President's Message

The Florida Society of General Surgeons (FSGS) thanks you for your continued support. We have been able to voice your concerns both at state and national forums. The support of FSGS has empowered its leadership to be become increasingly involved in influencing the future of the patient-physician relationship.

Florida Society of General Surgeons - working for a better america

Bylaws

As amended January, 2000
CHAPTER I
Rules of Order
Section 1.	The rules contained in Sturgis' Rules of Order or Robert's Rules of Order, as selected by the President, shall govern this Society in all cases which they applicable.
Section 2.	The President shall appoint a member to serve as Parliamentarian at meetings of the Society at his discretion.


CHAPTER II
Membership and Election to Membership
Section 1.	The Society shall judge the ethical and scientific qualifications of it's members.
Section 2.	A candidate for Active, Junior, Out of State, Emeritus or Inactive membership shall make application in writing to the Secretary and remit the appropriate fee and dues. The completed application in good order, shall be forwarded to the Credentials Committee which may act either favorably or unfavorable on the application. If the recommendation is favorable, the Secretary will present the name of the applicant at he next meeting of either the membership or the Board of Directors. Either the membership or the Board of Directors may approve the applicant by two-thirds (2/3) votes. Action on the application may be deferred by either the membership or the Board of Directors by a three fourths (3/4) vote of the voting members. Action on deferred application must be taken within one (1) year.
Section 3.	If the Credentials Committee is unfavorable toward any applicant, the Secretary may establish procedures, as he deems appropriate for any clarification or consideration with the final rejection or approval of the candidate resting with the membership.


CHAPTER III
Resignation and Disciplinary Action
Section 1.	Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary who shall present the same to the membership of the Board of Directors at its next meeting. The resignation shall not become effective until acted upon. No request for resignation shall be accepted by the Secretary, from a member delinquent in dues.
Section 2.	Members in arrears for payment of dues shall be subject to the provision of CHAPTER VI, Section 2 of these By-laws.
Section 3.	Any member dropped for nonpayment of dues or assessments may be reinstated at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.	An Active member in good standing may apply for Inactive status as noted in ARTICLE III, Section 6 of the Constitution of this Society.
Section 5.	Charges or complaints of unethical or unprofessional conduct toward any member shall be in writing, duly signed by the complainant, and filed with the Board of Directors. Such complaint shall specifically state the nature of the charges and be accompanied by substantiating data or evidence. The Board of Directors shall notify, in writing, the member so charged of the nature of the complaint or charge at least thirty (30) days prior to any scheduled hearing. The accused member shall have the right to attend such a hearing and present pertinent date on his behalf. The Board of Directors may by a four fifths (4/5) vote of its voting membership, censure or suspend a member. The general membership by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of a quorum at a regular membership meeting of the Society, may expel a member. Any member subjected to such disciplinary action shall have the right to appeal to the general membership at a regular or at a called meeting of the Society in executive session on formal request in writing to the Board of Directors.


CHAPTER IV
Officers, Duties of Officers and Committees
Section 1.	The President-Elect, the Secretary/Treasurer and the Directors shall be presented, by a Nominating Committee to the membership at the appropriate times for election. In addition to the selections of the Nominating Committee, nominations shall be welcome from the floor. Election to office requires a simple majority of members present.
Section 2.	The President shall discharge all duties which custom and parliamentary procedure demand. He shall preside impartially at all regular and called meetings of the Membership, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He shall appoint official delegates to other professional organizations. He shall appoint all Standing and Special Committees and he shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He shall uphold this Constitution and By-laws and strive earnestly to further objectives detailed in ARTICLE II of the Constitution of this Society.
Section 3.	The President-Elect, in case of absence disability or death of the President, shall assume and perform all duties of the President for the President's term.
Section 4.	The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep permanent records of the transactions of the Society and shall give notices as required by the Constitution and By-laws of the Society. He shall serve as Chairman of the Credentials Committee. He shall keep correct and permanent copies of the financial records of the Society.
Section 5.	The Board of Directors as outlined in ARTICLE VI of the Constitution of this Society shall act on all matters of policy that arise between meetings of the membership. It shall convene on reasonable notice at the call of the President. The Board shall review applicants for membership referred to it by the Chairman of the Credentials Committee, as detailed in Chapter II of these By-laws, may vote of applicants or submit its recommendations for consideration at a meeting of the membership. The Board of Directors shall receive and consider all complaints concerning the conduct of members and shall present a report with its recommendations at a meeting of the membership. The Board of Directors shall offer its services as an Arbitration Committee in case of dispute or misunderstanding of concern to General Surgeons or other parties. In addition, the Board of Directors shall perform other duties delegated to it in the Constitution and By-laws; it shall especially strive earnestly to further the objectives detailed in ARTICLE II of the Constitution of the Society; and it shall keep the membership informed of its activities from time to time through distribution of minutes of meeting, memoranda reports or other written communications. The Board of Directors is empowered to hire professional staff.
Section 6.	The Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President and each shall consist of not fewer than three (3) active members. These Standing Committees are: Continuing Education Credentials Nominating Hospital Liaison Executive
Section 7.	The general duties of the Standing Committees are as follows: Continuing Education: To explore and develop opportunities for the membership to participate in and to profit from, workshops, seminars, and other continuing educational programs. Credentials: To encourage newly located General Surgeons in Florida to join the Society; to receive from the Secretary such applications; to investigate those applications thoroughly and take action as detailed in Chapter II of these By-laws. The Secretary shall serve as Chairman of this Committee. Nominating: To prepare a list of at least one (1) candidate for each elective office and to do so after ample consideration of the prospective officer's record of attendance, interest, contribution to the Society and especially the ability and desire for service to colleagues. At least one member of the Committee should be a current member of the Board of Directors.
Section 8.	Special Committees may be appointed at the discretion of the President of the Society.


CHAPTER V
Meetings, Quorum, Attendance
Section 1.	If feasible, the Society shall hold at least two (2) membership meetings annually. The dates and sites are to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.	Special (called) meetings of the Society may be convened by the President either at his discretion or on written petition of ten (10) members. The Secretary shall mail written notices of such meetings to each member at least seven (7) days prior to such meeting. The convening call for special meetings shall specifically state the items of business to be transacted and only the said business shall be considered or acted upon at the said called meeting.
Section 3.	At all scheduled meetings of the Society, the members present shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of regular and routine business. At special meetings, or in the event of the proposal of unusual activities by the Society, a quorum will be ten (10) percent of the voting membership of the Society.
Section 4.	No member shall be entitled to vote or be represented by written or personal proxy.
Section 5.	Guests of the Society may be invited to attend meetings. Guests may be given privileges of voice on request of the Society or by invitation of the President only.


CHAPTER VI
Finances
Section 1.	The annual dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.	Dues shall be due and payable on the first day of January of each year. If unpaid by the first day of July, the member shall automatically be suspended for the ensuing six (6) months unless dues are paid in the interim. If unpaid at the end of one year from due date, the member shall be dropped from the membership.
Section 3.	An application fee, as determined by the Board of Directors, is charged to new candidates for membership.
Section 4.	Honorary Members, Emeritus Members and Inactive members shall be exempt from paying dues.
Section 5.	No expense shall be incurred by the Society except with approval of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors. Prior approval by the Executive Committee or Board of Directors is required for any dispersement for expenditures in excess of an approved proposed budget.
Section 6.	No assessment shall be binding on the members unless approved by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present and voting at any regular or called meeting. Once voted, such assessments shall have the full force and effect of regular dues.


CHAPTER VII
Amendments
Section 1.	These By-laws may be amended by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of members present and voting at any regular meeting and without prior presentation of the proposed amendment.
Section 2.	No action shall be maintained to abrogate or suspend any provision of these By-laws except as specified in the preceding Section 1.

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