Bylaws of the New Hampshire Association
for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Adopted May 6, 2001
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Article
I - Organization
Section A. Name
Section B. Incorporation
Section C. Office Address
Article II - Goals and Founding Principles
Section A. Goals
Section B. Founding Principles
Article III - Voting and Non-Voting Membership
Section A. Professional (Voting) Membership
Section B. Associate and Other (Non-Voting) Membership
Article IV - Professional Relations
Article V - Board of Directors
Section A. Board of Directors
Section B. Terms of Office
Article VI - Board Authority
Section A. Quorum
Section B. Duties of the Board
Section C. Procedures for Changes in Bylaws and Policy
Section D. Emergency Issues
Section E. Disagreements with Board Votes
Article VII - Compensation to Board Members
Section A. Compensation for Board Duties
Section B. Employment by the Board
Article VIII - Officers and Duties
Section A. Election of Officers
Section B. The Officers and Their Duties
Article IX - Elections and Voting
Section A. Eligible Voters
Section B. Nominations
Section C. Campaigning
Section D. Elections
Section E. Election Protests
Article X - Meetings
Section A. Rules of Order
Section B. Board Meetings
Section C. Annual Membership Meeting
Section D. Notice of Meetings
Section E. Meeting Agendas
Article XI - Committees
Article XII - Finances
Section A. Financial Oversight and Approval
Section B. Fiscal Year
Article XIII - Non-Discrimination
Article I - ORGANIZATION
Section A. Name
The name of the organization shall be the New Hampshire Association
for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, hereafter referred to as
the NHAAOM.
Section B. Incorporation
The organization shall be incorporated in New Hampshire.
Section C. Office Address
The office of the NHAAOM shall be maintained within the borders
of the state of New Hampshire.
Article
II - GOALS AND FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
Section A. Goals
The New Hampshire Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine[hereafter
referred to as the NHAAOM,] shall be a professional membership
organization whose goals are to encourage the integration of acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine into health care in the state of New Hampshire,
to expand the public understanding of acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine, and to promote access to acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
for all people.
Section B. Founding Principles
The founding principles of the NHAAOM shall be as follows:
1. To respect diversity and encourage discussion among practitioners;
2. To generate cooperation and build a sense of community among
practitioners;
3. To share information within the community of acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine practitioners, other medical professionals and
the community at large;
4. To collaborate with other organizations on issues and activities
that are in accord with our goals;
5. To seek input and involvement in decision and policy making
by the membership;
6. To develop major policies by a process of full discussion and
participation of the membership;
7. To respect the individual voice and insure that his or her
vote will be counted [individually];
8. To assist the membership in licensure, regulation, and health
care issues as appropriate to local needs;
9. To advocate and promote consumer education and action;
10. To support appropriate educational and competency standards
for the profession;
11. To promote research in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine;
and
12. To promote and assist activities that nurture the health of
our community, our nation and the world, remaining mindful that
health is a reflection of the world-at-large.
Article
III - VOTING AND NON-VOTING MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Professional (Voting) Membership
Professional (voting) Membership shall be limited to those individuals
licensed to practice acupuncture in New Hampshire. To vote, members
must be current in their dues.
Section B. Associate and Other (Non-Voting) Membership
Other (non-voting) membership categories include associate members
(acupuncturists from other jurisdictions, health care professionals,
consumers or other interested individuals); students currently
studying acupuncture and/or Oriental Medicine; schools or colleges,
other acupuncture and Oriental Medicine professional organizations,
commercial sponsors, and other organizational members or donors.
Article
IV - PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS
The NHAAOM may develop networks or alliances with other professional
organizations including the CCAOM, NADA, NCCAOM, state, national
or international acupuncture and Oriental Medicine organizations,
and organizations of other health care professionals (chiropractors,
dentists, veterinarians, etc.) where such alliances are deemed
to further the purposes and goals of the NHAAOM.
Article
V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section A. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of five (5) current professional
members, who ideally represent the diversity of ethnicity, gender
and traditions of training in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
in the United States.
Section B. Terms of Office
1. With the exception of the initial Board elected at the first
Annual Membership Meeting of the NHAAOM, the terms of office for
all Board members shall be two years.
2. At the first Annual Membership Meeting, five (5) Board members
shall be elected. Of these, three (3) Board members shall serve
for two (2) year terms, and two (2) Board members shall serve
for a one (1) year term.
3. Each year thereafter, there shall be an election at the Annual
Membership Meeting for open Board seats.
4. Board members shall not serve on the Board for more than six
(6) consecutive years. After six consecutive years a Board member
may serve again providing that a two year period has elapsed.
5. Any officer of the Board shall be removed from their office
by four (4) votes of the Board.
6. Any vacant position on the Board of Directors may be filled
by a member appointed by the majority of the Board for a term
ending at the next election.
Article
VI - BOARD AUTHORITY
Section A. Quorum
Three (3) members of the Board then in office shall constitute
a quorum for any Board meeting.
Section B. Duties of the Board
1. The affairs of NHAAOM shall be managed by the Board of Directors
in accordance with the goals and founding principles as set forth
in the Bylaws.
2. The Board of Directors, whose members are elected by the general
membership, shall be empowered to do the following:
a) Conduct the business of the organization between membership
meetings;
b) Present amendments to the Bylaws and major policy determinations
to the membership for approval;
c) Oversee the annual financial audit, budget and financial report;
d) Facilitate the strategic planning and development of the long
and short range goals and vision of the NHAAOM, in accordance
with its mission;
e) Designate standing committees;
f) Create ad hoc committees and task forces as needed; and
g) Determine the dues structure.
Section C. Procedures for Changes in Bylaws and Policy
In an effort to create a democratically run organization, respectful
of the diversity of tradition and approach that exists within
acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the following rules delineate
the process by which the membership and Board shall make changes
to the Bylaws and adopt new procedures or positions for the organization:
1. Changes in Bylaws
a) Proposed changes in Bylaws must be submitted to the Board in
writing at least three (3) months prior to the Annual Membership
Meeting.
b) Proposed changes in Bylaws shall be reviewed by the Board or
by a Committee appointed by the Board.
c) The membership shall be informed of any proposed changes to
the Bylaws.
d) Amendments to the proposed Bylaw changes may be made at the
Annual Membership Meeting.
e) In order to be adopted, changes to the Bylaws shall be affirmed
by 2/3 of the voting membership present at the Annual Membership
Meeting.
2. Changes in Policy
a) Acting in good faith and exercising its discretion, the Board
must present to the membership for a vote any proposal that it
feels is of vital significance to the membership of the NHAAOM
or that constitutes a major change in policy of the organization.
b) In such matters, the Board will solicit information, including
contrasting viewpoints, and submit that information to the membership
providing reasonable time for their consideration and response.
c) In order to be adopted, a new policy must be affirmed by 60%
of the votes received if voting by mail or 60% of the membership
present if voting at an Annual Membership Meeting.
Section D. Emergency Issues
1. Emergency meetings shall be called by the Board President or
by any three (3) Board members.
2. All efforts shall be made to contact Board members by telephone
or any other reasonable means.
Section E. Disagreements with Board Votes
The membership shall be allowed to recall for re-consideration
any vote made by the Board if 40% of the members shall sign and
submit a petition of recall to the Board.
Article
VII - COMPENSATION TO BOARD MEMBERS
Section A. Compensation for Board Duties
1. No member of the Board of Directors (or officer) of the NHAAOM
shall receive, directly or indirectly, any salary or compensation
in his or her capacity as a member of the Board.
2. Board members may, however, receive a reasonable per diem or
honorarium when they travel on Board business.
Section B. Employment by the Board
1. A Board member or officer, under certain circumstances, may
be contractually employed by the Board, and, in such cases, the
Board member shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for
the work performed.
2. Employment contracts, whether involving a Board member or not,
must be approved by the Board.
3. A Board member under consideration for an employment contract
shall recuse himself or herself from voting on that matter.
Article
VIII - OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section A. Election of Officers
The Board of Directors shall elect its officers each year following
the election of new Board members at the Annual Membership Meeting.
Section B. The Officers and Their Duties
The officers and their duties shall be as follows:
1. The President who shall preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and the general membership, set the agenda
for all meetings, and represent the Board with direction from
the Board;
2. The Vice President who shall assume the responsibilities
of the President in his or her absence, act as a liaison between
the Committee Chairpersons and the Board of Directors, and present
a report of activities of the Association during his or her term
of office at the Annual Membership Meeting;
3. The Secretary who shall keep the minutes and records
of the Association including copies of all Committee meetings,
Board meetings, Association meetings, correspondence and membership
notifications; and
4. The Treasurer who shall oversee all financial records,
reports, audits and budgets of the organization with direction
from the Board, prepare a financial report for each scheduled
quarterly meeting of the Board, and prepare and present to the
membership at the Annual Membership Meeting a full, written financial
report.
Article
IX - ELECTIONS AND VOTING
Section A. Eligible Voters
Professional members who have paid their annual dues by the date
of the election of the current year shall be eligible to vote.
Section B. Nominations
1. All nominees shall be professional (voting) members of the
NHAAOM, current in their dues.
2. Nominations shall initially be made from the floor at the scheduled
Board meeting prior to the Annual Membership Meeting.
3. Nominations may be made by mail; however, such nominations
must be received by the Secretary no later than six (6) weeks
prior to the scheduled Annual Membership Meeting in order to appear
on the official ballot.
4. Nominations may be made from the floor during the Annual Membership
Meeting, but shall not be pre-printed on the official ballots.
5. Write-in votes shall be permitted on the ballot.
Section C. Campaigning
1. Nominees shall be encouraged to write a campaign statement
for inclusion with the ballots no later than five (5) weeks prior
to the Annual Membership Meeting.
2. Those nominated later may send campaign statements to the membership
at their own expense.
Section D. Elections
1. Election Ballots
a) All election voting shall be by ballot.
b) Official ballots shall be mailed to all eligible voters who
are current in their dues no later than three (3) weeks prior
to the Annual Membership Meeting.
c) Voting members who pay their dues within the three (3) weeks
prior to the Annual Membership Meeting or at the Annual Membership
Meeting shall not receive a ballot by mail but may pick up a ballot
in person at the Annual Membership Meeting.
d) In the event that a vote cannot be cast on an official ballot
from, such vote shall be submitted on the eligible member's letterhead,
shall clearly identify the voter, and shall be signed by the eligible
voter.
e) Ballots shall be mailed to the Secretary of the NHAAOM or brought
to the Annual Membership Meeting.
f) All ballots must be received before or at the Annual Membership
Meeting in order to be counted.
2. Mailing of Election Ballots
a) Ballots mailed to the Secretary shall be sealed inside a plain
envelope which shall then be placed within a second envelope that
clearly identifies the eligible voter.
b) The outer envelope shall be clearly marked with the words "Ballot
Enclosed."
c) All ballots received by mail shall remain unopened until counted
at the Annual Membership Meeting.
3. Counting of Election Ballots
a) Ballots shall be counted at the Annual Membership Meeting by
two Board members who are not up for election.
b) In the event there are not two such Board members present,
ballots shall be counted by two impartial members present at the
Annual Membership Meeting, selected by those present.
4. Results of Ballot Counting
Members receiving the most votes from all eligible ballots cast
shall be those elected to the Board.
Section E. Election Protests
1. Election protests shall be decided by the Election Committee.
2. The Election Committee shall have either three or five members,
as determined by the Board
of Directors.
Article
X - MEETINGS
Section A. Rules of Order
1. The rules in the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order,
Revised, shall be used to conduct business, as appropriate, at
the Annual Membership Meeting and Board meetings.
2. All matters shall be passed by a majority vote unless otherwise
specified in these Bylaws or in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section B. Board Meetings
1. The Board of Directors shall meet at least four (4) times a
year at such time and place as it may determine, one meeting of
which should be three (3) months prior to the Annual Membership
Meeting.
2. Special Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called
at the request of the President or by request of three (3) members
of the Board of Directors.
3. The scheduled Board meetings shall be open to the membership
and shall include opportunity for input and discussion from the
membership.
4. Only Board members shall vote at Board meetings, unless otherwise
provided for in these Bylaws.
Section C. Annual Membership Meeting
1. An Annual Membership Meeting shall be held once each year,
the date, location and agenda of which shall be decided by the
Board of Directors.
2. The purpose of the Annual Membership Meeting shall be for reports
to the membership, for discussion of issues raised by the membership
or the Board, and for the election of new Board members.
Section D. Notice of Meetings
Reasonable notice of the place, date, time and agenda of each
regular meeting of the Board must be given to each Board member
and to the membership.
Section E. Meeting Agendas
1. The President of the Board shall be responsible for setting
the agenda for all meetings.
2. Any member may submit an addition to the agenda of any meeting
under New Business, including at the time of the actual meeting.
3. In order to be part of the published agenda, advertised to
the membership prior to a meeting, any additions to the agenda
must be submitted no later than four (4) weeks before a meeting.
Article
XI - COMMITTEES
The Board may establish Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees
and Task Forces as needed.
Article
XII - FINANCES
Section A. Financial Oversight and Approval
The annual audit, budget and financial reports to the membership
shall be overseen by the Treasurer and approved by the Board of
Directors.
Section B. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Article
XIII - NON-DISCRIMINATION
The NHAAOM shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
sex, age, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in
regard to membership, membership policies and other programs and
policies.
Adopted by voting members at the first Annual NHAAOM Membership
Meeting on 5/6/2001.
Approved by the Board of Directors of the NHAAOM on 6/20/2001.
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