Illinois/Indiana Chapter of the Syrian American Medical Society

Article I.
NAME

The name of this association, organized as a chapter of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), will be the Illinois/Indiana Chapter of the Syrian American Medical Society, hereafter referred to as SAMS-ILIANA.

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Article II.
OBJECTIVES

SAMS-ILIANA will be operated as a nonprofit, charitable and educational organization.

The objectives of SAMS-ILIANA will be:

1. To be an educational organization, committed to the highest professional and scientific standards, and dedicated to the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of scientific information concerning all aspects of Medicine.
2. To promote professional relationship and participate actively with medical societies and with other official and non-governmental organizations interested in the purposes of the Society in the USA, Syria and other countries.
3. To encourage and support professional and technical education and all aspects of research in the Medical fields.
4. To promote general health and prevent disease through high quality health education, research, advocacy and patient care.
5. To provide charitable medical services to needy communities in the USA, Syria and other areas in the world.
6. To assist financially and medically other medical relief and charitable organizations.

In furtherance of the purposes described above, but not in limitation thereof, the chapter shall have power to conduct studies; to disseminate statistics and other information; to engage in appropriate fundraising activities; to conduct promotional activities, including advertising and publicity, in or by any suitable manner of media; to hold such property as is necessary to accomplish its purposes; and to employ individuals to further its purposes under Article II. This chapter is organized and operated for the above stated purposes, and for other nonprofit purposes. No part of its assets, income, or profits shall be distributable to, or inure to the benefit of, any individual, except in consideration of services rendered.

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Article III.
MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership will be open to any person willing to support the objectives of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS).
2. Members of SAMS-ILIANA will be members of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS).
3. All chapter members may vote in chapter matters.

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Article IV.
OFFICERS AND BOARD

1. Officers of SAMS-ILIANA will be president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
2. The chapter shall elect, from its active members, every two years, a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer, and such other officers as the chapter may determine.
3. The elected officers may appoint two or three other board members at large.
4. Officers and board members at large will serve for two years.
5. Officers and board members at large may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
6. Duties of officers are specified in the bylaws of SAMS.
7. President: The duties of the president shall include carrying out the policies of the chapter, appointing all committees of the chapter, exercising general supervision over the activities of the chapter, and presiding at meetings of the chapter and executive committee. The president shall be a member ex officio of all committees.
8. Vice president: The duties of the vice president shall include those usually appertaining to the office and those delegated by the president. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall serve in the president's stead.
9. Secretary: The duties of the secretary shall include keeping a record of all proceedings and correspondence of the chapter, certifying chapter delegates to the Association’s annual meeting, preparing or overseeing the preparation of newsletters for distribution to the faculty if such shall be desired, maintaining official contact with the Association. It shall be the duty of the secretary to provide the secretary-treasurer of the Association the names of the officers of the chapter and the chapter bylaws and to conduct the correspondence of the chapter with the secretary-treasurer. In the absence of the president and vice president, the secretary shall preside at meetings of the chapter.
10. Treasurer: The treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all funds received and disbursed. At the request of the executive committee, the treasurer shall prepare an annual chapter budget and report of finances, and submit them for approval. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to remit to the Association and/or to the applicable state conference any dues collected on behalf of the Association and/or conference. In the absence of the president, vice president, and secretary, the treasurer shall preside at meetings of the chapter.
11. When an officer has resigned or is disqualified, the office shall be filled by a special election of the chapter, which shall be held as promptly as is feasible. The board is empowered to fill vacancies in any elective office until a special election is held. The person so elected shall hold office for the remainder of the term.

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Article V.
MEETINGS

1. SAMS-ILIANA will meet a minimum of two times a year at a time and place determined by the membership. Qualifications and methods for voting will be according to procedures as established by the board.
2. SAMS-ILIANA meetings will be open to the public, who may attend as guests.
3. Only members of SAMS-ILIANA can vote, serve as officers, or be listed in materials published by the chapter.
4. Non-members can attend chapter meetings and participate in any chapter activities.
5. Special meetings of the chapter may be called by the president or a majority of the board. Written notice of such meetings shall be provided to each member by the secretary of the chapter at least five days in advance of the meeting date. The president shall call special meetings of the chapter within seven days of being so directed by the board or by a petition signed by ten percent of the members.
6. The quorum required for the transaction of business at all meetings of the chapter shall consist of 10 percent of the members.

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Article VI.
COMMITTEES

The chapter may create standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to promote the welfare of the chapter. The chair and members of these committees shall be appointed by the board. Some such committees may be, but are not limited to:

• Auxiliary Committee
• Private Practice and Business Development Committee
• Continued Medical Education and Academic Committee
• Residents and Medical Students Committee
• Membership Committee
• Social Committee
• Political Action Committee
• Election and bylaws Committee

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Article VII.
OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. SAMS-ILIANA will be governed by these bylaws and those of SAMS, and will adhere to any changes or revisions adopted by SAMS.
2. The Chapter Representative will be responsible for sending reports at least once yearly to the Chapter Liaison of the Syrian American Medical Society, who will act as a contact between the Chapter, the Chapter Representative, and the Board of Directors of SAMS.
3. SAMS-ILIANA will communicate its activities, concerns, and questions through the Chapter Liaison who will channel such communications to the appropriate SAMS entities.
4. SAMS will keep SAMS-ILIANA informed of changes in policy and procedure through the SAMS Chapter Liaison.
5. Except as otherwise required by the SAMS bylaws, SAMS-ILIANA is to be self governing. The Syrian American Medical Society cannot be held legally responsible for the actions of SAMS-ILIANA beyond the bylaws.
6. SAMS-ILIANA will conduct itself in a manner that is in keeping with the professionalism of the SAMS. All literature, banners, posters, letters, etc., will be professional in appearance so as to maintain the SAMS's image as a professional organization.

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Article VIII.
FINANCES AND DUES

1. The chapter shall establish chapter dues.
2. Any chapter dues will be established by a secret ballot vote conducted among voting chapter members. The vote may be conducted either by mail ballot or, after reasonable notice, at a regular or special membership meeting.
3. Chapter members must pay current SAMS dues, any mandatory conference dues, and chapter dues.
4. SAMS-ILIANA will establish a bank account in its own name.
5. SAMS-ILIANA may conduct special fund raisings for charitable and medical relief activities.

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Article IX.
AMENDMENTS

1. These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the members, provided that a notice setting forth the proposed amendment or amendments an explanation thereof and known objections thereto shall have been sent to each member at least thirty days prior to the vote.
2. Amendments or revisions of these bylaws may be proposed by any member of SAMS-ILIANA.
3. All amendments will be reported to SAMS Chapter Liaison.

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Article X.
DISSOLUTION

1. SAMS-ILIANA may be dissolved by SAMS according to criteria prescribed by the SAMS bylaws.
2. SAMS-ILIANA may request dissolution according to procedures outlined in the SAMS bylaws.
3. Upon dissolution of the chapter, its assets shall be distributed to the SAMS.

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Article XI.
RULES OF ORDERS

Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority for this chapter in matters of procedure not specified above.

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