Types of Membership

The members of the Council shall be the unincorporated bodies, bodies corporate or other representatives of an Area and any other person, corporate body or unincorporated body whose name or names shall be entered in the Register of Members of the Council.

The WDC Ltd has four categories of membership:

1.) Full Membership:
i.) The Council may, at its absolute discretion, elect as Full Members any National Organisation that has fulfilled the following criteria:
a. Application for membership has been been sent to the Company Secretary accompanied by a cheque for the first year’s subscription, as a full member, in advance.
b. Two copies of the Organisations Constitution and/or Bye-Laws.
c. A list of all regulations for the registration of competitors and competitions.
d. A copy of any rules and reguations for competitions.
e. All materials forwarded should be in the native language, of the country, and in English.
f. A list of current member organisations with names, addresses, telephone, telefax and email details.
g. Proof of length of time existing as a Council and proof of length of time existing as a Dance Teacher organisation that seeks membership.
h. Proof of being a democratic organisation (copies of minutes, etc.)
ii.) Code of Ethics
a. Names and description of membership of the Council.
b. Status of relationship between Professionals and Amateurs.
c. Status of other Professional organisations existing in that country.
d. Description of the relationship with the National Government, if any.
e. Relationaship to National IOC member, if any.
f. List total number of qualified Professionals, in that country, who have been certified by the organisations that are a member of the country’s Council.
g. Total number of Amateur competitors, if possible.
h. Total number of Dance Schools, in that country, that are a member of that country’s Council.

 


2. Probationary Membership:

i.)

The Council may, at its absolute discretion, elect as probationary members any organisation for a period not exceeding three years (“probationary period”) and may at any time during the probationary period, by notice in writing, terminate such probationary membership forthwith.
On termination the probationary member shall, unless it is elected to full membership, cease to be a member of the Council. At the end of any probationary period the Council, at its absolute discretion, may:

a.

Continue the probationary period for such a further period as the Council in its absolute discretion may decide; or:

b.

Admit the probationary member organisation to full membership, or:

c.

Refuse to extend the probationary period or admit the probationary member to full membership in which event the probationary member shall cease to be a member of the Council.

d.

Nothing herein contained shall fetter the discretion of the Council to extend any probationary period for as long as it deems appropriate or to terminate it at any time before the member organisation is admitted to full membership.

e.

The provisions of the Articles of Association, of the WD&DSC Ltd, shall apply to any member organisation which is expelled and requests re-admission or whose class of membership is reduced by the provisions of articles.

f.

Each probationary member shall be entitled to receive notice of, attend and speak at General Meetings and to appoint up to two Delegates for this purpose. Neither a Probationary Member or its Delegatess shall be entitled to vote at any General Meeting of the Council. Subject to the provisions of the articles, the provisions of articles shall apply to any Delegates of a Probationary Member, their appointment or removal.

 


3. Introductory Membership:

i.)

The Council may, at its absolute discretion, elect as introductory members any group of organisations for a period not exceeding two years (“introductory period”) and may at any time during the introductory period, by notice in writing, terminate such introductory membership forthwith.
On termination the introductory member shall, cease to be a member of the Council.

ii.)

Introductory Membership shall be governed by the following terms and conditions.

a.

Applications for this category are accepted from all groups in a country that present themselves for membership of the Counci for an Introductory Membership period of two years.

b.

During this period, the groups in that country are encouraged, by the Council, to form a National Council along democratic lines.

c.

The groups are all admitted to the Council meetings as observers.

d.

Introductory Members may not vote or participate in debate.


4. Affiliate Membership:

 

i.)

The Council may by resolution elect as an affiliate member of the Council, any international organisation whose objects are the same or substantially similar to those of the Council when such election would, in the opinion of the Council, be desirous for or advantageous to the furtherance of the Council’s objects through the fostering of collaboration between the Council and the affiliate member in the promotion, encouragement and supervision of social ballroom dancing and dance sport internationally.

ii.)

The membership of the affiliate member shall be governed by such terms and conditions of membership as are adopted by special resolution passed by the members present and voting at the general meeting of the Council at which the affiliate member is elected (the “affiliate terms”). The affiliate terms (as the same may be varied or amended from time to time in accordance with these articles) governing the membership of the International Dance Organisation of the unincorporated association known as World Dance & Dance Sport Council at the date hereof shall govern the membership of that body of the Council. No organisation shall be elected to affiliate membership until the affiliate terms that shall govern its membership shall have been so adopted. A copy of the affiliate terms shall be placed in the register of members and in the minute book of the Council. Any member may apply in writing to the Company Secretary for a copy of any affiliate terms which shall be supplied upon payment of the reasonable cost incurred by the Council in providing such copy. The affiliate terms shall be binding on the affiliate member.

iii.)

The affiliate terms shall be agreed by the Council in general meeting only after due consultation with the international organisation making application to become an affiliate member, and after due course consideration of the proposed affiliate terms proposed by such applicant. If, following adoption of the affiliate terms by the Council, any conflict should arise between the affiliate member’s own constitution (or rules or bye-laws promulgated thereunder) and the affiliate terms, then the affiliate terms shall prevail and the affiliate member shall forthwith take all steps necessary to ensure that the affiliate terms shall prevail and (insofar as they are affected) its own members are able to comply fully with the affiliate terms.

iv.)

These articles shall govern the membership of an affiliate member to the extent that they are not modified or excluded by or are in conflict with the affiliate terms (which affiliate terms shall prevail in the case of a conflict with these articles). Affiliate terms may only be amended, modified or varied by special resolution of the members.

v.)

Each affiliate member shall be entitled to appoint not more than two nominees (the “affiliate nominees”), accompanied by one translator if necessary, who shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and speak but not to vote at meetings of the Council on behalf of the affiliate member appointing them and the provision of article 3.4 as to the mode of appointment and removal of nominees shall apply to affiliate nominees.