Rules of the Society
1 §
The purpose of the Finnish Society of Internal Medicine is to bring together Finnish internal medicine physicians and to promote the scientific and practical development of internal medicine in Finland. In order to achieve its purpose, the Society publishes publications, organises meetings, presentations and consultations, issues statements and makes proposals to the authorities, and carries out other similar activities to further the purpose of the Society.
The Society's registered office is in Helsinki and its area of activity covers the whole country.
2 §
The languages of the Society are Finnish and Swedish.
3 §
Upon application, a doctor who has been legalised or licensed to practise medicine in Finland and who has completed or is in the process of completing a specialist qualification in internal medicine or a closely related specialty may be accepted as a member of the Society.
Corresponding members of the Society may be invited from Finland or abroad and represent the field of internal medicine or a closely related discipline. In addition, the Society may elect honorary members.
4 §
Each member pays an annual fee, the amount of which is set by the annual meeting.
Corresponding and honorary members and retired members are exempt from paying the annual fee.
5 §
A member who wishes to resign from the Society should notify the board or its chairperson in writing or announce his/her resignation at a meeting of the Society to be recorded in the minutes.
A member may be expelled from the Society on the proposal of the board if he has been guilty of an act contrary to good morals, or has acted contrary to the purposes of the Society despite having been reprimanded, or has failed to comply with the decisions of the Society.
6 §
The board of the Society, consisting of the chairperson and eight (8) members, is responsible for the affairs of the Society. The members of the board are elected for a term of two (2) years at a time.
The name of the Society shall be signed by the chairperson or the vice chairperson, either of them together with the secretary or the treasurer.
7 §
Two (2) auditors and one (1) deputy auditor shall be elected for a period of one (1) year to audit the administration and accounts of the Society.
8 §
The financial year of the Society is the calendar year.
9 §
The Society shall hold an annual meeting not later than March, and an extra meeting whenever the board deems it necessary, or at the written request of at least 10% of the members of the Society entitled to vote
At any meeting, a question may be put by a member at the meeting itself, if the meeting so agrees.
Notice of meetings shall be given by the board at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting, either in writing to each member or by newspaper notice.
10 §
In the Annual meeting:
the report of the board and the auditors' opinion and decision on the discharge of liability of the board
the amount of the membership fee is decided
every other year the members of the board are chosen
two auditors and reserve auditor are chosen
11 §
Decisions at the Society's meetings are made by a simple majority of votes. A closed ballot shall be used for elections if any member of the Society so wishes. In the event of a tie, the chairperson shall cast the deciding vote, except in the case of elections, in which case a ballot shall be held by lot.
For decisions to expel a member, to amend the rules of the Society and to dissolve the Society, a majority of at least 3/4 of the votes cast shall be required.
12 §
The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson as often as business requires or at the request of at least two (2) members of the board.
13 §
The board can make decisions when it consists of at least two (2) members in addition to the chairperson or vice chairperson. Decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of votes; in the event of a tie, the chairperson shall have the casting vote.
14 §
The board must:
to keep a close watch on cases which may be deemed to affect the purposes of the Society and to take any measures which may result therefrom
prepare matters to be raised at the Society's meetings
manage the association's funds
implement the association's decisions.
15 §
Minutes must be taken at meetings of the Society and the board.
The minutes of the Society's meetings shall be examined by persons elected by the meeting for that purpose. The minutes of the board shall be examined at board meetings.
16 §
If it is decided to dissolve the Society, its funds shall be used for the furtherance of the scientific and practical development of internal medicine in our country in such manner as may be further determined by the meeting at which the decision to dissolve is taken.