Dear Colleague:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently published new regulations that will prevent the Georgia Orthopaedic Society (GOS) from continuing to fax certain information to you without your expressed consent. This information includes solicitations for meetings or conferences, CME program registration forms, and membership renewal notices - even to members. The regulations are scheduled to take effect in August 2005.

While unsolicited faxes have been banned since the early 1990s, there has been an exception for "established business relationships" that permitted GOS and other associations to send information via fax to members, exhibitors, and others. After August 2005, the GOS will not be able to send any information to you by fax that notes the "commercial availability or quality of any property, goods or services" unless we have your consent. In other words, the new FCC regulations require your written permission to allow GOS to let you know about the GOS products, programs and services. GOS focus groups uniformly indicate that you value this information.

To continue to receive information about GOS products, programs and services, we need your express permission. We are also asking for your permission to continue receiving GOS emails. It is expected that the new regulations will include emails in the near future. Please:

• Sign onto the GOS website (www.georgiaorthosociety.com), and follow the link on the GOS homepage, whereby you can consent electronically to receiving this information.

The GOS and others in the association community oppose these new FCC regulations as wasteful, unnecessary and as an undue burden on communications with our members. However, we will comply with the regulations.

We greatly appreciate your help by electronically giving us permission to continue to provide you with important membership information.

Sincerely,

James Roberson, M.D.
President