BY-LAWS

Section 1
The name of the Association is “European Association of Plastic Surgeons” (EURAPS). The logo of the Association shall be a figure of a Greek dancing man pointing at a circle of stars in front of him, symbolizing the European countries. The Association is a non-profit scientific organization.

Section 2
The purpose shall be:

1. To promote excellence in Plastic Surgery in Europe;
2. To furnish an annual Forum for the best scientific works from the European countries;
3. To stimulate research on a high international level as well as to increase the knowledge of plastic surgery and stimulate interactions between the various forms of teaching that are available;
4. To preserve the unity of Plastic Surgery by illustrating its different aspects;
5. To afford recognition to those who have contributed to excellence in Plastic Surgery by extending to them membership of the Association.

Section 3
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, is that specialty in Medicine which deals with acute and non-acute conditions, congenital or acquired, as a result of trauma, disease, degeneration or ageing in patients of both sexes and all ages. Its aim is the restoration or improvement of function, appearance and well-being.

Section 4 Methods:

1. Annual scientific meeting;
2. Endorsed courses and meetings;
3. Affiliation with the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (JPRAS) as the official journal of the organization;
4. Affiliation with the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS);
5. Scholarships and Fellowship;
6. EURAPS Research Council.

Section 1 There shall be five classes of Membership in the Association: Active, Senior, Associate, Corresponding and Honorary.

Section 2 Membership of the Association is by application. Membership is a privilege and not a right, and it is contingent upon continuing compliance with the by-laws of the Association. No person shall be elected or remain a member of the Association unless they are of good moral character and adhere to accepted principles of medical ethics.

Section 3 – Invited members

Fast track membership in the Association shall be limited to plastic surgeons of a high level of scientific and/or clinical excellence.
It is the prerogative of the Membership Committee to determine the minimum level of scientific and clinical excellence.
Under special circumstances, members can propose the names of professionals with internationally recognized outstanding clinical practice.

Potential invited members should have (at least 3 of the following 5 conditions must be fulfilled):

• an excellent, high level, bibliography
• internationally recognized outstanding clinical practice
• multiple high functions in our or other societies
• winner of exceptional scientific awards
• important international public health figures, indicating outstanding clinical expertise, leadership and responsibility

The potential invited member must be proposed by at least 2 EURAPS active members. A maximum number of 3 invited “fast track” members per year may be selected. Candidacies with a full CV must be forwarded to the Secretary General’s Office by and not later than December 1st and, if found suitable, it will be forwarded to the Membership Committee, who decides who will be presented to the Executive Council as a candidate “fast track” new member for vote by majority.

Section 4 – Active members

A. QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Shall be full members of their National Society of Plastic Surgery.
2. Shall be officially qualified in plastic surgery.
3. Shall have been in active practice of plastic surgery for a minimum of three years after completion of training.
4. Shall have published 3 publications (related to plastic surgery) as a first author or senior last author in an international, peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor >1
5. It is strongly recommended to have personally presented a paper to a EURAPS Annual Meeting or at another international high standard meeting in Plastic Surgery, recognized by EURAPS.
6. The candidate needs to be recognized for their contributions to the specialty of plastic surgery. This can be, amongst others, by lectures and/or by presentations at well- established meetings, by numerous international publications, by leadership positions in local or international societies and/or by academic appointments.
7. Should have attended at least one annual EURAPS meeting in the past 5 years (either virtual or physical)

B. RIGHTS and DUTIES

1. May vote, hold offices and serve on committees of the Association.
2. May use the name and logo of the Association after obtaining authorization from the Secretary General or from the President.
3. Shall pay the annual dues.
4. If absent for three consecutive meetings, members shall be dropped from the membership roster, unless the absence is excused in writing by the Officers and the Council.

Section 5 – Senior members

A. QUALIFICATIONS:

1. When Active or Corresponding members retire completely from active practice they may, upon request, become Senior members. This class of membership must be conferred by the Executive Council and approved by the General Assembly. Senior members are not required to pay dues or attend meetings. However, they shall pay the same registration fee as Active or Corresponding members for the meetings they attend.

B. RIGHTS and DUTIES

1. May participate in the General Assembly but may not vote or hold an Association office.
2. Shall not be required to pay dues or attend meetings. However, they shall pay the same registration fee as active members for the meetings which they attend.
3. Are obliged to notify the Association if they resume active practice or if their status changes in any other way. In this case eligibility lapses automatically.

Section 6 – Associate members

A. QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Should be Board certified or resident in training in Plastic Surgery.
2. Shall also be junior or full member of their National Society of Plastic Surgery.
3. Should apply for active membership when the criteria are met.
4. This type of membership can be maintained for a maximum of 5 years.
5. Should have presented personally a paper at EURAPS Annual Meeting or ERC Meeting or at another international high standard meeting in Plastic Surgery, recognised by EURAPS.
6. Shall have published 2 publications (related to plastic surgery) as a first or second author in an international, peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor >1
7. Should have attended at least one annual EURAPS meeting in the past 5 years (either virtual or physical)
8. Under exceptional circumstances, the above requirements can be waived by a two-third majority of the Executive Council

B. RIGHTS and DUTIES

1. May not hold offices, may not vote but shall have the rights and privileges of the Association.
2. If absent for three consecutive meetings they shall be dropped from the membership roster unless the absence is excused in writing by the Officers and the Council.
3. Shall pay the Annual dues 100,00€ less than active members.
4. Shall pay the same registration fee as active members for the meetings they attend.
5. Will be awarded an additional bonus when applying for full active membership, if they were active participants in at least 2 meetings since becoming members.

Section 7 – Corresponding members

A. QUALIFICATIONS:
Corresponding members shall be those who reside and practice in countries other than Europe, and who:

1. Shall be full members of their National Society of Plastic Surgery
2. Shall be board certified in Plastic Surgery.
3. Shall have at least two years training in Plastic Surgery at a program recognized by EURAPS
4. Shall have been in active practice of Plastic Surgery for a minimum of three years after completion of training.
5. Shall have published 3 publications (related to plastic surgery) as a first author or senior last author in an international, peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor >1
6. Under exceptional circumstances, the above requirements can be waived by the Executive Council.
7. Should have attended at least one annual EURAPS meeting in the past 5 years (either virtual or physical)

B. RIGHTS and DUTIES

1. May not hold offices, may not vote but shall have the rights and privileges of the Association.
2. If absent for three consecutive meetings they shall be dropped from the membership roster, unless the absence is excused in writing by the Officers and the Council.
3. Shall pay annual dues as full members

Section 8 – Honorary members

QUALIFICATIONS:
Honorary members shall be individuals whom the Association deems worthy of special honor because of notable contributions in the field of Plastic Surgery or because of long activity in the interests of the Association. This class of membership must be conferred by the Executive Council and approved by the General Assembly. They are not required to attend Meetings or pay dues.

Section 9 – Election of members

Active, Associate and Corresponding candidate for membership:

1. Can apply if supported by two full members of EURAPS, one of them must belong to the same country as the candidate. In case of countries with no active members, the Secretary General needs to be one of the two patrons.

2. Each candidate for Active, Associate or Corresponding Membership must submit the following items to the Secretary General

• The membership application form signed by the two sponsors
• Certificate of registration as a specialist in Plastic Surgery
• Evidence of full membership to the National Plastic Surgical Society
• Curriculum Vitae, submitted according to the Membership Application Guidelines
• One copy of a regular CV
• Evidence of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS) examination, if taken.

3. The Executive Council shall consider the slate of candidates as recommended by the Membership Committee and approve each Member based on their qualifications. The General Assembly shall vote on the list of Members to be elected.

Section 10 – Application for Membership

Completed applications for active, associate and corresponding membership must be submitted to the Secretary General by 1st of December of the year preceding the Annual meeting, usually the following May.

Section 11 – Notification of Members

All new Members will receive a certificate of Membership signed by the President and Secretary General and a copy of the by-laws of the Association.

Section 1 – Officers
The Officers of the Association shall be the President, the President Elect, the Secretary General, the Secretary General Elect, the Treasurer and the Treasurer Elect.

1. No Member shall be eligible for Office who has not been an Active Member of the Association for at least three years.
2. A term of Office shall begin at the close of the next Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee will be the responsible entity to submit the new slate of officers to the Secretary General and the Executive Council.
3. The Secretary General and the Treasurer are proposed by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Executive Council and voted upon by the General Assembly. They are elected for a period of three years and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms in the same Office.
4. The list of nominated candidates has to be approved by the Executive Council and voted upon by the General Assembly.
5. Election of Officers shall be by ballot of the voting Members in attendance at the General Assembly and a majority shall elect.
6. The President and the President Elect are elected for a period of one year, and are not eligible for re-election in that function.
7. At the EURAPS meeting one year before the end of the term of office of either the Secretary General or Treasurer a replacement shall be elected. The Nominating Committee that will propose such candidates will initiate this process. The slate is presented to the Executive Council for approval. Final vote of the approved slate will take place during the General Assembly. The Secretary General Elect and the Treasurer Elect will be fully involved in the work of the Secretary General and the Treasurer in their last year, but decisions and responsibilities are completely staying with the Secretary General and the Treasurer until the end of their term.By December 31^st of the year preceding the Annual Meeting, the Secretary General shall inform all the voting Members of the Association about all the vacancies. Members wishing to serve the Association on one of these positions are requested to put forward their names to the Secretary General by January 31^st of the year of election. The Secretary General forwards the list of candidates to the Chair and members of the Nominating Committee. After the Nominating Committee considers all candidates they submit a slate to the Executive Council for approval and afterwards to the General Assembly for a vote. Additional nominations may be made from the floor during the General Assembly. Election of Officers shall be by ballot of the voting Members in attendance at the General Assembly and a majority shall elect.To avoid the terms of the Secretary General and Treasurer finishing at the same meeting, the term of the Treasurer may be extended by one year.
8. No Officers of the Association should serve more than six consecutive years.
9. In case of any vacancy in the Executive Council by death, resignation, disqualification or any other cause, the remaining members of the Executive Council by affirmative vote of the majority thereof, may appoint a member to fill such vacancy until a qualified successor is duly elected.
10. Functions attributed to the officers:
    1. The President:
       1. Shall preside at the Annual Scientific Meeting;
       2. Shall make motions but will not ordinarily vote. In the event of a tie vote on any question, the President shall cast the deciding vote;
       3. Shall have direct supervision of the affairs of the Association;
       4. May appoint additional Committees for the transaction of certain business if so proposed by the Executive Council;
       5. Shall be the Association’s liaison to international and other plastic surgery groups.
    2. The President Elect shall be vested with all powers and shall perform all the duties of the President in the event of the latter’s inability to act, resignation, or otherwise and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Executive Council.
       The President Elect shall automatically assume the duties of the President when the President completes his/her one (1) year term of office. The President Elect shall be in close contact with the President and Executive Council to guarantee efficient continuity.
    3. The President and the President Elect are elected for a period of one year, and are not eligible for re-election in that function. The President together with the President Elect will be responsible for external relations of the Association.
    4. The Secretary General shall be responsible for the running of the Association and:
       1. Shall be the principal executive officer of the Association;
       2. Shall preside at the General assembly and at all meetings of the Executive Council;
       3. Shall ensure that general charge and custody of the books, papers, records and archives of the Association are kept;
       4. Shall keep and distribute the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Council and the General Assembly;
       5. Shall generate all correspondence appropriately;
       6. Shall maintain the updating of the web site;
       7. Shall send all notices of meetings of the members and of the Executive Council;
       8. Shall communicate all notices of Annual and/or Special Meeting to each member along with the program;
       9. Shall notify all members of their status as Active, Corresponding, Senior, Senior Corresponding or Honorary Members and see that an annual membership list is maintained;
       10. Shall announce the names of all who ceased to be members since the last Annual Meeting at each Annual Meeting;
       11. Shall circulate the names of candidates for election as potential members to all members two months prior to the General Assembly.
    5. Secretary General Elect:
       1. Shall be elected for the last year of the term of the Secretary General;
       2. Shall be in close contact with the Secretary General and the Executive Council to guarantee efficient continuity;
       3. Shall be vested with all powers and shall perform all the duties of the Secretary General in the event of the latter’s inability to act, resignation, or otherwise and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Executive Council;
       4. Shall automatically assume the duties of the Secretary General when the Secretary General completes his/her term of office.
    6. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Association, including:
       1. The funds, receipts, and disbursements of the Association;
       2. Collection of all dues, fees, and other demands owing to the Association;
       3. Maintenance of the books of account, showing receipts and disbursements;
       4. Check writing and orders for the payment of money, pay out and dispose of the same as the Executive Council and the Secretary General shall direct;
       5. Provide a full report of the financial affairs of the Association four weeks before each Annual Meeting to the members and present details at the Annual ExCo Meeting and General Assembly.
    7. Treasurer Elect:
       1. Shall be elected for the last year of the term of the Treasurer. The election will be initiated by the Nominating Committee and the slate will be submitted to the Executive Council for approval and then voted upon by the General Assembly;
       2. Shall be in close contact with the Treasurer and the Executive Council to guarantee efficient continuity;
       3. Shall be vested with all powers and perform all the duties of the Treasurer in the event of the latter’s inability to act, resignation, or otherwise and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Executive Council;
       4. Shall automatically assume the duties of the Treasurer when the Treasurer completes his/her term of office.
    8. Historian:
       1. Shall be proposed by the Executive Council and voted upon by the General Assembly.
       2. Is responsible for maintaining the archives of the Association;
       3. Is appointed for a period of three years and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.

Section 2 – Council

1. The Council is composed of one representative per European nation that has at least five Members in the Association. The Council Members are appointed for a two-years period, and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.
2. A new Council Member is proposed by the national representative who finishes his/her term. The current national delegate must consult by email all national Euraps members with the Secretary General in copy, at least three months prior to the end of his/her term and select a new candidate. This proposal, after approval by the Executive Council, is voted upon by the General Assembly.

National delegates must:

• promote EURAPS within their National Society
• propose at least 1 candidate member each year (from their and/or other countries)
• must be present at all ExCo meetings unless excused by the Secretary General
• if absent at the ExCo he/she must find a replacement to represent his/her function
• if not present at two consecutive ExCo meetings, he/she is kindly requested to suggest a new national delegate candidate to represent his/her country
• in the second year of function of the last term the National Delegate must propose a National Delegate-elect of his/her country to the ExCo

Section 3 – Executive Council

1. The Executive Council shall consist of the President, the President Elect, the Secretary General, the Secretary General Elect, the Treasurer, the Treasurer Elect, the National Delegates and the representative of the AAPS. The Historian, the Chair of the EURAPS Research Council, the coordinator of the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS), the representatives of the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS) and EBOPRAS, and the two representatives on the editorial board of JPRAS shall have the right to attend personally, or by means of a delegate, the meetings of the Executive Council in a non-voting capacity.
2. The Executive Council shall serve as the administrative authority of the Association and shall consider all its activities and determine its policies.
3. The Executive Council shall be empowered to accept, reject or defer an application for Membership in the Association.
4. In a case a ballot vote in the Executive Council shows an equal number, the President’s vote decides.
5. The term of the representatives of the AAPS, the UEMS and EBOPRAS are defined by their period of function in the AAPS, UEMS and EBOPRAS.
6. The two representatives of EURAPS on the editorial board of JPRAS are proposed by the Executive Council and voted upon by the General Assembly. Their term is for three years and they are not eligible for re-election.
7. Executive Council Meeting:
   • shall be presided by the Secretary General
   • shall be held at least once a year during the annual meeting
   • may be held virtually, if necessary, called by the Secretary General, with a minimum notice of two weeks
   • any three voting members of the Executive Council may call a virtual meeting, if necessary, with a minimum notice of two weeks

Section 4 – EURAPS Research Council

1. The EURAPS Research Council (EURAPS RC) comprises the research section of EURAPS and holds an annual meeting directly prior to the annual EURAPS meeting. Its goal is to promote the experimental research activities in European Plastic Surgery and to assure a scientific platform for young investigators in this field.
   B. The EURAPS Research Council consists of a Chair, a Secretary, two members and the EURAPS Treasurer ex-officio. Each national society represented in the EURAPS Council can nominate a national delegate who is personally involved in actual basic research projects to the EURAPS Research Council. Nomination is for a term of two years and the representative cannot serve more than one term.
2. The administrative meeting of the delegates is on occasion of the annual scientific meeting of the EURAPS Research Council. It is organised and conducted by the Chair of the EURAPS Research Council.
3. The Chair of the EURAPS Research Council is the national delegate who organizes the EURAPS Research Council meeting and is elected for a term of one year and cannot be re-elected. The Chair of the EURAPS Research Council is the administrative coordinator of the Research Council, a member of the EURAPS Executive Council in a non-voting capacity and works in close relationship with the EURAPS Research Council Secretary.
4. EURAPS ensures infra structural support. The Chair of the EURAPS Research Council maintains continuous contact with the Secretary General and the Treasurer of EURAPS.
5. The annual meeting of the Research Council is organized, after a vote at the General Assembly of the EURAPS Research Council, preferably by a national delegate of the country where the EURAPS annual meeting takes place.
6. The EURAPS Research Council is its own entity. The EURAPS treasurer however collects the annual dues and registration fees of the EURAPS Research Council meeting in collaboration with the EURAPS Research Council Secretary. Depending on the balance of EURAPS itself the costs of the EURAPS Research Council meeting may be covered partly by EURAPS to keep it in the frame of a low budget meeting with low registration fees. By that young researchers and basic scientists should get easy access to the EURAPS Research Council meeting without financial hindrance.
7. The presenters of the best 3 papers at each EURAPS Research Council meeting are invited by the EURAPS President and Secretary General to attend the EURAPS meeting as guests in the following year.

Standing committees are:

1. Scientific Program Committee: The Scientific Program Committee consists of five members. The Secretary General as the Chair, the President, the local host and two reviewers. The Secretary General invites, in consultation with the President, two of the annual 18 reviewers to the Committee. The Scientific Program Committee will be responsible for the preparation of the Scientific Program of the Annual Meeting. Every year, for each of the scientific topics (Aesthetic, Clinical (General), Clinical (Cleft/Cranio), Clinical (Hand/Nerve), Clinical (Microsurgery), Research), three reviewers are proposed by the Secretary General to the Executive Council and presented to the General Assembly the year before the Annual Meeting. The scientific abstracts are submitted to the Secretary General, who forwards these to the reviewers. The ranking list of the anonymous/blind evaluation of the reviewers is the definite basis of the final program. The Secretary General, the President, the local host and two reviewers arrange the schedule of the scientific program. At least 80% of the selected abstracts have to be from European countries.The topic of the panel is elected and moderated by the President, who invites the speakers of the panel.
2. Membership Committee: The Membership Committee consists of six members. Four members are proposed by the Executive Council and voted upon by the membership present at the General Assem They will serve for three years and are not eligible for re-election. The Chair of the Membership Committee is the President-Elect. The Secretary General participates ex-officio. The members of the Membership Committee investigate the contents of each application and score the contents according to the Guidelines Application Form.
3. Nominating Committee: The Nominating committee is composed of six members, among whom the last three Past Presidents. Two members are proposed by the Executive Council and voted upon by the membership present at the General Assembly. They will serve for one year and are not eligible for re-election. The chair of the Nominating Committee is the immediate Past President. The Secretary General participates ex-officio. Nominations for all vacant positions of Officers shall be made by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee will be the responsible entity to submit the new slate of officers to the Secretary General and the Executive Council.
4. Scholarships/Fellowship Committee: The Scholarships/Fellowship Committee is composed of four members, one of them from the USA. They will serve for three years and are not eligible for re-election. The members are chosen by the Executive Council based on a shortlist proposed by the Secretary General. In case the Scholarships/Fellowships are sponsored by the Industry, a representative of that firm is included in the Committee. The Secretary General participates ex-officio. The members of the Scholarships/Fellowship Committee investigate the contents of each application and propose the candidates for five Scholarships and one EURAPS/AAPS Fellowship to the Executive Committee.
5. Hans Anderl Award Committee: The Hans Anderl Award Committee is composed of five members, four from different European countries and one from Austria. They are appointed for a two-year period and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. The members are elected on recommendation by the Executive Council. The members of the Hans Anderl Award Committee investigate the contents of the peer reviewed papers published by EURAPS members over a period of five years (January 1st till December 1st) prior to the upcoming annual meeting and propose the candidate for the award as a recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
6. Committee for Marchac Clinician of the Year: President, President-Elect, past President, Local Host and Secretary General (ex-officio) choose one candidate from EURAPS Members, based on suggestion from each national delegate, to recognize significant achievements in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The recipient’s long list of experience and results of treatment in a major area of clinical interest are presented at the Opening Ceremony of the Annual Meeting as the “Marchac lecture”.
7. Best Paper Committee: moderators will evaluate presentations from each scientific session, and/or new active members admitted last year, will evaluate all presentations on the scientific program. Both will respectively score and correctly fill the evaluation sheet received at registration.
8. Educational Programs Committee:
   Educational Programs Committee is composed of six members:
   • four members are elected on recommendation by the Executive Council, whereas the Chair is elected among the four members based on merit, motivation, long term vision. The four members are appointed for a three years period and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms, while the Chair, elected among other four members, is appointed for a three years period and cannot be re-elected.
   • the EURAPS President, who changes annually and the Secretary General who participates ex-officio.

   The aim of the Committee is to promote education through webinars and internet- based platforms. It also supports members to organize educational courses to teach the candidate members.

9. Advisory Board for Equal Opportunities: The Board should aim at guaranteeing that in each EURAPS members category everyone must be treated equally on the basis of their merits and relevant objective criteria, regardless of age, disability, ethic or national origin, race, socioeconomic background, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, political or religious beliefs or family circumstances including marriage and civil partnership, sex or sexual orientation. In the process of selection of any chairmanship, membership, presentations, papers and/or posters, board appointment and any other official appointment, professional and scientific quality should prevail according to EURAPS mission of “promoting excellence in plastic surgery in Europe”. The Committee consists of six members. President (Chair), President Elect, Secretary General (ex officio) and 3 active members affiliated to EURAPS for more than 5 years (2 female and one male), proposed by the Secretary General to the ExCo in agreement with the President, and voted by the General Assembly. They will serve for three years and are not eligible for re-election.
10. Device Safety and Development Committee: The Committee will operate with an Expert Working Group made of EURAPS members as well as non members. Aims will be:
    • proposal of strategies for surveillance of device safety & development
    • creation of a European breast implant registry.
    • database for collection of data on BIA-ALCL cases
    • promotion of breast implant related research projects
    • promotion of implant manufacturers support to EURAPS research programs

    The Committee consists of six members, the Secretary General (ex officio) and five members appointed for a three years period and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. The members are elected on recommendation by the Executive Council and voted by the General Assembly.

1. An Annual Meeting of the Members of the Association shall be held at the time and place designated by the General Assembly. The Annual Meeting shall consist of a Meeting of the Executive Council and a Meeting of the Members with scientific, business and social programs.
2. Special Meetings: Special Meetings may be called by the President and the Officers and Council and notices must be sent by mail to all members at least 30 days prior to the date of the Meeting. Business to be transacted at a special Meeting will be stated in the notice.
3. Quorum: At least 25% of Members eligible to vote constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a General Assembly Meeting or at Telematics Survey alternatively.

1. Annual dues for Members are determined by the Executive Council upon proposal by the Officers and collected by the Treasurer. The business year is the calendar year.
2. The Treasurer shall notify all Members in areas of dues. Members delinquent of more than three years may be dropped from Membership by action of the Officers and Council. A letter advising them that they will be dropped if they do not pay must be sent to them by registered/certified mail at least three months prior to effectiveness of this decision.
3. Guest fees and registration fees for the Annual Meeting shall be determined by the Treasurer in consultation with the Local Host.
4. Changes of dues must be proposed by the Executive Council and must be approved by two-thirds of the General Assembly before it can be levied on the Members of the Association.

1. All disciplinary action against any Member (i.e. Active, Associate, Corresponding, Senior, Senior Corresponding and Honorary), or candidate for Membership shall be by the Executive Council, which may censure, reprimand, suspend, expel or otherwise discipline a Member.
2. A Member may be disciplined for any of the following reasons:
   a) A failure to comply with the reprimands contained in the by-laws of the Association.
   b) Unauthorized use of the Association’s name, logo, or other symbols on stationary, publications, symposia advertisements, printed material or in any other manner.
   c) Immoral, dishonorable, or unprofessional conduct considered prejudicial to the best interest of Plastic Surgery, or inconsistent with the purpose of the Association.
3. Complaints and procedure:
   Any complaint against a Member, or Members, or all requests for disciplinary action against a Member, or Members, shall be made in writing, and addressed to the President of the Association who shall submit such complaints to the Executive Council of the next scheduled Meeting.
   a) If fewer than three fourth of the Executive Council at such Meeting vote in favour of investigation of the charges for disciplinary action, the complaining Member should be notified that no action will be taken and the matter will be closed.
   b) If at least three-fourths of the Executive Council present at the Meeting vote in favour of the investigation of the charges for disciplinary action, a date shall be sent to consider those charges and the Secretary should notify the Member in question by registered/certified mail of the charges against him/her and shall specify the date, place and time of the Meeting when the charges will be considered.
   c) Any such hearings may be conducted in a formal or informal manner as the Executive Council in their sole discretion decide and they may limit the amount of time allotted to any person appearing before it.
   d) If at least three-fourths of the Executive Council present at the hearing vote in favour of disciplinary action, the Secretary General shall notify the Member, within five days of the disciplinary action to be taken by registered/certified mail.
   The Membership status of any person involved in a disciplinary hearing shall not be altered during the pendency of the proceedings.

Any Members may withdraw from the Association after fulfilling all obligations and giving written notice of such intention to the Secretary General. This notice shall be presented to the Officers and Council at the first Meeting following its receipt.

In the event of dissolution or final liquidation of the Association, all of its assets remaining after payment of its obligations have been made or provided for shall be distributed to, and among such corporations, foundations, or other organizations operated exclusively for scientific and educational purposes consistent with those of the Association, and shall be designated by the Officers and Council.

Section 1
All proposed amendments to the by-laws must be signed by three voting members and submitted in writing to the Secretary General of the Association at least six months prior to the next Annual Meeting.

Section 2
The Secretary General must notify the voting Members by mail of the proposed amendment at least three months prior to the next Annual Meeting.

Section 3
The by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the voting Members present at the annual General Assembly by secret ballot.