Constitution

Constitution of the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging

The constitution was approved at the Inaugural General Assembly of the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging held on April 27, 2007, in Seoul, Korea.

(Revised April 20, 2008)
(Revised June 6, 2009)
(Revised March 20, 2010)
(Revised August 19, 2013)
(Revised December 30, 2016)
(Revised June 30, 2017)
(Revised March 23, 2019)
(Revised June 29, 2020)
(Revised June 26, 2022)
(Revised May 22, 2026)

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Preamble Name Mission Office Location Objectives Election of the President-Elect General Assembly (GA) Tier Corresponding Societies Executive Committee (EC) Nomination and Term of Other Task Officers and Task Committee Supervisory Board (Auditor) Financial Management Trustees Dissolution Amendments Supplementary Provisions
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  • PREAMBLE

    This Constitution establishes the governance framework for the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (hereinafter referred to as the "ASCI”), a non-profit academic organization. It defines the Society’s name, mission, objectives, and operational structure, and sets forth the rights and responsibilities of its members and governing bodies. This document ensures the Society’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular imaging through clinical practice, education, training, and international scientific collaboration, while upholding principles of transparency, accountability, and member participation.

  • NAME

    This organization shall be known as the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging, and shall hereinafter be referred to as "the Society" or "ASCI".

  • MISSION

    The Society is a non-profit academic organization dedicated to the advancement of cardiovascular imaging throughout Asia. The Society promotes excellence in clinical practice, education, training, and international scientific collaboration among radiologists, cardiologists, and other healthcare professionals engaged in cardiovascular imaging.

  • OFFICE LOCATION

    1.
    The Secretariat Office of the Society shall be located at the following address, unless otherwise approved by a duly passed resolution of the Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "EC"):
    2.
    Any relocation of the Secretariat Office shall be subject to formal resolution of the EC and shall be promptly communicated to all members.

  • OBJECTIVES

    The objectives of the Society shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

    1.
    Promoting and maintaining high standards in clinical practice, education, and training in cardiovascular imaging.
    2.
    Organizing and supporting annual scientific congresses, symposia, and other professional meetings for the dissemination of scientific knowledge and research.
    3.
    Publishing academic journals and educational materials.
    4.
    Fostering active international collaboration and exchange among cardiovascular imaging societies, institutions, and professionals.
    5.
    Developing and disseminating standardized training curricula and certification frameworks in cardiovascular imaging.
    6.
    Assisting member and partner societies in planning and implementing continuing medical education programs.

  • ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

    1.
    Schedule
    President-Elect will be nominated at least one year before the presiding president’s term is to end.
    2.
    Qualifications of President-elect
    He/she must fulfill of the following qualifications:
    • As the Congress President who have hosted or be scheduled to host a upcoming ASCI Congress; AND
    • Have served on the EC for at least one full term; OR
    • Be a current Vice President of the Society.
    3.
    Election and Approval of President-elect
    Election of the President-elect in Executive Committee meeting, the final approval will be made at General Assembly.

  • GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA)

    1.
    Supreme Authority
    The General Assembly (hereinafter referred to as the "GA") shall constitute the supreme authority of the Society and shall be presided over by the President of the Society.
    2.
    Annual Meeting
    An annual GA shall be held once each calendar year in conjunction with the ASCI Annual Scientific Congress. The location of the GA shall be within the Asia region and shall be determined no less than six (6) months prior to the meeting date.
    3.
    Extraordinary General Assembly
    An Extraordinary GA may be convened under the following circumstances:
    • At the sole discretion of the President;
    • By a duly passed resolution of the EC; or
    • Upon receipt of a written petition submitted to the Secretary General by not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total voting membership or one hundred (100) voting members, whichever is fewer.
    • The Extraordinary GA must be convened within two (2) months from the date of receipt of such a written request. Should the EC fail to convene the meeting within said period, the requesting members shall possess the right to convene the Extraordinary GA independently, provided at least ten (10) days' notice is given to all voting members. Such notice shall explicitly include the agenda and may be transmitted via post, facsimile, or electronic mail.
    4.
    Notice of Meeting
    Notice of a GA shall be provided to all voting members as follows:
    • At least two (2) weeks in advance for an annual GA; and
    • At least ten (10) days in advance for an Extraordinary GA.
      Such notice shall specify the date, time, location, and agenda of the meeting and may be transmitted via post, facsimile, or electronic mail by the Secretary General.
    5.
    Quorum
    • A quorum for the GA shall consist of either ten percent (10%) of the voting membership or twenty (20) voting members, whichever is fewer. Valid proxies shall be counted toward the determination of a quorum. Participation through teleconference or equivalent remote communication technology shall be deemed as physical presence for the purposes of establishing a quorum and voting.
    • In the event that the required quorum is not met at the scheduled start time, the meeting shall be adjourned for thirty (30) minutes. Upon reconvening, the members then present shall constitute a quorum for all matters, with the exception of those specifically involving constitutional amendments.
    6.
    Voting Rights and Methods
    Voting may be conducted in person, by proxy, via mail, or through secure electronic means, unless otherwise explicitly provided in this Constitution. The President may authorize a postal ballot in lieu of a physical meeting in exceptional circumstances or when urgent decisions are required.
    7.
    Powers and Agenda of the GA
    The GA shall possess the authority to deliberate and decide upon the following matters, including but not limited to:
    • Approval of the financial report and annual report of the EC;
    • Approval of nominations for the positions of President, Vice Presidents, and Congress President as proposed by the EC;
    • Appointment of Auditors;
    • Ratification of amendments to this Constitution as proposed by the EC;
    • Ratification of the EC’s resolution regarding the selection of future Congress venues;
    • Admission or termination of members;
    • Approval of committee reports and other Society matters of general concern.
      Any member who wishes to place an item on the agenda for a GA meeting must notify the Secretary General at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of the GA.
    8.
    Standard Order of Business
    Unless explicitly altered by a duly approved motion in the meeting agenda, the standard order of business for the GA shall include:
    • Call to order
    • Reading and adoption of previous meeting minutes
    • President's report
    • Secretary General of Presidential Office report
    • Secretary General of Administrative Office report
    • Treasurer's report
    • Reports from other officers and committees
    • Unfinished business
    • Review and approval of new members
    • Introduction of new business
    • Approval of officer nominations
    • Any other business
    • Group photograph and adjournment
    9.
    Financial Responsibility
    The Society shall bear no operational financial responsibility for any deficit arising from the organization or costs of the GA and the ASCI Annual Scientific Congress. All operational financial obligations shall rest solely with the Congress President and the Local Organizing Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "LOC”). This provision shall not preclude the Society from receiving revenues, fees, or other income related to the Congress in accordance with Article XII.

  • TIER CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES

    Basic framework for the tiered cooperation between ASCI and other national or regional societies. The three levels of cooperation have been proposed and the detailed provisions shall be governed by the Outreach Committee and approved by the EC:

    1.
    Partner Society: are those that can nominate their ordinary members to the EC member who is a Society representative, and host the Congress.
    2.
    Affiliated Society: are those that can engage in joint activities with ASCI.
    3.
    Recognized Society: are those with whom ASCI will primarily share information.

  • EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC)

    1.
    Governance Role and Composition
    The EC shall serve as the principal executive and administrative governing body of the Society, acting under the supreme authority of the GA. It shall be entrusted with the responsibility of administering the Society's affairs, executing resolutions passed by the GA, and managing all organizational, scientific, financial, and operational matters of the Society. The EC shall be composed of the following officers and members, subject to approval by the GA:
    • President
    • Immediate Past President
    • President-Elect
    • Three (3) Vice Presidents
    • Secretary-General of the Presidential Office (hereinafter referred to as the "PO”)
    • Secretary-General of the Administrative Office (hereinafter referred to as the "AO”)
    • Treasurer
    • Congress President
    • Scientific Affairs Officer
    • International Liaison Officer
    • Editor of the ASCI Journal
    • Information Officer
    • Officer for Quality Assurance
    • Officer for International Fellowship
    • Officer for Clinical Research
    • Chair of the ASCI School
    • Membership Officer
    • Ordinary Committee Members - One (1) per recognized Partner Society.
    • Additional officers may be appointed by the President or the EC as necessary, including for emerging functional areas or operational needs. The President may nominate such officers subject to EC confirmation.
    2.
    Terms and Reappointment
    • All EC officers shall serve a term of two (2) years, unless otherwise specified herein. The Editor of the ASCI Journal and the Chair of the ASCI School shall serve a term of four (4) years. Congress Presidents shall be elected annually.
    • All EC members are eligible for reappointment to the same or a related post for one additional consecutive term. After completing two consecutive terms, they may only be reappointed to the same post following a break of at least one term.
    • Officers may serve continuously if transitioning to a different EC position.
    3.
    Nomination and Decision
    • Nominations for EC positions shall be decided by the EC and submitted for approval to the GA. All nominees must have received formal endorsement from their national cardiovascular imaging society or equivalent organization, except where such endorsement is not applicable or practical due to local circumstances.
    • The President shall be decided by the EC. Upon completion of the President's term, the individual shall automatically assume the position of Immediate Past President for a two-year term to ensure leadership continuity.
    4.
    Meetings and Quorum
    • The EC shall convene at least once every twelve (12) months. Notice shall be given at least seven (7) days prior to any scheduled meeting. The President may call special EC meetings by giving at least five (5) days' notice.
    • A quorum shall consist of at least one-third (1/3) of the voting EC members, with decisions to be made by at least one-third (1/3) vote of those present. The President shall vote only in the event of a tie. Participation via teleconference or comparable communication technology shall be considered equivalent to physical presence. Verification of identity shall be required for remote attendees.
    • Under exceptional circumstances, where a physical meeting is impracticable or urgent decision-making is needed, the President may authorize an electronic or postal ballot.
    5.
    Responsibilities
    The EC shall have the following core responsibilities:
    • Implement GA resolutions and ensure adherence to this Constitution and its Bylaws;
    • Approve membership applications, committee appointments, and officer nominations;
    • Supervise the organization of the ASCI Congress, including the bidding process, site evaluation, and scientific planning, and submit venue selection recommendations to the GA for ratification;
    • Review, approve, and monitor the annual budget, financial reports, and Society expenditures;
    • Establish and oversee standing, ad hoc, and special-purpose committees to advance the Society's mission;
    • Nominate Auditors, Officers, and Congress Presidents for GA approval;
    • Coordinate with Partner Societies and international collaborators;
    • Promote academic, clinical, and educational standards in cardiovascular imaging.
    • The term for the Ordinary EC members shall be 3 years per term and may be re-nominated for one more term. EC members can recommend candidates for Ordinary EC members. Any new country or region seeking to have representatives on EC ordinary members with voting rights shall demonstrate a commitment to ASCI by having at least 5 paid members per year for the last 3 years, including year of application. The minimum number of paid members over the last 3 years should be at least 20.
    6.
    Representation and Voting
    Each Partner Society officially recognized by the ASCI Outreach Committee may nominate one (1) Ordinary EC Member representative to serve as a voting EC member. The EC shall retain the authority to regulate the number and eligibility of Partner Societies per country; provided, however, that no more than two (2) Ordinary EC Members shall represent the same country at any given time. Maintaining a balanced representation across disciplines is very important, especially in the fields of radiology and cardiology.
    The following EC members shall possess voting rights:
    • President
    • Secretary Generals of the PO and AO
    • Ordinary EC Members (excluding those representing a bidding country during venue selection votes)
    • In the event an Ordinary EC Member is absent for three (3) consecutive EC meetings without justification, the EC shall deem the position vacant and may appoint a temporary successor until the next GA.
    7.
    Administrative Offices
    • The official business address of the EC shall coincide with the registered office of the Society. The President may establish a Presidential Office (PO) to support the operational demands of their term, which shall be financially supported by an external sponsor secured by the President.
    • The PO shall oversee the Annual Congress, EC meetings, and GA, while the AO, permanently based in Korea, shall manage Society operations, membership, publications, and the website. The AO Secretary-General shall be nominated by the Korean Society of Cardiovascular Imaging and approved by the EC.

  • NOMINATION AND TERM OF OTHER TASK OFFICERS AND TASK COMMITTEE

    1.
    Other task officers and task committee nominations shall be initiated by the President and approved by the EC and GA.
    2.
    Any such position shall automatically lapse at the end of the appointing President's term unless re-ratified by the next General Assembly.

  • SUPERVISORY BOARD (AUDITOR)

    1.
    Composition and Independence
    Two (2) Auditors shall be nominated by the EC and approved by the GA to serve as independent members of the Supervisory Board. Their principal responsibility shall be to oversee the financial integrity and compliance of the Society. Auditors shall be selected from among voting members of the Society and must not concurrently hold any other elected, appointed, or ex-officio position within the EC or possess any direct financial control over the Society's assets or operations.
    2.
    Term of Office
    Auditors shall serve a non-renewable term of two (2) years. Their term shall be structured to overlap two successive presidential terms to ensure continuity and consistency in financial oversight. Reappointment to the Auditor position for consecutive terms is not permitted.
    3.
    Duties and Authority
    The Auditors shall:
    • Conduct an annual audit of the Society's financial statements, accounting records, and budgetary execution;
    • Present a formal written audit report to the EC and the GA;
    • Upon request of the President or EC, perform ad hoc or interim audits during their term and submit findings to the Committee;
    • Ensure that the Society's financial management complies with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
    • Auditors shall possess the right to access all necessary records, documents, and financial information relevant to the performance of their duties. The Society shall fully cooperate in providing such access.
    4.
    Financial Year
    The Society's fiscal year shall commence on January 1st and conclude on December 31st of each calendar year. All financial statements and reports shall be prepared in accordance with this financial calendar.

  • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

    1.
    The Society's revenues shall include, but are not limited to: membership dues, congress meeting fee (in replace the 50/50 surplus sharing mode after the annual congress), Congress and program registration fees, subscription fee and sponsorships, donations, grants, and other lawful income.
    2.
    All financial statements shall be reviewed and decided by the EC and approved by the GA.

    Note / Transitional Provision:
    Notwithstanding the transition from the 50/50 surplus-sharing model to a fixed congress meeting fee, this amendment shall officially take effect commencing with the 2029 Annual Congress, as the hosting arrangements for the 2027 and 2028 Annual Congresses have already been finalized.

  • TRUSTEES

    If the Society at any time acquires any immovable property, such property shall be vested in trustees subject to a declaration of trust.

    1.
    The trustees of the Society shall:
    • Not be more than 4 and not less than 2 in number
    • Be elected at the Committee Meeting
    • Not affect any sale or mortgage of property without the prior approval of the Committee Meeting.
    2.
    The office of the trustee shall be vacated:
    • If the trustee dies or becomes a lunatic or of unsound mind.
    • If he/she is guilty of misconduct of such a kind as to render it undesirable that he continues as a trustee.
    • If he/she submits notice of resignation from his/her trusteeship
    • If the Executive Committee should decide to elect a new trustee(s) at the Executive Committee meeting with the consent of 1/2 or more than 50% of the voting members present.

  • DISSOLUTION

    1.
    The Society may be dissolved only by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the GA.
    2.
    Upon dissolution, any residual assets, after the settlement of all debts and liabilities, shall be transferred to a tax-exempt academic or charitable organization approved by the GA.

  • AMENDMENTS

    1.
    Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the EC or by written petition of at least ten percent (10%) of voting members.
    2.
    Amendments shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the GA for adoption.

  • SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

    1.
    All matters not explicitly addressed within this Constitution shall be governed by resolution of the GA. The EC may adopt resolutions consistent with and subordinate to the authority of the GA.
    2.
    The official language of the Society shall be English.