Constitution and By-laws of PPTA

Constitution and By-laws

VISION

The Philippine Physical Therapy Association envisions a progressive organization composed of proactive physical therapists united in uplifting the profession and committed to the service of the Filipino and global community.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Philippine Physical Therapy Association seeks to be at the forefront of efforts aimed at improving delivery of physical therapy services in the Philippines by advancing the cause of the physical therapy profession and its practitioners in the Philippines.

GOALS

The Philippine Physical Therapy Association shall strive to:

Serve as a vehicle for professional development of physical therapists practicing in the Philippines through the advocacy of and the provision of continuing education activities, facilitation of access to international publications, conduct, dissemination and utilization of research and developments pertinent to physical therapy practice in the Philippines;
Develop and maintain excellent standards of physical therapy practice in the Philippines;
Serve as the proactive channel of the Filipino physical therapists in local and international policy-making, with the view of defining the physical therapy profession;
Enhance interaction between Filipino physical therapists and other providers of health care;
Enhance the role of physical therapy in the Philippine setting through public education and provision of service.

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Classification of Members

Lifetime Member. A Physical Therapist of the Philippines duly licensed by the Professional Regulations Commission.
Associate Member.
1. Physical Therapists from foreign countries who are allowed to practice physical therapy in the Philippines.
2. Physical Therapists of the Philippines who were employed as such by the government or reputable hospital and institution prior to December 1964 but whose educational backgrounds do not conform to the qualification of lifetime members.
3. Registered nurses and Bachelor of Science in Physical Education of the Philippines who were employed or working as physical therapy technicians, in an adequate facility, physical therapy department, or clinic for not less than two years prior to December 1964.

Section 2. Application for Membership. Any person who has met the qualifications in the previous article, fulfilled all the requirements, and paid the membership dues may apply for membership subject to the favorable approval of the Board of Officers and Directors.

Section 3. Honorary Membership

Dr. Benjamin Tamesis, first Director of the School of Allied Medical Profession, University of the Philippines, the first school established to teach physical therapy in this country in conformity with the standard of the standard of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy shall be the Honorary Life President of the Association.
Honorary members may be appointed by the President with the unanimous consent of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Membership Fee

Lifetime membership fee shall be one thousand five hundred pesos (P1500.00).
Associate members shall pay five hundred pesos (P 500.00) upon application, subject to annual renewal.
Payment of membership dues shall be prerequisite to enjoyment of membership rights and privileges.

Section 5. Renewal of Membership

Lifetime members shall not be required to renew their membership but constant update of their participation in the activities of the association, such as continuing professional education, convention, seminars, and others, are necessary in order to maintain membership status.
Associate members shall renew membership in the association annually.

Section 6. Revocation/Suspension of Membership

The following are grounds for revocation/suspension of membership:
1. Willful violation of the laws or any rules and regulations duly promulgated by the Board of Officers and Directors.
2. Mis-appropriating funds or property owned by the Association.
3. Misrepresentation of the Association in whatever way.
4. Refusing or willfully neglecting to pay dues or pecuniary obligation to the Association.
5. Any action deemed in direct contrast to the mission and objectives of the Association or those that shall put the Association or its members’ integrity in jeopardy.
Revocation/suspension shall be subject to deliberation and shall require a majority vote of the Board of Officers and Directors.

ARTICLE II. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

Section 1. No member shall be divested of his/her rights and privileges without due process of law and the observance of the procedure provided for in these by-laws.

Section 2. Members are entitled to full and detailed report from the officers concerned, of all the financial transactions and activities undertaken by the Association.

Section 3. No member shall be denied of holding office within the Association, if his/her qualifications for such office conform with the requirements of the by-laws.

Section 4. No rules and regulations restraining or impairing the right to elect the members of the Board of Officers and Directors shall be tolerated.

Section 5. No member shall be denied the right to inspect, examine or copy the books and other records of the Association.

Section 6. All members of the Association shall enjoy the right of suffrage.

Members shall be given the right to nominate and elect the Board of Officers and Directors.
Members shall be provided the chance to participate in the policy-making activities of the Association and cast their votes for matters concerning the same.

Section 7. Only lifetime members of the Association can be elected to the Board of Officers and Directors.

Section 8. A member may attend all meetings and conferences organized by the Association.

Section 9. All members may obtain professional advice and assistance from the Association’s designated officers.

Section 10. All members may be advised on questions relating to study, observation or employment in other countries.

Section 11. The interests of the members in the different agencies where they may be employed shall be safeguarded.

Section 12. All members may improve skill and technical knowledge through the in-service program of the Association.

ARTICLE III. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Section 1. The organizational structure is composed of two branches of equal power: Board of Officers and Board of Directors, which shall work hand in hand in the realization of the Association’s mission and goals and serve to countercheck each other in the performance of their functions.

Section 2. Board of Officers

The Board of Officers shall be composed of a President, Vice President Internal, Vice President External, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Public Relations Officer
Qualifications for nomination to the Board
1. Nominee should be a Lifetime Member of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc.
2. Nominee should be a member of Good Standing for at least Two Years prior to nomination with no outstanding record that shall cast doubt on nominee’s integrity;
3. Nominee should be a practicing physical therapist for at least Three Years prior to nomination
Duties of Members of the Board of Officers
1. The President shall have the following duties:
  1. Enforce and execute the by-laws and such other rules as may be passed by the Board of Officers and Directors from time to time.
  2. Preside over all meetings of the Board of Officers and Directors as well as the General Assembly of members.
  3. Supervise all affairs of the Association and appoint committee heads for each activity, as necessary.
  4. Approve all disbursement and vouchers not exceeding ten thousand pesos (P 10,000.00) drawn against the funds of the Association and other such instruments requiring his/her signature. In case of fund allocation amounting to more than the said amount, shall present proposal to the Board of Officers for approval.
  5. Render report to all members at the end of his/her term.
  6. Represent the Association in outside affairs wherein the Association has participation, or may delegate a representative of the Association.
  7. Assume and exercise such other duties as may be incidental to his/her office.
  8. Assume automatic membership to the Board of Directors during his/her term and shall maintain such membership to the Board of Directors at the end of his/her term for purposes of continuity
  9. Be a principal signatory of all the financial accounts of the Association.
2. The Vice-President Internal shall have the following duties:
  1. Assume the duties and responsibilities pertaining to the office and office staff, including the Auditor
  2. Assume responsibility regarding communication and coordination among the Board of Officer and the different working committees, including but not exclusive to calling for meetings
  3. Be a signatory of all the financial accounts of the Association.
3. The Vice-President External shall have the following duties:
  1. Represent the President in coordinating the affairs of Chapters in their respective regions
  2. Represent the President in affairs designated by the Board of Officers and Directors.
4. The Secretary shall have the following duties:
  1. Serve as custodian of all records of meetings, including the roster of officers, directors and members, correspondence, and other documents of the Association. With the approval of the President, he or she shall issue notices, circulars and memoranda as may be deemed necessary, and shall certify any act or resolution of the Association.
  2. Update all documents and records of the Association with all government and non-government organizations to which the Association is affiliated.
5. The Treasurer shall be accountable and responsible for the funds of the Association, and shall discharge the following duties:
  1. Collect, receive and keep all funds and properties of the Association, and deposit such funds in a bank properly designated by the Board of Officers and made known to its members.
  2. Release funds for expenses when duly approved, and appropriated by the President or by a majority of the Board of Officers, whenever applicable, and shall see that documents concerned are countersigned by the President.
  3. Record all receipts and expenditures in the books and render a detailed accounting of the financial standing of the Association as may, from time to time, be required by the Board of Officers and/or Board of Directors.
  4. Submit a duly audited financial report to the members at every General Assembly and at the end of the term of office.
  5. Put up a surety bond in an amount fixed by the Board of Officers and Directors.
6. The Public Relation Officer shall take charge of publicity, including advertisements and other propaganda for the Association, and shall perform other duties incidental to his or her office which may be prescribed by the President:
  1. Keep the public informed about the Association and the accomplishments of the profession.
  2. Inform the public on physical therapy as a profession, and or its relationship to other allied medical professions.
  3. Contact persons-in-charge of public features of radio, newspapers, television and other public media of information.
  4. Take charge of contacting Malacanang Palace about the Executive Order pertaining to Physical Therapy Week

Section 3. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be composed of five (5) members elected through majority vote.
Qualifications of the Board
1. Nominee should be a Lifetime Member of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association;
2. Nominee should be a member of Good Standing for at least Three Years prior to nomination with no outstanding record that shall cast doubt on nominee’s integrity;
3. Nominee should be a practicing physical therapist for at least Five Years prior to nomination.
4. Nominee must have previously held a position as Officer or Member of the Board of Directors of the Association OR a position of responsibility in any government or private agency strictly involved in the practice of the physical therapy profession.
Duties of the Board
1. Hear, evaluate and decide on cases of suspension and/or impeachment of any Officer based on performance and stipulation of these by-laws.
2. Review and make recommendations to the President on matters concerning the profession, the Association, and its members.
The Board shall serve tenure for two (2) years from the date of election.
Members of the Board may be re-elected for no more than two consecutive terms.
A Member of the Board of Directors may be impeached from his position through a vote of no confidence by the Board of Officers.

Section 4. Working Committees

There shall be five (5) working committees to carry out specific functions vital to the viability of the organization and shall aid in the accomplishment of the Association’s vision, mission and goals. The working committees are Membership, Publications, Legal and Ethics, Continuing Education, and Special Projects.
Each committee shall be headed by a Chairman duly appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Board Officers not later than one month after election, the qualifications of whom are:
1. Must be a Lifetime Member of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association
2. Must be a member of Good Standing for at least One Year prior to appointment.
3. Must be a practicing physical therapist for at least One Year prior to appointment.
Duties of the Working Committees
1. Membership Committee
  1. Recruitment, registration and processing of application for membership
  2. Evaluate status and approve application for renewal of membership status
  3. Update members on the activities of the Association and encourage their participation
  4. Keep, arrange and update membership database and forward the same to the Secretary of the Association
2. Publications
  1. Responsible for the preparation, publication and circulation of the Association’s official paper.
  2. Raise funds to ensure the continuous publication and circulation of the Association’s official paper.
  3. Submit the final draft of each issue of the Association’s paper to the Board of Officers and Directors for review and evaluation.
3. Legal and Ethics
  1. Responsible for constant review, formulation and recommendations for revision, as needed, of Association policies, pertinent laws and statutes affecting the Association, its members and the profession.
  2. Shall make recommendations for members of Commission on Elections
  3. Hear, investigate and formulate recommendations towards resolution of complaints and/or conflicts brought to the attention of the Association and submit the same to the Board of Officers and Directors for concurrence.
  4. Hear, investigate and make appropriate recommendations on cases of violations of any of the provisions of the Association’s constitution and by-laws and submit the same to the Board of Officers and Directors for concurrence.
4. Continuing Education
  1. Formulate modules aimed at updating professional knowledge and skills of its members
  2. Responsible for the scientific program on annual conventions and seminars of the Association
  3. Encourage professional research.
  4. Coordinate meetings of Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) and monitor their activities
5. Special Projects
  1. Plan, coordinate and carry out activities of the Association for the development of the physical therapy profession, done in cooperation with governmental or non-governmental agencies.

ARTICLE IV. ELECTIONS

Section 1. Elections for the Board of Officers and Directors shall be held on the 8th of September or concurrent with the Annual Convention at the expiry of tenure of the incumbent Board of Officers and Directors.

Section 2. The elections shall be facilitated by the Commission on Elections, hereinafter referred to as the COMELEC, composed of 5 members having the following qualifications:

1. Must be a Lifetime Member of the Association
2. Must be a member of Good Standing
3. Must be recommended by the President, subject to the approval of the Officers and Board of Directors

Section 3. Members of the COMELEC may not run for office and shall not cast their votes during the elections they are facilitating.

Section 4. Manner of Election

Nomination of the Board of Officers and Directors
1. Nomination forms shall be sent out by the COMELEC
2. Accomplished nomination forms and the corresponding requirements should be received by the COMELEC on or before the set deadline for evaluation.
3. Qualified nominees shall be notified by the COMELEC and list of candidates for the electoral post shall be distributed.
Elections for Board of Officers and Directors
1. Elections shall be carried out using three methods, namely: secret balloting, mail, and electronic mail.
2. Procedures of elections shall be formulated and implemented by the COMELEC
3. Election by proxy shall not be allowed.

Section 5. Declaration of Election Results. Results of elections shall be announced within five days from the date of election.

Section 6. Induction of newly elected Officers and Directors shall follow within one month after release of election results.

Section 7. Term of office of elected Officers and Directors shall commence immediately after induction and they shall hold office for two years, or until their successor have been elected.

Section 8. Failure of elections shall be declared if:

Total number of qualified nominees did not reach 6 for board officers and 5 for board of directors
At least 25% of qualified voters, who are either present during the elections or registered through mail and electronic mail, did not vote.

ARTICLE V. MEETING AND QUORUM

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Board of Officers and Directors shall be held every third Friday of the month and special meetings shall be called by the President whenever necessary.

Section 2. General assembly of members shall be held annually on the 8th of September, time and date to be announced by the Secretary. Special meetings of all the members shall be called by the President as and when necessary.

Section 3. A majority of members of the Officers and Board of Directors, and two-thirds of registered members, shall constitute a quorum in a meeting of Officers and Board of Directors, and the general assembly of members, respectively, unless in the latter case the law requires the affirmative vote of a greater proportion.

ARTICLE VI. RULES AND REGULATIONS

All rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission with regard to the non-stock, non-profit organization are hereby made a part of this code of by-laws.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments of these by-laws shall take effect when approved by majority vote by the quorum during the general assembly.

Section 2. Any member may propose an amendment in a general assembly. A majority vote of all members present shall be decisive before a proposal can be discussed.