Please review the below proposed amendments to the ASE membership categories. The proposed changes are open for a comment period until August 2, 2019. Once the comment period closes, members will have fourteen days to cast their vote to approve the changes.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:  Categories

There shall be four (4) categories of membership in the Association:  Physician, Non-physician, Trainee,  and Emeritus.  Emeritus members may not vote. Emeritus or Trainee members may not hold office.

To be admitted to membership, an applicant must submit a completed membership application, including payment for the first year’s dues, to the administrative office.  The application will be processed after review and approval.  Upon approval the inaugural membership term shall begin in the month of acceptance into the association and run until the end of the calendar year, except as noted in Section 7.  Subsequent membership will be on an annual calendar year basis, except as noted in Section 7.

The annual fee for all categories of membership will be determined by the Board of Directors.   Annual fees for all categories of membership may vary according to country of residence.

Section 2:  Physician Members

All physician members should demonstrate satisfactory evidence of active involvement in surgical education, and must subscribe to the mission of the Association.

Section 3: Non-physician Members

Non-physician members should demonstrate satisfactory evidence of active involvement in surgical education, and must subscribe to the mission of the Association.

Section 4:  Trainee Members

Trainee members shall come from or be affiliated with any approved Department of Surgery or surgical sub-specialty within a related department (e.g., urology) of a hospital or the Department of Surgery in any allopathic, osteopathic, or podiatric school in the United States or Canada or an international equivalent, or, shall be enrolled in any allopathic, osteopathic or podiatric school in the United States or Canada or an international equivalent.  Trainee members should demonstrate evidence of active interest in surgical education and subscribe to the mission of the Association.

Trainee members may not hold office.

Section 5:  Emeritus Members

Upon retirement and after 10 consecutive years of ASE membership, Physician and Non-physician members may apply to the Executive Director for conversion to Emeritus membership.  Emeritus members will have no voting privileges and may not hold office.

Section 6:  Termination / Suspension

Members may be censured, suspended or removed from membership by the Board of Directors for cause by two-thirds (2/3) vote. 

For any cause other than non-payment of dues, fees or assessments, removal shall occur only after the member complained against has been advised of the complaint and has been given a reasonable opportunity for defense.  Such member, if removed, may appeal the decision of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Association, providing that notice of intent to appeal is provided to the President of the Association at least ten (10) days in advance of the Annual Meeting.

 Membership in the Association shall cease upon death or resignation, and may not be transferred or transmitted to another person.

Annual membership dues shall be considered delinquent when payment is not received within 90 days of invoicing, and membership rights and privileges may be restricted or rescinded. Members may be dropped from membership for failure to pay their dues for more than one calendar year.  Dropped members may be re-instated following full payment of outstanding dues, not to exceed three years.  Delinquency and dropping may be reversed by action of the Executive Committee.