Society Charter

Article 1 Name of the Society

The name of the society is "NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES SOCIETY" (Turkish: Nöromüsküler Hastalıklar Derneği). It may be abbreviated as "NMD Society".

Article 2 Registered Office

The society's headquarters is in Ankara. As of its founding date, the society has no branches. Branches may be opened by decision of the General Assembly.

Article 3 Purpose

To ensure the application of evidence-based scientific methods in motor neuron disease, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, muscle disease and neuropathic pain; to contribute to education, research and technology transfer in this field; and to raise public awareness.

Article 4 Activities

• Organising scientific events.
• Publishing in Turkish and other languages on scientific and social platforms.
• Organising conferences, congresses, scientific meetings, seminars, symposia and sessions.
• Granting awards, medals and plaques.
• Issuing certificates with the authority obtained from official institutions.
• Joining domestic and international journals; supporting members' participation in national and international events; cooperating with like-minded organisations.
• Purchasing office and medical equipment.
• Employing paid personnel for the conduct of society activities.
• Establishing economic enterprises to achieve the society's goals.
• Organising post-graduate education courses and symposia.
• Creating scholarship opportunities.
• Cooperating with similar organisations abroad, joining federations, conducting joint scientific organisations.
• Organising social solidarity activities among members.
• Concluding agreements with relevant organisations to protect the rights of practitioners.
• Protecting and strengthening the personal and legal rights of society members.
• Pursuing all administrative and legal channels in accordance with the society's aims.
• Initiating legal proceedings, filing or joining lawsuits where necessary.
• When requested, providing opinions on the suitability of physicians coming from abroad to Türkiye for training.

Article 5 Founders

Founders: Dr. Can Ebru Kurt, Dr. Hacer Durmuş, Dr. Nurten Uzun Adatepe, Dr. Kayıhan Uluç, Dr. İhsan Şengün, Dr. Sevim Erdem Özdamar, Dr. Yeşim Gülşen Parman, Dr. Mehmet Ali Akalın, Dr. Mehmet Ersin Tan.

Article 6 Membership Types & Conditions

The society has two types of membership: full and honorary. Full membership is open to neurology specialists with civil capacity and sufficient experience in neuromuscular disease care. Honorary membership is granted by the Board upon written proposal of at least five full members.

Article 7 Membership Rights

No one may be compelled to become a member. Every member may resign at any time. Members have equal rights. Each full member has one vote at the General Assembly; voting is in person.

Article 8 Membership Application

Applicants complete and sign the application form (available on this website or at the society's offices) and submit it to the Board. The Board notifies the applicant of its decision in writing within 30 days at the latest.

Article 9 Termination of Membership

Members whose conduct contradicts the charter, the society's purpose or professional ethics may be expelled by decision of the General Assembly, upon investigation by the Honour Council and proposal of the Board.

Article 10 Membership Dues

The annual dues amount is determined for a three-year period at each Ordinary General Assembly, upon proposal of the Board. Donations are accepted with a "Receipt".

Article 11 Bodies of the Society

• General Assembly
• Board of Directors
• Audit Council
• Honour Council

Article 12 General Assembly

The General Assembly is the highest authority of the society, consisting of registered members. It meets every three years. Quorum: an absolute majority of members entitled to attend; if not reached at the first meeting, no majority is required at the second.

Article 13 General Assembly Procedure

The Board prepares the list of members entitled to attend and announces the date, time, venue and agenda at least 15 days in advance via written notice, email, SMS or website. Electronic meetings are permitted in accordance with the regulations.

Article 14 Duties of the General Assembly

• Accepting, rejecting or amending the annual budget.
• Accepting/rejecting reports of the Board and Audit Council; electing members of the society's bodies.
• Deciding on the acquisition of movable/immovable property and medical equipment.
• Finalising appeals on membership decisions.
• Deciding on cooperation or affiliation with other organisations.
• Deciding on charter amendments and dissolution proposals.
• Setting membership dues for the three-year period.
• Approving expulsion decisions.
• Deciding on the opening of branches.

Article 15 Voting Procedure

Each full member has one vote. Decisions are taken by open ballot as a rule. Elections to the Board and Audit Council are by secret ballot.

Article 16 Minutes

The minutes are signed by the meeting chair and clerks and submitted to the Chair of the Board.

Article 17 Extraordinary General Assembly

Called by the Board or Audit Council, or upon written request of at least one-fifth of registered members. Only the proposed agenda items are discussed.

Article 18 Board of Directors

Consists of 9 full and 9 alternate members elected by secret ballot at the General Assembly. The Board meets within 3 days of election to elect among itself the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary-General, Treasurer and Cashier by secret ballot. The Board meets monthly.

Article 19 Audit Council

Audits the society's revenues, expenses and Board activities. Consists of 3 full and 3 alternate members elected by secret ballot. Meets every 3 months and submits its report to the Board.

Article 20 Mandatory Records

• Member registry
• Resolutions book
• Operating accounts book
• Inventory book
• Receipts registry
• Correspondence registry

Article 21 Revenues & Expenses

Revenues: membership dues, grants, donations, sponsorships, and proceeds from society-organised events. Expenses: General Assembly and meeting costs, publications, stationery, fixtures, equipment and legal costs.

Article 22 Financial Documentation

All revenues are documented with receipts and expenses with expenditure documents. These records are kept for 5 years. Persons authorised to collect revenues on behalf of the society are designated by Board decision.

Article 23 Internal Audit

All activities and accounts of the Board are audited by the Audit Council as set out in the charter.

Article 24 Charter Amendments

Amendments require a 2/3 majority of members present at the General Assembly. If quorum is not reached at the first meeting, no majority is required at the second; however, the attendance must be at least twice the total number of members of the Board and Audit Council.

Article 25 Borrowing

The society may borrow when necessary by Board decision. The borrowed amount may not exceed what can be met by the society's revenue sources.

Article 26 Branches

No branches exist at founding. Branches may be opened by General Assembly decision. Each branch must have its own General Assembly, Board and Audit Council.

Article 27 Dissolution & Liquidation

The society may be dissolved by 2/3 majority vote at the General Assembly. Upon dissolution, all assets are transferred to a scientific institution, foundation or patient society active in neuromuscular disease, as decided by the General Assembly.

Article 28 Supplementary Provisions

Matters not covered by this charter are governed by Türkiye's Law No. 5253 on Associations and the related regulations. Where these are silent, the Turkish Civil Code applies. This charter consists of 28 articles.