Texas Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians

CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS

OF

THE TEXAS SOCIETY

OF THE

AMERICAN COLLEGE

OF

OSTEOPATHIC FAMILY PHYSICIANS

ARTICLE I – Name

Section 1 –      This Society shall be known as the Texas Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (Texas ACOFP), and will be referred to in this document as the Society.

Article II – Mission and Objectives

Section 1 –      Mission:  The mission of Texas ACOFP is to attain and maintain the highest state of mental, physical, and psychosocial well being for all citizens of the State of Texas.

Section 2  –     The objectives of the Society are:

1.      To advance the standards of Osteopathic family practice by encouraging and improving the educational and professional opportunities for Texas Osteopathic family physicians.

2.      To advance the understanding of Osteopathic family medicine and its practice in institutions of health care and at all levels from community to county to statewide as well as to support its national and international promotion through the ACOFP and the AOA.

3.      To cause a general understanding of the scope of service rendered by the Osteopathic family physician and his relationship to the specialty groups and to maintain the highest moral and ethical standards in the practice of Osteopathic medicine and surgery as defined by the AOA and TOMA Code of Ethics.

4.      To remain an affiliated organization of the TOMA and to maintain a proper relationship with ACOFP and the AOA and abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of each organization.

5.      To promote the establishment of resident and preceptee training programs for Osteopathic family practice.

Article III – Membership

Section 1 –      The membership of the Society shall consist of twelve categories: Active, Ad Interim, Academic, Associate, Honorary, Honorary Life, Regular Life, Retired, Industry Associate, President’s Club, President’s Gold Club, and Texas ACOFP Patron.

Section 2 – Active Membership – To qualify, a physician must be a graduate of a school of Osteopathic medicine and surgery accredited by the AOA at the time of his graduation, and he must further meet all of the requirements of one of the three following groups:

1. Have had at least five years of family practice as an Osteopathic physician and surgeon; or

   1.  Have served at least one year of internship in an intern training hospital approved at the time by the AOA plus at least three years of family practice as an Osteopathic physician; or

   2. Have completed a two or three year family medicine residency program (either AOA of ACGME approved) plus have at least two years of family practice as an Osteopathic physician and surgeon.                                

Section 3 –      Ad Interim Membership – Practicing Osteopathic physicians who abide by the mission and objectives of this Society may qualify for Ad-Interim Membership.  The Board of Governors may, in individual cases, reduce the years of family practice required for obtaining membership.

Section 4 –      Students and/or interns, even though not yet licensed may qualify for this category. Residents in approved AOA or ACGME family practice residency programs within Texas shall be included in this category. Academic members shall pay no dues, shall not hold office, shall not have voting privileges except as duly elected representatives of the Board of Governors.

Section 5 –      Associate Membership – May be granted to those whose professional activities contribute exceptionally to the mission and objectives of this Society, such as interested specialists of the Osteopathic profession, or supportive professions   when there has been a special contribution to some phase of the field of family practice.  Associate members shall not hold office or have voting privileges.

Section 6 -       Honorary Membership –May be conferred by the voting members acting in session, following positive recommendation by the Board of Governors, upon any person who distinguishes himself in service to this Society.  Such membership may be revoked in the same manner. Honorary members shall pay no dues, shall have no voting privileges and shall not hold office.

Section 7 –      Honorary Life Membership – Shall be conferred on each President upon conclusion of his/her term of office.  Honorary Life Members shall pay no dues and shall have voting privileges.                                   

Section 8 –      Regular Life Membership – May be granted by the Board of Governors to any active member who has reached the age of 70 years, and who asks for it, or who has completed 50 years of Osteopathic family practice, whichever comes first, and who has been a member in good standing for 25 years immediately preceding. The Membership Committee may recommend to the Board a waiver of these requirements on individual considerations.  These regular life members shall pay no dues and shall have voting privileges.

Section 9 –      Retired Membership – May be granted by the Board of Governors to any active member in good standing in this organization, who asks for consideration, and who because of age or through disability has discontinued practice (completely or partially).  These retired members shall pay no dues and shall not have voting privileges, but shall be admitted to meetings as a member.

Section 10 –    Industry Associate Membership – Shall be those companies that provide products and services to the Osteopathic family physician and profession.  Industry Associate Members shall have privileges as active members, except they shall not hold office nor have vote.

Section 11 –    President’s Club, President’s Gold Club, and Texas ACOFP Patron Membership – Shall be those who contribute additional financial support to the Society’s Program of service as stated in Article IX, Section E.  President’s Club, President’s Gold Club, and Texas ACOFP Patron Membership shall become effective upon payment of annual dues as stated in Article IX, Section E, and shall terminate when such dues are delinquent at the close of the annual session.  President’s Club, President’s Gold Club, and Texas ACOFP Patron members shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote unless they also satisfy the requirements for regular or life membership contained in these Bylaws.        

Section 12 –    Election to Active, Ad Interim, Academic or Associate member status in this Society shall be by majority decision of the Board of Governors, but no names may be acted upon until they have a positive recommendation from the Membership Committee.

Section 13 –    Each applicant for Active, Ad Interim, Academic or Associate membership shall be required to file a completed form as prescribed and approved by the Society.  If an applicant fails to obtain the recommendation of the Board of Governors, he may appeal to the general membership in annual session.  Only Active, Honorary Life, and Regular Life members may hold office and vote.

Section 14 –    To maintain active membership in this Society, members shall obtain no less than fifty hours annually of educational programs approved by the AOA, and shall meet the CME requirements of the ACOFP.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1 –      The officers of this Society shall be:  President, (2) Immediate Past Presidents, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, six (6) elected governors and three (3) non-elected governors.

Section 2 –      Officers, with the exception of Governors, shall be elected annually. Each year, two of six (6) full voting Governors shall be elected for three (3) year terms of office.  All officers will fulfill the same position and function on the Board of Governors as they do in the Society, with the exception of the three (3) non-voting Governors.

Section 3 –      The President shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Governors.  He shall have of the rights and duties usually assigned to this office.  He is an ex-officio member of all standing committees.  He may make appointments to fill any vacated office, though such appointments must be approved by the Board of Governors at its next regular meeting, or else they are negated.

Section 4 –      The President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.  He shall ascend to the office of the President in the event of that officer’s permanent incapacity to serve or at the time that the other officers for the coming year are installed.  In the event that the President-Elect fulfills any portion of the Presidential term prematurely, he remains entitled to his normal full-term of office following such service.

Section 5 –      The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and President-Elect.

Section 6 –      The Secretary shall:

            A.        Maintain the records of the Society.

B.        Serve all required notices from the Board of Governors to the membership.

C.        Maintain a complete roster, specifying official position and classification of each member.

D.        Perform all duties which are generally ascribed to pertain to this office and any other such duties that may be required by the membership.

E.         Shall be authorized to delegate such details to the Executive Director/Executive Secretary subject to the approval of the Board of Governors.

Section 7 –      The Treasurer shall:

A.        Maintain the financial records of this Society.

B.        Request and receive dues and assessments, control and disperse the funds of this Society as directed.

C.        Prepare an annual financial statement to be submitted to the membership at the annual meeting.

D.        Perform all duties which are generally ascribed to pertain to this office and any other duties that may be required by the   membership.

E.         Shall be authorized to delegate such details to the Executive Director/Executive Secretary subject to the approval of the Board of Governors.

Section 8 –      The six (6) elected Governors and the three (3) non-elected Governors shall be full voting members of the Board of Governors.

Section 9 –      One non-elected Governor shall be the Chairman of the Family Practice Department of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Section 10 –    One non-elected Governor shall be the President or officer of the Zeta Undergraduate Student Chapter of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Eligibility would be contingent upon continued student status as well as continued academic membership in this organization.

Section 11 –    One non-elected Governor shall be resident in an AOA approved family practice residency program in Texas.  The resident Governor shall be selected annually by the Board of Governors from nominations submitted by certified ACOFP program directors.  Only one nomination per hospital shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Director/Executive Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to the regular annual meeting of this Society. Eligibility would be contingent upon continued resident status as well as continued academic membership in this organization. 

Article V – Board of Governors

Section 1 –       The President, two (2) Immediate Past Presidents, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, six (6) elected Governors, three (3) non-elected Governors, Executive Director/Executive Secretary (ex-officio, non-voting members), and other specified ex-officio members shall comprise the Board of Governors.

Section 2 –      The Board of Governors is authorized to conduct the business of the Society between meetings on the general membership.  It is responsible to the membership in all matters. Ex-officio members shall have voice but no vote on the Board of Governors.  They shall attend all meetings of the Board of Governors and the annual session.

Section 3 –      A simple majority of the voting members of the Board of Governors shall be a quorum.

Section 4 –      The Board of Governors must approve the committee appointments before any standing or special committee becomes official.  It must approve any interim appointments to vacated offices by the President, or the appointments are negated.

Section 5 –      The Board of Governors shall present to the Society at its regular annual session and to the Board of Governors of the ACOFP, an annual summary of the activities of this Society.

Section 6 –      All meetings of the Board of Governors shall be of annual, special or called type.  Meetings may be called by the President, or they may be called by petition of a majority of the voting members of the Board of Governors to the Executive Director/Executive Secretary.  The Board of Governors shall meet at least three times a year.

Section 7 –      The Board of Governors may, if it finds a suitable candidate, annually bestow a Texas Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year Award.  The recipient of this award will automatically be the nominee to the ACOFP for their annual award. The Board of Governors may also annually bestow, if it finds suitable candidates, the T. R. Sharp Scholarship Award and T. R. Sharp Meritorious Service Award.

Section 8 –      When a member of the Board of Governors fails to attend two meetings of the Board of Governors in one year, or one (1) annual meeting of the Society without proper cause, then that position may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the quorum voting of the Board of Governors and the vacancy filled by means set forth Article V, Section 9.

Section 9 –      A vacancy occurring on the Board of Governors shall be filled by Presidential appointment with the approval of the majority of the remaining members of the Board.  The successor shall serve until the next annual meeting of the Society.  The Society membership shall fill the remainder of the unexpired term by majority vote.

Section 10 –    Ex-Officio Members:  Ex-Officio members shall include, but not limited to the three (3) non-voting Governors, and this category of membership shall have voice but no vote on the Board of Governors.  They shall attend all meetings of the Board of Governors and the annual session.

A.        Parliamentarian – The President shall appoint a parliamentarian annually.  The Parliamentarian shall be a member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and also be responsible for the interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws in the event of a question and assist the President in all parliamentary matters.

B.        Editor of News Publications – The President shall appoint an Editor annually.  He will be responsible for the collection and publication of all newsworthy items pertaining to this Society.

C.        Liaison to ACOFP – The President shall appoint a person to be the liaison to ACOFP.  This person shall be appointed annually and serve to fulfill all duties assigned by the President and/or Board of Governors relating to any and all activities between this Society and the ACOFP.

D.         Texas ACOFP President, Emeritus Superus – The President shall appoint a person to fill this position only if there is a suitable candidate          

             who is worthy of this great honor.  This person shall be appointed annually and shall be assigned duties by the President and/or Board of

             Governors which are commensurable with this esteemed position.  There can only be on Texas ACOFP President, Emeritus Superus at

             any given time.

E.         Allied Health Professional Liaison- The President shall appoint a liaison person annually from the allied health professions.  This person shall be assigned duties by the President and/or Board of Governors relating to any and all activities between the allied health professions and this society.

Section 11 –    The Board of Governors may employ an Executive Director/Executive Secretary.

Article VI – Executive Committee

Section 1 –      The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors shall consist of the President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, two (2) Immediate Past Presidents, Executive Director/Executive Secretary (ex-officio, non-voting member of the committee).

Section 2 –      The Executive Committee may transact the business of the Board of Governors between the meetings of the Board except the Executive Committee shall not exercise the power of the Board of Governors regarding membership issues or grievance matters.  The Executive Committee shall be responsible to the Board of Governors.

Section 3 –      All meetings of the committee will be special. They may be called by the President or by the Board of Governors, or upon the petition of a simple majority of the Executive Committee Members.

Section 4 –      The Executive Committee is empowered to authorize necessary expenditures, but any amount in excess of five thousand dollars shall require affirmation by vote of the Board of Governors.

Section 5 –      The Executive Committee shall have additional duties as prescribed in other Articles of these Bylaws.

Article VII – Committees

Section 1 –      The President, subject to approval of the Board of Governors, shall appoint all committee members and chairmen of this Society.

            Section 2 –      Standing committees of this Society are as follows:

A.        Membership Committee – Shall promote programs to attempt to increase the membership roster of the Society.   It shall make positive recommendations to the Board of Governors about proposed applicants of nominees for all classes of membership.

B.        Educational/Program/Convention Committee – It shall be the responsibility of this committee to create vital post-graduate programs for the family physicians of this Society and to inform those practitioners that such programs have been planned in such a manner as to encourage their attendance.

C.        Long Range Planning Committee – Shall have the responsibility implied by its name.  All its functions and duties being directed towards long range planning for Osteopathic family practice in Texas.

D.        Awards Committee – Shall research and recommend to the President, names to receive such awards as the Society desires to confer.

E.         Auditing Committee – Shall audit the annual report that is prepared by the Treasurer prior to its being presented to the Board of Governors for consideration within thirty (30) days of the annual meeting.  This committee shall make positive recommendations to the Board of Governors concerning such financial statements and shall consist of the President, Immediate Past President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and the Treasurer, and shall be responsible for an annual audit of the financial condition of this Society.

F.         Constitution and Bylaws Committee – Shall keep the bylaws under review and submit amendments and revisions to the membership at the annual session when necessary; and make recommendations for correction of areas conflicting with the state or national bylaws.

G.        Public Information Committee – Shall have the responsibility implied by its name.  All its functions and duties being directed toward the final result of a public informed and aware of the Osteopathic philosophy regarding health care.

H.        Government Legislation and Liaison Committee – Shall have the responsibility for keeping the Board of Governors and the Society informed of legislative matters that affects the delivery of Osteopathic health.

I..         Zeta Chapter and Family Practice Resident Committee – Shall act as liaison between this Society and the Zeta Chapter of ACOFP at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and the family practice residents in Texas.

J.          Nominating Committee – Shall consist of President, Immediate Past President and the President-Elect; and shall annually recommend to the membership of the Society, names of qualified members to be voted upon to serve as officers and trustees of the Society.

K.        P.A.C.E.R. Committee – Presidential Advisory Committee of Ex-Ramrods shall be an advisory committee consisting of all former presidents of this Society.  This committee shall advise the current President on any matter giving him the benefit of their wisdom and experience.  It shall meet at least once a year.

Section 3 –      Standing committees shall be established, revised, and abolished upon recommendation by the Board of Governors and approval by the membership.

Section 4 –      The President may establish a committee for a special function or purpose.  Such a committee shall, upon the completion of its assigned duties or at the end of the President’s tenure, unless otherwise specified, cease existence.

Article VIII – Executive Director

Section 1 –      The Executive Director may be a member of the Osteopathic profession, or a layman, and shall be hired by the Board of Governors by an annual contract and shall be the administrative officer of the Society, and work under the direction of the President and Board of Governors.

Article IX – Dues

Section 1 –      The fiscal year of this Society shall be January 1 – December 31.

Section 2 –      Annual dues will be established from time to time by the membership acting in annual session upon recommendation by the Board of Governors.

Section 3 –      The Board of Governors may establish an application fee if it feels that this is necessary.  Such fees shall be estimated to be the approximate cost attendant to the processing of such application and therefore will not be refundable.

Section 4 –      Academic, Honorary, Honorary Life and Retired members shall not pay dues in these classes of membership.

Section 5 –      The Board of Governors may recommend assessments but these shall not become binding until approved by the general membership in annual sessions.

Section 6 –      All dues become delinquent at the close of the annual session.  All assessments become delinquent ninety days after they are assessed.

Section 7 –      A.        Active members shall pay $175.00 per year.

B.        Ad Interim members shall pay $75.00 for the first year in practice; $125.00 for the second year in practice.

C.                 Associate members shall pay $50.00 per year.

D.                The Board of Governors will establish an appropriate fee for dues for Industry Associate members.

E.                 President Club members shall pay annual dues in the amount of $50.00 more than otherwise applies to their class of membership.  President Gold Club members shall pay annual dues in the amount of $75.00 or more than otherwise applies to their class of membership.  Texas ACOFP Patron members shall pay $100.00 or more as determined by the Board of Governors as applies to their class of membership.

F.                  The annual dues for active members during the first three (3) years following graduation or termination of an AOA or ACGME approved internship or family practice residency program shall be as follows:

1.         First year - $75.00

2.         Second year - $125.00

3.                  Third year and after - $175.00

G.        Active members who are serving in the uniform service duty shall not pay regular dues of $75.00 until their tour of duty is completed.

Section 8 –      Active members who are serving in the uniformed service in active duty shall pay approximately one-third (1/3) of the regular annual dues as designated by the Board of Governors until their tour of duty is completed.

Section 9 –      Associate members who are allied health professionals shall pay approximately one-third(1/3) of the regular dues as designated by the Board of Governors as longs as they continue to remain members in good standing of their parent organizations.

Article X – Meetings

Section 1 –      There shall be a regular annual session of this Society at a time and place designated by the Board of Governors.

Section 2 –      Additional educational meetings be scheduled by the Education/Program/Convention Committee, with permission of the Board of Governors.  Special business meetings of the Society may be ordered by the President, the Executive Committee, the Board of Governors, or by a simple majority petition of the voting members to the Executive Directory.  Whenever feasible, at least a three (3) week written notice which includes the subject to be discussed shall be given to the membership.

Section 3 –      Annual business of the Society shall be confirmed or conducted at the regular annual session.

Section 4 –      Election of officers for this Society shall be a majority vote of those active members present and voting at any regular session.

Section 5 –      The delegates and their alternates to the Congress of Delegates of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of this Society.  The delegates shall be elected to positions numbering one (1) through “X”, inclusive, which number shall be the same and equal to the number of delegates accredited to this Society by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.  The number of the position shall carry no significance in regard to authority, voting strength or responsibility of, in or for the delegation.  An equal number of alternate delegates shall fill any vacancy in the delegation, starting with the alternate delegate number one (1) and following simple mathematical progression through the total number of alternate delegates until all vacancies in the delegation have been filled.  Only members in good standing in this Society and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians are eligible for election as delegates and alternates.  The President of this Society shall be the chairman of the delegation.

Section 6 –      A quorum for the regular annual session shall be those active members present and voting.

Article XI – Awards

Section 1 –      Texas Osteopathic Family Physician of the Year

A.        The Board of Governors may, if it finds a suitable candidate, annually bestow this award at the annual session of the society.  The recipient of this award will automatically be the nominee from Texas to the Board of Governors of ACOFP for their similar award.

B.        The qualifications to receive this award are the same as those listed in the policy manual of the ACOFP.

Section 2 –      T.R. Sharp Scholarship Award

A.        The Board of Governors may, if it finds a suitable candidate, annually bestow this award to a TCOM Junior or Senior student-doctor who has shown great promise for Osteopathic family practice.

B.        The qualification to receive this award will be set by the Texas ACOFP Board of Governors.

Section 3 –      T.R. Sharp Meritorious Service Award

A.        The Board of Governors may, if its finds a suitable candidate, annually bestow this award to a member of this society who has shown dedication and service to the Texas ACOFP and the Osteopathic medical profession.

B.        The qualifications to receive this award will be set by the Texas ACOFP Board of Governors.

Article XII – Rules of Order

Section 1 –      This society shall be governed by the Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, unless special rules of order are specifically adopted by the membership.

Article XIII – Expulsion

Section 1 –      Expulsion from membership shall be automatic for failure:

A.        to pay dues by the close of the annual session.

B.        to pay assessments within 120 days.

Section 2 –      Expulsion shall be automatic upon proof of any conviction of any felony.

Section 3 –      A member may be expelled following due process by the Board of  Governors for any professional misconduct.  Professional misconduct shall include willful violation of any of the rules or regulations of this society, of its code of ethics, or any act that would constitute fraudulent, dishonorable or immoral conduct, whether or not in connection with the practice of Osteopathic medicine or surgery.  Such expelled members could appeal any judgment to the membership acting in regular session.

Section 4 –      Whenever there is a matter of grievance against a member which seems to be of such nature as to warrant, it may be referred to the Committee on Ethics of the TOMA.

 Article XIV – Code of Ethics

Section 1 –      The code of ethics of this Society shall be the same as that of the AOA and the ACOFP.

Article XV – Amendments

Section 1 –      Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws may be made during any meeting of this Society provided:

A.        Proposed amendments are normally submitted to the membership in writing not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which they are to be acted upon unless an emergency situation is declared by a unanimous vote of the Board of Governors.

B.        In emergency situation where the thirty (30) day provision is waived, official written ballots shall be mailed to active members.

C.        A two-thirds vote of those active members either present or voting by official ballots shall be needed to amend.

D.        It is understood that no amendments to these documents will be with meaning if it should be in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the TOMA or ACOFP.

Article XVI – Disclaimer

Section 1 –      Whenever the context so require, the masculine personal pronoun shall also imply the feminine.

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