UNION OF CENTRAL EURASIAN NEONATAL SOCIETIES
(UCENS)

Foundation                             4 April 2007, Antalya, Turkey

Founding Members

Afghanistan
Ahmaduddin Maarij

Azerbaijan
Nasip Guliyev - Nermin Memedova

Bashkortostan, Russia 
Elza N. Akhmadeeva - Leyla Akhmadeeva

Georgia
Ia Davitaia - Maka Mshvildadze

Kazakhstan
Zhanna Ospanova

Kyrgyzstan
Aygul Aimanbetova Jayolobayeva

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus                 
Çiğdem Bekler

Turkey                                   
Gülsevin Tekinalp - Murat Yurdakök

Uzbekistan                             
Dilbar Inoyatovna Makhmudova - Khadichahon Mukhamedova

Governing Bodies (2007-2010)

Executive Committee

President                     Murat Yurdakök (Turkey)
Vice-President             Khadichahon Mukhamedova (Uzbekistan)      
Secretary General      Nasip Guliyev (Azerbaijan)
Treasurer                    Aygul Aimanbetova Jayolobayeva (Kyrgyzstan)          

Members                    

Elza N. Akhmadeeva (Bashkortostan, Russia)

Çiğdem Bekler (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus)

Ahmaduddin Maarij (Afghanistan)

Zhanna Ospanova (Kazakhstan)

President of the Second Congress
Ia Davitaia (Georgia)
        

Council of Delegates

Afghanistan                 
Ahmaduddin Maarij - Bahder Mayar

Azerbaijan                  
Nasip Guliyev - Nermin Memedova

Bashkortostan             
Elza N. Akhmadeeva  - Leyla Akhmadeeva

Georgia                      
Ia Davitaia - Maka Mshvildadze

Kazakhstan                 
Zhanna Ospanova - Tamara Chuvakova

Kyrgyzstan                 
Aygul Aimanbetova Jayolobayeva - Bermet Barktabacova

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Çiğdem Bekler - Ertan Doğan

Turkey                        
Gülsevin Tekinalp - Murat Yurdakök

Uzbekistan                  
Dilbar Inoyatovna Makhmudova - Khadichahon Mukhamedova

Associate Member

Egypt                          
Gamal Samy Aly - Khalid Taman 

THE CONSTITUTION

Article 1 – NAME

1.1. The name of the Association shall be “Union of Central Eurasian Neonatal Societies” (UCENS).

Article 2 – MISSION and VISION and OBJECTIVES

2.1. UCENS is a non-governmental organization (NGO) set up to complement global and regional efforts to promote the well-being of newborn infants primarily in developing areas of Central Eurasia.

2.2.  UCENS works and cooperates with concerned governments and UN agencies (particularly the WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA), and non-governmental organizations (particularly the International Children’s Center - ICC, and the International Pediatric Association - IPA).

2.3. To achieve this objective, UCENS will:

2.3.1. promote friendship and collaboration of the Central Eurasian neonatologists or pediatricians in order to improve the health status of every newborn infant;
2.3.2. work for the advancement of knowledge in the area of neonatal medicine;
2.3.3. undertake programmatic actions which address major regional and global neonatal health issues;
2.3.4. promote education on neonatal health issues through support of an international congress, regional forums, and other activities;
2.3.5. encourage training and research in all aspects of neonatology;
2.3.6. advocate for the universal rights of  newborn infants;
2.3.7. collaborate and cooperate with national, regional and international bodies with similar interests in promoting the health and rights of  newborn infants.

Article 3 – MEMBERSHIP

3.1. The founding members of the UCENS are the national neonatal societies (in the absence of a national neonatal society, any society representing most of the neonatologists in a country) of  Afghanistan,  Azerbaijan, Bashkortostan (Russia), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Uzbekistan.

3.2. National neonatal societies (in the absence of a national neonatal society, any society representing most of the neonatologists in a country) of other Central Eurasian countries
(Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine) may become members of UCENS.

3.3. Neonatal (or pediatric) societies of federal or autonomus states/republics (e.g. Tatarstan, Crimea Autonomous Republic, Gagauzia) may also be admitted as members when their application has been approved by the Council of Delegates.

3.4. Neonatal (or pediatric) societies of other countries may apply for the status of associate member.

3.5. In presence of more than one national neonatal (or pediatric) society, only one of them representing most of the neonatologists in a country shall be accepted as member or sssociate member.

3.6. Applications for the status of member societies shall be submitted to the President in a timely fashion so that they may be presented to the Council of  Delegates at least six (6) months in advance of the next meeting of the Council of  Delegates , and be voted on at that meeting.

3.7. Member Societies shall pay dues according to the guidelines approved by the Council of Delegates.

Article 4 - GOVERNING BODIES

The governing bodies of the Union shall be the Council of Delegates and the Executive Committee.

4.1. Council of Delegates

4.1.1. The structure of the Council of Delegates shall be:

4.1.1.1. The Council shall be composed of the President, and the Secretary-General of each society belonging to the Union. In the absence of the President and/or Secretary-General, these officers may be replaced by official delegates. The officers or delagetes may be accompanied by advisors in addition to two (2) officers and/or delegates. But  each member society shall have the right to only one (1) vote.

4.1.1.2. Associate Members may be represented in the Council by two (2) delegates who may take part in the discussions but shall not vote.

4.1.1.3. Any society accepted as a new member in the Union has the right to participate in the elections of the Executive Committee only after two (2) years from the date of acceptance.

4.1.1.4. The officially designated delegate from each member society will duly represent that society in all discussions and votes. Each member society shall communicate the name of its official voting delegate to the President at least two (2) months prior to any Council of Delegates meeting.

4.1.1.5. The Council of Delegates shall meet at the time of each International Congress and the President of the UCENS shall preside over all meetings of the Council of Delegates.

4.1.2. The functions of the Council of Delegates shall be:

4.1.2.1. To receive, review, and approve new UCENS membership applications;

4.1.2.2. To terminate the membership for documented violation of UCENS principles (such decisions must be documented in writing);

4.1.2.3. To elect the President;

4.1.2.4. To elect the Vice-President;

4.1.2.5. To elect the Secretary-General;

4.1.2.6. To elect the Treasurer;

4.1.2.7. To elect three members of the Executive Committee;

4.1.2.8. To deal with any matter properly brought before the Council of Delegates by a member society, or the Executive Committee.

4.1.2.9. To review the policies and strategic plans of the UCENS and provide input regarding such matters to the Executive Committee;

4.1.2.10. To establish the annual membership dues;

4.1.2.11. To approve the budget;

4.1.2.12. To receive, review, and approve the financial report and audit covering the period since the previous International Congress;

4.1.2.13. To delegate to the Executive Committee to deal with matters concerning the Union;

4.1.2.14. To determine the location of the future International Congress;

4.1.2.15. To change the Constituation according to the needs.

4.2. The Executive Committee

4.2.1. The structure of the Executive Committee shall be:

4.2.1.1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President of the UCENS, Vice-President, the Immediate Past-President, the Secretary-General, the Treasurer, the President of the forthcoming International Congress, and three members elected by the Council.

4.2.1.2. If a member resigns from a position in the Executive Committee, he or she will be replaced by a member from his/her national society.

4.2.1.3. None of the members of associate member societies may be elected as the member of the Executive Committee.

4.2.2. The functions of the Executive Executive Committee shall be:

4.2.2.1. To carry out the programs and policies of the UCENS, and duties as may be delegated by the Council;

4.2.2.2. To consider applications for the status of member and for the status of associate member of the Union and to report to the Council concerning the admissions of new members;

4.2.2.3. To propose candidates for the officers for the Executive Committee to the Council of Delegates;

4.2.2.4. To recommend to the Council the amount to be collected as membership dues.

4.2.2.5. To scrutinize the budged prepared by the Treasurer and recommend it to the Council oe Delegates for approval.

4.2.2.6. To establish the dates and to elect the President of the forthcoming International Congress based on the recommendation of the hosting national neonatal (or pediatric) society;

4.2.2.7. To assist the President of the forthcoming International Congress with its preparation;

4.2.2.8. To set up a Regional Neonatal Research and Documentation Center and to establish its structure and areas of operation;

4.2.2.9. To publish newsletters, books and/or scientific journals or any other educational materials (video tapes, CD ROM… etc.) in the field of neonatal medicine and related areas when necessary.

Article 5 - OFFICERS

5.1. President

5.1.1. The President of the UCENS shall preside at the meetings of the Council of Delegates and the Executive Committee.

5.1.2. The President shall be responsible to the Council of Delegates for carrying out their policies and decisions.

5.1.3. The term of office of the President shall be three (3) years, but may be extended by the decision of the Council of Delegates.

5.1.4. The outgoing President shall serve an additional three-years term as member of the Executive Committee with the title of Vice-President (Immediate Past-President)

5.1.5. In the event of the President's temporary or permanent incapacity, the Vice-President shall serve as Acting-President for the remaining duration of the period of incapacity. This time shall not be counted in the three-year tenure period as the President.

5.1.6. Nominations for candidates for the President must be made by at least three (3) member societies in good standing and approved by the individuals' own national neonatal (or pediatric) society.

5.1.7. Proposals for candidates for the President (along with their curricula vitae) should be submitted in writing to the Secretary-General at least six months before the elections.

5.2 Secretary-General

The term of office of the Secretary-General shall be three (3) years, but may be extended by the decision of the Council.

5.3. Treasurer

The term of office of the Treasurer shall be three (3) years, but may be extended by the decision of the Council.

5.4. President of the Congress

5.4.1. The President of the Congress shall be ex-officio member by the Executive Committee of the Union.

5.4.2. The term of office of the President of the Congress shall end with the selection of the President of the following Congress.

Article 6 - MEETINGS, QUORUMS and VOTING

6.1. Meetings of the Council of Delegates

6.1.1. Reports of the President and the recommendations of the Executive Council shall be presented to each delegate at least one (1) month prior to the meeting of the Council of  Delegates.

6.1.2. The Council of Delegates shall hold meetings at the site and time of each International Congress, before the Executive Committee Meeting.

6.1.3. The presence of the member societies of more than half of the all member societies at a session of the Council of Delegates shall comprise a quorum.

6.1.4. A simple majority vote of those present and voting shall be sufficient for all matters other than changing the Constitution.

6.1.5. A two-thirds majority of member societies present and voting at meetings of the Council of Delegates shall be required for changing the Constitution.

6.2. Meetings of the Executive Committee

6.2.1. The Executive Committee shall hold meetings at the site and time of each International Congress.

6.2.2. In addition to these meetings, special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called at the discretion of the President and the Executive Committee.

6.2.3. Ordinarily, meetings of Executive Committee must be convened and provisional agenda sent to members at least one month in advance.

6.2.4. A simple majority of members present and voting at meetings of the Executive Council shall be valid as long as a quorum is present.

6.3. General rules

6.3.1. In case a quorum is not possible due to unforeseen emergency, the meeting may be adjourned and reconvened. Discussions can proceed but no binding decisions can be made.

6.3.2. Proxy voting shall not be allowed. In special circumstances, postal voting (including paper copies of e-mails and faxes) may be utilized.

6.3.3. In the event that the vote is tied, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Article 7 - AMENDMENTS

7.1. Any proposal to amend the Constitution or Schedules shall be sent to the President
not later than three (3) months before the next meeting of the Council of Delegates, and must appear on the agenda in order to be considered.

7.2. At the meeting of the Council of Delegates, a proposed amendment may be accepted without change or may be further amended by proposal of the delegates by a vote of at least two-thirds of the member societies present at the meeting.

Article 8 - SITE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

The site of the Administrative Office of the Union shall be the city of residence of the Secretary-General of the Union.

Article 9 - LANGUAGE

The offical language of the Union shall be English, Turkish and Russian. Contributions may be made and published in these languages.

Article 10 - DUES

10.1. Dues for Member Societies shall be established by guidelines developed by the Executive Committee and approved by the Council of Delegates.

10.2. Dues shall be payable in advance by each member or associate member society during the first week of January of each year.

10.3. Non-payment of dues for three (3) consecutive years shall automatically suspend membership until a decision is taken at the following meeting of the Council.

10.4. If under exceptional circumstances a Member Society has difficulties with the transfer of dues to the UCENS they may be deposited in a bank in their respective country in the local currency and be placed at the disposal of the UCENS.

Article 11 - INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

11.1. The Council of Delegates shall determine the location of the International Congress. The location should be consistent with the overall philosophy of the UCENS regarding rotation of Congress sites.

11.2. Proposals for Congresses must reach the President at least six (6) months before the upcoming meeting of the Council and circulated to the Executuive Committee.

11.3. Congresses shall be held every two (2) years. Due to unforeseen conditions, this time shall be shortened by the Executive Committee, and approved by the Council of Delegates.
The meetings could be attended by all individuals who are interested in the field of neonatology. All members of the Union should encourage active participation to the Congress.

11.4. The society hosting the Congress shall assume full responsibility for its organization in consultation with the President of UCENS, and for such arrangements as are necessary with the government of the host country, but the ultimate responsibility for the Congress and its organization resides with the UCENS.

11.5. The dates of the Congress, and the topics of sessions, speakers and the chairmans shall be determined by the Executive Committee after consultation with the President of the Congress.

11.6. Any printed matter regarding the Congress shall be approved by the President or Secretary-General.

11.7. All bank accounts should be under the supervision and approval of the Executive Committee. The President of the Congress should send all financial details to the treasurer within three months after the Congress. After the final approval 30% of the money retanied from the Congress should be transferred to the Account of the Union. In the case of negative balance, 30% of dept is covered by the Union. The Bank Account shall be in the name of the Union, in US dollars, and in the country where treasurer resides. The signitures of both President and Treasurer are needed to withdraw money from the bank.

11.8. The International Congress shall use English, Turkish, or Russian, and the language of the host country as far as means and facilities will allow. Simultaneous translations during the Congress shall be encourraged.

TRANSITIONAL ARTICLE
At the first meeting of the Council, the representatives of the founding members shall elect the first President of the Union, the Vice-President, the Secretary-General, the Treasurer, and four members (one for the Immediate Past-President) as well as the President of the First Congress. If the First Congress is not planned in the near future, one additional member shall be elected. Therefore total number of members shall be five.