WFCMS Membership Application Guide

WFCMS is composed of members of societies of Chinese Medicine, senior individual members, cooperation program members and honorary members. Qualifications for joining the organization are as follows:

1. Society membership

(1) Any member society shall apply for a membership voluntarily with a promise to observe the Constitution, pay the membership fee on schedule and work actively within WFCMS.

(2) Any registered Chinese Medicine societies, medical, educational and research organizations in its respective country.

(3) Any society or organization of Chinese Medicine that has a history for more than one year and with more than 30 members can be the member of the organization. (If the number of members is less than 30 because of lack of Chinese Medicine professionals in that country or region, the case will be settled as the organization sees fit.

(4) The society of Chinese Medicine has to have its own office/address.

(5) The society of Chinese Medicine has to have its own constitution which tallies with the related law and status of its own country or region.

(6)The society of Chinese Medicine has to have its funds.

(7)The main members of any society of Chinese Medicine intending to join the organization shall have one of the following qualifications:

  1) They are either registered or licensed practitioners of Chinese Medicine or herbal pharmacists in their own countries (or regions).

  2) They are licensed practitioners of Chinese Medicine or herbal pharmacists in their former countries (or regions) where Chinese Medicine is legalized and then they have moved to the countries (or regions) where Chinese Medicine is not legalized.

  3) They are registered doctors or pharmacists of Western medicine who have received systematic training of Chinese Medicine (or acupuncture), and at present they are practicing Chinese Medicine or integrated Chinese and Western medicine.

2. Senior individual member

A senior individual member denotes an individual who has been Council Member of Council Board or Executive Council Member of Supervision Board for more than two terms, is not participating in the election representing the former society, but is still dedicated to the diffusing of Chinese Medicine and willing to contribute to the development of WFCMS.

The senior individual member must have worked in the field of Chinese Medicine or integrated Chinese and Western medicine for more than 30 years with outstanding success and prestige in his own country (or region), and who has made significant contribution to the development and international dissemination of Chinese Medicine. Senior individual members should obey the Constitution of WFCMS and pay the membership fee on schedule.

3. Cooperation program member

The Cooperation program member denotes an individual who has been engaged in Chinese Medicine activities or relevant public welfare activities through long term cooperation programs within the WFCMS and make contributions for the Chinese Medicine globalization and also maintaining a good reputation could apply for the membership. Cooperation program members should obey the Constitution of WFCMS and pay the membership fee on schedule.

4. Honorary member

The honorary member denotes the celebrity who dedicates to Chinese Medicine and makes contribution to the globalization of Chinese Medicine, particularly to the development of WFCMS. The title had been conferred from WFCMS. Honorary members do not have to pay a membership fee.

Procedure for joining the organization

1. Anyone who intends to join the organization shall hand in a written application to the Secretariat and submit the following documents:

  (1) To fill out the application form and hand in the resume of the chief, deputy-chief and Secretary-General (their bareheaded photos enclosed).

  (2) To supply a list of all its members (each member with his bareheaded photo enclosed, if available).

  (3) To surrender a copy of its registration form.

  (4) Anyone who wants to apply for a senior or honorary membership or cooperation program member shall fill out a form related to his or her outstanding achievements.

  (5) To pay the registration fee once only (including the cost of production).

2. After a preliminary review by the Secretariat, the application of the member societies and cooperation program members are submitted to the Executive Council for review. Membership would be granted by a single majority of vote or correspondence vote of the Executive Council. Senior individual members should apply individually, honorary member be recommended by the Secretariat, and both be approved by Chairpersons Conference.

3. All kinds of the membership certificate are issued by the general headquarter and renewed every four years to member society, senior individual member, cooperation member, and honorary member separately.

"Society Member of WFCMS" is written on the cover at the conspicuous place of a membership certificate, while the seal of WFCMS is affixed on the certificate. The certificate is renewed every four years.

4. When any other group inconsistent with Article 7 (e.g. non-professional group of Chinese Medicine but with activity of Chinese Medicine) wants to join the organization, admission shall be based on a 2/3 majority of vote of the Council.

Rights

The society membership, senior individual members and cooperation program member enjoy the following rights, while the honorary members enjoy the rights from 4-6:

1. To have the right to elect deputies based on the quota to attend the General Assembly.

2. To have the right to vote and to stand for election.

3. To raise criticism, suggestion and have the right of supervision upon the work of WFCMS.

4. To have priority to participate in the world academic conference on Chinese Medicine, symposiums or other events sponsored by WFCMS, and enjoy preferential treatment.

5. To have the regular communicating channels with WFCMS and priority to get update information and other materials of WFCMS.

6. To join or withdraw from the organization on a volunteer basis.