During the initial stages of organisation of the College, veterinarians can apply for de facto Diplomate status of the College, on the basis of their scientific and professional achievements. Their credentials will be evaluated by the Founding Diplomates - Invited Specialists of the College.
    De facto appointed Diplomates are not required to take an examination. These will be evaluated and appointed by the invited specialists, based upon the following criteria:

• have a good moral and ethical standing in the veterinary profession;
• practice veterinary medicine in a European country or be entitled to obtain a licence for practicing in Europe;
• have at least seven (7) years of experience in small ruminant health management;
• have authored or co-authored at least eight (8) peer-reviewed articles in            internationally refereed journals (within the ISI impact factor system) on topics of scientific research or clinical practice in the speciality (publications in proceedings of scientific meetings cannot be considered) - of these, in four (4) publications should be the sole or first author;
• have made personally at least five (5) presentations in international scientific        meetings;
• spend at least 60 per cent of professional time working in small ruminant health   management;
• be actively involved in the dissemination of knowledge related to small ruminant  health management.

    Diplomates of other European Colleges of Veterinary Specialisation may be admitted as ECSRHM Diplomates if they spend 60% of their working time devoted to aspects of small ruminant health management and related activities and provided that there is clear scientific and clinical compatibility between the two specialities.
    The College welcomes applications from interested veterinarians, who wish to be considered as de facto appointed Diplomates. Interested persons should get in touch with the College for details of the application procedure.

Application procedure

    Before applying, all interested veterinarians should read carefully the College's documents to understand the scope of the College
    For election, interested veterinarians should submit: (i) a detailed curriculum vitae; (ii) clear evidence of fulfilment of all the criteria for selection and (iii) indication as how clinical expertise in small ruminant health management has been acquired.
    In practical terms, an interested veterinarian should initially download the form "ECSRHM - DE FACTO APPLICATION" (Word document). It is important to stick to the format required as closely as possible. Any irrelevant or redundant information will be a hindrance, rather than help, in the evaluation of the application. All sections must be completed; incomplete applications will be returned.
    After completion, the document must be submitted electronically and simultaneously to the President, Mr Paul Roger (paul.roger@btinternet.com), and the Past-President, Dr George C. Fthenakis (gcf@vet.uth.gr) of the College.
The completed document must then, be printed, signed at all appropriate sections and sent by post to the Past-President of the College, Dr G.C. Fthenakis, at the following address:

University of Thessaly,
Veterinary Faculty,
PO Box 199,
43100 Karditsa,
Greece.

    All required evidence (as detailed in the application form) should accompany this application.
    All applications will be acknowledged. If no acknowledgment has been received within one month of sending the application by post, please contact Dr Fthenakis and enquire. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be returned to the sender.

Evaluation procedure

    Evaluation of applicants for de facto Diplomate status will be carried out exclusively by the Founding Diplomates - Invited specialists of the College.
    Initially each application will be considered by three Founding Diplomates - Invited specialists. On the basis of the information submitted, the three rapporteurs will make a proposal if the applicant meets the criteria for recognition as de facto appointed specialist of the College. The application and the proposal will then be forwarded to all eight Founding Diplomates - Invited specialists of the College for a final decision. An affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of these is required for admission of an applicant as a Founding Diplomate - de facto appointed specialist.
    The whole procedure will be completed within six months after submission of the application and the results will be confirmed at the subsequent meeting of the Board of the College.