Join Council

Qualifications

• Must be an Active member. (Bylaws, Article VII, Section 3 (a))
• Only an individual who shall have been an Active member for five (5) years prior to the time of election shall be eligible for nomination as an officer. (Bylaws, Article VII, Section 3 (b).)
• Prior service on Council is required for election to the presidential line.
• Availability of time and energy.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the ASSH Mission, Vision, Values and Goals.
• Adherence to the ASSH Code of Ethics and Professionalism.
• No conflicts of interest with other national/international organizations.
• Ability to work as a team player, and place personal agenda secondary to the Society's best interests.
• Effectiveness, responsiveness, and timeliness in previous ASSH activities.
• Diverse areas of knowledge, skill or insight of potential benefit to the Society and Council.
• Awards or other special recognition within or outside of medicine.
• History of service on ASSH committees, including leadership roles.

Specific Attributes Encouraged

• Experience with private practice issues.
• Healthcare/political advocacy expertise.
• International relations experience.
• Familiarity with reimbursement/RUC process. 

Term

• 4 years: 1 year position automatically succeeds to President Elect, President and Past President.
• Term begins on the last day of ASSH Annual Meeting.
• May not serve two consecutive terms in office. (Bylaws, Article VII, Section 2)

Time Commitments

• A two day face-to-face meeting in spring.
• A one day face-to-face meeting prior to the ASSH Annual Meeting.
• A two to three hour face-to-face meeting immediately following the ASSH Annual Meeting.
• A two day meeting in late fall/early winter.
• All Executive Committee meetings, which generally occur the day before the scheduled Council meeting. An additional Executive Committee meeting is generally scheduled during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting.
• Presidential line meeting in the spring or summer.
• Council members are also expected to participate in conference calls, email discussions, email ballots, and other communications throughout the year. They may be asked to serve on special task forces and/or serve as liaisons to various committees or individuals within the Society. New Council members will be expected to attend a half-day orientation at the early winter meeting.

Statutory Obligations As Defined in Bylaws (February 2007)

• The Vice President shall perform such duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President or the Council. (Article VI, Section 4)
• The Vice President shall succeed to the office of President-elect at the close of the Annual Meeting the year following election to the office of Vice President, or in the event of the death, resignation, removal, or incapacity of the President-elect. (Article VI, Section 4)

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend all scheduled Council meetings.
• Prepare for active participation in Council  meetings by reading Council agenda materials prior to the date of the Council meeting.
• Participate in special projects related to governance issues, as assigned by the President.
• Perform all other functions as related to serving on the Council as requested.
• Become familiar with responsibilities of the President and President-Elect.
• Begin to develop a theme for the Presidential year.
• Select the Annual Meeting Program Chair for the meeting over which he/she will preside, so the chair can sit on the committee for the prior annual meeting. Do the same for the Residents and Fellows Program Chair.
• Select the Specialty Day Chair for the meeting over which he/she will preside; the Specialty Day Chair is co-chair for the first year, then chairs the next year, then ex-officio.
• Serve on: Membership Committee, Executive Committee, Central Office Advisory Committee, Finance Committee.
• Oversee Council liaisons to external organizations.
• Lead committees under Vice President's division.