The name of this organization shall be the American Institute of Homeopathy, hereinafter referred to as the AIH.
Purposes
Section 1.01: The purposes of the AIH are:
(a) the improvement of homeopathic therapeutics;
(b) the promotion of the science and art of homeopathic medicine;
(c) the dissemination of homeopathic medical knowledge;
(d) the safeguard of the interests of the homeopathic medical profession;
(e) the elevation and improvement of the standards of homeopathic medical education, and
(f) the attainment of general recogniton and public acceptance of homeopathy.
(b) MEMBERS IN TRAINING: shall be a Doctor of Medicine, a Doctor of Osteopathy, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, a Doctor of Dental Surgery, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or an Advanced Practice Nurse, or a Physician Assistant who participates in a valid medical, surgical,dental or veterinary training program, who shall be of good standing in the program, and who shall be prepared to practice homeotherapeutics.
(c) SENIOR MEMBERS (LIFE MEMBERS): active members shall be considered for Senior membership if they are 65 or older and have been an AIH member for at least 20 years. The Senior dues will be charged according to a sliding scale from $60 to the current active member dues. This can be reviewed and changed periodically by the Board.
(d) RETIRED MEMBERS: shall be a Doctor of Medicine, a Doctor of Osteopathy, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, a Doctor of Dental Surgery, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an Advanced Practice Nurse, or a Physician Assistant aged 65 or older who previously held a valid license to practice his or her profession in one of the States of the United States of America, who was eligible for membership in the professional society of the County or State in which he or she practiced, and who is of good standing.
Section 3.03: STUDENT MEMBERS: shall be a matriculant in good standing in an accredited school of medicine, osteopathy, naturopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, advanced practice nursing or physician assistance, whose graduates could be eligible for Regular Membership and shall have an interest in pursuing the practice of homeotherapeutics.
Section 3.04: CORRESPONDING MEMBERS: shall be a licensed foreign physician who is actively engaged in the practice of homeotherapeutics outside of the United States.
Section 3.05: HONORARY MEMBERS: shall be elected by the Board of Trustees.
Section 3.06: AFFILIATE MEMBERS: shall be a Doctor of Pharmacology or a Registered Pharmacist who shall hold a valid registration or license to practice his or her profession in one of the States of the United States of America, who shall be eligible for membership in the professional society of the County or State in which he or she practices, who shall be of good standing in the community in which he or she resides, and who shall be actively engaged in the homeopathic pharmaceutical profession.
Secton 3.07: ACTIVE MEMBERS in good standing (all dues and assessments paid in full) shall be entitled to one vote each at all regular and special meetings of the AIH. ACTIVE MEMBERS, after a minimum of two years in good standing, shall be eligible for elective or appointive office and any other rights and privileges of membership in the AIH.
Section 3.08: STUDENT MEMBERS, CORRESPONDING MEMBERS and HONORARY MEMBERS, and AFFILIATE MEMBERS shall be entitled to attend all regular and special meetings of the AIH. They shall not be entitled to vote or to hold elective office in the AIH, but may be appointed to serve on Committees.
Section 3.09: Membership in the AIH is not transferable or assignable.
Section 3.10: Application for all categories of membership shall be made on the form and in the manner prescribed by the Board of Trustees. After investigation and approval by the Membership Committee and upon full acceptance of the membership and receipt of appropriate dues, applicants’ names will be entered on the official roster of the AIH in the appropriate membership category, and the names and aqddresses of such applicants will be published in any publicaiton or communication circulated to all voting members.
Section 3.11: Application for reinstatement by a Member whose membership has been suspended, lapsed, or forfeited for any reason, shall be in writing, and subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
Meeting of the Members
Section 4.01: A REGULAR MEETING of the Members shall be held each year for the purpose of conducting such business as may come before the meeting.
Section 4.02: A SPECIAL MEETING of the Members may be called by the President, or the Board of Trustees, and shall be called upon request in writing by twenty (20) or more Active Members in good standing. The business conducted at a special meeting shall be limited to the purposes set forth in the call and notice of such special meeting.
Section 4.03: PLACE OF MEETING. The Board of Trustees may from time to time designate any place, either within or without the District of Columbia, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of Members.
Section 4.04: NOTICE OF MEETING. Written or printed notice of any meeting of the Members, issued by or at the direction of the President, the Secretary, or persons calling the meeting, shall be delivered at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting to all Members. The notice shall include the date, the time, and the location of the meeting and shall be delivered in person or by mail, or by email. In case of a special meeting, or when required by statute or by these By-Laws, the purpose for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice. If mailed, the notice of a meeting shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the mail, with postage paid, addressed to the Member at his or her address as it appears on the records of the AIH. Any member may waive notice of any meeting. If emailed, the notice shall be deemed delivered based on the date of the announcing email addressed to the Member at his or her email address as it appears on the records of the AIH.
Section 4.05: Ten (10) percent of the Active Members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Membership. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of Members, the meeting will be recessed to a date selected by a majority of the voting Members present.
Board of Trustees
Section 5.01: The business and affairs of the AIH shall be managed by a Board of Trustees which shall exercise the power of the Corporation and do all lawful acts and things which are not, by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these By-Laws, directed or required to be exercised by the Membership.
Section 5.02: The Board of Trustees shall consist of the President, President-Elect, First and Second Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) members at large from the eligible Members of the AIH who shall be elected to Trusteeship by the Body Politic. All Board members are voting members.
Section 5.03: Members of the Board of Trustees shall be elected by a secret mail vote of Members of the AIH in good standing (all dues and assessments paid in full) if notice of the election has been sent or publicized to all Members, and if at least thirty (30) days is allowed for the Members to vote. In a mail vote, approval by a majority of the votes received from eligible Members in good standing shall constitute election.
Section 5.04: Trustees shall be elected for three (3) year terms. All Trustees shall serve for the term for which elected, and until their successors are elected.
Section 5.05: If the Board of Trustees determines that one of its members is unable to perform the duties inherent in the position, the Board shall appoint an interim replacement for that member.
Section 5.06: A regular annual meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held at the same place as the annual meeting of Members. The Board of Trustees may call, by resolution, additional regular meetings of the Board.
Section 5.07: Special meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by or at the request of the President or three or more of the Trustees. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix any place for holding such meetings.
Section 5.08: Members of the Board of Trustees shall receive adequate advance notice of regular and special meetings. Notice of any special meetings of the Board shall be given by written notice, by mail, or by email to each Trustee at this address as shown on the records of the AIH at least two weeks prior thereto. A mailed notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the mail in a sealed postage paid envelope, addressed to the Trustee. An emailed notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. The attendance of a Trustee at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. The business to be transacted at any special meeting of the Board must be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
Section 5.09: A majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board. If less than a majority of the Trustees is present at said meeting, a majority of the Trustees present may recess the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 5.10: Should a vacancy occur on the Board of Trustees, the remaining Trustees shall appoint a qualified member of the AIH to serve for the unexpired term.
Section 5.11: Trustees shall not receive any stated compensation for their services, but, by resolution of the Board, they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred to attend meetings of the Board, and for other expenses incurred in the execution of their duties.
Officers
Section 6.01: The Officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a President-Elect, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Section 6.02: In the interests of continuity of policy and direction, there may be an ascension in office as follows: The President-Elect may succeed the President; the First Vice President may succeed the President-Elect; the Second Vice President may succeed the First Vice President.
Section 6.03: In the event of a vacancy in any office for any reason, the vacancy will be filled by all Officers moving up in accordance with the above order of succession. The Board of Trustees shall then appoint an Officer to fill the remaining vacancy, that person to serve until the next annual meeting of the Members.
Section 6.04: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the AIH, and Chairperson of the Executive Committee, a Member of the Board of Trustees, and shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Members. The President is responsible for all general and active management of the business of the AIH, and shall see that all resolutions of the Board of Trustees are carried into effect. The President shall make all appointments except those specifically excluded by these By-Laws. Such appointments shall be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.
Section 6.05: The President shall execute bonds, mortgages, and other contracts requiring the Seal of the AIH, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed, and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Trustees to some other Officer or agent of the AIH.
Section 6.06: The President-Elect shall be the Assistant Executive Officer of the AIH, a Member of the Executive Committee, and a Member of the Board of Trustees. In the absence or disability of the President, the President-Elect shall perform all the duties of the President. The President-Elect shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 6.07: The First Vice President shall be a Member of the Board of Trustees, shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence or disability of both the President and President-Elect, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 6.08: The Second Vice President shall be the supervisor and coordinator of the Councils, with responsibility for the direction of such Councils to implement and carry out the programs of the AIH, and a Member of the Board of Trustees. The Second Vice President shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
Section 6.09: The Secretary shall be a Member of the Board of Trustees and The Executive Committee, shall attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the Members, and shall record all the proceedings of these meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Members and special meetings of the Board of Trustees and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees or President, under their supervision. The Secretary shall be custodian of the Seal of the AIH and, when authorized by the Board of Trustees, shall affix the same to any instrument requiring it. So affixed, the Seal shall be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of the treasurer or an Assistant Secretary.
Section 6.10: The Treasurer shall be a Member of the Board of Trustees and a Member of the Executive Committee, shall attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees, maintain, in books belonging to the AIH, a record of corporate funds and securities, and an accurate account of receipts and disbursements. All monies and other valuable effects shall be deposited in the name of and to the credit of the AIH in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the AIH as may be ordered by the Board of Trustees, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. The Treasurer shall render to the President at its regular meetings (or when the Board of Trustees so requires) an account of all actions of the Treasurer and a statement of the financial condition of the AIH. If required by the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer and other Officer or employee of the AIH shall give the AIH a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Trustees for the faithful performance of their official duties. In case of the Treasurer’s resignation, retirement, removal from office, or death, all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the AIH, shall be returned to the AIH. The bond premium shall be paid by the AIH.
Section 6.11: There shall be such other Officers as the Board of Trustees from time to time shall appoint.
Executive Committee
Section 7.01: There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 7.02: Between the meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee shall have and shall exercise the power and authority of the Board in the management of the AIH, except that the Executive Committee may not expend or commit expenditure of money in excess of $3,000 for any purpose. All actions of the Executive Committee shall be subject to review and approval by the Board of Trustees.
Contracts, Checks, Deposits and Funds
Section 8.01: The Board of Trustees may authorize any Officer(s) or agent(s) of the AIH to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the AIH. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 8.02: All checks, drafts, orders for the payment of money, notes, or evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the AIH, with the exception of the petty cash checking account, shall be signed by two Officers or two agents of the AIH designated by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
Section 8.03: All cash funds of the AIH shall be deposited to the credit of the AIH in federally insured accounts in banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, or other depositories selected by the Board of Trustees.
Section 8.04: The Board of Trustees may accept on behalf of the AIH any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the general purpose of or for any special purpose of the AIH.
Books and Records
Section 9.01: The AIH shall keep at its registered or principal office accurate and complete books and records of accounts, minutes of the proceedings of its Members and Board of Trustees, a record of the names and addresses of the Members. All books and records of the AIH may be inspected by any Member, his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.
Section 9.02: The fiscal year of the AIH shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
Dues
Section 10.01: The amount of annual dues for all classes of Membership shall be established by the Board of Trustees. Dues are payable yearly in advance.
Section 10.02: The annual dues of Regular Members of any age who have paid their dues annually during the preceding ten years, in case of hardship and upon application to and approval by the Board of Trustees, may be waived without publicity thereof.
Section 10.03: The Board of Trustees may levy a special assignment against Regular Members not more than once within any fiscal year, which assessment shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days after billing therefor.
Section 10.04: If a Member does not pay dues or assessments within thirty (30) days of the due date, the privileges of Membership shall be suspended and the Member shall be notified in writing. Suspension of membership shall be lifted upon complete payment of the delinquent dues or assessments within sixty (60) days of the due date. If a Member does not pay the delinquent dues or assessments within sixty (60) days of the due date, the Executive Committee shall cause the Member to be dropped from membership, with notice in writing to the Member. A Member who is dropped from membership may be reinstated by the Executive Committee upon application in writing from the Member, and a $25.00 reinstatement fee with reinstatement application.
Reprimand, Suspension, or Expulsion
Section 11.01: The Board of Trustees may investigate, upon request by any member of the Board or upon written request from three (3) members of the AIH in good standing, a Member who allegedly has displayed conduct thought to endanger the welfare of the AIH, homeopathy, or the medical profession in general. If, after a hearing, the Board determines that a Member is guilty of such conduct, the Board may, with concurrence of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the membership of the Board:
(a) reprimand the Member, or
(b) suspend the privileges of the Member for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, or
(c) expel the Member from the AIH.
Section 11.02: If the Board of Trustees elects to investigate the conduct of a Member of the AIH, the Board shall notify the Member, in writing, of the charges and the time and place of a hearing. Such notification shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior to the date set for the hearing. The questioned Member may appear at the hearing with or without legal counsel and present such facts as are pertinent to the investigation. Following the hearing, the Board Members, in Executive Session, shall participate in the deliberations related to the case.
Section 11.03: Upon reaching a decision, the Board of Trustees will notify the Member, in person or in writing, of its decision. The decision cannot be appealed.
Section 11.04: A Member of the AIH who is suspended or expelled from the AIH is not entitled to any refund of dues or assessments, or to reimbursement of any kind from the AIH, the Board of Trustees, or any Member of the AIH.
Councils
Section 12.01: The program of activities of the AIH shall be planned and executed by the following Councils:
I. Council on Organization
II. Council on Legislation
III. Council on Education
IV. Council on Drugs
V. Council on Research
VI. Council on Public Information
VII. Council on Homeotherapeutic Standards
These Councils shall be composed of appropriate Committees and Subcommittees to accomplish their purposes. Chairpersons of the Councils, Committees, and Subcommittees will be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Section 12.02: The President may, from time to time, and with the approval of the Board of Trustees, establish such other Councils as may be deemed essential. Ad hoc committees may be appointed by the President without approval of the Board of Trustees.
Publications
Section 13.01: The AIH may publish a Journal, to be known as the American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine, and such other publications, newsletters and other documents, with such frequency and circulation as the Board of Trustees may determine, for dissemination to the Members and/or to the public.
Order of Business
Section 14.01: Robert’s Rules of Order, or any other Rules as decided upon at the beginning of a meeting, shall govern all meetings of the AIH, the Board of Trustees, and the Councils, except where there is a conflict with these By-Laws, in which event the By-Laws shall control.
Seal
Section 15.01: The Board of Trustees shall provide a corporate seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the AIH and words Similia Similibus Curentur.
Waiver of Notice
Section 16.01: Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given under the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or by the By-Laws of the AIH, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to sign such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
Amendments
Section 17.01: These By-Laws can be altered, amended, repealed, or replaced by the Active Members of the AIH if notice of such proposed action has been publicized or sent to the Active Members at least thirty (30) days in advance of the action.
Section 17.02: Changes in the By-Laws can be made at any regularly scheduled meeting of the AIH with approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the Active Members present at that meeting, provided proper notification of the meeting has been made.
Section 17.03: Changes in the By-Laws can also be made by email vote or by mail vote of the Active Members if the following three (3) conditions are met: 1) Two-thirds majority approval is required by those Members who have voted. 2) At least thirty (30) days is allowed for the Members to vote. 3) At least twenty (20) percent of the Members must vote. All votes, whether by email or by mail, will be sent to the AIH administrator who will keep the votes confidential. if voting is by email, each member must send his/her vote by using the email address associated with his/her AIH membership. If voting is by mail, the ballot must be mailed in the provided envelope.
Dissolution
Section 18.01: In the event that the AIH ceases to exist or is dissolved by the membership, any remaining assets shall be turned over to:
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American Institute of Homeopathy
c/o George Guess MD DHt
909 Summit View Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903