Statute PAS

Statute PAS

I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

This statute determines:

• Name and seat
• Area in which the Physiotherapy association of Serbia operates
• Representation
• Objectives
• Activities that achieve the goals
• Achieving publicity / transparency of work
• Membership and membership fees
• Rights, obligations and responsibilities of members
• Internal organization
• Bodies of the Physiotherapy association of Serbia, their composition, powers, manner of decision-making, conditions and manner of election and recall, duration of mandate, responsibilities of members
• Assets and the manner of disposing of possible profits
• Manner of acquiring property
• Termination of work, and the procedure with property in case of termination of work

Article 2

The name of the association is “Fizioterapeutska asocijacija Srbije” (hereinafter FAS). The English name of the association, and for the purposes of international representation and action, is “Physiotherapy association of Serbia”, and its abbreviated form is (PAS).

The headquarters of PAS is:

Žarko Vukovića Pucara 19 / 14,11000 Belgrade

11,000 Belgrade.

Article 3

PAS has the status of a legal entity.

PAS is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan organization.

Article 4

PAS is a professional organization for the promotion and advancement of physiotherapy in the Republic of Serbia.

Article 5

PAS, has a round stamp, written in Serbian. In the center of the seal is the abbreviated name of the Physiotherapy association of Serbia, written in capital letters in Cyrillic (ФАС). On the rim, “Физиотерапеутска асоцијација Србије” writes in Cyrillic.

Article 6

PAS performs its activities on the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

Article 7

PAS can connect with related associations and federations in the country and abroad on the basis of common interests and programs.

Article 8

PAS cannot, may not be merged or transferred property to another association / union without the decision of the Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Associations of the Republic of Serbia.

Article 9

In accordance with the Law on Associations of the Republic of Serbia, PAS may allow the merger or accession of one or more associations / unions. The proposal on that is made by the Board of Directors of PAS and the association with which it wants to merge, and the final decision on merging is made by their Assemblies in the same text. The subjects of the merger approach the process on the basis of the merger agreement, as obligatory, in the Law on Associations of the Republic of Serbia.

Article 10

During the merger procedure (Article 9), the signatories of the merger agreement may not use the logo, movable and immovable property of the merging entities.

Article 11

PAS is represented by the President.

 II  OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITY OF PAS

Article 12

The key guidelines of PAS are professionalism, quality and ethics. The main role of PAS is to act in accordance with the goals aimed at personal, social and professional development of members as well as creating conditions for that. PAS should encourage and stimulate members to activities and advance all professional roles (clinical, educational, managerial, advisory, research).

Article 13

The goals of PAS are:

• achieving the highest quality standards of the physiotherapy process as well as the education of physiotherapists
• harmonization of common attitudes of PAS members to be communicated to the public
• assisting PAS members in publishing papers, books, etc.,
• continuous improvement of physiotherapy techniques through personal and professional development of PAS members, and within their competencies as well as the development of the physiotherapy profession in general

Article 14

The activities by which PAS achieves the objectives referred to in Article 13 of this Statute are:

• proposing standards of physiotherapy
• proposing educational standards for physiotherapists
• constant care for the diversity of education and clinical practice, and professional supervision of members
• constant care for ethics and supervision over the ethics of members
• professional and scientific training of PAS members
• cooperation with related health, professional, scientific and teaching organizations works in order to encourage scientific research
• cooperation with competent institutions during the development of regulations related to the organization of education and professional status of physiotherapists
• cooperation with professional studies for physiotherapists in the Republic of Serbia on all issues related to basic and specialist, i.e. postgraduate education of physiotherapists
• promotion of physiotherapy in the Republic of Serbia and abroad and cooperation with similar associations
• publishing magazines and other PAS publications
• organization and participation in actions that are of general social importance

PAS achieves its goals through the activity of its members, using professional sections, the participation of its members in the competent bodies and authorities of PAS, and the activities of members representing PAS in related associations / unions in the country and abroad.

Article 15

To achieve its goals, PAS uses the material resources at its disposal. The possible profit, which PAS realizes through the activities of its members, will be used for the development and improvement of activities from Article 14 of this Statute, for initiating training projects for PAS members, as well as in the field of research in physiotherapy.

III  PUBLICITY OF WORK

Article 16

The work of the PAS is public.

The publicity of the work is ensured by written reporting of members and publication of all information on the bulletin board in the headquarters of PAS.

Publicity of work is ensured by regular reporting to the membership. For this purpose, the official database with e-mail addresses of members, official PAS websites and official accounts on social networks are used.

Sessions of PAS bodies may be closed to the public for the protection of members’ private data or the protection of business secrets.

IV  MEMBERSHIP

 Article 17

Conditions for membership in PAS are:

1. Completed one of the legally recognized degrees of education of physiotherapists in the territory of the Republic of Serbia (as evidenced by the attached photocopy of the diploma or certificate of the relevant educational institution)
2. Properly / correctly filled in application form for entry in the PAS register.

  Article 18

PAS members can be:

1. Regular
2. Retired members
3. Physiotherapy students
4. Honorary

Article 19

PAS members are all registered members who regularly pay membership fees.

Article 20

 The physiotherapist becomes a member of the PAS after a correctly filled in application form, with the consent of the PAS Board of Directors, passed by a majority of votes and payment of a monthly membership fee. If the Board of Directors does not approve the membership, the candidate can appeal to the Assembly. In that case, the Assembly considers the appeal of the candidate, the explanation of the Board of Directors on the reasons for rejection and based on that makes a decision which is final.

In case of joining PAS to international organizations of physiotherapists, members of PAS can also become members of another national association outside the Republic of Serbia, if that association is a member of the international association of physiotherapists.

Members of other associations cannot run for PAS bodies.                            

Article 21

An honorary member of the PAS can become a prominent expert from the country and abroad, as well as persons responsible for the operation and work of the PAS.

The Assembly decides on the admission on the proposal of the Board of Directors.

Honorary members do not pay membership fees.

Article 22

Retired members may be retired physiotherapists with the right to vote or be elected to PAS bodies.

Student members may be students of vocational and academic physiotherapy studies without the right to vote or be elected to PAS bodies, except in the case of organizing a student section.

Student members pay half of the monthly / annual membership fee.

Article 23

Membership ends:

• By voluntarily resigning
• By deleting members from the records (Register) due to non-fulfillment of the obligation to pay the membership fee, and after a written warning
• Exclusion by decision of the Ethics Committee
• In the event of the death of a member.

The proposal on deletion of the members from the records (Register) is forwarded to the Assembly by the Board of Directors, based on the report of the Ethics Committee. The decision on exclusion is made by the Assembly by a majority vote, based on the proposal of the Ethics Committee or the Board of Directors in case of a serious violation of the Statute or the Code of Ethics.

Article 24

Rights and duties of a PAS member:

• To elect and be elected to the bodies of the PAS
• Physiotherapists, members of PAS, can be elected to the leading functions of PAS
• To be informed about the work of the PAS and its bodies
• To fulfill the obligations from this Statute and other acts arising from it
• To comply with the PAS Code of Ethics
• To have the right to file a complaint to the PAS Ethics Committee
• To have the right to file a complaint to the PAS Supervisory Board
• To regularly pay membership fees on a monthly, semi-annual or annual basis for the current year
• To submit proposals to the Board of Directors to improve the work of the PAS
• To propose programs and plans for PAS activities
• To participate in the tasks entrusted to him by the Assembly or the PAS Board of Directors
• To participate in all PAS activities, professional activities in accordance with the criteria for the participation of physiotherapists in professional meetings organized by PAS
• To attend educational programs and courses of international character at a privileged price
• To propose the establishment of a section within the PAS, which will be decided by the Board of Directors
• To cooperate with the editors of PAS magazines and publications.
• 50% + 1 of the total number of PAS members, has the right to initiate the Board of Directors to amend the Statute
• 50% + 1 of the total number of members has the right to initiate a convention of an extraordinary PAS Assembly.
• 50% + 1 of the total number of members has the right to initiate a recall of the President of the PAS.

V  PAS GOVERNING BODIES

 Article 25

The bodies of PAS are:

1. Assembly
2. Board of Directors
3. Supervisory Board
4. Ethics Committee

Article 26

The Assembly is the highest body of the PAS. The Assembly consists of delegates who are regular members of the PAS. Each institution nominates its candidate for a delegate to the Assembly. The delegate must be a member of the PAS. One delegate can represent up to 5 regular members of the PAS. The delegate is obliged to attend the PAS Assembly, and to confirm his arrival in advance. He brings with him an ID card as a confirmation of identity. If a delegate is prevented from attending the PAS Assembly, he may be replaced by another PAS member from his institution, with prior written notice.

An unemployed PAS member and retired members can be elected as a delegate, only by a decision of the Board of Directors. Student members cannot be delegates to the Assembly. The Assembly is held regularly every year, and the election assembly of the PAS is convened every four years. The Assembly is convened by the President of PAS, by decision of the Board of Directors, Supervisory Board, Ethics Committee or at the initiative of at least 50% of the members of PAS, through their delegates in the Assembly of PAS. The work of the PAS Assembly is regulated by the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, according to which the Assembly is convened no later than one month after the request for its convening, and the date and place must be announced at least fifteen days in advance. The Assembly is chaired by a working Presidency of three members elected from among the delegates, one of whom is the President of the working Presidency of the Assembly. Minutes of the work of the Assembly shall be kept and signed by the President of the working Presidency of the Assembly and the recorder. The minutes shall be kept by the General Secretary or, if the same is not present, one of the delegates elected by public vote. Every member of PAS has the right to inspect the certified minutes. The minutes are also published on the PAS website.

Article 27

A quorum is necessary for the work of the Assembly. A quorum is provided by the presence of 50% of the total number of delegates. All decisions are made by public vote, by a simple majority of votes of the delegates present.

Article 28

Obligations and duties of the Assembly:

• The Assembly works according to the PAS Statute until the adoption of the Rulebook by the Board of Directors which is verified and accepted by the Assembly
• Considers and adopts amendments to the Statute
• Considers and adopts the Rulebook on the work of the Directory, Supervisory and Ethical Board of PAS, as well as all their amendments
• Considers and adopts the code of ethics of PAS, adopts amendments to it, based on the proposal of the Ethics Committee
• Considers and adopts reports submitted by the Presidents of the Board of Directors, Supervisory Board and Ethics Committee
• Considers and adopts the report on financial operations, financial plan and final account by the Board of Directors
• Confirms the establishment of organizational forms of PAS, at the proposal of the Board of Directors
• Considers and adopts the proposal of the rulebook on the work of professional sections adopted by the Board of Directors
• Elects honorary members of PAS
• Proposes deserving members of PAS for decorations and social recognitions
• Makes a decision to expel a PAS member
• Makes a decision on the termination of the section within PAS on the proposal of the Board of Directors
• Decides on the merger of PAS with another organization
• Makes a decision on the termination of PAS.

Article 29

The Assembly works according to the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, which is presented by Article 26, Article 27 and Article 28 of this Statute and is an integral part of the Statute.

Article 30

The Board of Directors manages the work of the PAS, implementing the decisions, conclusions and attitudes of the Assembly to which it is responsible and makes legally valid decisions if at least three of the five members of the Board of Directors are present.

The members of the Board of Directors, 5 of them, are elected or, in case of co-optation, are confirmed by the Assembly for a term of four years with the possibility of re-election.

The Board of Directors of FAS consists of:

1. President
2. Vice-President
3. General Secretary
4. Member
5. Member

If necessary, the chairmen of the Board can be invited to the session of the Board of Directors, without the right to decide.

Article 31

The rights and obligations of the Board of Directors are to:

• Manage the work of the PAS, between two regular, elective and extraordinary sessions
• Propose the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly
• Propose to the Assembly the annual work plan and present the final account
• Execute the conclusions and decisions of the Assembly
• Preparate the proposal Statute and its amendments
• Adopt the Rulebook on administrative affairs under the authority of the Secretary, financial plan and report on financial operations
• Propose to the Assembly representatives of PAS, in related associations / unions in the country and abroad
• Establishe working groups in order to work more efficiently on individual projects
• Dispose of PAS funds in accordance with the decisions of the Assembly and the Statute
• Decide on the admission of full members, retired members, and students to PAS membership
• Propose to the Assembly the rulebook on the work of professional sections
• Propose to the Assembly candidates for honorary members of PAS
• Initiate the publication of PAS journals and other publications
• Select the editor and editorial board of PAS journals and other publications
• Confirm the amount of subscription for the PAS magazine and other publications at the suggestion of the editors of these editions
• Adhere to standards and guidelines of WCPT
• Establish a list of members for annual recognitions and awards,
• Appoint an acting member of the Board of Directors in case of permanent impediment or resignation of a member of the Board of Directors of PAS, (excluding the President of PAS), until the first regular session of the Assembly of PAS
• Make a decision on business trips in the country and abroad
• Approve the right on wages
• Take care of PAS marketing activities
• Perform other tasks entrusted to it by the Assembly.

Article 32

The President of PAS is elected by the Assembly by public vote. The Assembly chooses from among the registered candidates who are obliged to present themselves to the delegates, presenting their vision of the future work of PAS.

In case more than one candidate is registered, the voting takes place in two rounds, and the two candidates with the largest number of votes enter the second round.

The candidate who receives the majority of votes from the total number of present members of the Assembly becomes the President of the Board of Directors of PAS.

If only one candidate is nominated, he is elected if more than half of the present members of the PAS Assembly vote for him.

The mandate of the President of PAS lasts four years with the possibility of re-election, but not more than two terms. The President of the PAS may be recalled by the Assembly before the expiration of the term on the proposal of at least 50% + 1 delegate of the PAS.

In case of recall of the President, his resignation or permanent inability to perform his duties, the function of the President will be performed by the Vice-President of the PAS, in the period until the expiration of the mandate, i.e. until the election of a new President.

At the regular session of the Assembly, at least 50% + 1 of the PAS delegates may request a vote of confidence in the PAS President. In the event of a vote of no confidence, the President shall resign.

Article 33

Duties and obligations of the President of PAS:

• Prepares the agenda, convenes and chairs the sessions of the Board of Directors
• Represents PAS in the country and abroad
• Has the right to request the convening of a meeting of the Supervisory and Ethics Committee, and by decision of the Board of Directors
• Leads PAS delegations in negotiations with state institutions and bodies
• Maintains relations with foreign partners
• Maintains and encourages public relations through the media
• Maintains relations with educational institutions (public and private) of all levels with insight into the curricula of physiotherapists.
• As the legal representative of PAS, he has the right to sign all financial documents.
• By decision of the Board of Directors convenes the Assembly

Article 34

The PAS Vice-President is elected at the Electoral Assembly from among the registered candidates, and if only one candidate is running, more than half of the Assembly delegates need to vote for him.

Vice-presidential candidates have the obligation to present themselves to the delegates, presenting their vision of the future work of the PAS.

It is the duty of the Vice-President to change the President in situations when it is necessary, with all the powers that the President has.

The Vice-President of PAS may be recalled by the Assembly even before the expiration of the mandate on the proposal of at least 50% + 1 delegate of PAS.

Article 35

The duties of the General Secretary are determined by the Rulebook on Administrative Affairs under the authority of the Secretary issued by the Board of Directors. The General Secretary keeps records (Register) of PAS members. The General Secretary takes care of the PAS archives. The General Secretary performs the administrative tasks of the PAS, keeps the minutes of the sessions of the Board of Directors and the Assembly of the PAS.

The General Secretary also performs other tasks by order of the Board of Directors, to which he submits an annual report on his work.

Article 36

The work of the PAS Treasury is entrusted to the Board of Directors, which disposes of financial resources in accordance with the Statute. For jobs in the field of finance, which require an expert, the Board of Directors may hire an expert in that field.

Article 36

• The Supervisory Board consists of three regular members of the PAS and one alternate member who is co-opted in case of resignation of the regular member of the Board.
• Members of the Supervisory Board are elected by the Assembly for a term of four years with the possibility of re-election, but not more than twice.
• Decisions are made by consensus.
• The Chairman of the Supervisory Board is elected by the members of the Board from among themselves.
• The work of the Supervisory Board is regulated by the Rules of Procedure issued by the Supervisory Board.
• The Supervisory Board controls the entire material and financial operations of PAS.
• The Supervisory Board has the right to request the Board of Directors to convene an extraordinary session of the PAS Assembly if it deems that there is a need for it and that the existing problems can be solved only in this way.
• Members of the Supervisory Board cannot be members of the Presidency or the Ethics Committee.
• The Supervisory Board is autonomous and independent in its work, without the influence of any body or individual of the PAS.
• Considers the complaints of PAS members and makes final decisions regarding the submitted complaint.

Article 37

The Ethics Committee consists of three regular members of the PAS and one alternate member who is co-opted in the event of the resignation of a regular member of the Board.

The members of the Ethics Committee are elected by the Assembly for a term of four years with the possibility of re-election, but not more than twice. Decisions are made by consensus.

The president of the Ethics Committee is elected by the members of the Committee from among themselves

The work of the Ethics Committee is regulated by the Rulebook on the work of the Ethics Committee.

Duties and obligations of the Ethics Committee:

• The Ethics Committee adopts the PAS Code of Ethics and its amendments
• Adopts the Rulebook on Disciplinary Procedure
• Supervises and promotes ethical principles in the work of physiotherapists in the Republic of Serbia
• Conducts the procedure and imposes measures according to the Code of Ethics
• Proposes a procedure for exclusion from the PAS
• Considers the complaints of PAS members and makes final decisions regarding the submitted complaint

VI  ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS OF PAS

Article 38

The „Physiotherapy association of Serbia“ may include professional sections and other forms of professional parts of the PAS. The work of professional sections is regulated by the rulebook on the work of professional sections adopted by the Board of Directors, and adopted by the Assembly.

VII  PAS ASSETS AND FINANCING

 Article 39

The sources of PAS income are:

• Annual membership fee, the amount of which is determined by the Assembly for the current year,
• Realized revenues from holding professional meetings organized by PAS,
• Realized income from publishing PAS journals and other publications,
• Revenues from the support of national and international associations, organizations or institutions,
• Donations, sponsorships, voluntary contributions
• Other sources of income, in accordance with legal provisions.
• Gifts and bequests
• Interest on invested funds
• Leases
• Another ways allowed by law

Natural and legal persons who make contributions and gifts to associations may be exempted from the relevant tax obligations in accordance with the law introducing appropriate public revenue.

Article 40

The Board of Directors has the funds of the PAS.

The Board of Directors submits a report on the spending of funds to the Assembly and is responsible to it.

All revenues are distributed for the work of PAS and the achievement of goals prescribed by the Statute.

For all funds spent, the accounts are attached to the General Secretary, who keeps records and archives them. The financial operations of PAS are performed exclusively through the business giro account of PAS.

Article 41

PAS bears travel and subsistence costs for members of the Board, if the costs were incurred in performing the work of PAS.

PAS may perform those activities that achieve the goals set by the Statute.

In accordance with the Law on Associations of the Republic of Serbia, PAS may directly perform both economic and other activities that generate profit in accordance with the law governing the classification of activities, under the following conditions:

1. That the activity is in accordance with its Statutory goals
2. That the activity is provided by the Statute
3. That the activity is of a smaller scope, ie that the activity is performed to the extent necessary to achieve the objectives of the PAS.

The manner of performing, registering and choosing activities, as well as managing the realized profit, are defined by the Law on Associations of the Republic of Serbia and the Law on Business Organizations.

PAS, has no right to distribute the realized profit from economic activity or other activity to its founders, members, members of bodies and bodies of PAS, directors, employees or related persons.

Related parties, in terms of this Article, are considered to be persons who are determined as such by the law governing companies.

 VIII  TERMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 42

PAS ceases to operate on the basis of a decision of the Assembly, made by a majority vote of the members of the Assembly.

Article 43

In case of termination of the PAS, the PAS Assembly will decide what will happen to the property of the association.

IX  TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

 Article 44

Amendments to the Statute shall be made in accordance with the procedure established for its adoption.

Article 45

The interpretation of the Statute is given by the Board of Directors of PAS.

Article 46

The statute is applied on the day of entry in the register of associations.

Article 47

This statute enters into force on the day of its adoption at the assembly of the Association.