Membership Categories

a) Active Members (AM) shall be medical doctors of good ethical character who have distinguished themselves by well-recognized professional and/or scientific achievements in a field of surgery. Candidates for Active Membership should be members of one of the recognized national societies. Upon recommendation of a National Chapter (or of two Active Members for countries where there is no National Chapter), the Executive Committee can accept nominations for membership of individuals in fields of endeavor related to surgery. For medical reasons an Active Member may request in writing to the Secretary General that his/her dues be waived.

b) Associate Members (XM) shall be surgical residents in training or fully trained surgeons in countries without a National Chapter and who may not present the complete requested credentials (CV, list of publications, 2 regular members acting as sponsors, approval by the National Delegate). Associate Members have full privileges as Active Member but no voting right. They may not serve as officers of ISS/SIC. The membership fee of Active Members will also apply for Associate Members. Upon completion of the requested credentials or after attending two ISW meetings, Associate Members may apply for regular Active Membership to the Executive Committee by providing all details to the Secretary.

c) Senior Members (SM) shall be members who have retired from active practice of surgery and who have been Active Members for at least 15 years. They must submit a request for Senior Membership status in writing to the Secretary General direct or through the National Delegate (or Chapter Secretary). For special reasons, the Executive Committee may confer Senior Membership to members having rendered special services to the SOCIETY and who terminate their professional activity after less than 15 years of Active Membership.

d) Honorary Membership (HM) shall be awarded by the Executive Committee. Recipients shall be members of undoubted international reputation and who have rendered distinguished services to the SOCIETY.