ASPS/PSF Council of Representatives
ASPS/PSF Council of Representatives Organizational Chart
Click the image to enlarge the chart.
ASPS and PSF Boards of Directors
ASPS Board of Directors
The ASPS Board of Directors is the governing body of the Society. It is responsible for supervising, controlling and directing the business and affairs of the Society, as well as its committees and publications. It has the authority to set policy and adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable.
The ASPS Board of Directors is obligated to consider recommendations forwarded to it by the three Assemblies. Effective October 30, 2023, the voting members of the ASPS are:
- ASPS President
- PSF President
- ASPS President-Elect
- PSF President-Elect
- ASPS Immediate Past President
- PSF Immediate Past President
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Academic Affairs
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Development
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Education
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Finance and Treasurer
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Membership
- ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Research
- Chair of the Assembly of State and Regional Societies
- Chair of the Assembly of National and Specialty Societies
- Chair of the Assembly of Member Sections
PSF Board of Directors
The PSF Board of Directors is the governing body of the Foundation. It is responsible for supervising, controlling and directing the business and affairs of the Foundation, as well as its committees and publications. It has the authority to set policy and adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable. The PSF Board of Directors is comprised of the same members as the ASPS Board of Directors, except that up to three Public members serve on The PSF Board of Directors.
Council of Representatives
Effective January 1, 2024, the following changes to the Council of Representatives were enacted:
- Subcouncil or Subcouncils changed to Assembly or Assemblies
- Subspecialty Societies changed to National and Specialty Societies
- Controlling roster of membership defined as members who are entitled to vote at the stakeholder's meeting of members
- Active and International members are eligible to serve in a leadership role in the Member Sections group
The purpose of the Council is to actively engage the full range of membership and to provide a grassroots leadership structure to facilitate new ideas within membership and participating groups. It is felt that by combining forces, the state and regional societies, national and specialty societies and ASPS Special Interest Groups ("SIGs") will have a stronger, more unified voice within the plastic surgery specialty.
The Council is comprised of the voting members of the three Assemblies identified below. It does not have independent leadership, is not expected to meet and does not have independent authority to take action.
Assembly delegates represent the perspectives of their Society, SIG or Forum in the decision-making process during Assembly meetings and in advocating to improve the health of patients and the plastic surgery specialty.
Assembly of State and Regional Societies
The Assembly of State and Regional Societies has an advocacy focus. Delegates to this Assembly must be ASPS Active Members in good standing.
Assembly of National and Specialty Societies
The Assembly of National and Specialty Societies has an education focus. Delegates to this Assembly must be ASPS Active Members in good standing.
Assembly of Member Sections
The Assembly of Member Sections has a member and professionalism focus. Delegates to this Assembly must be members in good standing of the SIG or Forum they represent.
Determining the Number of Voting Delegates
State and Regional Societies and National and Specialty Societies may have up to three voting delegates based on the number of ASPS Active or Life Active Members. Each State and Regional Society and National and Specialty Society is entitled to at least one delegate; those with more than 250 ASPS Active and Life Active Members are entitled to one additional delegate for each additional 250 ASPS Active and Life Active Members up to a maximum of three delegates per society.
Similarly, each entity within the Assembly of Member Sections may have up to five voting delegates. Those members of the Assembly of Member Sections who are not ASPS Active Members must be members in good standing of the SIG or Forum they represent. Each SIG or Forum is entitled to at least one delegate; those with more than 50 members are entitled to one additional delegate for each additional 50 members up to a maximum of five delegates per SIG or Forum.
The table below provides a snapshot of how Assembly delegates are allotted.
|
State and Regional Societies / National and Specialty Societies |
SIGs and Forums |
|
1 delegate for each 250 Active / Life Active Members up to a maximum of 3 1-250 Active / Life Active Members = 1 delegate |
1 delegate for each 50 SIG or Forum members up to a maximum of 5 1-50 members = 1 delegate |
Criteria to Become a Delegate
Each delegate must be an ASPS Active Member, unless otherwise permitted by the Assembly, and may not be a member of the ASPS/PSF Board of Directors (except for the Assembly Chair), ASPS Trustees or the ASPS/PSF Conflict of Interest Committee. The participating group must have previously confirmed their delegate's willingness to serve.
The same individual may not represent more than one entity at a time within an assembly, nor may they serve on multiple assemblies at the same time.
Participating Groups
The table below describes the participating groups and the number of Official Delegates (or Designated Alternates) that are expected to represent their groups during the Assembly meetings. The number in parentheses behind the group name is the number of delegates the participating group is allotted.
|
Assembly |
# Participating Groups |
|
Assembly of Member Sections
|
6 |
|
Assembly of State and Regional Societies
|
18 |
|
Assembly of National and Specialty Societies
|
12 |
Council of Representatives and Assembly Leadership
Although there are no leaders of the full Council of Representatives, there might be occasions when the leaders of all three Assemblies would like to convene to discuss administrative matters or other topics of mutual concern. No action can be taken during these "Leadership Conventions."
Each Assembly will be led by a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary (the "Assembly Leadership" or "Assembly Leaders"). Leaders of the Assembly of State and Regional Societies and the Assembly of National and Specialty Societies must be Active Members. Leaders of the Assembly of Member Sections must be Active or International Members. Leaders shall each serve one-year terms that normally begin at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting and continue until the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting. Assembly Leaders elected during the inaugural term will begin their term of service upon notice of the outcome of the election and continue until the conclusion of the Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the 2024 Annual Meeting. Each Assembly Chair shall have a seat on the ASPS and PSF Boards of Directors, with voting rights.
To ensure continuity of governance, it is anticipated – but not required – that the Vice Chair will succeed to Chair, and the Secretary to Vice Chair. On election, the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary continue to represent their group on the Assembly, with all associated delegate rights and privileges. No two leadership positions within an Assembly can be held by delegates from the same participating group.
2023-24 Assembly Leaders
The table below identifies the results of the Assembly leadership election held in August-September 2023. Leaders will serve through the 2024 leadership term. Position descriptions for the Assembly Chair roles can be found at the links below:
- Chair of the Assembly of Member Sections
- Chair of the Assembly of State and Regional Societies
- Chair of the Assembly of National and Specialty Societies
|
Office |
Assembly of Member Sections |
Assembly of State and Regional Societies |
Assembly of National and Specialty Societies |
|
Chair |
Kavitha Ranganathan, MD, Young Plastic Surgeons |
Michelle Palazzo, MD, Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons |
Joseph Disa, MD, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery |
|
Vice Chair |
Kerry Latham, MD, Military Forum |
Abigail Chaffin, MD, Southeastern Society |
Albert Oh, MD, American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons |
|
Secretary |
Patricia Mars, MD, Women Plastic Surgeons Forum |
Gordon Lee, MD, California Society of Plastic Surgeons |
Vacant for 2023-2024 Term |
Electing Members to the ASPS/PSF Nominating Committee
Each Assembly shall annually elect two individuals to the ASPS/PSF Nominating Committee. These Assembly Representatives to the Nominating Committee must be Active Members and must meet the other eligibility requirements for service on the Nominating Committee described in the Nominating Committee Standard Operating Procedures. Such election shall take place during each Assembly's meeting, which takes place in conjunction with Plastic Surgery The Meeting ("PSTM") – provided a quorum is present and in accordance with the Council of Representatives Standard Operating Procedures.
Official Delegates were asked to nominate up to two Active members to represent their Assembly and each Assembly elected their two representatives to the Nominating Committee at their Assembly meeting on October 26, 2023. Those elected for the 2024 term are shown in the table below.
|
|
Assembly of Member Sections |
Assembly of State and Regional Societies |
Assembly of National and Specialty Societies |
|
Elected Representatives to the Nominating Committee |
Meredith Collins, MD |
Chris Campbell, MD |
Gabriel Kind, MD |
Assembly Meetings
Each Assembly shall meet up to four times a year with one in person meeting annually to take place in connection with the Annual Meeting where feasible and subject to the size and space limitations of the venue for such meetings. The three Assemblies held their inaugural Meetings on the morning of October 26, 2023. The next in person meeting is scheduled to take place in San Diego in September 2024.
Designated Alternates
If the Official Delegate is unable to attend the Assembly meeting during Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the participating group may send a Designated Alternate to substitute for their Official Delegate. The Designated Alternate must meet the requirements of delegates to that Assembly.
Designated Alternate Eligibility Requirements
Each designated alternate:
- For State and Regional and National and Specialty Societies: Must be an ASPS Active Member in good standing
- For Member Sections: Must be a member in good standing of the SIG or Forum they represent
- May not be a member of the ASPS/PSF Board of Directors (except for the Assembly Chair), ASPS Trustees or the ASPS/PSF Conflict of Interest Committee.
- May not represent any other Society, SIG or Forum in any of the Assemblies
- May not serve on any other Assembly
- Must have previously confirmed their willingness to serve
- For State and Regional and National and Specialty Societies: Must provide written documentation authorized by the Society's administrator or presiding officer
- For Member Sections: Must provide written documentation authorized by the staff liaison or committee chair of the SIG or Forum's steering committee
Designated Alternate Documentation Requirements and Check-In Procedures
ASPS has created the Designated Alternate Authorization Form for the convenience of participating groups interested in sending a Designated Alternate to stand in for the Official Delegate who is unable to attend PSTM in person. While it is preferred that arrangements for Designated Alternates be made in advance, ASPS will be able to accept the documentation at the Council of Representatives Registration Desk.
To avoid delays and assure an on-time start with quorum, Designated Alternates must be in line at the Council of Representatives Registration Desk at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the Assembly meeting. Further details can be found in the Council of Representatives Standard Operating Procedure. Questions can be directed to governance@plasticsurgery.org.
2024 Key Dates
|
Date |
Activity |
|
Ongoing |
Interested Parties Application. Further details can be found in the Process to Become a Recognized Participant Group in the Council of Representatives section of this webpage. |
|
January 24, 2024 |
ASPS/PSF Board of Directors meeting. The ASPS Board of Directors will be asked to approve proposed modifications to the Council of Representatives Standard Operating Procedures. |
|
March 1, 2024 |
Annual Certification Period begins. |
|
April 15, 2024 |
Deadline for approved groups to submit annual certification and supporting documentation. |
|
May 1, 2024 |
Solicitation of Official Delegate names begins. |
|
May 31, 2024 |
Deadline for receipt of Official Delegate names. |
|
June 6, 2024 |
Official Delegates shall be invited to apply for an Assembly Leadership position. |
|
June 20, 2024 |
Deadline for Official Delegates to apply for an Assembly Leadership position. |
|
July 8, 2024 |
Online election of Assembly Leadership by Assembly Delegates begins. |
|
July 22, 2024 |
Deadline for voting in the Assembly Leadership election. |
|
August 1, 2024 |
Assembly leadership election results shall be announced. |
|
August 12, 2024 |
Official Delegates will be asked to nominate members to the Nominating Committee. Nominees must meet the established Nominating Committee criteria and do not need to be Official Delegates to any assembly. |
|
August 22, 2024 |
Deadline for nominating members to the Nominating Committee. |
|
August 26, 2024 |
Notice of the place, day, time of the Assembly's meeting shall be distributed to the Official Delegates to each assembly. |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Notice of how to access the Assembly agenda published to Official Delegates. |
|
September 25, 2024 |
1) Deadline for Recognized Participating Groups to name Designated Alternates to substitute for their Official Delegate, with voting rights, at the Assembly meeting. |
|
September 29, 2024 |
2024 Leadership Term ends at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. |
|
September 30, 2024 |
2025 Leadership Term begins. |
Process to Become a Recognized Participant Group in the Council of Representatives
To be recognized by ASPS as a participant group to the Assembly of State and Regional Societies, a minimum of 90 percent of the organization's members must be ASPS Active or Life Active Members. To be recognized by ASPS as a participant group to the Assembly of National and Specialty Societies, a minimum of 90 percent of the organization's members must be ASPS Active or Life Active Members or otherwise be contractually affiliated with the Society. Each SIG or Forum approved by the ASPS Board of Directors shall be recognized as a participating group to the Assembly of Member Sections.
Each state or regional society, national and specialty society or contractually affiliated organization interested in becoming a Recognized Participating Group must complete an application to be accompanied by a roster of the organization's members as of the date of their application.
- State and Regional Societies / National and Specialty Societies Application
- Member Sections Application
Applicant organizations are required to submit their member roster in a specific Excel or comma-delimited format, which includes email addresses, along with their application so that the percentage of ASPS Active and Life Active Members on their roster can be verified. If the applicant does not have Active or Life Active membership categories, the members of the applicant society entitled to vote at its annual business meeting shall be the controlling roster for comparison purposes in calculating whether the 90% threshold has been met with respect to the applicant society. ASPS will use the email addresses only as a way to resolve name conflicts between the name used in the applicant organization's membership roster versus the ASPS roster. The specific fields and order for the member roster are listed on the application.
The application and roster of membership shall be vetted to ensure eligibility criteria has been met. The application of those entities that meet the eligibility criteria shall be forwarded to the ASPS Board of Directors for approval. Those entities approved by the ASPS Board shall be assigned to an Assembly.
Calculation of the 90% Active and Life Active Member Requirement
To calculate whether an applicant or certifying organization is comprised of at least 90% ASPS Active and Life Active Members, a roster of the applicant's Active and Life Active Members will be submitted to ASPS for comparison against the ASPS Active and Life Active Member roster. At least 90% of those appearing as Active or Life Active Members of the applicant must be ASPS Active or Life Active Members. In the event that the category descriptions of membership of the applicant or certifying society do not correspond exactly with those of ASPS (e.g., the applicant does not have Active or Life Active membership categories), the members of the applicant or certifying society entitled to vote at its annual business meeting shall be the controlling roster for comparison purposes in calculating whether the 90% threshold has been met with respect to the applicant or certifying society.
Annual Certification Process
Each year, between March 1 and April 15, approved entities must certify that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria as explained above. To do so, they must submit their membership roster using the Annual Certification Form.
The participating group is required to submit their member roster in a specific Excel or comma-delimited format, which includes email addresses, so that the percentage of ASPS Active and Life Active Members on their roster can be verified by ASPS staff. If the participating group does not have Active or Life Active membership categories, the members of the participating group entitled to vote at its annual business meeting shall be the controlling roster for comparison purposes in calculating whether the 90% threshold has been met. ASPS will use the email addresses only as a way to resolve name conflicts between the name used in the participating group's membership roster versus the ASPS roster. The specific fields and order for the member roster are listed on the application.
The certification and supporting documentation shall be vetted to ensure eligibility criteria has been met. The certifications of participating groups that no longer meet the eligibility criteria shall be forwarded to the ASPS Board of Directors to determine whether the group should be removed from the roster of recognized participating groups.
Governance Restructure History
In March 2020, the ASPS/PSF Governance Committee began exploring options to provide a wider range of opportunities for members and affiliated organizations to become more involved with the Society's decision-making process. This included considering revisions to the composition of the Boards of Directors of ASPS and The PSF.
ASPS past President Joseph E. Losee, MD, convened the ASPS Board/EC Composition Task Force ("Task Force") at the start of his presidential term in November 2020 to accelerate the work of the Governance Committee and to make recommendations on how restructuring the ASPS and PSF Boards of Directors could accommodate affiliated organizations (organizations that represent specific clinical or professional interests of members within the field of plastic surgery that are established by action of the ASPS Board of Directors).
As the Task Force explored possibilities, its focus expanded to state and regional societies, national and specialty societies and member groups within ASPS (special interest groups and forums). The Task Force's work continued through 2022 as it developed the framework for the Council of Representatives, providing more opportunities for interested parties to provide input to the Society's governing body. Concurrent with the development of the Council of Representatives, the Task Force also recommended changes to the composition of the ASPS and PSF Boards of Directors. The proposed governance restructure was laid out in the December 2021 issue of Plastic Surgery News. Town halls were conducted during the winter of 2021-22 to elicit feedback on the proposed changes, and the concept was further refined.
The ASPS/PSF Board of Directors approved the Task Force's recommendations at its March 2022 meeting, along with the timeline and steps needed to modify the Society and Foundation's bylaws to implement the revised governance structure. Society members in November 2022 were asked to vote on proposed bylaws amendments to revise the composition and reduce the size of the ASPS and PSF Boards of Directors and the introduction of the ASPS/PSF Council of Representatives (the "Council"). The proposed amendments were adopted on January 1, 2023.
The new Board composition went into effect with the 2024 leadership term, which began October 30, 2023. The first meeting of the three Assemblies to the Council of Representatives was held in conjunction with Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2023 in Austin, Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Council of Representatives or the three assemblies can be directed to governance@plasticsurgery.org or by calling Louise Pereyra at (847) 228-3350.
Links to PSN Articles and ABM Slide Deck
- April / May 2022 President's Message (Page 6)
- December 2021 Governance Story (Cover Story/Page 17)
- Governance Restructure Slides from ABM 2022