Two amendments to the WTSA Constitution and By-Laws were presented at the 2011 Annual Business Meeting. Each of these amendments will be voted on at the 2012 Annual Business Meeting, Saturday, July 30, 2011, from 12:00 to 12:30 PM, at the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii.
Core Values
The first proposed amendment will add Core Values to the Western’s Constitution.
Deletions shown in strikethrough; additions shown in bold underline.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this Corporation is The Western Thoracic Surgical Association (hereinafter “the Association”).
ARTICLE II. CORE VALUES
The core values of the Association shall be:
Scientific Endeavor in a Collegial Environment;
Education and Progress;
The Development of Young Surgeons;
Professionalism; and
Family and Friendship.
ARTICLE II III. PURPOSES
Note: subsequent articles in the Constitution would likewise be renumbered.
WTSA Candidate Membership Level
The second proposed amendment will establish a new Candidate level of WTSA membership. This amendment defines the criteria for Candidate membership, which will allow young surgeons in training or who have recently completed training to get exposure and become involved in the Western at an earlier stage than is possible at present, to foster the careers of younger thoracic surgeons and to boost future membership of the WTSA.
Deletions shown in strikethrough; additions shown in bold underline.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.
There shall be four five types of membership: Active, Senior, Honorary, and Charter, and Candidate, as defined in the By-Laws.
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BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I. APPLICATION FOR ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
Section 2. Candidate for Membership
…
ARTICLE II. MEMBERS
Section 4. Candidate Members
Candidate membership is available to residents who are matched or enrolled in either a cardiothoracic surgery education program accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Thoracic Surgery under the authority of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or a program approved for cardiothoracic surgery education by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada—or their equivalency—from the Association’s geographic limits as defined by the Constitution of the Association. Individuals who have completed their education in one of the above programs and are in the process of acquiring certification in cardiothoracic surgery by either the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada also are eligible to apply for Candidate membership. Candidate members shall have no rights to vote or hold office. Candidate membership shall end when the Candidate becomes eligible for Active membership, at which time s/he is invited to apply for Active membership.
