One of the discussions we have had for some time as the BOD is how to expand and grow MGPHO in the overall Medical Gas Community. While the organization was founded largely by a group of verifiers, no where in our charge does it state that we are a verifiers organization. It does charge us with being an educational organization for the Medical Gas Community. With that end, the MGPHO BOD would like to announce that effective immediately we have revised the membership definitions.

Prior to this change to be a voting member you had to be a verifier or manager of a verifiers group. This change to the definition of an active (voting) member will hopefully expand our reach and encourage others in the medical gas community to get involved.

Additionally the new language will allow for associate members to also have a vote in the organization, but does not allow an associate member to hold an office in the organization.

We have spent the last several months as a BOD, as well as working with the Board of Governors on how to best finalize and set up the new membership categories.  The new membership definitions are as follows:

Active Members

Active members may vote (if physically present, in good standing at least 30 days prior to the vote, and have no open, unresolved complaints on file with the Ethics Committee), hold office, chair, and participate on committees and have other rights and benefits of active membership. Active membership may be individual or corporate.

Active Members Definitions:

Individual - Any professional who holds a current ASSE 6000 credential and is actively engaged in any aspect of Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems in Healthcare Applications.

Special Expert - an individual who is a MGPHO associate member that demonstrates special and unique capabilities and/or skills that directly benefit MGPHO.  They are asked to serve as advisors to the organization.  Special expert category is by nomination only. This limited category has all the rights and benefits of active membership.  It requires renewal every three years coinciding with the term of the President.  See section E for details.

Corporate - A corporate membership is always in the name of a corporation.  Corporate Membership is for one member and is transferable to other individuals within the same company.  If the company member meets the qualifications of an individual active member, they will be considered an active member. Corporate membership includes attendance for two individuals at the annual educational conference.

Associate Members

Associate members may vote (if physically present, in good standing at least 30 days prior to the vote, and have no open, unresolved complaints on file with the Ethics Committee), and participate on committees and have other rights and benefits of associate membership. Associate membership may be individual or corporate.

Associate Members Definition

Individuals and corporations not meeting the requirements of Active Member. An Associate Member has all the rights and benefits of an Active Member, except to hold office, and serve as chair of a standing committee.  An Associate Member may be any individual or corporation who is involved in the medical gas systems industry as an installer, designer, manufacturer, distributor, salesperson, inspector, medical practitioner, manager of those involved in the medical gas systems industry, or has any other interest in the medical gas industry.

As a BOD we wanted to get this change made and announced in advance of the annual meeting to encourage increased membership and increased attendance and involvement at the annual meeting.

Please feel free to reach out with any concerns or comments

Mathis Carlson– MGPHO President

Mark, you are correct. If an individual joined MGPHO and had facility specific training but not an ASSE 6000 series credential they would be an associate member.
When we reviewed the change as a BOD and sought input from the board of governors one of the concerns was evaluating the training, or program or requirements. We felt that opened up the door for ambiguity and unequal application among member applicants. So, we left in the requirement of the 6000 series for active members and anything else is an associate member.

With that being said, an associate member in good standing is still a voting member of the organization.  That was the other part of this change is that all members in good standing have a vote where associate members previously did not.

The only difference is an associate member can not hold office or chair a committee. To hold office or chair a committee you would have to be an active member.

Carsten It is very likely that as the organization grows that there will be more members who are not verifiers than there are verifiers.

While the organization was founded largely by a group of verifiers, no where in our charge or bylaws does it state that we are a verifiers organization. It does charge us with being an educational organization for the Medical Gas Community.

With that being said it is in the bylaws that the President of the organization must hold a current CMGV, and therefore have a 6030 verifiers credential. Additionally the VP Structure must also meet all of the requirements of President.
And, from the policy manual, the VP Credentials must also hold a CMGV. 
This will require that the organization is led by someone from the verification side and three of the BOD positions must be filled with verifiers. 

So, sure there is a way that membership could grow and then vote as an organization to make additional changes to the bylaws. But, I really don't see that happening in the short or near term. 

I have got excellent feedback from new members who have joined and come to meetings who did not come from the verification side. Having had people in the meeting in Las Vegas being able to speak from installers, designers, verifiers, facilities, and manufactures perspectives showed some great value in expanding the reach and perspectives of MGPHO.
Additionally I am very excited to keep growing and really become a leader as an organization for medical gas education.