Bylaws

Article 1

Clause 1	The name of the organization is World Society of Disaster Nursing. (hereafter referred to as "WSDN").
Clause 2	The WSDN shall have a secretariat (Note 1).

Article 2

WSDN aims to contribute to the health and welfare of people through promotion of international academic exchanges and collaborative research of disaster nursing, and systematization of disaster nursing knowledge and practice.

Article 3

To fulfill the purposes described in Article 2, the WSDN will conduct the following activities:
1. Conduct a conference aiming for academic exchanges.
2. Facilitate an International collaborative research.
3. Develop a domestic and international network of disaster nursing.
4. Other activities deemed related to disaster nursing.

Article 4

Members of the WSDN will be organizational members.

Article 5

Clause 1	Clause 1. An organizational member is an educational institution, health care institution, professional organization, or other organization that agrees with the purposes of the WSDN, follows the admission procedures and is approved by the Board of Directors.
Clause 2	An organizational member elects one representative and he/she participates in the WSDN's activities, attends the Board meeting and exercises voting rights.

Article 6

Clause 1	A member shall lose membership in the WSDN in case of: 1. Withdrawal from the WSDN. 2. Removal from membership for cause.
Clause 2	A member who wishes to withdraw from the WSDN must submit a notice of withdrawal to the Board of Directors.
Clause 3	A member who damages the WSDN's reputation or does not comply with the purpose of the WSDN may be removed from membership by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors after discussion in the Board of Directors' Meeting.

Article 7

The WSDN shall have a Board of Directors including the Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Article 8

Election of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and members of the Board of Directors is conducted as follows.

1.	A Member of the Board of Directors is nominated from each organizational member.
2.	The Chairperson of the Board of Directors is elected by the Board of Directors.
3.	The term of office of the Chair Person shall  nomally be four years, and  he/she may be re-elected but only for an aggregate consecutive term not exceeding eight years.
4.	"Should the chair of the Board resign from his/her post, the board shall not disband and continue to carry on with their current duties and responsibilities."

Article 9

Clause 1	The term of office of the Board members shall be four years, and they may be re-elected but only for an aggregate consecutive term not exceeding eight years.
Clause 2	Should a member of the Board of Directors resign, to ensure smooth operation, another representative must be elected from the same organizational member group and be approved by the Board of Directors. The approved member shall undertake the responsibility for the rest of the term.

Article 10

Members of the Board of Directors shall fulfill the following tasks:

1.	The Chairperson of the Board of Directors will represent the WSDN and maintain its integrity.
2.	The Board Members will constitute the Board of Directors and will execute and operate the business of the WSDN.

Article 11

The Board Meeting will be held by the WSDN.

Article 12

Clause 1	The Chairperson of the Board of Directors will convene and chair the Board Meeting.
Clause 2	A Board Meeting will be convened at least once every two years.
Clause 3	When so requested by one third or more of Board members, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors must convene a special Board Meeting.

Article 13

Approval of the Agenda to be discussed in the Board Meeting shall be voted by a simple majority of the attendance. If there is a tie vote, the chairperson of the General Assembly shall cast the deciding vote.

Article 14

The Board Meeting shall approve the following items:

1.	Activity plans.
2.	Activity (program) reports including research reports.
3.	Amendments to the by-laws.
4.	The Chairperson of an academic conference will be elected by the Board of Directors.
5.	Items deemed necessary by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors.

Article 15

Items necessary for the operation and management of the WSDN that are not stated in the provisions of these by-laws are stipulated elsewhere.