Membership Categories in COS

The Chicago Ophthalmological Society offers the following categories of membership:

Active Members - A person may be an Active Member when fulfilling all the following criteria:

1. Holds the degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy;
2. Is licensed to practice medicine in the United States or Canada;
3. Is certified or is eligible to be certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Active members may vote on matters coming before the members and may hold office. They also are entitled to all other general rights and privileges of membership, and are responsible for payment of full regular dues and for the fulfillment of other responsibilities associated with the membership as determined by the Council.

Ophthalmologists who are in their first two years after completing training are eligible for a "new in practice" dues discount of 50%.  

Affiliate Members - Affiliate membership is open to any person fulfilling all of the following criteria:

1. Holds the degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy;
2. Holds a license to practice medicine in the United Sates or Canada;
3. Has demonstrated an active interest and involvement in a field of medicine with frequent intellectual or clinical association with ophthalmology;
4. Is certified by a Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Affiliate members are entitled to vote but may not hold elected office in the Society. Affiliate members are entitled to all other general rights and privileges of membership, and are responsible for payment of full regular dues and for the fulfillment of other responsibilities associated with the membership as determined by the Council.

Life Members - Life membership is granted upon request of the member to those who have been Active members for 35 consecutive years.  Members who are no longer in active practice or not continuing active practice in the Chicago area may, on recommendation of the Council, be transferred to Life membership.  Life members shall enjoy all the privileges of Active members except the power to hold office, and shall be exempt from payment of dues and registration fees for the clinical conferences.  Life members may be reinstated to Active membership upon application and approval of the Council.

Emeritus Members - Emeritus membership is granted upon request of the member to those who have been Active members for at least 10 years and who have fully retired from the practice of medicine.   Emeritus members shall enjoy all the privileges of Active members except the power to hold office.  Emeritus members shall be exempt from payment of dues but must pay registration fees, as determined by the Council, for any clinical conferences they attend.