THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE INDO AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION, Inc.
ARTICLE I: NAME
SECTION I:
The name of this association shall be: THE INDO AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION, Inc., herein after to be referred to as the Asso ciation.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
SECTION I:
To promote learning, research, and dissemination of knowledge in areas related to personality development, psychopathology, ethno- psychopharmacology, effects of immigration and other mental health issues as related to delivery of, appropriate, culturally congruent and quality services to people of Indian origin (person of Indian origin as defined in the Constitution of India).
SECTION II:
To provide, a forum for communication and exchange of ideas amongst Psychiatrists of Indian Origin or Indian descent (where one parent is of Indian origin as defined above).
SECTION III:
To establish close ties and build on collaborations with the American Psychiatric Association, Indian Psychiatric Society and other National and International Mental Health Organizations.
SECTION IV:
To be an advocate for the specific professional needs of the Psychiatrists of Indian Origin or descent in Mental Health Related issues.
SECTION V:
To establish, funds and awards to promote, the cause of mental health in the USA and India.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I: The classes of membership will be as listed in the bylaws.
SECTION II: Procedure for admission as outlined in bylaws.
SECT1ON IV: Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated by resignation submitted by a member; or by suspension or expulsion by the IAPA Executive Committee henceforth referred to as EC and Board of Trustees, henceforth referred to as BOT when: (a) member's dues are in arrears for a year or, (b) if a member's medical license is suspended or revoked or, (c) if a member is suspended or expelled by APA or, (d) for conduct unworthy of a practicing professional as determined by IAPA EC and BOT. The procedure for such an action will be described in the bylaws section.
SECTlON V: Dues
Al1 members except Honorary members are responsible for the payment of such dues and levies as determined (or fixed) by the IAPA EC and BOT from time to time.
(these will be outlined in bylaws)
SECTION VII:
Any member suspended, expelled or dropped from membership may be reinstated by the EC with the concurrence of the BOT (the procedure to be described in bylaws)
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS of the IAPA Executive Committee
SECTION I:
The officers of the IAPA Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President, President- Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, the Immediate Past President, the Editor of the newsletter and the Council Members. The President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected psoitions, while the Editor and Council Members will be appointed by the President. The Chair of the Board of Trustees will be an ex-officio member. The qualifications for the above offices will be outlined in the bylaws.
The IAPA Board of Trustees (BOT) will comprise of three immediate Past Presidents and four elected members. The qualifications for BOT will be outlined in the bylaws.
SECTION II:
Nomination of Officer of the IAPA Executive Committee shall be done by the Nominations Committee and approved by the IAPA EC - and BOT as outlined in the by laws.
The members of the IAPA are to be notified of all nominations received as provided by the By-Laws.
Call for nominations are to be placed in the IAPA's newsletter, on the web site and on the IAPA -EC list serve.
SECTION III:
Election of officers shall be conducted as specified in the by laws.
SECTION IV:
A) All Officers shall assume their respective office for a term as outlined in the bylaws at the close of the annual meeting prior to which they have been elected, and shall continue in office until the close of the annual meeting when their term expires. The president-elect shall assume the office of the president at the close of the annual meeting.
B) If the office of the president shall become vacant, the President-elect shall assume the office. If for any reason, the accession of the president-elect becomes impossible, a successor to the office of the president shall be appointed by the Board Of Trustees for the remainder of the unexpired term of the president and/or until the next election. If the office of the president elect becomes vacant, an interim President-elect shall be appointed by BOT to be ratified at the next annual meeting of the association. Both the appointments will be in accordance with meeting the qualifications for the office as outlined in the bylaws. If the office of the Secretary, Treasurer or Editor of the newsletter becomes vacant, a successor shall be appointed by the IAPA Executive Committee in consultation with the BOT.
SECTION V: DUTIES
The President shall preside at the meetings of the association and/or the Executive Committee. He/ She shall also communicate to the Board of Trustees on such matters and make such suggestions as may in his/ her opinion tend to promote the mission of the association and shall perform other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of the president.
In the event of the absence or disability of the president, the President-Elect shall act in his/ her place.
The Secretary shall give notice of and may attend all meetings of the association, the EC council and the various committees, shall keep record of their proceedings, shall conduct the correspondence of the association, and keep all records and minutes of the association(s).
The Treasurer shall collect, receive disburse and account for all sums of money due or belonging(s) to the association. He/ She shall also furnish the necessary information about the financial transactions of the association to the Internal Revenue Services by the due date for filing.
Editor(s) of the newsletter shall be responsible for the publication and mailing of the newsletter as approved by the council.
Except as otherwise provided in the constitution and By-Laws, the Executive Committee shall have control and management of the day to day affairs of the association and the news letter.
The Executive Committee shall also have the charge to present an annual operating budget and explore avenues to raise funds for the annual expenses of the association.
The budget will have to be approved by the BOT.
Additional duties and responsibilities of the office bearers will be outlined in the bylaw.
SECTION VI: Discipline
Any officer of the association who does not attend three consecutive meetings of the IAPA EC or BOT without satisfactory explanation to the majority of the council may be expelled or dropped by the IAPA-EC or BOT respectively.
ARTICLE V: The Board of Trustees
SECTION: I
The President of the association shall be advised by a Board Of Trustees comprised of members as outlined in the by laws.
SECTlON II: Nomination to the Board of Trustees
Elective members of the Board shall be nominated by the nomination committee and approved as outlined in the by laws.
SECTION: III; Election of the Board of Trustees
The election of the elective members of the Board of Trustees shall be accomplished by posting the slate in the News letter of IAPA, on the web site and on the IAPA list serve. The elections will be conducted at the Annual Meeting of the Association.
SECTION IV: Tenure of the Board of Trustees
The tenure of the elective members shall be outlined in the bylaws. At each election the association shall elect members to succeed those, whose terms have expired and to fill any unfilled vacancies which may have occurred.
SECTION V: Vacancies on the Board of Trustees
Vacancies occurring in any year among the elective members may be filled by the IAPA Executive Committee, in consultation with the by Board of Trustees as temporary appointments for terms to expire at the next annual meeting. They have to meet the qualifications to serve on BOT as outlined in the bylaws.
SECTION VI: Function of the Board of Trustees
The role of the BOT is to advise and guide the EC, but not to micromanage the day to day functioning of the EC.
The Board of Trustees will be responsible for:
ARTICLE VI:
SECTION I: Quorum:
At any meeting of the Executive Committee, presence of five members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION II: Action by the Executive Committee
At meetings of the Executive Committee, resolutions adopted by a majority of those present, shall be binding upon and constitute the action of the EC. Records shall be kept of the action taken by the ECand such action shall be reported to the association at its annual meeting.
SECTION III: Meetings
The EC shall meet periodically as deemed necessary, but at least twice a year, in person, through conference call or e-mail or any other electronic format, for the effective and successful carrying out of the goals and objectives of the Association.
SECTION IV: Discipline (this is repeated)
Any elective Executive Committee /Council member who does not attend three consecutive meetings of the council without satisfactory explanation to the majority of the Council may be expelled from the council.
ARTICLE VII: Meetings
SECTION I: Annual Meetings
The annual meetings of the association shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the EC
SECTION II: Special Meetings
Special Meetings of the association may be called for at such and place as shall be fixed by the Executive Committee.
SECTION III: Quorum
At any annual or special meeting of the association, five percent of the membership or Fifteen members (whichever is less) shall con stitute the Quorum and shall, except as otherwise specially provided in the constitution or By-Laws, be sufficient for taking any action.
ARTICLE VIII: Constitution, By-Laws and Amendments
SECTION I: Amendment to the Constitution
Proposed changes to the constitution shall be posted on the web site, IAPA EC list serve and or newsletter at least 2 months before the date of the meeting at which time they are to be considered and must be signed by at least ten members. The secretary shall send a copy of any proposed changes to each member at least two weeks before the meeting at which they are to be considered. A vote of two thirds of the life members present at such meeting shall be necessary to the adoption of any arrangements. (APA has a requirement that at least 1/3rd of the total number of members have to vote and it passes if two thirds of the votes are in the affirmative).
SECTION II: Amendments to the By-Laws
The By-Laws may from time to time be amended by the council or by the association. Any By-Laws adopted by the council may be amended or annulled by the association.
By-Laws: Bylaws can be amended by a simple majority of those members voting
1. The Secretary shall send notification of the annual meeting and of any special meetings to each member of the association at least 2 weeks before the date of such meeting.
2. Regional associations:
Chapters of the association Organized by members who are in good standing in the parent organization may be formed. The relationship between the regional associations and the parent organization shall be regulated by the authority of the Executive Committee and or BOT from time to time.
3. The Nominations Committee:
Shall consist of the immediate Past President, the President, the President-elect, one chapter president, and the chair of the Board of Trustees. The nominating committee shall draw up a slate of nominees for the officer of President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer and for vacancies on the Board of Trustees. This slate must be presented to the EC for its final approval, no later than two months prior to the annual election.
4. Dissolution of the association:
If for any reason this association is dissolved, its assets will be transferred to the “AAPI Charitable Foundation” - a non-profit organization, with a stipulation that the funds be disbursed to promote mental health in India.