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The Difference Between the OAGS and the OMA Section on General Surgery
The Ontario Association of General Surgeons (OAGS) was created back in 1995 when General Surgeons in Ontario felt that their voice was not being heard during contract negotiations amongst the rest of the Sections under the OMA. In order to reach out without limitations to the media, the public, and other organizations and speak on behalf of and to General Surgeons within Ontario, a group of primarily community surgeons formed what is now the OAGS. Since then, although the OAGS is independent from the OMA, both the board and executive members strive to work in tandem toward the similar goals. While the OMA provides the brd mtg space, the OAGS pays for its own annual meeting, newsletter, website, etc. Also, while the OMA provides board meeting honouraria, the OAGS does not. OAGS Board members take time out of their schedules to attend meetings and work together to improve the working conditions of General Surgeons throughout Ontario on your behalf. Your support is greatly appreciated.
| OAGS | Section on General Surgery |
|---|---|
| President: Dr. Ravinder Singh | Section Chair: Dr. Kevin Lefebvre |
| Board: 14 members (current) | Executive: 8 members (max) |
| Professional Organization - Not-for-Profit | Professional Organization |
| Dues: Voluntary | Dues: Involuntary (OMA) / Voluntary (section fees) |
| Election: facilitated by the OAGS | Election: facilitated by the OMA |
| Board Term: 2yrs | Board Term: 2yr |
| Details: www.oags.org | Details: www.oma.org (gated) |
| OAGS Bylaws: Bylaw 1; Bylaw 2; Bylaw 3; Bylaw 4 | OMA Section Bylaws: download (gated) |
| OAGS Dues pay for | oma section dues pay for |
|---|---|
| Monthly E-Updates / The Cutting Edge newsletter - a publication written by Gen Surgeons for Gen Surgeons | OMA Review |
| Travel and accommodation expenses for board members not covered by OMA to attend board meetings throughout the year | 3-4 Section/OAGS board meetings/year for 6 Section Executive members to attend |
| OAGS Annual Meeting in November for General Surgeons | some contribution to joint annual meeting |
| CPD-accreditation for the annual meeting | OMA Section election |
| OAGS website | OMA website at large / Section page |
| All OAGS communications (monthly E-blasts, mailouts, fax, phone, etc.) | OMA Section communications |
| Freedom to lobby gov't separately from the OMA | Contract and Tariff negotiations |
| Job Listing service | |
| Resident Research Grant | |
| Webinars | |
| Tax deductible receipt for annual professional membership | |
| OAGS office, expenses and executive assistant | |
| The Billing Corner column/interstitials, the CPD listings, the Job Listings, social media channels, Case of the Month, OAGS election... |