Name

The association’s name shall be “Arizona Ambulatory Surgery Center Association”, herein after “AASCA”

Purpose and Objectives

1. Provide leadership within the ASC industry
2. Promote acceptable standards of care and outcome benchmarks of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (“ASC’s”).
3. Promote staffing effectiveness and efficiencies through professional development and skills assessment.
4. Promote cost effective delivery system of ASC facilities.
5. Promote benefits of ASC’s among the public and medical community.
6. Explore and promote new technologies and treatment modalities, which ASCs utilize.
7. Assess existing state laws and regulations, which apply to ASCs and make appropriate recommendations for change to regulatory agencies.
8. Collaborate with other health care organizations towards achieving common goals and meeting the needs of the health care consumer.

This organization shall maintain a non-profit status and shall abide by the laws of Arizona.

Bylaws

The Bylaws of AASCA will be approved and adopted by the membership. Amendments, repeals, or new Bylaws shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting members.

The Bylaws shall be reviewed annually by the membership and recommendations for changes shall be made in writing to the executive council. The proposed amendments shall be reviewed and approved by the executive council and presented to the active membership for approval with majority vote. If majority vote is not obtained by the close of voting, then final approval will be made by the Executive council.

Membership

Section 1. Classes of Membership

The Association shall have two (2) classes of membership:

1. Active Membership; and
2. Associate Membership.

Section 2. Eligibility for Membership

1. Active Membership.

   Active members shall be facilities that are licensed or, Medicare certified, or accredited by a nationally recognized agency as freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Each member facility may have multiple employees who are individual representatives; however, each member facility shall have only one (1) votes.

2. Associate Membership.

   An individual or non-vendor organization that demonstrates an interest in ambulatory outpatient surgery shall become and hold Associate Membership in one of the following categories with approval of the Executive Council. Associate Members shall be non-voting members. (This may include facilities not yet certified, licensed or accredited.)

   1. Associate Members – Individual. Any individual who is interested in ambulatory surgery and who is not eligible for Active Membership. An Officer or active member must sponsor such individual.
   2. Associate Member Non-Vendor Organization. Any organization/individuals that is not a vendor to the health care industry and/or does not provide medical treatment to patients.
3. Associate Member-Vendor. Those organizations/individuals that provide, or potentially could provide services and/or products to ambulatory surgery centers shall be eligible.

Section 3. Election to Membership

An application for membership shall be reviewed by the Membership Chairperson and recommendations regarding acceptance for membership will be made to the Executive Council. An applicant who is accepted by the Executive Council for membership shall become a member upon payment of the required dues.

Section 4. Dues

The Executive Council shall determine the amount of annual dues for all categories of membership. Dues are non-refundable. Dues shall be due and payable at a time established by the Executive Council.

Section 5. Membership Renewal

Membership will be renewed annually.

Section 6. Termination of Membership.

The Executive Council, by affirmative majority vote of its members, may suspend or expel a member in the event: a) member fails to pay dues, b) member fails to meet the requirements of membership.

Section 7. AASCA Sponsorship

Each year AASCA will sponsor Active member(s) to attend the ASCA Conference. To be eligible, the member must be in good standing. The number of sponsored members will be determined by the Executive Council based on available funds. A facility will not be eligible for sponsorship in 2 consecutive years.

Governance

Officers and Executive Council

The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary and Past-President. These President, President-Elect and Immediate Past-President shall serve a term of two (2) years. The Treasurer and Secretary shall serve a term of three (3) years. These officers shall serve as the Executive Council and shall serve as liaison to committee chairs . No more than two (2) officers can be from the same organization.

Section 1. Election

Candidates will be nominated by members then voted on by the voting members. Officers shall be elected following the annual meeting. Terms will begin in September.

Section 2. Duties of Officers and Executive Council

President: The President shall be the Chief Executive officer of the organization. He/she shall be present at meetings of the membership and of the Executive Council. The president shall preside at meetings and is responsible for the operations of the organization in conformity with the decisions of the membership.

Immediate Past-President: The Immediate Past-President shall be a member of the Executive Council. Responsibilities include assisting the President and serving in an advisory role to all officers.

President-Elect: The President-elect, a member of the Executive Council, shall assist the President and shall in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of that office. He/she shall serve as Ex-officio on all committees.

Treasurer: The Treasurer, a member of the Executive Council, shall be responsible for all funds of the association. The Treasurer will collect dues and keep an account of all monies received and expended for use of the association and shall make disbursements as authorized by the officers. A report of available funds and expenditures will be presented at regularly scheduled meetings. Funds may be drawn only on the signature of the Treasurer or President. All records are subject to review by the Executive Council at any time. At the expiration of the Treasurer’s term of office, all records, monies, and other property of the association shall be delivered to the successor within ten (10) days.

Secretary: The Secretary, a member of the Executive Council, shall be responsible for all Executive Council and Board documentation and establish effective procedures for Board communication.

Executive Council: The Executive Council shall conduct all business of the association. The Council shall meet annually, shall review financial records of the association annually and report findings to the membership. The Executive Council will act as a liaison with other state associations. The Council may approve duly made and seconded motions regarding the conduct of the business association via e-mail or other such telecommunications device subject to the approval being unanimously consented to by the members of the Council. When meeting in person or via conference call, any vote for approval need not be unanimous.

Section 3: Committees

Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Council. Co-Chairs are permitted as approved by the Executive Council.  AASCA members are eligible to serve on the board as Committee Chair for the following committees:

1. Membership Chair
2. Education Chair
3. Conference Chair
4. Advocacy Chair
5. Member Communications Chair

Term for Committee Chairs is two (2) years.

Other ad hoc committees may be established by the Executive Council in their discretion as the need arises.

Committees will keep minutes of all meetings and furnish a copy and report to the Executive Council at the next meeting. Committees shall perform assigned duties as directed by the Executive Council.

Section 4: Meetings

The annual meeting of AASCA shall be planned by the Executive Council. The Council will designate time, place, and agenda. Notice to all members will be in writing/e-mail. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to all members with in ten (10) working days.

Section 5: Funding for ASCA Meetings

At the first meeting of the year, after budget review, if funding for meetings is available, up to two members of the board will be funded to attend the ASCA annual meeting. If funds are available for more than two board members, another board member who has not attended or a representative from a center, as determined by the President, may be offered the funds.

Dissolution of Association

If at any time AASCA dissolves, the properties or monies should not be distributed or used to benefit any member of the association. After payments of debts or liabilities of the association, the monies shall be transferred into a fund exclusively for charitable purposes whose goals and objectives meet the approval of the sustaining members by majority vote.