Thoracic Surgery Directors Association

“Per a management agreement between both parties, tsda has retained the society of thoracic surgeons (sts) to provide administrative management services and to perform such other duties and services as may be entrusted to sts by tsda in accordance with tsda's bylaws, articles of incorporation, rules and regulations and budget. The sts office serves as the headquarters for tsda. The employees of sts provide these services.”

“The association has members. There are four types of membership: director, associate, emeritus, and honorary. Each director of an approved thoracic surgery residency program or thoracic surgery subspecialty program is eligible for membership in tsda. A director member is expected to participate in tsda deliberations and endeavors, including a uniform matching program for resident selection as specified in the tsda policies and procedures manual. Director member status shall be approved by the executive committee. Director members have the right to vote on all matters brought before the membership and shall be eligible for election to office and to the executive committee. Director members may also serve on other temporary or standing committees. Associate member status shall be approved by the executive committee. Such membership is available to (1) faculty members sponsored by a director such sponsorship is limited to two associate members per approved program; (2) directors of approved canadian residency programs in cardiac or general thoracic surgery; and (3) director of programs who approved status is withdrawn by the rrc. Associate members may attend meetings, receive publications of the tsda, and serve on temporary or standing committees. Associate program directors whose programs have lost accreditation are not eligible to hold office, serve on the executive committee, or vote on the deliberations of tsda. Associate memberships will be reviewed by the executive committee every three years to determine whether they should be renewed. If a member of tsda ceases to be a program director after 10 or more years of service, he/she may petition the executive committee for continued membership as a non-voting and non-dues paying member. Members emeritus are eligible for service on temporary or standing committees or in any other capacity and remain members emeritus at the discretion of the executive committee. Honorary membership is reserved for persons of extraordinary service to thoracic surgery education. Upon unanimous recommendation of the executive committee, honorary members shall be elected by at least a 75% vote of the director membership.”

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

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

“The organization retained the services of an independent cpa firm to prepare its form 990. Management reviewed the completed form 990 and provided a full copy to all voting members of the organization's executive committee (ie, the governing body). The voting members of the governing body were given a reasonable amount of time to review the return and ask any questions directly to management.”

“Officers, key employees, and others are annually required to complete a conflict of interest disclosure statement as a requirement of service. The statement on tsda disclosure policy and guidelines regarding conflicts of interests is read at the beginning of every executive committee, 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 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 determination as to the appropriate action.”

“AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST”

“Website usage: program service expenses 23,065. Management and general expenses 8,822. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 31,887. Other professional fees: program service expenses 10,480. Management and general expenses 37,602. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 48,082.”

“The process of assuming oversight responsibility for the selection of independent accountants has not changed from the prior year.”