Membership groups

IBMS membership groups are organised on a geographical basis (regions and branches), or by members’ specialist interest (discussion groups), or a combination of the two to support our work.

Regions and branches

Run by members, IBMS regions and branches support scientific and networking events, public engagement activities and work with local employers, universities and policymakers.

All IBMS members are assigned a branch and region when they join, usually based on their work or study address. This connects them to local professionals, employers and students and provides a forum to discuss local professional issues.

Regions and branches are run by elected committees made up of a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. Branch committees will also include two additional branch members, while region committees will also include one member of each IBMS branch in that region.

Discussion groups

IBMS discussion groups are discipline specific and they organise scientific events, courses and discussion forums.

IBMS discussion groups can be affiliated to IBMS regions or branches and are run by an elected committee made up of a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. Members of the committee represent the discussion group to their affiliated IBMS region or branch.

IBMS discussion groups cover specialist areas including:

Bacteriology
Biochemistry
Cellular pathology
Haematology
Histopathology
Immunology
Laboratory managers
Microbiology
Quality management
Training
Virology

Further information

Regions

IBMS Council has defined a regional structure based on set boundaries. IBMS regions are composed of a number of branches and are organised on a committee basis.

IBMS regions elect the following:

Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
One member from each branch within the region

Regional IBMS Council members are elected for a three-year term by ballot.

IBMS regions fulfil the following functions:

Support communication between IBMS Council, the IBMS office and branch members within the region
Promotion and implementation of IBMS policy and objectives within the region
Establishment of networks for gathering information on professional issues
To monitor relevant education courses in the regions to identify educational needs within the region
Promotion of the IBMS’s prizes, grants and awards to members
Support the establishment of regional discussion groups

IBMS regions are funded on a per capita allocation based on the number of members affiliated to an individual region. Regions also receive a flat rate funding allocation to support meetings. Regional funds are held locally and are administered centrally.

All active regions must produce an annual review of their activities for the IBMS website. IBMS regions are co-ordinated by Membership and Marketing Committee.

Branches

All IBMS members are allocated to a branch upon admission to membership. Their branch is based on their work address but may be altered should an individual member wish to be affiliated with a branch nearer to their home address.

IBMS branches are organised on a committee basis and elect the following:

Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
At least 2 other committee members

Additionally, a branch committee is normally supported by a wider group composed of local, educational & CPD representatives. The maximum size of the committee is not set but will reflect the relative size of the branch and its activities.

Branches fulfil the following functions:

Act as the focal point for IBMS activities within the local area and to maintain close contact with members
Establishment of a local liaison officer network
Organisation of scientific and professional meetings
Liaison with local education establishments
Promote local recruitment
Provide formal links to the region

IBMS branches are funded on a per capita allocation based on the number of members affiliated to an individual branch. They also receive a flat rate funding allocation to support branch meetings. Funds are held locally and are administered centrally.

All active branches should produce an annual review of their activities for inclusion on the IBMS website.

IBMS branches are coordinated by the Membership and Marketing Committee.

Discussion groups

Discipline-specific or special interest discussion groups may be set up by IBMS members. These discussion groups are able to affiliate to either a region or branch, as appropriate. Affiliated discussion groups are organised on a committee basis and elect the following:

Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
At least 2 other committee members

Affiliated discussion groups can nominate any of their committee members to be a representative to the branch or region committee, as appropriate. Meetings are arranged on specialist subject areas in the field of biomedical science and are not funded by the IBMS.

Although IBMS branches or regions may support discussion groups activities through their own allocations, they must be coordinated by the appropriate branch or region and ultimately by the IBMS Council Membership and Marketing Committee.

Resources for IBMS membership groups

23 Nov 2022