Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the “Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society” (hereinafter the “Society”). Formerly Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Established in 1976
Article II – Mission and Objectives
The Mission of the Society shall be To improve the quality and safety of vascular & endovascular surgical procedures and general vascular care through education, scholarship, advocacy and leadership.
The Objectives of the Society shall be:
- To provide a diverse and inclusive forum for the early career vascular surgeon.
- To promote basic and clinical research exploring vascular surgery.
- To educate vascular surgeons on effective procedures, therapies and approaches to care.
The Society shall carry on activities:
- As a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (C) (3), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), or;
- As a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170; Furthermore, no part of the net income of the Society or its property or assets shall at any time inure to the benefit of any individual member, or of any private individual, or be used to promote the candidacy of any person seeking political office.
Article III – Membership
There shall be six types of membership:
- Active
- Inactive
- Honorary
- Candidate
- Associate
- Medical Student
- Active Membership of this Society shall be limited to physicians of good professional standing who have completed an ACGME-approved vascular surgical residency or fellowship, or equivalent foreign advanced training, who have a sustained major interest and active practice in vascular and endovascular surgery and who are certified or eligible for certification by the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery or its equivalent. Active Members shall be required to pay annual dues. Active members have voting privileges, can serve on committees, sponsor new member applications as well as submit and sponsor papers for presentation at the annual meeting. Active Members who have been in practice for greater than 15 years may complete their term of elected office but are ineligible for any new position. This same group of Active Members can sponsor but do not present papers at Society meetings nor should they apply for or receive any grant funding.
- Inactive Membership shall be granted to Members upon receipt of written request. Inactive members will no longer receive a subscription to the Journal. Inactive Members are not required to pay annual dues nor are they allowed to sponsor new member applications or papers submitted to the annual meeting. Inactive Members may reactivate their membership by requesting in writing and paying all back dues or three times the current year’s dues.
- Honorary Membership shall be granted to individuals at the discretion of the Executive Council. Honorary Members pay no dues and are not eligible for election as Society officers.
- Candidate Membership shall be granted to participants who are in good professional standing in an ACGME accredited general surgery, vascular surgery residency, or other vascular residency recognized by the Society. Candidate Members must provide a letter from their program director. Candidate Members may serve on Committees but shall have no voting rights. Candidate Members can present papers at the annual meeting if sponsored by an Active Member. Candidate Members may be promoted to Active Membership upon completion of their vascular surgery residency (or equivalent) and upon receipt by the society office of a copy of the vascular surgery training certificate (or equivalent) and endorsement of a VESS member. At this time, the newly promoted Active Member will be bound by the requirements of active membership in the society.
- Associate Membership shall be limited to non-vascular trained physicians and surgeons with either an MD or DO degree, scientists active in vascular medicine or surgical research, physician extenders in vascular specialties (RNs, PAs, NPs) and vascular technologists. These members shall pay half dues, have no voting rights, cannot be elected as officers of the society, but may submit abstracts and papers to the meetings.
- Medical Student Membership shall be open to those enrolled in an accredited alopatic or osteopathic medical school.
Article IV – Election of Members
The process of election of active members to the Society shall be as follows:
- Membership enrollment in the Society shall be completed via electronic application through the website.
- Completed applications shall be submitted 3 months prior to any scheduled business meeting, at which time the candidate shall be considered for election. A recommendation from an active society member is required to complete the application.
- The names of the applicants recommended for membership by the Executive Committee shall be submitted to the members at the business meeting.
- Election to membership shall be by secret ballot, by a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of the membership present.
- An applicant who fails to be elected at one meeting may be reconsidered at the next two business meetings of the Society
Article V – Dues and Fees
- Dues and fees shall be levied by the Executive Committee and approved by the membership at the annual meeting.
- Any member whose dues remain unpaid for a period of three years shall be dropped from membership, provided that notification of such lapse is given at least three months prior to its effective date. The member may be reinstated on approval of the Executive Committee following payment of the dues in arrears.
