CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Artcle 1 The name of this organization is "中国抗癫癎协会" in Chinese, and the China Association Against Epilepsy in English, CAAE for short.
Artcle 2 The Association is a nationwide nonprofit social organization formed by people from all circles of society, on a voluntary basis, who are committed to the control and prevention of epilepsy. Member individuals and organizations consist of related professionals engaged in medical service, scientific research and public health, relevant personnel of labor, education and social welfare sectors, epileptics and their family members as well as local communities and organizations concerned.
Artcle 3 The purpose of the Association is: to comply with the Constitution, laws and regulations as well as policies of the State and observe the social ethics; to maintain the fundamental interest of the State and accelerate economic development and social progress; to unify vast medical workers and relevant personnel from all circles of society, who are full of enthusiasm about the control and prevention of epilepsy, to strive for the promotion of epilepsy prophylaxis and treatment in China and the development of science.
Artcle 4 The Association shall be under the guidance of a competent authority, the Ministry of Health, in term of its operations, and shall be subject to the supervision and administration of the Ministry of Civil Affairs which acts as the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations.
Artcle 5 The Association is based in Beijing.

CHAPTER II SCOPE OF OPERATIONS

Artcle 6 The scope of operations of the Association is set forth as follows:
　(1) Implementation of public propaganda, education and dissemination of general knowledge on epilepsy; provision of consultancy services to patients and their family members as well as the interested parties of society in connection with expertise of epilepsy prophylaxis and treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, labor employment, education, etc.
　(2) Promotion, coordination and normalization of various activities of epilepsy prophylaxis and treatment and research; implementation of training activities; focus on enhancing the ability of community health workers to deal with epilepsy;
　(3) Implementation of public welfare activities in the epilepsy related fields;
　(4) Implementation of academic exchange and cooperation between China and the international community in the filed of epilepsy and provision of test bases for new domestic and foreign anti-epilepsy drugs, in order to accelerate the development of the cause of epilepsy prophylaxis and treatment at home and abroad;
　(5) Active maintenance of the lawful rights and interests of epileptics and provision of advice and recommendation for relevant decisions of the government;
　(6) Establishment of an entity engaged in epilepsy prophylaxis and treatment and research under appropriate circumstances.

CHAPTER III MEMBERSHIP

Artcle 7 Members of the Association fall into the two categories of individual members and organizational members.
Artcle 8 In order to become a member of the Association, the following requirements must be satisfied:
　(1) In support of the constitution of the Association;
　(2) A desire to join the Association;
　(3) A professional engaged in the field of epilepsy prophylaxis and treatment or a person or organization from any walks of life with enthusiasm about the cause against epilepsy.
Artcle 9 The membership admission procedures are as below:
　(1) Submission of an application for membership admission;
　(2) Approval by the administrative council after discussion;
　(3) Notification and issuance of a membership card to the individual (organization) by the administrative council.
Artcle 10 Members shall have the following rights:
　(1) Right of suffrage, right to be elected and right to vote with reference to the Association;
　(2) Right to participate in various activities held by the Association;
　(3) Right of priority to obtain the services provided by the Association;
　(4) Right to criticize, right of suggestion and right of supervision in connection with the operations of the Association;
　(5) The free will to join and the freedom to withdraw from the Association.
Artcle 11 Members shall fulfill the following obligations:
　(1) Implementation of the resolutions of the Association;
　(2) Maintenance of the legitimate interest of the Association;
　(3) Completion of the tasks assigned by the Association;
　(4) Payment of membership dues as provided;
　(5) Reporting of various circumstances and provision of relevant information to the Association.
Artcle 12 Any member who wants to withdraw from the Association shall provide a written notice and return the membership card. Any member who has failed to pay the membership dues or participate in the activities of the Association for one year shall be treated as an automatic withdrawal from the Association (except for special cases).
Artcle 13 In case of any serious violation of this constitution committed by a member, the member will be expelled from the Association by the administrative or executive council after voting for it.

CHAPTER IV ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND THE ELECTION AND RECALL OF LEADERSHIP

Artcle 14 The members' congress shall be the highest authority of the Association. It is responsible for:
　(1) Formulation and amendment of the constitution;
　(2) Election and dismissal of the members of the administrative council;
　(3) Review of the operational and financial reports of the administrative council;
　(4) Decision of termination issues;
　(5) Decision of other matters of significance.
Artcle 15 The members' congress can only be convened with at least 2/3 of its representatives of members present and any resolution made by it shall only take effect after being approved by more than half of the participating representatives of members.
Artcle 16 The members' congress shall be convened once every four years. In particular cases where the congress needs to be convened ahead of time or needs to be postponed, it shall be approved by the administrative council after voting for it, and then reported to the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) for examination and to the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs) for approval. However, the maximum time limit for such postponement shall not exceed one year.
Artcle 17 The administrative council shall be the executing body of the members' congress, which directs the daily routine of the Association when the congress is not in session and shall report to the members' congress.
Artcle 18 The administrative council is responsible for:
　(1) Execution of the resolutions of the members' congress;
　(2) Election and dismissal of the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary general;
　(3) Preparations for the convening of the members' congress;
　(4) Reporting of the operating and financial condition to the members' congress;
　(5) Decision on the admission of members and cancellation of membership;
　(6) Decision on the establishment of administrative body, branch office, representative office and entity organization;
　(7) Decision on the appointment of the deputy secretary-general and the leading officials of each department;
　(8) Guidance on carrying out various activities of each department of the Association;
　(9) Formulation of the internal control system; and
　(10) Decision on other matters of significance.
Artcle 19 The administrative council can only be convened with at least 2/3 of its members present and any resolution made by it shall only take effect after being approved by more than 2/3 of the participating members.
Artcle 20 The administrative council shall hold at least one meeting each year, which could be convened in the form of communication under special circumstances.
Artcle 21 The Association shall set up an executive council, whose members are to be elected by the administrative council. It will exercise the functions and powers provided in clause (1), (3), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9) of Article 18 when the administrative council is not in session, and shall report to the administrative council.
Artcle 22 The executive council can only be convened with at least 2/3 of its members present and any resolution made by it shall only take effect after being approved by more than 2/3 of the participating members.
Artcle 23 The executive council shall hold at least one meeting every half a year, which could be convened in the form of communication under special circumstances.
Artcle 24 The chairman, vice-chairman and secretary general of the Association must satisfy the following criteria:
　(1) Adherence to the lines, principles and policies of the Party with desirable political quality;
　(2) Great influence within the field of operation and subject of the Association;
　(3) Under the age of 70 for the position of chairman, vice-chairman or secretary general; the secretary general works full-time;
　(4) In good health condition and with the competence for continuous normal work;
　(5) No record of the criminal punishment of deprivation of political right;
　(6) With full civil capacity.
Artcle 25 In case of the chairman, vice-chairman or secretary general of the Association exceeding the age limit for their posts, it shall be approved by the administrative council after voting for it, and then reported to the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) for examination and to the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs) for approval.
Artcle 26 The term of office for the chairman, vice-chairman or secretary general of the Association shall be four years, subject to a maximum of two consecutive terms. If an extension of term is required due to special circumstances, it shall be approved by more than 2/3 of the representatives of the members' congress after voting for it, and then reported to the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) for examination and to the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs) for approval.
Artcle 27 The chairman or managing vice-chairman of the Association shall act as the legal representative of the Association. The legal representative of the Association shall not act concurrently as the legal representative of any other social organization.
Artcle 28 The chairman of the Association shall exercise the following functions and powers:
　(1) Convening and presiding over the administrative council (executive council);
　(2) Checking the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the members' congress and the administrative council (executive council);
　(3) Executing the relevant important documents on behalf of the Association;
　(4) Other functions and powers delegated by the members' congress.
Artcle 29 The secretary general of the Association shall exercise the following functions and powers:
　(1) Leading the administrative bodies to carry out daily operations and organizing the implementation of the annual working plan;
　(2) Coordinating among various branch offices, representative offices and entity organizations for implementation;
　(3) Nominating the vice secretary general and the leading officials of each administrative body, branch office, representative office and entity organization and submitting such nomination to the administrative or executive council for its decision;
　(4) Deciding on the appointment of full time employees of each administrative body, representative office and entity organization;
　(5) Dealing with other everyday affairs.

CHAPTER V PRINCIPLES OF ASSETS MANAGEMENT AND USAGE

Artcle 30 The sources of funding for the Association are as follows:
　(1) Membership fees;
　(2) Donations;
　(3) Government subsidy;
　(4) Income derived from the activities or services rendered within the approved scope of operations;
　(5) Interests; and
　(6) Other legitimate income.
Artcle 31 The Association collects its membership fees in accordance with relevant regulations of the State.
Artcle 32 The funds of the Association shall be used within the scope of operations provided in this constitution for the development of the Association, and shall not be distributed among members.
Artcle 33 The Association shall establish a strict financial control system to ensure the legitimacy, truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of accounting information.
Artcle 34 The Association shall have accounting personnel with professional qualifications. The accountants shall not serve as cashiers concurrently. The accountants shall conduct accounting and implement accounting control. In case of an accountant's transfer or separation from service, he or she shall complete the handing over procedures with his or her successor.
Artcle 35 The assets management of the Association shall comply with the financial control system provided by the State and shall be subject to the supervision of the members' congress and the financial authorities. The assets originating from the national appropriation or social donations or support shall be subject to the supervision of the auditing authorities and the related information shall be disclosed to the general public in an appropriate way.
Artcle 36 Prior to the change of leadership or legal representative, the Association shall be subject to the financial audit organized by the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs) and the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health).
Artcle 37 No organization or individual may encroach upon, partition without authorization or misappropriate the assets of the Association.
Artcle 38 The pay, insurance and welfare treatment for the full time employees of the Association shall be handled with reference to the relevant provisions of the State on public institutions.

CHAPTER VI PROCEDURES OF AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

Artcle 39 Any amendment to the constitution of the Association shall be approved by the administrative council after voting for it and then reported to the members' congress for consideration.
Artcle 40 The amended constitution of the Association shall take effect after being examined and approved by the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) and reported to the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs) for verification within 15 days since the adoption at the members' congress.

CHAPTER VII TERMINATION PROCEDURES AND ASSETS DISPOSAL

Artcle 41 In case of voluntary dissolution of the Association as a result of fulfillment of its purpose or cancellation of the Association due to division, merger or other cause, the administrative or executive council shall make a proposal for termination.
Artcle 42 The proposal to terminate the Association shall be approved by the members' congress after voting for it and shall be reported to the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) for examination and approval.
Artcle 43 Prior to the termination of the Association, a liquidating organization shall be set up under the directions of the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) and related authorities in order to settle financial claims and obligations and deal with subsequent matters arising from the termination. During the liquidation period, other activities than liquidation shall not be conducted.
Artcle 44 The Association shall terminate immediately upon the completion of deregistration procedures with the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs).
Artcle 45 The remaining property of the Association after termination shall, under the supervision of the competent authority for the operation (the Ministry of Health) and the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs), be used for the development of undertakings relating to the purpose of the Association in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State.

CHAPTER VIII SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Artcle 46 This constitution was adopted by the members' congress after voting for it on January 8, 2005.
Artcle 47 The administrative council of the Association shall have the authority for the interpretation of this constitution.
Artcle 48 This constitution shall take effect as of the date upon the examination and verification by the authority for the registration and administration of social organizations (the Ministry of Civil Affairs).