Constitution of the Taiwanese Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management (TSRAPM)
Approved at the First General Meeting and Joint Directors' Meeting on August 17, 2024
Approved for record by the Ministry of the Interior in December 2023, document number 1120283524
Chapter 1： General Provisions
Article 1
This society shall be known as the Taiwanese Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management (hereinafter referred to as the Society).
Article 2
The Society is a non-profit public organization established in accordance with the law. The purposes of the Society are as follows：
To align with international standards by promoting and developing regional anesthesia and pain management techniques based on evidence. Education will focus on integrating "functional anatomy" across three aspects—regional anesthesia, acute pain management, and chronic pain management—into clinical practice and related academic programs, while upholding the concept of sustainability to enhance patient safety and well-being.
Article 3
The tasks of the Society are as follows and shall be promoted and executed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations：
1. To provide structured educational programs on regional anesthesia (including sedation) and pain management techniques.
2. To organize academic seminars related to regional anesthesia (including sedation) and pain management.
3. To establish communication and collaboration with organizations related to regional anesthesia and pain management for the purpose of jointly hosting international conferences.
4. To create a road map of regional anesthesia practices in Taiwan and Asia, illustrating the implementation status of specific techniques in various hospitals, thereby offering reference recommendations for residents in training on regional anesthesia and pain management techniques.
5. To establish necessary training components and evaluation standards for specialized training in regional anesthesia and pain management, particularly in ultrasound-guided procedures.
6. To promote regional anesthesia as an action indicator for hospitals to implement environmental sustainability initiatives.
7. To enhance public awareness regarding the importance of regional anesthesia and pain management.
8. To assist in the manufacturing of medical equipment, devices, and medications related to regional anesthesia and pain management.
9. To integrate functional anatomy and its clinical content encompassing regional anesthesia, acute pain, and chronic pain into the curricula of relevant university programs, linking basic anatomy with clinical practice, inspiring the relationship between regional anesthesia and environmental sustainability from pre-clinical education, and incorporating this into medium- and long-term institutional development plans to fulfill the social responsibility of medical universities.
10. To assist government agencies in the formulation of health insurance policies and responsibilities related to regional anesthesia.
11. To publish society journals.
12. To address other matters related to the advancement of regional anesthesia and pain management and to promote member engagement.
Article 4
The competent authority of the Society is the Ministry of the Interior, whereas the primary regulatory body overseeing the Society's purposes and tasks as outlined in the charter is the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Society’s intended operations shall be guided and supervised by the respective regulatory authorities.
Article 5
The Society shall be organized based on the national administrative regions.
Article 6
The Society’s headquarters shall be located within the jurisdiction of the competent authority, and upon approval from the competent authority, the Society may establish branch offices.
The organizational guidelines for the aforementioned branch offices shall be passed by the general assembly of members (or their representatives) and submitted to the competent authority for approval.
Changes to the headquarters and branch office addresses must be reported to the competent authority for record-keeping.
Chapter 2： Members, Directors, and Supervisors
Article 7
Members and membership fees of the Society are categorized as follows：
1. Individual Members：
Any individual who agrees with the Society’s objectives and meets one of the following qualifications：
(1) Possesses a national anesthesia specialist certificate and is currently engaged in anesthesia-related work.
(2) Graduates from medical schools of accredited public or private universities in Taiwan or abroad, holding a diploma and a national specialist physician license, and is currently engaged in medical work that does not involve regional anesthesia-related duties.
(3) Teachers of anatomy at accredited public or private universities in Taiwan or abroad. Exempt from entrance fees and annual dues.
An application form must be filled out, introduced by one or more existing members, and submitted for review and approval by the Supervisory Board and Board of Directors, along with the payment of membership fees. The entrance fee is NT$5,000, payable upon joining; the annual membership fee is NT$1,000.
Institutional Members：
Any organization or group that supports the Society's objectives may apply for membership if there are at least 10 individuals from the same institution or group. An application form must be submitted, and member status is subject to review and approval by the Board of Directors upon payment of membership fees. Institutional members appoint one representative to exercise membership rights. Entrance and annual fees for institutional members are discounted: members of groups with 10 individuals receive a 10% discount, and groups with 20 members or more receive a 20% discount.
Entrance fees must be paid upon joining.
The status of institutional members will follow the same rules as those for individual members, with member participation in activities reflecting individual member qualifications.
Sponsoring Members：
Individuals or groups that support the Society’s objectives and financially contribute to the Society may fill out an application form for sponsorship membership, subject to review and approval by the Board of Directors.
Sponsorship amounts of NT$300,000 will grant gold sponsor status, while NT$200,000 will grant silver sponsor status.
Provisional Members：
Individuals who agree with the Society's objectives and meet one of the following qualifications may apply for provisional membership：
(1) Graduates from medical schools at accredited public or private universities in Taiwan or abroad, holding a diploma and a national medical license, currently undergoing anesthesia professional training in hospitals recognized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and engaged in anesthesia-related work.
(2) Graduates from non-medical pain-related programs (such as nutrition, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, or others) at colleges or universities in Taiwan or abroad.
An application form must be filled out, with introductions from one or more current members or provisional members, and submitted for review and approval by the Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors, along with the payment of membership dues. The entrance fee is NT$3,000, payable upon joining; the annual fee is NT$500.
5. Student Members：
Students currently enrolled in pain-related programs (e.g., medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, anatomy, or others) at colleges or universities in Taiwan or abroad are eligible for student membership. They must fill out an application form and have their eligibility approved by one or more current members or provisional members, and subsequently approved by the Board of Directors upon payment of membership dues. The entrance fee is NT$1,000, payable upon joining; the annual fee is NT$200.
Advisory Members：
Individuals with qualifications of department head or above may be recommended as advisory members by the directors after verifying qualifications through the Supervisory Board or the organizing committee. Advisory members are exempt from entrance fees and annual fees; advisory positions are unpaid and do not receive transportation expenses.
7. Honorary Members：
Domestic and international medical personnel or researchers who have made special contributions to the Society may be recommended by the Board of Directors for honorary membership, subject to approval by the general meeting.
Article 8
Members (or their representatives) shall have the right to vote, the right to elect, the right to be elected, and the right to dismiss. Each member (or representative) shall be entitled to one vote. Provisional members, student members, advisory members, sponsoring members, and honorary members shall not have the aforementioned rights.
Article 9
The directors and supervisors of the Society shall serve a term of 3 years.
Article 10
The Society shall consist of 21 directors (including 3 executive directors, one of whom shall be the president) and 1 alternate director. The Board of Directors shall elect the executive directors among themselves and shall elect the president from among the executive directors.
Article 11
The Society shall consist of 7 supervisors (including 1 executive supervisor) and 1 alternate supervisor. The Supervisory Board shall elect the executive supervisor among themselves, who shall oversee daily operations and serve as the chairperson of the Supervisory Board.
Article 12
Members have the obligation to comply with the Society’s charter, resolutions, and payment of membership fees. Members who fail to pay their fees shall have their rights suspended. If a member fails to pay fees for two consecutive years, they may be considered to have resigned from the Society following discussions and resolutions in meetings of the Board of Directors and Supervisors. For members who have resigned, withdrawn, or had their rights suspended, any application for reinstatement or restoration of rights must be accompanied by the payment of all outstanding fees unless justified for approval by the Board of Directors.
Article 13
Should a member (or their representative) violate the law, the charter, or fail to comply with resolutions of the general assembly, the Board of Directors may resolve to issue a warning or suspend the member’s rights. In cases where the violation jeopardizes the integrity of the Society, the general assembly may resolve to expel the member.
Article 14
A member shall cease to be a member in any of the following circumstances：
1. Death.
2. Loss of membership qualifications.
3. Expulsion decided by the general assembly (or their representatives).
Article 15
Members may resign from the Society by submitting a written declaration stating their reasons.
Chapter 3: Organization and Authority
Article 16
The general assembly of members shall be the highest governing body of the Society.
If the number of members (or their representatives) exceeds 300, proportional representation may be used to elect representatives, who shall then convene a representatives' assembly to exercise the powers of the general assembly.
The term of representatives shall be the same as that of the directors and supervisors, and the number and election methods shall be implemented after approval by the Board of Directors and reported to the competent authority for record-keeping.
Article 17
The powers of the general assembly (or representatives) are as follows：
1. To establish and amend the charter.
2. To elect and dismiss directors and supervisors.
3. To determine the amounts and methods of membership fees, annual fees, operational fees, and members’ donations.
4. To decide on the annual work plan, reports, budget, and financial statements.
5. To determine the expulsion of members (or their representatives).
6. To decide on the purchase, sale, transfer, or other disposal of assets.
7. To decide on the dissolution of the Society.
8. To decide on other significant matters related to members' rights and obligations, with the scope of significant matters outlined by the Board of Directors.
Article 18
Directors and supervisors of the Society shall be elected by the members (or their representatives), separately forming the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board.
When electing directors and supervisors, alternate directors and supervisors may also be elected concurrently. In the event of vacancies, the respective positions shall be filled in order.
The Board of Directors may propose a reference list of candidates for the next term of directors and supervisors.
Elections may be conducted by mail, with procedures approved by the Board of Directors and reported to the competent authority for record-keeping.
Article 19
The president shall oversee and manage internal affairs and represent the Society in external matters, convening and presiding over the general assembly and the Board of Directors.
If the president is unable to perform their duties, they shall designate one executive director to act in their stead; if no designation is made, an executive director shall be mutually elected to serve as acting president.
Elections for a new president or executive directors shall occur within one month of a vacancy.
Article 20
The powers of the Board of Directors are as follows：
1. To verify the qualifications of members (or their representatives).
2. To elect and dismiss executive directors and the president.
3. To approve resignations from directors, executive directors, and
Article 21
In the event that the executive supervisor is unable to perform their duties, they shall designate one supervisor to act on their behalf; if no designation is made or if it is not possible to designate someone, the supervisors shall mutually elect one person to serve as the acting supervisor.
If there is a vacancy in the position of the chairperson of the Supervisory Board (the executive supervisor), a by-election shall be held within one month.。
Article 22
The powers of the Supervisory Board are as follows：
1. To oversee the execution of the Board of Directors' work.
2. To review the annual financial statements.
3. To elect and dismiss the executive supervisor.
4. To approve the resignations of supervisors and the executive supervisor.
5. To oversee other matters as required.
第二十三條
irectors and supervisors shall serve without compensation and may be re-elected multiple times.
The president may serve a maximum of one consecutive term.
The term of directors and supervisors shall commence from the date of the first Board of Directors meeting of the current term.
Article 24
Directors and supervisors shall be immediately dismissed under any of the following circumstances:
1. Loss of membership (or representative) qualifications.
2. Resignation approved by the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Board.
3. Dismissal or removal from office.
4. During a period of suspension of rights that exceeds half of their term.
第二十五條
he Society shall appoint two secretaries who will handle the Society's affairs as directed by the president, along with other staff as deemed necessary and approved by the Board of Directors.
Staff members cannot be drawn from among the directors or supervisors.
The rights and responsibilities of the staff and their division of duties shall be specified by the Board of Directors.
第二十六條
The Society may establish various committees, working groups, or other internal operational organizations, with their organizational guidelines to be implemented after approval by the Board of Directors and shall also apply to any changes.
第二十七條
The Society may appoint one honorary president and several honorary members or advisors, with their terms to coincide with those of the directors and supervisors.
Chapter 4: Meetings
Article 28
The general assembly of members (or their representatives) shall consist of regular meetings and extraordinary meetings.
The president shall convene these meetings and must notify all attendees at least 15 days in advance, except in cases of emergency for extraordinary meetings.
Regular meetings shall be held once a year, while extraordinary meetings shall be convened as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, upon request of more than one-fifth of the members (or their representatives), or upon request from the Supervisory Board.
After the Society has registered as a legal entity, extraordinary meetings may be convened upon request of over one-tenth of the members (or their representatives).
The general assembly may be convened via video conference or other methods announced by the competent authority, with check-in and voting procedures conducted using electronic devices. However, elections, by-elections, and dismissals must be conducted in physical meetings.。
第二十九條
If members (or their representatives) cannot attend the general assembly in person, they may delegate another member (or representative) in writing to act as their proxy; each member (or representative) may only appoint one proxy.
Article 30
Decisions at the general assembly (or representatives) shall be made by a majority of the members (or their representatives) in attendance, with resolutions requiring more than half or a larger majority of those present.
However, the following matters shall require approval from two-thirds of those present:
1. Establishment and amendment of the charter.
2. Expulsion of members (or their representatives).
3. Dismissal of directors and supervisors.
4. Disposal of assets.
5. Dissolution of the Society.
6. Other significant matters related to members' rights and obligations, with the scope of significant matters defined by the Board of Directors.
After the Society registers as a legal entity, amendments to the charter require the consent of three-quarters of those present or written consent from two-thirds of all members; dissolution of the Society may be resolved at any time with the consent of two-thirds of all members.
Article 31
The Board of Directors shall hold at least one meeting every six months, and the Supervisory Board shall also hold at least one meeting every six months.
If necessary, joint meetings or extraordinary meetings may be called.
Except for extraordinary meetings, all meetings shall notify attendees at least seven days in advance.
Resolutions shall require the attendance and agreement of a majority of directors or supervisors.
Article 32
Directors must attend Board meetings, and supervisors must attend Supervisory Board meetings; proxy attendance is not allowed for either board.
Board meetings, Supervisory Board meetings, and joint meetings of the directors and supervisors may be convened via video conference or other methods announced by the competent authority.
Attendance at video conferences by directors and supervisors shall be regarded as in-person attendance, and sign-in and voting procedures shall be facilitated using electronic devices. However, matters involving elections, by-elections, and dismissals must be conducted in physical meetings.
Directors or supervisors who are absent from Board or Supervisory Board meetings without valid reasons for two consecutive times shall be considered to have resigned.
Chapter 5: Finances and Accounting
Article 33
The sources of funding for the Society are as follows:
1. Entrance fees.
2. Annual membership fees.
3. Operational fees.
4. Donations from members.
5. Commissioned revenues.
6. Funds and their interest.
7. Other income.
Article 34
The fiscal year of the Society shall align with the calendar year, commencing on January 1 and concluding on December 31 each year.
Before the start of each fiscal year, the Board of Directors shall prepare an annual work plan and budget for income and expenditure.
Within three months after the end of the fiscal year, the Board of Directors shall compile the previous year’s work report and accounting report, which shall be submitted to the Supervisory Board for review. Upon receiving the review comments, these reports shall be returned to the Board of Directors along with the current year’s work plan and budget, to be presented for approval at the general assembly of members (or their representatives) and subsequently reported to the competent authority for record-keeping.
If the general assembly of members (or their representatives) cannot convene as scheduled, the approval may first be secured through the Society’s Board of Directors and Supervisory Board or a joint meeting, with the subsequent report to the general assembly for affirmation and further submission to the competent authority.
Article 35
Upon the dissolution of the Society, any remaining assets shall belong to the local autonomous entity of the area where the Society is registered or to organizations designated by the competent authority. The appointment of liquidators and the process of asset liquidation shall be handled according to the Civil Code, unless otherwise stipulated by law, if the Society is registered as a legal entity.
If the Society is not legally registered, the liquidation process shall be conducted based on the resolutions of the general assembly of members (or their representatives). If the general assembly cannot reach a resolution, the president shall serve as the liquidator, with the relevant provisions of the Civil Code applied.
Chapter 6: Supplementary Provisions
Article 36
Matters not specified in this charter shall be handled in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Article 37
This charter shall take effect upon approval by the general assembly of members (or their representatives) and shall be submitted to the competent authority for record-keeping. Changes to the charter shall follow the same procedure.
Article 38
This charter was adopted at the first general assembly of the Society held on August 17, 2024.