From the Chair - CCM Section Guideline Updates

Critical Care Medicine Section
April 2008, Vol 9, #2

Todd L. Slesinger, MD, FACEP

Our section continues to make progress in many ways, and I wanted to thank everyone who has participated, especially our officers. We are off to a good start in achieving many of the goals that I described in the previous newsletter. I want to focus this discussion on my first goal, the update of the section operational guidelines to match our current practice.

If any member has comments or concerns, it is imperative that they communicate with us quickly as I will finalize these guidelines by the next newsletter. This is necessary for us to discuss and approve any change at the annual meeting as per existing operational guidelines. A copy of the current guidelines is available through the section website. I will describe the changes without the specific wording details.

We have no planned changes for sections 1-3 and 7-12.

Section 4 deals with the executive committee. We have always had a Newsletter Editor, therefore this position will be held by the same individual, as the duties of the secretary are to distribute the newsletter. I also want to add a 5th position, a Website Editor. Our election cycle has been and will continue to be every two years. This past year we conducted the election on-line prior to the meeting and the process worked well allowing more members to vote. This also, saved time during the meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor only if there are no nominations for a position in time for the on- line vote."

The only changes in Section 5 are the additions of the Website Editor duties and clarification of the Secretary/Newsletter Editor duties.

Section 6 deals with the Councillor position, with which I am very familiar, having served for more than 5 years. This position is very important in terms of bringing the views of the Section to the annual council meeting. This includes representing the section on any Council resolutions. In past years, we decided that the councillor position should be a seasoned member of the Section, and as is the case with other Sections, be given to the Immediate Past Chair. If the Past Chair cannot serve that function then it would go to the Chair-Elect or Chair. The Alternate Councillor position is a great position for young enthusiastic members and will be an appointed position.

Although these may seem like many changes, they really represent what the section has done for many years, especially when the section was small. These changes will have to be voted on at the next meeting, and they require a two thirds majority vote from those members present to be passed. Then they will be reviewed by the Section Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. These guidelines can always be changed in the future if need be per section 11 of the operational guidelines.

I continue to look forward to a great and productive year for the section and I invite all those interested to contact me with any questions, ideas, and support.

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