Our Mission

Constitution and Bylaws of APSACHD (2010, July)
Asia-Pacific Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease (APSACHD)

Article I. Purpose

The purpose of the Asia Pacific Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease is to promote, maintain and pursue excellence in the care of adult with congenital cardiac disease and friendship and collaboration among Asia-Pacific countries, and cooperate with international Society of this kind. The society is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, and training in medical disciplines pertinent to congenital heart disease in adults.

Article II. Membership

  1. Membership shall be open to health professionals interested in furthering the objectives of the Society, and who are involved in the care of adults or adolescent patients with congenital heart disease. Members must be committed to working together for the advancement of the care of these patients, and for the advancement of knowledge of congenital heart disease in adults. Members must be approved by the Membership Committee, and once so approved, are eligible to vote and hold office, provided they remain in good standing. Categories of members shall be established by the Board of Directors.
  2. Membership dues shall be established by the Board of Directors.

Article III. Management

The Board of Directors shall be authorized to hire and retain such professional staff under such terms and conditions as shall be deemed necessary and appropriate for the effective management of the Society.

Article IV. Board of Directors

  1. The Board of Directors of the Society shall consist of the President, immediate Past President, the Vice President, the Secretary and the Treasurer. Additional directors such as country delegates may be added at such time as authorized by the members.
  2. All directors shall be elected at the committee meeting of the Society.
  3. The directors of the Society shall hold their positions for several years from the date of election.
  4. The president temporally organize the initial core committee including senior members as working group to establish the governing body of the Society. Members of the initial core committee should be nominated by the president.

Article V. Duties of Directors

  1. The President shall be the Chief Elected Officer of the Society. The President shall initiate policy, oversee the management of affairs of the Society, assure that orders and resolutions of the committees are carried into effect, and shall appoint the chairs and members of committees.
  2. The Vice President, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, undertake the duties and exercise the authority of the President. The Vice President shall perform other duties as shall from time to time be requested by the President.
  3. The Treasurer shall be responsible for overseeing the funds of the Society, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements, deposits of all monies and other assets in the name of and to the credit of the Society.
  4. The Secretary shall attend all meetings, and assume responsibility for recording all votes and minutes of proceedings. The Secretary shall serve notice of all meetings of members and committees, and shall perform such other duties as may be required by the President.
  5. Contracts, documents or any instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Society shall be signed by the president. All contracts, documents and instruments in writing and so signed shall be binding upon the Society without further authorization or formality.

Article VI. Meetings

  1. TThe Society shall meet formally at the Scientific Congresses of Asia-Pacific region including the congress of the Asia Pacific Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (APPCS). Meetings deemed necessary by the President, or by individual committees shall be scheduled by mutual consent of those concerned.
  2. Notice of the official meetings will be circulated prior to convening.
  3. The minutes of the board meetings and of committee meetings shall be made available to the President and directors of the Society. The minutes shall be made available to members upon request.

Article VII. Voting

All decisions involving a vote will be decided on a majority of the membership in attendance at the meeting where such vote is taken.

Article VIII. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Society shall end May 31, unless otherwise stipulated by the Board of Directors.

Article IX. Amendment of Bylaws

Recommendation for amending the Bylaws of the Society can originate from the Board of Directors. Recommendations for amendment to modification of by-laws can originate by position to the President from members in good standing. Revisions of by-laws shall be simple majority of the membership in attendance at the meetings where such revisions are presented.

The purpose of the Asia-Pacific Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease is to promote, maintain and pursue excellence in the care of adults with congenital cardiac disease and facilitate collaboration and friendship among Asia Pacific countries, and cooperate with international Society of this kind.
The Society is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and training in medical disciplines pertinent to congenital heart disease in adults.

Note: Goal/Objectives

General (G)

G1. To identify health professionals involved in the care of adults or adolescent patients with congenital heart disease in order to facilitate their education and advance in the care of their patients.
Develop terms of reference that embody the clinical, educational and research interests of APSACHD.

G2. To provide a consulting network to improve the management of these patients and research into their conditions.
Send a membership list annually to each member that includes the areas of interest of each member and how to reach him/her.

G3. To encourage and assist the development of strong regional centers for the care of these patients.

G4. To facilitate the transfer and the care of these patients.
Compile and make available through our headquarters to interested parties the location of known regional facilities.

G5. To encourage research aimed at advancing the knowledge about and outcomes of adult patients with congenital heart disease through prompting cooperation and the development of alliances.
Create a project committee to guide the development of multicenter trials and projects in this area.

G6. To explore the development of a database to permit research aimed, at advancing the interests of adult patients with congenital heart disease. Pilot a database and determine the feasibility and value of a larger and more long-term effort.

G7. To obtain the resources needed for the optimal development of the Society's services and programs, and to use them carefully to the greatest advantage. Develop a budget and financial plan for APSACHD.

G8. To recognize and honor individuals who have made important contributions to our discipline.

Professional Education (PFE)

PFE1. To advance the professional education of our members in the discipline of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Assist in the work of ACHD project in the interests of making scientific information in this area more accessible to our membership. Explore the feasibility of expanding educational opportunities in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Society Meeting, or developing an independent educational meeting.

PFE2. To publicize educational resources and opportunities for professionals interested in upgrading their skills and knowledge in this discipline. Begin distributing information about courses and meetings of interest to our membership anywhere in this region.

PFE 3. To begin identifying educational programs and training/learning opportunities of interest to our membership.

PFE 4. To assist in the development of standards and programs in ACHD for health care providers who might come in contact with such patients. Circulate criteria for the training of cardiology residents.

Scientific programs

SP1. To increase the quality and quantity of scientific and educational material in this discipline conjunction with international scientific meetings and courses.Begin work with various organizations concerned to coordinate the presentations of original research, lectures and workshops in congenital heart disease at their scientific meetings.

SP2 To organize a scientific program at each meeting of APSACHD.

Patient Issues (PTI)

PTI1. To assist our members in providing adult patients with congenital heart disease, their family members, and their physicians with information to enable them to make the most of their lives and promote their own health interests.

Begin with identifying a list of relevant resources and make this available to our membership.

Assist in the formation of a patient support group to act as patient advocate, and to help create and assemble resources for patients and families.

ISACHD CACH GUCH ESC ACHA グラクソ・スミスクライン