IMS Regional Associations

IMS members from countries with common interest in the music of their region can form regional associations which must be approved by the Directorium. Regional associations organize themselves and meet at least every two years. Their reports are published in the IMS Newsletter.

1. Regional Associations (RAs) are groups of IMS members sharing an interest in the music of a region.
2. A region is understood as several adjacent countries.

1. RAs comply with the Internal Regulations approved by the Directorium.
2. Supplementary Regulations may be devised by each RA. These should be approved by the Directorium.
3. Every RA is presided by an elected chair. Other governing groups (steering committee, executive board, etc.) are optional and should be specified in the Supplementary Regulations.
4. All members of the governing executive groups are to be IMS members.
5. The RA chair functions as the liaison officer to the Directorium.

1. Establishment: Any group of IMS members wishing to form a RA should apply to the Directorium giving the intended region, together with a mission statement, proposed membership, and a request for official recognition. Upon Directorium approval, the RA is created.
2. Longevity: Any new RA is approved by the Directorium for an initial five-year term and can be extended indefinitely in successive five-year terms, each upon request.

1. Meetings, in-person or online, are the main vehicle of scholarly communication among RA members. Such meetings should take place at least every two years.
2. After each meeting, the RA submits a report to the Directorium, including a program and a list of participants.
3. Attendance fees may be levied by each RA to cover the costs of events.
4. Study groups are not to be established within an RA. Any such group should be constituted as an IMS Study Group.
5. The participation of RAs at IMS Congresses will be regulated by the organizing committee of each congress.

1. Any IMS member may request membership of any RA.
2. Membership should be requested in writing to the RA chair who can provisionally approve membership on behalf of the relevant executive committee.
3. Membership is free of charge.
4. Non-IMS members participating in the activities of a given RA should be encouraged to apply for IMS membership.
5. RA members who are IMS members should receive a discount of at least 20% for attendance fees at any RA event. Non-IMS members are excluded from any discounts.
6. All participants of RA events are expected to comply with the IMS Code of Ethics.

1. RAs will be dissolved automatically after a five-year term has expired unless a request for renewal has been submitted.
2. RAs may be dissolved any time by own wish. The request for dissolution must be supported by a majority of the RA members.
3. The Directorium is entitled to reconsider the status of RAs that do not comply with the Internal Regulations.

Approved by the IMS Directorium on August 6, 2024.