Councils, Clusters, and Committees

The following Councils shall be organized by the PSN Board of Trustees, and the chairs and members shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees. Other Councils may be organized by the PSN Board of Trustees for specific purposes as deemed necessary by the PSN Board of Trustees.

1.1 Council of Past Presidents

1.1.1. The Council of Past Presidents shall be composed of all PSN past presidents who are willing and able to serve. In the event that none is willing, the Board of Trustees shall create an Ad Hoc Committee that will discharge the functions of the Council of Past Presidents whose existence will be for the duration of the term of the Board of Trustees or until a Council of Presidents is formally organized with members who are willing and able to serve.

1.1.2. This council shall:

1.1.2.1. help resolve issues elevated by the PSN Board of Trustees, taking into consideration the culture of the PSN, Inc. organization and the community at large.

1.1.2.2. advise the PSN Board of Trustees on matters concerning the finances of the society, including the sourcing and disbursement of funds, and monitoring of expenses.

1.1.2.3. function as the Committee on Ethics, which shall:

1.1.2.3.1. set and implement the standards of ethical practice among PSN members; and

1.1.2.3.2. review and investigate complaints from the membership except those related to the elections, component societies and patients, and recommend necessary action to the PSN Board of Trustees. The council’s recommendations will be forwarded to the PSN Board of Trustees for final action.

1.2. Council of Chapter Presidents The Council of Chapter Presidents shall be composed of all PSN, Inc. Chapter Presidents, with the Chapter representative to the PSN Board of Trustees as the Chair. It shall advise the PSN Board of Trustees on matters concerning the chapters.

The following Clusters and Committees shall be organized by the PSN Board of Trustees. The President shall appoint a member of the PSN Board of Trustees to be the Cluster Coordinator. Clusters and Committees may be organized or dissolved by the PSN Board of Trustees as necessary.

2.1. Cluster on Training

2.1.1. Committee on Continuing Medical Education

2.1.2. Committee on Annual Convention

2.2. Cluster on Internal Affairs 2.2.1 Committee on Elections

2.2.2 Committee on Constitution/By-laws

2.2.3 Committee on Archives

2.2.4 Committee on Awards

2.2.5 Committee on Membership

2.3. Cluster on External Affairs

2.3.1 Committee on Third Party Payors

2.3.2 Committee on Renal-Related Disaster Preparedness

2.3.3 Committee on World Kidney Day

2.3.4 Committee on Ways and Means

2.4. Cluster on Publications

2.4.1 Committee on Publications

2.4.2 Committee on Website

2.5. Cluster on Patient Care

2.5.1 Committee on Public Health and Community Outreach

2.5.2 Committee on Advocacy

2.5.3 Committee on Patient Protection

2.6. Cluster on Quality Assurance and Accreditation

2.6.1 Committee on Hemodialysis

2.6.2 Committee on Peritoneal Dialysis

2.6.3 Committee on Kidney Transplantation

FUNCTIONS OF CLUSTERS AND COMMITTEES

3.1. Cluster on Training The Cluster on Training shall be coordinated by the PSN Vice-President.

3.1.1 Committee on Continuing Medical Education (CME) The Committee on CME is tasked to capacitate the PSN, Inc. members to become globally competitive in the field of nephrology. It shall update the general membership and trainees on current issues and advancements in nephrology. It shall recommend the necessary CME units required for Board-Certified Members to remain in good standing.

3.1.2 Committee on Annual Convention The Committee on Annual Convention shall organize the annual convention for the purpose of advancing knowledge in nephrology and promoting camaraderie among its members.

3.2. Cluster on Internal Affairs The Cluster on Internal Affairs shall be coordinated by the PSN Secretary. All committees, except for the Committee on Elections and the Committee on Constitution and By-laws which shall be independent, shall be composed of at least three (3) PSN members and chaired by a PSN Fellow.

3.2.1 Committee on Elections The Committee on Elections shall be composed of three (3) Past PSN President and chaired by the Immediate Past President. It shall solicit nominations for the election of the PSN Board of Trustees and Chapter Board of Trustees. It shall oversee the conduct of elections in accordance with the PSN, Inc. Election Code and decide with finality all complaints related to the elections. It shall review the Election Code and recommend revisions to the PSN Board of Trustees as deemed necessary.

3.2.2 Committee on Constitution and By-laws The Committee on Constitution and By-laws shall be composed of three (3) Past PSN President and chaired by the Immediate Past President. It shall oversee the process of making amendments as stipulated in Article IX of these By-laws.

3.2.3 Committee on Archives The Committee on Archives shall maintain a file of records (hard and electronic copies) of all important PSN, Inc. documents, events, publications and researches for safekeeping.

3.2.4 Committee on Awards The Committee on Awards shall recognize significant achievements of members. It shall seek nominations, deliberate on the nominees and recommend potential awardees for the PSN, Inc. annual awards to the PSN Board of Trustees. It shall actively search for potential nominees for awards given by other organizations and submit them to the PSN Board of Trustees for final action. It shall regularly evaluate the criteria for the PSN awards and recommend new award categories as deemed necessary.

3.2.5 Committee on Membership The Committee on Membership shall develop and recommend policies on membership, responsibilities, rights and privileges of PSN members to the PSN Board of Trustees for approval.

3.3. Cluster on External Affairs The Cluster on External Affairs shall be coordinated by the Treasurer of the PSN Board of Trustees. All committees shall be composed of at least three (3) PSN members and chaired by a PSN Fellow.

3.3.1. Committee on Third Party Payors The Committee on Third Party Payors shall address all concerns regarding renal-related health care financing. These would include, but are not limited to, third party payors, such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Health Maintenance Organizations and charitable institutions such as the Philippine Charity and Sweepstake Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

3.3.2. Committee on Renal-related Disaster Preparedness The Committee on Renal-related Disaster Preparedness shall formulate guidelines that shall prevent disaster-related acute kidney injury and ensure continuity of care for renal patients in times of disaster. It shall liaise with local and national disaster agencies to ensure prompt, effective and coordinated response in times of disaster.

3.3.3. Committee on World Kidney Day The Committee on World Kidney Day shall organize and hold activities aligned to the objectives and theme chosen by the International Society of Nephrology.

3.3.4. Committee on Ways and Means The Committee on Ways and means shall be responsible for all fundraising activities of the PSN, Inc.

3.4. Cluster on Publications The Cluster on Publications shall be coordinated by one of the members of the PSN Board of Trustees. All Committees shall be composed of at least three (3) PSN members and chaired by a PSN Fellow.

3.4.1. Committee on Publications The Committee on Publications shall ensure the regular publication of the PSN, Inc. Newsletter (Broadcasts) and the Philippine Journal of Nephrology.

3.4.2. Committee on Website The Committee on Website shall develop and maintain the PSN, Inc. website to be an effective tool for communication between the Society, its members and the external world.

3.5. Cluster on Patient Care The Cluster on Patient Care shall be coordinated by one of the members of the PSN Board of Trustees. All Committees shall be composed of at least three (3) PSN members and chaired by a PSN Fellow.

3.5.1. Committee on Public Health and Community Outreach The Committee on Public Health and Community Outreach shall develop and implement a comprehensive program to promote public awareness on prevention, early detection, delaying progression and treatment of kidney diseases. It shall oversee and coordinate the activities for National Kidney Month.

3.5.2. Committee on Advocacy The Committee on Advocacy shall develop and promote PSN, Inc. advocacy positions related to renal diseases.

3.5.3. Committee on Patient Protection The Committee on Patient Protection shall protect the interest of patients against misinterpretation, misinformation, and mismanagement.

3.6. Cluster on Quality Assurance and Accreditation The Cluster on Quality Assurance and Accreditation shall be coordinated by one of the members of the PSN Board of Trustees. It shall assist government agencies (Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) in establishing and implementing guidelines on standards of care in dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) and kidney transplantation. All Committees shall be composed of at least three (3) PSN members and chaired by a PSN Fellow.

3.6.1. Committee on Hemodialysis

3.6.2. Committee on Peritoneal Dialysis

3.6.3. Committee on Kidney Transplantation

The PSN Board of Trustees may create and discharge task forces as the need arises.