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ARTICLE
I
Definition
The
California Urological Association shall consist of urologists who
reside in the State of California.
ARTICLE
II
Membership
Section
1. Active Membership
Active
membership in this Association shall be restricted to physicians
specializing in the practice of urology.
(a)
Qualifications
(1)
A primary interest in the objectives and purposes of the Association.
(2)
An active interest in civic and professional affairs at local and
state levels.
(3)
Reputation of high moral and professional integrity
(4)
An unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state of California.
(5)
Approval by the Membership Committee or Board of Directors.
(6)
Or membership in the American College of Surgeons, or certified
by the American Board of Urology, or approval by the Membership
Committee and Board of Directors.
(b)
Completion of an application for membership form supplied by the
Secretary
which shall be submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual
Meeting.
(c)
Applicants who have fulfilled the above qualifications and requirements
shall
be elected to Active Membership if they receive the affirmative
votes of a majority of the Board of Directors present and voting.
(d)
Each newly elected member of the Association shall be officially
notified
of
his election by the Secretary. He shall receive a copy of the Articles
of Incorporation and By-Laws and a certificate of membership.
Section
2. Senior Membership
Senior
membership may be conferred upon Active Members who retire from
practice.
(a)
Qualifications
(1)
Retirement from the active practice of urology.
(2)
Active membership in good standing at the time of retirement.
(b)
Requirements
(1)
Written request for change in membership status to the Secretary
at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
(c)
Applicants who have fulfilled the above qualifications shall be
elected to
Senior
Membership if they receive the affirmative votes of a majority of
the Board of Directors present and voting.
(d)
When warranted in the consideration of specific applicants, the
Board of
Directors
may waive any specific qualification or requirement which it considers
to be justified.
Section
3. Candidate Membership
Candidate
Membership shall be restricted to physicians specializing in the
practice of urology, or physicians in residency or fellowship programs
or physicians whose application has not yet been completed or acted
upon by the Membership Committee or the Board of Directors.
(a)
Qualifications:
(1)
A primary interest in the objectives and purpose of the
Association.
(2)
Reputation of high moral and professional integrity.
(3)
An unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state of
California.
(b)
Candidate members shall pay dues except for candidate members in
residency
or fellowship programs who shall be exempt from dues.
(c)
Candidate members shall not have voting privileges.
ARTICLE
III
Officers
Section
1. Officers
(a)
The officers of the Association shall be President, President-Elect,
Immediate
Past President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall constitute
the Executive Committee.
(b)
All Officers shall hold office for two (2) years or until their
successor has
been
elected and qualified. The Officers shall assume their offices immediately
before adjournment of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.
(c)
Vacancies which occur in any of the offices may be filled for the
unexpired
term by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section
2. President
(a)
The President shall be the chief officer of this Association, serve
as
Chairman
of the Board of Directors and preside at all meetings of the Association.
(b)
He shall appoint all committees prescribed in these By-Laws and
be a member of each committee, ex officio.
(d)
He may call special meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section
3. President-Elect
(a)
The President-Elect shall preside in the absence of the President
and shall
perform
any duties concerned with the Association which are assigned to
him by the President.
(b)
In the event the President is unavailable to serve, the President-Elect
shall
succeed
to the office.
(c)
He shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
(d)
In the event the President is not renominated to succeed himself
or
chooses
not to run, the President-Elect shall ordinarily be nominated to
succeed him.
Section
4. Past-President
(a)
The Immediate Past-President shall be a member of the Board of
Directors
and serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
Section
5. Secretary
(a)
The Secretary shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
(b)
He shall conduct the official correspondence.
(c)
He shall keep and up-to-date file on each member. He shall notify
each
newly
elected member of his election, send him a copy of the Articles
of Incorporation and By-Laws and a certificate of membership.
(d)
He shall notify members of the Board of Directors of the time and
place
of
regular meetings at least fifteen (15) days before the meeting and
for special meetings at least fifteen (15) days before the meeting.
If an emergency meeting does not permit fifteen (15) days notice,
he will notify the Directors with as much advance warning as possible.
(e)
He shall notify each member of the time and place of the Annual
Meeting
at
least thirty (30) days in advance and for special meetings, at least
fifteen (15) days before the meeting.
(f)
He shall, in consultation with the President, arrange an agenda
for the
Board
of Directors meetings and the Annual Business Meeting.
Section
6. Treasurer
(a)
He shall collect all dues and monies due the Association, maintain
proper
ledgers
and records and be responsible for their safe keeping.
(b)
He shall cause an audit of the Association books to be conducted
when
requested
by a certified public accountant.
(c)
With the approval of the Board of Directors, he shall employ necessary
secretarial
assistance.
(d)
Expenses incurred be the Treasurer in the conduct of his office
shall be
paid
by the Association subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
Section
7. Board of Directors
(a)
The Board of Directions shall consist of the Officers, President,
President-
Elect,
Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer and regional representatives
to be appointed by the President. Terms of Office - Non-officer
Directors shall have a term of office of three (3) years. The Association's
Delegate and Alternate-Delegate to the California Medical Association
shall be ex-officio members without voting privileges.
(b)
Responsibilities:
(1)
Administer and manage the affairs of the Association.
(2)
Receive reports from the Officers and from Standing and
Special
Committees and make appropriate responses.
(3)
Act upon all problems of membership and matters of discipline,
and
ensure that all petitioners are given due process.
(4)
Select the time and place for the annual meeting of the
Association.
(5)
Fill all vacancies on the Board of Directors until the next annual
meeting
unless otherwise specified in the By-Laws.
(6)
Employ financial and/or legal counsel to advise the Board
when
needed.
(c)
The Board shall meet prior to the Annual Meeting. Special meetings
may
be called by the President or at the request of a majority of the
members of the Board. A quorum of the Board to transact business
shall
be five (5) members.
ARTICLE
IV
Committees
and Representatives to Affiliated Organizations
A.
STANDING COMMITTEES
(a)
All Standing Committees, excepting the Audit and the Nominating
Committee,
shall file a formal report of their activities at least annually
and when appropriate make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
These reports may be read at the annual meeting upon direction of
the Board of Directors.
The
Standing Committees shall be:
(1)
Membership Committee
(2)
Audit Committee
(3)
By-Laws Committee
(4)
Finance Committee
(5)
Nominating Committee
(6)
Government Relations Committee
(7)
Interspecialty Committee
(8)
Standards of Practice
(9)
Public Information
(10)
Fiscal Intermediaries
(11)
Medical Liability
Section
1. Membership Committee
(a)
The Membership Committee shall consist of one member from each of
the
regional Urological societies in the state appointed by the President
to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments made as
vacancies occur. Appointments shall be staggered to afford continuity.
The President shall designate a chairman annually.
(b)
The Membership Committee shall assist the Board of Directors in
reviewing
applications for membership. It shall investigate as it deems appropriate
applications for membership in any areas of the applicants professional
and ethical status to assure requirements for membership are met.
It may utilize any means necessary to meet this end, including,
but not limited to, contacting other members, societies, associations,
medical schools training programs, hospitals, boards or professional
organizations.
(c)
The Membership Committee shall report annually to the Board of
Directors.
Section
2. Audit Committee
(a)
The Audit Committee shall consist of two Active members appointed
by
the
President for terms of one (1) year.
(b)
The Audit Committee shall carefully examine the Treasurer's report
and
the
audit of the Association financial status. It shall present a written
report of these examinations to the Membership at the Annual Business
Meeting.
Section
3. By-Laws Committee
(a)
The By-Laws Committee shall consist of three Active members ap-
pointed
by the President for terms of three (3) years, with one member being
appointed each year. The President shall designate a Chairman each
year.
(b)
The By-Laws Committee shall annually review the efficacy and
effectiveness
of the Association By-Laws, study the various activities of the
Association and recommend amendments when necessary or indicated
for the good of the Association.
Section
4. Finance Committee
(a)
The Executive Committee shall serve as the Finance Committee. The
President
shall be the Chairman.
(b)
The Committee shall study all financial matters of the Association,
including
but not limited to receipts, expenditures, and investments and make
appropriate recommendations to the Board.
(c)
The Committee shall prepare annually a budget for the various activities
of
the Association and submit it to the Board prior to the Annual Business
Meeting. On the basis of the proposed budget the Committee shall
make recommendations to the Board regarding dues for the following
year.
(d)
The Committee shall meet annually and as often as circumstances
warrant.
Section
5. Nominating Committee
(a)
The Nominating Committee shall consist of the President, the two
most
recent
Past Presidents available, and two (2) members appointed by the
President from the general membership. The most recent Past President
shall be the Chairman.
(b)
The Committee shall nominate a single candidate for each office.
The
slate
shall be presented to the membership for consideration at the Annual
Business Meeting.
Section
6. Government Relations Committee
(a)
The Government Relations Committee shall consist of one member from
each
of the regional urological societies in the state appointed by the
President to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments
being staggered to afford continuity. The President shall designate
the chairman annually.
(b)
The Government Relations Committee shall study and evaluate legis-
lation
and proposed legislation, which could affect urological care or
the practice of urology, in the State of California.
(c)
This Committee shall develop appropriate liaison and support with
legislatures
and government representatives.
(d)
This Committee may employ whatever assistance is necessary to carry
out
its functions.
(e)
It shall maintain liaison with the Medical Liability Committee.
(f)
It shall report annually to the Board of Directors
Section
7. Interspecialty Committee
(a)
The Interspecialty Committee shall consist of one member from each
of
the
regional urological societies in the state appointed by the President
to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments being made
as vacancies occur. Appointments shall be staggered to afford continuity.
The President shall designate the chairman annually.
Section
8. Standards of Practice Committee
(a)
The Standards of Practice Committee shall consist of one member
from
each
of the regional urological societies in the state appointed by the
President to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments
being made as vacancies occur. Appointments shall be staggered to
afford continuity. The President shall designate the chairman annually.
(b)
The Standards of Practice Committee shall develop and maintain liaisons
with
committees of other organizations involved in standards of care.
(c)
The Committee shall keep abreast of new methods and modalities of
treatment
in regards to the standards of practice of urology especially as
it relates to quality, quantity, delivery and access to urological
care for the people of California.
(d)
The Committee shall report annually to the Board of Directors.
Section
9. Public Information Committee
(a)
The Public information Committee shall consist of one member of
each
of
the regional urological societies in the state appointed by the
President to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments
being made as vacancies occur. Appointments shall be staggered to
afford continuity. The president shall designate a chairman annually.
(b)
The Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to assist the Board
of
Directors
in responding to requests for information from the public or press.
It shall assist the Board of Directors in formulating position statements
regarding conventional, or new methods and modalities of urological
care in regards to the appropriateness and/or efficacy of such treatments.
(c)
The Committee shall report annually to the Board of Directors.
Section
10. Fiscal Intermediaries Committee
(a)
The Fiscal Intermediaries Committee shall consist of one member
from
each
of the regional urological societies in the State appointed by the
President to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments
being made as vacancies occur. The chairman shall designate a chairman
annually. Appointments shall be staggered to afford continuity.
(b)
The Committee shall assist the Board of Directors in responding
to
requests
on matters of third party payments by reviewing problems and rendering
appropriate solutions.
(c)
It shall assist the Board of Directors in determining appropriate
guide-
lines
for reimbursement of conventional and changing or new urological
procedures and treatments.
(d)
The Committee shall report annually to the Board of Directors
Section
11. Medical Liabilities Committee
(a)
The Medical Liabilities Committee shall consist of one member from
each
of the regional urological societies in the State appointed by the
President to serve for terms of three (3) years with appointments
being made as vacancies occur. Appointments shall be staggered to
afford continuity. The President shall designate a Chairman annually.
(b)
The Committee shall function in an advisory capacity to the Board
of Directors regarding matters of medical liability. It shall study
and make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors of
all areas of medical liability; including but not limited to, liability
coverage, arbitration and review and any related matters of importance
to the association and people of California.
(c)
It shall maintain liaison with the Government Relations Committee
in
area
of tort reform and medical liability.
(d)
It shall compile and maintain a list of members who are willing
to review
cases
of possible or pending liability litigation.
(e)
It shall report to the Board of Directors.
B.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
(a)
Special Committees may be authorized by the Board of Directors to
perform
specific duties or carry out assigned functions. These Committees
shall report periodically and upon the completion of their assignments
to the Board of Directors.
C.
DELEGATE AND REPRESENTATIVES TO AFFILIATED
ORGANIZATIONS
Section
1. Terms of Office
(a)
The terms of office of delegates or representatives to affiliated
organizations
shall conform to the requirements of the affiliated organization.
Section
2. Alternate and Delegate Election
(a)
If representation is by Delegate and Alternate Delegate, election
will
be
so arranged that the Alternate shall succeed the Delegate when he
leaves office.
Section
3. The Procedures for Election of Delegates
(a)
The procedures for election of delegates or representatives to affiliated
organizations
shall conform to the same procedure as that of the election of officers
of the California Urological Association.
Section
4. Delegates and Representatives Representation
(a)
Delegates and representatives shall officially represent the California
Urological
Association in the respective affiliated organization and shall
endeavor to learn the desires and wishes of their constituents and
to convert them into action in the affiliated organization.
(b)
They shall seek opinions and suggestions from the members of the
Board
of Directors and from the membership concerning relevant matters
known or anticipated to be pending before the affiliated organization.
Section
5. Reporting
(a)
A report of relevant items from such affiliated organization
representation
shall be submitted to the Board of Directors whenever any action
is taken which directly concerns the Association or its constituents,
but at least annually prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association.
(b)
An annual report also is to be given to the general membership at
the
Annual
Meeting.
ARTICLE
V
Meetings
Section
1. Annual Meeting
(a)
The Annual Meeting of the California Urological Association shall
be
held
during the annual meeting of the Western Section of the American
Urological Association. A notice of this meeting shall be sent to
each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section
2. Special Meetings
(a)
A Special meeting may be called by the President, a majority of
the
Board
of Directors or upon written request of thirty (30) members. A special
notice of such a meeting shall be sent to each member so as to be
received at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date set, stating
the nature of the business for which the meeting is called and containing
the list of signatures requesting such a special meeting. Only business
stated as the reason for the special meeting shall be transacted
at special meetings.
Section
3. Quorum:
(a)
At all regular and special meetings of the membership a Quorum shall
be
five (5) percent of the active members in good standing.
Section
4. Order of Business at the Board of Directors Meetings:
(a)
Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.
(b)
Officer's Reports:
(1)
President's Report
(2)
Secretary's Report
(3)
Treasurer's Report
(c)
Standing Committee Reports:
(1)
Audit Committee
(2)
Finance Committee
(3)
Bylaws Committee
(4)
Government Relations Committee
(5)
Interspecialty Committee
(6)
Standards of Practice Committee
(7)
Public Information Committee
(8)
Fiscal Intermediaries Committee
(9)
Medical Liability Committee
(10)
Membership Committee
(11)
Nominating Committee
(d)
Election of new members
(e)
Special Committee Reports
(f)
Old Business
(g)
New Business
(h)
Adjournment
Section
5. Annual Meeting Order of Business
(a)
Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.
(b)
Welcome of New Members
(c)
Officer 's Reports:
(1)
President's Report
(2)
Secretary's Report
(3)
Treasurer's Report
(4)
Board of Directors Reports
(d)
Standing Committee Reports:
(1)
Audit Committee
(2)
Finance Committee
(3)
By-Laws Committee
(4)
Government Relations Committee
(5)
Interspecialty Committee
(6)
Standards of Practice Committee
(7)
Public Information Committee
(8)
Fiscal Intermediaries Committee
(9)
Medical Liabilities- Committee
(10)
Membership Committee
(e)
Special Committee Reports
(f)
Report of Delegates and Representatives to Affiliated Organizations
(g)
Old Business
(h)
New Business
(i)
Nominating Committee Report
(j)
Election of Officers
(k)
Installation of Officers
The
President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be
installed
at the end of the Annual Business Meeting
(l)
Adjournment
ARTICLE
VI
Elections
1.
The Annual Elections shall be at the Annual Business Meeting.
2.
Only Active members in good standing shall be eligible for
nomination
and election and for appointment to committees.
3.
All officers shall be elected by voice vote if there are no nominees
other
than those proposed by the Nominating Committee. When there are
other nominations from the floor for any office, voting shall be
by written ballot. The majority of the valid votes cast shall constitute
an election.
4.
Newly elected officers shall take office at the end of the meeting
at
which
they have been elected and shall serve until the end of the next
Annual meeting or until their successors have been elected.
ARTICLE
VII
Dues
and Assessments
Section
1. Fiscal Year
The
Fiscal year of the Association shall date from January first of
each year.
Section
2. Annual Dues
(a)
The Annual Dues shall be set each year by the Board of Directors
upon
the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
(b)
The Annual Dues are payable in advance of the commencement of
each
fiscal year. Any member whose dues have not been received by February
1 shall be notified immediately in writing by registered mail with
return receipt of his delinquency and impending removal from the
membership roll. Any member whose dues have not been received by
March 1 shall be removed from the membership roll and shall be reinstated
only upon reapplication.
(c)
Upon election to Senior Membership, the requirement for payment
of
annual
dues shall be waived. Senior Members shall continue to receive mailings
of the Association and may attend meetings, but may not hold office.
(d)
Candidate members and residents or fellows in training are exempt
from
dues.
Section
3. Special Assessments: (see program)
(a)
Special Assessments for specific reasons may be voted by the
members
upon recommendation of the Board of Directors.
(b)
A Special Assessment is payable within sixty (60) days following
notification
of the members of such assessment. Any member whose assessment has
not been received within that time shall be immediately notified
of his delinquency and impending removal from the membership roll
by registered mail with return receipt. Any member whose Special
Assessment has not been received within an additional thirty (30)
days or by the end of the fiscal year, whichever is shorter, shall
be removed from the membership roll and shall be reinstated only
upon reapplication.
ARTICLE
VIII
Resignation
and Reinstatement
1.
A member in good standing may resign from the Association by
written
notice. Such requests shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
2.
A request for reinstatement following resignation or removal of
a
member
shall be sent to the Secretary. Such requests shall be considered
by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
IX
Discipline
Section
1. Discipline
(a)
All matters of discipline concerning members shall be prescribed
by the
Board
of Directors.
Section
2. Complaints
(a)
Complaints or charges against members shall be presented in writing
and
may
be initiated by any member of the Association.
Section
3. Complaint Procedure
(a)
Upon the request of the Board of Directors the Secretary shall secure
statements
in writing from the complainant and the member pertaining to the
matter in question.
(b)
The Secretary shall request the member to appear before the Board
of
Directors
during an official session to answer the charges brought against
him. Such notification with the specific charges, shall be in writing
at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting and
shall be sent by registered mail requiring a return acknowledgment
of receipt of the notice.
(c)
If the accused member wishes he may have the counsel of two other
members
during the hearing.
(d)
By a two-thirds vote the Board of Directors may reprimand, suspend
or
expel any member of the Association for
(1)
A violation of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws,
(2)
Unethical professional conduct, or
(3)
The conviction in a court of law of a statutory crime, as
defined
by the code of ethics of the American Medical Association, or a
crime evincing moral turpitude.
ARTICLE
X
Amendments
The
Board of Directors may initiate proposed amendments to the Constitution
and By-Laws. The proposed amendment shall be printed in the notice
of the Annual Meeting and be sent to the members at least thirty
(30) days in advance of the meeting. An amendment shall be adopted
if it receives an affirmative vote by two-thirds of the active members
present and voting at the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE
XI
Seal
of Corporation
The
Seal of Corporation shall be inscribed thereon with the name of
the Corporation, the date and the words: "Corporate Seal."
Said seal may be altered at the pleasure of the Association and
may be used by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed
or affixed or otherwise used.
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