By-Laws

IDAHO OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS

BYLAWS

 REV 8-2012

ARTICLE I

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.  The president shall preside at all meetings and congresses of the Association and the Board of Directors; shall call all meetings of the Board of Directors; shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for by the constitution and bylaws; shall designate the chairmen of all committees and similar subordinate bodies functioning within the structure of the Association; shall be an ex officio member of all committees and similar subordinate bodies; shall certify to all official acts of the Association;  shall also act officially for the Association when the occasion requires;  shall fill all vacancies for the unexpired terms of chairmen, members of committees and similar subordinate bodies.

Section 2.  The president elect shall perform all executive functions and other duties as shall be assigned by the president or the Board of Directors.  In the event of the failure or inability of the president to perform the duties of office, the president elect shall assume the duties of the president.  The president elect shall be the official liaison to the American Optometric Association and act as the Association delegate to the AOA Annual Congress.

Section 3.  The vice president, in the event of the failure or inability of the president or president elect to perform their duties, shall assume the duties of the president or the president elect.  The vice president shall act as the liaison to all standing and special committees of the Association and shall perform all duties assigned by the president or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.  During the annual or special congress of the membership and at all other times, all matters relative to the business and affairs of this Association shall be referred and submitted to the Board of Directors for recommendation and action.   When the annual congress is in session, the Board of Directors shall recommend:  at all other times the Board of Directors shall act.

Section 2.  The Board of Directors shall meet during the Annual Congress for the purpose of organizing, arranging and devising methods of executing the mandates of the membership.  The Board of Directors shall also meet on a quarterly basis for the purpose of carrying on the business of the Association.

Section 3.  The Board of Directors shall fill all vacancies in an office.

ARTICLE III

CONGRESS COMMITTEES

Section 1.  (a) The nominating committee shall consist of the three (3) most recent past presidents, appointed by the president, with the approval of the Board of Directors; the committee shall be appointed not later than sixty (60) days before the Annual Congress.

Section 1.  (b) The nominating committee shall meet, consider candidates for respective offices, formulate and present to the members a slate of nominees fifteen (15) days before the date of the opening business session at the Annual Congress; this however, shall not preclude the absolute right of any active member to make a nomination, for any office, from the floor.

Section 2.  (a) The committee shall use available data, with the president's guidance, to project a sound and sane budget for the following twelve (12) months.

Section 2. (b) The President and President-Elect shall determine the need for a C.P.A. audit and recommend to the members for their approval.

Section 2.  (c) The budget and audit report will be presented to the membership for approval at the Annual Congress.

Section 3.  (a) The president, not later than the first day of the Annual Congress, shall appoint three (3) members to the resolutions committee.  The committee shall be referred all resolutions submitted by the Board of Directors, members, or presented at the Annual Congress.

Section 3.  (b) Resolutions to the members at the Annual Congress shall be in two parts;

(A) Resolutions:  pertaining to proper acknowledgement and issuance of thanks to those responsible for a successful meeting and past year.

(B) Resolutions:  consisting of Association policy pertaining to goals and objectives endorsed by its members, including operating policy; professional judgment on state and federal rules or actions affecting optometry; positions on issues or presentation of the profession to the public; and endorsements of research or advancement to the vision care profession on the state or national level.  The Association shall not endorse any product or service otherwise.

Section 3.  (c) The committee shall also study and review all resolutions adopted by the membership at the annual congress ten  (10) years previous to the date at which the committee is appointed and recommend needed updating or revision to the membership for its consideration.

Section 4.  (a) The Annual Congress Committee will be appointed by the President and consist of the Annual Congress committee chairman, the Executive Director and the standing Vice-President.  The committee will review previously set congress dates and places for any discrepancies that may have arisen; select and investigate a location for the year following the next two; and present the selection to the membership for approval.  (amended 25Aug12)

ARTICLE IV

SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  A member of this Association shall be expelled automatically by reason of failure to pay dues or by reason of the loss or revocation of his license as an optometrist.  Membership may be suspended or may be expelled if found guilty of violating any state or national law, rule or regulation relating to the practice of optometry, or the code of ethics and rules of practice of the Association.

Section 2.  A copy of the charges shall be sent to such respondent optometrist by registered mail and member shall have fifteen (15) days after mailing to send an answer by registered mail to the president of this Association.  The Board of Directors shall thereafter recommend disposition of the charges to the membership for final action.  In the event that immediate action is required, the Board shall have authority to call a special meeting of the Association to dispose of the charges; a two thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting shall be required to expel or suspend a person from membership.

ARTICLE V

AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  These bylaws may be amended at any regular or specially called meeting by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the active members present; copy of such proposed amendment to be sent to all members at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting by the Executive Director.