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NewsletterNew Leadership for SCA In the August 2000 SCA Newsletter, Richard Davis, MD, Chair of the Nominating Committee, has invited nominations for several leadership positions at SCA. In the past, few members have responded to the challenge when nominations for leadership positions were solicited. In addition, the SCA business meetings, where elections are held, are usually poorly attended. One of my goals is to change this because it is in the Society's long-term interest, to seek leaders from the broadest possible cross-section of the membership and to encourage all members to participate in the electoral process. I know that the membership of SCA consists of a large pool of highly talented and motivated cardiothoracic anesthesiologists. In response to some of my recent Newsletter messages I have received an abundant correspondence from our members indicating that many have a strong interest in the society's affairs. All were enthusiastic about the role that SCA plays in their professional lives and several volunteered their services for various committees and task forces. Yet, when nominations are solicited, few respond. In part, the lackluster response may be due to the nominating process as presently defined in our Bylaws. The Nominating Committee can only submit one name to the Board of Directors for each office that shall become vacant. While the membership can also nominate candidates for office from the floor at the annual business meeting, in the recent past, this has seldom occurred. As a result, the candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee are usually elected without any true elections. In numerous organizations, the role of the Nominating Committee is to prepare a slate of eligible candidates. Members are able to elect from this slate or from additional nominations from the floor. This approach appears more desirable to me. To remedy the current process, I have asked John Smith, Chair of the SCA Bylaws Committee, to review the sections of the Bylaws related to the election of new leaders. I have also asked the committee to suggest new procedures for the conduct of the annual business meeting. As soon as the Bylaws Committee completes its work, I will share their findings with you. In the meantime, I invite each of you to volunteer for leadership positions if your professional occupations allow you to dedicate a significant amount of time to SCA and you feel strongly about the Society's future. I can assure you that the Nominating Committee will give every nomination due consideration. If you have comments or suggestions on these issues, please feel free to communicate them to me at sca@societyhq.com or at dthys@slrhc.org. After editorial review by the Newsletter Committee, they will be published. Daniel M. Thys, MD |