INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC
MANIPULATIVE THERAPISTS
CONSTITUTION
8 November 2000
Deutsche Versionen:
ARTICLE I NAME
SECTION I)
The name of this organisation shall be the "International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists" (I.F.O.M.T.), here and hereafter referred to as the Federation.
SECTION 2)
The Federation, a recognised sub-group of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), is composed of groups recognised by their WCPT Member Organisations. The Federation shall be comprised of at least six (6) Members representing at least two (2) Regions.
ARTICLE II OBJECTS
The objects of the Federation are:
a) To encourage improved standards of manipulative and other manual therapy skills throughout the world.
b) To encourage and promote appropriate means of communication and exchange of information with respect to the advancement of manipulative and other manual therapy skills.
c) To encourage scientific research and promote opportunities for the spread of knowledge of new developments in the field of manipulative and other manual therapy skills.
d) To organize, at regular intervals, seminars on manipulative and other manual therapy skills.
e) To represent manipulative and other manual therapy skills on an international level and encourage evidence based practice in manual therapy.
The Educational Standards of I.F.O.M.T. are fully laid out in the Educational Standards document which reflects definition of terms and scope of practice. This document is approved by the Executive Committee and Voting Delegates.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1)
The Federation's membership shall be composed only of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Organisations which consist only of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists. These member organisations shall be represented in the Federation by a representative elected from within that organisation.
There shall be three categories of membership:
(a) Member Organisation
(i) Any organisation whose voting membership on Federation matters consists only of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists who have met the recognized Federation Educational Standards and who are members of the National Parent Body which is a Member
Organisation of the WCPT.
(ii) The Organisation, representing orthopaedic manipulative therapy in that country shall not represent just one area, group or educational institution but all eligible therapists.
The organisational structure to ensure such representation can be decided at a national level. Where a Registered Interest Group fulfils Full Membership criteria and exists within a country with a Member Organisation, the Member Organisation should facilitate implementation of the constitutional requirements to allow representation of the Registered
Interest Group within IFOMT.
(iii) The Organisation should be conducting or recognizing a programme(s) of post graduate education in manipulative and other manual therapy skills in accordance with the
Educational Standards document.
(iv) An Organisation may become a member provided that it complies with the regulations laid down by a General Meeting of the Federation.
(v) The Group shall be recognised by their WCPT Member Organisation as organisation representing the country within IFOMT.
(b) Registered Interested Group
Before applying for Membership, an Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy group, consisting only of registered physical therapists, can apply to be a "Registered Interested Group" by completing the application form available from the Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation.
(c) Special Member
Special memberships may be conferred by the Executive Committee, or Voting Delegates at a General Meeting, upon persons who have rendered valuable service to Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy. Nominations for Honorary Memberships may be submitted by any Member Organisation to the Executive Committee for their recommendation to a General Meeting. Election shall require the assent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting delegates at a General Meeting.
The following categories of Special Memberships are available:
(i) Life Membership
May be granted to physical therapists (current or past members) who have provided outstanding long term service to the Federation and orthopaedic manipulative therapy and who have reached or are approaching normal retirement.
(ii) Honorary Membership
May be granted to individuals who have enhanced the Federation or have
rendered valuable service to orthopaedic physical therapy through unique or long term service or have merited special recognition for their work in a parallel field.
(iii) Patron
May be granted to those individuals and organisations who have made a significant financial contribution to the Federation.
(iv) Advisor
May be granted to those individuals outside the Federation whose expert or professional services have been a significant contribution to the Federation.
(v) Consultant
May be granted to those individuals within the Federation who may be solicited to assist with a special task or project because of their knowledge, expertise and experience.
Registered Interest Groups shall not have the right
a) to vote
b) to hold office
c) to serve as chairman of any committee
Special Members shall also not have the above rights (a,b,c) unless representing their respective Member Organisations or appointed by the Executive.
SECTION 2) Application for Membership
(a) Registered Interest Group
To become a Registered Interest Group (RIG) a group must present to the Secretary a written application which should be accompanied by:
1. A letter from the National Physiotherapy Association which is a Member of WCPT, stating all members of the group are financial members of the Parent Body.
2. The number of members in the group, with names and addresses of Office Bearers.
3. The group should submit a Code of Conduct.
4. The organization must submit documentation of a post graduate program in Manipulative/manual Therapy for evaluation by the Standards Committee of IFOMT.
5. Payment of the Annual Subscription fee.
A Registered Interest Group may be approved by the Executive Committee.
(b) Full Member Organisation
To attain Full membership an Organisation must present to the Secretary a written application which shall be accompanied by:
1. A letter from the National Physiotherapy Association, which is a Member of WCPT, recognising the organisation concerned as the organisation representing Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy within IFOMT.
2. The number of members in the Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Organisation and the names and addresses of the Office Bearers
3. The organisation should submit a Code of Conduct. Such Code of Conduct shall not relieve that group from conduct which is in conflict with the Federation's Code of Conduct, which is fully described in the Professional Conduct document, approved by the Executive Committee and Voting Delegates
4. Application Fee.
SECTION 3) Granting of Membership
The Executive Committee shall assess all applications for membership including the Executive Committee's decision on the Standards Committee evaluation and make recommendations to the voting delegates at the next General Meeting. Membership shall be granted if approved by a two thirds majority.
SECTION 4) Termination of Membership
(a) An organisation may terminate its membership by giving written notice to the Secretary
(b) The Executive Committee, upon receipt of a complaint by two member organisations or where the Executive Committee considers:
(i) a member organisation has ceased to meet the requirements for membership.
(ii) A Member Organisation's educational standard no longer meets the current IFOMT Standard.
(iii) The conduct or policy of a member organisation is detrimental to the best interests of the Federation or will bring the Federation into disrepute;
then the Executive Committee shall:
1. Give the Member Organisation notice of its intention to consider the complaint after the expiry of four months from the date of the notice.
2. Such notice shall
a) Request from the Member Organisation an explanation or observation
should the matter not be resolved.
b) Notify the Member Organisation of its right to be heard by a member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Member must report to the full Executive Committee within two (2) weeks of the hearing.
c) Notify the Member Organisation of the date, time and place of such a meeting.
After the report, the Executive Committee can dismiss the complaint, or if any disciplinary action should be taken, their recommendations will be presented to the General Meeting and a two thirds majority vote will decide the issue.
SECTION 5) Default in Payment of Dues
If the dues have not been paid by December 31st of that year, the Organisation shall cease to be a member from that date, without prejudice however, to its liabilities to the Federation. If all dues in arrears are paid by March 31st in the succeeding year then the Organisation shall, if eligible, be restored to membership without re-application. Provided always, however, in exceptional circumstances when non-payment has been due to currency difficulties, the Executive Committee shall have the power to waive or suspend the provisions of this clause.
SECTION 6) Reinstatement to Membership
An organisation which has been excluded from membership under Article III (5), for default in payment of subscription, may apply to the Executive Committee for reinstatement provided that no more than two years have elapsed since the termination of its membership; and provided that it is still eligible and the appropriate annual dues for the intervening period are paid in full, the Executive committee shall decide if it may be reinstated as a Member Organisation of the Federation.
ARTICLE IV RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF
MEMBER ORGANISATIONS
SECTION 1) It shall be the duty of Member Organisations:
a) To comply with the requirements of membership adopted by the Federation at a General Meeting
b) To send to the Secretary of the Federation the names and addresses of all the officers immediately after election or appointment
c) To send a representative, who has passed the Federation's recognized Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) examination of that country to at least one General Meeting in two
d) To do all in its power to promote the knowledge of, and an active interest in, the objectives and work of the Federation
e) To reply to all inquires and questionnaires from the Executive Committee as quickly as possible or within the time limit specified by the Executive Committee
f) To keep the Executive Committee informed of any events or developments in its country of interest to the Federation such as changes in Standards or revised reference lists
g) To provide the Secretary annually an updated list of those members who have passed the Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Examination along with their respective addresses
h) Members and delegates voting on IFOMT matters within a member organisation must have passed their respective OMT Examination.
SECTION 2)
a) The right to hold office within the Federation is open to all Members of Member Organisations.
b) All delegates, representatives and committee members of the Federation must have passed their respective Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Examination.
ARTICLE V REGISTER
The Secretary shall maintain a register of all Member Organisations and the members in each organisation.
ARTICLE VI GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
SECTION 1) A General Meeting of the Federation shall be held in conjunction with each Congress every fourth year, or at such times as determined by the Executive Committee if no Congress is held.
SECTION 2) Special Meetings of the Federation shall be called by the President, upon written request of more than fifty percent of the Member Organisations. Such meetings shall require four months notice, and no other business than that stipulated in the notice of the meeting may be voted upon.
SECTION 3) The Congress of the Federation, which shall include clinical and scientific sessions, shall be held at least every four years. Fifty percent of all profits from clinical and or scientific sessions or 5% of total registration fees, whichever is greater, shall accrue to the Federation.
SECTION 4) Rules of Order
In the absence of any provisions in these articles, to the contrary, all meetings of the Federation and of the several committees shall be governed by the
parliamentary rules and usages as determined by the Executive.
SECTION 5) Voting
a) The President shall have only a casting vote when acting as Chairman of General Meetings and Special Meetings of the Federation.
b) The Secretary-Treasurer shall not have a deliberative vote at a General or Special Meeting of the Federation, but shall have a deliberative vote at meetings of the Executive.
c) Each attending member of the Executive Committee who is not an officer shall have one casting vote at the meetings of the Executive.
d) Each Member Organisation shall be represented by a principal delegate who shall have one casting vote at a General or Special Meeting.
SECTION 6) Order of Business
All meetings of the Federation, whether regular or special, shall proceed in the order of business set by the President and Secretary which shall be circulated to all Members three (3) months prior to the meeting. In any meeting, however, a specified motion may be made to change the announced order of business or new business, and if the said motion is adopted by a majority vote of the membership present, the meeting shall proceed in accordance with the terms of the motion. Similar provisions shall prevail with respect to the conduct of standing or special committee meetings, except that such changes may be set by the Chairman of that Committee, if approved by a majority of the members of that Committee.
As a rule the order of business shall normally be:
a) opening
b) apologies
c) welcome to visitors/guests
d) validation of the voting members of the Federation
e) reading of the minutes of the last meeting
f) business arising from the minutes
g) report of the Secretary
h) report of the Treasurer
i) report of the Executive
j) reports of the Committees
k) election of officers
-President
-Vice-President
-Executive
l) finance to strike subscriptions
m) general business
n) venue, timing next General Meeting
o) ratification of new Member Organisations
p) adjournment
SECTION 7) ELECTIONS
Elections shall take place at the General Meeting of the Federation. Notice of nomination for all positions shall be in the hands of the Secretary, three months before the election to enable circulation of the names to the membership. The nominations shall be proposed, seconded and accepted from Members.
Further nominations may be made at the General Meeting provided that any such nominee who is not present has given written acceptance of the nomination.
Election of nominees shall be by ballot at the General Meeting. Each Member Organisation shall have one vote. The President shall be elected by a majority vote. If there is no majority on the first ballot, the name of the nominee receiving the lowest number of votes shall be removed from the ballot and the vote shall be retaken. This process shall be repeated until there is a decision.
This election process shall be repeated for all eligible Executive Committee positions.
SECTION 8) Member Organisations shall each have one vote. At the commencement of a General or Special Meeting of the Federation, the President shall call upon each member to identify its principal delegate, who will be the only person entitled to vote. In the event of unavoidable absence, another delegate could represent the principal delegate, provided this proxy be in writing from the principal delegate.
SECTION 9) Observers may be present at any General Meeting whether from countries represented in the Federation or not. The Executive Committee shall have the power to invite at its discretion, individuals with special knowledge or observers nominated by other organisations. Observers may address the meeting only in very exceptional circumstances at the invitation of the Presiding Officer, but shall not be able to vote. Such observers may be excluded from all or any part of the meeting.
SECTION 10) No business shall be transacted at a meeting unless two thirds of the Member Organisations are present in person or their Voting Delegate is present.
ARTICLE VII LANGUAGE
The official language of the Federation shall be English which shall be used for all official documents and legal instruments, for Executive Committee meetings and documents, and for the General Meeting.
Adequate time will be designated at all meetings of the Federation for discussion and clarification of all matters for those representatives whom English is not their first language.
ARTICLE VIII EXECUTIVE
SECTION 1) The Executive Committee of the Federation shall be the President, Vice President, and three representatives of Member Organisations.
SECTION 2) Qualifications of members of the Executive Committee
a) The President and Vice President shall be elected as individuals who meet the membership requirements of their respective Member Organisations.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive.
b) The three representatives shall be nominated by their respective Member Organisation.
c) There shall not be more than two members from any one Member Organisation.
d) A person who stands for election as President, Vice President or is elected as a General Member must have had their name put forward by their Member Organisation.
e) The President and Vice President must have served on the Executive Committee or have represented a Member Organisation to the Federation at some time during the eight years immediately prior to election.
f) All members of the Executive Committee act in the interests of the entire Federation and are not considered to be primarily the individual representatives of their respective Member Organisations.
SECTION 3) Terms of Office
The President, Vice President and the three Representatives shall be elected for a four year term. Members of the Executive may not hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.
SECTION 4) Vacancies in Office
If, before the expiration of the term for which elected, any member of the Executuve dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified, the remaining members of the Executive shall appoint an eligible replacement.
SECTION 5) Rights and Duties of the President
It shall be the duty of the President, or a Presiding Officer appointed by the Executive Committee:
a) To preside at all General Meetings and Special Meetings of the Federation.
b) To preside at all Executive Meetings.
c) To be the official spokesman and representative of the Federation.
SECTION 6) Rights and Duties of the Vice President
a) The Vice President may assist the President in the discharge of Presidential duties and shall officiate for the President during the President's absence.
b) The Vice President shall act as a liaison between the Executive Committee and the Organisation responsible for acting as host of the next General Meeting.
c) The Immediate Past President shall not have a vote unless he is officiating for the President during his absence.
SECTION 7) The Immediate Past President, a Consultative Status
The Past President, as a Consultant until succeeded by the next Past President, may be solicited by the Executive to assist with a special problem, task or project pertinent to their knowledge, expertise and experience.
The Consultant shall report to the Executive and shall have no voting rights.
SECTION 8) Rights and Duties of the Executive Committee
a) The Executive shall conduct the affairs of the Federation.
b) The Executive shall meet at least once every two years and at other times as required.
c) A Quorum shall be three (3) representing at least two Member Organisations
d) The Executive may conduct its business by mail, telephone, facsimile or any other means of current technology.
e) The Executive shall examine and report upon any changes connected with the Constitution.
f) The Executive may propose to the Membership for its vote the appointment of persons to such positions as "patron", "consultant", "advisor", "life member" "honourary member", and to make the award or presentation when so merited.
g) The Executive shall appoint members to any Standing Committees that it may set up.
h) The Executive shall appoint members to serve on any such temporary special committees as it deems necessary; the duties and functions of which will not overlap the duties and functions of any Standing Committee.
i) The Executive shall present the required reports to WCPT and shall respond to any requests for information from WCPT.
j) The Executive shall appoint a delegate to the WCPT General Meetings.
k) The Executive shall appoint a Secretary-Treasurer.
SECTION 9) Rights and Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer
The rights and duties of the secretary-treasurer may be shared by two executive members. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer:
a) To be responsible for all funds, the financial accounts of the Federation and to have signing authority on behalf of the Federation unless otherwise directed by the Executive.
b) To advise the Executive Committee on all financial matters.
c) To receive reports from all Committees of the Federation and to file them with the other transactions subject to the order of the Executive.
d) To be responsible for the correspondence and performance of all other duties that usually pertain to the office of the Secretary, and to complete all business in this department arising during the term of appointment and to hand over the documents to the successor at the expiration of the term of appointment.
e) To attend the meetings of the Federation and present the Minutes of the previous meeting and record the Minutes of the present meeting.
f) To turn over to his Successor all property in his possession belonging to the Federation and taking receipt for same.
g) To have the financial records of the Federation examined by a certified accounting firm who shall formulate a Balance Sheet for presentation at the next General Meeting for each fiscal year and at the end of his term of office.
h) The Secretary-Treasurer may be bonded, the fee for which is paid by the Federation.
i) To update and circulate a list of Member Organisations and Registered Interested Member Organisations. The list shall include:
i) Names of the Representatives
ii) Addresses (postal/electronic)
iii) Facsimile and/or telephone numbers
j) To provide, upon request, a revised list of physical therapists who have passed their respective Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy Examinations as accepted by the Federation.
k) To get Executive approval prior to payment of all bills that exceed the limit which has been previously determined by the Executive.
l) To be responsible for the delegation of administrative duties as designated by the Executive.
SECTION 10) CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Each and any member of the Executive Committee, and any member(s) of committees appointed by the Executive Committee, shall declare any potential conflict of interest in matters brought before them that require a vote or recommendations to be brought to the membership.
ARTICLE IX FINANCE
SECTION 1) FUNDS
a) Funds for conducting the affairs of the Federation shall be raised by entrance fees, annual dues on a per capita basis of each Member Organisation or any other manner approved by the Executive.
b) The Federation shall accept, hold, invest, reinvest and administer subscriptions, gifts, legacies, bequests, devises, funds, grants and property of any sort or value without limitations as to amount or value.
SECTION 2) Dues
The annual dues shall be due by the 31st of January of the fiscal year, in such sum as set by the Executive and approved by the Membership at each General Meeting.
SECTION 3) Special Assessments
Special assessments are made upon recommendation of the Executive and with a majority of member organisations' votes cast by mail and conducted by the Secretary.
SECTION 4) Fiscal Period
The fiscal period of the Federation shall be from January first to December thirty-first.
SECTION 5) Currency
All fees shall be paid in US dollars.
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
SECTION 1) Constitution
These Articles may be amended in whole or in part at any General Meeting of the Federation provided a two-thirds vote is received in favour of such amendments, that six months be given for dissent in writing, that two thirds of the voting members of the Federation approve, then the changes are considered to be ratified and included in the constitution. All members shall be notified of amendments adopted.
Any Member-organisation may propose amendments to these articles and shall send such proposals to the Secretary Treasurer at least six (6) months prior to the meeting at which the proposed changes will be voted upon.
Notice of the proposed amendments to these Articles by the Executive shall be sent by the Secretary-Treasurer by registered mail to each Member at least four (4) months prior to the meeting at which the proposed changes will be voted upon.
ARTICLE XI RULES FOR STANDING AND GENERAL COMMITTEES
SECTION 1) When the Membership of the Federation justifies such Standing Committees, or General Committees, they shall be initiated by the Executive of the Federation with a majority of votes of the Executive Members present. otherwise, all such committee functions shall be the functions of the Executive.
SECTION 2) The General Committee reports to the Executive shall be reports of unanimous decisions or when this is not possible, Majority and Minority reports shall together make up the report to the Executive.
a) The Chairmen of the Committees shall have a deliberative vote but not a casting vote.
ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1) A motion proposing the dissolution of the Federation shall be considered only at a Special Meeting called for that purpose. At least 2/3 of the Voting Delegates must be present.
SECTION 2) A 2/3 affirmative vote of the Voting Delegates present is required for dissolution.
SECTION 3) If such a motion is carried a referendum shall be called within sixty days to confirm or revoke the vote to dissolve.
SECTION 4) The method of dealing with the outstanding accounts, disposal of assets and compensation of employees shall be consistent with the legal requirements of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, and any funds remaining shall be dispersed to one or more organizations having aims and objectives as similar as may be to those of the Federation.
ARTICLE XIII WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WORLD CONFEDERATION
FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY
SECTION 1) A motion proposing withdrawal of the Federation as a sub-group of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy shall be considered only at a Special Meeting called for that purpose. At least 2/3 of the Voting Delegates must be present.
SECTION 2) A 2/3 affirmative vote of the Voting Delegates present is required for withdrawal.
SECTION 3) If such a motion is carried a referendum shall be called within sixty days to confirm or revoke the vote to withdraw.
SECTION 4) The Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation shall notify the World Confederation for Physical Therapy of the decision to withdraw and shall pay all debts to WCPT.
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REV. 11/08/00
REV. 05/03/04
