Article 1: Name - Residence - Language
- The name of the organization is the International Interdisciplinary Consensus Committee on DDH Evaluation (ICODE).
- ICODE is an International non-profit organization. For correspondence purposes the headquarters is that of the incumbent General Secretary.
- The official language of the Association is English.
Article 2: Aims and Objectives
Aims:
- To support the dissemination of Hip Sonography and Early Universal Screening for the diagnosis and treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH).
- To promote the co-operation of multiple disciplines for the early diagnosis and treatment of DDH.
- To foster research directed towards optimizing early diagnosis and treatment of DDH.
- To foster co-operation between all Hip Sonography Organizations.
- To develop and maintain a database of contacts and members around the world.
- To establish scientific and professional links with other societies worldwide.
Objectives:
- In furthering the above-mentioned aims, ICODE shall have the following objectives:
- to organize international and regional congresses, conferences, symposia, workshops and structured courses.
- to publish journals, newsletters, books and brochures for the dissemination of hip sonography.
- to assist in education, training and providing educational programmes and materials.
- to establish international exchange programmes.
- to promote international collaborative research projects.
- to provide such other services and develop such other functions as are compatible with the purposes of ICODE.
- ICODE is a non-profit organization and shall not seek to promote any political, economic or religious aims.
Article 3: Membership
Section 1: Groups
The membership consists of:
- Full Members
- Associate Members
- Honorary Fellows
Section 2: Full Members
- Membership of the Association is open to all health care professionals with expertise in the diagnosis and/or treatment of DDH. Criteria and requisites of membership are prescribed in the Bylaws.
- Full Members are entitled to attend and speak at meetings, and be elected as Members of the National Sub-Committees. They may also attend and speak at the Annual General Meeting.
Section 3: Associate Members
Any health care professional may become an Associate Member. Criteria and prerequisites of associate membership are prescribed in the Bylaws. Associate Μembers may attend, and speak at, all events with the exception of the Annual General Meeting.
Section 4: Honorary Fellows
- Persons of distinction in the field of DDH Diagnosis and Treatment may be awarded Honorary Fellowship of ICODE
- Honorary Fellows are entitled to attend, and speak at, the Annual General Meeting, but they are not entitled to vote, unless they participate as representatives of the National Sub-Committees.
- Honorary Fellows may become Full Members, according to the criteria described in the Bylaws.
Section 5: Termination of Membership
Membership shall be terminated:
- on the death of a member.
- upon the written request of the member – in which case membership ends at the end of the year in which the request was received, provided that this is at least six months before the end of that year. If not, membership will end at the end of the next year.
- by failure of the member to pay the Association’s membership fees – after due warning.
- by a decision of the ICODE Council in the case of members who act contrary to the Constitution, or have caused unreasonable harm to the organization and/or its membership.
Article 4: Organization
Section 1: Organizational Structure
The organizational structure of ICODE consists of the:
- ICODE International Board
- ICODE National Sub-Committees
- International Sub-committees
Section 2: The ICODE International Board
- The ICODE International Board is the directing body of ICODE.
- The ICODE International Board consists of seven: the Chair, the General Secretary, the Treasurer and four further Board Members.
- The board members are elected during the AGM. Board members are elected for a two-year term. The Board Members then select, from within their number, a Chair, General Secretary and Treasurer. The General Secretary is responsible for keeping a detailed account of the subjects discussed during the meeting and for directing the communications of ICODE. The Treasurer is responsible for the finances of the organization and the other Members aid with all the current needs, activities and logistics of the organization. As far as possible, the Board should include members with backgrounds in Radiology, Orthopaedics and Paediatrics.
- Members of the ICODE International Board shall meet at least once a year during the Annual General Meeting. The Board may meet at other times during the year as the need
arises, either in person or by teleconference.
Section 3: National Sub-Committees
- Each country in which there are members of ICODE may have a National Sub-Committee.
- A National Sub-Committee consists of at least three (3) members, with a maximum number of seven (7) members.
National Sub-Committee members must be Full Members of ICODE. The purpose of the National Sub-Committees is to maintain national registries, promote the principles of ICODE at a national level and carry out the tasks of ICODE, such as training and audit. - At least one member of each National Sub-Committee should act as a representative of the Sub-Committee at the Annual General Meeting.
Section 4: International Sub-Committees
At the Annual General Meeting, members may decide to establish International Subcommittees for specific purposes. These sub-committees should report to the membership at the Annual General Meeting
Article 5: The ICODE Annual General Meeting
- The Annual General Meeting of ICODE shall be held every year during the annual scientific meeting. Full members and Honorary Fellows are entitled to attend, and full members are entitled to vote. Voting by full members may be also be carried out by post or electronically. In extraordinary circumstances, the AGM itself may be held electronically.
- At the AGM, the following business shall be conducted:
- Review of the activities of the ICODE International Board and National Sub-Committees.
- Review of reports from International Sub-committees.
- Review and approval of the accounts, and review the financial policies.
- Review and approval of any proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.
- Election of members of the ICODE International Board as required.
- Any other necessary business
- An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the ICODE International Board, or on request of 10 percent of the members. The International Board shall set the date, time and venue of the EGM, and give at least 15 days’ notice to members.
Article 6: Finance
Section 1: Membership fees
Full Members shall remit to the Treasurer such membership fees and before such a point in time as shall be decided by the AGM.
Section 2: Fund Raising and Acceptance of Gifts
ICODE may accept and use all gifts, subsidies and legacies whether given in support of the general aims and objectives or of a specific purpose of ICODE.
Section 3: Financial responsibilites
The ICODE International Board is responsible for keeping the finances of ICODE. The International Board Treasurer is responsible for presenting the financial position of ICODE at the AGM.
Article 7: Amendments
Amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by ICODE International Board or by the National Sub-committees. Notice of the proposed amendments shall be mailed to Members and Member Organizations by the Secretary, at least three months prior to the AGM. The full text of the motion must be attached to the agenda. An amendment to the Constitution will be carried when it has been accepted at the AGM. The decision must be at least two thirds of votes in favour of the amendment.
Article 8: Dissolution
Section 1: Dissolution
The ICODE shall be dissolved only by a two thirds majority vote of Members of the Council at a regular annual meeting. The proposal for dissolution and the full text of the motion must have been notified to Council Members at least three months prior to the meeting
Section 2: Funds and Assets
In the event of dissolution, the ICODE International Board shall be responsible for the liquidation of the affairs of the organization. Because the organization is dedicated exclusively to scientific and educational purposes and the development of services, its funds and assets, in the event of its dissolution, should be distributed exclusively for these purposes.
