1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to define the rules of procedures for the committee to run international relations in training, organization and scientific study in order to position the society and the members in the international community in accordance with the regulation of the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology (hereinafter referred to as the TSMO).

2. SCOPE
This directive involves the rules of procedures for the committee of international relations established by the TSMO.

3. BASIS
This directive is drawn up based on the resolution dated 11th of June, 2014 and No. 07 pertaining to the establishment of the ‘’Committee of International Relations’’ of the Board of Directors taking account of matters specified in the TSMO’s 2014-2018 strategic plan.  

4. MISSIONS
The Committee shall assume following missions on behalf of the Board of Directors provided that it informs the Society’s Board of Directors at every stage and acts in unison for some activities:

Conducting endeavors to translate the TSMO website into English,

Opening a stand for international meetings in an effort to enhance the recognition of the Society,

Holding organizations to host international oncology congresses in Turkey,

Releasing examination dates on a regular basis as a part of encouraging specialists and minor assistants to take international proficiency exams,

Conducting promotional activities at an international level through media and internet,

Engaging in collaboration with the industry, developing projects, and keeping in touch with the Ministry of Health so as to make sure such activities are not out of the agenda of the international community,

Organizing joint classes, exchange programs for assistants and holding rotation programs by means of striking mutual agreements with specialized centers of training,

Holding meetings with the representative of Turkey to increase the participation in ESMO activities in an attempt to have a say in the operations of the ESMO, and taking steps to hold ESMO congresses in Turkey,

Looking into opportunities to improve relations with ASCO, and taking necessary steps to this end,

Providing support to hold multinational scientific meetings in Turkey ,

Engaging in close collaboration with regional societies of cancer and oncologists, and
increasing regional participation in National Cancer Congresses,

Conducting endeavors to form joint operational protocols with selected countries,

Establishing joint platforms with countries around the region (Turkic Republics, Middle East Countries etc.) to improve the capacity of representation in Europe, and holding regional congresses,

Enabling oncology society representatives of neighboring countries to take part in TSMO congresses,

Fulfilling other missions entrusted by the Society’s Board of Directors,

Drawing up an annual working report for the Board of Directors, and an activity report for the General Assembly,

5. MODE OF OPERATION
The Committee of International Relations shall be composed of a member of the board of directors, and advisory committee members to be designated by the board of directors. The number of members shall not exceed 11. The term office for the members shall be for 2 years. Any amendment to be made in case of a vacancy for committee membership due to any reason shall be carried out upon the proposal of the committee and/or the suggestion of the board of directors, and ultimately upon the approval of the Society’s Board of Directors (1/2 shall be replaced every 2 years).

A bureau of foreign relations shall be established to carry out the committee’s endeavors. A permanent secretary with proficiency in English shall be employed to run the operations. The secretariat shall make declarations for committee meetings, write down resolutions and run operations within the subject of activity.

Working groups may be established depending on the subjects of the committee’s activities.

The president of the committee shall be appointed out of the members of the Board of Directors. An election shall be held to determine a vice president and a secretary general in the very first meeting.

The committee shall convene at least for 3 times a year. The call for a meeting shall be made by the secretariat.

 6. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
The committee shall possess no independent budget. All monetary affairs shall be executed in accordance with the Law of Associations, the Legislation of Associations and the relevant regulation as well as the regulation of the TSMO.

7. ENFORCEMENT
This directive entered into force in accordance with the resolution dated 7th of July, 2014 and No. 08 of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology.

8. EXECUTION
This directive shall be executed by the Board of Directors of the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology.

Onco Bridge Meeting Onco Bridge meeting will be held on June 26, 2015 before Best of ASCO Istanbul meeting. The aims of the meeting are; increase the collaboration, educational activities for young fellows and increase the collaborative scientific production in the region.

Best of ASCO Istanbul The 6th ASCO-licensed “Best of ASCO® Istanbul” conference will be held in Istanbul. Our objective is to review the most important, practice changing data presented at ASCO Annual Congress, thereby to share all the information with those who are not able to attend the ASCO Annual Congress or to discuss the clinical implications of the presented data within the current standards of care.

Supported Meetings

4th Mediterranean Multidisciplinary Oncology Forum (MMOF)           The main aims of the congress, is to exchange information on the types of cancer more common to Mediterranean countries, improve the scientific and social relations. The scientific program will include various disciplines, including medical oncology, radiotherapy, oncological surgery, breast surgery, molecular biology, oral oncology etc. with the support of prestigious oncology experts. medmof2015

1. Turkey - Azerbaijan Oncology Days 1. Turkey - Azerbaijan Oncology Days which will bring close together Turkey and Azerbaijan oncology communities will be held in Baku in September 2015. The latest developments experienced in the field of oncology, case presentations and abstracts will be discussed at the meeting.