Objectives of members
Member organizations should have or develop a program for Duchenne and/or Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DMD/BMD). The organization would have to positively promote research, optimal care, knowledge, and education.

Leadership
Ideally a parent or affected person should chair the project. Where this is not possible, for want of someone to fulfil the role, a parent or affected person should have a significant strategic leadership role.

Business form
The organization should have a not-for-profit legal constitution with a management committee that is accountable to its membership.

Statement of activities
Each participating organization will produce an annual statement of its activities with the relevant financial information.

Members per country
If there is already an organization with membership in a country, other organizations are encouraged to become a WDO member as well. The more countries are connected, and the more members we have, the stronger our voice can be.

Membership fee

The height of the membership fee is calculated upon the organizations’ annual income.

• Annual income € 100.000 or more – membership fee of € 1.000
• Annual income between € 5.000 and € 100.000 – membership fee is 1% of the annual income
• Annual income lower than € 5.000 – minimal membership fee of € 50

Organizations will need to submit their annual financial statements each year.

Membership termination
Membership can be terminated by unanimous decision of the executive committee, if a member fails to uphold the above mentioned criteria and the reputation of WDO.

The World Duchenne Organization is committed to advancing the rights, interests, and well-being of individuals affected by Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy worldwide. In order to facilitate participation from a diverse range of organizations, we are introducing several membership types.

Full Member:

• Criteria: Any patient organization dedicated to Duchenne and/or Becker muscular dystrophy that meets the eligibility criteria can apply to become a Full Member.
• Benefits:
  • Voting rights in organizational decisions.
  • Full access to all resources, publications, and research materials.
  • Eligibility for leadership roles within the World Duchenne Organization.
  • Inclusion in global advocacy campaigns.
  • Priority access and sponsorship opportunities to attend in-person meetings, conferences, and events.

Affiliated Member:

• Criteria: Patient organizations representing several rare (neuromuscular) diseases including DMD/BMD, and/or facing financial constraints can become an Affiliated Member by paying 50% of the full membership fee.
• Benefits:
  • Access to select resources, publications, and research materials.
  • Participation in online conferences and webinars.
  • Limited access to leadership roles within the World Duchenne Organization.
  • Inclusion in global advocacy campaigns.

Aspiring Member:

• Criteria: Advocacy groups who meet the Aspiring member eligibility criteria which are not (yet) registered as an official non-profit organization can become Aspiring Members.
• Benefits:
  • Access to select resources, publications, and research materials.
  • Participation in online conferences and webinars.
  • No access to leadership roles within the World Duchenne Organization.
  • Inclusion in global advocacy campaigns.
  • Aspiring Members are exempt from paying a membership fee and are expected to apply for Full / Affiliate Membership within three years of becoming an Aspiring Member.