ARTICLE I
TITLE
The name and title of this organization shall
be the Atlanta Medical Association, Incorporated.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to combine
into one organization the physicians of Atlanta and its environs, of
similar persuasion so that a full and frank interchange of views may
secure intelligent unity and harmony in every phase of the medical profession-in
all scientific, legislative, public health, material and social affairs
to the end that the profession may receive that respect and support,
within and without its own ranks to which its honorable history, dating
back to 1890, and achievements entitle it; to encourage the enactment
of just laws for the protection of health in our community; and, with
other societies, to form the Georgia State Medical Association and to
be a constituent unit of the National Medical Association.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I
The types of membership in this Association shall be active, life, associate,
honorary, and inactive.
SECTION II
Active membership shall be granted to doctors of medicine and doctors
of osteopathy who are duly licensed and legally registered, who reside
and/or practice in Atlanta and its environs, and who would be eligible
for membership in the National Medical Association. Active members shall
be required to pay membership dues and may vote and hold office.
SECTION III
Life membership shall be conferred upon those active members who have
practiced medicine in our community for ten (10) or more years; and
who have attained the age of 70 years, or have retired from the practice
of medicine due to medical disability. These members shall have the
full rights and shall pay no dues. Members who seek consideration for
life membership shall make a request in writing to the Board of Trustees
through the President of the Association.
SECTION IV
Associate membership shall be granted to doctors of medicine and doctors
of osteopathy who are temporarily located in Atlanta. In this category
are those physicians serving in the capacity of interns, residents,
or fellows in training programs. Associate members shall be required
to pay membership dues equal to ten percent (10%) of the membership
dues required of active members. Associate members shall not vote or
hold office.
SECTION V
Honorary membership shall be conferred upon certain individuals, upon
whom this Association wishes to bestow honor for their worthwhile and
notable contributions. The selection of such members shall be at the
discretion of the Association and may include non-medical persons. Honorary
members shall not be required to pay membership dues and shall not vote
or hold office.
SECTION VI
Inactive membership shall be granted to those who have held active membership
in good standing and who, for reasons acceptable to the Association,
are no longer able to continue in an active capacity. Inactive members
shall not be required to pay membership dues and shall not vote or hold
office.
ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS
SECTION I
Regular meetings of this Association shall be held on the third Thursday
of each month, except January, June and August.
SECTION II
The meetings shall be of a joint scientific, business and social nature.
The cost of each meeting shall be defrayed by a host group selected
by rotation from list of active, life, associate and honorary members.
The rotation shall be done in an equitable manner so that every member
shall serve once, and no member shall serve more than once, in any calendar
year.
SECTION III
The selection of place and time of the meeting shall be a function of
the presiding officer and host group and shall be announced to the membership
well in advance of the meeting date.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
SECTION I
There shall be a Board of Trustees, which shall be the executive body
of the Association. It shall have charge of the financial affairs of
the Association and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed
by the Laws of Georgia governing directors of corporations.
SECTION II
The officers of this Association shall be a President, President-elect,
Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant
Treasurer, Chaplain, Parliamentarian. All officers shall be elected
for a term of one (1) year. The President shall not be eligible for
more than one (1) consecutive re-election.
SECTION III
The officers of the Association shall be elected annually after having
been nominated by the Nominating Committee, which shall have been named
by the President. Following their election, the newly elected officers
shall be installed in January at a time and place designated by the
Board of Trustees.
SECTION IV
No duly elected officer shall be denied, or removed from office until
the officer shall have been heard by the membership body and adjudged
guilty, by two-thirds (2/3) of the voting membership present, of unethical
practice or moral turpitude. The formal charges shall be in writing,
signed and filed with the Board of Trustees at least sixty (60) days
prior to the hearing. The officer so charged shall be furnished with
a full copy of the charges and a list of the names of witnesses against
the officer, and the officer shall have the opportunity to respond to,
and defend against such charges.
ARTICLE VI
Dues and Assessments
SECTION I
The annual dues of this Association shall be that amount determined
to be reasonable and necessary by the Board of Trustees and approved
by the Association and shall be payable in January of each year. Membership
dues cover activities for the calendar year, January-December. Any member
who shall fail to pay annual dues by the last day of February shall
be assessed a 10% late fee and shall be suspended and thereby denied
the right to vote or hold office. A member suspended for failure to
pay dues shall be restored to full membership by payment dues and the
late fee. Members more than one-year delinquent shall be expelled from
the rolls of the Association. Any member who shall have been expelled
from the rolls of the Association for reason of failure to pay dues
must re-apply for membership and be elected as a new member.
Members who pay the annual dues by December 31
of the previous year shall receive a $50.00 reduction.
SECTION II
Any active member of the Association for reason of financial hardship
or illness may be excused from the payment of annual dues if such request
is made in writing and is accepted by the Board of Trustees.
SECTION III
All new members shall be exempt from paying dues during the calendar
year that they join the Association. They shall be required to pay the
annual dues payable the first January after they join the Association.
SECTION IV
Assessments may be made by the Board of Trustees as the needs of the
Association demand. The Association must approve all assessments levied
in this manner by a majority vote of the voting members present. Assessments
levied in this manner shall become the obligation of each member and
shall be handled in the same manner as the annual dues.
ARTICLE VII
FUNDS
SECTION I
Funds for meeting the expenses of the Association shall be raised by
annual dues and such assessments approved by the Association.
SECTION II
This is not a fund raising Association, and therefore, shall not contribute
from its treasury to charitable or political groups, or other organizations
soliciting funds. This Association, while sympathetic to such organizations,
shall demand that contributions to such organizations be the function
of individual members. All disbursements from the treasury of this Association
shall be made by the Board of trustees, and shall be the payment of
regular business expenses; or contributions made only to persons or
organizations whose purpose is the advancement of medical education,
knowledge or practice, or the enhancement of public health. This restriction
in no manner shall preclude the establishment of affiliate arms to the
Association for the purpose of other fund raising, to be composed of
those members interested in such activities.
SECTION III
The treasurer shall receive, record and deposit all Association monies
in an FDIC bank or in any manner governed by the "prudent man rule,"
in the name of the Association.
SECTION IV
Funds shall be withdrawn and/or disbursements shall be made only with
the approval of the Board of Trustees and vouchers for such action shall
be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President (or presiding
officer) or an officer duly designated by the President).
ARTICLE VIII
NATIONAL AND STATE TIES
The Association, local association of the National
Medical Association, can assume the responsibility of paying annual
dues to the National Medical Association and the Georgia State Medical
Association.
ARTICLE IX
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The executive body of the Association shall be
the Board of Trustees. It shall be composed of the immediate Past President,
President, President-elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary,
Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Chaplain, Parliamentarian, Standing
Committee Chairs. The members-at-large shall serve for a term of two
(2) years. The chairman of the Board of Trustees shall be the immediate
Past President. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to meet
whenever necessary and upon the call of its chairman, to consider the
condition of the Association, to plan for its future and to recommend
to the Association those things which it believes will best serve the
welfare of the Association. The Board of Trustees shall have responsibility
for the financial affairs of the Association and shall perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Laws of Georgia governing directors
of corporations. Past Presidents of the Association serve as ex-officio
non-voting members of the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE X
CALL MEETINGS
A convening of the Association may be called
at any time at the discretion of the President. Such call meetings shall
be convened only in urgent or emergency situations. The Board of Trustees
may be assembled and will act in lieu of a call to the entire Association
in those emergency instances where time is of essence.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
SECTION I
This Constitution or any article or section thereof, including any or
all of the By-Laws, may be amended by the Association at any regular
meeting, providing the proposed amendment(s) shall have been introduced
to the membership by mail, call, or meeting, and providing two-thirds
(2/3) of the voting membership present favors such amendment(s).
SECTION II
Such amendment(s) shall not be in conflict with the Constitution and
the By-Laws of the Georgia State Medical Association and the National
Medical Association.
ARTICLE XII
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
The Association authorizes the establishment
of an Administrative Office and to Staff it appropriately for the purpose
of accomplishing the administrative functions associated with operations
of this Association, in accordance with Prudent Business Principles.
CHAPTER I
MEMBERSHIP
A candidate for membership shall make application
in writing and shall state the age of the applicant, medical school
and date of graduation, places in which the applicant has practiced
and the date of licensure to practice in this State. Those seeking membership
will fill out the application form and return it to the Membership Committee,
which will carefully investigate the qualifications of the applicant
and make recommendations to the Association at the regular meeting.
The application must be endorsed by at least two members of the Association.
The Membership Committee shall make diligent inquiry and assure itself
that the applicant is duly licensed and legally registered to practice
according to the Laws of the State. Election to membership shall be
by vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present and voting.
Applications from candidates previously rejected for sufficient reason
will not be again received for a period of one (1) year. Such applicants
must make application on the same terms and in like manner as original
applicants.
CHAPTER II
PRIVILEGES
All active members shall be equally privileged
to attend all meeting and to take part in all proceedings, and shall
be eligible for any office or honor within the gift of the Association,
so long as they conform to this Constitution and these By-Laws, including
the payment of dues and assessments. A member who is under suspension
or expulsion shall not be permitted to take part in any of the proceedings
or be eligible for any office until relieved of such disability. None
of the privileges of the Association shall be extended to any person
not a member of the Association.
CHAPTER III
QUORUM
One third (1/3) of the voting members shall constitute
a quorum. Any motion to be passed must be approved by a majority of
the voting members present providing this Constitution and these By-Laws
do not require otherwise. Abstentions shall be considered as absences
for this purpose. Any motion, which would fail because of lack of quorum
or because of abstentions, must be tabled until such time as it may
be properly voted upon.
CHAPTER IV
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees shall be constituted in
the manner outlined in this Constitution. The Board of Trustees shall
be the executive body of the Association. It shall have charge of the
financial affairs of the Association and shall perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the Laws of Georgia governing directors of corporations.
This shall in no manner preclude the origination of questions of financial
nature at regular meetings of the Association as expression of the will
of the membership. The results of voting by the membership on any question
of financial nature shall be taken under advisement by the Board of
Trustees and considered at its discretion. Only in the Board of Trustees
shall reside the power and authority to make official and final decisions
governing the financial affairs of the Association.
CHAPTER V
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
SECTION I
President
The President shall preside at regular membership meetings of the Association
and perform such other duties as custom and parliamentary usage provides.
The President shall be the real head of the professional persons in
this Association during the year. It shall be the pride and ambition
of the President to leave the Association in better condition as regards
to scientific attainment and harmony than at the beginning of their
term of office of the President. The President shall be an ex-officio
member of any and all committees.
SECTION II
Vice-President
The Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of
duties, shall preside in his absence of the President and succeed to
President in the event of death, resignation or removal from the city
or office of the President.
SECTION III
President - Elect
The President-elect shall cooperate with the President, the Board of
Trustees and other officers during the entire year as President-elect.
SECTION IV
Immediate Past-President
The Immediate Past-President shall assist the President in all matters
as requested and shall serve as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
to assure continuity of action and thought.
SECTION V
Secretary
The Secretary shall record all minutes and care for all records and
papers belonging to the Association. The Secretary shall notify each
member of the Association as to the time and place of each meeting.
The Secretary shall keep a correct roster of the membership, including
the addresses. The Secretary shall receive all monies, properly recording
and crediting same, and promptly turning them over to the Treasurer
and taking his receipt for the same. The Secretary shall keep a correct
record of each member's account with the Association. Upon the death
of any member of the Association and his immediate family, including
parents, the Secretary shall be authorized to purchase and send a suitable
floral piece; a telegram(s) or card(s) may be sent as indicated. The
same provisions exist in instances of sickness.
SECTION VI
Assistant Secretary
The Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary in the performance
of duties as assigned by the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall
function in the absence of the Secretary.
SECTION VII
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive all monies belonging to the Association
from the hands of the Secretary and shall pay out the same, as the Board
of Trustees shall vote. The Treasurer's records shall be audited annually
by a professional accountant.
SECTION VIII
Assistant Treasurer
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the performance
of duties as assigned by the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall
function in the absence of the Treasurer.
SECTION IX
Chaplain
The Chaplain shall conduct religious services and shall offer prayer
at the opening of all meetings.
SECTION X
Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian shall perform the duties usually assigned to this
office. It shall be his duty to pass on the legality of motions, etc.,
to determine whether they conform to Robert's Rules of Order.
CHAPTER VI
STANDING COMMITTEES
The Following Committees shall be appointed by each President and shall
be considered as permanent or standing committees:
Awards-To establish the winner of the Carter-Nash Plaque, which may
be given annually to the physician or citizen rendering outstanding
service to the profession or community during the current year; to decide
on any other award of distinction to be given to any individual by the
Association at large, such as the annual ward to the out-going President
or awards for attendance and/or faithful service; to meet at least once
annually to allow for thoughtful deliberation, preparation and presentation
at the January Inaugural meeting.
Budget-To analyze the financial situation of the Association
and to make recommendations concerning the income and expenses of the
Association necessary to keep the Association solvent; such recommendations
shall be take under advisement by the Board of Trustees in taking charge
of the financial affairs of the Association.
Constitution-To consider, evaluate and report to the Association, all
changes necessary in the Constitution.
Membership-To receive the fully completed membership application; to
consider the individual credentials of each applicant; to pass on the
candidates' eligibility; to make the necessary recommendations to the
Association for approval or disapproval.
Program-To secure the scientific speakers for the monthly meeting; to
plan and execute all other Association activities not pertinent to the
regular business portion of the meetings and not assigned to any particular
officer and/or committee.
Social-To plan any, and all, entertainment contemplated for
the Association, or for any person or persons so designated by the Association,
or for any person or persons so designated by the Association, or for
any specific occasion set apart by the Association, and report the planning
to the Association; to execute the finalized plans upon approval by
the Association.
Community Affairs Committee- Act as the Liaison between the Community
and the Association to support community based health related activities,
to include but not be limited to: Health Fairs, Public Education Seminars,
Mentoring Youth, Fielding Speakers for Medical Conferences and the like.
Legislative Committee- Monitors the political environment and
recommends legislative initiatives, directions and strategies most beneficial
for the Association.
Insurance Committee- Analyze and monitor managed care issues
and recommends strategies toward strengthening the Association's positions
and its member constituents' positions regarding managed care issues.
Newsletter Committee- Composes and publish the periodic newsletter
of the Association's newsworthy events.
Archive Committee- Assembles and catalogs the Association's
memorabilia and to record the Association's history.
CHAPTER VII
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The following committees may or may not be appointed by each President
and shall be considered as temporary or special committees
Grievance- To act as a referee in all matters arising between
the Association as a body or its membership individually or collectively,
and all other parties, as regards personal conduct, medical ethics,
morals, and professional competence; to hear all sides and all issues,
to evaluate them, and to present same to the Association for determinative
action.
Hospital- To investigate and evaluate all hospital matters,
and especially those pertinent to the welfare of the Association; to
act as a liaison group between the Association; to act as a liaison
group between the Association and any hospital in matters of disagreement,
at the discretion of the Association.
Nominating- To consider and present to the Association a suitable
slate of officers and elected members of the Board of Trustees for the
incoming year; to continue its activity until a full slate is presented
and accepted by the Association.
Public Relations- To act, as directed by the Association, in
matters concerning the populace at large; to attempt, at all times,
to prevent any action capable of posing a threat, real or potential,
to our professional public image; to conjure up and seek implementation
of any measures capable of enhancing our professional public image.
The President shall assign any other committees as necessary.
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