Summary of Revisions to the PAPA Constitution:

1. "Steering Committee" changed to "Board of Directors"

2. "Member at Large" changed to "Director at Large"

3. "Editor" changed to "Webmaster" and an email option for communication added

4. Boundaries changed

5. Addition: Allow the creation of new officers or committees and duties as needed.

6. Punctuation corrections as needed.

Updates:

• Jan 10, 2012: Any concerns with the constitution revisions due
• Dec 24, 2011: Constitution revisions posted



CONSTITUTION OF THE PIEDMONT ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

ARTICLE 1:   TITLE

The name of the organization shall be "Piedmont Association of Physician Assistants", or the acronym "PAPA".

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE

The purposes of PAPA shall be: (1) To provide opportunities for continuing medical education for Physician Assistants (PA) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) in the Piedmont region.  (2) To improve communication and fellowship among physician extenders.  (3) To assist in the promotion of the physician extender profession in conjunction with other regional, state, and national physicianassistant organizations.

ARTICTLE III:  MEMBERSHIP

Membership will be open to any PA or NP who has paid annual membership dues or is a student in an accredited PA or NP school, or any allied health professional who has completed an application for membership and has been approved by the Board of Directors.

Membership shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, color, creed, race, religion, or ethnic origin.

ARTICLE IV:  ELECTIONS

Elections of officers shall be by a simple majority of ballots (written or emailed) of the current PA membership and shall be held each November.  A nominating committee may be formed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  The newly elected officers will take office on January 1st, following elections.

ARTICLE V:  OFFICERS

The officers of PAPA shall be:  President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, three Directors At Large, and Webmaster.  All officers must be physician assistants, members of the North Carolina Academy of  Physician Assistants, (NCAPA), will serve for a period of one year, and then can be re-elected.  These officers shall comprise the Board of Directors and will govern all functions of PAPA.  Other offices may be created if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.  Any officer or other PAPA member may chair a committee and present updates to the membership and Board of Directors as needed. Duties of each officer may change as needed and at the discretion of the Board.

1. President:

• The President will chair the Board of Directors, help plan CME, and serve as the regional representative at NCAPA board meetings.

2. Vice President:             

• The Vice President will assist the President in all functions as directed by the President and preside in the event of the absence of the President.

 3. Secretary:                       

• The Secretary will maintain records of meetings, membership attendance lists, and assist in arranging CME and other meetings.

 4. Treasurer:                       

• The Treasurer will keep records of money received and disbursed, and report annually to the general membership regarding all receipts and all disbursements, as well as a balance of all PAPA accounts.  Disbursements by the Treasurer may include:  postage, meeting expenses, honoraria, and charitable contributions as directed by the Board of Directors and supported by the membership. The Treasurer may be bonded at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 5. Director at Large:            

• The three Directors at Large will advise and assist the other officers of the organization.

6. Webmaster:           

• The Webmaster will be responsible for organizing information to be sent to the membership by a written emailed newsletter, if desired, and will maintain the PAPA website.

 7. Student Representative(s)

• Non-voting member(s) of the Board of Directors.

 *Officers who vacate their office prior to the end of the term shall be replaced by the vote of the PA membership.  Replacement officers shall serve for the remainder of the term.  Should the office of the President become vacant, the office will be filled by the Vice President.

 ARTICLE VI:  COMMITTEES

Committees may be established, appointed, and dissolved by the Board of Directors in order to carry out the activities of PAPA.  Committee chairmen may be any PAPA member and may attend Board meetings at the discretion of the Board.

ARTICLE VII:  DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Dues and assessments and the manner of payment shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  Assessments fees for special events may be required for those who attend.

ARTICLE VIII:  COOPERATION WITH NCAPA

PAPA shall:  support membership efforts, public relations efforts, and employment efforts for physician extenders in cooperation with the NCAPA, plan CME events so that they will not conflict with those of the NCAPA, send a representative to NCAPA board meetings, and submit an annual report to the NCAPA Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX:  BOUNDARIES

PAPA will accept membership applications from eligible members without restriction due to work location or home residence.

ARTICLE X:  CONTINGENCIES

This constitution may be amended by a resolution approved by two-thirds of the PA PAPA members casting ballots.  Notice of such resolution will be given to all members at least 30 days prior to the date of the vote.  If all members are unable to attend the meeting at which the proposed amendment is considered, an email or mailed ballot may be sent.  Votes shall be tallied at the end of the 30 days and shall be announced to the membership.

An officer impeachment resolution shall be presented 30 days prior to balloting. Impeachment shall be by a simple majority of written (or emailed) secret ballot.  If a member is unable to attend the meeting at which the impeachment is considered, a written (or emailed) ballot may be mailed or delivered to the President.

In the event of the Dissolution of PAPA, and provided all debts are paid, the remaining monies will be used for the continuing education of Physician Assistants.  The Board of Directors will make the final decision concerning such final disbursements.