Specialty Interest Group (SIG) Application

Instructions and Application Form

Use this submission form to enter your request to start a SIG. Proposals will be reviewed and determined within 60-days. All SIGs are appointed by the President or President-Elect, with approval from the Executive Committee.

Rationale:
Specialty Interest Groups (SIGs) support our members who have a like interest in specialized areas with growth potential in cardiovascular ultrasound. SIGs bring together ASE members with similar professional interests and areas of expertise, providing a forum for networking, knowledge sharing, and the development of SIG-specific programs and services within ASE.

Criteria for SIG Formation:

Idea for a SIG can be initiated from any source.
Requires two (2) ASE members recognized in their specialized field as experts (i.e., these members need to hold the designations and specializations pertinent to their specific specialty) who are willing to take on leadership roles in the creation and development of the SIG.
The SIG leaders make a proposal to the ASE Executive Committee to start a new SIG. The proposal should include how the SIG can further ASE's strategic goals while representing a sector of the membership that would enhance ASE. Eventually the SIG will need to show success in bringing in new members, and the number of new members is not just a reclassification of current members.

Common SIG Benefits:

SIGs have the opportunity to engage with ASE in numerous ways. SIGs are welcome to engage in all or some of the suggested activities:
- Write SIG-specific articles for Echo Magazine
- Develop SIG sessions of interest to be held at the ASE Scientific Sessions
- Identify a SIG-specific article of interest for ASE’s Journal Club
- Host an ASE Live Webinar with CME on a SIG-specific topic
- Gather for a SIG networking session at the ASE Scientific Sessions
- Create a SIG-specific abstract submission category for research or clinical cases to be presented at the ASE Scientific Sessions
- Advance future ASE guidelines and standards development on SIG-identified topics of need.

Timing for a SIG:

SIGs may exist as long as they are annually renewed by the ASE Executive Committee. SIGs will be dissolved if they have not been able to attract a significant number of active members to engage with their group within five (5) years.

If a SIG is successful at attracting members, and proving growth potential, a proposal may be presented to the ASE Board to consider moving from a SIG to a Standing ASE Council.

Criteria for Advancing a SIG to an ASE Council:

SIGs must have a least one (1) year as an active group, utilizing some of the suggested offerings above, and demonstrate consistent engagement of ASE members.
In addition, a ‘Fast Track’ option to move from a SIG to a Council is possible if the SIG exists or morphs from an established task force or other appointed group within ASE.
SIGs must achieve at least 5% of the membership (via self-selection when joining, renewing, or updating their member profile). This determination can be achieved at any time throughout the year, recognizing that the number of ASE members is also dynamic throughout the year. ASE’s membership department can assist with providing SIG numbers.
Requests for a SIG to move to a Council are approved by the ASE Board of Directors. In order to be considered, a SIG must align with ASE’s strategic direction and have an adequate number of members.
Council compositions should have some diversity and ideally further add to the diversity of the overall membership of ASE (i.e., gender, ethnicity, member type).

Council and Board Representation:

The four (4) ASE Councils with the highest membership (number of people who self-select) have a guaranteed Board position.
A fifth ASE Council Board position will be in rotation among the other Councils (2 year term for their Council Chair on the ASE Board).
ASE Councils will have a full review every five (5) years to ensure they continue to meet the criteria to remain an active Council. Councils who do not meet these criteria may be reformed into a SIG or disbanded.