The official name of the Association is «World Association der Kochverbände » in German, «Fédération mondiale des Sociétés de cuisiniers» in French, «World Association of Cook’s Societies» in English and « Asociacion Mundial de Sociedades de Cocineros» in Spanish.

The official acronym of the World Association of Cook’s Societies in all languages will be known as WACS. This acronym will be used throughout this document.

1. 2. Head office / Permanent contact office

WACS has its head office in the country of the elected President, but independent of the rotating Board of Directors.

WACS also has a permanent contact office at the place of business of the Swiss Cooks’ Society. The address lists of the Board of Directors, the National Member Societies, the Extraordinary Members, the Honorary Members, and the list of accredited Judges are kept and maintained at that location.

The archives and assets of WACS are kept in Switzerland under the supervision of the Swiss Cook’s Society.

1. 3. Official languages of the World Association

The four official languages of WACS are German, English, French and Spanish.

WACS is a global representative grouping of national cooks’ societies. Each country can only be represented by a single cooks’ society, which must be of national significance.

Individuals cannot directly become a WACS National Member but are represented via their membership of a national society.

All WACS National Member Societies remain independent for economic and organizational purposes.

2.2. Extraordinary members

On recommendation from a WACS National Member Society or a WACS Member of the Board of Directors, Extraordinary Members may submit documentation in order to be considered a candidate to be admitted to the World Association of Cooks’ Societies.

Extraordinary Members may be from an association of a related trade, organization, institution or company

Applications for admission of a WACS Extraordinary Membership must firstly be addressed to the current Board of Directors for processing in order to meet the set criteria for acceptance that will later be voted on at the WACS congress by current WACS National Member Societies.

Extraordinary Members have no voting rights.

Extraordinary members pay a fixed annual contribution to WACS.

After becoming an official WACS Extraordinary Member, the name of the member will appear on the official WACS list of Extraordinary Members.

Other benefits include receiving WACS information and the ability to participate in WACS congresses and other events of WACS

2. 3. Application / Admission / Accession

Applications for either category of WACS membership must firstly be submitted to the current Board of Directors who will duly process the application in line with the set WACS criteria for acceptance.

In the case for applications for WACS National Member Society membership, correct and complete applications should include documentation, which can prove the confirmation of their legitimate existence, they are recognized by their national government, they have been in existence and have operated as a national society for a minimum of two (2) years and have active members.

During the WACS World Congress, the Board of Directors will present approved applications whereby legitimate current WACS National Member Societies will vote on their acceptance for WACS membership.

A National Society Member that is already an official current member of WACS must be informed of any application of another society that is seeking WACS membership status for the same country.

The current official WACS National Society Member is entitled to object to such admissions. The reasons for such objection to the application must be stated in writing and submitted to the WACS Board of Directors.

If the country from which an application for WACS National Society membership originates is already represented by a national cooks’ society, WACS Extraordinary Member membership must be offered to the applicant.

2.4. Notice to end membership

Six months prior notice must be given by a National Society or Extraordinary Member if that member wishes to end their membership to WACS.

Notice must be sent in writing to the current WACS Board of Directors stating the reasons for termination.

All financial contributions outstanding must be duly paid until termination.

2.5. Exclusion

WACS National Society or Extraordinary Members that have infringed the statutes of WACS have damaged the interests of WACS and or the professional status of cooks through their misconduct may be excluded from WACS.

Official WACS current members will vote on such measures at the world congress on the request of the WACS Board of Directors. A two-thirds majority of the delegates must carry the decision for membership exclusion.

National Society or Extraordinary members which fail to meet their contribution obligations for two (2) consecutive years will be notified at the next congress by the Board of Directors that they will be removed WACS membership lists due to such delinquent payments.