BYLAWS OF
The Mediterranean Chapter Division (MAEM) of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, Inc.
ARTICLE I
Name/Organizational Status
The name of the organization (the “Chapter Division”) is “The Mediterranean Chapter Division (MAEM) of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, Inc.” The Chapter Division is a division, not separately incorporated, of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, Inc., a Wisconsin nonstock corporation organized and operating pursuant to Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (“AAEM”). As a division of AAEM, Chapter Division exists and operates under the ultimate auspices and control of AAEM.
ARTICLE II
Purposes/Powers
2.1 Purposes/Objectives. The Chapter Division has been created and is organized for the purpose of promoting and protecting excellence and integrity in the practice and management of emergency medicine in all clinical and administrative settings within the Mediterranean region. This includes any country or region contiguous with the Mediterranean basin – including all of Europe, Turkey, the nations around the Black Sea, as well as the North African and Middle Eastern Countries (including, without limitation, the development, publication and promotion of appropriate branches and professional standards in the emergency medicine industry); improving the quality, providing professional and public education, and to do any other act or thing incidental to or connected with the foregoing purpose or in advancement thereof, but not for the pecuniary profit or financial gain.
Under the auspices of AAEM, the Chapter Division is committed to all of the founding principles of AAEM, including:
- Every individual should have unencumbered access to quality emergency care provided by a specialist in emergency medicine.
- The practice of emergency medicine is best conducted by a specialist in emergency medicine.. A specialist in Emergency Medicine is a physician who has achieved, through personal dedication and sacrifice, certification by a nationally-recognized, accredited, certifying body with equivalent standards to the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM). Such standards include as a minimum:
- The completion of properly accredited and supervised categorical residency training in the specialty of Emergency Medicine
- Residency training in EM through a categorical full-time commitment for no less than 2 years in a residency program that accredited by an official national process based in the country where the training is provided.
- A specialist certification body that enables the certificate holder to practice unrestricted as an emergency medicine specialist in the country or region that administers the certification body and issues the certificate
Chapter Division is also committed to the following principles:
- Chapter Division supports and promotes emergency medicine in all practice environments. These environments include both urban and rural settings given the demographics of our member states. In addition, Chapter Division promotes the practice of Emergency Medicine community hospitals as well as tertiary medical centers.
- Chapter Division promotes fair and equitable practice environments. Without fair environments, specialists in emergency medicine cannot deliver the highest quality of patient care. Fair practice environments incorporate employment agreements with due process provisions, fairness in scheduling, just compensation, and the absence of restrictive covenants.
- The personal and professional welfare of the individual specialist in emergency medicine is a primary concern to Chapter Division.
- Chapter Division seeks to promote emergency medicine and advance the interests of Chapter Division members through effective advocacy at the local and regional levels.
- Chapter Division supports the growth and sustainability of emergency medicine residency programs and general medical education. These programs are essential to the continued enrichment and evolution of Emergency Medicine, and to the delivery of high quality care to our patients.
These Bylaws shall be effective only as to matters pertaining to Chapter Division and shall not alter or contravene any provision of the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of AAEM or the AAEM Chapter Division Operational Terms and Conditions in effect between Chapter Division and AAEM. Any provision of these Bylaws which purports to alter or contravene any provision of the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of AAEM or the AAEM Chapter Division Operational Terms and Conditions shall be null and void and have no force or effect.
2.3 Powers. Chapter Division shall have and be permitted to exercise all powers, rights and privileges as are authorized by Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes and which are not inconsistent with IRC Section 501(c)(6) status, subject to such restrictions as are set forth herein or to which Chapter Division is otherwise subject and such oversight, control and/or restrictions as AAEM may otherwise impose from time to time.
2.4 Funds. Chapter Division may seek gifts, contributions, donations, and bequests for the purposes of Chapter Division and AAEM and all funds received by Chapter Division shall be dedicated to and invested solely for such purposes.
2.5 Nondiscrimination. In the pursuit of its purposes and the exercise of its powers, Chapter Division shall make its services and activities available to the community that it serves regardless of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or national origin
2.2 Records. The Board of Directors and/or AAEM may keep the books of Chapter Division in such place or places as they may from time to time determine in accordance with Section 181.1601 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
ARTICLE III
Membership and Privileges
3.1 Classes of Membership. Membership in Chapter Division shall be a privilege, not a right, and is dependent upon the applicant for any class of membership demonstrating compliance with the requirements for membership as defined in the Bylaws and otherwise by the Board of Directors of Chapter Division or AAEM. There will be five (5) classes of membership in the Chapter Division: Full Certified-Active (Voting), Associate Clinical-Active (Non-Voting), Resident/Fellow, Allied Health Professional, and Student members.
3.2 Voting (Full Certified-Active) Membership. Full Certified-Active membership requires certification in Emergency Medicine or Pediatric Emergency Medicine or Emergency Medicine subspecialty by the ABEM, the AOBEM, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or their national or international regional equivalent. Full membership in MAEM requires full-time or part-time emergency medicine professional activity in the Mediterranean region or having national origin, residency or citizenship in the Mediterranean region. A Full Certified-Active member of the MAEM shall be entitled to vote in elections of officers and directors of the Chapter Division, except for associate member directors and resident representatives. Each voting member being entitled to one (1) vote in such matters. Voting members shall have no other voting rights with respect to matters pertaining to the Chapter Division nor shall they have any voting rights with respect to matters pertaining to AAEM.
3.3 Associate (Clinical-Active) Membership Associate Clinical-Active membership is limited to medical osteopathic or allopathic school graduates with full-time or part-time professional activity in Emergency Medicine who have not achieved board certification by a nationally recognized properly-accredited emergency medicine certifying body equivalent to the ABEM or AOBEM standards. Associate membership requires the maintenance of such emergency medicine professional activity in the Mediterranean region.
Associate Clinical-Active Members shall have no right to vote.
3.4 Resident/Fellow Membership. A resident or fellow member must be a resident or fellow in emergency medicine at an accredited residency program in the Mediterranean region or with national origin, residency or citizenship in the Mediterranean region. Resident and fellow members are encouraged to but not obligated to hold a dual membership in MAEM and the MAEM Resident and Student Association (MAEM/RSA) if and/when one will be established, and AAEM Resident and Student Association. Resident Members shall only have the right to vote for the Resident Representative to the Board of Directors of the Chapter Division but shall have no other voting rights. Resident Members are entitled to reduced dues as determined by the Division officers and Board of Directors.
3.5 Allied Health Professional Membership. A physician assistant or nurse practitioner member must be a graduate of an accredited allied health professional training program. In addition, they must be currently practicing emergency medicine within an emergency department in the Mediterranean region or with national origin, residency or citizenship in the Mediterranean region. Allied health professional members shall have no right to vote and may be entitled to reduced dues as determined by the Officers and Board of Directors.
3.6 Student Membership. A student member must be a medical student at an accredited medical or osteopathic program in the Mediterranean region or with national origin, residency or citizenship in the Mediterranean region. Student membership is available to individual medical students at an accredited medical or osteopathic program. Student Members shall have no right to vote. Student members are encouraged to but not obligated to hold a dual membership in the AAEM Resident and Student Association.
3.7 Membership Application. Each applicant for membership shall submit an application to Chapter Division in such form as may be determined by Chapter Division from time to time.
3.8 Obligations of Members. By virtue of membership in Chapter Division, each member agrees to be bound by these bylaws and all lawful rules and practices adopted by the board of directors of Chapter Division.
3.9 Action on Behalf of Chapter Division. Only the officers and/or the Board of Directors of Chapter Division or AAEM, and other authorized agents of Chapter Division or AAEM, may state policies or positions on behalf of the chapter.
- American Academy of Emergency Medicine Membership. Members of MAEM will not be required to hold simultaneous membership in the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.
3.11 Resignation. Any member may resign such status by delivering written notice of same to the Secretary-Treasurer.
3.12 Member Dues. Annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors each year for the ensuing year. Dues shall be reduced for resident, and student members. The Board of Directors or its designee shall from time to time establish policies with regard to nonpayment of dues.
3.13 Fellowship status in MAEM: MAEM Members may apply for the designation of Fellow of MAEM (FMAEM) and carry such a designation. Such fellowship requires both:
- Full active membership in MAEM
- Membership in AAEM as an international or full active member
ARTICLE IV
Meetings of Members
4.1 Meetings. Meetings of the members may be called for any purpose by the President, the Division Executive Committee or the Board of Directors. Additionally, there will be an annual scientific meeting, which shall be held in coordination with the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and other meetings throughout the year as circumstances and needs dictate and as determined.
4.2 Voting. Each voting member in good standing and only voting members in good standing, shall be entitled to vote in all elections of officers and directors of Chapter Division as provided herein. Any such election shall be decided by a majority of voting members voting in person, or electronically.
4.3 Quorum. The presence in person or conference call of not less than 50 percent of voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of members of Chapter Division during which an election of directors shall occur.
4.4 Notice of Meetings. Written notice stating the place (which may be within or without the state of Wisconsin), day and hour of any meeting of members and shall be delivered either personally or by first class U.S. mail or electronic mail, to each member entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten (10) days nor more than fifty (50) days before the date of such meeting.
A solicitation for votes by written ballot shall include all of the following:
- the number of responses required to meet the quorum requirements;
- the percentage of approvals necessary to approve the action; and
- the time by which a ballot must be received by Chapter Division in order to be counted.
A written ballot may not be revoked.
4.6 Proxies. Proxy voting shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE V
Board of Directors
5.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of Chapter Division shall be managed by its Board of Directors, the power and authority of which shall be subject to such coordination, oversight and control by AAEM as it may determine in its discretion from time to time.
5.2 Number and Composition. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of 1 resident representative and there will be no more than seven (7 ) individual directors plus the officers of Chapter Division. Additional Directors may be added by a two-thirds majority of the Division board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for the direction of the MAEM and long-term planning.
5.3 Appointment of Directors/Eligibility. The initial officers and directors shall be appointed by AAEM and shall hold office for a term of one (1) year or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Thereafter the term of a president, president-elect, and secretary-treasurer and directors is two (2) years. Director terms shall be staggered so that an equal number of director terms expire each year. No officer or board member may hold more than one position on the board at a time. Term limitations of three consecutive terms are established for Board of Directors Members at Large. No elected president, president-elect, or secretary-treasurer shall stand for re-election for consecutive terms in the same position.
In the event of a tie vote, the decision will be made by the current president and confirmed by majority vote of the current board of directors. Board members appointed to board positions in mid-term shall not have term limitations applied to their partial term.
Only voting members of Chapter Division shall be eligible to serve as directors and no individual may be nominated for election to the board of directors unless first approved by AAEM.
5.4 Vacancies. In case of any vacancy in the membership of the Board of Directors, the chapter division board or AAEM shall appoint a successor to hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacant.
5.5 Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may hold their meetings at such place or places as they may from time to time determine, subject to approval of AAEM in its discretion.
5.6 Regular Meeting. The regular meetings of the Board of Directors for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as the President may designate in the month of each year.
5.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the President or by two (2) of the directors then in office.
5.8 Notice. Notice of each regular and special meeting will be given by mailing or emailing the same at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting to each director; such notice may be waived by any director. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. At any meeting attended by all of the directors, any business may be transacted notwithstanding the lack of due notice of such meeting.
5.9 Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors a majority of the number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. If the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall fail to attend at the time and place fixed for any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors in attendance may adjourn from time to time without notice or other announcement at the meeting until the requisite number of directors to constitute a quorum shall attend.
5.10 Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. All actions of the Board of Directors shall be subject to review, ratification, approval and/or disapproval by AAEM.
5.11 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if action is approved by a majority of the board. Voting may be conducted by electronic mail.
5.12 Rules of Order. The Chapter Division shall follow Dr. James E. Davis’ Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VI
Officers
6.1 Principal Officers. The principal officers of Chapter Division shall be a President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer and Immediate Past-President. Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected by the Board of Directors. The officers shall be directors of Chapter Division. Only voting members shall be eligible to serve as officers of Chapter Division and no individual may be nominated for election as an officer without the prior approval of AAEM.
6.2 Term. The term of office of each officer shall be one (1) year. Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal.
6.3 Removal. Any officer or agent appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors, subject to prior approval of AAEM, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Appointment shall not of itself create contract rights. If an officer or director misses three consecutive meetings of the board, the board may then, at its discretion, declare the position to be vacant.
6.4 Vacancies. A vacancy in any principal office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term, subject to prior approval of AAEM.
6.5 Immediate Past-President. The Immediate Past-President shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the President, the Board of Director or AAEM.
6.6 President. The president shall be the principal officer of Chapter Division and shall provide over all meetings of Chapter Division and the Executive Committee. The President shall also perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or AAEM from time to time. Upon the expiration of the term of office of the President, the individual serving in such office shall automatically succeed to the office of Immediate Past-President.
6.7 Vice-President. The absence of the president or in the event of the President’s
death or inability to act, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or AAEM may from time to time prescribe.
6.8 Secretary / Treasurer. The secretary/treasurer shall: (a) keep any minutes of the Board of Directors meetings in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) coordinate with the Treasurer of AAEM matters pertaining to the charge and custody of funds and securities pertaining to the activities and mission of Chapter Division; (c) see that all notices are duly given; (d) coordinate the maintenance of the books and records of Chapter Division with the custodian of the corporate books and records of AAEM as required by law or otherwise as requested by AAEM; and (d) in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary/Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President, the Board of Directors or AAEM. If required by the Board of Directors or AAEM, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors or AAEM shall determine.
ARTICLE VII
Committees
7.1 Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of Chapter Division which includes the president, president-elect, secretary/treasurer and immediate past president. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the board of directors subject to ratification by the board. A report of its actions shall be given to the board and, if requested, to AAEM.
7.2 General Committees. The board of directors may appoint such committees and task forces to address issues of Chapter Division as the board may determine in its discretion. Meetings shall be at the discretion of the committee chair. Each committee chairperson shall provide an annual report to the officers and board of directors summarizing the activities of such committee for the preceding year, a copy of which annual report shall also be delivered to AAEM.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered in whole or in part by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the board of directors or a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members, in both cases subject to the prior written approval of AAEM.
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
9.1 Prohibited Actions. Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, no action shall be required or permitted to be taken under these bylaws or by the officers or directors of Chapter Division which would not be permitted to be taken by an organization described in section 501(c)(6) of the Code. Chapter Division shall conduct its activities and affairs in a manner consistent with exemption from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
9.2 No Contracting Authority. Chapter Division shall not be permitted to enter into contracts in its own name or to otherwise bind AAEM to any obligation, any such contracts or obligations to be to be subject to prior consideration and approval the AAEM executive staff or the AAEM board of directors, as appropriate. Chapter Division officers shall not be authorized to execute or enter into contracts or other obligations on behalf of Chapter Division. Only AAEM officers or authorized executive staff will be authorized to enter into agreements or obligations on behalf of Chapter Division or in furtherance of its activities and then only in the name of AAEM and not in the name of Chapter Division.
9.3 Title to Assets. AAEM shall hold all assets, including financial accounts, of Chapter Division in its own name, subject to divisional accounting procedures as shall be determined by AAEM. AAEM shall have sole signatory over asset and financial accounts of Chapter Division.
9.4 Lobbying Activities. Chapter Division shall not engage in federal, state or local legislative or political advocacy or lobbying, except as approved in advance in writing by AAEM.
9.5. Reporting Matters.
(a) Chapter Division shall deliver to AAEM a written summary report of each meeting of Chapter Division’s board of directors and Chapter Division members, together with the written minutes of same, by not later than fifteen (15) days after such each such meeting.
(b) Chapter Division shall deliver to AAEM a detailed description of any proposed changes in Chapter Division member dues amounts for Chapter Division and any such changes shall be subject to AAEM’s prior approval.
(c) Not later than January 15 of each year, the President shall deliver to the AAEM board of directors a written certification stating that all Chapter Division activities and operations undertaken during the previous calendar year were consistent with Chapter Division’s and AAEM’s objectives and mission as set forth in their respective articles of incorporation and bylaws, the form of such certification to be subject to the approval of the board of directors of AAEM from time to time.
(d) Chapter Division shall deliver to the AAEM board of directors such additional written reports and confirmation as the AAEM board of directors may from time to time request from time to time.
9.6 Trademarks. No member, director or officer of Chapter Division may use the Chapter Division’s or AAEM’s names, logos or other trademarks for personal, commercial, or any other purposes without prior approval of the Board of Directors.
9.7 Definition of “Code”. All references in these Bylaws to sections of the “Code” shall be considered references to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended, and to the corresponding provisions subsequently enacted.
9.8 No Compensation. No director, officer, committee member or any other private individual shall receive any compensation or remuneration for serving in such capacities.
9.9 AAEM Policies. Chapter Division and its members, directors and officers, shall be subject to such policies and procedures pertaining to ethics, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and such other matters as AAEM shall from time to time determine in its discretion.