Article 1: Name, seat, and statutes of the Society

The Society shall be called “Endoscopic TransOrbital Society” (acronym: ETOS) hereafter referred to as “the SOCIETY”. Its registered seat is Seoul, Korea. The Society shall be a civil non-profit partnership, operating under the present statute and under the relevant articles of the Korean Laws concerning associations.

The Society will use a logo in all its official communications. The logo and/or the name of the Society may be changed only after a majority agreement of the Executive Board.

Article 2: Purpose and Objectives of the Society

The Society, known as the “ETOS Endoscopic TransOrbital Society”, is established for the following purposes and objectives:

  1. To promote the advancement of skull base endoscopic surgery, with a primary focus on transorbital approaches, as well as support endonasal and other endoscopic-assisted surgeries on a local, national, and international level. This will be achieved by representing and collaborating with all neurosurgical or related disciplines' societies in commissions, international organizations, and forums.
  1. To facilitate effective communication among neurosurgeons actively practicing endoscopic skull base surgery, along with basic scientists, engineers, and other specialists in related fields and disciplines.
  1. To act as a mediator for the development and promotion of scientific knowledge, surgical techniques, and instrumentation within the prospective of skull base surgery.
  1. To endorse and support collaborative worldwide research in the field of skull base endoscopic surgery, with a particular emphasis on transorbital procedures, to improve patient outcomes.
  1. To enhance active cooperation, education, and training among surgeons globally, with a commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise in the subspecialty of transorbital surgery and endoscopic skull base surgery.
  1. To advocate for high standards of training in skull base endoscopic surgery on an international scale, ensuring that current and future surgeons are proficient and skilled in their practice.
  1. To develop and disseminate guidelines and good-practice recommendations for transorbital and other skull base endoscopic-assisted procedures, aiming to standardize care and improve surgical results.

Article 3: Means to Achieve the Society's Purposes

To fulfill its purposes, the “ETOS Endoscopic TransOrbital Society”, shall engage in the organization of scientific meetings, educational activities, publications, and committee activities. The Society may also undertake any other actions deemed appropriate within the context of its stated objectives.

Funding

The Society's funding shall be secured through:

  1. Donations, sponsorships, legacies, and other gratuitous contributions.
  2. Income from activities organized by the Society.
  3. Membership fees

All income generated by the Society's funding will be irrevocably and exclusively allocated for the Society’s purposes as outlined in Article 2.

As a Non-Profit Association, the ETOS is mandated to maintain a VAT number, as issued by the relevant Financial Services Department IN KOREA, to facilitate financial transactions with other authorities and bodies. Additionally, the Society will hold a bank account in Korea to manage its finances effectively.

- SHINHAN BANK, SOUTH KOREA
- Swift Code: SHBKKRSE
- Account Number: 180-013-566-919

 Article 4: Membership Eligibility, Categories, and Fees

Eligible members for admission to the Society include:

  1. Active Members

    - Neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Plastic surgeons, and maxillo-facial surgeons actively engaged in transorbital surgery.

    - Rights: Vote at General Assembly, nomination for Executive Committee upon payment of annual dues.

    - Application: Online with curriculum vitae.

  1. Associate Members

    - Medical doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and individuals from the technological field with an interest in transorbital surgery.

    - Rights: Vote at General Assembly, not eligible for Executive Board nomination.

    - Application: Online with curriculum vitae.

  1. Honorary Members (Lifetime Position):

    - Individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of minimally invasive surgery or the Society.

    - Rights: Exempt from dues, participation in activities, committee membership, no voting rights.

Membership Fees

- Active and Associate Members: 100 euros annually (from 2025, actually all 2024 inscription is free from our website)

Article 5: Termination of Membership

A. Resignation

Members may resign by submitting written notice to the Society Secretary for the Executive Board's consideration. Resignations take effect at the end of the current calendar year, with a six-month notice period, except under exceptional circumstances.

B. Expulsion

Grounds for expulsion include:

- Actions aimed at discrediting or harming the Society or its members.

- Loss of professional licensure or academic qualifications.

- Expulsion requires a written proposal by two Active Members and a unanimous secret vote by the Executive Board. Members have two months to appeal an expulsion decision, with the final decision made by a majority vote at the next Executive Board meeting.

C. Suspension

Membership may be suspended for non-payment of dues for two consecutive years. The Membership Committee Chairperson, upon notification by the Society Secretary, will propose suspension to the Executive Board, which decides by majority vote. Members may appeal within two months or reinstate their membership by paying outstanding dues and receiving majority approval from the Executive Board.

Article 6: Bodies of the Society

The ENDOSCOPIC TRANSORBITAL SOCIETY (ETOS) is governed by the following bodies:

  1. The General Assembly (GA): The principal decision-making body consisting of all active members. It meets regularly to determine the direction and policies of the Society.
  1. The Executive Board (EB): The administrative body responsible for the Society's day-to-day management, executing the decisions of the General Assembly, and overseeing the Society's activities.

Article 7: General Assembly

The General Assembly (GA) is the highest authority of the ETOS and has the power to decide on all matters, including those not covered by the Statute. Its key functions are:

  • - Oversight of the Executive Board's (EB) actions.
  • - Election of the Society's collective bodies.
  • - Approval of the EB's reports and financial statements.
  • - Amendment of the Society's By-Laws, as per Article 16.

The GA is led by the President and a Secretary, elected from among its members.

Voting rights are granted to active and associate members who have paid the previous year's fee. A quorum is achieved with more than half of these members present, and decisions are made by an absolute majority vote. The GA can also address new issues proposed before the session begins, supported by a fifth of the members present.

GA decisions are documented in the Proceedings Book, signed by the President, Secretary. The GA convenes in both ordinary and extraordinary sessions.

Article 8: Elections

Elections for the ETOS governing bodies are scheduled by the General Assembly (GA) in accordance with the Statute timelines. The Society covers election expenses, and the Electoral Board, appointed by the GA, oversees the election process.

Active members have the right to vote, nominate, and stand for election within the Society. Associate members can vote and nominate but are not eligible to be elected, as detailed in Article 4. Affiliate and Honorary Members may attend GAs but cannot vote.

Nominations must be submitted to the current Executive Board (EB) fifteen days before the elections, scheduled between October and December. If insufficient nominations are received, additional nominations can be accepted until two days before the election date. Each voter can vote for up to four candidates for the EB.

Election announcements, including details on venue, time, and provisions for a non-quorum situation, are to be posted for all financially current active and associate members.

Article 9: Executive Board – Composition and Duties

The Executive Board (EB) is composed of seven members elected by the General Assembly (GA). The term is two years, with elections held from October to December. The EB executes GA decisions, convenes within seven days post-election, and is led initially by the top vote-getter.

The EB meets annually, with extraordinary sessions as needed. If the EB fails to convene within fifteen days, a new GA is called to elect a new EB. The EB handles all administrative transitions and operates per the Statute and applicable laws.

EB members are volunteers and receive no compensation. Members deprived of civil rights are suspended from EB duties. The EB requires a quorum of four, including the President, Secretary, and Treasurer, to make decisions.

The President, Secretary, and Treasurer have specific statutory duties, with the President serving only one term. The Treasurer manages finances and is auditable by the EB.

Article 10: International Representatives and Committees

International Representatives and Committees are integral to the Executive Board (EB) meetings, providing insights within their areas of expertise. EB decisions on relevant matters must take into account their recommendations. These representatives promote the Society's goals within their respective regions and contribute to growing local engagement.

ETOS Scientific and Education Committees, along with a Membership Committee, have terms of one year. Members from various countries, including Italy and Spain, are designated to these committees to fulfill specific roles related to their professional capacities.

International representatives represent all continents in the Association. Their role is to promote the Society purposes to their countries and continents and to increase regional interest

Article 11: Annual Congress

The Executive Board (EB) is charged with organizing ETOS Annual Congress. The event aims to coincide with related scientific gatherings to maximize participation and knowledge sharing, rotating across different EB members countries and other countries (to decide). The ETOS association must provide business airfare and accommodations at the local congress venue for the ETOS executive board at every annual congress. The rest of the budget is completely independent and managed by the local chairman of the congress.

The local President manages the Congress organization. Proposals, including organizational details and budget, are submitted to the EB Secretary and then selected through a secret vote by the EB, with the chosen venue subject to General Assembly approval.

ETOS holds the exclusive copyright of its Congress, managed by the EB. The EB President oversees the Congress, excluding the Scientific Program, which falls to the Scientific Committee as per Article 13. Internal rules, set by the EB and approved by the GA, govern these duties.

The Congress's official language is English. The EB may propose, and the GA approve, additional conferences and scientific meetings between Annual Congresses.

Article 12: Statute Amendment and Dissolution

Amendments to ETOS's Statutes require a General Assembly decision, with a quorum of half the members in good financial standing and a 3/4 majority vote of those present.

The Society operates indefinitely but may be dissolved per a General Assembly decision, in compliance with applicable laws. Dissolution necessitates a 2/3 quorum and a 4/5 majority vote of financially current members, with proper justification as prescribed by law.

Upon dissolution, ETOS assets are allocated to foundations determined by the General Assembly.

 

Executive Board (EB)

Honorary president Lifetime Position
Kris Moe, USA

President, 2 years to ensure continuity starting from October 2024 (Salerno, 1st meeting)
Doo-Sik Kong, South Korea

President-elect 2 years
Theodore Schwartz, USA

Secretary 2 years to ensure continuity
Matteo De Notaris, Italy

Treasurer 2 years to ensure continuity
Darlene Lubbe, South Africa

2024 Congress Chairman 1 year
Matteo De Notaris, Italy

Scientific Committee 1 year
Alberto Di Somma, Spain

Education Committee 1 year
Chang-Ki Hong, South Korea

Membership Committee
Joaquim Ensenat, Spain 1 year