ECHSA’s RULES FOR MEMBERSHIP

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Voted for at the Business Meeting, Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

General Conditions

1. Any recognized cardiac surgeon who is actively involved with paediatric or adult congenital heart surgery is eligible to be considered for ECHSA membership.

2. It is the aim of the Association is to promote members from as many European countries as possible.  European is defined as Europe as a geographical entity.

3. Members from “non-European” centers must represent a minority and preferably no more than 20% of all the ECHSA members.

There are the following categories of Members at ECHSA:

Categories of Membership

• Full Members (may be referred to simply as “Members”)
• Junior Members
• Senior Members
• Honorary Members
• Sponsoring Members

Full Membership:

Requirements for Full Membership

• Completed training in congenital cardiac surgery according to the rules and customs of the country in which the applicant is practicing.
• A minimum of one year of practice in congenital heart surgery after completion of training.
• Significant clinical or scholarly contributions to the field of congenital heart surgery.
• To be known and to be recommended for membership by an ECHSA Full, Senior, or Honorary Member.

Prospective Full Members must fulfill eligibility requirements and apply for Full Membership in letter to the President, including a brief CV and a photograph. The application must be made at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting. The applicant must indicate an ECHSA Full, Senior, or Honorary Member supporting the application.
The application will be passed on to the Secretary and Membership Committee for detailed appreciation and credential confirmation.
The Board will vote on the candidacy. The candidacy will receive initial approval by the Board with simple majority.
The details of the application are circulated among the Members at least 30 days prior to the Business Meeting for possible comments. Final acceptance will need the vote of a majority of the Members present at the annual Business Meeting.

Full Member Responsibilities

• To be an active participant in the scientific work of the association (presentation of abstracts including worst and best cases, participation in multi-institutional studies, and in discussions during the Associations scientific meetings).
• To submit the data of operations from the Member’s institution to the ECHSA Congenital Database, at least as pertaining to the Member’s own operations.  Exception from this rule can be granted by the Board for special circumstances after application from the Member.
• To participate regularly in the Annual Meeting of the Association.

Termination of Full Membership:

Full Membership will end when:

• A Member has retired from active congenital cardiac surgical practice.
• A Member has failed to pay membership fee for two consecutive years.
• A Member has failed to attend two consecutive ECHSA annual meetings. Notice will be given before termination. Special situations may be considered by the Board. 
• A Member is systematically negligent in the above stated Member responsibilities, as judged by the Board.

Senior Membership

Retiring Full Members can apply to become Senior Member.
Request for Senior Membership is addressed to the President. Senior Membership is granted by the Board.
A Senior Member can participate in the meetings of the association, including business meetings, but have no right to vote. A Senior Member is exempt from paying the Annual Members fee.

Honorary Membership

The association can grant the title of Honorary Member to someone whose services to the Association or to the field of congenital heart surgery are deemed exceptional. Honorary Membership is granted by the Business Meeting after recommendation from the Board.
An Honorary Member can participate in the meetings of the association, including business meetings, but have no right to vote. An Honorary Member is exempt from paying the Annual Members fee.

Junior Membership

Any cardiac surgeon participating in a congenital cardiac surgery training program with aim of practicing congenital heart surgery is eligible for Junior membership.
The candidate for Junior Membership must apply in a letter to the President, including a brief CV and a photograph. The application must be made at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting. The applicant must indicate an ECHSA Full, Senior, or Honorary Member supporting the application. The applicant must also have the written support of the chief of his/her training program.
The approval process is as for Full Membership. The Junior Members pay a reduced membership fee, as decided by the Board.
It is the obligation of the Junior Member to be an active participant in the Association’s activities, especially research.

Supporting Membership

Supporting Membership is granted to Companies or Organizations showing interest in the Association and willing to support its goals, on a regular basis. Supporting Membership has four levels Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, depending on their level of sponsoring and involvement in the Association.  These levels are currently set as follows and can be modified by the Board.

Platinum - sponsorship of                   40 000 € (or more) yearly
Golden - Sponsorship of                        25 000 € (or more) yearly
Silver - Sponsorship of                           10 000 € (or more) yearly
Bronze – Sponsorship of                       less than 10 000 € yearly, at the
                                                                               discretion of the Board

Supporting Membership allows the Company the right to display commercial logos on the website, and may have other priviledges dependng on support levels, as determined by the Board.
Support Membership admission is to be decided exclusively by the Board.

Any other issues, regarding Membership, not specifically addressed on these Rules for Membership are to be decided by the Board.