Charter (Barcelona November 26th. 2005)

Mission statement:

RIMS (Rehabilitation in MS) aims to link the European MS Centers in order to encourage all professionals interested in Multiple Sclerosis to exchange knowledge of clinical, scientific, social, economical and educational matters relating to MS and to establish individual and scientific contacts between all persons working in the field of MS. In addition, individual membership for professionals with a special interest in MS is welcomed.

Administration:

RIMS is managed by an Executive Board, which in accordance with the bylaws, shall be composed of eight elected officers, including President, Secretary and Treasurer.

RIMS is affiliated to the European Platform of MS Societies, ECTRIMS and the Consortium of North American MS Centres.

The Executive Board shall have the power to establish Special Interest Groups (SIG) to stimulate and promote interest in patient management and research in MS.

An Advisory Board shall be created to support and assist the Executive Board. The Executive Board may invite members of the Advisory Board to meet before the general assembly or more often if necessary.

The Advisory Board shall be composed of five to six members. Founding members of RIMS shall form the initial Advisory Board. Every three years the most senior member of the Advisory Board shall step down and the outgoing president shall become a member of the Advisory Board.

Elections:

According to the bylaws elections of the officers of RIMS shall take place every three years
Candidates shall be nominated and seconded by members of RIMS. Nominations shall be submitted to the secretariat at least to 2 weeks prior to the general assembly.
Nomination for President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be made by the Executive Board.
At the general assembly each centre will have six votes at their disposal. One delegate shall be responsable for each centre and determine the six effective members or their proxies. Individual members will have one vote or one proxy.
The composition of the Executive Board shall reflect the interdisciplinary team approach to rehabilitation
There shall be a maximum of two representatives of any European country on the Executive Board

Special Interest Groups:

The Executive Board has established a number of Special Interest Groups (SIG). These groups shall promote research and improve the management of Persons with MS and their caregivers. Different groups have been created :

SIG on Mobility
SIG on Bladder, Bowel and Sexual disoders
SIG on Communication and Swallowing
SIG on Psychology and Neuropsychology
SIG on Occupation
SIG on Integration and Participation

If appropriate, additional Special Interest Groups may be created.The appointment of the chairman and co-chairman of the SIG's shall be made by the Executive Board with guidance from the members of the individual SIG's.
These groups meet at least once a year at the annual meeting. The groups are also encouraged to hold an annual in-between meeting. Active groups are supported financially by RIMS.

RIMS Awards:

At the annual meeting, the RIMS awards for the best platform presentation and the best poster presentation shall be awarded. The rules and the amount of the awards shall be proposed by the Executive Board and approved by the general assembly.