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Policy and Procedure on the Endorsement and Recognition of Outside Activities

Approval Form (PDF 10K)

• All inquiries regarding endorsement or recognition of outside activities by The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) or their Sections are referred to the President or Chairman of the respective organization. At the discretion of the President or Chairman, these inquiries may be referred to a special appointed task force for information gathering, or directly to the Executive body of the Organization or Section for debate or resolution. Endorsement and/or recognition by a Section can only be made by concurrent written approval of the President of the sponsoring organization (AANS or CNS) and Chair of the respective Section. Endorsement and/or recognition by a Joint Section can only be made by the concurrent written approval of the Presidents of both of the sponsoring organizations (AANS and CNS) and the Chair of the respective Joint Section. Endorsement and/or recognition of outside activities do not imply joint sponsorship for the purpose of continuing medical education (CME) credit, which is governed by appropriate guidelines for such sponsorship. Specific products, medical devices or procedures should be neither endorsed nor recognized.
  
  
• "Endorsement" of outside activities shall be reserved for projects directly and officially undertaken by the Organization or Section. They should reflect formal participation by the Organization or Section in the formulation of objectives of the activity, official representation on the Organization and Program Committees of the activity, and a full opportunity for members of the Organization or Section to participate in the activity and to shape its organization, goals, and contents. They should uphold the highest standards of scientific and professional merits and be consistent with the Mission of the Organization or Section. "Endorsed" activities are allowed to use the name of the Organization or Section in program announcements and the program book, but may not use the logo of either parent organization (AANS or CNS) without explicit authorization from the respective organization. The Organizations or Sections carry no financial or other responsibility in conjunction with such "endorsement".
  
  
• "Recognition" by the AANS, CNS, or their Sections of outside activities may be granted upon request and at the discretion of the President or Chairman, provided the project is consistent with the Mission and Objectives of the respective Organization or Section and meets the highest standards of scientific and professional merits, as well as these guidelines, but otherwise does not fulfill one or more of the requirements of endorsement or CME sponsorship. Recognition may be acknowledged in the program book, but not in any announcements or advertisements, and must be accompanied by the following statement verbatim: "This Program (or activity) is recognized by the (Organization or Section name) as consistent with its Mission and Objectives, but does not otherwise reflect any official position, sponsorship, endorsement, or other responsibility by the (Organization or Section name)". No use of organizational logos is permitted, and there is no other direct or implied responsibility in association with such recognition.
  
  
• The decision regarding "endorsement," "recognition," or regret (outlining that the activity does not meet current conditions for endorsement or recognition) shall be communicated by the President or Chairman of the respective Organization or Section, and should include a copy of this Policy and Procedure or specific articulation of terms and limitations outlined for each category, including the specific language highlighted above.