Officer and Director Criteria and Job Descriptions

(For use in nominations/self-nominations for role of Second Vice President)

The President is the foremost volunteer leader and officer of the Society and serves a one-year term commencing the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected. The President leads the STS Board of Directors, serves as the Society’s chief spokesperson, advances the STS Mission and Strategic Priorities, nurtures collaborations with related professional organizations and industry groups, and ensures that STS is consistently responsive to the needs of its membership.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member who resides and practices in North America (or Senior Member who resides and practices in North America if their nomination is approved by the STS Board).
• National (and ideally international) stature and authority as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Exhibits a profound understanding of STS’s history, key activities, and future trajectory.
• Outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator and effective public speaker.
• Unquestionable loyalty to STS.
• Impeccable record of collaboration within STS leadership structures and at their home institution.
• Successful completion of one-year terms as Second Vice President and First Vice President.
• Service as Council Chair or STS Board member prior to election into the presidential line.
• A compelling history of leadership on Society standing committees, workforces, and task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to be fully engaged in responsibilities over four years as Second Vice President, First Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President.
• Willingness and ability to devote 20-25 hours per week to STS activities, including extensive travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall

• Champions STS as the premier membership association for cardiothoracic surgeons.
• Collaborates with the STS Board and the CEO/Executive Director in focusing the Society’s energies on its Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Facilitates leadership continuity through effective collaboration with the other STS officers.
• Serves as the Society’s primary ambassador, participating in the meetings of related professional organizations both in the United States and internationally.
• Serves as the chief spokesperson for the Society.
• Nurtures relationships between STS and related national and international professional societies, as well as with industry groups.
• Advances the Society’s advocacy efforts.

Specific

• Chairs the STS Board, Executive Committee, and various joint leadership bodies.
• Collaborates with the Secretary and senior staff in developing agendas for STS Board and Executive Committee meetings.
• Leads weekly calls with other senior officers and senior staff.
• When timely, leads strategic planning initiatives.
• With the approval of the Executive Committee, appoints ad hoc task forces as deemed appropriate.
• Maintains regular dialogue with the CEO/Executive Director to ensure an effective, ongoing partnership between volunteer leadership and staff.
• Liaises as necessary with the chief representatives of other professional organizations, industry groups, STS Board members, Council Chairs, Workforce Chairs, and others on matters of strategic import to the Society.
• Serves as a member of the STS Nominating Committee and as the Executive Committee liaison to the Council on Education (serves as an ex-officio member of other Councils as Second Vice President and First Vice President).
• Collaborates closely with Workforce on Annual Meeting Chair and participates in the Annual Meeting Program Planning Meeting.
• Leads the selection of keynote speakers for the STS Annual Meeting.
• Presides over the STS Annual Meeting (including the Annual Membership (Business) Meeting) and delivers the keynote address at that event.
• Where STS Board or Executive Committee approval is not required, appoints or nominates members to serve on the leadership bodies of other organizations.
• Mentors the First Vice President and Second Vice President as they prepare to ascend to the organization’s highest elected office.
• Participates in the annual leadership appointment “marathon call,” providing guidance to the First Vice President.
• Communicates regularly with the STS membership via a full range of digital channels.
• Contributes presidential articles to STS publications.
• Working in collaboration with the CEO/Executive Director and senior communications staff, provides media interviews on issues of significance to the specialty and the Society.
• Leads high profile meetings with key industry groups.
• Advocates for and otherwise supports the STS-PAC and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Leads by example in adhering to all Society policies.

Compensation and Reimbursement

The President receives a stipend as approved by the STS Board in the Society’s annual budget. The President’s institution is typically also a recipient of STS extraordinary volunteer leadership funding, which is provided to recognize the considerable time committed by the President working on the Society’s behalf. The President’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.
 

(For use in nominations/self-nominations for role of Secretary Elect)

The Secretary serves up to five consecutive one-year terms (and one one-year term as Secretary-elect), each of which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected or re-elected. The Secretary serves as a key advisor to the President and ensures on an ongoing basis that the STS Bylaws, organizational structure, policies, and procedures are positioned to advance the STS Mission and Strategic Priorities.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member who resides and practices in North America (or Senior Member who resides and practices in North America if their nomination is approved by the STS Board of Directors).
• National stature and authority as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Exhibits a deep understanding of STS’s history, key activities, and future trajectory.
• Outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator and effective public speaker.
• Exceptional administrative, organizational, and consensus-building acumen.
• Unquestionable loyalty to STS.
• Impeccable record of collaboration within STS leadership structures and at their home institution.
• Successful completion of one-year term of office as Secretary-Elect.
• Service as Council Chair or STS Board member prior to election as Secretary-Elect.
• A compelling history of leadership on Society standing committees, workforces, and task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote 10-15 hours per week to STS activities, including extensive travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall

• Collaborates with the President and the CEO/Executive Director in focusing the Society’s energies on its Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Forges a strong partnership with the President and CEO/Executive Director.
• Helps ensure continuity of the STS leadership structure through effective communication and collaboration with the other Society officers.
• Under the direction of the STS Board, facilitates the effective functioning of STS standing committees, council operating boards, and workforces.
• Assists the President in nurturing relationships between STS and related national and international professional societies, as well as with industry groups.

Specific

• Serves as the STS President’s “right-hand person.”
• Serves on the STS Board, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and as the Executive Committee liaison to the Council on Member Engagement.
• Works with the President and senior staff in developing agendas for STS Board and Executive Committee meetings.
• Regularly reports to the STS Board on matters relating to STS membership and governance.
• Participates in weekly calls with other senior officers and senior staff.
• Responsible for minutes of STS Board, Executive Committee, Annual Membership, and special membership meetings.
• In collaboration with the President, maintains regular dialogue with the CEO/Executive Director to ensure an effective, ongoing partnership between volunteer leadership and staff.
• Regularly reviews the STS Bylaws and helps ensure that they remain current and otherwise appropriate.
• Notifies the membership of proposed Bylaws changes and policy and procedure revisions affecting membership.
• Oversees change of membership status requests presented for STS Board consideration.
• Provides guidance to the First Vice President and Second Vice President as they prepare to ascend to the organization’s highest elected office.
• Participates in the annual leadership appointment “marathon call,” providing leadership appointment advice to the First Vice President.
• Participates in the Annual Meeting Program Planning Meeting.
• Presents an annual report to the membership on STS membership and governance matters at the Annual Membership Meeting.
• With the approval of the STS Board, may delegate certain duties of the office to the CEO/Executive Director as they deem appropriate.
• Advocates for and otherwise supports the STS-PAC and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Attends The Thoracic Surgery Foundation Board meetings as the STS Board liaison.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Compensation and Reimbursement

The Secretary receives a stipend as approved by the STS Board in the Society’s annual budget. The Secretary’s institution is typically also a recipient of STS extraordinary volunteer leadership funding, which is provided to recognize the significant time committed by the Secretary working on the Society’s behalf. The Secretary’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

 

(For use in nominations/self-nominations for role of Treasurer Elect)

The Treasurer serves up to five consecutive one-year terms (and one one-year term as Treasurer-elect), each of which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected or re-elected as Treasurer. The Treasurer oversees the finances of the Society, closely monitoring STS’s long term financial outlook and the state of the Society’s investment portfolio.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member who resides and practices in North America (or Senior Member who resides and practices in North America if their nomination is approved by the STS Board of Directors).
• National stature and authority as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Exhibits a deep understanding of STS’s history, key activities, and future trajectory.
• Strong financial acumen.
• Outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator and effective public speaker.
• Unquestionable loyalty to STS.
• Impeccable record of collaboration within STS leadership structures and at their home institution.
• Successful completion of one-year term of office as Treasurer-Elect.
• Service as Council Chair or STS Board member prior to election as Treasurer-Elect. 
• A compelling history of leadership on Society standing committees, workforces, and task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote significant professional time to the work of the Society, including travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall

• Under the direction of the STS Board, oversees the financial affairs of the Society.
• Develops an effective partnership with the Finance Committee Chair, CEO/Executive Director and Vice President of Finance and Administration.
• Helps ensure continuity of the STS leadership structure through effective collaboration with the other Society officers.

Specific

• Serves on the STS Board, Executive Committee, and Finance Committee.
• Serves as an ex-officio member of all Society standing committees and workforces, excluding the Nominating Committee.
• Approves the payment of all bills and signing of all checks exceeding an amount determined by the STS Board.
• Along with the Finance Committee Chair and senior staff, stays well-informed regarding the structure and performance of the STS investment portfolio, and participates in meetings with the Society’s portfolio manager.
• Reports to the STS Board on the status of the Society’s finances at its regular meetings each year.
• Reports on the Society’s finances at the Annual Membership Meeting.
• Contributes significantly to the STS-PAC and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Compensation and Reimbursement

The Treasurer receives a stipend as approved by the STS Board in the Society’s annual budget. The Treasurer’s institution is typically also a recipient of STS extraordinary volunteer leadership funding, which is provided to recognize time committed by the Treasurer working on the Society’s behalf. The Treasurer’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

The Canadian Director serves up to two consecutive three-year terms, each of which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected or re-elected. The Canadian Director is charged with helping to drive the future vision of the Society as a full voting member of the STS Board of Directors, while also bringing to the Board the perspective of members residing and practicing in Canada.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member who resides and practices in Canada (or Senior Member who resides and practices in Canada if their nomination is approved by the STS Board).
• Stature and authority as a cardiac or general thoracic surgeon practicing in Canada.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator.
• A history of leadership on Society standing committees, workforces, and/or task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote significant professional time to the work of the Society, including travelling to STS Board meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves on the STS Board as a full voting member.
• Readily participates in Board discussions integral to the Society’s Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Reports to the STS Board on matters of strategic importance occurring within cardiac and general thoracic surgery in Canada.
• Provides a voice at the highest level of the Society for members who practice in Canada.
• Nurtures relationships between STS and related professional organizations headquartered in Canada.
• Regularly “takes the pulse” of STS members who practice in Canada to establish how the Society might better serve that constituency.
• Chairs the Task Force on Canadian Membership.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Reimbursement

The Canadian Director’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

An International Director serves up to two consecutive three-year terms, each of which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected or re-elected. They are charged with helping to drive the future vision of the Society as a full voting member of the STS Board of Directors, while also bringing to the Board the perspective of members residing and practicing in the region of the world in which they live and practice.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member who resides and practices outside of North America (or Senior Member who resides and practices outside North America if their nomination is approved by the STS Board).
• International stature and authority as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator.
• A history of leadership on Society standing committees, workforces, and/or task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote professional time to the work of the Society, including travelling to STS Board and strategic meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves on the STS Board as a full voting member.
• Readily participates in Board discussions integral to the Society’s Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Reports to the STS Board on matters of strategic importance occurring in cardiothoracic surgery within their home region.
• Provides a voice at the highest level of the Society for members who practice outside North America.
• Nurtures relationships between STS and related professional organizations headquartered in the region of the world in which they practice.
• Regularly “takes the pulse” of STS members within their home region regarding how the Society might better serve that constituency.
• Helps facilitate collaborative educational offerings planned to occur in their home region in conjunction with the Society.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Reimbursement

An International Director’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

The Resident Director serves one two-year term, which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected. The Resident Director is charged with helping to drive the future vision of the Society as a full voting member of the STS Board of Directors, while also bringing to the Board the perspective of those in their cardiothoracic residency, and especially Resident/Fellow Members.

Qualifications

• Resident/Fellow Member with at least two years remaining in their cardiothoracic surgery residency.
• Leadership experience within a resident or other professional organization(s).
• Shows tremendous promise as a future leader within the specialty.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Excellent communicator.
• Some experience on Society standing committees, workforces, and/or task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote professional time to the work of the Society, including travelling to STS Board meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves on the STS Board as a full voting member.
• Readily participates in Board discussions integral to the Society’s Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Reports to the STS Board on matters of strategic importance relating to cardiothoracic surgery residency.
• Provides a voice at the highest level of the Society for cardiothoracic surgery residents.
• Nurtures relationships between STS and the cardiothoracic surgery resident community.
• Regularly “takes the pulse” of Resident/Fellow and Medical Student members to ascertain how the Society might better serve those constituencies.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Compensation and Reimbursement

The Resident Director’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

A Director-at-Large serves up to two three-year terms, each of which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected or re-elected. They are charged with helping to drive the future vision of the Society as a full voting member of the STS Board of Directors.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member (or Senior Member if their nomination is approved by the STS Board).
• National stature and authority as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Compelling leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator.
• A history of leadership on Society standing committees, workforces, and/or task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote professional time to the work of the Society, including travelling to STS Board meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves on the STS Board as a full voting member.
• Readily participates in Board discussions integral to the Society’s Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Provides a voice at the highest level of the Society for Surgeon Members who practice within their subspecialty.
• Serves as an ex-officio member of one STS council operating board in any particular year, rotating between council operating boards from year-to-year.
• Provides an important STS Board perspective on Society council operating boards.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Compensation and Reimbursement

A Director-at-Large’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

The Historian is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and serves up to two five-year terms, each of which commences the day after the Annual Membership Meeting during which they are elected or re-elected. The Historian is charged with providing the Board with historical context for items under consideration and serves as the parliamentarian during Board meetings. They also work with the STS Executive Director to oversee the collection and retention of historically relevant information and documents.

Qualifications

• Surgeon Member (or Senior Member if their nomination is approved by the STS Board of Directors).
• National stature and authority as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
• Exemplifies the STS Core Values of Leadership; Quality; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Professionalism; Innovation; and Collaboration.
• Exhibits a profound understanding of STS’s history and key activities.
• Outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellent communicator.
• Unquestionable loyalty to STS.
• A history of exemplary leadership on the Board of Directors, usually as an officer, and experience on standing committees, workforces, and task forces, and/or in relation to STS Journals and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
• Willingness and ability to devote professional time to the work of the Society, including travelling to STS Board meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves on the STS Board as a non-voting member.
• Readily participates in Board discussions integral to the Society’s Mission and Strategic Priorities.
• Provides a voice at the highest level of the Society for Surgeon Members who practice within their subspecialty.
• Provides important historical context for STS Board policy and other discussions.
• Leads by example in adhering to all STS policies.

Compensation and Reimbursement

The Historian’s STS business expenses are reimbursed in accordance with the Society’s Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy.