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Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association of New Mexico

BYLAWS

ARTICLE ONE

Name, Purpose and Goals

Section I: Name:

The name of the organization shall be the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association of New Mexico.

Section II: Purpose:

The Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association of New Mexico is a non-profit professional organization for doctors of oriental medicine and other interested parties dedicated to the goals herein stated.

Section III: Goals:

1. To promote high standards for the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine
2. To promote high standards of education for acupuncture and oriental medicine.
3. To provide a forum for cooperative interaction within the profession and the sharing of knowledge in the field of acupuncture and oriental medicine with related disciplines.
4. To facilitate cooperation between members of the association and other health care practitioners.
5. To encourage continuing education for members of the profession.
6. To educate the general public regarding the nature and scope of the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine.
7. To assist in the establishment of just health laws and codes; to support such laws and codes where established.
8. To work in cooperation with the national acupuncture and oriental medical associations and groups.
9. To work in cooperation with the New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
10. To promote the best interests of the profession.

ARTICLE TWO  

Registered Agent 

The association may have and continue to maintain a registered agent at a location specified within the boundaries of New Mexico and listed within the association’s articles of incorporation.

ARTICLE THREE

Membership Categories, Dues, Certificates  

Section I: Membership Categories:

1. Professional : A professional member shall be any individual who is licensed to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine in the state of New Mexico. Professional members shall have full rights and privileges as voting members. Professional members may pay reduced dues for two years from the date they are newly licensed by the New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The two reduced categories shall be professional member first year and professional member second year.

2. Student/Extern : Any person currently matriculating in a course of study in a school or apprenticeship dedicated to acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine. Student members shall have full rights and privileges as voting members. Student members may serve on committees at the convenience of the board of directors. Externs and individuals who have graduated from a school or apprenticeship dedicated to acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine within the last two years, but are not yet licensed, are considered students .

3. Associate : Any health professional, organization or person so long as they are not a doctor of oriental medicine licensed in New Mexico who supports the purpose and goals of the association may apply for associate membership. Associates shall have privileges as non-voting members. Associates elected to the board of directors shall have voting privileges for the duration of the term of office, and may serve on committees at the convenience of the board of directors.

4. Honorary : This is a distinction that may be conferred by the board of directors, voting unanimously, on any person or organization for notable service or support in promoting the aims and goals of the association. Honorary members shall have privileges as non-voting members ad infinitum with no dues obligation. Any honorary member elected to the board of directors shall have privileges as a voting member for the duration of his/her term of office and may serve on committees at the convenience of the board of directors.

5. Lifetime : This is a distinction that may be conferred by the board of directors, voting unanimously, on any doctor of oriental medicine for notable service or support in promoting the aims and goals of the association. This association honors all previously granted lifetime memberships. Lifetime members shall have full voting privileges ad infinitum with no further dues obligation

6. Life-paid : The Board of Directors may at its discretion, open the category of Life-paid membership. The Board will determine dues for Life-paid membership.

7. Charter : Charter members shall enjoy all rights and privileges as voting members of the association so long as current membership is maintained. A charter member is one who was a member of the association as of 12/31/79.

8. Retired : Retired applies to a person who has been licensed to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine in New Mexico, but due to age or disability is no longer practicing on a regular basis. Retired members shall have full rights and privileges as voting members.

Section II: Dues:

Membership dues may be paid in full upon an annual basis in the amount decided by the board or may be paid in three increments throughout the year. New members may begin membership at any time. Annual membership renewal dues shall be due annually on the anniversary of the day in which membership commenced. Members whose dues are current have full voting privileges. A member who was eligible to vote in the previous year annual meeting AND did not pay the previous year in full will not be eligible to vote in the current annual or general meeting unless they pay the previous year dues in full.

Annual Dues:

Professional member (“regular professional member”) 100% of the dues decided upon at a general meeting

Professional member, first year in licensed practice in New Mexico $50.00

Professional member, second year in licensed practice in New Mexico $100.00

Student $25.00

Associate 50% of the regular professional member dues

Lifetime 0

Honorary 0

Life-paid No dues required

Charter 50% of the regular professional member dues

Retired No dues required.

Section III: Membership Certificates:

The board of directors may choose to issue a certificate of membership to individual members, according to membership category.

ARTICLE FOUR

Annual and GeneralMeeting s of Members

Section I: Annual Meeting:

A convention of members shall be held each year for the purpose of electing officers and directors, amending bylaws, reviewing the activities of the association, and such other items as the membership and the board of directors may deem necessary. The annual meeting shall ordinarily be held during the month of September. This may be changed by a two thirds majority vote of the board of directors. A quorum shall be those voting members present. The majority vote shall rule unless otherwise specified in the bylaws or as provided for in Robert’s Rules of Order.  

Section II: Place of general meeting:

The board of directors may designate any place within the boundaries of the State of New Mexico as a place of meeting.

Section III: Notice of general meeting:

Written or printed notice of the annual meeting shall be made no less than forty-five (45) days prior to the meeting. This notice shall be deemed delivered upon proper posting with the United States postal service.

Section IV: Special general meetings:

Upon call of two thirds majority of the board of directors or at least three-quarters of the general voting membership, a special meeting shall be convened for the body of the membership and notification provided in accordance with the provisions of section three of this article.

Section V: Proxies: There shall be no proxies and/or absentee voting unless authorized by and under a procedure approved by a two-thirds vote by the Board of Directors.

FIVE  

Board of Directors  

Section I: General Powers

The board of directors shall:

1. Conduct the general business of the association.

2. Control and manage funds and property of the association.

3. Represent the interests of the AOMANM membership and the profession as a whole with regards to proposed legislation introduced to AOMANM’s paid lobbyist for a legislative session. Board members will vote on proposed legislation as well as on any proposed changes in state regulations. The proposed legislation and the proposed rules shall be in written formwhen considered by the Board. Proposed new legislation must have a two-thirds majority to go to the lobbyist. All board members will have a copy of this legislation for their record. The legislative committee will keep the board members abreast of any and all changes. No legislation shall be proposed to the legislature by the AOMANM or anyone acting as its representative unless the proposal has been approved by two-thirds of the board. Changes to be made to proposed legislation during a legislative session must be approved by two-thirds of the members the board and then be facilitated by the Legislative Committee chairperson or by an individual designated by the association President, if the Legislative Committee chair is not able to perform that function.

4. Prepare a list of candidate(s) to be sent to the Governor to fill vacancies on the New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Section II: Number, Tenure, and Qualifications:

In addition to the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer as described in ARTICLE SIX, the board of directors will be composed of not less than six and not more than ten directors. These directors shall be elected for two year terms at the annual meeting of the association, after the election of officers. The directors’ terms shall be staggered so that each year approximately half of the directors terms expire and new directors are elected. In case of vacancies, directors may be elected by the membership at the annual meeting to fill the remaining year of a retired director’s term. At least 80% of the Board must be elected from the professional membership, charter, life-paid, and DOMs within the life time categories. The remaining directors may be elected from the other membership categories. All directors and officers must be residents of New Mexico

Section III: Business Meetings:

The board of directors shall meet at least four times a year; date time and location will be determined by the president. Members of the board of directors shall be notified of a meeting at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. The president or a majority of the board members may call for an emergency meeting and waive the ten day notice. Meetings of the board of directors shall be open to all members of the association. Notices of board meetings shall be posted on the website.

Section IV: Quorum:

A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the board of directors.

Section V: Vacancies:

Vacancies on the board of directors shall be filled for the remaining term of office from a list of three alternates elected each year, by the voting members at the annual meeting. The alternate receiving the greatest number of votes shall be appointed first and so on. Ties shall be resolved by use of a suitable method.

Section VI: Compensation:

Members of the board of directors shall not receive any manner of compensation or salary for their services but, by resolution of the board of directors, may receive certain authorized expenses for travel, food, and lodging to attend specified meetings pertaining to the affairs of the association.

Section VII: Proxies & Absentee Voting:

There shall be no proxies and/or absentee voting unless authorized by and under a procedure approved by a two-thirds vote by the Board of Directors.

Section VIII: Removal from Office: 

Any director missing two consecutive board meetings may be replaced at the discretion of the board of directors. A director may be removed from office by reason of her/his breach of responsibility to the association by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors

Section IX: Passage of Resolutions:

Resolutions before the board of directors shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast by the members of the board of directors. In the event of a tie vote, the presiding officer shall be permitted to vote in order to break the tie. The declaration by the presiding officer of the results of such voting shall be accepted as final by all parties concerned.

ARTICLE SIX

Officers 

Section I: Officers:

The officers of the association shall be: president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.

Section II: Qualification for Officers:

Any professional member, who has served on the board of directors in the last year or has participated in at least three of the previous year’s meetings of the board of directors, shall be eligible for the office of president. The vice-president, secretary and treasurer shall be elected from the general professional membership. All must be residents of New Mexico. The officers shall be elected in the order of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.

Section III: Tenure:

All officers will be elected at the annual general meeting of the association and serve one year terms.

Section IV: Removal from Office:

Any officer may be removed from office by reason of her/his breach of responsibility to the association by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors.

Section V: Vacancies:

If an officer is unable to serve her/his term for whatever reason, the board of directors will fill the vacancy with one of its members except that the vice-president shall succeed the president.

Section VI: Duties of the Officers:

A . The president shall:

1. Preside at general meeting of the association and of the board of directors.
2. Prepare an agenda for all meetings.
3. Establish standing and ad hoc committees and appoint their co-chair persons subject to the approval of the board of directors.
4. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
5. Report to the membership at the annual meeting.
6. Represent the interests of the association and of the profession, as a whole, to the national acupuncture and oriental medical associations and other groups. When appropriate the president may delegate these responsibilities to a professional member.
7. Appoint tellers prior to the voting at the annual meeting.
8. Keep the vice-president informed of association affairs.
9. Act as a liaison for the association with the public, the State, and other professional associations or shall appoint a representative or representatives.

B. The vice-president shall:

1. Assist the president in all duties.
2. Act as a liaison between the membership and the president and the board of directors in coordination with the president.
3. Chair meetings of the association in the absence of the president.
4. Assume the duties of the president in the event of the president’s inability to serve.

C. The secretary shall:

1. Record and file all minutes of the annual meeting, special general meetings and meetings of the board of directors and prepare and distribute minutes of all board meetings to all members of the board of directors and the newsletter co-chair.
2. Send to the chair of the New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the presidents of the national associations of acupuncture and oriental medicine the names and addresses of officers and directors of the association after elections have taken place at the annual meetings.
3. Maintain and check weekly the association’s mail box.
4. Prepare a written report for the annual meeting.
5. Receive and distribute correspondence to the appropriate officer, director, committee chair, or individual.
6. Notify the general membership of the date, time and place of the annual meeting 45 days prior to the event.
7. Notify the members of the board of directors and such other members as request notification of the time, place and date of meetings at least 10 days prior to the meeting date or as soon as possible in the event of an emergency meeting.
8. Direct an administrator in any of the above duties.
9. Keep copies of meeting minutes and pass them to the succeeding secretary.

D. The treasurer shall:

1. Receive monies of the association, pay bills and disperse funds as directed by the board.
2. Prepare an annual budget for the association.
3. Prepare a written report for the annual meeting.
4. Keep the financial books of the association in good order.
5. See that the financial record of the association is reviewed periodically by an individual or individuals or agency approved by the board of directors
6. Maintain records of the AOMANM Political Action Committee in accordance with Federal Election Commission regulations and file reports as required.

ARTICLE SEVEN

Conduct Of All Meetings

All meetings of the board of directors and general meetings shall be conducted according to “Robert’s Rules of Order .”

ARTICLE EIGHT

Standing Committees

Section I: Duties, Powers, Membership:

1. Bylaws Committee : Shall review the bylaws annually for revision or amendment; accept and review all recommendations from the membership for such changes; present proposed revisions or amendments to the annual meeting or such general meetings as is appropriate.
2. Finance Committee : Shall be responsible for all fund-raising efforts and oversee and advise the board of directors on long and short term investments.
3. Insurance Committee : Shall interface with insurance companies, HMOs and Workers Compensation to improve coverage for acupuncture and oriental medicine, and to clarify the procedures for proper filing of insurance claims; maintain a list of those companies and policies that cover acupuncture and oriental medicine; monitor insurance legislation at the national and state levels; monitor malpractice insurance requirements and availability; explore group health care plans for association members.
4. Legislative Committee : Shall monitor the legal status of acupuncture and oriental medicine in the United States; promote the interests of the association and of the profession, as a whole, in the state of New Mexico; and in the event that a lobbyist is retained, the committee chair shall act as liaison between the lobbyist and the board of directors.
5. Membership Committee : Shall keep a current list of all licensed doctors of oriental medicine in the state of New Mexico and shall inform them of the purpose of the association and invite them to joint the association. The committee may also do the same for students of acupuncture and oriental medicine in New Mexico. The committee will keep an alphabetical list of members with address, phone number and dues status and have access to current and recent membership records. It shall notify all members of membership renewal at least 30 days prior to the member’s membership renewal date.
6. Newsletter Committee : Shall be responsible for publishing a newsletter.
7. Nominating Committee : Develop methods and procedures for managing nominations and elections.
8. Professional Education Committee : Shall have responsibility in all matters pertaining to professional education including but not limited to:

A. Overseeing and promoting continuing education in the profession as deemed appropriate by the board of directors.

B. Promoting scholarships for education in acupuncture and oriental medicine.

1. Professional/ Public Relations Committee : Shall establish a speaker’s bureau; prepare and distribute press releases, brochures, and other published information relating to the association; keep a file of press releases and clippings; and oversee the website; act as a liaison with the public for the association in coordination with the president
2. Website Committee : Shall maintain the website and provide notice of all board and general meetings. Approved minutes of all board meetings shall be posted on the AOMANM’s website within 10 days of approval.

Section II: Members, Regulation and Operation:

1. Each committee shall have two co-chair persons; one shall be a member of the board. The president shall appoint all co-chairs subject to the approval of the board.
2. Once appointed, the two co-chairs shall select members of their respective committees in coordination with the president and shall draw their voting members from the general membership.
3. Any additional committees which may need to be formed shall be formed as ad hoc committees.
4. All committees shall present reports to the board of directors for discussion and action as necessary.
5. All committees may post notice of their committee meetings on the website at least five days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE NINE 

Management 

Section I:

The association has established a fiscal year beginning January 1st of each calendar year.

Section II:

The board of directors shall ensure that proper books relating to the accounts of the association are kept by the treasurer. These books shall be open for inspection by any member upon reasonable request.

Section III:

The funds of the association shall be used only in accordance with the rule and objectives of the association and for the general administration and operation of the association.

Section IV: 

The funds of the association shall be kept in an account at a federally insured financial institution. Investments in non insured financial instruments may be made but shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the board of directors.

Section V:

The association may pay all expenses incurred by is officers, directors or committee members in the execution of their duties; such expenses being paid at the discretion of the board of directors. Compensation shall be in accordance with article five, section six.

No expenditure over $ 500.00 (five hundred US dollars) may be made without approval of the majority of the board of directors.

ARTICLE TEN  

Amendment to the Bylaws  

The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered, or repealed at the annual meeting or at a general meeting if notice is given that the meeting will include bylaw changes. Bylaw changes shall require a 2/3rds affirmative vote.