Constitution and Bylaws of the American Institute for Medical Shockwave Providers, LLC
1. The activities of the Institute will extend across the United States.
The Institute is designed to teach, mentor, certify, and operate across the United States as a medical and
scientific membership association.
2. Purpose of the Institute:
The Purpose of the Institute is to educate, mentor and certify (both manufacture specific and nationally)
present providers and new shockwave providers. It will offer practitioners continued support for the
development of their skills and provide the latest research of extracorporeal shockwave therapy to
improve consistent therapy outcomes through the education of shockwave providers. The Institute is
Physician developed, owned, and run to limit from conflict of interest.
3. Resources and activities to achieve the aims of the Institute:
The Institute will offer Memberships, Manufacture specific Certification, National Certification, and
Mentorship programs. These programs will be the financial resource for the actualization of the
Institute’s purpose.
3.1. Idealistic resources
The concern of the Institute lies in the knowledge that there is a lack of national standards, messaging,
and training of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in medicine/ancillary providers in the USA. The goal
is to encourage safe protocols and procedures already taking place, internationally.
3.1.1. Promotion of research and quality assurance:
The Institute will use prepared criteria for quality assurance and postgraduate training of shockwave
therapy for medical use/applications. These criteria were are created in cooperation with International
Shockwave Societies and the producers of Shockwave devices, implementing the principles of evidenced
based medicine (EBM).
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3.1.2. Events for basic and advanced education:
The Institute will organize conferences, seminars, lectures, meetings, educational sessions, courses, and
postgraduate training of Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy for Providers.
The Institute is a communications platform for all matters concerning Shockwave therapy in medicine.
3.1.3. Cooperation with other Shockwave Organizations:
The aim is to cooperate with other scientific societies with similar interests and with international
organizations which deal with Shockwave therapy in Medicine.
3.1.4. Cooperation with state health authorities and public health institutions:
The AIMSP will compile studies, reports and surveys for government authorities and other official
bodies, such as health institutions, dealing with Shockwave therapy, to further help define the current
established practice for Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT).
3.1.5. Cooperation with producers and suppliers of shockwave devices
The AIMSP will support communication between manufacture producers, suppliers and providers of
Shockwave devices to establish guidelines and standards for refining the use of their devices to improve
and increase or reproduce the intended positive clinical outcomes.
3.2. Financial resources
Membership dues, certification courses, mentorship programs, conference registration fees (including
corporate / industrial sponsors and financial contributions for social events organized in conjunction with
professional organizations), donations, bequests and grants made possible and permitted by law.
4. Types of membership
4.1 Regular Active Members
These are Physicians or Allied Healthcare Providers (properly licensed within their respective state and
allowed to utilize ESWT within their scope of practice) whom have a specific interest and experience in
Medical Shockwave Treatment.
4.2 Managing Members
Physicians who will assist in an advisory capacity and guidance for the Institute. Members who will run
day to day operations for the Institute.
4.3 Members in Retirement status
Former regular members choosing to retain their membership status, following professional retirement;
members in retirement status are entitled to the same rights as regular members without obligatory
membership dues. A membership fee reduction can be granted at Institutes events.
4.4 Honorary Fellows
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Individuals who have rendered exceptional services to the advancement of Medical Shockwave Treatment
or to the Institute itself.
4.4.1 Honorary Fellows are elected lifelong during the Annual General Meeting nominated by the
Managing Members Board.
4.4.2 The Honorary Fellows are invited to join the meetings of the Managing Members Board in an
advisory capacity and to support the Managing Members Board with consultancy services.
4.4.3 Honorary Fellows have full rights for attending meetings, but the payment of the annual
membership fee is optional.
4.4.4 One Honorary Fellow can be nominated as Honorary President for the Fellows board. This position
includes full voting rights on the Managing Members board.
4.5 Associated Members
These are Scientists, Physicians as well as Individuals from Medical and Non-Medical organizations who
are active in the fields related to Medical Shockwave Treatment.
4.5.1 Associate Members may attend annual general meetings but have no voting rights.
5. Becoming a Regular Active Member
5.1 Individuals who are Licensed/State Certified or possess the ability to perform ESWT within their
scope of practice of Medicine / Allied Healthcare and are actively practicing. These individuals are
eligible to become Regular Active Member of the Institute.
5.2 An application for regular active membership shall be supported by an active and verifiable state
license. Admission, initially, is that of Prospective Member. The promoting of Prospective to Regular
Active Member is ultimately decided during the successive Annual General Meeting. Admission may be
refused without indicating any reasons.
5.3 The nomination of Honorary Fellows, elevation of Prospective Members and Associate Members
shall be performed during the Annual General Meeting following recommendations of the Managing
Members Board.
6. Termination of Membership
Membership is terminated by death, voluntary withdrawal, deletion or expulsion.
6.1 Voluntary withdrawal
Voluntary withdrawal can be made anytime; it must, however, be declared to the Managing Member
Board in writing but shall not constitute a release from any obligations to the Institute incurred prior to
the date of withdrawal.
6.2 Deletion due to Membership arrears
The Managing Members Board can expel a member if the said member is more than 3 months in arrears
with membership due payments and despite having being sent two (2) reminders. Deletion shall not
affect the obligation to pay outstanding membership dues.
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6.3 Expulsion of a member would be due to gross violation of the interests of the Institute or
because of dishonorable conduct.
The expulsion of a member from the Institute would be due to dishonorable conduct or gross violation
and against the interests of the Institute and can be undertaken immediately by a voice vote amongst the
Managing Member Board. An appeal against an expulsion decision can be made at the Annual General
Meeting if it is requested, by certified mail, within two (2) weeks, upon receipt of the written resolution of
expulsion. The rights and duties of membership shall be suspended until a decision has been reached at
the Annual General Meeting.
6.4 Withdrawal of an Honorary Fellowship, Supporting Member and Associate Members
The decision to withdraw Honorary Fellowship, Promoting Membership and Associate Membership,
would arise as a consequence of a violation counter intuitive of the Institutes interests or dishonorable
conduct and it shall be taken up at the successive Annual General Meeting upon motion and moved by the
Managing Members Board.
7. Rights and duties of all Members
7.1 Right to participate in events
Members are encouraged to participate in all events the Institute offers. Members are encouraged and
avail themselves of the Institutes mentorship program, lecture series, testing seminars and Annual General
meeting. Some of the aforementioned activities may incur a financial charge (conference fees or the like).
Members shall be informed of all events in a timely fashion so that they may be able to exercise this right.
7.2 Voting and election rights in the Annual General Meeting
The right to vote at the Annual General Meeting, including active or passive election voting rights, is
reserved exclusively for Regular Active Members. Members who are granted Regular Active
Membership status at the Annual General Meeting are not eligible to vote at the same meeting but will be
entitled to do so starting at the next Annual General Meeting.
Promoting Members and Associate Members are not eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
7.3 Right to information regarding the agenda of the Institute
All Active Members are entitled to be kept informed of the activities of the Institute including the
financial health/handling of affairs by the Managing Member Board at the Annual General Meeting.
7.4 Membership Duty to promote the interests of the Institute
Members shall promote the interests of the Institute to the best of their ability and refrain from any acts
that prove detrimental, malign, or disparage the reputation and purpose of the Institute.
7.5 Membership Duty to disseminate scientific published knowledge
To ensure that the Institute is kept up to date with studies of Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment
(especially in regards to the musculoskeletal system) any Active Member is asked to inform the General
Secretary or members of the Managing Members of the latest scientific findings and submit copies of any
publications to the Managing Members .for proper vetting and posting to the website.
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7.6 Membership dues
All Active Members are obliged to punctually pay membership dues in the amount set by the Managing
Members Board during the Annual General Meeting. The period of membership is from January 1st to
December 31st of each calendar year. Dues will be debited at the end of each calendar year.
7.7 Exemption from membership dues
Members in Retirement Status and Honorary Fellows are exempt from Dues payment obligations.
7.8 Automatic direct debiting of Membership Dues
Due to the difficulty of charging membership dues and to reduce administrative costs, each member shall
have the amount automatically deducted from his/her credit card account annually. In case of withdrawal
of membership, the member shall cancel the direct debit by writing or e-mail to the General Secretary.
8. Annual General Meeting
8.1 Frequency, Date, and location
The Annual General Meeting takes place once a year. The location and date of the Annual General
Meeting shall be set at the previous Annual General Meeting. The Managing Members Board must
communicate any changes of date and/or location to all members at least four (4) weeks prior to the
appointed new date of the Annual General Meeting.
8.2 Extraordinary General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting shall convene upon the resolution of the Managing Members Board or
the Annual General Meeting or upon a written application with sufficient grounds signed by at least 10 %
of the Managing Members or at the behest of auditors. In this case scenario, an Extraordinary General
Meeting must take place no later than one (1) month after the request for its calling has reached the
Managing Members Board. The procedure of an Extraordinary General Meeting is the same as the
procedure of the Annual General Meeting.
8.3 Invitation to the Extraordinary and General Meeting
All Regular Active Members will be invited in writing or e-mailed to attend the General and/or
Extraordinary General meetings at least four (4) weeks in advance of the appointed date. The appointment
of the date of the Annual General Meeting shall include an agenda. Meetings shall be called by the
Managing Member Board. All Active Members who fail to notify in writing or e-mail, of their change of
address or have not had the changes confirmed are not entitled to timely reception of information from the
Institute.
8.4 Motions regarding agenda items
Motions are welcome by all voting Regular Active Members. Motions concerning items on the agenda
must reach the Managing Members Board (President, Vice President or General Secretary) in writing or
e-mail, at least seven (7) days in advance of the date of the Annual General Meeting have to be included;
the Managing Member Board may also appoint items on the agenda at short notice.
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8.5 Valid resolutions
Valid resolutions – with the exception, of an Extraordinary General Meeting – may only be passed with
regard, to items on the agenda.
8.6 Participation, Voting and Election Rights
All Members are entitled to participate in the Annual General Meeting. All Regular Active Members and
Managing Members are entitled to vote on motions for resolution and Managing Members hold election
rights of the Managing boards. Every eligible Managing Member shall have one vote. The transfer of
voting rights is prohibited. Written voting of an agenda item is permitted. The Annual General Meeting
shall constitute a quorum regardless of the number of Regular Active Members voting or Managing
Members present, if it has been called in accordance with the Constitution.
8.7 Elections and Amendment Resolutions
Elections and amendment resolutions at the Annual General Meeting shall normally be decided by a
simple majority of votes. Resolutions to amend the Constitution of the Institute or to dissolve the Institute
shall however require a qualified majority of two-thirds of the valid votes cast and occur after a secret
ballot following the motion of one or more Managing Members.
8.8 Chair of the Annual General Meeting
The President shall chair the Annual General Meeting. If s/he is unable to attend, the chair shall be
assumed by the Vice President. If the Vice President is also unable to attend, the chair shall be assumed
by the General Secretary. If s/he is unable to attend as well, the chair shall be assumed by the most senior
member of the Managing Member Board.
9. Duties performed at the Annual General Meeting
9.1 Approval of the statement of account and the closing of accounts.
9.2 Appointment and dismissal of the members of the Managing Board and other Auditors
9.3 Setting membership dues.
9.4 Decisions about admissions and expulsions of members. Final decisions on the admission of members
and on appeals against expulsions from membership. Confirmation and expulsion of Honorary
Fellowship, as well as Promoting Perspective and Associate Memberships.
9.5 Resolutions concerning the constitution and or the dissolution of the Institute, ratifying resolutions
concerning amendments to the constitution.
9.6 Consultation and ratification of resolutions of all other issues and matters on the agenda to include:
Web design, social media, status of mentorship programs, regional lecture series, testing sites etc.
10. Officers of the Institute
10.1 Managing Members Board
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10.1.1 Members of the Managing Board:
President
Vice President
Honorary Fellow President
General Secretary
Scientific / Education Secretary
Treasurer / Business Affairs Coordinator
Compliance Committee Officer
(Up to two) Compliance Committee Members (non-voting positions)
10.1.2 Appointment procedures of the Managing Members Board
Managing Board Members should be from diverse professional fields as well as different regions of the
country. The officials are elected by the managing members at the Annual General Meeting. All
managing members can nominate candidates. The proposals should be e-mailed with a current
curriculum vitae, to the General Secretary within seven (7) days of the General Meeting, so the proposals
can be reviewed and properly discussed at the Managing Members Board meeting. The term of each
office will be five (5) years. An annual change of the officials term can be concluded after a unanimous
vote of the Managing Members Board, every year, at the Annual General Meeting. Re-election is
permitted. A meeting of the Managing Member Board shall be called or orally requested by the General
Secretary with authorization of the President, if the President is unable to do so, the function of the
Presidency shall be transmitted to the Vice President. The Managing Member Board shall constitute a
quorum when all its members have been invited and at least three are present. The Managing Member
Board shall pass its resolutions by a simple majority. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall cast the deciding
vote. The Managing Members Board shall be chaired by the President. If s/he is unable to attend, the
meeting shall be chaired by the Vice President, or the General Secretary (in this order). With exception of
death or expiration of the term of office, the function of a member of the Managing Board shall terminate
through resignation. The members of the Managing Board can announce their resignation in writing at
any time. The announcement of resignation shall be submitted to the Managing Board. In the event of the
resignation of the entire Managing Member Board, it shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting.
In this case the resignation shall come into effect only upon the election of the new Managing Member
Board.
10.1.3 Duties of the Managing Members Board
The Managing Members Board is responsible for the day-to-day functions of the Institute. It is charged
with all duties not allocated to another body of the Institute by the Constitution. The following matters
fall within its domain:
Coordination and site planning of Seminar and Certification activities.
Documentation / Mentorship and the Scientific activities for its members
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Administration of the assets of the Institute
Preparation of the annual budget, as well as the annual report and statement of accounts
Preparation and calling of the Annual General Meeting and/or Extraordinary Meeting
Calling for and preparation of nominations for the Annual General Meeting
Admission, expulsion, and deletion of members of the Institute
Hiring and termination of employment of Institute staff
10.1.4 Finances
The American Institute for Medical Shockwave Providers, LLC is the owner of the Institutes bank
account. The signatory power and power of disposal of the Institutes estates are held by:
The President
The Vice President
The Treasurer
Any other individual who - to alleviate the financial activities of the Institute – may be given signatory
power by the Managing Member Board (for instance, the secretary of the Institute) the President, Vice
President, Treasurer or General Secretary, assumes management of the Institutes bank account and
financial transactions.
The Managing Members Board is tasked to hire an outside accounting firm and decides by majority about
the details of how the financial report and the financial book-keeping of its business revenues,
expenditures and credit balance are established. A book-keeping period lasts from January 1st to
December 31st of the book-keeping year.
10.1.5 Duties of individual Managing Members Board
10.1.5.1 The President
10.1.5.1.1 The President shall represent the Institute in all external negotiations. If the President is not
available, his duties shall be assumed by the Vice President, or by the General Secretary, if the President
and the Vice President are not available.
10.1.5.1.2 The President shall chair the Annual General Meeting and meetings of the Managing Members
Board as well as the Annual General Members Meeting.
10.1.5.1.3 In case of an emergency - this applies to matters that fall within the scope of activities of the
Annual General Meeting or the Managing Members Board - s/he is authorized to issue instructions,
though these require retroactive approval by the responsible body of the Institute.
10.1.5.1.4 The President supports the Organization of AIMSP events.
10.1.5.1.5 The President supports the members in their discussions with state authorities and institutions
charged with the preparation of guidelines for the implementation and compensation of shockwave
treatment at national levels.
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10.1.5.1.6 The President and the Vice President or Treasured are empowered to sign all contracts and
agreements concerning the AIMSP with acceptance of the Managing Members Board concerns.
10.1.5.2 The Vice President
10.1.5.2.1 The Vice President supports the President in all activities. The Vice President replaces the
President for the time that the President is unable to perform his/her duties, and in case of permanent
unavailability of the President and until the Managing Member Board elects a new President. The Vice
President assumes all competences and authorities of the President during that time he/she substitutes the
President.
10.1.5.3 The General Secretary
The General Secretary oversees the Institutes daily business matters and is in this capacity he/she is also
the Institutes official representative to the outside world.
10.1.5.3.1 Coordination of Communication
The General Secretary is responsible for the cohesive dissemination of the Institutions internal
correspondence (e-mails) and messages, assisting the President, Vice President, and conference
organizers in announcing the Institutions events and activities to all members.
10.1.5.3.2 Bookkeeping and processing of the financial transactions of the Institute. Financial transactions
are performed by one or more members of the Management Board that is authorized to sign or other
assistance (such as a secretary). The Management Board assigns signing authority to individuals.
10.1.5.3.3 The Institute may provide the General Secretary with personal assistance, such as a secretary,
who aids him/her in his/her work, and the Institute may also grant that assistant signatory power.
10.1.5.3.4 The General Secretary and the President are empowered to sign all contracts and agreements
concerning the AIMSP with prior approval / acceptance of the Managing Members Board.
10.1.5.3.5 Maintenance of the Web site and social media: The Institute considers the Web site its most
important instrument of communication. It is the responsibility of the General Secretary to ensure that the
Web site is kept up-to-date and to organized including the presence of the active and relatable AIMSP
messaging within its social media content. The General Secretary is empowered to delegate this task to a
third party, the cost of which shall be assumed by the Society.
10.1.5.3.6. The General Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of meetings and
documenting in writing all resolutions of the Institute.
10.1.5.3.7 The General Secretary is responsible for the handling of the formal duties of the Institute
(annual registrations of the state regulatory requirements, authority for societies and organizations).
10.1.5.3.8 If the General Secretary is unable to perform these duties, they shall be assumed by the
Membership Secretary or by the Scientific / Education Secretary or by another member of the Institute
appointed by the President.
10.1.5.4 The Scientific / Education Secretary
10.1.5.4.1 The Scientific / Education Secretary is responsible for the administration of scientific records
and publications of the Institute. As the Research Coordinator, they shall follow the worldwide research
activities about shockwave technologies, basic research, and clinical studies. The coordinator should
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support the organization of periodic Basic Research seminars / meetings, to promote basic research to the
Institutes members.
10.1.5.4.2 He / She oversees the development of scientific activities of the Institute and in this capacity
works closely with the manufacture product enhancements, International Organizers, Web site population
of current studies, enhancements to the seminar materials, certification testing material, communications
with state and local education authorities, initiates future activities and presents proposals and prospective
organizers before the Managing Members Board for consideration. The final decision lies with the
Managing Board.
10.1.5.5 The Treasurer / Business Affairs Coordinator
10.1.5.5.1 The Treasurer is responsible for the proper handling of the finances of the Institute,
administrator of all revenues and expenditures of the Institute and in charge of its financial reporting and
preparation of a budget proposal at the Annual General Meeting.
10.1.5.5.2 Accounting is to be done externally. The treasurer is responsible to task a tax accountant or
auditor and provide all documents. The Managing Members Board must be always informed about the
procedures and may demand a change of accounting office with a majority vote.
10.1.5.5.3 As the Business Affairs Coordinator, he/she is responsible for liaising with the industrial sector
All members of the Society and in particular the Managing Member Board, shall cultivate contact with
the manufacturers and trade companies of shockwave devices, connections with Industry should be
obtained as sponsors to be part of the Institutes activities.
10.1.5.5.4 Should the Treasurer / Business Affairs Secretary be unable to perform his / her duties, they
shall be assumed by a member appointed by the President.
10.1.5.6 Compliance Committee Officer
10.1.5.6.1 The Compliance Committee is established to advise and assist the implementation of the
AIMSP Guideline of Compliance and Code of Conduct.
10.1.5.6.2 The Compliance Committee Officer is leading the Compliance Committee. He is collecting the
cases and he is organizing the meetings of the Compliance Committee Members. There are up to two
Compliance Committee Members, who support the work of the Compliance Committee Officer.
10.1.5.6.3 The decisions of the Compliance Committee are reached by a simple majority according to
democratic principles. The deputies of the Members of the Managing Member Board may step into their
function only if they are unable to attend to their duties, this however, shall not affect the validity of
actions formed by the deputies.
10.1.5.7 Managing Board Member without Title
10.1.5.7.1 An additional member without a portfolio can be invited to attend and vote as part of the
Managing Board by agreement of the existing Managing Board members, if the Managing Members
Board considers it necessary to accomplish upcoming challenges.
10.1.5.7.2 The entire Managing Board assigns the invited member of the Managing Board without a
portfolio. This person has the same rights and duties as the other members of the Managing Board.
10.1.5.7.3 The Former Presidents of the AIMSP have the right to participate at the Managing Board
Meetings to counsel the Managing Board.
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11. Non-Managing Board officers
Conference Secretary
Advisory Committee Members
The Court of Arbitration
11.1 The Conference Secretary
11.1.2 The Conference Secretary may be appointed by the President of the Institute or by the Managing
Member Board; he / she may assume in part or in whole the responsibility of the President’s agenda at the
conference. The Conference Secretary may be granted the power to place orders or reservations orally or
in writing or whatever else is necessary for the purpose of the conference. A written attestation must be
made before this can come into effect (i.e. a written decision by the Managing Board or a letter from the
President.).
11.1.3 The Conference Secretary is not a member of the Managing Board, though he /she should take part
in the sessions of the Managing Members Board to be able to, on the one side, provide information to the
Managing Members Board and, on the other, to better understand the wishes and ideas of the Managing
Members Board.
11.2 Advisory Committee Members
11.2.1 Up to 20 advisory committee members from possibly various countries or scopes of activity shall
be appointed and have an advisory function and support the Managing Board in its respective activity.
Advisory Committee Members may be invited to the sessions of the Managing Board where they can
contribute to the discussion and help finding the best possible resolution.
11.2.2 Advisory Committee Members may be entrusted with specific tasks, for example, the drafting of
passages or information intended for the Institutes Web site or the preparation of official statements for
third parties which are then to be submitted by the Managing Board or the President.
11.3 The Court of Arbitration
11.3.1 The arbitration tribunal shall decide all disputes arising within the Institute. The arbitration tribunal
shall be composed of five regular members. It shall be constituted in such a way that each party to the
dispute shall name two regular members as representatives of its interests to the Managing Tribunal
Board. The representatives nominated shall thus elect a fifth regular member as chair of the Arbitration
Tribunal with a majority vote. In the event of a tie another regular member shall be voted. Only if no
regular member can get a majority vote, a decision among the nominees shall be reached by lottery and is
to be drawn by the President
11.3.2 The Arbitration Tribunal shall make its decisions in the presence of all members by a simple
majority of votes. Decisions are taken to the best of the tribunal’s knowledge and belief. Its decisions are
final within the Institute.
12. Dissolution of the American Institute for Medical Shockwave Providers
12.1 The voluntary dissolution of the Institute can only be resolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting
called for this purpose and only with a majority of votes.
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12.2 The final Managing Members Board of the Institute must notify in writing the authority responsible:
State Local Licensing, IRS, Board of Education, any other affiliated associations / organizations of the
voluntary dissolution.
Resolved by the President of the AIMSP in New York, New York, February 9th, 2023