NORDIC TELEMEDICINE ASSOCIATION

Formulated in the founding meeting in Ilulissat 7.9.1999
Final version accepted by the extended board of founding members at the Copenhagen meeting 13.9.2000

Article 1 -The goal of the Nordic Telemedicine Association is to facilitate Nordic co-operation and co-operation between Nordic countries and the rest of the world in the field of telemedicine and telecare, and co-ordinate the arrangements of a Nordic Telemedicine Congress every two years.

Article 2 -The association aims to develop close contacts and collaboration with national telemedicine associations or representative bodies in the Nordic countries, as well as with international societies in the field of telemedicine.

Article 3 - The association is headquartered in that Nordic country and institution, from where the chairman is elected according to the Nordic rota scheme (see article 11). The official documents are prepared in English.

Article 4 - There are two types of memberships. The association membership is open to 1) Nordic telemedicine associations or representative national bodies as well as to 2) individual members, who apply for membership to the board, documenting their interests described in Article 1.

Article 5 - Active members are those associations and individuals whose application has been accepted by the board and who have paid the annual fee, if such is set by the general assembly (see Article 6). In addition the board can nominate honorary members.

Article 6 -Each active member pays an annual membership fee. The amount of annual fee is decided by the general assembly and it can vary according to member´s status as an association, entity or individual member.

Article 7 - The organs of the Association are:
-General Assembly
-Board
-Executive Committee
-Chairman
-Two Auditors

Article 8 - The General Assembly
-Recognises the Board, which is consisting of following members: A) In normal case each national telemedicine association or representative body in the 5 Nordic Countries plus 3 autonomous areas (Greenland, Faroe Islands, Åland) will have a mandate to one member recommend by that organisation. B) Then there are as many members elected in the general assembly based on free proposals. Maximum amount of the members of the board is thus 16 members. The board members on mandate of national associations or representative bodies then form the executive board.
-Deliberates on modifications to the by-laws.
-Decides the amount of the membership fee.
-Approves the budget and the year-end financial report.

The Assembly is convoked by the Executive committee at least every two years. Extraordinary Assemblies can be convoked when necessary to discuss topics of relevance for the life of the association. Extraordinary Assemblies are convoked upon of the majority of the members of the Executive Committee.

Article 9 -Board
The election of board is explained in article 8. The board serves 2 years and the members can be re-elected, maximum term for freely elected members (not on mandate) being however 4 years. The Board prepares suggestions to the General Assembly. It also nominates the Chairman of the association amongst the Executive Committee members. It is convoked by the Executive Committee at least once per year. Extraordinary Assemblies can be convoked when necessary to discuss topics of relevance for the life of the association. Extraordinary Assemblies are convoked upon of the majority of the members of the Executive Committee. The Board meets with at least two weeks notice. At least half of the members must be present. The voting procedure in the Board is based on consensus.
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Article 10 - Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is composed of 5 to 8 members on mandate of the national telemedicine associations or representative bodies (see article 8). The Executive board serves 2 years and the members can be re-elected once. One of the members of the Executive Committee is the Chairman as elected by the board. Other officials of the Executive Board are: Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Marketing official. The Executive Committee can decide by itself of the division of tasks. The Executive Committee meets whenever the Chairman or two members deem it necessary, with at least two weeks notice. At least half of the members must be present The voting procedure in Executive Committee is based on consensus.

Article 11 - The Chairman

_ is the legal representative of the Association in all its administrative, juridical or moral relationships and in litigation;
_ enforces the Statutes
_ convokes the Executive Committee
_ convokes and presides at the General Assembly
_ formulates the Executive Committee and General assembly meeting agendas.
The chairman will sign the name of the association in documents, in financial issues he can delegate this to the treasurer.
The case of the chairman is absent, he can delegate the tasks to the vice chairman or some other member of the Executive Committee.
The position of the Chairman is rotated between the Nordic countries and autonomous areas in a two year rota.

Article 12 - Two Auditors
Two Auditors are elected by the General Assembly. Their term is 2 years and they can be re-elected. Their tasks:
-oversee the management of the Association
-ascertain that proper accounting is being prepared
-reports to the General Assembly on the fiscal year financial report.

Article 13 - The Association is non-political and not-for-profit. The fiscal year of the Association runs from January 1 to December 31 in a period of two years (same as the term of the board). The Financial assets of the Association are designated for the pursuit of Association goals.

Article 14 - The General Assembly is announced in writing e.g. at the Association web site or by e-mail at least 30 days before the event. It is arranged in association to a Nordic meeting, if possible. The meeting is valid, if the call is properly made. In issues other than Executive Board elections, the decisions are made with a favourable vote of the majority of those present.

Article 15 - The dissolution of the Association is deliberated by the General Assembly with a majority of at least two thirds of the members present, in the first and second convocation. The motion for dissolution must be indicated in the meeting agenda. If the Association is dissolved, any funds thus made available will be given to an entity with similar goals The choice of the entity will be deliberated by the assembly with a simple majority of those present.

Article 16 - Items not covered in the present by-laws will be regulated by laws on free associations according to the laws of the country where the chairman comes from.