The European Musculo Skeletal Oncology Society was formed in 1987 by a group of Europe's leading orthopaedic surgeons, oncologists and other specialists involved in the diagnosis and care of patients with musculoskeletal tumours. Their aim was to provide a forum for the discussion of issues, advances and opportunities which impact on patient survival and care. This is achieved by annual conferences which take place in a different European city in May of each year.

Membership is open to European clinicians with an interest in bone and soft tissue oncology. There is an annual membership fee of €50 and attendance at two EMSOS conferences is required. Applications for membership shall be submitted to the secretary as soon as possible and at least one month prior to the annual conference. New applicants should fill in the application form and submit it to the secretary (rob.grimer@btopenworld.com ) along with a copy of their CV (in English) and two letters of recommendation, one from an existing member of EMSOS from the same country and one from another country.

Modifications to Constitution Act

ASSOCIATION'S RULES AND PROCEDURES 

1. TERMS

The fiscal year of the EMSOS is from July 1^st through June 30th. The Official's term of EMSOS is from the end of the annual meeting to the end of the annual meeting three years later. The membership begins when ratified at the annual General Assembly and is confirmed by a letter from the President.

2. RESOURCES

The Association is allowed to request a subscription fee. The level of the fee will be decided by the general Assembly after proposal by the Executive Committee.

Any support or donation is welcome and must be communicated to the President or to the Treasurer.

All the donors and benefactors might constitute a Sponsor's Committee regulated apart, and depending on the Executive Committee. A delegate Sponsor's Committee will be included in the Executive Committee.

The EMSOS fulfills all of the requirements for status as a nonprofit scientific, educational and professional association and shall use its eventual funds for the worthwhile objective of the Society as stated in its Constitution.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Application for new membership should be addressed to the Secretary before 30^th of November prior to the next EMSOS meeting. Any application must include:

• a letter of recommendation of two additional Members, one being of the same country and one from another country as applicant.

• curriculum vitae and a list of published papers concerning musculo-skeletal oncology, with reprints of those of major interest.

• attendance at two EMSOS meetings

The application will be evaluated by the Executive Committee, the election will be communicated by letter to the applicant.

A membership shall be cancelled:

• if a member misses 3 consecutive Annual Meetings, without a letter of apology, indication the desire to participate but the inability to do so;

• in case of resignation. A letter of resignation must be addressed to the President at least 2 months before the Annual Meeting;

• in case of exclusion, at the decision of the Executive Committee, due to the behaviour against the Constitution, aims and rules of the Association.

4. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee is elected by the General Assembly upon proposal of the Nomination Committee (see 5) and is composed with right of vote by the Officials of the Society, and by seven full members.

• The President. He is normally the President of the Society, the Chairman of the General Assembly and the Chairman of the annual meeting of the Executive Committee.

• One Vice-President. He carries out such duties as may be assigned by the President and substitutes for the President when absent.

• The Secretary. He maintains an up-to-date record of all Members of the Society, provides informations to all members of the activities and news concerning the Society.

• The Treasurer.The Treasurer will be responsible for collecting the subscription fee.

• Seven Members. They will be elected among full members, and will possibly represent different countries and disciplines within the Association.

• One Representative of the Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica as co-opted member.

All members of the Executive Committee will be in office for 3 years and can be re-elected. Every year 2 members of the Executive Committee will be replaced by other executive members, elected by the members.

The Executive Committee meets at least once annually prior to the General Assembly, or otherwise if demanded by at least 4 members of the Executive Committee, with a letter to the President or the Secretary. The members of the Executive Committee shall receive the invitation including the agenda at least 6 weeks prior to the meeting.

A member of the Executive Committee who is unable to complete the term of his office shall be replaced at the discretion of the President.

5. NOMINATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee will inform the members 3 months before the General Assembly of the vacancies for the Executive Committee and suggests nominations. This will be done by post and all members will have to reply within one month, suggesting additional candidates. The Executive Committee will announce the results at the General Assembly. In any matter requiring a vote, the results shall be determined by simple majority of the members present.

6. SUBSCRIPTION FEE

All full members pay a membership fee, the level of which will be proposed by the Executive Committee and will be decided by the General Assemblee.

Corresponding members have to pay the same membership fee as the full members. Emeritus members and honorary members do not pay a membership fee.

7. ANNUAL MEETING

There shall be one annual General Assembly and at least one annual scientific congress open to all members of the Society. The meeting site will be selected by the Executive Committee two years in advance. The programme shall consist of at least three half-day sessions as follows:

1. topic chosen by the Executive Committee (one half-day),

2. topic chosen by the local organizer (one half-day),

3. free communication (one half-day).

Minutes of the annual meeting shall be prepared and made available to all members.

National funds may be raised on account of EMSOS for organization of the annual meeting in that country. The Treasurer may be involved in such activities. For other scientific meetings organized by EMSOS registration fees may be determined by the organizing committee.

Each member may invite one guest to the annual meeting. Guests may be from any musculo-skeletal tumour-related discipline.

CONSTITUTION ACT

1. NAME

The Association is called "European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society" (E.M.S.O.S.).

2. SITE

The Association, founded on September 27, 1987 in Cavasagra, Treviso, Italy, is established in Bologna at the Instituto Ortopedico "Rizzoli", Via Pupilli 1. On proposal by the Executive Committee, subsidiary sites may be established in other countries.

3. AIMS

The aims of the Association are to advance the science and practice of the diagnosis and treatment of bone and soft tissue tumours, to promote basic en clinical research, and to disseminate knowledge in order to provide a common high standard of musculo-skeletal oncology. The particular purpose of the Association is to promote mutual collaboration between different specialists and institutes involved in the treatment of musculo-skeletal tumours.

4. MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the association consists of full members, honorary members, corresponding members and emeritus members.

Full members must be experts especially interested in musculo-skeletal oncology or scientists involved in kindred disciplines. Bylaws for new membership or resignation are reported in the "Rules" of the Society. Any application or resignation will be evaluated by the Executive Committee and the acceptance will be ratified by the General Assembly.

Honorary members may be proposed for their distinguished service to the musculo-skeletal oncology or to the Society, or nomination by the Executive Committee and elected at the General Assembly.

Corresponding members are admitted under the same rules as full members, but are not European.

Emeritus members are full members who have left their active professional post in oncology. They are allowed to attend the annual meeting. They are absolved from payment of membership fees.

Voting rights are reserved for full members and honorary members. Emeritus and corresponding members have no voting rights.

5. ORGANIZATION

The work of the Association is carried out by the General Assembly and by the Executive Committee which operate in accordance with this Constitution Act and annexed Association's Rules.

General Assembly. This body is the supreme governing body of the Association and is composed of full members. Its tasks are:

• to elect the officials which are the President, the vice-President and the Secretary/Treasurer;

• to elect the members of the Executive Committee;

• to approve the annual report form the Executive Committee;

• to decide amendments of the Association's Rules;

• to deliberate the dissolution of the Association.

Election procedures are reported in the Association's Rules.

Executive Committee. This body conducts the affairs of the Association in accordance with the polices determined by the General Assembly from which it is elected. The Executive Committee is composed of:

• the President,

• the past-President,

• the vice-President,

• the Secretary,

• the Treasurer,

• seven full members.

• representative of A.O.Scandinavica (co-opted)

All the members of the Executive Committee are active for 3 years and are eligible for reelection. Two members of the Board will be replaced each year.

The Executive Committee decides about Association's Rules and procedures and its amendments.

6. RESOURCES

The Association has the right to request a membership fee. The level of the membership fee will be proposed by the Executive Committee and will be decided by the General Assembly. The Association also welcomes support and benefits from sponsors and donors.

7. MEETING

The Association holds an annual General Assembly and at least one annual Scientific Meeting.

8. AMENDMENTS

Any amendment to the Constitution of the Association requires the assent of no less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at the General Assembly. Notice from a member of such amendments must be received by the Secretary no less than two months before the meeting. The Secretary will notify this fact to the members no less than one month before the annual General Assembly.

9. DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association may be dissolved by a resolution supported by no less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at the annual General Assembly. Notice of such a resolution must be received by the Secretary no less than two months before the meeting. This resolution may give authority for the proposal of assets, if remaining after payment and satisfaction of all debts and liabilities. Such property shall be given or transferred to other charitable institutions having similar objectives.