and the Council. He is also empowered to create special committees, define their functions and appoint their members, appoint the members of the standing committees in consultation with the Council, and appoint the personnel of the Secretariat. He shall perform such other duties and functions related to his office as determined from time to time by the Council. |
| Section 2. |
The Vice President shall assist the President and shall serve as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee who will liaison with the Council and shall be responsible for all the preparations for the next Congress. |
| Section 3. |
The Secretary-General shall assume responsibility for the issuance of notices for business meetings of the Board and the Council; record, prepare and report minutes of the meetings and keep all records, papers and properties of the Federation. He shall prepare the annual reports of the Federation and shall be responsible for their distribution to the member heart societies and associations. |
| Section 4. |
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Federation including fee collections, receipts, disbursements and annual financial report. |
| Section 5. |
The Immediate Past President shall participate in the deliberation of the Executive Board and shall perform functions within his expertise. |
| Section 1. |
The ASEAN Federation of Cardiology (AFC) shall set up an academic arm known as the ASEAN College of Cardiology. It will also be known as ASCC. |
| Section 2. |
The ASEAN College of Cardiology will be run by the committee nominated by the council of the AFC and will be headed by the director with a maximum term of four years. |
| Section 3. |
The ASEAN College of Cardiology will determine and implement the criteria for the fellowship, associate fellowship and membership. |
| Section 1. |
The Committee on Education shall formulate policies and guidelines to improve the teaching and training of cardiologist in the region, and also to develop training programs within the region to foster study and knowledge in the field. |
| Section 2. |
The committee on Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases shall engender the conduct of studies and research within the region towards the prevention and control of the heart diseases. |
| Section 1. |
The Federation shall hold its business meeting during the Congress and accept the representatives of the ASEAN member nation to the Council of the Federation as provided under ARTICLE I of the Constitution as well as the election of the officers to compose the Board under ARTICLE VI of the same. The Council is, however, authorized to call and hold business meetings as may be necessary even outside the Congress. |
| Section 2. |
In the absence of representatives from a member cardiac society, the transactions at a business meeting shall become final only upon approval by the absent member. |
| Section 3. |
The board may meet as often as any two of its members or the President may require. |
| Section 4. |
The official language of the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology (AFC) shall be English. |
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Attendance at the ASEAN Congress of Cardiology shall be open to all interested parties upon payment of the required registration fee. |
| Section 1. |
The Council from time fix the yearly dues of each member society which shall be payable in advance to the Secretariat of the Federation on or before the 31st of January. |
| Section 2. |
Should any member society encounter any difficulty to obtaining foreign exchange in United States Dollars, the Board may prescribe an alternate method of payment. |
| Section 1. |
The board shall exercise control over the funds of the Federation, ascertaining that these funds are used exclusively to support the activities of the Federation. |
| Section 2. |
Funds shall be derived from membership dues, subsidies, gifts, legacies and contributions by the Congress host from the proceeds of the Congress and any other support by any persons or organizations outside the Federation, the acceptance of which shall be approved by the Board. |
| Section 3. |
The host country will contribute 20% from the net revenue of the congress to AFC fund. Any loss from the congress shall not be borne by the AFC. |
| Section 1. |
The responsibility for the expense of the ASEAN Congress Cardiology and the AFC Council are as follows: |
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OC is Organizing Committee. HA is Heart Association of each country.
AFC is The ASEAN Federation of Cardiology (AFC).
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| Section 2. |
The ASEAN Congress of cardiology’s registration fee for the president, Secretary General, Treasurer, Advisory Board of AFC, Editor and Chairman AFC Committee will be waived. |
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