1. Fundamentals
   
   1.1 Name

1.1.1 The official name of the Association is «Weltbund 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.

1.1.2 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

1.2.1. The WACS head office is in the country of the elected presidium.

1.2.2. The WACS permanent contact office is 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 Corporate Members, the Honorary Members, and the list of accredited Judges of WACS are kept and maintained at that location.

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

1. 3. Official languages of the World Association

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

1.3.2. The official business language of WACS is English.

2. Membership
   
   2.1 National Member Socities

   2.1.1. 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.

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

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

2.2 Extraordinary Member

2.2.1 On recommendation from a WACS National Member Society or a WACS Member of the Board of Directors, Extraordinary Members may apply for membership to the World Association of Cooks’ Societies.

2.2.2. Extraordinary Members may be from a trade related association, an organization or institution.

2.2.3. Applications for admission of a WACS Extraordinary Membership must made to the Board of Directors, who will based on the criteria, vote on its acceptance.

2.2.4. Extraordinary Members have no voting rights.

2.2.5. Extraordinary Members pay a current annual fee to WACS.

2.2.6. 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 Coporate Members

2.3.1. On recommendation from a WACS National Member Society or a WACS Member of the Board of Directors, Corporate Members may apply for membership to the World Association of Cooks’ Societies.

2.3.2. Corporate Members may be an institution or company.

2.3.3. Applications for admission of a WACS Corporate Membership must made to the Board of Directors, who will based on the criteria, vote on its acceptance.

2.3.4. Corporate Members have no voting rights.

2.3.5. Corporate Members pay a current annual fee to WACS.

2.3.6. After becoming an official WACS Corporate Member, the name of the member will appear on the official WACS list of Corporate Members. Other benefits include receiving WACS information and the ability to participate in WACS congresses and other events of WACS and network with WACS membership.

2. 4. Application for National Membership

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

2.4.2. 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.

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

2.4.4. 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.

2.5 Notice to end membership

2.5.1. Six months prior notice must be given by a National Society or Extraordinary Member or a Corporate Member to end their membership in WACS.

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

2.5.3. All financial contributions outstanding must be duly paid until termination.

2.5.4. 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.

2.5.5. 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.

2.5.6. 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.