How to Become a Member Society of IFFS
(Extracts of the IFFS Constitution)

Article 4

The membership of the Federation shall include those societies who have stated an interest in the clinical and research aspects of reproduction and fertility. They must have a constitution which conforms with the objectives as specified in Article 2 of this Constitution. Furthermore, they must have a minimum of 40 members.

An " associated " society is a society or a federation which pursues the same or similar goals as IFFS and gathers several IFFS member societies or members from such societies from several countries.

An association can be proposed by the Executive Committee, and ratified by the General Assembly, if the associated society sends in writing to the Secretary General of the Federation an application which includes a copy of its constitution showing that it satisfies the same requirements as for an affiliated society.

There is no need to declare its intention to abide by the Constitution.

An association with IFFS includes a series of relations, notably :

• exchange lectures and sessions during congresses
• links on the Internet
• collaborative works on ethics, consensus

which are to be defined at the time of the association and can be revised whenever needed by both Executive Committees.

The associated society pays no due to IFFS and does not take part in voting but is invited to IFFS General Assemblies as observer. Moreover the Associated Society has a consulting status on important matters such as congress dates and venues or other issues.

Article 2

The objectives of the Federation shall be :

a) To stimulate basic and applied research and the dissemination of knowledge in all aspects of reproduction and fertility.
b) To stimulate the creation of societies for basic and applied work in the field of reproduction and fertility.
c) To contribute to the standardisation of terminology and evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the field of reproduction.
d) To hold at regular intervals, World Congresses, each successively in a different country. To promote, on request, regional or national congresses organised by affiliated societies. Where possible, to help co-ordinate the dates of conferences which are relevant to the field of reproduction.
e) To represent affiliated societies whenever joint scientific action is appropriate.
f) To establish and maintain relations with other organisations and to promote activities which further the objectives of the Federation.

Article 5

A non-member society may join the Federation provided it :
a) Sends in writing to the Secretary General of the Federation, an application which includes a copy of its constitution showing that it satisfies the requirements set out in Article 4, and a current membership list.
b) Declares its intention to abide by the Constitution and Bye-Laws of the Federation.
c) Undertakes to make financial contributions in such form and within the time-limits as may be decided by the General Assembly.

The Executive Committee of the Federation will first discuss the application and present its recommendation to the General Assembly who will make the final decision.

Article 7

Each affiliated society shall pay to the Federation an annual contribution that is proportional to the number of due paying members of that society.

The amount of this contribution (approx. US$1.00 per member) will be fixed by the General Assembly and laid down in the By-Laws (No. 3).

Members of the Federation shall be exonerated from personal liability with respect to the financial committments of the Federation which shall be guaranteed solely by the Federation's Assets.

The President of the member society affiliated to IFFS is responsible for transmitting all relevant information and changes concerning the elected members of the said society.