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MAINE CHAPTER OF THE APTA BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME AND TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION Section 1: The name of this organization is the Maine Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the Chapter, which is a Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association. Section 2: The geographic jurisdiction of the Chapter is within the boundaries of the State of Maine. ARTICLE II. OBJECT The object of the Chapter shall be the object of the Association as stated in the Association bylaws. ARTICLE III. FUNCTIONS The functions of the Chapter shall be the same as the functions of the Association as stated in the Association bylaws. ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP Section 1: Categories and Qualifications of Members The Chapter membership categories and qualifications for Physical Therapist, Retired Physical Therapist, Life Physical Therapist, Student Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Retired Physical Therapist Assistant, Life Physical Therapist Assistant, and Student Physical Therapist Assistant shall be the same as those of the Association. In addition, the Chapter shall maintain a single Corresponding Member category with rights and privileges as stated in the Association bylaws. Section 2: Rights and Privileges of Members The rights and privileges of the Chapter’s members shall be identical to those established in the Association bylaws. Section 3: Admission to Membership Admission to Chapter membership is by assignment by the Association’s Board of Directors.
An individual member is in good standing within the meaning of these bylaws if the member is in good standing in the Association. Section 5: Disciplinary Action Any member of the Chapter who is suspended by the Association shall have his or her membership privileges suspended in the Chapter. Any member who is expelled from membership in the Association shall be expelled from Chapter membership. Complaints to the effect that a member has violated the ethical principles or standards of the Association shall be processed in accordance with the Association’s Procedural Document on Disciplinary Action. Section 6: Reinstatement Individuals are reinstated to Chapter membership in accordance with the Association’s Standing Rules. The Chapter may not charge a reinstatement fee. ARTICLE V. DISTRICTS AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS Section 1: Districts The State of Maine will be divided into districts based on geographic location allowing equitable representation of the membership on the Board of Directors. A district shall: 1. Operate under bylaws or rules of order that shall not be inconsistent
with Chapter or Association bylaws and that shall be approved by the Chapter’s
Board of Directors. A district of the Chapter may be established and/or dissolved in accordance with the rules and conditions specified by the Chapter’s Board of Directors. All members shall be assigned to a district based on the preferred mailing address on file with the Association. Members shall have the right to petition the Board of Directors for reassignment
to a district other than that of the address on file. A special interest group shall: 5. Operate under bylaws or rules of order that shall not be inconsistent
with Chapter or Association bylaws and that shall be approved by the Chapter’s
Board of Directors. A special interest group of the Chapter may be established and/or dissolved in accordance with the rules and conditions specified by the Chapter’s Board of Directors. Section 3: Limitations Districts and special interest groups are subject to the following limitations: Bylaws and policies of the Association and the Chapter. No district or special interest group shall profess or imply that it speaks for or represents the Chapter or members other than those currently holding membership in the district or special interest group unless authorized by the Chapter’s governing body. ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS Section 1: Annual Meetings The Chapter shall hold an annual fall meeting of the Chapter membership for the conduct of business. Section 2: Special Meeting(s) Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or by written request of any thirty (30) members, provided that thirty (30) days notice is given to all members. Attendance is limited to Chapter members and invited guests approved by the Chapter officer. Section 3: Notice of Meeting Requirements Thirty (30) days notice must be given to all members for annual or special meetings. Section 4: Quorum A quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) members including at least two (2) officers. Section 5: Meeting Minutes All meeting minutes shall be submitted to the Association within 45 days after the date of the meeting. ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS Section 1: Officers: Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities The officers of the Chapter shall be President, Vice President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Delegate, PTA Caucus Representative, four District Chairpersons, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. President: The President shall assume leadership of the Chapter’s activities in accordance with Chapter bylaws and the Membership’s needs and interests; and shall: 1. Preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Board of Directors. Vice President: The Vice President shall have the following duties: 10. Be familiar with the Chapter activities and the duties and responsibilities
of the President. 17. At the end of the outgoing President’s term of office, the President-Elect
will automatically assume the duties, position and title of President.
Secretary: The Secretary shall have the following duties: 26. Record and distribute the minutes of all Board of Directors meetings;
record the minutes of all Membership meetings and submit an accurate summary
for publication in the chapter newsletter. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have the following duties: 33. Receive and disburse all moneys of the Chapter. Chief Delegate: The Chief Delegate shall have the following duties: 44. Present material from the House of Delegates to the Membership and
the Board of Directors for discussion, opinion, and/or vote. PTA Caucus Representative: The PTA Caucus Representative shall have the following duties: 51. Present material from the PTA Caucus to the Membership and the Board
of Directors for discussion, opinion and/or vote. District Chairperson: The District Chairperson shall have the following duties: 57. Serve as a representative of the District membership to the Board
of Directors. Chairperson of the Nominating Committee: The Chairperson of the Nominating Section 2: Vacancies If, before the expiration of the term for which elected, the President dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified, the Vice President shall succeed to the office vacated for the remaining portion of the term. If, before the expiration of the term for which elected, the President-Elect dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified, a special mail election will be held to determine a replacement candidate. Vacancies created by death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or disability of any other officer shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors for the remaining portion of the term, or until the officer resumes his/her duties. District chairpersons appointed to fill a vacancy must be a member of the district of the vacating chairperson.
Only members of the Chapter as are provided for in the Association Bylaws, Article IV, Section 3, subparagraph B.(3)b, who have been members in good standing for at least 2 years prior to the election and who have consented to serve, shall be eligible for election to the offices of President-Elect, Vice President, Chief Delegate or any position that may succeed to the Presidency. Physical Therapist Assistants, Retired Physical Therapist Assistants, and Life Physical Therapist Assistants may hold office subject to the limitations specified in the Association Bylaws, Article V, Section 5, subparagraph C. No two offices may be held by the same member concurrently. The nominees for President-Elect, Vice President, Chief Delegate or any position that may succeed to the Presidency must have been active members of the Chapter for at least two years prior to election. The nominees for President-Elect will have held an office or committee post at the component level of the Association. To be eligible as a nominee for a District Chairperson, a candidate must reside or work in the district to be represented. In the absence of the President, Vice President, and/or Chief Delegate, the next Executive Board member to assume the duties of President will be the Secretary, then the Treasurer. Section 4: Board of Directors Composition Duties and Responsibilities 1. Carry out the mandates and policies of the Chapter as determined by
the resolutions enacted by the membership. Meetings 8. Regular Meetings Section 5: Term of Office The President-Elect is a one-year term, which converts to a three-year
term as president for a total of four years of service. C. The election of officers shall be held at the Annual Meeting. They
shall assume ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES A. Appointments: 1. The chairperson of the committees, except the Nominating Committee,
the Finance Committee and the Membership Committee, shall be appointed
following the first annual meeting of the Board of Directors and take
office effective immediately. B. Duties: 1. The committee shall be responsible for identifying needs in their
areas of interest, requesting the establishment of task forces to study
the needs, and recommending action to the Board of Directors. Section 1. The Finance Committee shall: Advise the members of the Chapter as to expenditures and present a proposed annual budget to the membership for approval at the Annual Meeting. Be responsible for the Chapter’s activities in these areas: Section 2. Ethics Committee shall: Consist of three members; one person appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The individual with the most seniority serves as chairperson. Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall: The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Chapter. Physical Therapist, Retired Physical Therapist, Life Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Retired Physical Therapist Assistant, and Life Physical Therapist Assistant chapter members in good standing are eligible to serve on the nominating committee. Each member shall serve a term of three years. One member shall be elected each year at the Annual Meeting. Election shall be by plurality vote. The Chairperson of the committee shall be the member with the longest tenure on the committee prior to any re-election. If an elected member of the Nominating Committee cannot serve, he/she will be replaced by the appointment by the Board of Directors. Members appointed may not serve as chairperson of the committee. Prior to each election, the Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of nominees consisting of at least two names, if possible, for each office and position on the Nominating Committee becoming vacant. Only those members meeting the qualifications for office and consenting to serve shall be considered by the Committee. The Nominating Committee shall distribute the slate of nominees to the membership thirty (30) days prior to the election meeting and allow nominations from the floor at the Election Meeting. C. Report results of elections at the Election Meeting of the Chapter.
E. Prior to the expiration of the term of any member of the Maine Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, the Nominating Committee shall select not less than two nor more than five individuals who are eligible and qualified to serve as member of the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in Physical Therapy, and shall submit the names of the individuals so selected to the Chapter’s Board of Directors for approval. Upon approval by the Board of Directors, the names shall be submitted to the Governor of the State of Maine for his consideration. The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations and select members to be honored by service awards at the Chapter level. Section 4. The Bylaws Committee shall: A. Prepare amendments to the Chapter’s Bylaws. B. Advise the Board of Directors on amendments proposed for Association Bylaws. C. Insure identified Chapter Bylaws remain consistent with Association Bylaws. Section 5. The Continuing Education Committee shall: A. Assist in the coordination of educational activities of the Chapter. B. Plan continuing education seminars in conjunction with Chapter Meetings, and at other times, as appropriate. Section 6. The Government Affairs Committee shall: A. Maintain a liaison with the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. B. Monitor pending state legislation that might have an impact on physical therapists or physical therapist assistants and advise the Board of Directors of such legislation. C. Be responsible for submitting revisions to the State Practice Act. D. Serve as Chapter liaison with the Association’s PT-PAC. Section 7. The Membership Committee shall: A. Furnish new members with information about the Chapter activities. B. Welcome, in writing, all new members of the Chapter. C. Inform District Chairpersons of new physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in their district. Section 8. The Newsletter Committee shall: A. Publish a Chapter newsletter at least two times annually; and distribute it to the membership and other individuals designated by the Board of Directors. B. Solicit advertisers for the newsletter.
A. Be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the Chapter’s clinical outcome activities. B. Evaluate the Chapter’s continuous quality improvement program, including peer review. Section 10. The Placement Committee shall: A. Maintain and make available a listing of job openings in the State. B. Maintain and make available a listing of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants seeking employment in the State. Section 11. The Public Relations Committee shall: A. Coordinate the use of the Chapter’s public relations material. B. Contact the media throughout the State to run stories and other public service items regarding the Chapter, its activities, or its members. C. Coordinate activities that promote the profession of physical therapy to consumers. Section 12. The Reimbursement Committee shall: A. Educate third party payers on the role of physical therapy in the health care system. B. Keep current on reimbursement issues at the state and national levels. C. Coordinate with the Legislative and Public Relations Committees as issues arise. Section 13. The Research Committee shall: A. Serve as a resource to members regarding clinical and experimental research. B. Submit to the Board of Directors proposal(s) for Chapter directed and financed research. Section 14. The Information Systems Committee shall: A. Assess the Chapter’s needs for information systems. B. Implement and update the information system(s) identified in A. Section 15. Such other committees, standing or special, may be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, as the Chapter or Board of Directors deems necessary to carry on the work of the Chapter. ARTICLE IX. DELEGATES TO THE ASSOCIATION’S HOUSE OF DELEGATES Section 1: Qualifications A. The qualifications of delegates shall be as stated in the Association bylaws B. A Chapter Delegate may not, in the same year, serve as Section Delegate. C. The Chapter shall notify Association headquarters of the names of Chapter Delegates, as required by the Association and the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates. D. The Chapter must be represented in the House of Delegates at least every third year. Section 2: Election and Term At the Annual Meeting, the membership shall elect the number of delegates to which it is entitled. If the Chapter later finds it is entitled to additional delegates, they will be elected at the last Board of Directors meeting prior to the session of the House of Delegates. The Chief Delegate and Delegates are elected to a two (2) year term of office. Delegates may only be re-elected for two successive terms. Section 3: Duties of Delegates A. Attend the annual and special meetings of the House of Delegates of the Association. B. Present to the House of Delegates such matters as directed by the Board of Directors and/or the Membership. C. Serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors. D. Attend all Board of Directors and Chapter Meetings. E. Review all pertinent material to be brought before the House of Delegates (HOD). F. Keep current on matters coming before the HOD. G. Assist the Chief Delegate in presentation of HOD materials to the
membership and Board of Directors for discussion, opinion, and/or vote. I. The President may serve as alternate delegate at discretion of the Chief Delegate. Section 4: Voting The delegate(s) attending the annual session of the House of Delegates
shall have the right to
Section 1: Qualifications A. The qualifications of the representative shall be as stated in the APTA Board policies and procedures. B. The Chapter shall notify Association headquarters of the Representative, as required by the Association. Section 2: Election and Term A. At the Fall Chapter meeting prior to the annual session of the PTA
Caucus, the Physical Therapist Assistant, Retired Physical Therapist Assistant
and Life Physical Therapist Assistant members of the Chapter shall elect
the Representative to which the Chapter is entitled. An alternative Representative
may also be elected. A. To attend the annual and special meetings of the PTA Caucus. B. To present to the PTA Caucus such matters as are ordered by the Board of Directors and/or voting body. C. To vote at meetings of the PTA Caucus or in accordance with instructions and/or policies of the Chapter. ARTICLE XI. ELECTIONS Section 1: Procedures A. Election shall be held at the Annual Meeting as follows: B. Nominations shall be requested from the floor. C. Voting shall be by written and secret ballot. D. Tellers shall be appointed by the Presiding Officer in all cases. E. For each office, the nominees receiving the majority of all votes cast shall be declared elected, except for Nominating Committee nominees who are elected by plurality. F. Election of District Chairpersons: only members of a district will be allowed to cast votes for that district’s director. G. If there is no majority, re-balloting shall be held to determine the election results. H. Results of elections shall be submitted to the Association within 45 days. Section 2: Absentee Voting Absentee balloting shall be allowed in the following manner: A. Members eligible to vote must use an official ballot. C. Each member is permitted one vote in elections. Members may chose to vote for officers by absentee ballot or at the election meeting. D. For election purposes only, absentee ballots shall count toward the quorum for a meeting. ARTICLE XII. FINANCE Section 1: Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be the same as that of the Association. Section 2: Limitation on Expenditures No officer, employee, or committee shall expend any money not provided in the budget as adopted, or spend any money in excess of the budget allotment, except by order of the Chapter’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall not commit the Chapter to any financial obligation in excess of its current financial resources. Section 3: Dues Annual Chapter membership dues shall be as follows: $70.00 for Physical Therapist members $35.00 for Physical Therapist Assistant members Chapter dues $0.00 for Life Physical Therapist and Life Physical Therapist Assistant members $40.00 for Retired Physical Therapist members $20.00 for Retired Physical Therapist Assistant members $0.00 for Student Physical Therapist and Student Physical Therapist Assistant $15.00 for Corresponding members B. Student Physical Therapist and Student Physical Therapist Assistant member dues are for 12 months from the time of renewal or join date. As of the last day of the graduation month, the student or student affiliate member automatically converts to the Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant member category for the remainder of the 12 months of membership. Once the membership expires, these new Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant members are eligible for one year of membership at 50% of the Association and chapter dues rates for an Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant member. C. All dues shall be for the period specified in the Association’s bylaws and shall be payable following the Association’s schedule. D. All dues changes approved by the Chapter membership and approved by the Association’s Board of Directors before the Association’s deadline will become effective on the first day of the Association’s next fiscal year. E. All dues changes approved by the Chapter shall be effective as determined by the Association’s budgeting process. Section 4: The Chapter shall submit its annual financial statements, tax returns, and audit report to the Association when and as directed by the Association. Section 5: Tax-Exempt Status The Chapter is organized and is to operate as a nonprofit organization. It is intended that the Chapter will qualify at all times as an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended by qualification described in Section 501C(3) of the Code. No part of the net earnings of the Chapter shall benefit or be distributed to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that Chapter for services rendered to the Chapter and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these Bylaws. ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION Section 1: Assets In the event that the Chapter is dissolved for any reason, the Board of Directors shall transfer all assets of the Chapter in its possession, after the payment of its bona fide debts, to the Association; provided that such distribution does not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. Section 2: Record In the event the Chapter is dissolved for any reason, the Board of Directors shall transmit all membership records to the Association.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order adopted by the Chapter. ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENTS These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Chapter provided that a previous notice of at least thirty (30) days has been given and a quorum, as defined in Article VI. Section 4, is present. A 2/3 vote of the members present and voting is required for passage. If the intent of an amendment is editorial or to bring the Chapter’s bylaws into agreement with those of the Association, the amendment shall be made as required by the Bylaws Chairperson and shared with the Board of Directors. The Bylaws Chairperson shall notify the Chapter’s membership that such amendments have been made. Amendments to the Chapter’s bylaws become effective upon approval in writing by the Association’s Board of Directors. (Exception: changes in Chapter dues become effective on the first day of the Association’s fiscal year following approval.) ARTICLE XVI. ASSOCIATION AS HIGHER AUTHORITY In addition to these Chapter bylaws, the Chapter is governed by the Association’s
bylaws and standing rules, and by the Association’s House of Delegates
and Board of Directors policies. |
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