BALTIMORE COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

PREAMBLE

The Baltimore County Medical Association is a non-profit organization.  The purpose of this Association shall be to federate and bring into one society the medical profession of Baltimore County; to extend medical knowledge and advance medical sciences; to elevate the standard of the practice of medicine and secure the enactment of just laws relating to the practice of medicine and the public health; to foster friendly relations among the physicians; and to enlighten and inform the public, so that the profession shall become more useful in the prevention of disease, and in prolonging and adding comfort to life.   

The Baltimore County Medical Association, uniting with similar societies of other Maryland counties, forms The Medical and Chirurgical Faculty, known as MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society.  Membership in the Baltimore County Medical Association and MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society shall be unified; therefore members of the Association are members of MedChi and shall have the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of MedChi and the Association.      

The name and title of this organization, hereinafter referred to as the Association or the BCMA, shall be the Baltimore County Medical Association.  

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1 - The Association

The Baltimore County Medical Association shall be a component society of MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, which shall in turn be a component society of the American Medical Association.  It shall be the only chartered component of MedChi in Baltimore County.  

Section 2 – The Association shall be open to regional consolidation at the county level.   The Association may seek to combine, or coordinate functions with other component societies. [.]

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Membership

Membership in the Association shall carry with it membership in the appropriate class of membership in MedChi.  Every doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy, licensed in Maryland, who is in good moral and professional standing, may be eligible for election to membership provided the physician (1) maintains his/her principal office in Baltimore County or (2) maintains his/her residence in Baltimore County.   

Upon recommendation of the Membership Committee, membership may be denied by the Board of Governors on a 2/3 vote if (1) disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant's license by the Maryland Board of Physicians or any state as a result of the grounds described in the Annotated Code of Maryland, or (2) the applicant or member has been convicted in any state of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or (3) the applicant or member has been disciplined by or has resigned under threat of disciplinary action from any professional medical organization or institution for professional misconduct.  Professional misconduct does not include actions taken because of non-payment of dues or assessments or other administrative requirements.  

The Association shall transfer the membership of any member upon request without cost to another component society in which the member's application has been accepted provided the member is in good standing.  Members who apply for transfer shall remain in good standing until such time as their transfer is acted upon. 

Section 2 - Active Members

Active membership will be granted to any physician who is duly licensed to practice in the State of Maryland, who maintains his/her principal office in Baltimore County and/or who maintains his/her residence in Baltimore County.  

Active members may attend the Association's General Membership Meetings, have the right to vote on Association matters, serve on the Association's Board of Governors, serve in the MedChi House of Delegates, hold office in MedChi, serve as an AMA Delegate or Alternate Delegate, and enjoy all other rights and duties of membership ordinarily pertaining to members.

Section 3 - Associate Members

Members in this category shall consist of members in good standing with the Association and licensed to practice in the State during the change in membership status who (1) elect to reduce their practice to 20 hours or less per week, or (2) are temporarily limited in their practice for health reasons. Associate members shall have the right to vote, but not to hold office in the Association or MedChi.

Section 4 - Emeritus Members

This membership category shall consist of active or associate members who are in good standing, and are no longer in the practice of medicine, either in private practice, in public health, with a government agency, administration, teaching, or any other activities where their knowledge of medicine earns them an income.  A member is not eligible for Emeritus membership if the member's medical license has been (1) suspended, (2) revoked, or (3) denied renewal by the Maryland Board of Physicians or has been (4) voluntarily surrendered or not renewed as a result of the member having been convicted of or pleading guilty or Nolo Contendere with respect to a crime involving moral turpitude.    

Emeritus Membership shall be granted to retired physicians moving to Baltimore County provided they can assure the Membership Committee that they have been duly licensed physicians in another state, members in good standing of an out-of-state medical society, and/or a member of the American Medical Association.  An out-of-town applicant is not eligible for Emeritus membership if the Member's medical license has been (1) suspended, (2) revoked, (3) denied renewal, or (4) voluntarily surrendered or not renewed as a result of the member having been convicted of or pleading guilty or Nolo Contendere with respect to a crime involving moral turpitude.     

Application for Emeritus membership shall be made to the Membership Committee of either the BCMA or MedChi.  Following approval by the Board of Governors, recommendation will be made for Emeritus membership to MedChi.  Upon a majority vote of the MedChi House of Delegates, Emeritus membership shall be granted.   

Emeritus members shall not have the right to vote or to hold office with the Association or MedChi.  Emeritus members shall have all other rights of membership.     

Section 5 - Forty-year Members

This category of membership shall consist of Active members in good standing who have been Active members of MedChi for forty years or more.  Forty-year members need not retain their medical license in order to obtain or retain Forty-year standing, except that a member is not eligible for Forty-year membership if the Member's medical license has been (1) suspended, (2) revoked, or (3) denied renewal by the Maryland Board of Physicians or has been (4) voluntarily surrendered or not renewed as a result of the member having been convicted of or pleading guilty or Nolo Contendere with respect to a crime involving moral turpitude.    

Forty-year members shall have the rights of Active members including the right to vote and to hold office.  Forty-year members, who have attained this status prior to moving from the State, may retain all benefits of membership.

Section 6 - Honorary Members

This membership category shall consist of any distinguished individual allied with medical science, who upon approval of the Board of Governors, shall be designated a member.

Section 7 - Affiliate Members

This category shall consist of members in good standing who are (1) physicians licensed in Maryland, (2) Active members of another component society of MedChi, (3) Active members of another constituent association of the American Medical Association or (4) former Active or Associate members who have moved from the County or the State and wish to retain affiliation.   

Affiliate members shall have the right to attend General Meetings, and to receive publications.  Affiliate members shall have the rights of Active members except the right to vote and hold office. 

Section 8 - Student, Intern, Resident, and Fellow Members 

This category shall consist of students, interns, residents, and fellows who are part of an accredited medical school or training program within the State of Maryland.  Student, Intern, Resident, and Fellow members shall have the rights of Active members.  There shall be no dues required of these members.

Section 9 - Membership Procedures

A: A candidate for membership shall complete the prescribed application form and send it with the appropriate MedChi and Association dues to the chair of the Membership Committee or to MedChi.  

The application shall be processed by the Association Staff, who shall forward it to the Membership Committee.  The Committee shall report to the Board its recommendations, and then approval shall be granted by the Board of Governors.  The names of all the applicants shall be published in the Newsletter.   

B: If a physician is transferring from another component society or a component society of the AMA to the Baltimore County Medical Association, he or she shall be admitted upon approval of the Board.  If the applicant has paid the current annual dues to the previous society, no dues shall be charged until the following year.  

C.  A member, who has not paid dues by June 30 of each year, shall be temporarily suspended from MedChi and shall lose the rights of MedChi membership.  A member who pays his or her dues after this date shall be reinstated and shall be considered in good standing in MedChi and the Association. 

ARTICLE III

ETHICS

Section 1 - Medical Ethics

The principles of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association and the principles stated in the Compendium of MedChi shall govern the conduct of members of the Association in their relations to each other and the public.

Section 2 - Disciplinary Action

Membership in the Association shall be suspended or denied to any physician whose medical license has been (1) suspended, (2) revoked, or (3) denied renewal by the Maryland Board of Physicians or has been (4) voluntarily surrendered or not renewed as a result of the member having been convicted of or pleading guilty or Nolo Contendere with respect to a crime involving moral turpitude.  Notice of suspension or revocation shall be sent by letter by MedChi.

Members under investigation or charged by the Maryland Board of Physicians shall forgo participating in any Physician Referral Service during the period of investigation, or peer review process.

ARTICLE IV

FINANCE

Section 1 - Dues and Assessments

A.  Annual dues and/or assessments for Active Members of the Association shall be set by the Board of Governors with the approval of the membership of the Association.  Upon the recommendation of the Board of Governors and with at least fourteen days written notice to all Active and Forty-year members, the Association upon a majority vote of those present may enact a dues increase.  

B.  Upon recommendation of the Board of Governors and with at least fourteen days written notice to all Active and Forty-year members, the Association upon a majority vote of those present may impose an assessment in addition to the dues.  Failure of a member to pay an assessment shall be treated as failure to pay dues. 

C.  Dues for Affiliate and Associate members shall be set by the Board of Governors.

D.  There shall be no dues or assessments for Forty-year members, Emeritus members, and Honorary, Student, Intern, Resident, and Fellow members.

The Board of Governors shall set fees, if any, for Forty-year members, Emeritus members, Honorary, Student, Intern, Resident, and Fellow members for such things as publications, programs, and meetings, etc.   

E:  A member may receive a waiver of dues and/or assessments for reasons of illness, financial hardship or temporary service in the Armed Forces or United States Public Health Service.  A

written request for the waiver should be sent to the chair of the Membership Committee.  Following approval by the Board of Governors and the MedChi Board of Trustees, the waiver will be granted.  This waiver of dues is to be for one calendar year except under special circumstances.  A dues waiver may not be granted to a physician for more than three (3) consecutive years.

F.  Dues of new members admitted after October 1st shall be applied to the following year.  Dues of new members admitted after July 1st, but before October 1st, may be one-half of the normal dues.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 1 - General Membership Meetings 

The Board of Governors shall designate the number of General Membership meetings of the Association to be held each year. The meetings shall consist of a business meeting and a program of interest to the membership as designated by the Program and CME Committee.  Notification of each meeting shall be sent to the membership at least three weeks prior to the meeting.  

The Board of Governors shall in the preceding year designate a meeting the following spring at which time the installation of officers shall occur.  This meeting shall be referred to as the Annual Meeting.  Election of the Association's Officers shall take place at a meeting preceding the Annual Meeting.  Notice of the election shall be included in the notification of the meeting.

Section 2 - Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President, the Board of Governors or upon written request of ten or more Active members.  Notice of special meetings shall be given to the membership at   least two weeks in advance.

Section 3 - Quorum 

Twenty-five (25) voting members shall constitute a quorum. 

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

Section 1 - Elections

The elected officers of the Association shall be President, President-elect, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer.  The officers shall hold office for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and installed. 

Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the House of Delegates of MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, shall also be elected.  There shall be one delegate plus an additional delegate for every 50 Active and Forty-year members or part thereof.  An equal or larger number of Alternate Delegates shall also be elected.  The Delegates and Alternate Delegates shall hold office for a term of one year or until their successors are elected and installed.

Section 2 - Nomination

The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of nominees for elected office to the membership prior to the election.  Additional nominations may be made by the membership from the floor.   A nominee shall be a member in good standing and with an interest in serving.  No member shall be nominated without his/her consent. 

Elections shall take place at a General Membership Meeting preceding the Annual Meeting and shall be by written ballot unless a single slate of candidates is presented.  If there is a contested election, a majority vote shall be required for election.

In the event a ballot is required, ballots and pencils shall be distributed to the Active, Associate and Forty-year members at the meeting.  Tellers appointed by the president shall tally the ballots and report the elected nominee or nominees.  A majority of those voting shall elect. 

Section 3 - President

The President shall perform such duties as custom and parliamentary usage may require.  The President shall be the chair of the Executive Committee.  The president shall appoint the members of Committees and designate each chairperson. It is recommended that the chairs of the standing committees be members of the BCMA Board of Governors. The president shall constitute ad hoc committees or task forces as needed.

The President shall be the custodian of the symbolic cane and gavel during his/her term of office, and shall report to the membership at the Annual Meeting. 

Section 4 - President-elect

The President-elect shall serve until the next annual meeting when he or she shall succeed to the Presidency.  The President-elect shall perform such duties as custom and parliamentary usage may require.  The President-elect shall serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee and as liaison with the Baltimore County Department of Health.

Section 5.  Vice President

The Vice President shall perform such duties as custom and parliamentary usage may require.  The Vice President shall serve as chair of the Bylaws Committee.

Section 6.  Secretary

The Secretary shall perform such duties as custom and parliamentary usage may require.   The Secretary shall direct the Executive Director to keep a correct record of the proceedings of each meeting, publish the minutes, preserve the Constitution and Bylaws, and maintain a roster of all the members.

Section 7 – Treasurer

The Treasurer shall perform such duties as custom and parliamentary usage may require.   The Treasurer shall chair the Budget and Personnel Committee.  It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to prepare an annual budget and to inform the Board of Governors of the financial status of the Association at each Board of Governors meeting.   He or she shall make financial statements available to any member upon request and to MedChi when necessary. 

Section 8 - Vacancies

 A. If the office of Chairman of the Board becomes vacant, the President shall chair the Board of Governors until the next Annual Meeting when the president becomes the Chairman of the Board.

 B. If the office of the President becomes vacant, the President-elect shall immediately become President and serve the remainder of the unexpired term and then assume the office at the next annual meeting.

C. If the office of the President-elect becomes vacant, a special election of the membership shall be held.  This shall be faciliatated by nominations from the last serving Nominating Committee submitted to the membership either in writing or at the general membership meeting.

D.  The Board of Governors may, by appointment, fill any vacancy in the office of the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Delegate or Alternate Delegates until the next annual meeting of the Association.

                                                                        ARTICLE VII

                                                             BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Section 1 - Board of Governors

The Board of Governors shall be comprised of the immediate past president, the elected officers, MedChi officers and the elected member of the MedChi Board of Trustees, all MedChi Delegates, the AMA Delegates and AMA Alternate Delegates.  Also on the Board shall be four Med Chi Alternate Delegates and a Past President appointed by the President and ratified by the Board of Governors.  The Health Officer of Baltimore County shall be offered an ex officio position on the Board of Governors.  The Nominating Committee shall also nominate a non-physician member of the community for membership on the Board of Governors.   The president may also appoint up to three resident or fellow members as voting members of the Board with the approval of the Board of Governors.

The chair of the Board shall be the immediate past President.  It shall be expected that the members of the Board shall include in the responsibilities of their office attendance at all meetings of the Association and the meetings of the MedChi House of Delegates.

Recognizing the diversity of practice in Baltimore County, the Nominating Committee should consider including nominees from as many of the following categories as possible when making nominations for the Board of Governors: employed physicians (including those employed by hospitals, other physicians, and group practices), hospital based physicians (including radiologists, pathologists, etc.), International Medical Graduates, physicians in group practices, women physicians, young physicians, students and residents, fellows, and any other categories which may arise in the future.

Section 2 - Meetings

There shall be six (6) regular meetings of the Board each calendar year.  Notice of each regular meeting shall be given at least five (5) days before the meeting.  The notice shall specify the time and a tentative agenda.  The Board shall hold all power and authority over the affairs of the Association unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.  A quorum of the Board shall be ten of its members.

Section 3 - Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chair of the Board.   The committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the officers and staff in questions of immediate importance in the interim between meetings of the Board of Governors and shall perform such other duties as the Board may direct.

The BCMA Trustee on the MedChi Board of Trustees shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President or three of its voting members.  A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be four of its voting members.

ARTICLE VIII

COMMITTEES

Section 1 - The committees of the Baltimore County Medical Association shall consist of standing committees and ad hoc committees.

Section 2. The standing committees are:

Committee on Budget, Finance and Personnel

Committee on Constitution and Bylaws

Legislative Advocacy Committee

Membership Committee  

Nominating Committee

Committee on Program and CME 

The ad hoc committees are:  

Historical Committee

Committee on Public Relations

Committee on Sports

Committee on Women in Medicine

Special ad hoc committees or task forces may be appointed by the President as the need arises or as mandated by the Board of Governors. The charge of the committees may be modified from time to time. The current committee charges are included in the Rules of the Baltimore County Medical Association and attached as an addendum.

ARTICLE IX 

OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION

The Association shall indemnify and hold harmless its officers and directors to the fullest extent of the law as provided in the Maryland Code of Corporations and Associations as amended from time to time.  Indemnification shall extend to all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses actually incurred by any director or officer if that director or officer was, is or is threatened with suit in his capacity as a director or officer.  No director or officer shall be entitled to indemnification if the Director or Officer received an improper personal benefit from his or her action for which he or she seeks indemnification.

ARTICLE X

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of the Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any General Membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present. Notification of the proposed amendment(s) will be made available to the membership by the Secretary, both at the Association Office and at any Membership Meeting prior to action being taken.  Announcement of the availability of these proposed changes shall be made in the Newsletter or by fax and the changes shall be posted on the web site.

Addendum to the Bylaws  

RULES OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Committees of the Baltimore County Medical Association  

Committee on Budget, Finance and Personnel

The committee shall consist of the Treasurer, who shall serve as chair, the immediate past Treasurer, the President, the President elect, the immediate Past President, and up to three other members of the Association to be appointed by the President.  The committee shall prepare the Association budget for presentation at the September Board meeting.

This committee shall also act as the Personnel Committee of the Association.  It shall aid and support the Executive Director with any personnel matters that may arise.  This committee shall be responsible for overseeing staff responsibilities.  

It shall also be the responsibility of this committee to replace the Association’s Executive Director when necessary.  The committee shall appoint a subcommittee made up of at least three members and not more than five members, one of whom shall not be a board member or a past board member and one of whom shall be an under-40 member.  The president-elect shall chair the subcommittee, which shall be responsible for overseeing the development of a description of the responsibilities of the Executive Director and a job description.  The committee shall report to the Board and the membership regarding the process of the search.  The Board of Governors shall make the final decision on the new Executive Director. 

Committee on Constitution and Bylaws

The committee shall consist of at least five members.  The Vice President shall serve as chair, and at least four members.  This committee shall recommend to the members such amendments to the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation as it sees fit or such amendments as are submitted to it by the members or committees of the Association.

Historical Committee

The Historical Committee shall prepare such biographical materials and memoirs as are appropriate. 

Legislative Advocacy Committee

The chair and/or co-chairs of this committee shall serve on the MedChi Legislative Committee and represent the BCMA on that committee. The BCMA Legislative Advocacy Committee shall work to promote legislation favorable to Maryland’s physicians and patients. It shall be responsible for arranging a series of events during the year where BCMA physicians can discuss health care issues with their legislators in Annapolis. Committee activities may include a breakfast or reception before the start of the legislative session, attendance at MedChi’s Patients’ and Physicians’ Day in Annapolis, attendance at legislative fundraisers in Baltimore County, and organizing other social events where legislators or candidates can meet BCMA physicians.  The committee shall also work with MedChi and the Association staff to see that BCMA members receive timely notice of important bills during the legislative session.

Membership Committee  

This committee shall be involved with the recruitment of new members and the retention of all members.  The committee shall hold meetings as necessary.  The committee shall have the responsibility for reviewing and evaluating all applications for membership.   

The Membership Committee shall consist of at least five members.  The members of the committee should be prepared to work with the staff on recruitment and retention.  A chair or co-chairs shall be appointed by the President from the members of the committee.  

The chair or cochair shall supervise the staff, which shall review all applications and ensure that they are complete and in compliance with Article II, Sections 1 through 8, and Article III, Section 2, and that the physician is licensed.  All applications and requests for Associate, Emeritus Membership and Waiver of Dues shall also be presented to the Board. 

Nominating Committee

This committee shall present a slate of nominees for all elected positions as delineated in Article VI Section 2.  The Nominating Committee consists of six members, two of whom shall be appointed by the President and three of whom shall be elected by the Board of Governors.  The President-elect shall chair the committee.  No member may be appointed or elected two years in a row. 

Committee on Program and CME

This committee shall coordinate the Continuing Medical Education programs and social functions of the Association.  It shall be the responsibility of the committee to plan and coordinate any additional meeting requested by the membership.  This committee shall consist of the Chair, and at least four other members.  The President-elect shall serve as the committee's liaison with the Board of Governors.

Committee on Public Relations

This committee shall acquaint the public with the work and accomplishments of the Association and shall promote good public relations for the physicians of Baltimore County.  This committee shall consist of at least five members.

Committee on Sports

The purpose of this committee shall be to assist the Baltimore County Board of Education with the medical aspects of its Physical Education and Sports Programs and to give consultation to any other community groups regarding the medical aspects of sports. 

The Committee on Women in Medicine

The Committee on Women in Medicine shall study and address the issues pertaining to the health of women and issues that are unique to women in the practice of Medicine.  The committee shall hold periodic meetings. This committee may act as a regional committee including other components that would like to take part.

Edited, August 2007

Approved for publication by the Board, November 14, 2007

Passed by the membership, February 13, 2008

Edited by the Bylaws Committee, February, 2009

Approved for publication by the Board, March 4, 2009

Passed by the membership, April 22, 2009.

For more information or if you have questions, contact BCMA at 410-296-1232.  For explanation of  the changes, you may click here or click here a copy of the bylaws.  

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