Joining ASRS

The material below from the bylaws specifies who may join the society. If you believe you fulfill the criteria for one or more classes of membership and would like to join, please contact us or you can download a printable application with instructions below:

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Download Retina Fellows-in-Training

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

1. Section 1. Classification

There shall be 8 classifications of membership in this Society. All new members shall be recommended by two current members of the Society. Members shall be elected by the Credentials Committee with approval of the Board of Directors. The Credentials Committee shall attest to the completeness of the applications and to the fulfillment of membership requirements. Members shall pay dues and fees as established by the Board of Directors. The Board may waive any of the qualifications for membership. All rules and regulations, including the Board Standing Rules, are binding on the members.

1. Member
1. Qualifications.
An ophthalmologist who:
1. Has completed residency training and whose major professional activities are primarily devoted to instruction, research, or patient care in the field of retina and vitreous diseases.
2. Has completed a vitreoretinal fellowship of one year or more.
3. Is engaged in an active vitreoretinal practice.
4. Is recommended by two current members of the Society.
5. Is currently licensed to practice medicine and surgery in at least one of the United States or in Canada.
6. Is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology or the equivalent in Canada.
2. Rights
1. Shall have the right to vote and Hold Office.
2. Associate Member
1. Qualifications.
1. An ophthalmologist, physician, or holder of a graduate degree who has made a major contribution to the field of retina and vitreous diseases, but does not otherwise fulfill the requirements of Member as defined in Article III, Section 1a.
2. Rights.
1. Shall not have the right to vote and hold office.
3. International Member
1. Qualifications.
1. An ophthalmologist who has major professional activities primarily devoted to instruction, research, or patient care in retina and vitreous diseases outside of the United States and Canada.
2. Rights.
1. Shall have the right to vote and hold office.
4. Senior Member
1. Qualifications.
1. A member under Sections A, B, or C who has retired from full-time medical work and requests to be made a senior member.
2. Rights.
1. Shall not have the right to vote or hold office.
5. Young Physician Member
1. Qualifications.
1. A member under Sections A, B, or C who has completed vitreoretinal fellowship seven (7) or less years prior to the annual meeting date. Fellowship completion date will be defined by calendar year only.
2. Rights.
1. Shall have the right to vote and hold office. Young Physician Member Committee and Board members will be allowed to complete their terms of office independent of this seven (7) year rule.
6. Fellow-in-Training Member
1. Qualifications.
A physician who:
1. Has completed an approved residency in ophthalmology.
2. Is currently engaged in a one or two year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases.
3. Is recommended by their fellowship director, who must be an active member of ASRS.
2. Rights.
1. Shall not have the right to vote and hold office and is allowed to hold status as a Fellow-in-Training for a maximum of two years.
7. Honorary Member
1. Qualifications.
1. An individual of outstanding caliber that is not eligible for another category of membership and who is elected to Honorary Membership by the Board of Directors.
2. Rights.
1. Shall not have the right to vote and hold office.
8. Inactive Member
1. Qualifications.
1. Any member who is six months in arrears of payment of dues.
2. Rights.
1. Shall not have the right to vote and hold office or any other membership right.
2. Section 3. Loss of Membership
1. A member may be dropped from membership by the Board of Directors for:
1. Failure to adhere to the obligations and objectives of the Society set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
2. Noncompliance with the Anticompetitive Policy guidelines as presented in the Board Standing Rules.
3. Noncompliance with the Continuing Medical Education Guidelines defined by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
4. Failure to remit dues for more than two (2) fiscal years.
5. Failure to pay the initiation fee or any other fees established by the board.
6. Failure to maintain good standing in the medical profession.
7. Failure to maintain eligibility for membership.
2. A member shall be suspended or terminated whenever the Board, or committee or person authorized by the Board, in good faith determines that any of the previous conditions have occurred.
3. Section 4. Resignation
1. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary. Such resignation shall not relieve the member of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other charges theretofore accrued and unpaid.
4. Section 4. Reinstatement
1. A former member may be reinstated after filing a signed written request with the Secretary and then obtaining a subsequent affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board.