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Bylaws for RAS-ACS

Name

The organization shall be called the Resident and Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons (RAS-ACS).

Purpose

The purpose of the RAS-ACS is to:

  1. To encourage the future leaders in Surgery and assist in their development as leaders in the profession of surgery and the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
  2. To develop College activities and resources relevant to resident and young surgeon concerns.
  3. To provide representation for residents and young surgeons in organized surgery.
  4. To provide a forum for discussion of common issues in graduate surgical education.
  5. To educate residents and young surgeons about the ACS and the value of Fellowship.

The RAS-ACS, an organization within the ACS, was formed to benefit the surgeons of the future through involvement in activities of the College.

Mission Statement

The RAS-ACS will serve to familiarize all surgical trainees and young surgeons with the ACS, its programs, and leadership, provide an avenue for participation in ACS affairs, foster development and use of leadership skills in organized surgery, and give opportunities for the opinions and concerns of young surgeons to be heard by the ACS leadership.

Membership

Membership in the RAS-ACS is composed of Resident Members and Associate Fellows of the College as defined by the Board of Reagents:

Resident Members are required to have the following qualifications:

  1. Graduation from a medical school acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.
  2. Current status as one of the following:
    1. A resident enrolled in an accredited training program focused on one of the following surgical specialties: colon-rectal surgery, gynecologic oncology, neurological surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, ophthalmic surgery, orthopedic surgery, otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, general surgery, thoracic surgery, urology, or vascular surgery.
    2. A surgeon in a surgical research or surgical fellowship program acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.

Associate Fellows in the American College of Surgeons are required to meet the following qualifications:

  1. Graduation from a medical school acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.
  2. Completion of an accredited surgical residency in the United States or Canada.
  3. A full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.
  4. Current engagement in a second surgical residency, a research program, a fellowship, or in a surgical specialty practice in the United States or Canada with time limits as determined by the American College of Surgeons.
  5. Interest in pursuing professional excellence, as an individual surgeon and as a member of the surgical community.
Prospective members must complete an application form and pay annual membership dues.  Resident Members will need the program director's signature endorsing the applicant's good standing in an accredited program.

Governing Board

The Governing Board of RAS-ACS will include the Officers, the immediate past Chair, the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Standing Committees, and the Representatives to the Advisory Councils.  Officers of the RAS-ACS include the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary.  Officers will serve three successive one-year terms, with election to the position of Secretary that succeeds to the position of Vice-Chair and subsequently to Chair.  Election to the position of Secretary will be held at the annual Clinical Congress during the business meeting.  A nominating committee will be convened annually to select candidates for the position of Secretary.  The nominating committee shall consist of four members, the immediate past Chair, the current Chair, the Vice-Chair and Secretary. 

The Chair is the spokesperson for RAS-ACS, providing a voice for the Society with the Board of Regents and the College leadership.  The Chair is responsible for overseeing the direction of the organization and fostering the ideals identified in the mission statement of the Society. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of RAS-ACS. The Chair shall attend the Board of Regents meetings to act as a liaison between the Board of Regents and RAS-ACS.  The Chair shall also appoint members to special and standing committees of the Society as needed.

The Vice-Chair shall assist in the performance of the duties of the Chair as the Chair may direct.  In the absence or inability to act of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chair.  In conjunction with the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Regents. The Vice-Chair shall succeed to the position of Chair at the conclusion of the one-year term.

The Secretary shall be responsible for the tabulation and reporting of the results of election of new Governing Board members.  The Secretary shall also perform other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Chair. The position of Secretary shall succeed to the position of Vice-Chair at the conclusion of the one-year term.

The Governing Board shall meet during the Clinical Congress and as needed throughout the year.  Meetings held outside of regular College meetings can be held by phone or electronic methods.  The Governing Board will be consulted for all major decisions that do not require immediate action.  Additionally, changes to the bylaws will require a 2/3 majority approval for all the Governing Board members who choose to vote.

The Executive Committee will be responsible for the daily operations and decisions of the Resident and Associate Society.  The Executive Committee will consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, and the immediate past Chair.  Appointments to the Advisory Councils and Standing Committees will require a majority vote by the Executive Committee and the assent of the Chair.

Representatives to the Advisory Councils

Each specialty caucus will select one representative to the specialty advisory council.  The panel of candidates will have been screened by the Executive Committee prior to the election.  Consideration for these positions will require a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and letter of support from the applicant’s program director (resident members) or division chief/departmental chair (associate fellow).  The Advisory Council Representative will serve a term of three years.  The Representative will attend their respective semiannual Advisory Council meetings to represent RAS-ACS and act as liaisons between the Advisory Council and RAS-ACS.

The Advisory Council Representatives will provide a written report of RAS-ACS activities to their respective Advisory Council at the Clinical Congress.  The Advisory Council Representatives will provide a written report to the RAS-ACS Governing Board within one month of each Advisory Council meeting.  In addition, at the Clinical Congress, the Advisory Council representative will provide to the RAS-ACS Governing Board a summary written report of Advisory Council activities.  If an Advisory Council Representative is unable to complete his/her duties, the Chair will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term.

Standing Committees

The standing committees of the RAS-ACS shall include the Membership committee, the Communications committee, the Issues committee, the Education committee.

A Chair will lead each committee.  The chair will have been elected initially to the position of Vice-chair for one year and then will succeed to Chair the following year.  The members of each respective committee will elect the Vice-chair at the annual business meeting.  The Chair will be responsible for organizing and leading meetings of their committee.  Each Chair will submit an annual written report to RAS-ACS Executive Committee and attend the Governing Board meeting at the Clinical Congress.  Participation in the standing committees is open to any member of RAS-ACS.  The standing committees shall meet during the annual meeting of RAS-ACS and as needed throughout the year.  Meetings held outside of regular College meetings can be held by phone or electronic methods. If a Chair or Vice-Chair is unable to complete his/her duties to the committee, the RAS-ACS Chair will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term.

Council of Advisors

The past chairs of RAS-ACS will serve as members of the Council of Advisors.  The council will serve as a resource and guidance to the Executive Committee and the RAS at large.

Representatives to ACS Committees

The American College of Surgeons has requested the participation of surgeons-in-training and young surgeons in various committees.  RAS-ACS feels this presents an opportunity to represent our viewpoint to the broader College as well as a chance for our membership to participate more actively in the College.  With such an opportunity comes the obligation to serve actively and consistently.  Appointments are for three year terms.  Representatives will provide a written report to the RAS-ACS Governing Board within one month of each committee meeting.  In addition, at the Clinical Congress, the committee representative will provide to the RAS-ACS Governing Board a written summary report of the committee’s activities. The Executive Committee will solicit the membership for applications from interested members.  Consideration for these positions will require a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and letter of support from the applicant’s program director (resident members) or division chief/departmental chair (associate fellow). The Chair will then contact the respective committee with prospective appointees.  After approval by the respective committee, the member will then be offered a position on the committee.  If a committee member is unable to complete his/her duties, the RAS-ACS Chair will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term.

Meetings

RAS-ACS shall hold an annual meeting at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee in conjunction with the Clinical Congress:

  1. RAS-ACS shall hold a Governing Board meeting. Attendance shall include members of the Governing Board and other invited guests to include advisory council representatives, standing committee chairs, RAS-ACS members who are appointed to other College committees, and other individuals as determined by the Chair.
  2. RAS-ACS will hold an annual business meeting open to all members of RAS-ACS. 
  3. RAS-ACS will organize and convene a symposium with appropriate programming for both the membership of RAS-ACS and the College in general.


Revised August 16, 2011