About Us

(Amended on September 22, 2025)

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Article 1 (Name)

The name of this organization shall be the *Pacific Rim Uro-Oncology Society* (hereinafter referred to as the “Society”).

Article 2 (Purpose)

The purpose of the Society is to promote the advancement of surgical techniques and immuno-oncological therapies for urological cancers in the Pacific Rim region, to encourage academic exchange and the sharing of information, and to foster fellowship among members. In addition, through the education of medical professionals engaged in urological oncology, as well as patients and caregivers, the Society seeks to contribute to the improvement of public health.

Article 3 (Projects)

To achieve the objectives set forth in Article 2, the Society shall carry out the following projects:

  1. Research activities and the organization of academic conferences, symposia, and lectures related to urological oncology.
  2. Academic exchange programs with domestic and international academic societies in the field of urological oncology.
  3. Lectures and support programs for healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses) specializing in urological oncology.
  4. Publication of journals and other academic books related to urological oncology.
  5. Educational and public outreach activities for patients and caregivers (including video content such as YouTube).
  6. Activities to promote interaction and fellowship among members.
  7. Other projects necessary to achieve the purposes of the Society.

Article 4 (Office Location)

The office of the Society shall be located in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Article 5 (Revenue)

Revenue generated from the Society’s activities shall be used solely to achieve its purposes and shall not be distributed to individual members.

Chapter 2. Membership

Article 6-1 (Membership Eligibility)

The qualifications for membership shall be as follows:

  1. *Regular Members*: Medical professionals engaged in research or clinical practice in the field of urological oncology in Korea and throughout the Pacific Rim region — including East Asia (Russia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan); Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste); Oceania (Australia, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Tuvalu, Fiji); North America (Canada, the United States, Mexico); Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama); South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina) — who agree with the purposes of the Society and have paid the prescribed membership fee.
  1. *Associate Members*: Individuals in training in the field of urology or those with equivalent qualifications.
  2. *Honorary Members*: Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the Society, as determined by the Executive Committee.
  3. *Special Members*: Individuals or organizations that agree with the purposes of the Society and cooperate with its activities.

Article 6-2 (Admission Procedure)

Applicants who wish to join the Society shall have their admission determined at the regular meeting of the Society, obtain recommendations from a majority of the Board of Directors, and pay the prescribed admission fee. However, new members must not exceed the average age of the Board of Directors, and final approval shall rest with the President.

Article 7 (Rights of Members)

Members shall have the right to participate in the operation of the Society through the General Assembly.

Article 8 (Obligations of Members)

Members shall have the following obligations:

  1. To comply with these Articles of Association and related regulations.
  2. To abide by resolutions of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors.
  3. To pay membership fees and other contributions.

Article 9 (Withdrawal and Expulsion of Members)

  1. A member may voluntarily withdraw from the Society by submitting a written notice of withdrawal to the President.

         2. A member who acts in violation of the purposes of the Society, damages its honor or reputation, or fails to fulfill obligations under Article 7 may be expelled
             by  resolution of the Board of Directors.

Chapter 3. Officers

Article 10 (Types and Number of Officers)

The Society shall have the following officers:

  1. President: 1 person
  2. Directors: Not fewer than 4 and not more than 7 persons (including the President)
  3. Auditor: 1 person

 

Article 11 (Election of Officers)

 

  1. Officers of the Society shall be elected at the General Assembly.
  2. By-elections to fill vacancies shall be held within two months from the date the vacancy arises.
  3. The election of new officers shall be conducted no later than two months prior to the expiration of the incumbent officers’ term.

 

Article 12 (Dismissal of Officers)

An officer may be dismissed by resolution of the General Assembly if he or she commits any of the following acts:

  1. Acts in violation of the purposes of the Society.
  2. Engages in disputes among officers, financial misconduct, or other grossly improper acts.
  3. Obstructs the business of the Society.

 

Article 13 (Term of Office)

  1. The term of office for officers shall be three years and may be renewed.
  2. The term of office for an officer elected through a by-election shall be the remainder of the predecessor’s term.

 

Article 14 (Duties of Officers)

  1. The President shall represent the Society externally. The President shall also serve concurrently as the Secretary General, representing the Society administratively and serving as chairperson of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors. In the event the President is unable to perform his/her duties, they shall be carried out in the order predetermined by the Board of Directors.
  2. The Directors shall attend meetings of the Board of Directors, deliberate and resolve matters concerning the business of the Society, and handle matters delegated by the Board of Directors or the President.
  3. The Auditor shall perform the following duties:
  4. Audit the property and accounting of the Society.
  5. Audit the operation of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors, and matters related to their business.
  6. If irregularities or improprieties are found as a result of the audits in subparagraphs 1 and 2, request their correction at the Board of Directors or the General Assembly.
  7. If necessary to make such a request or report, demand the convocation of the General Assembly or the Board of Directors.
  8. Attend the General Assembly and the Board of Directors to state opinions regarding the operation and business of the Society.

Chapter 4. General Assembly

Article 15 (Composition of the General Assembly)

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Society and shall be composed of its members.

 

Article 16 (Types and Convocation of the General Assembly)

  1. The General Assembly shall be divided into Regular General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings, which shall be convened by the President.
  2. The Regular General Meeting shall be convened no later than one month prior to the start of each fiscal year, and an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened when deemed necessary by the President.
  3. For the convocation of the General Assembly, the President shall notify each member in writing or by electronic communication at least seven days prior to the meeting, specifying the agenda, date, and place of the meeting.

 

Article 17 (Special Cases of Convocation of the General Assembly)

The President shall convene the General Assembly within 20 days from the date of any of the following requests:

  1. When a majority of incumbent Directors request a meeting by presenting its purpose.
  2. When the Auditor requests a meeting pursuant to Article 14(3)(4).
  3. When at least one-third of all members request a meeting by presenting its purpose.

 

Article 18 (Matters for Resolution at the General Assembly)

The General Assembly shall deliberate and resolve the following matters:

  1. Election and dismissal of officers.
  2. Dissolution of the Society and amendments to the Articles of Association.
  3. Approval of budgets and financial statements.
  4. Approval of business plans.
  5. Other important matters.

 

Article 19 (Quorum for Resolutions)

 

  1. Except as otherwise provided in these Articles of Association, the General Assembly shall open with the attendance of a majority of all members and shall pass resolutions with the approval of a majority of the members present.
  2. A member’s voting right may be delegated in writing to another member attending the General Assembly. In such cases, the power of attorney shall be submitted to the Chair before the opening of the General Assembly.

 

Article 20 (Restrictions on Voting Rights at the General Assembly)

A member shall not participate in resolutions in any of the following cases:

  1. When a resolution concerns the election or dismissal of officers and relates to the member himself/herself.
  2. When the matter involves monetary transactions, property transfers, or legal disputes where the member’s interests conflict with those of the Society.

Chapter 5. Board of Directors

Article 21 (Composition of the Board of Directors)

  1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President and the Directors.
  2. The Auditor may attend meetings of the Board of Directors and express opinions.

 

Article 22 (Types and Convocation of the Board of Directors)

  1. The Board of Directors shall be divided into Regular Meetings and Extraordinary Meetings.
  2. A Regular Meeting shall be convened no later than two months prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. An Extraordinary Meeting shall be convened when deemed necessary by the President.
  3. For the convocation of the Board of Directors, the President shall notify each Director and the Auditor in writing or by electronic communication at least seven days prior to the meeting, specifying the agenda, date, and place. However, this shall not apply in cases of urgent and justifiable necessity.

 

Article 23 (Special Cases of Convocation of the Board of Directors)

The President shall convene the Board of Directors within 20 days of any of the following requests:

  1. When a majority of incumbent Directors request a meeting by presenting its purpose.
  2. When the Auditor requests a meeting pursuant to Article 14(3)(4).

 

Article 24 (Matters for Resolution by the Board of Directors)

The Board of Directors shall deliberate and resolve the following matters:

  1. Matters concerning the execution of business.
  2. Matters concerning the implementation of business plans.
  3. Matters concerning the preparation of budgets and financial statements.
  4. Preparation of agenda items to be submitted to the General Assembly.
  5. Matters entrusted by the General Assembly.
  6. Matters within its authority as prescribed by the Articles of Association.
  7. Other important matters concerning the operation of the Society as submitted by the President.

 

Article 25 (Resolutions in Writing)

  1. With respect to minor matters or urgent matters to be submitted to the Board of Directors, the President may resolve them in writing. In such cases, the President shall report the results at the next Board meeting.
  2. If a majority of incumbent Directors demand that matters handled in writing under paragraph 1 be submitted to the Board of Directors, the President shall comply.

 

Article 26 (Quorum for Resolutions)

  1. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall open with the attendance of a majority of incumbent Directors and shall pass resolutions with the approval of a majority of the Directors present. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall decide.
  2. Voting rights at the Board of Directors may not be delegated.

 

Article 27 (Restrictions on Voting Rights)

The President or any Director shall not participate in resolutions in the following cases:

  1. When the matter concerns the election or dismissal of officers and relates to himself/herself.
  2. When the matter involves monetary transactions or property transfers directly related to the officer himself/herself and the Society.
  3. When the matter concerns the initiation or settlement of legal proceedings between the Society and the President or any member.

 

Article 28 (Minutes of the Board of Directors)

  1. Minutes shall be prepared for meetings of the Board of Directors.
  2. The minutes shall record the proceedings, summary, and results of the meeting, and shall be signed and sealed by the President and all attending Directors.
  3. The President shall keep the minutes at the office of the Society.

Chapter 6. Assets and Accounting

Article 29 (Finance)

  1. The expenses necessary for the operation of the Society and the implementation of its objectives shall be covered by membership fees and other income.
  2. Other income under paragraph 1 shall include donations, sponsorships, business income, and similar sources.

 

Article 30 (Fiscal Year)

The fiscal year of the Society shall be the same as that of the government.

 

Article 31 (Budget Formulation and Settlement of Accounts)

  1. The Society shall prepare its business plan and budget proposal no later than one month prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, obtain resolution of the Board of Directors, and secure approval from the General Assembly.
  2. Within two months after the end of each fiscal year, the Society shall prepare its statement of accounts and business performance, obtain resolution of the Board of Directors, and secure approval from the General Assembly.

 

Article 32 (Audit of Accounts)

The Auditor shall conduct at least one audit of the accounts each year.

 

Article 33 (Disposition of Surplus Funds)

In principle, the surplus funds of the Society at the end of each fiscal year shall be used for the repayment of debts or carried forward to the following fiscal year to realize the objectives of the Society and to improve the welfare of participants in its activities. However, upon resolution of the Board of Directors, such funds may be appropriated as a reserve for specific projects.

 

Article 34 (Obligations Outside the Budget)

Any obligations not specified in the revenue and expenditure budget or any waiver of rights shall require resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Article 35 (Remuneration of Officers)

Officers shall not be paid remuneration. However, reimbursement may be made for actual expenses necessary for the performance of their duties.

Chapter 7. Secretariat and Operation

Article 36 (Secretariat)

 

  1. The Society shall establish a Secretariat to handle its administrative affairs.
  2. The Secretariat may have one Secretary-General and such staff as deemed necessary.
  3. The Secretary-General shall be appointed or dismissed by the President with the resolution of the Board of Directors.
  4. Matters concerning the organization and operation of the Secretariat shall be separately determined by the resolution of the Board of Directors.

Chapter 8. Amendment of the Articles and Dissolution

Article 37 (Amendment of the Articles)

Any amendment to the Articles of Association shall require the approval of at least two-thirds of the total members at the General Assembly.

 

Article 38 (Dissolution)

  1. The Society may be dissolved by the approval of at least two-thirds of the total members at the General Assembly.
  2. Upon dissolution, any remaining assets of the Society shall, by resolution of the General Assembly, be donated to another non-profit organization or public-interest fund with similar purposes.

Chapter 9. Supplementary Provisions

Article 39 (Establishment of Rules)

Matters necessary for the operation of the Society, other than those stipulated in these Articles, shall be determined by rules enacted with the resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Article 40 (Applicable Provisions)

 

  1. Matters not provided for in the operational regulations of the Society shall be governed by the provisions of the Civil Code.
  2. In cases where such provisions cannot resolve an issue, or where disputes arise in interpretation, the decision of the Board of Directors shall prevail.

Chapter 10. Addenda

Article 1 (Enforcement Date)

These Articles of Association shall take effect from the date of approval by the competent authority.

 

Article 2 (Signatures of Founders)

In order to establish the Society, these Articles of Association are hereby executed and signed by all founders as follows.

 

Article 3 (First Amendment)

These Articles of Association were first amended on September 22, 2025, and shall take effect

 

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