Section 1:001 Membership
Membership in this College is a privilege and not a right, and is contingent upon compliance with the requirements specified in these bylaws. No person shall be continued as a member unless he or she adheres to the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association. The Board of Governors shall hear appeals of denial of membership.
Section 1:002 Categories
The categories of membership of this college are: Active, Life, Resident, and Student. Additional classifications of membership may be created by the Board of Governors. The requirements for eligibility in the various categories of membership shall be established by the Board of Governors.
Section 1:003 Rights and Privileges
Members in good standing in this College possess certain rights and privileges as follows:
Active and Life members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of this College. Retired members who have previously been active members, as well as resident members shall be entitled to participate in all the functions and activities of this College, including membership on committees, but shall not be eligible for election to office, nor have the right to vote, except at meetings of committees on which they serve.
Section 1:004
A member shall be deemed to be in good standing in this College if the member is current in the payment of all dues and other financial obligations to the College.
Section 1:005 Censure, Suspension, and Expulsion
A member of this College may be censured, suspended or expelled for good cause which is defined as:
a. Revocation or suspension of a members license to practice by a regularly constituted state authority;
b. Conviction in a state court of law of a felony or offense involving moral turpitude;
c. Conduct unbecoming of a physician;
d. Any cause or act which is determined to be detrimental to this College;
e. Failure to abide by the provisions of these bylaws;
f. Violations of the standards of professional conduct as approved by this College.
Section 1:006 Censure, Suspension, and Expulsion
The Board of Governors shall determine whether or not the member should be disciplined, and the nature of the disciplinary action. The member shall receive not less than fifteen (15) business days prior written notice of the censure, suspension or expulsion and the reasons for the action and an opportunity to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than five business (5) days before the effective day of the censure, suspension or expulsion. The notice must be given by first class or certified mail sent to the last address of the member shown on the College's records. The decision of the Board of Governors in any matter involving censure, suspension or expulsion of a member of this College is final.
Section 1:007 Re-instatement
A member of this College who has been suspended or expelled from membership may be reinstated in accordance with requirements and procedures for reinstatement adopted by the Board of Governors.
Section 1:008 Right to Appeal to Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association for Breach of Code of Ethics
If a member has been suspended or expelled from membership as a result of finding that such member violated the Code of Ethics of the American Osteopathic Association, the member may appeal such action to the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association whose decision shall be final.
Section 1:009 Amount of Annual Assessment
The amount of annual assessment of active members of this College shall be determined by the Board of Governors. There shall be no annual assessment of student, resident, life or those members on active duty in the military service.
