BYLAWS

ARTICLE I QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Section 1a Candidates for Active Membership who are surgeons engaged in an active practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease.

Section 1b Candidates for Active Membership who are physicians of a specialty other than vascular surgery engaged in an active practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease.

Candidates for Active Membership under Section 1a or 1b:

1. Shall be engaged in a practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease or shall have demonstrated a major commitment to developing and furthering the art and science of vascular disease or shall demonstrate membership in a national society dedicated to the treatment of vascular disease.
2. Must be bored eligible for their appropriate specialty board.
3. Shall be recommended by one Active member of the Society.
4. Shall be from the geographic area of the Eastern United States and Canada. Fifteen percent (15%) of the total membership may be outside the geographic area.
5. Candidates entering membership via Section 1b shall constitute no more than 15% of the active membership of the society.
6. Shall have a MD or DO degree.

Section 2 Candidates for Associate Membership

1. Shall be individuals who have demonstrated interest, commitment and skill in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with vascular disease or in research in the study of vascular diseases. Individuals include non-physicians such as perfusionists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, practice administrators, data managers and other health care professionals who support and work directly with vascular surgeons or vascular patients.
2. Shall be recommended by one active member of the society.
3. Shall have a Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., C.R.N.P., P.A. or an equivalent post-baccalaureate degree, or an equivalent degree in allied health care.

Section 3 Candidates for Candidate Membership

1. Shall be from the geographic area of the Eastern United States and Canada.
2. Shall be engaged in an ACGME or AOA accredited vascular training program and will successfully complete the program or be a general surgery resident or medical student who has expressed an interest in vascular surgery.
3. Shall be recommended by the program director of their training program. Medical students need a letter of good standing from the Dean’s or Registrar’s office.
4. Shall have adhered to the ethical and moral standards of surgical practice.
5. May request Active membership after completing a Vascular Training program in an ACGME accredited program and by complying with all the requirements listed in Article I - Section 1 of these Bylaws.
6. Candidate membership is limited to 3 years after completion of vascular training.

Section 4 Candidates for Senior Membership

1. Shall be active members of the Society.
2. Active members shall accede to Senior membership at age 65 or upon retirement from active practice with written notification to the Secretary.
3. Senior members have the privilege of voting, holding office and membership on all committees and are not required to pay dues or conform to meeting requirements.

Section 5 Candidates for Honorary Membership

1. Shall be physicians of special eminence who have made outstanding contributions in the field of vascular diseases.
2. Shall be recommended by one Active or Senior member and supported by two additional Active or Senior members.

ARTICLE II ELECTORAL PROCESS & RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

Section 1 All members are required to adhere to ethical and moral standards of surgical and medical practice and of scientific research.

Section 2 All members are required to abide by the regulations of the Society as specified in the Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 3 Active Membership

1. Applications for membership may be obtained from the Eastern Vascular Society website. Applications can be submitted anytime during the year and will be reviewed in an ongoing fashion as applications are submitted.
2. Applications will include:
   • Curriculum vitae.
   • Any other information requested by the Membership Committee.
3. Completed applications will be sent to the Secretary of the Society, c/o the Executive Offices. The Secretary will forward all completed applications to the Chair and members of the Membership Committee.
4. Applications must be recommended in writing by one Active member of the Society. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure correct email address is on the application for their sponsor since this recommendation can be done electronically. The Society office will send out an electronic request to the applicant’s sponsor to either approve or decline this sponsorship. Sponsorship responses will be sent to the Secretary who will forward them to the Chair and members of the Membership Committee. If sponsor do not respond to the email, it will be the applicant’s responsibility to get a written sponsorship response.
5. A list of applicants with completed applications will be circulated by the Secretary to the Society membership.
6. Applicants must be approved for membership by the Membership Committee. Any comments concerning an applicant should be registered immediately in writing to the Chair of the Membership Committee and any dissent will be reviewed further by the Membership Committee.
7. A candidate who fails approval by the Membership Committee in one calendar year may resubmit their application in each of the two succeeding calendar years. Each successive application will require a new recommendation by one Active member. If a candidate fails a third time, their name shall be dropped from the list of applications for membership. Such a candidate’s application may be resubmitted after an interval of two additional years.

Section 2 Associate Membership

1. Applications for Associate Membership may be obtained from the Eastern Vascular Society website. Applications can be submitted anytime during the year and will be reviewed in an ongoing fashion as applications are submitted.
2. Applications will include:
   • Curriculum vitae.
   • Any other information requested by the Membership Committee.
3. Completed applications will be sent to the Secretary of the Society. The Secretary will forward all completed applications to the Chair and members of the Membership Committee.
4. Applications must be recommended in writing by one Active member of the Society. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to be sure correct email address is on the application for their sponsor since this recommendation can be done electronically. Sponsorship response will be sent to the Secretary. If sponsor do not respond to the email, it will be the applicant’s responsibility to get a written sponsorship response.
5. A list of applicants with completed files will be circulated by the Secretary to the Society membership. Any comments concerning an applicant should be immediately registered in writing to the Chair of the Membership Committee and any dissent will be reviewed further by the Membership Committee.
6. Applicants must be approved for membership by the Membership Committee.
7. A candidate who fails approval by the Membership Committee in one calendar year may resubmit their application in each of the two succeeding calendar years. Each successive application will require new recommendation by one Active member. If a candidate fails a third time, their name shall be dropped from the list of applications for membership. Such a candidate’s application may be resubmitted after an interval of two additional years.

Section 3 Candidate Membership

1. Applications for membership may be obtained from the Eastern Vascular Society website.
2. Applications will include:
   • Curriculum vitae.
   • Shall be recommended by the Program Director of their training program. Medical students need a letter of good standing from their Dean’s office or Registrar's office.
3. Completed applications will be sent to the Secretary of the Society, c/o The Executive Offices.
   • Membership shall be conferred by unanimous vote of the Membership Committee. 

Section 4 Senior Membership

1. Active members will notify the Secretary when they reach age 65 or upon retirement from active practice and wish to be moved to the senior membership category.
2. Senior membership shall be automatically accorded upon such notification of the Secretary and payment of any back dues.

Section 5 Honorary Membership

1. Shall be recommended in writing by an Active or Senior member.
2. Shall be supported by letters from two additional Active or Senior members.
3. Shall be approved by the Membership Committee.
4. Shall be conferred by unanimous vote of the Executive Council.
5. Honorary members shall not have the privilege of voting, holding office or being a member of standing committees but may be on ad-hoc committees.
6. Honorary members are not required to pay dues or conform to meeting requirements but may change to active membership with the approval of the Membership committee and Executive council.

ARTICLE III TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 Unethical or professionally incompetent behavior or failure to abide by the standards of this Constitution and its Bylaws are grounds for termination of membership.

Section 2 Termination of membership may be requested for an individual by an Active or Senior member. This request must be supported in writing by two additional Active or Senior members and be presented to the Executive Council.

Section 3 The Secretary shall notify by an email any person whose membership is considered for termination.

Section 4 Any member whose membership is under consideration by the Executive Council for termination of membership has the right to hear the charges and evidence and to reply to the Executive Council.

Section 5 Membership may be terminated only by unanimous decision of the Executive Council.

Section 6 Those who have their membership terminated for disciplinary action must return their certificate of membership in the Society.

Section 7 Members may resign from the Society by letter sent to the Secretary and forwarded to the Executive Council.

Section 8 Members will be terminated for non-payment of dues following three years of non-payment.

ARTICLE IV DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1 The President

1. Shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society.
2. Shall preside at the meetings of the Society.
3. Is Chair of the Executive Council.
4. Is an Ex-Officio Member of all Standing and Ad Hoc Committees.
5. Appoints all Standing and Ad Hoc Committees except the Executive Council and Nominating Committee, members of which are designated by the Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 2 The President-Elect

1. Shall automatically succeed to the Presidency for the year following their election as President-Elect.
2. Acts in the capacity of the President both at the Annual Meeting and at the meetings of the Executive Council when the President is absent or incapacitated.
3. In the case of death or total incapacity of the President, he/she shall automatically accede to the Presidency for the balance of the term.

Section 3 The Secretary

1. Shall keep minutes of meetings of the Society and of the Executive Council.
2. Shall organize an agenda for the Annual Business Meeting. This agenda shall be submitted to the President and the Executive Council.
3. Shall keep lists of attendance of members at the Annual Meeting.
4. Shall submit the following reports to the Executive Council prior to the Annual Meeting and to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
   • Minutes of preceding Annual Meeting and all interval Executive Council meetings.
   • A summary of other business conducted by the Office during the year not included in the two previous reports.
5. If the Secretary is absent from the Annual Meeting or Executive Council meeting, the Recorder shall act in their stead for that meeting. If both are absent, the presiding Officer shall appoint a member of the Executive Council to act as Secretary for that meeting.

Section 4 The Treasurer

1. Shall receive all dues and other monies belonging to the Society and pay all bills of the Society.
2. Is fiduciary of the funds and assets of the Society.
3. Shall keep a list of members who have paid their dues.
4. Shall inform members in writing via email when they are in arrears for annual dues. At least one such letter of warning should be send, prior to any action being taken by the Society.
5. Shall submit to the Executive Council prior to the Annual Meeting and to the membership at the Annual Meeting a financial statement reporting on the financial activities of the Society during the year. This report will be audited by the Audit Committee.
6. If the Treasurer is absent from the Annual Meeting or Executive Council meeting, the Recorder shall act in their stead for that meeting. If both are absent, the presiding Officer shall appoint a member of the Executive Council to act as Treasurer for that meeting.

Section 5 The Recorder

1. Shall represent the Society in dealing with journal editorial boards.
2. Shall take steps necessary to monitor and assist the publication of presentations made at the annual meeting of the Society.
3. Shall be an Ex-Officio member of the Program Committee.
4. Acts in the place of the Secretary or Treasurer when the latter are absent from the Annual Meeting or Executive Council meeting.

Section 6 The Three Counselors-at-Large

1. shall be elected in successive years with terms of three years each so that each year one Counselor is replaced.
2. shall not hold another office in the Society nor shall be among the three immediate Past Presidents.
3. may be a member or Chair of a Standing or Ad Hoc Committee of the Society.

Section 7 The Archivists

1. An Archivist should attend meetings of the Executive Council and all meetings and sessions of the Society in an official capacity but will not have voting privilege beyond that of their membership in the Society.
2. Is responsible for maintaining historical records of the Society exclusive of the minutes and financial record which are maintained by the Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
3. A narrative summary will be prepared annually for the Executive Council.
4. Will catalog photographic records of events, elections, Presidential Addresses, banquets, luncheons, awards, and awardees as appropriate.
5. Two members may be appointed as co-archivists to this position given the amount of work required.

ARTICLE V NOMINATION & ELECTION PROCEDURE FOR OFFICERS

Section 1 In preparing the candidate(s) for each available position, the Nominating Committee shall consider its own nominations in addition to nominations from the Society membership at large. There will be a call for nominations at large no fewer than 60 days prior to the 1st day of the Annual Meeting.

Section 2 No fewer than 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee will present two candidates for each open office position to the membership, along with those candidate’s personal statements and qualifications.

Section 3 Election to office will require a simple majority vote of Active and Senior members present and voting.

Section 4 The President-Elect automatically succeeds to the Presidency at the completion of their term as President-Elect and no vote on this succession is required.

Section 5 In the event of death or permanent incapacitation of the President-Elect the foregoing procedure will be used to elect the President at the next Annual Meeting.

Section 6 In the event of death or permanent incapacitation of Officers other than the President and President-Elect, the President shall appoint an Active or Senior member to serve for the balance of that term.

ARTICLE VI THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1 Is the governing body of the Society and shall consist of the Officers of the Society, the three immediate Past-Presidents and the Chairs of the appointed Standing Committees

Section 2 Is responsible for the financial affairs of the Society as conducted by the Treasurer.

1. It will supervise the financial activity of the Treasurer by receiving an annual report from that officer and by any other additional mechanism which it deems appropriate.

Section 3 Shall authorize the purchase of any properties, stocks, bonds, or securities.

Section 4 Shall authorize sufficient funds for the administration and conduct of the Offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Recorder and Archivist.

Section 5 Shall authorize funds to reimburse any member for expenses incurred in the conduct of business of the Society authorized by the Executive Council.

Section 6 The Executive Council shall meet prior to the Annual Meeting of the Society.

1. Additional meetings will be held as often as necessary to perform its duties.
2. Additional meetings may be called by the President or by a petition from four members of the Executive Council.

Section 7 The President of the Society is Chair of the Executive Council.

1. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect, the immediate Past President shall preside.

Section 8 A quorum of a majority of members is necessary for the Executive Council to transact business.

Section 9 Unless otherwise specified in the Constitution or Bylaws, a decision of the Executive Council will require a simple majority.

ARTICLE VII APPOINTED STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1 Decisions by Standing Committees will be made by a simple majority of the total membership of the Committee.

1. In the case of a tie vote, the President of the Society as Ex-Officio member of all Committees will be asked to cast a deciding vote.
2. This vote need not be cast at the actual meeting of the Committee, but implementation of the Committee decision cannot take place until the President’s vote is cast.
3. The President or President-elect may appoint a Vice-Chair to a Committee to assist with duties of the assigned committee as necessary.  The committee Vice-Chair will not automatically become the committee Chair in subsequent years.
4. Each Committee, except for the Young Vascular Surgeons Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Audit Committee, will consist of six members with an additional candidate member on each committee.
5. Each committee member will have a one-year term. Members may serve a maximum of four years on any one committee assignment. The Chair of each committee will provide feedback on member participation each year to the President.
6. The President of the Society will appoint members to the Committees. A member of a committee who has not fulfilled their responsibilities as a member of the committee may be replaced at the discretion of the President.
7. The Chair of each committee will be appointed by the Presidents. If necessary, the President may appoint co-chairs to any of the standing committees.
8. Appointed Standing Committees will consist of:
   • Nominating Committee
   • Audit Committee
   • Membership Committee
   • Constitution and Bylaws Committee
   • Program Committee
   • Issues Committee
   • Young Vascular Surgeons Committee
   • Development Committee
   • Community Physicians and Outreach Committee
   • Media Development Committee
   • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
   • Simulation Committee
   • Patient Education & Branding Outreach Committee
   • Research Committee
   • Allied Health Committee
   • Advisory Council of Past Presidents
   • Local Arrangements Committee
   • Radiation Safety Committee

Section 2 The Nominating Committee

1. The Nominating Committee shall meet prior to the Annual Meeting and nominate two candidates for the offices of President-Elect; the expiring Secretary, Treasurer, or Recorder; and the expiring Counselor-at-Large.
2. In the event that a serving Secretary, Treasurer, Recorder or Councilor-at-Large cannot complete a full three-year term, the Nominating Committee shall also nominate a single candidate to serve the remainder of the incomplete term.

Section 3 The Audit Committee

1. Shall be appointed by the President to audit the financial statement of the Treasurer at the Annual Meeting.
2. Shall consist of two Active or Senior members not serving on the Executive Council.

Section 4 The Membership Committee

1. Will receive and evaluate all applications for membership from the Secretary.
2. Will approve candidates for membership.
3. Will act on all requests of Active members to advance to Senior member status.
4. Will recommend to the Executive Council candidates for Honorary membership.

Section 5 The Constitution and Bylaws Committee

1. Will review the Constitution and Bylaws and make recommendations when requested by the Executive Council.
2. Will review all proposed amendments to either the Constitution or Bylaws and make recommendations to the Executive Council.

Section 6 The Program Committee

1. Is responsible for all organizational aspects of the Annual Meeting.
2. Has both the President and Recorder as Ex-Officio members of the Committee.
3. Shall act under the supervision of the Executive Council.
4. Will inform the President and Secretary of their recommendations.

Section 7 The Issues Committee

1. Will address issues of timely interest to the membership and make any appropriate recommendations to the Executive Council.

Section 8 The Young Vascular Surgeons Committee

1. Will make recommendations to the Executive Council regarding programs to engage general surgery residents, vascular trainees, and recent graduates in the activities of the Society.
2. Is responsible for the organization of the Young Vascular Surgeons Section on the Annual Meeting.
3. Shall consist of eight members each appointed for one-year terms, renewable for up to four years. The Chair will be appointed by the President. At least one candidate member will also be a member.

Section 9 The Development Committee

1. Will assist in fundraising for the Annual Meeting and other Society activities.
2. The President and Treasurer will serve as ex-officio members.

Section 10 The Community Physicians and Outreach Committee

1. Will address the needs of community physicians and assist them in improving the quality of their patients’ health care.
2. Educate the public about vascular diseases.

Section 11 The Media Development Committee

1. Will determine modes of communication appropriate for the vascular patient community and Society, including e-newsletters, the mobile phone App for the annual meeting and social media.

Section 12 The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee

1. DEI committee will promote diversity and inclusion within the Society. The chair will also serve as an ex-officio member of the Membership Committee.
2. Diversity historically has been a source of creativity and innovation. The Society has adopted diversity to be an essential part of its pursuit to achieve excellence and will enrich the society to accomplish its academic mission. The Society pledges to provide care to all parts of the community equitably through its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Society is committed to recognize and nurture talent and achievement by supporting diversity and equal opportunity in the education, training, research as well as services, administration, and imaginative activity. The Society will continue to pursue recruitment, retention and advancement of its members who are underrepresented.

Section 13 Simulation Committee

1. Will address the needs of the Vascular surgeons with regard to simulation education.

Section 14 Patient Education & Branding Outreach Committee

1. Will address the needs for educational material for patients and help with outreach efforts of the Society.

Section 15 Research Committee

1. Will encourage the research efforts of the Vascular committee and the members of the Society.

Section 16 Allied Health Committee

1. Will encourage membership of Allied Health members to join the Society and increase educational opportunities for Allied Health members.

Section 17 Local Arrangements Committee

1. Will assist the Program Committee with any local arrangements required for the Annual meeting.

Section 18 Advisory Council of Past Presidents

1. This Council of Past Presidents will be appointed to help give advice to the current President and Executive Council on specific issues that are to be addressed.

Section 19 Ad-Hoc Committees

1. The President and Executive Council may appoint other Ad-Hoc committees from time to time as may be necessary for specific functions as defined by the Executive Council and President.

ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS

Section 1 Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Society shall consist of:

1. A scientific-professional meeting.
2. A business meeting for the Society.
3. The Annual Meeting may be held online or using other electronic methods when it is not possible to meet in person. An annual online or electronic meeting shall be empowered to conduct all the business of the Society.

Section 2 Papers presented at the scientific professional meeting must be authored or sponsored by a member.

1. The paper may be presented by a non-member if co-authored or sponsored by a member.
2. Abstracts and papers not authorized by members shall be submitted to the Program Committee accompanied by a letter of sponsorship from a member.

Section 3 The professional scientific portion of the meeting will be open to any physician or other health care professional interested in vascular disease upon registration with the Society. All members attending the Annual Meeting shall register. This meeting will be chaired by the President or his designee.

Section 4 Registration fees for non-members will be determined by the Executive Council.

Section 5 Name badges will be provided by the Society to all people attending.

Section 6 The business meeting will be open only to members of the Society.

Section 7 A professional photographer may be engaged by the Secretary to provide a photographic record of events at the Annual Meeting, providing photos to the President, Archivist and Secretary.

ARTICLE IX DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the Society, the Executive Council shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society exclusively for the purposes for which the Society has been organized in such a manner, or to such organization or organizations under the appropriate section of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Executive Council shall determine. Any of such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by court of general jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Society is then located, exclusively for the purposes for the Society in such manner, or to such organization or organizations which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes and are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue statute, as said court shall determine.

ARTICLE X RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENTS

Section 1 The procedure for ratification and amendment of the Bylaws shall be the same as those enumerated in Article XIII and XIV of the Constitution.

Revised May 2003

Amended 2005

Amended September 2008

Amended September 2012

Amended September 2014

Amended September 2016

Amended September 2017

Amended September 2018

Amended November 2020

Amended February 2021

Amended September 2023