Mission: The Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society consists of cardiothoracic surgeons dedicated to advancing the highest standards of excellence in patient care, through the education of health professionals and the public, and by supporting research and thoracic surgical training programs. It advocates at the national levels on behalf of thoracic surgeons and their patients.

Vision: The Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society is an authoritative source of information, for cardiothoracic surgeons and others, on surgical treatment of thoracic disease. It promotes excellence in patient care by providing a forum for professional education and exchange of ideas, and serves as a reliable source of guidance for the public. It facilitates basic and clinical research and supports excellence in training for the future cardiothoracic surgeons. It is a cohesive voice in societal and governmental issues related to the practice of cardiothoracic surgery in the nation, by actively engaging in dialogue with national political leaders.

Article I

These bylaws shall merely interpret the Constitution and specifically apply its principles.

Article II

Section 1.
The program committee shall set the format of the annual program.

Section 2.
Members are urged to cooperate with all committees of the society

Section 3.
Attendance at the annual meeting is highly encouraged

Article III

Section 1.
Applicants for active membership in this society must have completed a formal cardiothoracic surgical training program recognized by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or the equivalent. The names of the applicants must be reviewed at the business meeting of the annual meeting.

Section 2.
Active Members may become senior members upon specific request after retiring from clinical practice or incapacitated by illness. Senior members are exempt from paying annual dues but full payment for the annual meeting will be expected.

Section 3.
Candidate members area defined as residents or medical students on a pathway toward a career in thoracic surgery. They are exempt from annual dues and voting. They can progress to active membership

Section 4.
Allied health members are defined as advanced practicing providers and perfusionists. They will pay annual dues and can vote.

Section 5.
Active military members are exempt from annual dies and meeting registration fees.

Article IV

Section 1.
The President of the Society shall perform all duties customarily pertaining to the office of the president and shall preside at meetings of the Society and Executive Council. The President shall be elected from the Executive Council.

Section 2.
The Vice President of the Society shall perform all duties customarily pertaining to the office of the vice president. The Vice President shall be elected from the Active Members of the Society. The vice president will become president elect at the spring meeting provided that they have fulfilled their duties as deemed by the Executive Council.

Section 3.
The Secretary of the Society shall perform all duties customarily pertaining to the office of the Secretary. The Secretary shall be elected from the Active Members of the Society.

Section 4.
The Treasurer of the Society shall perform all duties customarily pertaining to the office of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be elected from the Active Members of the Society.

Section 5.
There will be five Councilors at large. One will be the immediate past president who will serve for one year. The remainder shall be elected from the Active Members of the Society and will serve for two years.

Section 6.
In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of the President, Vice President shall be advanced to the Presidency. In the event of a vacancy in the executive council, the President shall appoint a member in good standing into that office and present it to the executive council for a vote.

Article V

At the annual meeting two meetings will be held.

Section 1.

1. Executive Session
2. The president will be responsible for setting the agenda prior to the meeting.
3. An executive session will be held consisting of board members, management company representatives and others invited by the president.
4. Attendance at the executive session is expected of all board members in attendance and management company representatives.

Section 2.

1. Business meeting
2. The meeting will be open for all ECTSS members, management company representatives and others invited by the president.
3. The meeting will be held at a time at a time and place convenient for the membership to encourage attendance.
4. The president will be responsible for setting the agenda prior to the meeting and should include but not be limited to the following:
   1. Report of the Treasurer for the last fiscal year
   2. Action on amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws
   3. Action on recommendations emanating from the Executive Council
   4. Unfinished business
   5. New Business
   6. Report of the Membership Committee
   7. Election of new members
   8. Report of the Nominating Committee
   9. Election of officers.

Article VI

Section 1.

1. The addition of new or the amendment of existing Bylaws of the ECTSS will require a vote of two-thirds vote of the members present at the annual Business meeting of the Society.
2. The proposed new Bylaw or amendment to an existing Bylaw shall have been moved and seconded by not less than seven of the members in attendance at the annual Business meeting of the Society.

Article VII

Section 1.
At the conclusion of the spring meeting, the president will appoint the nominating committee. This will consist of the president-elect, a cardiac and thoracic surgeon from the executive council, and a cardiac and a thoracic surgeon from the membership at large.

Section 2.
Ad-Hoc Committees may be assembled by the president to address issues that benefit the organization.

Article VIII

Section 1.

1. The fiscal year of the ECTSS will be based on the calendar year. All financial considerations will therefore be maintained and audited on this basis.

Section 2.

1. The membership shall contribute to the financial maintenance of the Association through the medium of annual dues and special assessments. The amount of annual dues and special assessments shall be determined by the Finance Committee and approved by vote of two-thirds vote of the Executive committee.

Section 3.

1. To meet the current expenses of the Association, there shall be available all revenue derived from annual dues, special assessments, and any other income to the Association.

Section 4.

1. The Finance Committee will be chaired by the Treasurer and composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Councilor at large, and an Ex-officio member
2. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for setting a budget for the coming year and will specifically approve a budget for the annual meeting within the constraints of the annual budget.
3. All expenditures over 1,000.00 and any costs which are outside of the accepted budget set forth by the Finance Committee need to be approved by a majority of the members of the Executive Committee.
4. The investment portfolio will be reviewed by the finance committee at least twice per year.

Section 5.

1. The Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society, founded and also known as The Pennsylvania Association for Thoracic Surgery is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).

Section 6.

1. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall insure the benefit of or be distributed to its members, trustees, directors, officers, or other private persons.
2. The Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of Section 501(c)(3) purposes.
3. No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.
4. The Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

Section 7.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).

Section 8.

1. Upon the dissolution of this Association assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).
2. The use of said assets will be discussed at the annual business meeting and approved by a 2/3 vote of the membership or shall be distributed to the Federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

Article IX

Section 1.

1. The individual slated to serve as president during the year of the annual meeting will determine the time, place, duration, and procedure of the annual meeting.
2. This will require approval of the Executive council of the Association.