he Committee on Bylaws is one of the most important committees of ASA. It deals with the changing issues and situations that the Society faces. In order to better understand this committee, it is important to know how it functions and some of the changes that have occurred within it.

Why do bylaws exist, and why would anyone be interested in reading them? Most individuals have absolutely no interest in reading them, no matter where they exist. They lack humor, mystery, sex, violence, excitement and actually any kind of stimulating value. They are not meant to be entertaining, though. In fact one could call bylaws just plain boring. If one were to read the bylaws for enjoyment, that individual would probably fall asleep very quickly. If a good night’s sleep is needed, perhaps reading them at bedtime might be helpful. Many individuals who should read them do not. Very few members of ASA read them unless there is an absolute need to do so.

Then why are bylaws so important? Their significance to the Society cannot be overstated. They are the backbone and structure by which ASA functions and the rules that govern the internal affairs of the Society. The Committee on Bylaws acts as a resource to answer questions relating to the bylaws and to make amendments or revisions to the bylaws as needed and often is asked to advise the Society on bylaws issues. The committee takes its direction from the ASA Board of Directors and House of Delegates. In order for amendments or changes to be made in the bylaws, the ASA Board of Directors and/or House of Delegates must recommend the changes.

These recommendations are then referred to the Committee on Bylaws. The committee members then act as craftsmen. Yes, craftsmen. The additions or changes to the bylaws are then crafted with the appropriate language to fit into the established structure of the bylaws in order to fulfill the direction of the above bodies. Eventually the House of Delegates must give its final approval to any amendments or changes to the bylaws. If not passed by a specified majority of the voting members of the House, the recommended changes to the bylaws cannot occur. The ultimate authority for any changes to the bylaws is given to the ASA House of Delegates.

Over the years, the Committee on Bylaws has worked diligently in making changes to the ASA Bylaws — some were major, and others were minor. The most recent major change to the bylaws occurred in 2002 when they were completely revised because of the change in structure and governance of ASA. With this change, 52 components replaced the 30 director districts. This allowed each state to be a component instead of some states being a part of a director district. Also, the ASA Resident Component was allowed a Director and Alternative Director to the Board. This enabled a larger number of the ASA membership to participate at both the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates meetings. In addition, with this change in structure and governance, a new office, the Vice-President for Professional Affairs, was created to chair the Division of Professional Affairs, which includes the Section on Professional Standards and the Section on Professional Practice. Also, the Division of Professional Affairs plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the Society associated with the professional standards and clinical practice that are subject to the directives and limitations as set down by the Board of Directors or by the Administrative Council.

Last year the bylaws were amended to eliminate the Committee on Standards of Care and to transfer its responsibilities to the Committee on Standards and Practice Parameters. In addition the Committee on Anesthesiologist Assistant Education and Practice was created to formalize a relationship with anesthesiologist assistant teaching programs.

This past year, the Committee on Academic Anesthesiology was created to provide a mechanism for academic anesthesiology to participate in the deliberation of the House of Delegates and to establish a system for effective communication between ASA and academic anesthesiology. This change enabled academic anesthesiology to have a director and alternate director, and thus, greater input and participation in ASA activities.

At the ASA House of Delegates meeting in October 2005, the Ad Hoc Committee on Trauma and Emergency Preparedness was established as a standing committee of ASA. It was created to define the role of anesthesiology in trauma and emergency medicine, particularly as it relates to manmade or natural occurring mass casualty or disaster situations.

The above changes to the bylaws are only a few of the many that take place each year. It is necessary for the ASA Bylaws to be a fluid document and to be revised as mandated. It is the role of the Committee on Bylaws to make the changes necessary to the bylaws so they remain an effective instrument by which ASA is governed.

ASA Bylaws: <www2.ASAhq.org/publications/pc-105-3-asa-bylaws.aspx>.

Norman Levin, M.D., is Former Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Century City Hospital, Los Angeles, California, and is a freelance anesthesiologist in the Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Los Angeles areas.