Bylaws
Article I (Membership)
Section 1: Founding Members
All previous members of International Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery/International Microsurgery Society and all members that attended the Inaugural Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery in Taipei, Taiwan, on 2001 are considered as “founding members”.
Section 2: Active Members (Clinicians)
a. Active Members must be Board Certified Surgeons or hold the equivalent specialist qualifications in their own country.
b. Candidates must have documented evidence of appropriate training in Microsurgery. The membership committee will determine whether a candidate has “appropriate” training.
c. Candidates should demonstrate documented evidence of continued practice in clinical or microsurgery research for a period of not less than two (2) years after completion of their training.
d. It is recommended that candidates shall have published one microsurgical paper in a peer review journal.
e. Candidates must be proposed and endorsed by one (1) active member in good standing.
f. Active Members in good standing may vote, hold office, and serve on committees.
g. The Executive Committee will recommend to the Membership expulsion of a member for actions deemed detrimental to the Society.
Section 3: Active Members (Researchers)
These Active Members shall be Ph.D.s or other researchers, actively engaged in microsurgical investigation. As long as they are in good standing, they may be involved in committees pertaining to microsurgical research. This should be supported by the same criteria as section 2c.
As determined by the Executive Council, they may have lower annual dues and meeting registration fees.
Section 4: Life Members
Life Membership may be obtained by paying 10 years due in advance. They may vote, hold office, or serve on committees.
Section 5: Honorary Members
Honorary membership may be conferred upon physicians or scientists who have achieved eminence in the field of Reconstructive Microneurovascular Surgery and who have made exceptional contributions to the Art and Science related to this field. Honorary Membership in the Society may be conferred by unanimous vote of the Executive Council and confirmed by the membership. Honorary Members shall have all the privileges of Active Members but they cannot vote, hold office, or be required to pay annual dues.
Section 6: Retired Members
Retired Membership status may be applied for in writing when an Active or Life Member is no longer actively engaged in clinical or research activities. They cannot vote, hold office, and will not be required to pay dues or registration fees for meetings. They will be responsible for payment of social functions.
Section 7: Candidate Members
Shall express an interest in microsurgery. Applicants must be enrolled in or completed a residency program that includes microsurgery training. Candidate members must request a transfer to Active membership status within one year of becoming a candidate member. In countries where board certification is not offered, the candidate member must apply for active membership one year after completing training. In countries where board certification is required, the candidate must be Board eligible or board certified. Board eligible members who do not complete board certification within 5 years will be asked to reapply for membership. Candidate members must provide proof of certification prior to transfer to Active membership status and meet the Active member requirements. They may attend scientific meetings and social functions. They may not serve on committees, vote, or hold office. Candidate members will have a reduced annual fee, as well as, reduction in meeting registration fees.
Section 8: Membership Application Process
a. The application is to be collected by the central WSRM office on rolling admission basis and sent out to the membership committee for review.
b. Election to Membership shall require a vote of approval by the Membership Committee, its Chair and the Executive Council members.
c. The list of membership candidates reviewed and approved by the Membership Committee and the Executive Council will be sent out to the Active members by e-mail for the final voting and approval. This shall be done electronically.
Article II (Leadership)
The Officers of the Society shall be in good standing and include the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary General, and Historian. These Officers, two (2) Immediate Past Presidents, and five (5) additional members (two elected by Council, three elected by the general membership), shall comprise the Executive Council. Four (4) additional Members-At-Large are to be held by a member representative of one of the regions of Europe, Asia, North America and South America in a voting capacity for a two year term and are to be appointed as follows:
1) The European Federation shall appoint one WSRM member to hold a Member-At-Large position as representative of Europe.
2) The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery shall appoint one WSRM member to hold a Member-At-Large position as representative of North America.
3) The Asian-Pacific Federation of Societies for Reconstructive Microsurgery shall appoint one WSRM member to hold a Member-At-Large position as representative of the Asian-Pacific region.
4) The WSRM Nominating Committee shall nominate two (2) WSRM members from Central America and South America (including the Caribbean nations) to hold a Member-At-Large position as representative of Central America and South America (including the Caribbean nations). Election will be by a vote of approval of those members present at the business meeting.
5) Depending on future membership numbers, Membership-At-Large positions can be added or reduced to reflect membership geographic distribution.
The Scientific Chairman for the next meeting will be an Ad-Hoc Member of the Executive Council. The President, President-Elect, Vice President and Secretary General shall be elected for two year terms.
The President-Elect will automatically become President. The Secretary General will be eligible for nomination for an additional two year term. The Historian may be elected for an additional term. The term for the Council Members at Large is for a two year term. Council Members at Large will be eligible for an additional two year term. Nominations will be accepted from the floor. Election will be by a vote of approval of those members present at the business meeting.
Article III (Responsibilities)
The meeting of the Society will be governed by Sturgis Rules of Parliamentary Procedures. The President will preside at all meetings of the Society and ensure that all deliberations are conducted in an orderly fashion according to the rules of parliamentary procedure. The President will settle all disputes regarding the rules of order. The President-Elect shall preside in the absence of the President and Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President and President-Elect.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary General to keep an accurate record of proceedings of the meetings of the Society and to keep a register of all members with the dates of their admission and the places of their residence. The Secretary General will address budgetary and administrative needs of the Society.
The Historian shall collate the history of both the International Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and the International Microsurgical Society for the permanent Archives. The location of the Central Office will be selected by the Council and it will supervise and conduct all correspondence of the Society. The Central Office shall be reimbursed for such expenses as may accrue in proper execution of the affairs of the Society. It shall be the duty of the Central Office to collect the dues of the Society, notify members of delinquency, and make recommendations to the Executive Council should a members dues remain delinquent for more than 36 months (or 3 years). The Central Office will manage the funds of the Society as directed by the Executive Council, with direct supervision by the Secretary General who shall present evidence of such audit to the Executive Council.
Article IV (Meetings)
The Society will meet every two (2) years. The meeting of the Society will include a scientific meeting. The meetings will be held in different countries for world-wide representation and will be selected at least two years in advance. The geographic locations of the biennial meeting shall rotate amongst countries and shall not be held in the same region within a six year period unless directed differently by the Executive Council due to political or safety concerns.
The Chairman will arrange all matters pertaining to that biennial meeting in conjunction with the President and members of the Executive Council. The host country will be responsible for all financial aspects of the meeting. The WSRM does not hold any financial obligation to the host country and its organizers relating to the biennial congress. The Chairman of the Organizing Committee is required to attend the Executive Council meeting on a yearly basis to present an update on the planning of the future congress. The Council may at any time relieve the appointed Chairman of the Organizing Committee of his/her duties with a majority vote of the Council members.
Article V (Vacancies)
Vacancies occurring in the Officers of the Society, other than that of the President, shall be appointed by the President until the next regular meeting of the Society. The President-Elect shall immediately ascend to the office of President in the event the President is no longer able to fulfill the duties of the office.
Article VI (Committees)
Section 1: Scientific Program Committee.
The Chairman for the next Scientific Meeting will select the membership of the Committee after consultation with the Executive Council. The President shall be an Ex-Officio member of the Scientific Program Committee.
Section 2: Nominating Committee.
It will consist of five (5) members. The Chairman will be the Immediate Past-President. Two members will be selected by the Executive Council and two members by the membership. There shall be a limit of one (1) member from any one country.
Section 3: Membership Committee.
It will consist of five (5) members. The Chairman will be the President-Elect. Two (2) members will be selected by the Executive Council and two (2) members by the membership.
Section 4: Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
The Chairman will be the appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Council. Two (2) members will be selected by the Executive Council and two (2) members by the membership. The committee will ensure annual review of the Constitution and Bylaws and to submit any amendments to the Council and the membership of the Society.
Article VII (Quorum)
The members present at any business meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Article VIII (Dues)
The annual dues required of each member are recommended by the Executive Council and approved by the membership. Members who have not paid dues for three (3) consecutive years will be dropped from membership. Members whose dues are in arrears cannot hold office, sponsor new members, serve as faculty on WSRM educational programs and are not eligible to vote.
Article IX (Central Office)
All reports, minutes, and financial details will be maintained in the Central Office. The location of the Central Office will be determined by the Executive Council.
Article X (Amendments)
a. The Bylaws may be amended by a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote cast by the active members present at the annual business meeting.
b. Written notice of the proposed Bylaw changes shall be sent to the active members at least thirty (30) days before such meeting.
c. Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Council, the Bylaws Committee or any active member.
d. All amendments, other than those proposed by the Bylaws Committee, shall be submitted to the Bylaws Committee for review and recommendation.
e .A copy of all proposed amendments shall be sent by the Bylaws Committee, with recommendations, to the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall approve, amend or disapprove the proposed amendments. Those amendments approved by the Executive Council shall be submitted to a vote of the membership.
ARTICLE XI (Mail or Electronic Voting and Quorum)
Section 1: Mail or Electronic Voting
Mail and electronic voting shall be the right of all Active and Life Members of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery in all electronic elections and votes. The Executive Council of the Society may authorize mail and electronic voting on such issues as it deems appropriate including, but not limited to, election of new members and amendments to the Bylaws. Mail or electronic voting may take place at any time as determined by the Executive Council.
a. Election of Members:
- A ballot containing the names of proposed candidates for each class of membership shall be submitted in writing by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission to the Active and Life Members not less than fifteen (15)days prior to an electronic vote.
- Member services shall send a ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission to each Active and Life Member containing the names of the individuals considered for membership.
- The mail or electronic ballots must be returned by the Active and Life Members within fifteen (15) in order to be valid.
- The ballot may be returned by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission.
- Ballots must be returned by not less than five percent (5%) of the Active and Life Members for the election to be valid.
- The affirmative vote of not less than four-fifths (4/5) of those returning ballots is necessary for election to membership.
- The ballots shall be counted by tellers appointed by the Executive Council and Member Services. If the requisite number of ballots are not returned or if an individual does not receive a majority of the ballots cast, the election of that individual or individuals shall be deferred until the next Business Meeting.
b. Bylaws Changes or Amendments:
- Proposed changes to the Bylaws or Amendments shall be submitted in writing by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission to the Active and Life Members not less than thirty (30) days prior to an electronic vote.
- Member services shall send a ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission to each Active and Life Member containing the proposed changes to the Bylaws or Amendments.
- The mail or electronic ballots must be returned by the Active and Life Members within thirty (30) days in order to be valid.
- The ballot may be returned by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission.
- Ballots must be returned by not less than five percent (5%) of the Active and Life Members for the electronic vote to be valid.
- The affirmative vote of not less than four-fifths (4/5) of those returning ballots is necessary for adoption of the proposed changes to the Bylaws or Amendments.
- The ballots shall be counted by tellers appointed by the Executive Council and Member Services. If the requisite number of ballots are not returned or if the Bylaw changes do not receive a majority of the votes in support of the changes, the proposed Bylaws changes shall be deferred until the next Business Meeting.