Chapter l: General Regulations

Article 7:
The following three categories of membership apply:

A: Regular Membership
With the approval of the Board of Directors, any person who graduated from a medical school of an institution either domestic or overseas, who is licensed to practice medicine in Taiwan, who is currently practicing internal medicine in Taiwan, who agrees with the Society's aims, and who can provide proof of having one of the following qualifications, can obtain regular membership.
(1) Being certified as an internist in Taiwan.
(2) Having completed a three-year residency training at a hospital accredited by the Society to train internists.
(3) Being certified in internal medicine in a foreign country and having obtained in Taiwan a physicians certificate, which is recognized by our government health authorities.

B: Affiliate Membership
Any physician who is currently in training as a resident in internal medicine at a teaching hospital accredited to train internists by the Society may apply for an affiliate membership.

C. Honorary Membership
The Board of Directors and the Supervisory Commission may confer honorary membership to a person who is nominated by the Board Chairman, and who has an outstanding contribution or achievement in internal medicine.

D. Senior Membership
Any regular member who attains 70 years of age may apply.

Article 8:
If any member (member's representative) commits an act that is against the law or the regulations of the Society, or refuses to abide by a resolution passed at a general meeting of the members (members' representatives), the Board of Directors may decide to either warn or punish that member by revoking his or her rights as a member. In serious cases, a resolution may be passed at a general meeting of the members (Members' representatives) to dismiss that member from the Society.

Article 9:
The regulations applying to membership fees are as follows:

A: Regular members and affiliate members must pay in full the annual fees by the end of April each year. Those who have not paid will receive a reminder notice at the end of May, and the Society will stop sending them materials from June l. Their name will be restored to the mailing list when the overdue fees have been paid.

B: The continuing education credits of any regular member whose annual fees are overdue by two years will not be recorded from June of the next year, and he or she will not receive any materials from the Society. Their rights will be restored upon payment of the overdue fees.

C: Any affiliate member who has not paid the Society's annual fees for two years will have their rights revoked. The full rights will be restored upon payment of the overdue fees.

D: The Board of Directors will cancel the membership of any regular or affiliate member who has not paid the Society's annual fees for three years. This act will also be endorsed at the next general meeting of the members.

E: Other fees should be paid in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Article l0:
Any members wishing to relinquish membership must inform the Society in writing of their intention to do so, stating the reason for their decision.

Article 11:
Fees already paid will not be returned to persons who either relinquish their membership or are dismissed from the Society.

Article l2:
The rights and obligations of members:

A: Regular Members:
(1) May make statements and vote.
(2) May stand for elections, vote in elections, and have the right of recall.
(3) May take part in the Society's activities.
(4) Must obey the regulations of the Society and fulfil the obligations defined in any resolution passed by the Society.
(5) Must pay all fees due to the Society.
(6) Must perform the responsibilities designated by the Society.

B: Affiliate Members:
With the exception of the right to vote, to stand for election, vote in elections, and the right of recall, the rights and obligations of affiliate members are the same as those of regular members. Affiliate members may take part in continuing education courses, but the credits will not be recorded.

C: Honorary Members:
With the exception of the right to vote, to stand for election, to vote in elections, and the right of recall, the rights and obligations of honorary members are the same as those of regular members. However, they are exempt from the requirement to pay membership and annual fees.

Article l3:
The Society's highest power lies in the Council of Members' Representatives (defined as that authority exercised at general meetings of the members' representatives). When it is not in session, the Board of Directors may act on its behalf. The Supervisory Commission is a monitoring body. The responsibilities of the Council of Members' Representatives are as follows:
A: To draw up and amend regulations.
B: To elect and recall the members of the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Commission.
C: To decide on membership fees, operating charges, and the method and amount of members' donations.
D. To decide on the annual working plans, reports, budget and final accounting.
E: To decide on the discipline and dismissal of members (members' representatives).
F: To decide on the disposition of the Society's property.
G: To make decisions regarding dissolution of the Society.
H: To make decisions regarding other important matters related to the rights and obligations of the members.

The members' representatives are elected from each district on a proportional basis, and their authority comes into effect when the Council of Members' Representatives meets. The term is three years. The procedures for electing the representatives are formulated by the Board of Directors, and are implemented after they have been reported to and approved by the relevant government authorities.

Article l4:
The Society has 27 Board members and 9 supervisors, comprising the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Commission, respectively. All of these people are elected by the members (members' representatives). They are elected for a three-year term, and may serve for another consecutive term if reelected. Both positions are honorary. When the elections for these positions of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission are being held, 9 reserve Board members and 3 reserve supervisors are
elected at the same time. The number or votes gained by each person is used as the basis for deciding which of those elected will hold official or reserve positions. In the event of two people gaining the same number of votes, the decision will be made by drawing. lots. The current Board of Directors may nominate the candidates to be elected in the next Board and Supervisory Commission.

Article l5:
The responsibilities of the Board of Directors are as follows:
A: To decide on the holding of meetings by the Council of Members' Representatives.
B: To examine members' qualifications.
C: To elect and recall the Chairman of the Board and the standing Board members.
D: To decide on the resignation of the Chairman of the Board and standing or regular Board members.
E: To hire and dismiss personnel.
F: To formulate the annual working plans, reports, budget and final accounting.
G: To execute other duties as necessary.

Article l6:
The Board of Directors consists of nine standing members who are elected by the regular Board members themselves. These standing members elect one of their members to be the Chairman of the Board, who holds the position for a three-year term,and if elected again, may serve one more term. The Chairman of the Board handles and supervise the affairs of the Society, and acts as its official representative for extramural activities. He or she also acts as the chairman at meetings of the Council of Members' Representatives and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board should come in person to the Society's office when necessary to perform his or her duties. If otherwise engaged and unable to fulfil his responsibilities he must designate one of the standing members of the Board to act on his behalf. If he or she is unable to find a designee, one is chosen by the permanent Board members themselves. If the position of the Chairman of the Board or that of one of the permanent members becomes vacant, an election should be held within one month to fill the post.

Article l7:
The responsibilities of the Supervisory Commission are as follows:
A: To supervise the work of the Board of Directors.
B: To examine and approve the annual accounting of income and expenditure.
C: To elect or recall the Commission's standing members.
D: To decide on the resignation of individual supervisors or standing supervisors.
E: Such other supervisory duties as necessary.

Article l8:
The Supervisory Commission consists of 3 standing members, who are elected by the Commission members themselves and are responsible for supervising the general affairs of the Society. The standing members of the Commission elect one of their members to act as the Convener, a position which is held for 3 years, and if elected again, may hold one more term. If otherwise engaged and unable to fulfil his or her responsibilities, the Convener must designate one of the standing members of the Commission to act on his or her behalf. If he or she is unable to find a designee, one is chosen by the standing members themselves. If the position of one of the standing members becomes vacant, an election should be held within one month to fill the post.

Article l9:
Any member of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Commission should be dismissed immediately under the following circumstances:
A: If he loses his eligibility as a member or a members' representative.
B: If he tenders resignation for reasons, and is accepted by the resolution of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Commission.
C: If he is recalled or dismissed.
D: If he is penalized by having his rights as a member of the Society revoked for more than half the duration of his term in office.

Article 20:
The Society has one Secretary General, who is nominated by the Chairman of the Board and approved by the Board of Directors. The relevant government authority must be informed when the post is filled, and when the term of office is completed. The Secretary General's responsibilities are as follows:
A: Carrying out such duties as are requested by the Chairman of the Board.
B: Taking care of the minutes of the Society's meetings, its correspondence, its official seal, and its registration certificates.
C: Handling matters related to the applications and registrations of regular members and affiliate members.
D: Taking care of the documents, receipts and invoices related to the Society's income and expenditure.
E: Assisting the Society in the publication of its literature.

Article 2l:
The Society may hire one to three secretaries and one to five office staffs. The positions are filled through nomination by the Chairman of the Board, and must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Article 22:
Various committees may be established by the Society as needed. The organization and regulations of these committees are drawn up elsewhere and reported to the relevant authority for approval. The number and members of each committee will be decided by the Board of Directors. A member of the Society's Board of Directors should, in principle, be appointed as the Chairman of each committee.

Article 23:
The Board of Directors may appoint an honorary Chairman of the Board, a certain number of honorary Board members and consultants. Their terms of office are the same as those of the members of the Board and the Supervisory Commission.

Article 24:
General meetings of the members (members' representatives) consists of either fixed or temporary meetings. They are convened by Chairman of the Board. The members (members' representatives) should be informed in writing of the date of the meetings fifteen days in advance. Fixed meeting is held once a year; temporary meetings are held when deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, or at the request of over one fifth of the members (members' representatives), or when the Supervisory Commission make a written request for such meetings.

Article 25:
When a member (members' representative) is unable to attend general meeting in person, he or she may delegate another member (members' representative) in writing to represent him or her. Any member (members' representative) may act on behalf of only one person.

Article 26:
Resolutions at general meetings of the members (members' representatives) may be passed only with the agreement of more than half the number of members (members' representatives) present. However, resolutions involving the following matters may only be passed with the agreement of more than two thirds of those present.
A: Changing or making new regulations.
B: Dismissal of members (members' representatives).
C: Recalling members of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Commission.
D: Disposition of the Society's property.
E: Dissolving the organization.
F: Other important matters with a bearing on the rights and obligations of the members.

Article 27:
The Board of Directors holds meeting every six months. The Supervisory Commission also holds meeting every six months. Joint meetings or temporary meetings are held as needed. Notice should be given in writing seven days before the above meetings convene, with the exception of temporary meetings. Resolutions at these meetings may be passed only with the agreement of more than half the number of members of the Board or Commission present.

Article 28:
Members of the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Commission must attend meetings of the relevant bodies. Other individuals may not be delegated to attend the meetings on behalf of members of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Commission. Two consecutive absences without good reason may be considered as resignation from the Board or Commission.

Article 29:
The relevant government authorities and those in charge of target enterprises must be informed in writing by the Society of the type, date, place, and agenda of any general meeting of the members' representatives, the meeting of the Board of Directors, or the Supervisory Commission. Such notice must be given fifteen days before general meetings of the members' representatives, and seven days before meetings of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Commission. The minutes of these meetings should be reported to the relevant authorities in writing within l5 days after the meeting.

Article 30:
The Sources of the Society's Funds
A: Membership application fees
A once-only fee of NT$ 2,000 is applicable when regular or affiliate membership is conferred. When an affiliate member is approved for a regular member, the application fee and the fee for the certificate are waived.
B: The annual membership fees for the regular and affiliate members are NT$ l,000.
C: Supplementary fees.
D: Voluntary donations.
E: Interests or dividends from the funds.
F: Other incomes.
G: Any changes in membership application fees, and annual fees for the regular and affiliate members are determined by the Board of Directors and submitted to the Council of Members' Representatives for approval.

Article 31:
The Society's fiscal year is from January l to December 3l.

Article 32:
Two months before (after) the end of each year, the budget (final accounts) compiled by the Society must be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval, and then reported to the relevant authorities after being passed at a general meeting of the members (members' representatives). If a general meeting of the members (members' representatives) cannot be convened in time, the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission may pass a resolution to report to the relevant authorities first, and later report to the general meeting for retroactive endorsement; however, in this case the final accounts must first be submitted to the Supervisory Commission for examination, and the results of this examination must be reported at the general meeting of the members (members' representatives).

Article 33:
The Society's funds are deposited in the bank with an account in the Society s name. Deposits into and withdrawals from this account are handled by the Secretary General at the instruction of the Board of Directors.

Article 34:
Any assets or other holdings remaining after the Society is dissolved become the property of local autonomous bodies or such organizations as may be stipulated by the authorities concerned.

Article 35:
Any matters not covered in these regulations are to be handled in accordance with the relevant ordinances.

Article 36:
The detailed regulations of the Society are determined by the Board of Directors.

Article 37:
These regulations have been passed by resolution at the Council of Members' Representatives and submitted to the relevant authorities for approval. Any changes of these regulations must be handled by the same procedures.

Article 38:
Provided below are the dates and session number of the general meetings at which the members (members' representatives) approved or changed these regulations and the dates and document number of the relevant authority's approval.

Resolution to adopt the regulations passed at the first general meeting of members, August 5, l987 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior; Document No. tai nei she tzu 525678.

Resolution to adopt amendments to the regulations passed at the third general meeting of members, June 25, l989 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, August l7, l989. Document No. tai nei she tzu 727728.

Resolution passed on September 20, l992, at the sixth general meeting of members to give the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Commission authority to study and amend the regulations.

Amendments to the regulations passed in the second session at the thirteenth joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission on January l4, l993 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, February l8, l993. Document No. nei she tzu 820424l.

Amendments to the regulations passed in the third session at the sixth joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission on January l2, l995 Amendments to the regulations passed in the seventh session at the third joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission on July 6, 1995 and approved upon reexamination at the second session at the first general meeting of members on November 11, 1995.

Resolution to adopt amendments to the regulations passed at the tenth general meeting of members, November 10, 1996. Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, January 29, 1997. Document No. tai nei she tzu 8603580.

Amendments to the regulations passed in the fifth session at the fourth joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission on June 18, 1998 and approved upon reexamination at the third session at the fourth general meeting of members on November 12, 1998 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, January 14, 1999. Document No. tai nei she tzu 8802782.

Amendments to the regulations passed in the seventh session at the fourth joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission on July 1, 1999 and approved upon reexamination at the first session at the fifth general meeting of members on November 13, 1999 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, January 4, 2000. Document No. tai nei she tzu 8842883.

Amendments to the regulations passed in the fifth session at the fifth joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Commission on December 16, 2000 and approved upon reexamination at the second session at the fifth general meeting of members on November 11, 2000 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, February 12, 2001. Document No. tai nei she tzu 9004779.

Resolution to adopt amendments to the regulations passed at the second session at the sixth general meeting of members, November 8, 2003 Recorded and approved by the Ministry of the Interior, January 27, 2004. Document No. tai nei she tzu 0930003642.