Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Constitution & By-laws

(Revised June 22, 2015)

Constitution

‍

Article I: Name

Name:

The name of the organization shall be the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (LA AAP), but may be abbreviated, the LA Chapter or the Chapter.

‍

Article II: Mission, Objectives and Priorities

Mission

The mission of the LA AAP is to be advocates for all children in Louisiana.

‍

Objectives

To further the mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Academy) to “attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.”
To further the goals of the American Academy of Pediatrics as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws adopted by the voting membership in October 2012.

The American Academy of Pediatrics shall pursue specific scientific, social, and educational objectives including the following:

foster measures and conduct activities directed toward establishing and maintaining the highest quality and acceptability in the delivery of health care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
conduct and encourage programs designed to maintain and increase the effectiveness of all those who provide health care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
encourage the development of high quality pediatric educational programs for students and health professionals at all levels of education and experience;
support and encourage programs designed to improve the health and health care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
encourage and support the membership in their efforts to improve the health and welfare of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
encourage support of basic and applied research into all aspects of health, health care, and disorders of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
stimulate interest in the health and welfare of children and youth in the field of pediatrics;
stimulate and conduct public informational and educational programs designed to improve the health and welfare of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
function as an effective advocate for all children and youth in all matters pertaining to health and health care;
stimulate advances in the preventive aspects of health care, in such areas as control of disease and disability, environmental hazards, accident prevention, nutrition, mental, and emotional health, and child abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
support and encourage the role of the family in the health and development of children and youth;
establish and promote liaison and cooperation with other organizations concerned with the well being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults;
foster ethical practice in pediatric care and research.

‍

Priorities

The priorities of the LA AAP:

Dedicated to promoting the interests of Louisiana pediatricians in the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dedicated to increasing involvement of pediatricians in the legislative arena to positively influence the quality ofpediatric practice and the welfare of children in Louisiana.
Dedicated to increasing pediatricians' knowledge of and participation in legislative and advocacy activities at alocal level.
Dedicated to building coalitions with other organizations working towards improving children’s health and wellbeing.

‍

Article III: Mission, Objectives and Priorities

Section I: Membership Categories

Membership in the Chapter is open to pediatricians, pediatric dentists, physicians engaged in pediatric specialties,nurses and physician assistants working primarily in the field of pediatrics and medical students interested in pediatricswho reside in Louisiana. Membership may be in the following categories:

(a) Fellows and Specialty Fellows of the AAP residing in the State of Louisiana;
(b) Senior Member. A Senior Member is a member who lives in Louisiana and who has attained the ageof 70 OR is 65 or older and no longer derives income from professional activities. They shall be exempt from dues.
(c) Chapter Affiliate Member is any physician who resides in Louisiana who is engaged primarily in pediatric practice, teaching or research and is not already a Fellow of the AAP.
(d) Associate Member is a pediatric dentist who has received a certificate or a degree in the specialty ofpediatric dentistry from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American DentalAssociation and practices pediatric dentistry in the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada;
(e) Candidate Member is limited to 4 years period post-residency training for pediatricians who are members of the AAP
(f) Post Residency Training Member are AAP members who are in fellowship training(g) Resident Member are pediatric residents who belong to the AAP
(g) Medical Student Member are medical students in Louisiana
(h) National Affiliate Members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. They are (a) a licensed PhysicianAssistant who received a certificate from an ARC-PA accredited program, practices in the United States,Puerto Rico, or Canada, and is working in a pediatric setting or at least 50% of professional activities iswith infants, children, adolescents, or young adults. A copy of the certificate and one sponsor statementby a FAAP in good standing is required; or b) a pediatric nurse practitioner licensed and certified in theUnited States, Puerto Rico or Canada, working as a member of a pediatric care or medical home team. Acopy of the certificate and one sponsor statement by a FAAP in good standing are required.

‍

Section II: Rights and Privileges of Members

(a) Fellows and Specialty Fellows have the right to vote and may hold any office of the Chapter
(b) Senior Members may vote, but may not hold office
(c) Chapter Affiliate Members may vote, but may not hold the office of President or Vice President
(d) Candidate Members, Post Residency Training Members, Resident Members may vote, but may not hold office
(e) Medical Student Members may not vote or hold office
(f) National Affiliate Members may not vote or hold office

‍

Section III: Forfeiture of Membership

(a) Membership shall lapse after the failure to pay dues for two years. If a member continues to be delinquent for 30 days after notification by the Chapter, he/she shall be suspended until reinstated upon payment of dues.
(b) Any conduct ethically or socially violating the standards of the Chapter shall be brought before theExecutive Committee for proper disposition. An accused members shall be notified of the charges by theSecretary in writing and be given ample opportunity for defense against them.

‍

Article IV: Mission, Objectives and Priorities

Amendments

This Constitution and the By-Laws of the Chapter may be amended by a two-thirds vote of ballots cast by votingmembers of the Chapter, provided that a copy of any such proposed amendment shall have been submitted in advanceto the Executive Committee for its consideration. A copy of any proposed amendment, together with therecommendation thereon of the Executive Committee, shall be distributed by the Executive Director to each member atleast one month before the annual Chapter meeting. Members will have no less than two weeks to vote on theproposed changes. Any mailings and voting may be accomplished electronically.

‍

By-Laws

‍

Article I: Officers

Section I: Officers of the Chapter shall be:

President
Vice President
Secretary/Treasurer
Early Career Physician
The immediate past president

‍

Section II: President

The President shall succeed from the position of Vice President.The President shall appoint all committees and liaison representatives subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.He/she shall be a member ex officio of all committees and shall serve a term of two years. He/she shall be eligible for a second term but no more. No officer of the LA Chapter may serve more than four successive years in a position. ThePresident will submit an annual report to the District Chairman prior to the Annual Fall meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics or as required by the Executive Board of the AAP.

If the President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office, the Vice President shall be appointed Acting President. A successor Vice President for the remaining term and shall be elected in the same manner as specified in Article II, with a modified time schedule if required.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter’s general membership, the Academy’s Board of Directors, and the Academy’s Executive Committee. In addition, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee from time to time.

‍

Section III: Vice President

The Vice President shall serve a term of two years, and shall be eligible for re-election once.If the Vice President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office, a successor shall be elected in the same manner asspecified in Article II, with a modified time schedule if required. The President-Elect shall assist the President inperforming his/her duties. The Vice President shall also perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Presidentor the Executive Committee from time to time.

‍

Section IV: Secretary/ Treasurer

The Secretary/Treasurer will perform the usual duties of that office as outlined in the Chapter’s Policy and ProcedureManual section on Board Officers and Members At Large. The term of office will be for two years, and he/she shall be eligible for re-election once.

‍

Section V: Early Career Physician

The Early Career Physician shall serve a term of two years and he/she shall be eligible for re-election once. An Early Career member is a physician in their first five years out of residency or fellowship training. The Early Career members must be a physician qualified to practice medicine in the United States or Canada

‍

Section VI: Immediate Past President

The Immediate Past President shall succeed from the position of President and serve a term of two years and shall beeligible for a maximum of two terms. The Immediate Past President shall assist the President and the Vice President in performing their duties and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Director from time to time.

‍

Section VII: Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the Chapter will consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Early CareerPhysician, two members elected at-large, and the immediate past president. The two members elected at large shall serve a term of two years and he/she shall be eligible for re-election once. The Executive Director or their designee will serve as staff for the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will conduct all of the business of the Chapter between meetings, and will plan and be responsible for all Chapter activities in collaboration with Chapter staff.

‍

Section VIII: Executive Director

An Executive Director may be employed by the Chapter to work under the direction of and in close cooperation with the Executive Committee. The Executive Director may, upon direction by the Executive Committee, act as spokesperson for the Chapter in whatever form the Executive Committee deems appropriate and necessary. TheExecutive Committee shall determine the job description and compensation of the Executive Director.

‍

Section IX: Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee of the Chapter will consist of the following:

The Executive Committee
One liaison representative of the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS);
The CATCH facilitator;
The program director or his designee from each of the pediatric residency programs;
The Chief pediatric resident or his designee from each of the pediatric residency programs;
The Chair or his designee of each pediatric academic medical institution;
One representative from the Perinatal Commission;
One representative from PROS;
One representative from a pediatric subspecialty group;
A representative of the Office of Public Health Maternal Child Health Program;
A school health advisor;One representative for disaster preparedness;
An oral health advocate;
Two representative of the Early Career Physician
Any other Louisiana member who is appointed to a national AAP committee;
The chair of any Ad Hoc committee.

The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to work with the Chapter to identify areas for Chapter involvement, help develop the strategic direction of the Chapter and to inform Chapter leadership of issues specific to their area of practice

‍

Section X: Newly Elected Officers

Newly elected officers of the Chapter shall assume their duties at the annual meeting.

‍

Section XI:

In the event that any officer of the Chapter or member of the Executive Committee is unable to serve his/her full term of office, the Executive Committee is empowered to appoint or elect a Fellow to serve out the unexpired term.

‍

Article II: Nominating Committee

Section I

The Nominating Committee shall consist of three Fellows appointed by the Chapter President and approved by the Chapter Executive Committee. The term of office shall be for four years and no one may succeed himself. Individuals wishing to serve in this capacity again must be off the committee at least one year before becoming eligible for appointment again. The committee members will name a Chair. If they are unable to come to an agreement, the Chapter President will appoint the Chair.

‍

Section II

Every two years the Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of one or more candidates for all offices that will be vacant the following year. This will be done prior to July 1st.

‍

Section III

The list of candidates will be distributed to the members of the Chapter by the Executive Director no later than July 1st. Members will be given 15 days to submit additional candidates. Additional candidates may be nominated when properly endorsed by five or more members. At the conclusion of the 15 days, the nomination period will be considered closed.

‍

Section IV

‍

Section V

If there are more than two candidates for any vacancy, the candidate receiving a plurality of the votes will be elected.

‍

Article III: Meetings

Section I

The annual meeting of the Chapter shall be held at a time and place designated by the ExecutiveCommittee.

‍

Section II

Other meetings may be held at the call of the Chapter President, the Executive Committee, or by written request signed by ten Fellows.

‍

Section III

Notice of the time and place of all open meetings shall be sent to the entire membership at leastthree weeks in advance thereof by the Secretary/ Treasurer or Chapter staff.

‍

Section IV

A quorum shall consist of the majority of the Executive Committee

‍

Section V

All business meetings of the Chapter shall be conducted in accordance with the latest revised Roberts’ Rules of Order.

‍

Section VI

The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall meet at least twice annually to conduct the Chapter business, appoint committees and liaison representatives, give directions to these committees and liaison representatives, as well as receive and study reports submitted by these agents.

‍

Section VII

The Advisory Committee of the Chapter shall meet at least twice annually to advise the Chapter Executive Committee on Chapter development and policy and inform the Chapter from a broad representation of membership interests.

‍

Article V: Indemnification

The corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, employee or agent now or hereafter serving the corporation from and against any and all claims and liabilities to which he or she may be or become subject by reason of his or her now or hereafter being or having heretofore been a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and/or by reason of his or her alleged acts or omissions as such director, officer, employee or agent whether or not he or she continues to be such director, officer, employee or agent at the time when any such claim or liability is asserted, and shall reimburse each such director, officer, employee or agent for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with defending any and all such claims or liabilities, including amounts paid or agreed to be paid in connection with reasonable settlements made before final adjudication with the approval of the Executive Committee, whether or not he or she continues to be such director, officer, employee or agent at the time such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that no director, officer, employee or agent shall be indemnified against any claim or liability arising out of his or her own negligence or willful misconduct or shall be indemnified such claims or liability or in settling the same unless in the judgment of the directors of the corporation the director, officer, employee or agent against whom such claim or liability is asserted has not been guilty of negligence or willful misconduct. The foregoing right to indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which any director, officer, employee or agent may be entitled as a matter of law.