Constitution of the Georgian Association of Physical Therapy and

Rehabilitation

 

                                                                              ARTICLE I

 

1. 1 Name

          The name of the association is the Georgian Association of Physical Therapy

          And Rehabilitation or GAPTAR (hereinafter referred to as the Association).

   1. 2. Definition

           The organization is a non-profit and non-governmental affiliation of physical

           therapists who share an interest in promoting Physical Therapy and

           Rehabilitation in Georgia.

        

         Office of the Association is at:

           33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave.,

           0186 Tbilisi, Georgia

 

                                                                                ARTICLE II

1. MISSION STATEMENT

 

The Association will represent the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation profession. The Association provides leadership and direction, and fosters excellence in physical therapy practice, education and research. It supports, promotes and advocates the role of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation as essential health care components to achieve high standards of health care in Georgia.

 

   2. OBJECTIES

​

2.1. To represent the profession of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Georgia.

2.2. To support and promote the profession of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Georgia.

3.3. To uphold the honour and interests of the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation profession in Georgia.

2.4. To set and ensure ethical professional practices and promote high standards in practice of physical                therapists.

2.5  To organize and provide for continuing physical therapy education programs to enable physical therapy          practitioners to improve their skills and knowledge in the interest of furthering the profession.

2.6  To facilitate a common understanding and appreciation of the diversity of the physical therapy                          profession and the communities it serves.

2.7  To maintain lists of persons qualified to practice physical therapy in Georgia.

2.8. To advance practice by communication and exchange of information.

2.9.  To promote professional development activities through the organization of seminars, congresses,                  workshops etc. in the field of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.

2.10. To encourage scientific research and promote opportunities for the spread of knowledge of new                     developments in the field of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.

2.11. To develop relationships with the relevant authorities to further regulate the practice of physical                     therapy in Georgia.

 

                                                                                           ARTICLE III

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

 3.1 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

The Executive Committee shall regulate terms and the procedure for membership applications.

There will be 4 classes of membership:

1. Ordinary

2. Honorary

3. Student

4. Associate

 

 3.2  QUALIFICATION OF   MEMBERSHIP:

• Ordinary Membership

           Only persons possessing a qualification in Physical Therapy, recognized as being of an adequate standard by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs of Georgia (MoHLSA) shall be eligible for this class of membership.

• Honorary Membership

Only persons, who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee have contributed to an advancement of the profession, or have important contribution to the advancement in  knowledge and teaching in Physical Therapy, shall be awarded this class of membership.

• Student Membership

     All physical therapy students studying locally shall be eligible for the class of

    membership.

• Associate Membership

     This membership category is open to persons who are employed as physical

     therapists in their own country or residence  and  have  basic physical therapy

     training from an institution in the WCPT member organization.

 

All members, except Student Members and Associate Members, are entitled to vote at the General Meeting and be nominated for office in the Executive Council.

 

 

   3.3. MEMBERSHIP FEE:

 

All members, except Student Members, shall pay annual subscription fee of 20 GEL.

 

    3.4. DUTIES OF MEMBERS.

 

3.4.1. To direct his/her effort towards achievement of the Association’s objectives.

3.4.2. To commit him/her self to the society bylaws and all other management board decisions.

3.4.3. To pay the annual membership fee on time.

 

    3.5. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

 

3.5.1. Members can participate in the affairs of the Association in accordance with the Constitution.

3.5.2. Members can participate in policy development by making suggestions to the

          Executive Committee and the General Meeting.

3.5.3. Members can request technical support and assistance in their efforts to improve the situation of                    physical therapists practice in Georgia.

3.5.4 Members may vote on all matters raised at the General Meeting of the Association, including the                        general election.

 

   3.6. TERMINATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

 

3.6.1. A member may terminate his/her membership by having provided the notice in writing to Executive                Committee not less than a month in advance.

3.6.2. The Executive Committee shall have power to terminate the membership of any member if he/she                   has   not paid his/her subscription for more than one year, provided that the Executive Committee                   may   at    any  time   in   their   discretion,  restore   him/her  to membership upon payment of all                   areas of   subscriptions, and /or monies then due to the Association.

3.6.3.  If  any  member  violates  the  Constitution  and  Rules  of  Bye-laws  or  if his/her conduct shall in the             opinion of the Council be injurious to the character or interest of the Association, the Council shall                   after   inquiry and notice, be empowered to recommend such member to resign within fourteen                       days from   the day of such communication.      

                                  

                                                  ARTICLE IV

 

    4.1. MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

 

4.1.1. The management of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Committee.

4.1.2. The Executive committee consists of the following seven officers: President, Vice-president, Secretary             General, and four members of Association.

4.1.3. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for electing all members. All of the above officers (may            be re-elected to the same post for a consecutive term of office. The term of office of the Executive                    Committee is four years.

4.1.4. Elections for all positions in the Executive Committee may be held at General Meeting.

4.1.5. Four persons shall comprise a quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee.

4.1.6. No ordinary members shall be elected as Executive Committee members unless he/she has been a                  member of the Association for not less than six months.

4.1.7. The Executive Committee shall regulate its own procedures.

 

   4.2 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for organizing all activities of the Association, and for representing the Association officially, and shall act as it thinks fit in pursuance of the aims and objectives of the Association:

 

1. To administer the finances and business of the Association.

2. To assess applications and recommend membership.

3. To carry out the decisions of the General Meeting of the Association.

4. To nominate a delegate to the WCPT General Meeting.

5. To appoint committees working parties as necessary.

6. To make awards as approved by the General Meeting.

7. To do all such activities as will advance the objectives of the Association.

 

   4.3.  DUTIES OF THE APPOINTED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

4.3.1. The President shall take the chair at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at Annual and                        Extraordinary General Meetings of the Association, calls for all Executive Committee meetings and                  prepares its agenda. The President shall, in general, supervise the management of the officers of                    the  Association. The President acts as official spokesperson of the Association. Signs the                                  documents    directed to the President of the Association.

4.3.2.  The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence or incapacitation of the                  President.

4.3.3   The Secretary General shall conduct the business of the Association, sign appropriate official                           documents. The Secretary General shall record the minutes of the Executive Committee and General             Meetings, prepare the annual report. He/she shall be responsible for conducting correspondence and             keeping the documents and papers of the Association. The Secretary General shall be responsible for             all monies received and paid out by the Association. He or she shall be responsible for collecting                     subscriptions, issuing receipts and maintaining accounts of the Association.

 

      4.4. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

4.4.1. Executive Committee meetings will be held face-to-face at a minimum rate of once  every two                           months, the  place,  date and time to be decided by the Executive Committee.

4.4.2.  Where possible the Executive Committee meeting will be held in conjunction with a conference or                   scientific meeting.

4.4.3.  Additional Executive Committee meetings may be called by the President or at the request at least of             a third of the Committee.

4.4.4. Additional meetings may be conducted via mail or electronic communication.

4.4.5. To transact business at an Executive Committee meeting there shall be at least a majority of the                       Executive Committee present.

4.5.6. Notice of the next meeting will be arranged during the current meeting and the agenda circulated at              least two weeks prior to the Executive Committee meeting.

4.5.7.  The meeting shall be chaired by the President who shall regulate the proceedings and procedure                   including (with the consent of the meeting) adjournment of business/ proceedings.

4.5.8  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall have the power to conduct and chair the                    meeting. In the absence of the Vice President, the members present are entitled to vote who shall                     have the power to select a member of the Executive Committee to conduct and chair such a meeting.

 4.5.9. The Chairperson of the meeting must approve any guests invited or wishing to attend the meeting.

 4.5.10.  Minutes of the General Meeting shall be taken and distributed to the named representative of all                   members when confirmed by the Executive Committee.

4.5.11. Motions will be passed by a simple majority.

 

                                          

                                                                      ARTICLE V

 

 GENERAL MEETINGS

 

 5.1.   General Meeting shall be held at least once in every year - Annual General Meeting (ANG).

 5.2.  The invitations for eligible members to attend must be sent at least two weeks prior to the general                  meeting date, and must indicate the time and place of the meeting. Along with the invitation, the                      agenda must be sent to every eligible member.

5.3.   An Extraordinary General Meeting (ENG) can be called by the Executive Committee or upon the request           of one third of the members of the Association. The ENG will be held provided the Executive                             Committee  is notified of the purpose two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the general meeting,               and the agenda of the meeting is submitted.

5.4.  General Meetings of the Association must be attended by the President or Vice-president of the                        Association in order to monitor the effectiveness of the meeting.

5.5.  The Agenda of the AGM will include the reading and approval of the minutes of the last meeting, the                election of office bearers, the presentation and discussion of the Annual Report and the Statement of              Accounts.  A written notice of one week may be given to the Secretary General before any other                       business may be included in the agenda.

 

                                                                         ARTICLE VI

 

                                                                         FINANCES

 

6.1.  Funds for conducting the affairs of the Association shall be raised by annual subscription as                            determined by the General Meeting.

6.2.   Each members shall pay an annual membership fee determined by the General Meeting. Such a fee to           be paid within two months of the commencement of the financial year (January 1st).

6.3   The financial year of the Association shall be from January 1st to December 31.

6.4    In default of payment of the membership fee by the date due, all membership rights will be forfeited               for that financial year, or until such time as the outstanding subscription is paid.

6.5.   A financial report will be distributed by the General Secretary annually to the association members.

6.6.   The Executive Committee shall decide the budget for the next/following financial year.

6.7.   The Association is financially independent but the overall management of financial procedures shall                beapproved by the Executive Committee.

 

                                                                          ARTICLE VII

 

                                                       AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

 

7.1.  The Constitution of the Association shall be amended at the General Meeting.

7.2.   Alterations or additions to the Constitution of the Association shall be made with the concurrence of               two- thirds of the members present.

7.3    Such amendments will not come into force without the sanction of the Registrar of Societies.

 

                                                                        ARTICLE VIII

                                                  DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

 

8.1.  The Association shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than three fifths of the                    members of the Association, expressed either in person or by proxy at a General Meeting convened for          the purpose or by postal vote.

8.2   Notice of dissolution shall be given within fourteen days of the dissolution to the Registrar of Societies.

 

• The official language of the Association is Georgian.

• Original Constitution adopted at the Founders Meeting of GAPTAR in

       Tbilisi, Georgia, on 11 July 2017 and approved by the Registrar of Societies on

       13 July 2017

• Executive Committee was elected on the General Meeting on September 8, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

The Executive Committee hereby signs:

 

President                                                   Mariam Bakhutashvili

Secretary General                                     Natia  Jgamadze