Affiliated organizations submit names of selected councilors for the first meeting of the WFO Council

The historic 100th American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session, the 5th International Orthodontic Congress (IOC) and the 2nd Meeting of the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) will take place April 28 through May 3, 2000, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. During this meeting, the WFO will mark the fifth anniversary of its formation with the first meeting of the 110-member WFO Council. The Council will convene on Sunday morning, April 30 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The WFO Council will be composed of representatives from each country that has national orthodontic organizations affiliated with the WFO. Affiliated organizations were to have submitted names of selected councilors to the WFO Secretariat by November 1. The WFO encourages affiliated organizations that have not submitted the names of their councilors to do so as soon as possible.

For countries that have only one national organization, the national organization is in charge of appointing its representative. If more than one national organization hails from one country, the organizations must agree on the national representative for the WFO Council. Regional organizations are to appoint their representative and inform the WFO Secretariat.

In addition, 40 councilors will be selected at large, based on each affiliated organization's pro rata share of the total WFO membership. Only fellows who were in good standing with the WFO as of December 31, 1998, were counted as part of the total WFO membership.

During the WFO Council meeting, the councilors will elect the new members of the Executive Committee and will recognize retiring officers. (Please refer to this related article.) It will also receive reports from the president, the secretary-general and the Executive Committee, and will establish standing orders and policies to govern the work of the WFO for the next five years. The Council will also act on several Bylaws changes that are designed to improve the functions and representation of the WFO.

All WFO fellows are encouraged to attend the first meeting of the WFO Council. A visitors' section will be provided for those who wish to watch the proceedings. During the WFO General Assembly on Sunday afternoon, April 30, WFO leaders will give a report on the Council's activities.