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.
I agree with the new categories, in particular the category of non-physician members. I also feel strongly that the cost of membership/conference registration should be different for each group, relative to the difference in income between the groups. I would clarify where medical students fit within this framework (I assume trainee members) and exactly when one "graduates" from trainee to physician status. I agree this changes. It may be best to clearly state the dues structure for each of the member categories? For example, does an emeritus member pay dues, reduced dues or any dues? Thank you, I agree i agree Although I agree with the concept, I think the dues for each category should reflect the privileges and should be stated in this motion, either in absolute values or relative to the fee for physician members I agree with changes. Agree Agree with changes as is Did there used to be a student category? Although trainees may not hold office, can they have leadership in any committees? Does this need to be defined. In order to promote education as a viable career path, likely trainees need to be encouraged to be active participants on committees and potentially be eligible to chair subcommittees, etc. The "Trainee" category may be a bit amorphous. I was technically in this category for over a decade as a student, then a resident, then a research fellow, and as a clinical fellow. Towards the end of the decade, I was nominated for office several times although I was technically a trainee. I am not sure that this limitation for trainees holding office is appropriate. There may even be certain roles (diversity, trainee perspectives in education) where a trainee may be a more suitable choice for a position in office on the Board or Program committee. Perhaps the limitation that trainees cannot be part of the Executive committee would make more sense. I agree with all of the comments that have been made and otherwise support the amendments as written. Good job! Agree I agree with the comments below. Trainee may need more definition. Also should define whether trainees can be members of committees. If they cannot hold office would add statement that this would include not chairing committees since committee chairs are part of the board. Would trainees include post docs if they are working in surgery departments in education? May I suggest ‘unprofessional behavior’ be added to the termination/suspension section? I agree. Thank you. As noted by others, the dues fee schedule should be determined by membership category as well as by country of residence. I would propose that dues be formally waived for all Trainee Members in acknowledgement of the mission of the Association. I would further propose that an additional section describing Resignation from the Association (voluntary membership termination that is not triggered by non-payment of dues) be added and that members may resign upon written notice to the Secretary. This would permit a member to re-join at a later date without penalty of dues non-payment. This would be useful for members with temporary financial hardships or other impediments to membership who intend to resume membership at a later date. Finally, although ineligibility for office is noted for some member categories, it would also be useful to state that all members can serve on Committees.Comments:
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This would include, but not limited to, unwanted written, oral and physical contact in person or via social media or poor moral fiber.Comments:
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