ABOUT THE WORLD MODEL SOLDIER FEDERATION

The World Model Soldier Federation was founded in 1992 to promote interest in the hobby of military miniatures, primarily by its sponsorship of the World Model Soldier Exposition, commonly called the World Expo, which is now held every three years in a different city of the world. Since its founding, the Federation has sponsored World Expos in Washington DC (1993), Paris (1996), Toronto (1998), Glasgow (2000), Rome (2002), and Boston (2005)

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Federation is open to any model soldier society or organization anywhere in the world. There are no memberships for private individuals. To join, an organization need only apply to the Federation for membership. All member societies are eligible to vote for the location of an Expo, but only sponsor societies (those which have paid a fee at the time they joined the Federation) may vote on other issues.

There are three levels of membership:

   PROVISIONAL MEMBER SOCIETIES pay nothing. They are listed as a member of the Federation and can vote on the location of the Expo, but nothing else. 

   SUSTAINING MEMBER SOCIETIES pay a one-time initiation fee of $250. In return they receive a seat on the Board of Trustees, a free quarter-page ad in the show program (when there is one), and a free web page on the Federation website. Members of these Societies attending the Expo receive a 25% discount on registration or admission.

   SENIOR MEMBER SOCIETIES pay a one time initiation fee of  $500. They receive all the benefits of the sustaining members, but with a half-page ad in the program and multiple pages on the website, and a 50% admission/registration discount for their members at the Expo. Senior members are also entitled to a free table at the Expo where they can promote membership and sell publications and other club-related items, and they may sponsor a special award of their choice at the Expo.

ORGANIZATION

Because the Federation is an association of other societies, the only officers consist of an Administrator and a small group of national representatives, one for each country having a member society in the Federation. The Administrator is elected by the sponsor member societies, and he appoints the national representatives pending approval by the member societies in that country. No one associated with the Expo draws a penny in salary — all work, including that of the Administrator, is done by volunteers.

FINANCES

There are no annual dues. The primary source of Federation funds is the one-time fee paid by societies which choose to join as Sponsoring Societies ($500 for Senior Members and $250 for Sustaining Members). Provisional member societies pay no money on joining, but their active role is limited to voting on the location of the Expos.

The funds of the Federation are used primarily as startup money for the Expositions. Up to half of the funds held by the Federation at the time an Expo is established may be loaned to the group organizing it, with the clear expectation that these funds will be paid back after the show is over. Show organizers do not have to accept these funds, but if they do, half of any profit made is to be returned to the Federation to increase the amount available for future Expos.

Between Expos, the activity of the Federation is minimal. Since all expenses for the Expo are paid by the organizing committee out of the income for that Expo, the only expenses normally incurred by the Federation are for postage and the special Presidents and World Master awards sponsored by the Federation at the Expo.

REPORTS

Because the organization is small and to save on postage costs, no annual reports are provided to the member societies. However, the Administrator will provide an annual financial report and current bank statement at any time to any member society that requests one. The Federation is registered in the United States as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and files an annual report with the US government every year. Copies of this report may also be requested by member societies at any time.

ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. How many member societies are there?

There are 52.  22 of them are sponsoring (paid) members: 11 U.S., 4 Canada, 2 Great Britain, 2 Japan, 1 France, 1 Belgium, I Italy. There are 28 non-sponsoring members: 11 Great Britain, 5 U.S.,  4 France, 3 Belgium, 2 Spain, 2 Italy, 1 Canada, I Australia, 1 Malta. For a list of member societies, click here.

2. Why are there no member societies from countries like  Russia, Australia and Germany?

3. Can I join as an individual? How can I become involved in the Federation if I don’t belong to a member society?

4. How closely involved is the Federation in the organizing of an Expo?

5. Who are the current officers?

5. How much money does the Federation presently have in the bank?

WORLD MODEL SOLDIER FEDERATION
PO Box 34679
Chicago IL 60634
email: wmsf@boston2005.com

.