BY LAWS

ART.1 NAME OF THE SOCIETY
The society will be called the “Balkan Association of Foot and Ankle Societies (BAFAS)”, revealing the concerns and orientation of all members of the society towards issues related to the pathology and surgery of the Foot and Ankle.

ART.2 LEGAL FORM OF THE SOCIETY
The society is legally constituted, under the provisions of European Union (EU) Law as a non-profit, non-political organization, developing Scientific Research and Educational Activities in conformity with European laws and the present statutory provisions.

ART.3 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of the Society is in Sofia, Bulgaria at the following address: George Washingtron 22 Sofia 1000. The General Assembly of the society may decide upon the change of the above address. The society may also establish subsidiaries in other cities of the Balkan Region.

ART.4 DURATION OF THE SOCIETY
The duration of the society is unlimited, starting with the date of legal registration.

ART.5 GENERAL PROVISIONS
The society is constituted by the Founding members, Country Society members, Individual members, Associate Members and Honorary members. All members take an active part in the life of the society and are supposed to bring their own professional and scientific contributions to the achievement of the society’s aims, as stated in Chapter III.

ART.6 FOUNDING MEMBERS
The founding members are the Individual and Country participants of the Balkan region present at the meeting who have decided to set up the Balkan Association of Foot and Ankle Societies (BAFAS)”, and decide the bylaws of the Association. The founding members are permanent members of the society.

ART.7 Individual Members
Individual members are Orthopedic Surgeons from the Balkan Region who have shown special interest and training in Foot and Ankle Surgery and Disorders and must be endorsed by at least two members of BAFAS

ART.8 Honorary MEMBERS
Honorary members are recommended by the Steering Committee of the BAFAS from among Balkan or foreign specialists with remarkable achievements in this particular field and special contributions to the development of the BAFAS. The Steering Committee may also recommend as honorary members any persons showing particular interest and support towards the development of the society. Honorary membership is granted by the General Assembly, in the presence of at least half plus one of the total number of members.

ART.9 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Associate members are countries or individuals that have shown special interest in our Society with well-noted contributions in the Foot and Ankle field and they don’t belong to the Balkan Region.
They can become Associate Members upon their request to the Steering Committee of BAFAS. The Steering Committee proposes the General Assembly and the Associate membership is granted by the General Assembly, in the presence of at least half plus one of the total numbers of members.

ART.10 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Termination of membership is decided by the General Assembly by the decision of at least half plus one of the total number of the present members, as a result of unacceptable behaviour from the medical ethics viewpoint, or at request.

ART.11 AIMS OF THE SOCIETY

• to bring together Physicians with particular interests in the Foot and Ankle Field, as well as other specialists with similar interests (family doctors, general or orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists,
• to support and spread throughout the Balkan Region a correct mentality regarding the possibilities of Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Subspecialty, by attracting different specialists in the recovery process (kinetho-therapists, physiotherapists).
• to introduce the study of Foot and Ankle surgery as a distinct subject in the curriculum of; medical faculties throughout the Balkans, and therefore have the subject agreed as an independent specialty.
• to establish links with other national societies of Foot and Ankle surgery enabling scientific and professional contacts and the spread of Balkan achievements in the field of Foot and Ankle surgery.
• to support the improvement of the professional and scientific standards of all members, and its affiliation with the International Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgery Societies.

ART.12 ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

In order to reach its aim, the society intends to perform the following actions and activities:

• to organize at least one scientific event on issues of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Disorders every year, in the form of Conference.
• to cooperate with other scientific societies, by presenting specific topics on Foot and Ankle surgery and Disorders, on the occasion of other scientific events organized by these societies
• to cooperate with other scientific societies in the Balkans or abroad, by stimulating members of the BAFAS to present original scientific papers to events organized by these organizations.
• to publish works and studies on issues of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Disorders, and to bring contributions to journals published by other societies, as part of the above-mentioned cooperation.
• to promote the BAFAS in meetings of the International Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Disorders Societies, by presenting original works with the previous consent of the Scientific Committee of the Society; the society will provide material support for the main author of the selected work.
• to grant scientific scholarships or other incentives for special professional and scientific achievements, within the limits of the resources available.
• to provide specialized medical consultancy.
• to support publicity campaigns and public awareness events throughout mass- media, on the scientific activity of the society.
• to establish links with and support persons or organizations in the Balkans and abroad, who could contribute to the fulfilment of the aims and objectives of the society.
• to establish links with other medical societies in the Balkans or abroad by constituting a federation or confederation, if this is in the interest of the society. The decision is made by the General Assembly at the proposal of the Steering Committee.

ART.13 FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The financial means of the RAHS are:

• Annual contributions due by regular members of the society participation fees to scientific events organized by the society, donations from persons or businesses or medical companies, internal or international sponsorships, other sources consisting of money or goods, complying with the legal requirements future membership fees.

The amount and frequency of dues are established by the General Assembly, with a 2/3 majority.

ART.14 BANK ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY

The funds of the society will be deposited in a bank account. The funds will be used for the following purposes:

• to promote the BAFAS nationally and internationally.
• to procure informative materials.
• to support scientific events organized by the BAFAS.
• for administrative and protocol purposes.

ART.15 FINANCIAL CONTROL OF THE SOCIETY

The control of the financial administration of resources is performed by the General Assembly of the members, according to the financial report presented by the treasurer. This must be approved by a majority of at least 2/3 of the total number of present members.

ART.16 MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIETY

The Society is managed by the General Assembly of all members. The Steering Committee is made up of a President, two vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and a censor committee (formed of 3-5 members), all elected for a period of three years. The interim management is elected on the occasion of the first General Assembly.

The members’ assembly meets on the occasion of Conferences or whenever needed, upon the summon of the Management Board or of the President. The date, place and agenda are made known at least 30 days before the due date of the meeting.

The General Assembly is statutory in the presence of at least half plus one of the total number of members. Valid decisions are made in the presence of a relative majority.

The scientific management is provided by the Scientific Committee under the leadership of the President and formed of members appointed by the General Assembly in each regional subsidiary. The Scientific Committee is formed of 11 members who meet either on the occasion of the Conference or at the request of the President whenever necessary.

ART.17 SCIENTIFIC EVENTS

The Conference, as a particular event organized by the society, meets every second year, in different cities that show willingness to offer support in organizing the event.

The subsidiary in the organizing city will appoint a local Chairperson and a local organizing committee.

On the occasion of each scientific event, the organizing city, chairperson and committee of the next event are agreed upon and officially acknowledged. The chairperson and committee are responsible for the proper organizing of the particular event agreed.

ART.18 FUNCTIONAL DEPARTMENTS

In order to achieve its aims and objectives, the society agrees upon the following functional departments under the control and coordination of the President:

• Studies, programs and documentation department, coordinated by one vice-president.
• Secretarial, administrative and financial departments, coordinated by one vice president.
• The scientific committee will present on the occasion of each scientific meeting and activity report between two meetings; on the same occasion, the treasurer will present the financial report.

ART.19 REPRESENTATION OF THE SOCIETY

The society will be represented by its President, and – in his/her absence by one of the two vice presidents.

In the case of dissolution, the General Assembly will decide upon the destination of the assets and patrimony, in accordance with the legal provisions of the EU.

The present Statute can be completed and/or modified by the decision of the General Assembly.