Membership
why become a member
Becoming a member of AFLAR will help you to connect with colleagues across Africa and around the world.
AFLAR member benefits you in numerous ways, connecting you with colleagues around the continent , improving your rheumatology knowledge and skills, access to collaborations with colleagues and research opportunities.
Membership benefits include:
Newsletters
Complimentary access to AFLAR journal for free
Reduced/Subsidized fees at the AFLAR Annual Scientific Congress
Networking
Expand and stay connected to your network of peers from around the continent and indeed the world at AFLAR conferences and online through our online, website and SoMe platforms, professional communities and membership directories, by being part of the largest Pan-African Rheumatology Society Networking Group:
Education Discounts
Members receive a significant discounts on registration on all AFLAR educational meetings, courses, and online activities. Helping to meet your continuing education requirements and knowledge as you care for patients. Members can apply for Education and Course discounts and research grants and get access to AFLAR monthly webinars, other collaborative educational activities.
Volunteer
Develop your leadership skills and connect with your colleagues by volunteering with the AFLAR. All members are eligible to get involved through a variety of committees and other volunteer opportunities.
Image Library
Explore and contribute to the database of images of persons of color with rheumatic diseases for professional development, research, or educational presentations. Members can download images for free in the Image Bank
Find a Rheumatologist Directories
Enlisting into the Members Directory when implemented. Eligible members may opt to be enroll on to the public Find a Rheumatologist Directory.
This directory is a public resource to help patients find a rheumatologist. Current certified members who see patients are eligible. This directory will display your name, designation, preferred address, work phone, and website.
Membership
AFLAR shall consist of five classes of membership: full, associate, honorary, corporate and life.
Full Members
Section 1. Eligibility:
Eligible for full membership are qualified African physicians dealing with rheumatological diseases at clinical and/ or research levels. Acknowledged qualification shall be defined by the Board of Trustees in accordance with scientific disciplines in the various African countries. Full members shall pay annual dues fixed by the Board of Trustees. Full members may be individual members or group member from national societies. Group membership is available when at least 3 members of a National Society of Rheumatology join AFLAR at a fee of 50% of the full fees at the time.
A 50 % reduction in the membership fees will be in place for young rheumatologists (<40 years of age). For fellows in training, the first year’s fees will be waived, and the second year’s fee will be 30% of the full fees at the time.
‘Physician’ includes adult and other medical specialists engaged in the field of rheumatologists approved by the AFLAR Board.
Section 2. Application:
Application for full membership shall be made in writing, together with submission of the applicant’s curriculum vitae, to the General Secretary and supported by a full member. Acceptance for membership shall be ratified by the Board of Trustees.
Associate Members
Section 1. Eligibility:
Clinicians and scientists not satisfying the qualification requirements for full membership and paramedicals including physiotherapists, nurses, biomedical engineers and technicians can become associate members. They shall pay 30% of the membership fee at the time and shall participate in all scientific activities of the Association. However, they shall not be members of the General Assembly, they shall have no right to vote, and cannot be members of the Board of Trustees unti Allied Health Professionals Wing is formed.
Section 2. Application:
Application for Associate Membership shall be made to the Secretary in writing, accompanied by a curriculum vitae, and acceptance shall be ratified by the Board of Trustees.
Honorary Members
Clinicians and scientists from any country may be elected as Honorary Members in recognition of their outstanding scientific or other contributions to African rheumatology. Honorary Members shall not pay any subscription fees, shall not be members of the General Assembly and cannot be involved in any AFLAR organizational activities. Honorary Members shall be nominated by the Board of Trustees and ratified by the General Assembly.
Corporate Members
Corporate membership of AFLAR is by invitation. Corporate members shall participate in all scientific activities of the Association. However, they shall not be members of the General Assembly, they shall have no right to vote, and cannot be members of the Board of Trustees.
The membership level will depend on the level of commitment, being:BRONZE; SILVER;GOLD; PLATINUM.
Life Members
African physicians or paediatricians who are, or have been, full AFLAR members, may be elected as Life Members in recognition of their outstanding scientific or other contributions to African rheumatology. Life Members shall not pay any subscription fees and may be involved in any AFLAR activities as full members. Life Members shall be nominated by full members of AFLAR to the Board of Trustees and ratified by the General Assembly.
Conditions for Membership
All existing members, and all applicants for membership, shall comply with the conditions for membership, including the payment of annual membership fees. The due date for payment of the membership fee is established by the Board of Trustees. Membership of AFLAR is terminated:
1) upon the death of a Member
2) upon the written resignation of a Member
3) if membership fees are unpaid by the due date, membership is suspended until fees are paid
4) in the event of conduct which contravenes the ethical standards of AFLAR
