Extraordinary Elections for the Additional Standing Committee Members 2022
Questions and Answers:
Q: Which Standing Committees are part of the WMA Council?
A: There are three Standing Committees: The Medical Ethics Committee, the Socio-Medical Affairs Committee and the Finance and Planning Committee. The committees form the core of the policy and governance work of the WMA. They read, discuss and amend WMA policy proposals and other relevant issues linked to the respective committees, including installing workgroups, then forward their recommendations to the Council for decision. Therefore, to a large extent, the committees shape the opinion of the organization. This neither limits the power of the Council at large, nor of the General Assembly, but most of the discussions take place in the Standing Committees.
Q: How many additional Committee Members will be elected?
A: Per eligible WMA Region (currently 6 out of 7: Africa, Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin-America, Pacific), one additional member, i.e., six members in total, will be elected.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Only the medical associations who paid membership dues for the year 2021 and who do not currently hold a seat on the Council can nominate either themselves, or another member association from the same region as themselves, and vote.
Q: Will the mandate be personal?
A: No, the members will elect a constituent member to serve. This member will be asked to appoint an individual for the electoral period who fulfils the WMA requirements for delegates and Council Members (a physician, licenced and in good standing, and a member of the constituency of the WMA member organization). In exceptional circumstances, the Constituent Member elected is allowed to exchange the appointed individual or appoint a substitute. Such an exchange has to follow the same requirements and the WMA Secretariat must be notified of it in advance in writing.
Q: What will be the duration of the mandate?
A: The mandate will last for the regular electoral period of the Council, usually two years. However, as the current period has already been underway for one year, an exception will be made for the positions filled now and they will be open for election again in 2023, following the Regional Council Election at the end of 2022.
Q: Will there be a limit on the number of terms?
A: No.
Q: Will the additional member be part of one or all Standing Committees?
A: Like the elected Council Members, the additional Committee Members will serve on two of the Committees. They will be asked to indicate their preference and allocation will be undertaken according to their interests.
Q: Will the additional Standing Committee Members have voting rights in the Committees and the Council?
A: The additional Members will have full voting and participation rights in the committees they are assigned to. They will attend the Council meetings, but without Council voting rights.
Q: How often will the Council and the Committees meet?
A: Usually, the Council and its Standing Committees meet for three days in April (there may be pre-meetings of workgroups on the day before the Council convenes) and in October before the General Assembly (usually there are four days of Council and Committee meetings and the General Assembly). The Council convenes for a short meeting after the General Assembly. Again, there may be an additional meeting day for workgroups before the Council meeting starts. Please note: During the pandemic, all sessions have been spread over a full week in order to allow for shorter time slots per day due to differences in time-zones. This may continue to be necessary in a persisting pandemic situation.
Q: What is the workload other than during the sessions?
A: Participating in the WMA committee sessions involves some time commitment in terms of preparing for the sessions, developing proposals and participating in workgroups. Policy work within the workgroups or as a rapporteur is especially time consuming. Medical associations who wish to put up a candidate for an additional Standing Committee seat are advised to consider background support for their delegate.
Q: Will travel costs be reimbursed for the additional Committee Members?
A: Yes, the travel costs of additional Committee Members attending Council meetings and committee sessions will be reimbursed in the same way as for the other Council Members, this includes flights (economy excursion fare), hotel and per diem. The registration fee for the Council session in April is usually waived.
Q: Is there additional information material on the work of the Council and its committees?
A: Our Articles and Bylaws, Rules of Procedure, and Procedures and Operating Policies are at the heart of the Association. Each Committee Member should familiarise themselves with them. There are additional guides available for Council Members, which likewise are of interest for the additional Committee Members as they contain further guidance for committee chairs and delegates to the General Assembly. Please see the WMA website.
Q: Whom can I turn to with additional questions?
A: Please write to the WMA Secretariat (secretariat@wma.net) or approach the WMA staff during our meetings. During an ongoing session, don’t hesitate to ask the committee chair, the committee secretary (staff) or our legal advisor. For nearly all of us, the WMA procedures are very different from the procedures we are familiar with in our home countries. Getting clarity about the process is essential to make it successful and fulfilling for all involved.