A. NAME
The name of the association shall be The Kurdish Medical Association (the ‘KuMA’).

B. OBJECTIVES

1. To promote the medical, dental, and pharmaceutical sciences, and maintain the interests of its members.

2. To hold or arrange periodical meetings of the members.

3. To publish and circulate periodicals in the name of the Association, promoting its social and medical aims.

4. To provide career advice and counselling, and to support colleagues arriving in the UK in adjusting socially and professionally.

5. To provide central awareness of relevant local and central medical and non-medical bodies, supporting members’ interests.

6. To raise funds via subscriptions, donations, contributions, and sponsorships to further the Association’s objectives.

7. To develop medical activities, services, teaching, and research through cooperation among members and branches.

8. To exchange professional information, expertise, and technologies with branches and other organizations, locally and internationally.

9. To promote ties with medical and health organizations in Kurdistan.

10. To undertake charitable activities and medical relief work, where lawful, for humanitarian purposes.

11. The Association holds no responsibility for the political activities or affiliations of individual members.

C. AFFILIATION
The Association may affiliate with other medical associations or similar bodies, subject to Executive Council approval and member voting.

D. MEMBERSHIP

1. No membership limit.

2. Eligibility: Open to Kurdish graduates in medicine, dentistry, or pharmaceutical sciences residing in the UK or Republic of Ireland, subject to Executive Council approval. Students in these fields are eligible for student membership.

3. Types of Membership:

   • Full Membership: Meets Association’s criteria.

   • Student Membership: For part-time or full-time students in the relevant fields.

4. Termination of Membership:

   • Resignation.

   • Non-payment of subscriptions exceeding two years.

   • Expulsion due to conduct detrimental to the profession or non-compliance with Association regulations.

E. SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. Subscription rates set by Executive Council, subject to AGM approval.

2. Paid subscriptions grant full membership privileges.

3. Subscription Types:

   • Full members pay full subscription.

   • Student members are exempt.

   • Retired/unemployed members may receive reductions or exemptions.

F. VOTING

1. Only full members with paid subscriptions may vote.

2. Voting via secret ballot; ballot papers must be numbered and signed.

3. Proxy voting allowed (maximum one proxy per member).

4. Elections supervised by a 3-member Election Committee, plus two observers.

5. Nominee lists signed by the President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

G. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

1. Managed by Executive Council, General Meetings, and optional Advisory Committee.

2. Executive Council: 9-11 members, including President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

3. Sub-Committee Chairmen elected or appointed by Council.

4. Council maintains meeting records and resolutions.

5. Meets at least four times yearly; term of office is two years (up to three terms).

6. Duties include executing AGM decisions, financial management, record keeping, property management, supervising activities, and publications.

H. MEETINGS (ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGM)

1. AGM is the highest authority; Executive Council cannot reverse its decisions.

2. Held annually; scheduled by AGM; allowed every two years in exceptional cases.

3. Quorum: 30% of full members or 20 members, whichever is less.

4. Executive Council meets quarterly; 20% of members may call extraordinary meetings.

5. Invitations sent six weeks in advance with attendance confirmation required.

6. Simple majority (51%) for decisions; 75% majority if no quorum.

7. Business conducted only if quorum is present.

8. President chairs General Meetings; in their absence, Executive Council elects a chair.

9. Resolutions generally decided by show of hands unless poll demanded.

10. AGM consists of members who meet their obligations.

11. AGM decisions by simple majority; in case of tie, President decides.

12. AGM Duties:

    • Approve constitution and amendments.

    • Supervise Executive Council.

    • Approve or refuse membership applications.

    • Handle major financial decisions.

    • Approve financial reports and work plans.

    • Discuss annual reports and all matters raised by members.

I. OFFICERS TERM OF OFFICE

a. Election of the President

1. Elected by Executive Council for a two-year term.

2. In case of tie, decision by mutual agreement or random ballot.

3. May serve only one additional term; becomes Immediate Past-President after term.

4. Past-President may continue special tasks or delegate them.

b. Election of Secretary, Treasurer, and Sub-Committee Chairpersons

1. Term: Two years.

2. Elected by Executive Council via secret ballot.

3. Sub-Committee Chairs elected if multiple candidates.

4. Sub-Committee Members appointed by Chair from general membership.

c. Duties of the President

1. Chair AGM and Executive Council meetings.

2. Oversee Association and branches with Secretary.

3. Co-sign payment orders with Treasurer.

4. Represent Association to authorities.

5. Sign contracts with Secretary.

6. Handle urgent matters pending Council meetings.

d. Duties of the Secretary

1. Prepare meeting invitations and agendas.

2. Maintain meeting minutes.

3. Keep membership register and database.

4. Execute Council decisions.

5. Maintain Association correspondence and documents.

6. Archive branch correspondence.

e. Duties of the Treasurer

1. Supervise income/expenses, collect subscriptions, deposit funds.

2. Prepare annual financial reports.

3. Maintain financial records and documents.

4. Execute financial decisions per annual budget.

5. Co-sign payment orders with President.

6. Issue subscription reminders.

7. Deputy Treasurer assists with finances across branches.

J. BRANCHES

1. Executive Council may establish branches based on local demand.

2. Co-opted members serve as Chief Representatives for new branches.

3. Local meetings elect branch officers; branches meet at least twice yearly.

4. Branches submit annual activity and financial reports.

5. Local committees may raise funds and request central contributions.

6. Elections for local officers supervised by Executive Council after first year.

Branch Constitution:

• Managed by a Sub-Committee (3-5 elected members).

• Candidates nominated by members or Executive Council.

• Elects Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer; term of office: two years.

• Branch Chairman oversees administration, finances, appointments, and reporting.

• Sub-Committee meets at least twice yearly with majority quorum.

K. ACCOUNTS

1. Resources used to achieve Association objectives (conferences, training, publications, etc.).

2. Proper accounts maintained for all financial activities.

3. Executive Council decides inspection terms for financial records.

4. Financial reports prepared for General Meeting.

5. Income sources include subscriptions, activities, and other approved incomes.

6. Subscription levels proposed by Executive Council, approved by AGM.

7. Financial year: July 1 – June 30.

8. No payments made without authorized payment orders signed by Treasurer and President.

L. SEAL

The Association’s seal is used only with Executive Council authority and proper countersignature.

M. AMENDMENTS

1. Amendments proposed via Executive Council or petition by three full members.

2. Amendment requests submitted to Secretary two months prior to AGM; circulated 30 days prior.

3. Amendments require two-thirds AGM majority approval.

N. DISSOLUTION

1. Requires 75% majority vote at AGM by qualified members.

2. Upon dissolution, assets distributed to eligible full members after obligations are settled.

O. ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE MEMORANDUM

1. Executive Council may propose additions, removals, or amendments, subject to AGM approval.

2. Council may co-opt members to fill vacancies or for specific tasks.

3. Co-opted members may have voting rights if they received highest non-winning votes.

4. If vacancies remain, elections are held per constitutional procedures.