ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Qualifications for Membership.

Candidates shall be employed in a healthcare facility Central Service or Materiel Management department or have an interest by virtue of practice in a related field. Membership may also be open to other individuals who are interested in promoting the purpose and objectives of the Association, as stated in Article III.

Section 2. Definition of Healthcare.

The term healthcare shall incorporate all facilities that are rendering care to patients, i.e., ambulatory care centers, surgicenters, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities.

Section 3. Responsibility of Members.

Acceptance of membership shall constitute an agreement to abide by the regulations and objectives as stated in these bylaws.

Section 4. Application for Membership.

Applications for membership shall be in writing according to the direction of the Board of Directors and shall be screened by the Association’s Membership Committee. Applicants for membership shall be responsible for providing adequate information to allow membership status to be determined.

Section 5. Categories of Membership.

  1. Active Membership.

  1. Active members shall be those persons who are either employed in a Healthcare Central Service or Materiel Management Department or in a related field or have an interest in promoting the purpose and objectives of the Association. 

  2. Active members may serve on committees as appointed and pay fees and dues as fixed by the Board of Directors. Active members are entitled to one (1) vote on each issue submitted to a vote of the membership and may hold office in the Association after having met qualifications identified in Article VIII.

  1. Associate Membership.

  1. Associate members shall be those persons determined by virtue of their occupation to have an allied relationship with Central Service Materiel Management departments.

  2. Associate members may serve on committees as appointed and pay fees and dues as fixed by the Board of Directors. Associate members are also entitled to one (1) vote on each issue submitted to a vote of the membership, but may not hold office.

  1. Emeritus Membership.

  1. Emeritus membership may be conferred by the Association upon individuals who have been members in good standing of the Association for five (5) years and who have inactive status or rendered outstanding service to the Association. Fees and dues may be waived as determined by the Board of Directors of the Association. Emeritus members may not vote or hold office.

  2. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to establish and define other non-voting categories of membership. 

Section 6. Issuance of Certificates of Membership.

When a person has been accepted to membership and has paid required dues, a certificate of membership shall be issued in such member's name and delivered to such member.

Section 7. Transfer of Membership.

Membership in this Association is not transferable or assignable.

Section 8. Annual Dues.

The Board of Directors may determine from time to time the amount of initiation fee and/or annual dues payable to the Association by members. Annual dues are payable on or before April 30 of each year.

Section 9. Remission of Dues to Constituent Chapters.

The Board of Directors by resolution may at its discretion remit part of membership dues to constituent chapters to help maintain their activities.

Section 10. Voting Power.

  1. Active and Associate members of the Association shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each issue submitted to a vote of the membership.

  2. Voting by Proxy. 

  1. A member entitled to vote at a meeting of members or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such a member by proxy if proxy has been notarized, unless otherwise prohibited by these bylaws.

  2. Proxy voting will not be permitted at meetings of the Board of Directors or special meetings where information and discussion is required before a vote can be taken.

  3. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after eleven (11) months from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

Section 11. Resignation.

  1. Procedure. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.

  2. Obligations of Person Resigning. Resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other charges therefore accrued and unpaid.

  3. No Refunds. No refund of dues will be granted.

  4. Rights and Privileges of Membership. All rights and privileges and interest of a member in or to the Association shall cease upon the termination of membership.

Section 12. Default and Termination of Members.

When any member shall be in default in the payment of dues for a period of six (6) months from the beginning of the period for which such dues became payable, such person's membership will thereupon be considered terminated.

Section 13. Suspension and Expulsion of Members.

  1. Any Member. Any member may be suspended or expelled for cause.

  2. Sufficient Cause. Sufficient cause for such suspension or expulsion from membership shall be:

  1. A member’s becoming ineligible for membership;

  2. Default in payment of dues;

  3. Violation of Association bylaws or Code of Ethics; or,

  4. Any other conduct obstructing the purpose or objectives of the Association or prejudicial to the interest of the Association.

  1. Involuntary Suspension or Expulsion.

  1. Suspension or expulsion shall be by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board of Directors.

  2. A statement of the charges must be sent by certified or registered mail to the last recorded address of the member in question at least twenty (20) days before the final action is taken thereon. This statement shall be accompanied by a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the Board of Directors at which time the charges shall be considered. (See Article VII, Section 5D of these bylaws.)

  3. The member shall have the opportunity to reply to charges.

Section 14. Reinstatement of Membership.

  1. Resignation. Upon reapplication for membership, a former member may be reinstated after meeting such terms as are required for membership in the Association.

  2. Default. Members whose membership has been terminated due to default in the payment of dues shall be reinstated upon payment of such dues for the current year.

  3. Suspension and Expulsion. 

  1. Reinstatement of a member who has been suspended or expelled from membership in the Association will be considered upon written request signed by him/her and filed with the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.

  2. Upon presentation of sufficient evidence proving the sincere intent of the individual to return to full membership status, the Board of Directors may by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board reinstate such former member to membership.

  3. Reinstatement is contingent upon such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.

Continue to Article V     Back to Bylaws Index