LA FEDERACIÓN DE ORGANIZACIONES DEL CUIDADO DE MANO DE CENTRO Y NORTE AMERICA Y CARIBE/ FEDERATION OF CENTRAL AND NORTH AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN HAND CARE ORGANIZATIONS

Initial Proposal for Operational Guidelines April, 2005
Preliminary Approval September 23, 2005

Organizational Name

LA FEDERACIÓN DE ORGANIZACIONES DEL CUIDADO DE MANO DE CENTRO Y NORTE AMERICA Y CARIBE / FEDERATION OF CENTRAL AND NORTH AMERICAN and CARIBBEAN HAND CARE ORGANIZATIONS (hereafter referred to as “La Federacion de Mano”)

Mission Statement

To continuously provide the highest level care for patients with upper extremity disorders, to continuously improve our understanding of those disorders, and to exchange ideas and resources and foster increased cooperation and understanding among hand care professionals in the Americas.

Language

Bilingual: Spanish and English

Region of Membership

Territories and Nations of Central and North America, Caribbean Sea, all North Atlantic Ocean islands within 500 nautical miles of Central and North America and all North Pacific Ocean islands with 500 nautical miles of Central and North America.

Founding “La Federación de Mano” Membership Charter (alphabetically listed)
 
American Association For Hand Surgery
American Society of Hand Therapists
American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Asociación Mexicana de Cirugía de Mano
Guatemalan Society for Surgery of the Hand
MANUS Canada

Addition of New Member Societies

Any organized society of hand care professionals from within the region of membership may be considered for membership in La Federación.

A formal proposal for membership must be submitted to the Council of La Federación.  The application must be approved by the governing body of the organization and must carry the signature of the President or other designated elected officer of the organization applying for membership.

Within 6 months of receipt of the application, the Council of La Federación will convene to consider the request for membership.   A majority of 2/3 of Federación council positions for approval is required.

Membership of Individuals

Any individual practicing professional hand care that is from a territory or country that does not have a formal representative organization may join La Federación by joining a member organization in some capacity, such as an International or Corresponding membership category.  La Federación will encourage the hand care professionals in such countries to organize into their own society, and direct those professionals to existing resources within La Federación membership to help them do so.

Governance

Each member organization of La Federación will designate two representatives for a three year term on La Federación Council.   There are no limits to reappointments. From within the membership of the Council, the following Officers will be elected, each serving a three year terms.  The criteria for election to each office is a simple majority of the Council quorum.

• President
• President-elect
• Secretary

The specific duties of each officer will be determined as necessary from future activities of La Federación.  Once specific duties are defined, they will replace this provision in the Organizational Rules.

A quorum (either physically present or electronically) will be established as 2/3 of the total number of Council members designated by the member organizations.  If the representatives of any specific organization are unable to participate in a Council activity, they may replaced on an ad hoc basis by the governing body of the member organization.

The Council will communicate "on the record” at a minimum of once per year.  This communication may be in person or utilizing telecommunication technology.  Special meeting of La Federación Council may be called by any of the Officers at any other time.
 
Ratification and Changes in Operational Rules
 
These operational rules are intended to provide a framework for the initial activities of La Federación.  They will be subject to review and revision by the governing bodies of each member organization.  Once accepted by these organizations, any changes proposed and accepted by La Federación Council must also be accepted by the governing body of each member organization.  Such approval must be obtained within one year of the initial La Federación Council action, which should provide adequate time for discussion and modification within the framework of regularly scheduled governing body meetings for the member organizations.

Withdrawal from Membership

Any member organization may withdraw from La Federación at any time and for any reason.  Such a withdrawal request must be made in writing to La Federación Council, signed by the presiding officer of the member organization.

Relationships with Other Organizations (SAFSSH, IFSSH)

La Federación will strive to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with other hand care Federations, both regional and global.  Future provisions for La Federación participation will be established with modification of these operational rules.

Financing

At the current time, participation in La Federación activities will be based upon volunteerism, at both the member and member-organization levels.  No assessment of dues or fees is to be established at this time.  If activities are developed through Council action which require funding, provisions will be drawn up for consideration of such funding through the member organization governing bodies at that time.

Federación Permanent Contact Address

While it is recognized that active projects and communication files will be accessed by the current governance of La Federación, a permanent location for contact purposes and record storage should be established.  This location and specific provisions for contact information will be determined by the first Council of La Federación. 

Activities
 
It is anticipated that information sharing will be the highest priority for member organizations.  As such, each member organization will be encourage to develop website links with other member organizations and to share information about upcoming education events.  Included will be free-standing continuing medical education activities, annual meetings, enduring goods, etc.

Each member organization will be encouraged to find creative means to make access to such activities affordable for member organization membership.  Member organizations  will be encouraged to develop additional means of information exchange, such as visiting training programs, etc.