Present: Ron Engelbreit, Ron Alterman, Emad Eskandar, Mike Schulder, Josh Rosenow, Gordon Baltuch, Jaimie Henderson, Ali Rezai, Konstantin Slavin, Bob Maciunis, Philip Starr

1. Secretary-Treasurer's report-

   Dr. Starr reported that the ASSFN 2004 meeting had a net profit of $70,000. The current balance in the ASSFN account is $170,000. Ron Engelbreit noted that if this were placed in an interest-bearing account, it would not violate the tax exempt status of the organization, but it would generate a 1099 form and require ASSFN to file a federal tax return. Dr. Starr will inquire with Mellon Bank as to possibilities for interest bearing accounts.

2. Membership update from AANS secretariat

   Ron Engelbreit reported that there are 149 ASSFN members who have paid their 2005 dues thus far, and 236 listed as members whose dues are outstanding. However, many on the membership list may not have paid dues in many years; so the actual number of paying members prior to this year is not clear.

   The members agreed with the current AANS policy of sending a suspension notice to those who have not paid dues after multiple invoices, but allowing one year to resume payment without having to re-apply for membership. Dr. Starr will provide a letter to Ron Engelbreit to send with the suspension notice, re-iterating the benefits of membership. Ron will send an updated list of outstanding dues to Nick Boulis who will contact appropriate members to urge renewal.

   Dr. Starr proposed further simplifying the application process: Eliminate the requirement for a CV, and have applications send directly to AANS rather than the secretary-treasurer of AANS. This motion was approved by a vote of 8 for, zero against.

   The AANS will soon be ready to convert to fully on line new member applications (they already to dues payments on-line; when they are ready the council agreed to convert to on-line applications. This service by the AANS will incur a one time cost of $1500.

3. Webmaster Report

   Dr. Eskandar reviewed his recent updates to the website and solicited further suggestions. He will add to the website a link to the member list maintained by the AANS, and will also add links to the abstracts of the ASSFN meetings. This link will replace the "what's new" section of the website. The members agreed to continue with the current webservice provider (Websolutions) since the AANS is not yet ready to maintain the ASSFN website and has not yet generated a quote for the cost of this.

4. Upcoming joint section symposia at upcoming CNS/AANS

   Dr. Slavin presented the list of symposium topics from prior 5 years
   Drs. Starr/Schulder confirmed the symposium themes for CNS 2005 in Boston:
   Basal ganglia: what's new (coordinated by Dr. Eskandar), and Psychosurgery coordinated by Dr. Lozano.

   Dr. Schulder proposed a theme for the AANS 2006 symposium: update on NPH. This was accepted unanimously. Dr. Maciunis suggested that the speaker slate for this should include expertise in neuropsych evaluation of NPH, gait evaluation, and urodynamics. Since AANS 2006 will be in San Francisco, Dr. Starr will investigate possible local speakers for this.

5. Upcoming ASSFN meeting - Boston 2006

   Drs. Maciunis and Eskandar agreed that the meeting would include a symposium on neural restoration with a slate of local speakers coordinated by Dr. Boulis.

   Dr. Eskandar will confirm that the meeting hotel has the correct number of rooms and facilities reserved.

6. Update on Washington Committee

   Mike Schulder reported that the leadership of the AANS/CNS is attempting to provide a definition of radiosurgery for CMS. He suggested that the ASSFN exec council not take a definite position at this time since the AANS/CNS leadership is taking care of this.

   Ron Alterman provided a written summary of the Washington Committee meetings of November 04 and March 05, which will be posted on the ASSFN website.

7. Fellowship training

   Jaimie Henderson again brought up guidelines fellowships, for possible submission to the Senior Society. Creation of such guidelines, if the ASSFN membership approves of it, would allow recognition of individual fellowships by the senior society. Such recognition is now possible for pediatric, vascular, and spine neurosurgery fellowships. Most of the council members felt this was a good idea, though a formal vote was not taken. Members should send any revisions to Jaimie who will generate a final version. This could be voted on at the next executive council meeting.