Dear Members

CONGRESS 2006

All of you who could attend the SASS Congress in Cape Town this year will no doubt agree that it was the Congress that met, in every way, the expectations set for it. The preceding and concurrent program presented by the SRS International Forum finely complemented our own academic meeting. The venue, Scientific program, Trade participation and social events were of the highest standards. We thank Rob Dunn and his committee and our stalwart dependable Hendrika van der Merwe for their effort and hard work.

AGM MATTERS

1. A number of points were brought before members and debated. The most far reaching was acceptance of a proposal that the annual congress change to a bi-annual format. We propose to meet in alternative years to the meetings held by the Neurosurgical Society and believe this will benefit attendance and abstract submission at both Societies. The Trade whose support we greatly value will also be able to plan and budget with greater ease and accuracy. The next Society meeting will still take place in Durban, as advertised in 2007 with meetings following in 2009, 2011 and so on. The single most important concern was the fact that the Society will lose the considerable income that is normally generated by our meetings. Various fund raising options to counteract this are under consideration. We are also planning to expand the focused short academic and training courses for the years in between Congresses.

2. Society Membership Certificates will not be issued as they would have to be renewed on a yearly basis. Congress attendance certificates will still be provided.

3. Membership fees for 2007 have been raised to R300.00 per annum.

4. Communication with members still lack consistency. We would like to completely change over to electronic format and will be able to alert members of any new information posted on the SASS website through bulk SMS posted to e-mail and/or cellphone. We do however need to urgently update this information. Please phone myself, or email Hendrika (spinecon@iafrica.com), to make sure that we have your information. It will be held in absolute confidence for Society use only.

FUNDERS MEETINGS
Medical Funders have expressed concern over what they regard as a sudden excessive utilization of certain procedures specifically Facet blocks and RF rhizotomies. It was indicated that all funding for these procedures would be cancelled. Members of Exco and the Academic committee have in the past few months spent long hours in direct consultation with major funders. All will be kept up to date by Gian Marus our current President on this issue as it develops. In the interim it is suggested that members be prudent and conservative.

CME
Members should take note that the HPCSA again requires all practitioners to keep records of CME points acquired. Professional Societies like the SASS can be part of this awards process and we will in due time apply to be registered with the HPCSA for this purpose.

IN MEMORIAM (Guillaume du Toit (05/08/1944 – 26/10/2006)
Guillaume du Toit passed away on 26/10/2006 - the inevitable result of the terminal condition diagnosed barely a year ago. We note this with profound sadness and regret. Guillaume was one of the founder members (membership no 1) of our Society and promoted its goals with unstinting energy. He was a formidable defender of professional high moral and clinical standards of excellence, generous in sharing his experience; a good colleague and teacher. We extend our deepest sympathy to Marelize and their children.

AND ALSO
We wish all members of the SASS a good period of rest in the coming holiday season. If you plan to go away, travel safely and take care. May 2007 exceed all your hopes and expectations.

HANS VAN DYK
PAST PRESIDENT
28/11/06