Southern Thoracic Surgical Association

“The professional relations and research institute (prri) of beverly, massachusetts, maintains the books and records of the organization and performs other related managerial and administrative functions for which it is compensated.”

“The organization has members. There are six (6) categories of members:active, senior, candidate, pre-candidate, associate, and honorary member. Members shall be individuals who support the purpose of the organization and who agree to comply with the organization's rules and regulations. Active and senior members shall be entitled to hold office and shall have voting privileges. Active and senior members must be board certified by the american board of thoracic surgery or its foreign equivalent. Associate members include support staff for practicing cardiothoracic surgeons including, but not limited to, nurses, nurse practitioners, perfusionists, physician assistants, and research staff. Honorary membership can be bestowed upon a worthy recipient upon recommendation of the council and ratification by a two-thirds majority of the votes at the annual meeting. Honorary members are welcomed at all scientific and business meetings of the organization, but have no obligations or responsibilities in the organization. Candidate members must be matched or enrolled in a thoracic surgery educational program accredited by the residency review committee for thoracic surgery under the authority of the accreditation council for graduate medical education that is within the organization region provided for in the bylaws to be classified as a candidate member. Pre-candidate members may apply for membership by expressing a desire to enter the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Pre-candidate members may transfer to candidate member status once they have matched or enrolled in a thoracic surgery educational program accredited by the residency review committee for thoracic surgery under the authority of the accreditation council for graduate medical education that is within the organization region.”

“The members of the organization participate in the election of officers.”

“The members of the organization can vote on bylaw changes, approve new members and the slate of nominations for officers.”

“990 is reviewed by the administrative staff of the managerial company (prri) and is then provided to the treasurer for final review before it is filed.”

“Officers, councilors, and others are annually required to complete a conflict of interest disclosure statement as a requirement of service. The statement on the organization disclosure policy and guidelines regarding conflicts of interest is read at the beginning of every executive council, committee, council operating board, and workforce meeting. If a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest exists, the person with such a conflict must disclose the relationship and refrain from voting on the matter. If the nature of the relationship suggests that his or her presence may be detrimental to the discussion, he or she must exit the meeting. The meeting chair makes the final determinations to the appropriate action.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public upon request at the administrative offices of the organization's management company (prri).”