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Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Kansas Academy
of Physician Assistants, herein referred to as KAPA.
Article
II: Purpose and Mission
The
purpose of the KAPA is:
Section
1
To be representative of physician assistants
of Kansas, whose purpose is to enhance the quality of medical
care of the citizens of Kansas by providing medical education
to physician assistants, other health care professionals,
the legislative and governing bodies and to the public.
Section 2
To provide the general membership of the
Academy with a forum for information assembly regarding the
issues that relate to physician assistants of Kansas.
Section 3
To develop and maintain a speakers bureau for KAPA.
Section 4
To facilitate mutual assistance and support of physician assistants,
health professionals, and health services by organizing and
disseminating health care information through forums, panels,
and other similar programs concerning the delivery and quality
of health care services within Kansas.
Article
III: Membership
The KAPA shall be representative of physician assistants,
students, and other interested individuals within the state
of Kansas, who meet the specified Bylaws and requirements
specified by the Board of Directors.
Section
1
Membership categories include: a) fellow, b) sustaining, c)
student, d) physician, e) associate, f) affiliate, and g)
honorary members. All American Academy of Physician Assistants
(AAPA) fellow members are eligible for membership in KAPA.
Section 2
A Fellow member is a graduate of PA Program accredited by
ARC-PA or a Predecessor Agency or is NCCPA-Certified, who
shall be employed within, or participant of, Kansas and is
also a fellow member in good standing of the AAPA. Fellow
members shall be entitled to the privilege of the floor, to
hold formal office, and to vote.
Section 3
A Sustaining member is a PA eligible for fellow membership
who has chosen not to practice in the PA profession or to
join the AAPA. Sustaining members shall be entitled to the
privilege of the floor but shall not be entitled to vote or
to hold office.
Section 4
A Student member is a person enrolled in an ARC-PA accredited
program or an unaccredited program recognized by the AAPA.
Student members shall be entitled to the privilege of the
floor but shall not be entitled to vote or to hold office
except for their elected Student Representatives. The Student
Representatives shall be elected by their peers and enjoy
all rights and privileges including one collective formal
vote on matters before the KAPA Board of Directors, except
in matters relating to AAPA.
Section 5
A Physician member is an U.S. licensed physician who wishes
to associate with the organization. Physician members shall
have the privilege of the floor but shall not be entitled
to vote or hold office.
Section 6
An Associate member is a person engaged in selling products
or other services to PAs or an individual employed by a government
agency who does not qualify for any other membership categories.
Associate members shall be entitled to the privilege of the
floor but shall not be entitled to vote or to hold office.
Section 7
An Affiliate member is a person who is ineligible for any
of the above categories and wishes to associate with the organization
and is approved by the Board of Directors. Affiliate members
shall be entitled to the privilege of the floor but shall
not be entitled to vote or hold office.
Section 8
An Honorary member shall be a person who has rendered distinguished
service to the Physician Assistant profession and/or KAPA.
Such members shall be nominated by an active academy member,
approved by the Board of Directors within one year, and approved
by the general membership. Honorary members shall be entitled
to the privilege of the floor but shall not be entitled to
vote or hold office; and shall be exempt from paying dues.
Section 9
All applications for membership shall be in writing on application
forms provided by this organization. All applicants shall
be approved or rejected by the organizationŐs Membership Committee.
No applicant shall be denied on the basis of gender, age,
race, handicap, creed, color, national origin, or sexual preference.
No fellow members of AAPA shall be denied an application of
membership unless such membership has been revoked for reason
of an ethical or judicial nature. Appeals will be acted upon
by the Board of Directors and their decision will be final.
Section 10
Annual fees, dues amounts, late fees, and assessments shall
be established and approved by the Board of Directors for
each class of membership. The Executive Committee may offer
complimentary membership for financial or personal hardship
on a case-by-case and yearly basis.
Section 11
AAPA members who belong to more than one constituent organization
may vote on AAPA issues in only one constituent organization.
Article
IV: Discipline
Section
1
The KAPA holds its members to the AAPAŐs code of ethics.
Section 2
Any member who is under sentence of suspension, or expulsion
shall not be entitled to any of the rights or benefits of
the organization, or be permitted to take part in any of the
proceedings until he or she has been reinstated.
Section 3
Any member who has been censured, suspended, or expelled by
the Board of Directors may appeal, in writing, such action
within six months after notice is given, in writing, by the
Board of Directors.
Section 4
A committee chair, not part of the executive board, shall
arrange for an impartial, three-person panel to hear the appeal.
The panel shall consist of fellow members who are not holding
a chairmanship or board office. The committee chair shall
designate a time and place for the hearing of the appeal,
and after giving the appellant and representativeŐs reasonable
opportunity to be heard, shall, by a majority vote, either
sustain or reverse such censure, suspension, or expulsion.
The decision of the panel shall be final.
Article
V: Meetings of Members
Section 1
The annual meeting shall be held at a date, time and place
to be set by the board and shall be held for the purpose of
transacting such business as may properly come before said
meeting.
Section 2
Notice of meeting shall be in writing. A copy of the notice
shall be given to each member no less than 14 days before
the date meeting. Special meetings of the organization may
be called by the President, by order of a majority of the
Board of Directors.
Section 3
A special meeting of the organization may be requested by
a majority of the fellow members.
Section 4
Each fellow member are entitled to one vote on meeting motions.
Section 5
Fifty-one percent of the voting membership present shall constitute
a quorum.
Article VI: Board of Directors
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall consist of President, President-Elect,
Vice President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, two
Student Representatives from each current class of the Wichita
State Physician Assistant Program, and no more than seven
members at large.
Section 2
Each officer of the organization shall be a fellow member
in good standing of the AAPA for the duration of their term.
Section 3
The Board of Directors shall control and manage the affairs
of the organization.
Section 4
The Board of Directors shall hold meetings at such times and
places as may be designated by the President, but in no event
shall there be less than one such meeting in any calendar
year. An absolute majority of the membership of the Board
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting business.
Section 5
The members of the Board of Directors shall serve a two-year
term of office. Any officer may resign at any time. Such resignation
shall be in writing to the board and shall take effect at
the time specified therein.
Section 6
The Board of Directors, at any meeting thereof, may appoint
such additional officers with such title, authority, and duties,
as it may deem advisable. The Board will set the amount of
any compensation for additional officers or office personnel
and will have the right to remove or replace any appointees
at the BoardŐs discretion.
Section 7
Any officer may be removed from office, for cause, at any
time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board provided
that the affected officer shall have been given written notice
of the charges and offered an opportunity to appear and be
heard on the matter before the Board of Directors takes final
action.
Section 8
The officer may appeal such action, in writing, within six
months after notice of removal is given and the board has
taken action to remove the officer. The Board of Directors
shall designate a time and place for the hearing of the appeal.
After giving the officer and representativeŐs reasonable opportunity
to be heard, the Board of Directors shall, by a majority vote
either sustain or reverse the removal of the officer. The
decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.
Article VII: Election of the Board
of Directors and Selection of AAPA Delegates
Section 1
The Elections committee shall establish rules and regulations
governing the elections.
Section 2
The offices to be filled are the Board of Directors.
Section 3
The President-Elect shall automatically succeed the preceding
President as President of the organization and the outgoing
President shall remain as a voting member of the board for
one year as the Immediate Past President.
Section 4
Eligible voters include fellow members.
Section 5
The election of the Board of Directors shall be conducted
at least 45 days prior to July 1.
Section 6
The elected Directors shall take office on July 1, following
the elections. The Board of Directors shall serve a two-year
term of office ending on June 30.
Section 7
The term of delegates to the AAPA House of Delegates shall
begin on July 15, with the exception of those delegates representing
the Student Academy. The Immediate Past President and President
Elect shall serve as Chief Delegate and delegate respectively
to the AAPA, with additional members selected by the Board
to fill the remaining delegate and alternate delegate positions.
Article VIII: Election of the Board
Officers
Section 1
The board offices to be filled are the Vice President, President
Elect, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2
Eligible voters include the members of the Board of Directors
and the Student Representatives.
Section 3
The election of board officers shall be conducted during the
first meeting after the election of the Board of Directors.
Section 4
The elected board officers shall take office on July 1. Their
term of office runs from July 1 to June 30.
Section 5
In the event of vacancy the Board of Directors, at any meeting
thereof, may appoint such additional officers with such title,
authority, and duties as it may deem advisable until the following
elections. The Board will set the amount of any compensation
for additional officers or office personnel and will have
the right to remove or replace any appointees at the BoardŐs
discretion.
Section 6
Any officer may be removed from office, for cause, at any
time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board provided
that the affected officer shall have been given written notice
of the charges and offered an opportunity to appear and be
heard on the matter before the Board of Directors takes final
action.
Section 7
The officer may appeal such action, in writing, within six
months after notice of removal is given and the board has
taken action to remove the officer. The Board of Directors
shall designate a time and place for the hearing of the appeal.
After giving the officer and representatives reasonable opportunity
to be heard, the Board of Directors shall, by a majority vote
either sustain or reverse the removal of the officer. The
decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.
Article IX: Duties of the Officers
Section 1
The President shall preside at all business meetings of the
organization and of the Board of Directors. He or she shall
make a full report of the yearŐs activities at the annual
meeting of the organization, he or she shall coordinate agendas
for future meetings, preside at meetings and maintain order,
and set up forums for discussion, he or she shall appoint
all standing committees and designate their chairperson, subject
to approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 2
The President-Elect, in the absence of both the President
and Vice President, shall assume the duties of the President.
The President-Elect will also serve as a delegate on the AAPA
House of Delegates.
Section 3
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President
in his absence or vacancy. The Vice President will organize
and conduct, with the assistance of the Secretary, all annual
elections and be Chairperson of the Elections Committee and
Chairperson of the Membership.
Section 4
The Past President shall attend Board meetings and shall perform
such duties as may be delegated by the President. President
Elect shall serve as Chief Delegate to the AAPA House of Delegates.
Section 5
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the organization,
be responsible for all organization communications, assist
the Vice President on elections, notify all members of all
meetings.
Section 6
The Treasure shall maintain accurate records of the financial
status of the organization, collect yearly dues from all members,
deposit in the organizationŐs account all money received by
the organization, and with the PresidentŐs approval, pay all
bills approved by the organization, and record all receipts
of those payments. The TreasurerŐs records shall be audited
every year and upon leaving the office. The method of audit
will be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 7
The Student Representatives shall act as a liaison between
the Board of Directors and all student members of the organization.
The Student Representatives shall assist in conducting affairs
of the organization as designated by the President.
Article X: Committees
There shall be such committees as may
be specified by the Board of Directors with such authority
and responsibility as may be delegated by the Board of Directors
or specified by the bylaws.
There shall be the following Standing Committees: a) Executive,
b) Finance, c) Professional Liaison, d) Continuing Education,
e) Legislative/Governmental Affairs, f) Public Education,
g) Standing Goals, h) Scholarship, I) Professional Wellness,
j) Membership, k) Newsletter, l) Elections.
Section 1
The members of each standing committee shall serve for a term
of one year, commencing on July 1. All committee members shall
be appointed by the President, with the majority of the Board
of Directors, and shall be subject to removal by the President.
Each committee shall be responsible to the President and the
Board of Directors.
Section 2
Each standing committee shall be responsible for the performance
of the duties and function delegated to it by the Board of
Directors or the President.
Section 3
Standing committees shall hold regular meetings and shall
make periodic written reports to the Board of Directors through
the President.
Section 4
Special (ad hoc) committees may be appointed by the President
with the concurrence of the Board for such special tasks as
circumstances warrant.
Article XI: Duties of the Standing Committees
Section 1
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.
They shall confer with the President in setting the agendas
for all business meetings.
Section 2
The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer. This
committee shall be responsible for the maintenance of the
financial dealings of the organization. They shall propose
an annual budget, to be approved at the annual corporate meeting.
Section 3
The Professional Liaison Committee shall be chaired by a representative
from the Physician Assistant Council of the Kansas State Board
of Healing Arts (KBHA). They shall keep the KAPA Board of
Directors updated on issues within KBHA. This committee shall
present candidates to be recommended by KAPA to fill vacancies
on the Physician Assistant Council, as directed by Kansas
statutes.
Section 4
The Continuing Medical Education Committee shall be chaired
by a person appointed by the President, with the approval
of the Board of Directors. The chairperson may be appointed
an indefinite number of terms. This committee shall be responsible
for organizing and coordinating all KAPA sponsored CME activities.
They shall also be responsible for providing information to
the membership regarding CME opportunities within the state.
Section 5
The Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee shall monitor
current legislation and policies that have an effect on KAPA
and, when necessary, coordinate the proactive lobbying for
improved quality and standards for PAŐs practicing in Kansas
and encourage the membership to take a role in the legislative
process.
Section 6
The Public Education/Information Committee shall be responsible
for coordinating and implementing a comprehensive educational
program, promoting and informing the public regarding the
physician assistant profession.
Section 7
The Standing Goals Committee shall consist of the President-Elect
(who shall act as chairperson), President, Immediate Past
President, and other members, as determined by need and appointed
by the President. They shall be responsible for the development
and implementation of a Strategic Plan for KAPA. They shall
also be responsible for an annual review and revision of the
Bylaws, as approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 8
The Scholarship Committee shall be chaired by a person appointed
by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
This committee shall be responsible for the promotion and
awarding of all KAPA sponsored scholarship monies, with the
approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 9
The Professional Wellness Committee shall be responsible for
the development, implementation, and coordination of the Professional
Wellness Program.
Section 10
The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President
and shall encourage and promote the increase of KAPA membership
by coordinating the recruitment, retention, and development
of the organizationŐs members.
Section 11
The Newsletter Committee chaired by a person appointed by
the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
This committee shall be responsible for the production and
distribution of the KAPA newsletter.
Section 12
The Elections Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President
and shall prepare a slate of candidates to fill positions
on the Board of Directors. The Committee shall establish rules
and regulations governing the elections. The committee shall
conduct the elections in the manner described in Article VII,
section 5.
Article XII: Finance
Section 1
The fiscal year shall be determined by a resolution of the
Board of Directors.
Section 2
The amount of annual dues, late fees, and assessments, as
well as the manner of payment, shall be determined from time
to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 3
Annual membership dues shall be payable by February 1. New
members applying after August 1 will pay one-half dues for
the present year.
Section 4
Any member whose dues, late fees, or assessments are unpaid
at the time of any meeting shall be ineligible to vote or
hold office. The Board of Directors may establish procedures
and policies with regard to nonpayment of dues, late fees,
and assessments as they become due.
Article XIII: Parliamentary Authority
Section 1
The current edition of SturgisĐStandard Code of Parliamentary
Procedure shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters
of procedures not specifically covered by these bylaws. The
President shall act as parliamentarian for all meetings.
Section 2
This constituent organization is part of the parent organization
AAPA. As such, the organization and it its members are required
to meet all provisions outlined in the AAPAŐs constitution,
bylaws, and charter policy. This organization will not write
or pass any bylaws and/or policies in conflict with the AAPA
bylaws and/or policies. This organization will uphold the
principles, purposes, and philosophy for which AAPA was founded.
If the organization is unable to uphold the principles and
purposes, or passes conflicting bylaws and/or policies, it
must work through AAPA to change the philosophy by altering
the organizationŐs constitution and bylaws.
Article XIV: Ethics and Judicial Affairs
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall serve as the judicial body of
the organization.
Section 2
The Board of Directors will create policy defining and implementing
the organizationŐs Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics of the
Physician Assistant Profession of the AAPA, or its successor
document, shall be the official Code of Ethics for KAPA.
Article XV: Amendment of Bylaws
Section 1
These bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting
of the membership by a majority vote of all voting members
present or by proxy.
Section 2
Major amendments to these bylaws may be made at any regular
or special meeting of the membership by a majority vote of
all voting members present or by proxy.
Section 3
Written notification shall be made to all membership at least
three weeks prior to voting on any proposed amendments to
the bylaws.
Bylaws of the Kansas Academy of Physician
Assistants adopted on October 8, 2004
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