AS ANNOUNCED IN THE JANUARY ISSUE OF ACOG TODAY, The College’s Executive Board created a new “business league” or “trade association “called The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The Executive Board formed this new organization to best respond to members’ changing needs, including the promotion of the business and socioeconomic needs of Fellows. In addition, the Congress will foster and stimulate improvements in all aspects of women’s health care and establish and promote policy positions on issues affecting the specialty.

Information on the development of the Congress was presented at the College Advisory Council Meeting at the 2008 Annual Clinical Meeting and at each of the 2008 Annual District Advisory Council meetings.

“The feedback from Fellows has been tremendous,” said ACOG Executive Vice President Ralph W. Hale, MD, FACOG. “The College will continue to provide exceptional educational opportunities and thoroughly researched practice guidelines, and the Congress will focus on the business side of being a practicing ob-gyn and on political activity. Fellows will have the two best professional organizations in obstetrics and gynecology working on their behalf.”

The Congress should be in operation starting January 2010 and will be a companion organization to the College, if College bylaws amendments are approved at the May 4 Annual Business Meeting during the ACM in Chicago. Voting members should watch their mailboxes in March for a special mailing detailing the proposed amendments to the College bylaws and a proxy to approve the amendments.

The difference between 501(c)(3) status and 501(c)(6) status

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was incorporated on Aug 4, 1951, as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. The College is an organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as exempt from federal income taxation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is also classified as a public charity.

There are numerous benefits ts to being a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and there are also certain limitations placed on such organizations. For example, one benefit is that contributions and gifts to the College are deductible by the donor as charitable contributions. A limitation is that College assets are required to be used only for its exempt purposes, and although the College can lobby on issues, there is an absolute prohibition on any political campaign or candidate activity.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is also incorporated as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation. However, the Congress is requesting from the IRS to be recognized as a 501(c)(6) organization. This designation will allow the Congress more flexibility in promoting the interests of its members. 501(c)(6) organizations have no limit on socioeconomic activities, and the Congress may carry on political campaign activities and may sponsor a political action committee, or PAC.

Why is the name Congress used?

ACOG is incorporated in Illinois, but the main office is in the District of Columbia. Neither jurisdiction will allow two separate organizations to have an identical name. The Executive Board and Fellows offered a lot of suggestions for new names, and after careful consideration it was felt that “Congress” was the best fit. “Congress” by definition is a group of members who come together for a mutual purpose. The name also maintains the “ACOG” acronym.

As a member of the College, what do I have to do to be a member of the Congress?

Nothing.   When the Congress commences operations, every member in the College will automatically become a member in the same membership category in the Congress. All future members will have dual membership in the two organizations. Members will join the Congress by an application process that will be similar to the one that currently exists, and membership in the Congress will automatically confer College membership.

Will I pay two sets of dues?

No. There will be only one national dues payment. Internally, some funds will be for Congress activities, while others will be used for College activities.

Which organization will collect my dues?

Dues will be collected by the Congress starting with the fall 2009 dues statement so that the Congress will begin operation in January 2010.

Will my dues still be tax deductible?

Generally, membership dues are tax deductible as a business expense. However, the percentage of dues related to lobbying activities is not deductible, and this amount will be noted on your dues statement.

Will I lose any benefits of College membership?

No, all of the current benefi ts of membership will remain. Some will come from the College and others from the Congress.

Will I still have an Annual District Meeting?

Yes. The activities of the districts and sections will be in the Congress. Having districts and sections in the Congress gives the districts and sections the most flexibility for carrying out socioeconomic and political activities.

Will there be two Executive Boards and two sets of officers?

Under the dual membership approach, all officers (except for those in the Armed Forces District) will be elected in the Congress and will also serve on the Executive Board of the College. Because of Armed Services restrictions, Armed Forces officers will be elected in only the College and serve on the College’s Executive Board.

How can I get more information?

More information is on the ACOG website. The 2009 March Issue of, ACOG Today will address the changes in the 501(c)(3) bylaws that are necessary for the transition. You may also email Executive Vice President Ralph W. Hale, MD,FACOG, at  rhale@acog.org