Policies of the IMS (International Mycorrhiza Society)

Our Goals

The society aims globally to improve and facilitate communication, training and exchange between scientists, farmers, foresters and industries involved in the numerous fundamental and applied research fields linked to mycorrhizal symbioses.

to prepare and distribute periodical newsletters involving international correspondents, to maintain an Internet site gradually replacing the present Mycorrhiza Information Exchange,

to help organize worldwide, local, national and international conferences, with respect to mycorrhiza.

Facilitating dialogue and knowledge transfer about mycorrhizal research and its applications

Mycorrhiza is the official journal of IMS, in line with the wishes expressed by the majority of the responses to the 2002 survey concerning the foundation of a mycorrhiza society.

Bylaws document PDF

Supporting Conference

ICOM (International Conference on Mycorrhiza)

The International Conference on Mycorrhiza is the major international event supported by the IMS and has been held regularly since 1996 on alternate continents.

ICOM provides an international forum for all scientific and applied areas of the mycorrhizal symbiosis. The conference allows participants to present their current research to the international community in the form of either oral presentations or posters. Workshops,presentations and discussions covering topical issues related to the basic biology of the symbiosis, forestry, agronomy, and horticulture form an essential part of the conference. Student participation is especially encouraged. Scientists, academics, technologists, foresters, coporations, and others on a quest for knowledge on sustainable and organic agriculture and wasteland reclamation are also welcomed.

The first ICOM held in Berkeley USA in 1996 was followed by ICOM2 in Uppsala Sweden in 1998, ICOM3 in Adelaide Australia in 2001, ICOM4 in Montreal Canada in 2003 and ICOM5 in Granada Spain in 2006 and ICOM6 announced for 2009 in Brazil.

According to the needs and opportunities, IMS will be in a position to support the organizing teams logistically and/or financially.

Nominations for the IMS Governing Board

Candidates are suggested by members of the mycorrhizal community and may include self-nominations.

The suggested candidates are contacted by the nomination committee members.

The list of candidates is then circulated within the community before and during the ICOM and the election of the board members is taken place during the Final Session of the ICOM.
According to the IMS bylaw for the election of Directors and Term
(a) Subject to the Articles, Directors shall be elected by the Members by Ordinary Resolution at an annual meeting of Members at which an election of Directors is required.
(b) One Director shall be elected to the office of President.
(c) One Director shall be elected to the Office of Vice-President

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(d) One Director shall be elected to the Office of Past-President.
(e) The terms of office of Directors shall be two or as determined by Ordinary Resolution of the Members.

IMS Committees

  • There shall, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, be an Executive Committee composed of a minimum of Three (3) Directors who shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.
  • The Executive Committee shall exercise responsibilities as are authorized by the Board of Directors.
  • These can include but are not limited to those mentioned for the Board of Directors.

Responsible for online content, newsletters, website content, blog updates, twitter feeds, and liason with website contributers.

The Nominations Committee which shall:

Be entrusted inter alia with the responsibility of creating and maintaining, annually, a list of those members of the society wishing to be elected to the Board of Directors or as President of the society;

The Planning and Development Committee which shall:

Be entrusted with inter alia promoting the activities and objects of the corporation, increasing the membership of the society, organizing fund raising and related activities and organizing the corporation’s strategic planning process.

The Awards Committee which shall inter alia:

Establish awards for the recognition of the contributions made by individuals and / or corporate entities to the study of mycorrhizae, propose potential sources of funds for such awards, obtain funds for such awards from various sources, prepare, annually, a list of potential nominees for such awards and submit such list, annually, to the Board of Directors for approval at least Sixty (60) days prior to the International Conference.

  • Be responsible for the organization of general meetings and workshops to be held at the time and location of the International Conference;
  • Be responsible for the organization of general meetings and workshops to be held at the time and location of any related conferences in which the society shall participate;
  • Ensure that the registration fees for the International Conference and / or for any related conferences shall comprise inter alia an amount equal to the membership fees or dues established by the Board of Directors.

  • Receive, from the members of the society, submissions pertaining to potential topics and issues for commissioned papers; ii.Propose to the Board of Directors various topics pertaining to the study of mycorrhizae;
  • Under the direction of the Board of Directors, solicit or commission the development of papers on relevant current issues on mycorrhizal biology or policy on which the society does not intend to make formal policy statements but which, when and if published, shall be identified as a topic of special interest to the society;
  • Upon the direction and / or with the approval of the Board of Directors, commission papers and / or studies leading to formal statements of the society on science-related issues; v.Review papers and / or studies commissioned upon the direction and / or with the approval of the Board of Directors;
  • At its sole discretion, request and obtain external review of any papers and / or studies commissioned upon the direction and / or with the approval of the Board of Directors;
  • Develop informational materials consistent with the aims / objects of the society; and
    Release and / or publish any and all informational materials after having obtained the approval of same by the Board of Directors.