CONSTITUTION 

MICHIGAN RHEUMATISM SOCIETY

Article I.   Name

            The name of the organization shall be “The Michigan Rheumatism Society.” 

Article II.   Purpose

            The purpose of this organization shall be to stimulate interest in and increase the knowledge of rheumatic diseases among physicians and laymen. 

Article III.   Membership

            Section 1.      Membership in the society shall be open to physicians, scientists and other professionals interested in rheumatic disease.  All membership will have full voting privileges.  Associate membership, without privilege, shall be available to paramedical specialists, who are of acknowledged prominence in the study and control of rheumatic diseases.

            Section 2.      Election to membership shall be in accordance with the following routine:  Any members of the society may propose a candidate for membership.  The proposal shall be pertinent facts relative to the candidates qualifications.  The candidate shall then be considered by the Membership Committee and, if approved by a majority of the Committee, shall be nominated for election at the next business meeting of the organization.  A favorable vote by a majority of those present and voting shall then constitute election to membership.  A similar routine shall be followed for candidates for associate membership.

            Section 3.      Membership dues shall be on an annual basis conforming to the fiscal year which shall begin January 1^st and end December 31^st following.  The amount of the dues shall be determined by the Executive Committee.  Failure to pay membership dues for three (3) consecutive years will result in cancellation of membership.

            Section 4.      All members are urged to become members of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) of which the Michigan Rheumatism Society (MRS) is an affiliated society.  Members of the ACR are encouraged to actively assist fellow MSR members in achieving membership in the national organization.

            Section 5.      Any member may resign at any time by declaring his intentions in writing to the secretary.

                                    Any member or officer may be removed from the Society, or elected office, at any times, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members at any regular constituted, and appropriately announced meeting. 

Article IV.   Policies 

            The policies of the society shall conform to those of the American Rheumatism Association, and this organization shall be affiliated with the American Rheumatism Association insofar as the constitution of the latter group permits.  In the event that dissolution shall occur, all financial assets, but none of the liabilities, will be passed on to the Michigan Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. 

Article IV.   Officers 

            The officers of this organization shall be a President, President-elect, and a Secretary-Treasurer, who shall be elected at the Fall Meeting of the Society.  Terms of office for the President and President-elect shall be two years in length and run from January 1^st until December 31^st of the second year.  Term of office for the Secretary-Treasurer shall be three years in length and run from January 1^st until December 31^st of the third year. 

Article VI.   Election of Officers

Section 1.      Officers of this organization shall be elected for a one-year term at the annual meeting specified in Article V.

Section 2.      At least one month prior to the annual meeting the President shall appoint a nominating committee of not less than three members.

                        This committee shall, at the annual meeting, present the name of a single candidate for each elective office.  Additional nominations for any office may be made from the floor, and when there is more than one candidate nominated for any office, election to the office shall be by secret written ballot.  Election requires a simple majority of the voting members present.

Section 3.      A vacancy in an elective office occurring during the fiscal year shall be filled by the Executive Committee and submitted for approval at the next meeting. 

Article VII.   Duties of Officers

Section 1.      The President shall preside at all meetings of the society and of the Executive Committee.  He shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, the members and chairman of all standing and special committees, and perform other duties as specified in this Constitution or its amendments.  He shall maintain liaison with the chairman of the affiliated societies committee of the American College of Rheumatology.

Section 2.      The Vice President shall assist the President when required and shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of that officer.

Section 3.      The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for the records of the society.  He shall keep a similar record of the transactions of the Executive Committee meetings.  He shall be responsible for all correspondence of the society and will see that members are notified of each meeting.  As Treasurer he shall receive all monies of the society, make disbursements as authorized by the Executive Committee.  He shall collect dues from each members and shall notify members who have failed to pay.  He shall keep a register of the members of the society.

Article VIII.   Committees

Section1.       Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and the two immediate past presidents.  It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to take initiative in determining policies of the society.  It shall take charge, control and manage all property of the society.

                        Meetings shall be called by the President as deemed necessary and the Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings and report to the society at the next meeting of the society, subject to approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 2.      Membership Committee.  The Membership Committee shall consist of three members.  Its duties shall be to receive applications for membership and to evaluate these to Committee Chairman at the next meeting of the Society.

Section 3.      Public Relations Committee.  The Public Relations Committee shall consist of at least three members.  Its duties shall be to promote the activities of the Michigan Rheumatism Society in the professional press (particularly the Michigan State Medical Society Journal and County Medical Society Bulletins) and in the lay press as appropriate.  The Chairman shall maintain liaison  with the officers of the State and County Medical Societies and assist these societies as possible in arranging scientific programs concerning the rheumatic diseases.  All members of the Michigan Rheumatism Society are expected to assist as much as possible this committee in the discharges of its responsibility.

Section 4.      Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee shall be appointed and function as outlines in Article VI., Section 2.

Article IX.   Meetings

Meetings of this organization shall be held in such times as determined by the Executive Committee; a minimum of two meetings shall be held each year.  The annual election of office shall be held during the Fall meeting each year. 

Article X.  Michigan Chapter of Arthritis Foundation

            The President of the Michigan Rheumatism Society, upon request of the Michigan Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and following consultants with the Executive Committee, shall submit nominations for membership in the Medical Advisory Committee of the foundation.  He shall also assist and advise the officers of the Michigan Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation regarding medical problems when requested by that organization.