WGO Membership Application

Societies wishing to apply to join WGO must demonstrate that they have a corporate membership of gastroenterologists; that they have a democratically elected council with a constitution and clearly identified officials such as a president, secretary and treasurer; that regular clinical/scientific meetings of the society are held; and that the applicant society will abide by the Statutes and By-laws of WGO including the annual payment of dues.

Specialised sections in gastroenterology of national societies, and groups of gastroenterologists in a country which does not have a gastroenterological society may become members of WGO but without voting rights.

Application Process:

In order to process an application from a national society, the following documentation must be submitted to the Executive Secretariat:

• An official letter of application signed by the President
• A copy of the Statutes and By-laws or Articles of Incorporation confirming that the society is officially registered
• The complete address list of council members including email addresses and their positions on the council
• The list of members including postal addresses and emails
• A website address if available
• Any other documentation of interest e.g. information on future meetings, planned programs and activities etc.
• Copies of official publications e.g. journals and newsletters of the society

All documentation should be provided in English (Statutes and By-Laws may be presented in their original language). Once this documentation has been submitted, interim approval is secured so that the applicant can be acknowledged as a member until such times as formal approval can be obtained from the next General Assembly meeting during the forthcoming World Congress.

The annual membership fee to WGO is US$3 per person from 2008.

During the interim membership phase, individual members receive all communications, e.g. E-newsletter, WGN etc and may apply for WGO programmes such as Train the Trainers.