FAQ

  • How do I find out who is my assigned ACOEP Board member?
    • ACOEP Board Members transition at the ACOEP Board of Directors meeting at Scientific Assembly in the Fall of each year. Schools are assigned to each board member and a list is provided to the individual medical schools after Fall conference. If you did not receive or are unaware of who your current Board Member liaison, please email  RSO Coordinator, Lindsey Roden.
  • What is the election process for the RSO Board?
    • Process: Residents and Students may nominate themselves for any RSO board position.
      • Residents can hold the position of RSO President, Vice President, Conference Chair, Media Chair, and Research Chair.
      • Students can hold the position of Director of Student Affairs, Secretary, Conference Chair, Media Chair, and GME Chair. Letters of intent for the position of RSO President, Vice President, and Director of Student Affairs must be submitted in advance.
      • Elections only occur during the Fall Scientific Assembly.
    • Students: The student positions on the RSO Board can be held by any 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year medical student. The Director of Student Affairs position must be held by a 3rd year medical student.
    • Residents:  The resident positions on the RSO Board can be held by any PGY1, PGY2, or PGY3 (if in a 4-year program). PGY3 (in a 3-year program) or PGY4 residents will not be able to complete their term prior to becoming an attending and are therefore ineligible.
  • Difference between a Student Membership and a Local Chapter Membership?
    • Any individual student can become a member of the RSO; however, only student chapters receive annual funding at Scientific Assembly. The minimum number of students required to form a local student chapter is 20 ACOEP-registered student members.
  • What funding does the RSO provide to student chapters?
    • The “funds” available to student chapters is a “stipend” which is a flat $700 per school; every club receives this amount regardless of expenditure if they maintain their good standing in accordance with the requirements listed here Maintenance of Recognition: https://acoep-rso.org/students/local-chapter-information/
  • How do the clubs apply for funding?
    • All RSO-recognized local chapters are eligible for funding. A local chapter must be in good standing according to the Maintenance of Recognition: https://acoep-rso.org/students/local-chapter-information/ requirements. Submit proof via email to the RSO coordinator 1 month prior to Scientific Assembly in the fall of each year.
    • A representative must attend the RSO general membership meeting at the Fall Scientific Assembly and attend 80% of the RSO-specific student events to request the $700 which will be mailed via check. There is no need for receipts or “approvable” requests. It is a flat rate to all RSO-recognized local chapters.

Newly Recognized Local Chapters

  • Official notice of approval:
    • Once you have applied for initial recognition and been approved, you should receive a Letter of Acknowledgement from the RSO Coordinator within 2 weeks. If you have not received your notice of approval, please send an email to the RSO Coordinator to that regard. Your membership is important to us!
  • New Chapter Orientation – What should we plan on:
    • Attendance of quarterly local chapter conference calls, held by the Director of Student Affairs.
      • Dates are established after the Fall Scientific Assembly. If you are unaware of the current dates because you joined mid-year, please contact the RSOStudentDirector@acoep.org. To be a member in good standing, your club must have a representative on 3 out of 4 of the calls.
    • ACOEP Board Member Liaison: each local chapter club is assigned a ACOEP Board liaison after Fall Scientific Assembly.
      • Please contact Lindsey Roden, RSO Coordinator if you were not assigned an ACOEP Board member. To be a member in good standing, your club must host at least one conference call or in-person visit from the ACOEP Board member or an approved speaker if you’d like to request an alternative to meet this requirement.
    • Major RSO annual events:
      • Fall Scientific Assembly (around October/November)
      • Spring Seminar (around March/April)
      • Two Regional Student Symposiums: occur on a Saturday at a residency program or local medical school TBD each year.
    • RSO Funding for RSO-approved local chapters:
      • All RSO-recognized local chapters are eligible for funding. A local chapter must be in good standing according to the Maintenance of Recognition: https://acoep-rso.org/students/local-chapter-information/ requirements. Submit proof via email to the RSO coordinator 1 month prior to Scientific Assembly in the fall of each year.
      • A representative must attend the RSO general membership meeting and 80% of the RSO events at the Fall Scientific Assembly to request the $700 which will be mailed via check. There is no need for receipts or “approvable” requests. It is a flat rate to all RSO-recognized local chapters.
    • Contact for questions:
      • The Director of Student Affairs at RSOStudentDirector@acoep.org is the contact for your local chapter president, club liaison, or secretary.