This organisation was founded in London, UK, on 4th June 1995, with a meeting of founding Members. (please click and view for more history; the participants and the first WMS agenda) It shall be known as the World Muscle Society (WMS).
The activities of WMS shall be open to all professionals working in the neuromuscular field, irrespective of nationality, race and political opinion. It shall be a multidisciplinary Society, reflecting in particular the different disciplines involved in the study of neuromuscular disorders and the management of patients with these disorders.
It shall be the Aims of the WMS:
The means for achieving these aims shall be:
There shall be one category of members: active members. All active members shall have the right to vote and to hold office.
All professionals actively working in the neuromuscular field, irrespective of discipline, are eligible for membership (See Article 2.1). The Executive Board will decide on individual eligibility.
Requests for membership shall be submitted by written application to the Executive Board.
The Executive Board will establish the annual membership fee for active members.
Membership will continue subject to paying the annual dues. The Executive Board shall have the right to terminate membership under special circumstances.
The Executive Board of the WMS shall be:
Members can self nominate for office by submitting their CV and a letter of motivation to the Secretary at least two months ahead of the elections. The membership will vote on the election of candidates for the Executive Committee at the General Assembly. The Executive Committee will elect its officers.
Executive members are eligible to stand for re-election. The officers shall each serve a term of 3 years. The Presidency shall be limited to two terms maximum.
Any vacancy during the tenure of the Board shall be filled by an individual selected by the Board to complete the unexpired term.
The Executive Board shall meet not less than once a year.
The Executive Board shall consider proposals relating to future meetings and appoint the Local Organiser for future WMS congresses. The Executive Board shall decide on financial and organisational matters.
The President may establish ad hoc committees to further the aims of the Society.
The Secretary will maintain a list of active members and prepare an annual report of WMS activities.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds, and shall produce an annual report for the Executive Board and membership.
The Local Organisers of the previous, current, and following year’s Annual WMS Congress shall attend the Executive Board meetings as non-voting members.
The WMS shall be ruled as a non-profit organisation.
The WMS shall be financed by membership fees. Additional support may be sought from other sources to meet special needs, e.g. the organisation of conferences.
The WMS Annual Congress shall be conducted under the financial responsibility of the Local Organiser. The Executive Board shall support this endeavour with advance finance where needed and organisational support. The scientific programme of the annual congress is generated by members of the Executive Board.
The Journal, Neuromuscular Disorders, will be the official Journal of the WMS. The Editor-in-Chief will be a member of the Executive Board.
These articles may be amended, altered or repealed by the vote of at least two-thirds of the voting members, who shall be given at least one (1) month notice of any proposed changes.
The official language of the Society will be English.
The duration of this society shall be perpetual. In the event of dissolution of the society the net assets, if any, will be donated to a similar non-profit society or relevant charity in the neuromuscular field.
