The Society shall consist of Regular Members and “Friends of Dan”.

Regular Members

1. The regular membership shall be limited to those surgeons who have completed a surgical residence or fellowship at Maricopa Integrated Health Systems, and who have indicated or demonstrated their intent to be active and participating members of The Caruso Society.

1. Current Maricopa Integrated Health Systems and District Medical Group surgical faculty who have not trained at the institution.  This category of member will be regular annual due paying members with full privileges.

Friends of Dan

Those not meeting criteria for regular membership will have the opportunity to join The Caruso Society as “Friends of Dan”.  There shall be unlimited members as Friends of Dan. Members will be required to pay annual dues. These members will not have voting privileges.

Election to Membership

The names of applicants shall be submitted by the Secretary to the Committee for approval at the satisfactory completion of their period of training.   Faculty requests shall also be submitted to the Committee for approval.

The names of Friends of Dan shall also be submitted by the Secretary to the Committee for approval prior to invitation to participate.

Termination of Membership

Termination of membership may be requested by any regular or Friends of Dan member.  The major indication for termination of membership is delinquent dues. At the second year of missed dues, the Secretary shall notify every member or Friend of Dan of their termination.

Committee Members

The Committee will be comprised of 5 members:  President, Vice President and Secretary, all who shall be faculty members, and a general committee member who is an alumni.  Also included will be one community member, voted on by the Committee.

Committee members shall serve two year terms.  The Secretary may serve two (2) terms. The community member may serve unlimited terms, but every two years must be renewed by Committee vote.

Nominations and Elections

All Committee members shall be nominated by the Committee, and nominees will be sent an acceptance request prior to vote.  Society members with voting privileges shall vote; a majority of votes cast shall constitute an election.

Vacancies

Any vacancy, with exception of the President, occurring due to death or termination of Membership shall be filled by the Committee.

Duties of Officers

President

The President shall preside at the Annual Meeting of The Caruso Society, any special meetings, preserve order, regulate debates, sign certificates of membership, appoint committees not otherwise provided for, announce election results.   Funds held at Maricopa Health Foundation in the name of The Caruso Society may only be directed by the President, on behalf of the Committee.

Vice President

The Vice President shall preside at the Annual Meeting or special meetings in the absence of the President.  He/she shall succeed to the Presidency upon that office being vacant due to death, resignation or termination of Membership.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep minutes of the Society.  He/she shall attest to all official acts requiring certification with or independent of the President.  He/she shall take charge of all papers not otherwise provided for. He/she shall prepare expenses, bills, etc. for Committee approval and payment direction by the President.  He/she shall sign membership certificates. He/she shall work in concert with the Maricopa Health Foundation on receipt of funds and account balances to report to the Committee.  He/she shall send monthly emails to Committee members requesting approval of new members or Friends of Dan.

The Daniel M. Caruso Award

The Daniel M. Caruso Award is bestowed to a graduating resident who best exemplifies the attributes Dr. Caruso shared with his department for 25 years: honesty, integrity, fairness, advocacy, passion, dedication and loyalty.   This award also recognizes exemplary efforts for the promotion of the mission and goals set forth by the MIHS Surgical Residency Program.  The Committee (minus the Community Committee Member) shall vote on this award annually.

Meetings

Annual Meeting

There shall be held annual meetings of the Society at such place and at such time as may be designated by a vote of the Society.

Annual Meeting Order of Business:

1. Reading of prior year Annual Meeting minutes
2. Secretary Report - finance
3. Secretary Report – prior year new members and Friends of Dan
4. Report of Nominations (if appropriate) and Election of Officers
5. Unfinished and New Business
6. Adjournment

Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called at any time by the President.

Coordinator

The Committee will authorize an annual payment of $500 for administrative assistance to the Society.   The Committee will appoint an outside “Society Coordinator” to act in this role; the Coordinator role will be continuous until mutually terminated by the Coordinator or Committee.

Dues

Annual Dues

The annual dues shall be set by the Committee.  Beginning 2019, dues are set at $100 per year. 2018 dues are prorated to $50 per year.

Nonpayment of Dues

Any member in arrears two consecutive year dues requests, after being notified of the fact by the Secretary in writing and not paying his/her dues within six months thereafter, shall forfeit his/her membership.  It shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the Society with the name stricken from the list of Members.

Fundraising

The Committee may conduct fundraising activities within the Society.

Certificate of Membership/Challenge Coin

The Society shall have a distinct alumni Challenge Coin and Certificate of Membership, a copy of which, signed by the President and Secretary, every alumni and faculty member shall be entitled to.   The Society will also have a distinct Friends of Dan Challenge Coin and Certificate of Membership, a copy of which, signed by the President and Secretary, every Friend of Dan shall be entitled to.