- Article I: Name
The name of the organization shall be the NH Society of Physician Assistants, herein referred to as NHSPA.
- Article II: Vision, Mission, Purpose
The purpose of the NHSPA is to promote quality medical care, to work diligently to maintain the highest level of professional standards and enhance to the professional and political climate for Physician Assistants throughout the state of New Hampshire, to increase the Society’s membership, to develop and provide continuing medical education programs for Physician Assistants, and to promote the public health policies that improve the health and well-being of all people of New Hampshire.
Section 1: NHSPA vision statement: NHSPA is the authoritative and definitive representative of the PA profession within New Hampshire.
Section 2: NHSPA mission statement: NHSPA mission is to enhance the health and well being of the people within New Hampshire through the representation and advancement of the PA profession.
Section 3: To provide the general membership of the organization with a forum for informal assembly regarding the issues that relate to physician assistants of New Hampshire.
Section 4: To develop and maintain a speakers bureau and job bank for NHSPA.
Section 5: 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 New Hampshire.
- Article III: Membership
The NHSPA shall be representative of physician assistants, students, and other interested individuals within New Hampshire, who meet the specified Bylaws and requirements specified by the Board of Directors.
- Section 1: Membership categories are (a) fellow, (b) student, (c) affiliate, (d) honorary members All AAPA fellow members are eligible for membership in NHSPA.
Section 2: A fellow member is a PA who is a fellow member of the AAPA.
Section 3: A Student member is a person enrolled in a CAHEA-accredited or an unaccredited program recognized by the AAPA. Student members shall be entitled to the privilege of the floor but have no vote or hold any office except for the elected Student Representative. The Student Representative shall be elected by his or her peers and enjoy all rights and privileges including formal vote except in matters relating to the AAPA.
Section 4: An Affiliate member is a person who is ineligible for any of the above categories 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 to hold office.
Section 5: An Honorary member shall be a person who has rendered distinguished service to the physician assistant profession and/or NHSPA. Such members shall be nominated by an active Society member and approved by the Board of Directors within one year. They shall be entitled to the privilege of the floor but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. They shall be exempt from paying dues.
Section 6: All applications for membership shall be in writing on application forms provided by this organization. No applicant shall be denied on the basis of gender, age, race, disability, creed, color, or national origin. No fellow member of the 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 whose decision will be final.
Section 7: Annual fees, dues amounts, and assessments shall be established an 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 8: 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 NHSPA holds its members to the AAPA’s 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 representatives 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 of Directors, and shall be held for the purpose of transacting such business as may properly come before said meeting.
Section 2: Notice of meetings shall be in writing. A copy of the notice shall be available via mail or electronic format i.e website each member no less than 30 days before the date of the meeting. Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President and/or 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 and the Student Representatives are entitled to one vote on meeting motions.
Section 5: 51 percent of the voting membership in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
- Article VI: Board of Directors
- Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, President-Elect (when in office), Secretary, Treasurer, four Members at Large and two Student Representatives.
Section 2: Each board 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. Each Board of Director member in attendance is eligible for one vote on each voting issue.
Section 5: The board officers shall have a one-year term of office, except for President and Immediate Past President which will be 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: In the event of a 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 Board’s 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 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.
Section 9:The NHSPA may create by a majority vote of the organization’s Board of Directors a subdivision of the NHSPA such as a specialty society i.e.(The Orthopedic Journal Club). The goals and interests of any subdivision of the NHSPA must be in alignment with the mission statement of the NHSPA. All subdivisions of the NHSPA will need to adhere to the same rules and bylaws that govern the NHSPA. Any subdivision of the NHSPA will have at least one representative from the subdivision’s board of directors who reports directly to the NHSPA board of directors. Any subdivision of NHSPA must have 100% of its members be active members in NHSPA, Fellow members, Associate members, or Student members. Failure to comply with the bylaws by subdivisions or members of a subdivision may result in disaffiliation of the subdivision from the NHSPA. The dissolution of NHSPA automatically ends any affiliation with the subdivision. NHSPA has no financial affiliation with the subdivision and visa versa.
- Article VII: Election of the Board of Directors and 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 and AAPA Delegates. The President-Elect shall be elected after the first year of the current President’s term is completed (i.e., every two years).
Section 3: The outgoing President shall remain as a voting member of the Board as the Immediate Past President.
Section 4: Eligible voters include fellow, and Student Representatives.
Section 5: The election ballots for officers and AAPA Delegates shall be distributed by mail at least 30 days prior to the annual conference, barring unforeseen complications, with additional ballots and final tallying completed at the annual conference. This will allow for members to hear candidates voice their opinions and plans for the Society prior to casting a vote. Nominations for an OPEN position will be accepted from the floor at the Annual Conference.
Section 6: The elected officers shall take office at the January Board of Directors meeting the next calendar year after the election. The conference shall be held in the Fall of each year within 30 days of the previous year’s conference.
Section 7: The term of delegates to the AAPA House of Delegates shall begin concurrent with the Board of Directors.
- Article VIII: Duties of 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 year's activities at the annual meeting of the organization. He or she shall coordinate agendas for future meetings, and maintain order, and set up forums for discussion. He or she shall appoint all standing committees and designate their chairs, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President during meetings in his or her absence. The Vice President will organize and conduct, with the assistance of the Secretary, all annual elections and be chair of the Elections Committee.
Section 3: The Immediate Past President shall attend Board meetings and shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the President.
Section 4: 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 5: The Treasurer shall maintain accurate records of the financial status of the organization and is responsible for the collection of yearly dues from all members, depositing in the organization’s account all money received by the organization and with the President’s approval and co-signature if the amount is over $10,000.00, paying all bills approved by the organization, and recording all receipts of those payments. The Treasurer’s records shall be audited every year and upon leaving the office. The Board of Directors will determine the method of audit.
Section 6: The Members-At-Large serve and/or chair committees as assigned, assist fellow officers as needed and perform other duties as assigned by the President.
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. He or she shall encourage student participation and involvement on all of the organization’s committees, teams, and/or projects.
- Article IX: 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 in the bylaws. There shall be the following Standing Committees: a) Membership, b) Legislative, c) Elections, and d) CME e) Reimbursement.
- Section 1: The members of each standing committee shall serve for a term of one year, commencing immediately after the annual conference. All committee members shall be appointed by the President, with the majority of approval 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 functions delegated to it by the Board of Directors or the President.
Section 3: Standing committees shall hold regular meetings and shall make quarterly 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 X: Duties of the Standing Committees
- Section 1: The Membership Committee shall encourage and promote the increase of NHSPA membership by coordinating the recruitment, retention, and development of the organization's members.
Section 2: The Legislative Committee shall monitor current legislation and policies that have an effect of NHSPA and when necessary coordinate the proactive lobbying for improved quality and standards for PAs practicing in New Hampshire and encourage the membership to take a role in the legislative process.
Section 3: The Elections committee shall prepare a slate of candidates to fill positions on the Board of Directors and AAPA House of Delegates. The committee shall establish rules and regulations governing the elections. The committee shall conduct the elections in the manner discussed in Article VII, Section 5.
Section 4: The Continuing Medical Education Committee (CME) shall coordinate the planning of CME conferences for NHSPA. The CME Committee shall be in charge of coordinating the notification of the membership of upcoming events and of actively pursuing other fund-raising avenues for holding conferences, such as encouraging local pharmaceutical companies to become sponsors and exhibitors.
Section 5: The Reimbursement Committee shall monitor reimbursement for physician services provided by PAs in New Hampshire. The committee will keep in contact with the AAPA reimbursement representatives. NHSPA suggests a representative of the committee attend monthly insurance carrier meetings as deemed necessary.
- Article XI: Finance
- Section 1: The fiscal year shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: The amount of dues, 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 October 1st.
Section 4: Any member whose dues, 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, and assessments as they become due.
- Article XII: Parliamentary Authority
- Section 1: The current edition of Sturgis-Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure shall be the parliamentary authority for all matter of procedure not specifically covered by these by-laws.
Section 2: This constituent organization is part of the parent organization AAPA. AS such, the organization and its members are required to meet all provisions outlined in the AAPA’s constitutions, bylaws, and charter policy. This organization will not write or pass any bylaws and /or policies in conflict with 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 organization’s constitution and bylaws.
- Article XIII: 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 hold its members to the AAPA’s code of ethics.
Section 3: In accordance to the laws of the state of New Hampshire and with reference to the Charitable Trusts Unit, the NHSPA board will abide by the following conflict of interest policy:
Any possible conflict of interest on the part of any member of the Board, officer or employee of the Corporation, shall be disclosed in writing to the Board and made a matter of record through an annual procedure and also when the interest involves a specific issue before the Board. Where the transaction involving a board member, trustee or officer exceeds five hundred dollars ($500) but is less than five thousand dollars ($5000) in a fiscal year, a two-thirds vote of disinterested directors is required. Where the transaction involved exceeds five thousand dollars, then a two-thirds vote of the disinterested directors and publication in the required newspaper is required. The minutes of the meeting shall reflect that a disclosure was made, the abstention from voting, and the actual vote itself. Every new member of the Board will be advised of this policy upon entering the duties of his or her office, and shall sign a statement acknowledging, understanding of and agreement to this policy. The Board will comply with all requirements of New Hampshire law in this area and the New Hampshire requirements are incorporated into and made a part of this policy statement.
- Article XIV: Amendment of Bylaws
- Section 1: Minor edits to these bylaws may be made by the majority vote of the organization’s Board of Directors.
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, barring unforeseen circumstances.
- Article XV: Dissolution of the Organization
- Section 1: In the event of dissolution, the remaining monies will be disbursed in the following manner, contribution to the PA Foundation.
- Amended and Effective December 2, 2009
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