World Muscle Society Charter

Article 1: Foundation and Name

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 is and shall be known as the World Muscle Society (WMS) registered charity: 1126862.

Article 2: Objectives and Purpose

Section 1

The activities of the WMS are open to all professionals working in the neuromuscular field, irrespective of age, nationality, (dis)ability, race, gender or political or religious belief. It is a multidisciplinary Society, reflecting the different disciplines involved in the study of neuromuscular disorders and the management of patients with these disorders.

The WMS Mission Statement is: A global, multidisciplinary community committed to advancing the science of neuromuscular disorders and the care for people living with them.

Section 2

The aims of the WMS are:

1. To provide continual learning, education and guidance to the next generation of neuromuscular health care professionals through training, mentoring, championing, coaching and leading
2. To drive scientific discoveries and innovation; making decisions based on scientific evidence rather than opinion or instinct
3. To be a welcoming and supportive multidisciplinary community, learning from one another and working together towards our shared aims
4. To improve access for colleagues to cutting-edge neuromuscular knowledge and educational events
5. To promote our values: Educational, Scientific, Collaborative and Inclusive

Section 3

The means for achieving these aims are:

1. The creation and support of a community in the neuromuscular field
2. The facilitation of participation in the Society’s activities
3. The organisation of regular meetings to exchange scientific information
4. The organisation and promotion of educational activities
5. the promotion of international collaborative research and training
6. the publication of reports
7. the removal of barriers, whether geographical, financial, language-based or relating to, for example, background, (dis)ability, race, gender or other protected characteristic to enable full participation for all comers.

Article 3: Membership

Section 1: Category of members

All active, non-industry members shall have the right to vote and to hold office.

Section 2: Eligibility

All professionals involved in the neuromuscular field, irrespective of discipline, are eligible for membership (See Article 2.1). If necessary, the Executive Officers will review and decide on individual eligibility.

Section 3: Application

Applications for membership should be submitted via the online website form.

Section 4: Membership fees

The Executive Board will establish the annual membership fee for active members.

Section 5: Tenure of membership

Membership will continue subject to paying the annual fees. The Executive Board reserves the right to terminate membership under special circumstances, for example when a member exhibits behaviours amounting to gross misconduct, including, but not limited to: scientific misconduct, discriminatory behaviour, theft or fraud, physical violence or bullying, and harassment or serious misuse of the organisation's name or property.

Article 4: Executive Board

Section 1

The Executive Board of the WMS comprises 15 WMS members elected by the WMS Membership, according to the election process document, of which:

• One is elected as President (Executive Officer)
• One is elected as Secretary (Executive Officer)
• One is elected as Treasurer (Executive Officer)
• Three are elected to the Programme Committee, according to our Programme Committee Process document. The scientific programme of the annual congress is generated by members of the WMS Programme Committee.
• Others are elected to coordinate specific WMS activities and initiatives.

 

In addition to the elected members, the Editor of Neuromuscular Disorders (see Article 7) will be an ex-officio member as will the Honorary President and the Chair of the Pre-Congress Teaching Course.

 

The appointed Secretariat will attend the Executive Board Meetings for support.

 

Executive Board elections will take place every three years. WMS members can self-nominate for the Executive Board by submitting their CV and a letter of motivation via the online portal at least two months ahead of the elections. All candidates will be treated equally. The membership will vote online for between one and 15 candidates for the election of the Executive Board according to our election process document. The Executive Board will elect its Executive Officers according to the election process document.    

Section 2

Executive members are eligible to stand for re-election. The officers shall each serve a term of three years. The Presidency shall be limited to two terms maximum.

Section 3

Any vacancy during the tenure of the Board shall be filled by a WMS Member selected by the Board to complete the unexpired term.

Article 5: Duties of Executive Board

Section 1

It is the duty of the Executive Board Members to promote the Values and Mission Statement of the Society.

Section 2

The Executive Board will meet not less than once a year.

Section 3

The Executive Board will consider proposals from WMS members relating to future congresses according to the Request for Proposals document and appoint the Local Organisers for future WMS congresses. The Executive Board will decide on financial and organisational matters.

Section 4

The Executive Board may establish ad hoc committees to further the aims of the Society.

Section 5

The Secretary will maintain a list of members and prepare an annual report which will be approved during the annual General Assembly of WMS activities.

Section 6

The Treasurer will be responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds and will produce an annual report for the Executive Board which will be approved by the membership during the annual General Assembly.

Section 7

The Local Organisers of the current and following year’s Annual WMS Congress can be invited to attend part of the Executive Board meetings as non-voting board members.

Article 6: Finances

Section 1

The WMS shall be ruled as a non-profit organisation.

Section 2

The WMS shall be financed by WMS membership fees. Additional support may be sought from other sources to meet special needs, e.g., the organisation of congresses.

Section 3

The WMS Annual Congress will be conducted under the financial organisation of WMS Congress Ltd.

Article 7: Official Journal of the Society

The Journal, Neuromuscular Disorders, is the official Journal of the WMS. The Editor-in-Chief will be an ex-officio member of the WMS Executive Board.

Article 8: Official Language

The official language of the Society will be UK English.

Article 9: Amendments to the Charter

These articles may be amended or repealed by or on behalf of the WMS Executive Board. The updated version will be ratified by the WMS Executive Board and then approved by WMS Members attending the annual General Assembly.

Article 10: Duration and Dissolution

The duration of this Society will 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.

Updated and approved by the membership October 2023