About IPRAS

By-Laws
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Article 1. NAME
The name of the organization shall be the INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF PLASTIC,
RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY (IPRAS).

Article 2. PURPOSE
The purpose of IPRAS shall be to promote the art and science of plastic surgery, to further plastic
surgery education and research, to provide care for patients in need worldwide and to encourage
friendship among plastic surgeons and physicians of all countries.

Article 3. COMPOSITION
IPRAS shall consist of the following five components:
Section A. National Associations

1. An official national association of plastic surgeons, representing the majority of plastic
surgeons, shall represent that country in IPRAS.
2. Each such association shall consist of at least 5 members.
3. Applications for membership from national associations shall not be rejected on
the basis of religious beliefs or political ideals of the parent nation.

Section B. Regional Sections
Two or more qualified national associations from a contiguous geographic region may represent
that region in IPRAS.

Section C. Co-Opted Societies
International associations or societies representing areas of activity pertinent to plastic surgery
represented in IPRAS.

Section D. Regional Associations

1. Regional associations may be formed to represent plastic surgeons in geographic areas
otherwise unable to affiliate with IPRAS.
2. This affiliation shall be for purposes of scientific communication, and organizational
support.
3. Regional associations shall request formal recognition from IPRAS.
4. Such recognized regional associations shall enjoy the same privileges, rights
and obligations as a national society.

Section E. Provisional Associations

1. National associations formed not less than prior to six weeks prior to the next meeting of
the Council of National Delegates may be recognized as a provisional association by
action of the Executive Committee.
2. Such provisional associations shall be elevated to full membership at the next
meeting of the Council of National Delegates, providing all other requirements of
membership have been met.
3. Provisional associations may appoint an observer to the Council of National
Delegates for representation at its biennial meeting until national association status
has been confirmed by the Council of National Delegates.

a. Observers may participate in discussions and debates, but may not vote.
b. When national association status is achieved, the observer shall be seated as
the Delegate with full rights, privileges, and obligations.
c. Provisional associations will pay dues for each year they have provisional status.

Article 4. ORGANIZATION
Section A. General Principles
The administration and governance of the IPRAS shall consist of:
Board of Directors, Executive Committee (EXCO), Council of National Delegates,
General Assembly.

Section B. General Secretary

1. The General Secretary shall be elected by the Council of National Delegates to serve
one four (4) year term. A candidate for the General Secretary position shall have served
on the Executive Committee for at least one (1) term.

2. The General Secretary’s duties include

a. Conduct the day-to-day affairs of IPRAS.
b. Promote patient care in all parts of the world.
c. Conduct the meetings of the organization.

1. Board of Directors
2. Executive Committee
3. Council of National Delegates
4. General Assembly

d. Cause the Newsletter to be published.
e. Maintain the historical documents of the organization.
f. Receive reports from all Committee chairpersons.
g. Represent IPRAS at various section meetings, chapter meetings,
national meetings, and regional meetings as necessary.

Section C. Board of Directors

1. The Board of Directors shall consist of:

a. the General Secretary (elected by the Council of National Delegates)
b. four (4) Deputy General Secretaries (appointed by the EXCO upon the
recommendation of the General Secretary)
c. the Treasurer (elected by the Council of National Delegates)
d. the Parliamentarian (appointed by the EXCO upon the recommendation of the
General Secretary)

2. The duties of the Board of Directors are:

a. to assist the General Secretary in conducting the day-to-day affairs of IPRAS
b. to establish a global network of cooperation, education and patient care
c. to supervise the activities of the committees.

Section D. Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of:

a. General Secretary
b. Treasurer
c. Members representing the geographic regions of IPRAS
(1 regional representative per 1000 members) elected by the
Council of National Delegates
d. Representatives who are the President or
General Secretary of each Section
e. Representatives who are the President or
General Secretary of each Co-opted Society
f. Chair and Deputy Chair of the Council of National Delegates
g. Ex officio members.

2. The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the
Council of National Delegates to serve one (1) four (4) year term.
Re-election is possible for one more four (4) year term.

3. The members of the Executive Committee shall be chosen to represent the following
geographic regions:

a. Africa and Middle East (1 delegate)
b. Asian-Pacific ( 5 delegates)
c. Europe ( 4 delegates)
d. North America ( 6 delegates)
e. Mexico, Central America and Caribbean (1 delegate)
f. South America (3 delegates)

4. The Executive Committee shall accept one representative who is the General
Secretary or President of each of the following:

a. Regional Sections

1. African Section
2. Asian-Pacific Section
3. European Section
4. Ibero-Latin-American-Section
5. Pan-Arab Section

b. Co-Opted Societies – 1 representative (must be a Plastic Surgeon) each

1. International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH)
2. International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
3. International Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ISCFS)
4. World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM)

c. The Executive Committee shall appoint, upon the recommendation of the General
Secretary, the following ex officio members:

1. Up to four (4) Deputy General Secretaries (term of office four (4) years)
2. Parliamentarian (term of office four (4) years)
3. Editor of GLOBALPLAST (term of office four (4) years, reappointment is possible,
may be a shared appointment)
4. President of the next Biennial Congress
5. Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the next Biennial Congress appointed
6. Historian - may be re-appointed for one or more terms to provide continuity;
the Historian shall be responsible for a systematic collection of memorabilia and
written information which will be collected as the history of IPRAS.
5. The duties of the Executive Committee:

a. supervise the affairs of IPRAS between the Biennial meetings of the
Council of National Delegates.
b. represent IPRAS and its Council of National Delegates.
c. appoint such committees as are required to conduct the business of IPRAS.
d. oversee and assist the organization and implementation of the Biennial
scientific congress of the IPRAS

6. No member of the Executive Committee shall be permitted to participate in
discussions or debate or vote if his/her national society is in arrears of its annual
assessment.

Section E. The Council of National Delegates

1. The Council of National Delegates shall be the main decision making body of IPRAS
2. The Council of National Delegates shall consist of:

a. One (1) delegate selected by each member national society.

1. The national delegate shall be selected by the respective national society from
amongst its senior leadership and shall be involved in the administration and
governance of said national society. The delegate should be the spokesperson for
the national society to IPRAS and from IPRAS to the national society.
2. The national society shall provide the name of their National Delegate to the
General Secretary or Executive Director within the first six (6) months following the
beginning of a new 4 year cycle.
3. Substitutions of delegates (for representational purposes) are permitted upon
official notification to the General Secretary or Executive Director from the national
society.
4. A national society whose delegate is elected to serve on the Executive
Committee may, at its own discretion, appoint another active member to serve as
its delegate to the Council of National Delegates.

b. One (1) delegate selected by each regional association.
c. All members of the Executive Committee.

3. National delegates may not participate in the discussions and debates of the Council of
National Delegates nor may they vote, if their national society is in arrears in
assessment payments.
4. The Council of National Delegates has the following responsibilities:

a. Approves applications of national associations for membership.
b. Approves applications of regional associations for membership.
c. Elects the members of the Executive Committee.
d. Elects the General Secretary.
e. Selects the site of the next biennial scientific congress after hearing presentations
by the prospective host national societies and the recommendations of the
Executive Committee.
f. Receives the report of the General Secretary on the activities of the Executive Office.
g. Receives a detailed and audited financial report of IPRAS.

5. The Council of National Delegates is chaired by the General Secretary.
6. The Council of National Delegates is granted the authority to review the finances of IPRAS.

Section F. The General Assembly

1. The General Assembly shall consist of those members attending the Biennial Congress
who are members of accredited national societies, members of regional associations, and
members of co-opted societies. 2. The General Assembly shall receive reports from the
General Secretary on behalf of the Executive Committee and its subcommittees and the
Council of National Delegates including:

a. Overview of the current affairs of IPRAS.
b. Finances of IPRAS.
c. Proposals for future congress sites.
d. Proposals for elections.

Section G. Subcommittees

1. The Executive Committee shall appoint sub-committees as it requires to conduct the
affairs of IPRAS.
2. The subcommittees shall serve until the next meeting of the Council of National Delegates.
3. Subcommittee membership shall be limited to active members of accredited national
societies, but need not be members of the Executive Committee or the Council of National
Delegates.
4. Subcommittee members shall be selected for their professional expertise in the designated
area of service.
5. The Executive Committee upon the recommendation of the General Secretary shall
appoint the chairs.
6. Each subcommittee shall report its activities to the General Secretary annually and
ninety (90) days prior to each meeting of the Council of National Delegates.
7. Standing subcommittees of IPRAS shall be:

a. The By-Laws Committee shall consist of the Parliamentarian, who shall serve as
Chair and four (4) members selected from the Executive Committee and shall:

1. Be charged to review the By-Laws every two (2) years and recommend
appropriate revision to the Executive Committee.
2. Receive and review all proposed changes to the By-Laws and report their
recommendations to the Executive Committee. All such changes shall be
forwarded to the Council of National Delegates with appropriate
recommendations for action.

b. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members selected as follows:
The Council of National Delegates shall elect two (2) members; the Executive
Committee shall elect three (3) members; The General Secretary shall select
the Chairperson.

1. All elected members shall hold a current seat in the IPRAS organizational
structure.
2. The Nominating Committee shall produce a quadrennial slate of candidates
for each of the following offices and report this slate to the Council of National
Delegates for their action:

a. General Secretary
b. Treasurer
c. Representatives of geographical regions on the Executive Committee
d. Two (2) members of the Nominating Committee

c. The Communications Committee shall consist of the Editor of GlobalPlast and at
least four (4) other members and shall:

1. Receive all pertinent national and regional news submitted for publication
in GlobalPlast
2. Be chaired by the Editor of GlobalPlast.

d. The IPRAS Foundation (former IPRAF) shall consist of the chairpersons of all
committees involved in humanitarian projects and shall:

1. Prepare an evaluation of IPRAS humanitarian projects and their efficacy
annually for the Board of Directors
2. Present suggestions for further improvement of efficiency of existing
committees and suggest the introduction of new committees, if needed.

e. The Budget and Finance Committee shall consist of three members appointed by
the Executive Committee and shall be:

1. charged with the annual review of the financial affairs of IPRAS.
2. presenting a budget to the Executive Committee for transmission to the
Council of National Delegates.
3. assisting the General Secretary in preparation of the required financial
statements.
4. chaired by the Treasurer

Article 5. CONGRESS
Section A. The Scientific Congress

1. The scientific congress shall be held every two (2) years.
2. The congress shall be hosted by a currently accredited national society.
3. The site for the biennial congress shall be selected by the Council of National Delegates
after recommendations have been made by:

a. The General Secretary
b. The Executive Committee

4. Selection of the host city shall be determined by a simple majority of a secret vote of
the Council of National Delegates. In the case of more than two (2) nominees, preferential
balloting shall be used.
5. Bids to host the scientific congress shall be submitted to the General Secretary
twelve (12) months prior to the congress at which the selection will be made.

a. All informational materials submitted in the bid shall be sent to the General
Secretary, who shall distribute said materials to the Executive Committee.
Failure to observe this requirement shall disqualify the bid.
b. Bids shall include tentative plans for site, hotel space, scientific programming,
social activities, travel arrangements, budget and organizing committee framework.

6. The host national society may, at its discretion, utilize a subsidiary organization(s) to
sponsor and administer the congress.
7. The organizing committee of the host national society shall assume all responsibility
for the administration of the congress including:

a. Scientific programming
b. Administration
c. Execution
d. Finances

8. The host organizing committee shall extend an invitation to each member of all
accredited national societies and regional chapters to participate in the scientific program.
9. Preliminary registration materials shall be provided to each member of each accredited
national society at least one (1) year prior to the planned congress.
10. Registration and scientific abstract materials shall be presented to the General
Secretary for approval prior to distribution.

Section B. Congress Membership

1. All members of accredited national societies, regional associations and co-opted
societies are eligible to register, and, upon payment of a registration fee, become an
accredited attendee of the scientific Congress.
2. Residents-in-training and fellows may also attend upon presentation of a certifying
letter from his/her Training Program Director indicating their accredited status in an
approved training program.
3. Family members may attend and participate in the scientific and social events upon
payment of appropriate registration fees.
4. Guests may be invited to participate by the following groups:

a. Host organizing committee may invite non-members to participate for their
contribution to the scientific program.
b. Guests may be sponsored by accredited national societies.
c. Guests shall pay appropriate fees for any social events attended.

Section C. Official Language for the Congress
The official language for the biennial congress shall be English. Scientific papers may be
given in other languages only if simultaneous translation into English is available.

Section D. Transactions

1. The official transactions of each congress will be published by the organizing committee in
a medium chosen.
2. The transactions should follow the format used for previous editions.
3. The official language of the transactions shall be English.

Section E. Scientific Programming

1. Scientific programming is the responsibility of the host organizing committee.
2. Each IPRAS Co-Opted Society shall name an active representative for consultation
and service to the congress scientific program committee of the host country's
organizing committee.

Section F. Financial Relationships and Obligations

1. The host national society, or its designated organizing committee, shall assume all
financial responsibility for the conduct of the congress.
2. The host committee may adopt whatever financial structure it chooses.
3. A "profit-sharing" arrangement (50% / 50 %) with IPRAS at the conclusion of a
successful meeting is mandatory.

Article 6. SECTION CONGRESSES

1. Official Sections of IPRAS may conduct regional scientific congresses with the
endorsement of the IPRAS Executive Committee.
2. Regional Scientific Congresses held under the auspices of and identified as a part of
IPRAS shall conform to all of the requirements of IPRAS Congresses.
3. The official language may be other than English if appropriate.

Article 7. RULES OF PROCEDURE
Section A. Procedures

1. The official deliberations and decisions of IPRAS shall be governed by Sturgis'
Rules of Order.
2. All votes shall be decided by a simple majority vote.
3. Tie votes shall be decided by a vote cast by the General Secretary.
4. Votes by written (mail) or electronic methods may be utilized to decide urgent business
between biennial meetings of the Council of National Delegates.

a. All such mail ballots shall be approved by the Board of Directors at its next meeting.
b. All such mail ballots shall be ratified by the Council of National Delegates
at its next meeting.
c. Revisions of the By-Laws, election of officers, and selection of the congress site
shall be by 2/3 majority vote.

Section B. Quorum
The various administrative segments of IPRAS may officially conduct business on behalf of
IPRAS when the following quorum is present:

1. Board Of Directors - 4 members
2. Executive Committee - 5 members
3. Council of National Delegates – 25 members
4. General Assembly - No quorum required (Advisory only).

Section C. Amendments to the By-Laws

1. Suggested changes to the By-Laws may be submitted to the General Secretary at least
twelve (12) months prior to the succeeding biennial Council of National Delegates meeting.
2. All suggestions for change(s) in the By-Laws shall be referred to the By-Laws Committee
for review, evaluation, and recommendations.
3. The By-Laws Committee shall present its recommendation(s) for or against the proposed
changes to the Executive Committee for its review and recommendations.
4. The proposed changes to the By-Laws may only be adopted by the Council of National
Delegates voting at a regularly scheduled meeting.
5. Amendments to the By-Laws require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members
of the Council of National Delegates.

Article 8. DUES AND FINANCES
Section A. Dues

1. Dues for membership are assessed to each member of each member national society
on a per capita basis of total paying members for the current year.
2. The dues assessment shall be prorated to each national society on a yearly basis.
3. Dues are payable during the first three (3) calendar months of each year.
4. Dues are delinquent after the 3rd month has elapsed from the date of assessment. Ten
percent (10%) of the total amount due will be added each month that dues are not received.

Section B. Finances

1. The finances shall be reviewed by internal methods annually with external reviews
every four years.

a. A three (3) person, ad hoc, financial oversight committee shall be appointed by
the Executive Committee.
b. The Treasurer shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee.
c. An external review by a certified public accountant will be commissioned by the
General Secretary for presentation to the Council of National Delegates at their
biennial meeting.

2. The financial review shall be presented to the Executive Committee for information and
to the Council of National Delegates for acceptance.

ARTICLE 9. DISSOLUTION
Section A. Use of Funds

1. IPRAS shall use its funds only to accomplish the purposes specified elsewhere in
these By-Laws.
2. No part of these funds shall inure to the benefit of any individual member or employee
of IPRAS.

Section B. Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of IPRAS, the Executive Committee, acting with the authority
of the Council of National Delegates, shall, after satisfying all liabilities of IPRAS, distribute all
remaining assets to such organization(s) operated for one or more of the purposes contained in
these By-Laws, or to such charitable, educational, and/or scientific organizations as shall qualify.

ARTICLE 10. INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS
IPRAS shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, every past and present officer,
director, executive office staff member, and committee member of the organization. This
indemnification shall be against expenses actually and necessarily incurred in connection with
defense or settlement of any action, suit, or proceeding to which any of them is made a party
as a result of having served in any of the foregoing capacities. This indemnification shall not
apply to matters in which the individual is judged liable for willful misconduct and to matters
as shall be settled by agreement predicated upon the existence of such liability. The term
“expenses” shall include: attorney fees, court costs, costs of investigation, cost of preparation
for and attendance at trials, amounts of judgments, fines, and penalties, amounts paid at
settlement (unless paid to IPRAS), and other expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred
in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or proceeding. The foregoing right
of indemnification shall be exclusive of any other rights to which the parties may be entitled.
This indemnification shall be in addition to any other power or right that IPRAS has to indemnify
its officers, directors, staff, and committee members. IPRAS may purchase insurance against
any liability incurred as the result of the first paragraph of this Article.

IPRAS By-Laws, Revised June 2007- Final version 7.17.07