Creating a new Division

Pathologists wishing to establish a new Division of the IAP in a Country or Region where there is no pre-existing Division should undertake the following steps:

1. Discuss with one or more of the Officers of the Academy and Officers of Divisions in neighbouring regions.

2. Review a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the IAP and obtain copies of the Constitutions of several Divisions, particularly those in the same region or with a similar culture or social system.

3. Organize a group of colleagues who are medical graduates, who have had a minimum of four years of training and experience in pathology and who have demonstrated an interest in research and teaching (see IAP By-Laws Chapter 1) and who support and will be actively involved in the formation of a new Division of the IAP.

4. Consult with two or three of the most interested and energetic local pathologists and draft a provisional Constitution modeled on one of the other Divisions’ Constitutions and adapted to meet local requirements. It is important to obtain local legal advice at this point, particularly if there is local Corporate Law relating to non-profit organizations and tax exemptions.

5. Convene a meeting of interested pathologists from as many centers in the Country or Region as possible. For a viable Division, a minimum of 15 and optimally 25 pathologists should attend the meeting and support the proposal.

6. The meeting should formally resolve to form a new Division, in accordance with the aims and objectives of the IAP as laid out in its Constitution and By-Laws.

7. The meeting should adopt the proposed Constitution of the new Division, in its proposed format.

8. When the Constitution is adopted, the meeting should elect officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer, Councilors etc.) in accordance with the newly adopted Constitution.

9. The adoption of an appropriate annual membership fee and a list of paid up members should be ratified.

Submitting a Request for Approval

The new Divisional Secretary should write a letter to the Secretary of the International Academy of Pathology notifying the IAP Secretary of the formation of the provisional Division and requesting that the proposed new Division be approved by the International Council of the IAP at its next meeting.

Include with the letter:

• A Copy of the newly adopted Constitution.

• A list of Officers with contact information and a list of paid up members

• A statement that the new Division will submit $6 USD per member annually as dues to the IAP Treasurer after the International Council approves establishment of the new Division.

11. Ensure that the legal liability of the members of the new Division is limited when the Division becomes incorporated as a legal entity under local laws.

Please Note: The International Academy of Pathology has no power to impose either restrictions or sanctions against any pathologists from any Country. There is no provision for sanctions in the Constitution nor have any such actions been undertaken in the past, including during times of war and upheavals. The Academy is strictly non political and any group that fulfills the above requirements and has adopted a Constitution that is consonant with the aims, objectives and ideals of the IAP as laid out in Article II of the IAP Constitution, should be accepted.

Relationship of IAP Divisions to Local Pathology Societies

The IAP and its Divisions form an international network for education and research in anatomical/surgical pathology and cytology. Other pathology societies restricted to local, national or regional spheres; may be concerned with other disciplines of pathology; may be involved in the examination and certification of pathologists (a “Boards” function); or may have industrial, fee determining or political functions.

There are no restrictions on the relationships of IAP Divisions to other local pathology societies or organizations. In some places, an IAP Division may be completely divorced from other pathology societies. Alternatively, joint meetings or combined activities may be held, where some divisions have the same membership structure as the local society, with the same people holding similar offices in each organization. This relationship is one cost effective way of providing an international arm to a local society. The forms of the arrangements are of no consequence to the IAP, as long as it does not contravene the IAP Constitution and as long as it achieves the aims and objectives of the Academy.

Terms of reference that describe the relationship in more detail between the IAP and "Companion" Pathology Societies can be found here.