ANSA Membership 2023

Dear trainees,

We hope this finds you well, and at the end of a successful first term.

By now you will have had the opportunity to have had some contact from ANSA, either through our educational activities, interview preparation, wellbeing initiatives, or fellowship preparation.

We have more planned for the second half of the year, but are reaching out to ask for your support to help achieve it.

2 years ago, ANSA changed our funding model to asking trainees to pay an annual fee to help support the ongoing activities.

Most of our opportunities will remain free, but we hope to offer some economic, philanthropic, and professional incentives to convince you of the value.

Q: How much does membership cost?

Membership was first introduced at $175 in 2021. Following feedback from members, and the ongoing work of our sponsorship team securing additional external funding sources, we have decreased it to $125 for this year.

Q: Do I have to sign up?

A: Membership is not mandatory - we hope this email provides a compelling reason to join, but it is entirely voluntary.

Q: What are the benefits of signing up?

A: In addition to the support of your fellow trainees, the benefits of membership include priority access to simulation and SET application workshops, access to educational resources such as practice questions for early/mid SET, and the annual F2F practice fellowship exam. Additional benefits include discounted access to Gratias Cena, and access to our private assisting guide (aimed at streamlining and demystifying private assisting).

That said, other events like the Welfare seminars, along with the weekly education sessions, remain free for all.

Q: Will I still have to pay for Gratias Cena?

A: Yes, but with a discount. For those new to the hub, Gratias Cena is an annual "Thank you" dinner with a longstanding history, run by the trainees to show appreciation for the surgeons who take time to give us tutorials, support and provide advice for our careers, and refine our operative and non-operative skills in clinical practice. We feel it important to recognise their contribution, while providing an opportunity to relax and break bread outside of the work environment.

ANSA is not-for-profit organisation, run with the good will of the trainees, hoping to improve our experience and to help advocate on behalf of trainees and foster that sense of fellowship unique to surgery. We hope that you choose to join, and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you all as part of ANSA this year!

Regards,

The ANSA team

For full list of ANSA activities in 2023, Please visit ANSA website by clicking here.