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ASSOCIATION OF
PAKISTANI PHYSICIANS OF NORTH AMERICA
SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER
BYLAWS
As approved by members on March 18, 2005.
Association of Physicians of
Pakistani-descent of South Florida an APPNA Chapter, thereafter referred
as the APPSF, is the Florida arm of the Association of Pakistani
Physicians of North America thereafter referred as APPNA, which is a
national organization. APPSF is governed by the constitution of APPNA and
operates by charter from this national organization. The area of South
Florida encompasses counties of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.
Goals and Objectives
1.
To support medical education and research.
2.
To form a peer group for support and career development of physicians
of Pakistani origin in South Florida.
3.
To facilitate better understanding and relations amongst Pakistani
physicians and people of South Florida.
4.
To institute mechanisms for cooperation with other medical
organizations in South Florida.
5.
To help and guide medical students and medical school graduates from
Pakistan entering the US medical system in South Florida by a variety of
manners, including development of a mentoring program.
6.
To coordinate with medical schools and hospitals in Pakistan in
ongoing continuing medical education by arranging lecture tours, conferences
and workshops.
7.
To participate in medical relief and other charitable activities both
in Pakistan and in North America.
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Chapter 1:
MEMBERSHIP
Section
1
Any medical graduate
(medicine or dentistry) of Pakistani origin living in South Florida can
join APPSF. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of religion, sex
or race.
Section
2
Full Members –
Physicians of Pakistani origin residing in the South Florida will be
eligible for active membership of the South Florida Chapter, after paying
the dues.
Associate
Members - These members will have all the privileges except the right to
hold office. APPSF may admit to membership to physicians of Pakistani
origin in training and physicians of Pakistani origin who have a temporary
license to practice medicine in the Florida State or non Pakistani
physician with active license to practice medicine.
Retired Members -
who are no longer in active practice of medicine, will continue to remain
eligible for full membership after 50% of the dues.
Section 3
General Organization
and Structure –
- General body shall consist of duly
registered members of association. This will be the supreme authority of
the association for the conduct of affairs. All actions taken by any
officer, board or committee of the association may be approved, rejected
by this body.
- The officers of the Association
shall be the President, Immediate Past President, Secretary and
Treasurer.
- Executive board will be the
legislative body of the association and will consist of the officers of
the association (President, Secretary, treasurer, and immediate past
president) as well as one member at large each from Dade, Broward and
Palm Beach counties as well as a member in training (total of 8). The
members for this board will be selected for a two year term. This
council will approve the time and place of the meetings, the membership
dues, create and authorize committees and control the finances of the
organization. The president on individual basis can invite members from
various committees.
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Chapter 2:
Finances
Section 1
Funds for the
meetings and expenses of the association activities shall be financed by
annual dues, special and voluntary contributions. The financial status of
the association will be presented by the treasurer to the general body in
the annual spring meeting and sent to the treasurer of APPNA.
Section 2
Members of APPSF
shall pay such dues and assessments as shall from time to time, be
determined by the executive board. Physicians in training are exempt from
membership dues.
Section 3
Arrears/Suspensions
— Any member, whose dues are not paid by March 31st, will be
considered in arrears. If in arrears in the payment of dues or assessments
to APPSF one month after notification (if no extension of time for payment
has been granted by Secretary and Treasurer or upon expiration of any
extension that may have been granted) shall be suspended from current
membership until all sums in arrears shall have been paid.
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Chapter 3:
GENERAL MEETINGS
Section 1
Determination of
time and place — there will be at least two meetings every year.
During each session, APPSF may hold any number of general meetings. The
number and time of these meetings shall be determined either by the
members present in the prior meeting or the executive board. The
membership may direct the officers and board to appoint committees for
scientific, cultural and social activities. General Meetings shall be
presided over by the President, or in his/her absence, by the Secretary,
in his/her absence by the treasurer or by the immediate Past President.
There will be a
minimum of three executive board meetings yearly.
Section 2
Quorum — presence of
at least 25% paying members of APPSF shall constitute the
quorum of the general body. A simple majority of those present shall be
required for adoption of a resolution or direct action. For executive
council, 50% of its members will constitute a quorum.
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Chapter 4: OFFICERS
Section 1
Term of Office —
Officers shall take office January 1st after the election. All
officers shall serve until their respective successors have been elected.
Election of President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be held at the fall
meeting, alternatively. Immediate past president will remain active in an
advisory capacity in the first year post his/her term of office.
Section 2
President: The president shall be the
general executive officer of APPSF. He/she will serve a term of office for
two years and for no more than two consecutive terms. He/she will
1.
Preside at executive board and general body meetings.
2.
Appoint necessary committees when so needed.
3.
Perform such other duties as are imposed upon him/her by the bylaws.
4.
Send out all official notices of meetings, committee appointments,
and certificates of election of offices and other special assignments.
5.
Institute and correlate each new activity of APPSF.
6.
Represent APPSF in all the APPNA EC meetings.
Section 3
Secretary— The
Secretary shall be an active member of the association. He/she will serve
a term of office for two years and for no more than two consecutive
terms. He/she shall be
1.
Recording officer of the general body.
2.
Supervise all arrangements for the holding of each meeting in
compliance of the bylaws.
3.
Represent APPSF in the absence of President.
4.
Perform such other duties as are imposed by the bylaws.
Section 4.
Treasurer-- The
Secretary shall be an active member of the association. He/she will serve
a term of office for two years and for no more than two consecutive
terms. He/she shall be
1.
Act as a custodian of all the invested funds and securities of APPSF
and collect all annual membership dues, assessments, donations and such
monies as may be due to APPSF.
2.
Keep membership records and encourage new memberships.
3.
Deposit all funds received in an approved depository. He/she may also
disburse funds necessary to carry out the functions of the office of the
President and Secretary/Treasurer up to a limit of $200.00 without
prior approval.
4.
Shall present the annual report of the Treasurer in the fall meeting
of APPSF.
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Chapter 5: COMMITTEES OF THE
ASSOCIATION
The President with
the advice of executive board shall appoint standing committees of APPSF.
The composition and the duties thereof shall be mentioned there in. The
Committees will be:
A.
Membership Drive Committee
B.
Social Forum Committee
C.
Youth Forum Committee
D.
Any other committee deemed necessary by the President, the
executive board or the general body.
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Chapter 6: ELECTION
Section 1
Nomination —
Nominations can be proposed and seconded by at least three paying member
of the general body at the meeting prior to the termination of the office
term. The person proposing and the nominee shall both be present in that
meeting. Only the paying full members present shall cast the ballot. This
will be a secret ballot by mail. A simple majority shall rule. The members
at large will be nominated and elected by the members from their
geographical area by a simple majority.
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Chapter 7:
VACANCIES
Section 1
An office of APPSF
shall be declared vacant by the President when an officer resigns, leaves
the South Florida for a period of longer than three months without prior
arrangements or becomes unable to carry out the duties of the office for
reasons of health or otherwise or after a vote of no confidence from the
general body.
Section 2
In the above cited
case, the office of the person resigning shall be assumed by another
office bearer until next general body meeting when a new candidate for
that office will be nominated and elected to carry on the duties until the
term is completed. In case that the President and Secretary both resign or
leave at the same time, the President will appoint an interim Secretary
who will also carry on the duties of the office of President until the
next general body meeting when office for both posts will be nominated and
elected for that term.
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Chapter 8: REFERENDUM
Section 1
Referendum at APPSF
Meeting — At any general meeting of APPSF, the general body shall, by
two-third majority vote of the full members present, order a general
referendum upon any question pertinent to the purpose and objective of
APPSF, including a vote of no confidence. There will be no proxy voting
allowed.
Section 2
The general meeting
of APPSF can be called for, earlier than the scheduled time, to deal with
unexpected situations or for a specific purpose, as needs arise.
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Chapter 9: EMERGENCY
When prompt speech
or action is imperative, authority to speak or act in the name of APPSF is
vested in the President. If unavailable,
Secretary or Treasurer shall do the same.
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Chapter 10: AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be
amended by proposal from any member in general body meeting to the
executive board, which will analyze and recommend an amendment for
presentation at the next meeting. Voting will take place upon this after
discussion. It so voted by two third majority; the amendments to these
bylaws shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
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