WMSHP By-Laws

Last Updated
April 11, 2008

WMSHP By-Laws

WESTERN MICHIGAN SOCIETY
OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACISTS

BYLAWS

(REVISED 11/1996)
(AMENDED AND APPROVED 1/21/1997)
(REVISED 3/20/1997)
(AMENDED AND APPROVED 10/13/1998)
(REVISED 11/2005)
(AMENDED AND APPROVED 1/12/2006)

CHAPTER I - ORGANIZATION

Article I. - NAME

Section 1. This organization shall be known as "The Western Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists" and as "WMSHP".

Article II. - PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

Section 1.-PURPOSE-WMSHP is a regional society of pharmacists, representing the pharmacy profession in Western Michigan, united for the common good to advance public health, patient care, and the interests of the pharmacy profession.

Section 2.-OBJECTIVES-- The objectives of this society shall be:

A. To advance public health by promoting the professional interests of pharmacists practicing in hospitals and other organized health care settings through:

1. Fostering pharmaceutical services aimed at drug use control and rational drug therapy.

2. Developing professional standards for pharmaceutical services.

3. Fostering an adequate supply of well-trained, competent pharmacists and associated personnel.

4. Developing and conducting programs for maintaining and improving the competence of pharmacists and associated personnel.

5. Disseminating information about pharmaceutical services and rational drug use.

6. Improving communication among pharmacists, other members of the health care industry, and the public.

7. Promoting research in the health and pharmaceutical sciences and in pharmaceutical services.

8. Promoting the economic welfare of pharmacists and associated personnel.

B. To foster rational drug use in society such as through advocating appropriate public policies toward that end.

C. To pursue any other lawful activity that maybe authorized by WMSHP's Executive Board.

CHAPTER II MEMBERSHIP

Article I - MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

Section 1.-- MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS-- The membership of the Society shall consist of active, associate, and honorary members.

A. "ACTIVE" MEMBER: Active members shall be pharmacists licensed to practice in the state of Michigan and pharmacy technicians who have paid dues as established by WMSHP, and who support the objectives of the Society.

B. "ASSOCIATE" MEMBER: A person not eligible for active membership who supports the objectives of the Society may apply for Associate membership. Associate members shall consist of individuals who by the nature of their work contribute to the profession of pharmacy such as pharmacy students, and other supporting members. An Associate member shall be eligible for the services of the Society, but is not eligible to vote or hold an elected office.

C. "HONORARY" MEMBER: A person may be elected to Honorary membership from among individuals who have made exemplary contributions consistent with the objectives of the Society. Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of annual dues.

Article II. - MEMBERSHIP DUES

Section 1:--PAYMENT OF DUES--Dues for the upcoming organizational year shall be determined by the executive board prior to the final executive board meeting of the current organizational year.

Section 2. -FEES--The executive board shall have the power to determine additional fees as required.

Section 3.-ARREARS AND SUSPENSION-A member in a membership classification not exempt from payment of dues shall be suspended and membership benefits, privileges and services terminated when annual dues are in arrears.

Section 4-REINSTATEMENT-A member suspended from a membership classification under this Article may be readmitted by submitting all dues and assessments in arrears.

CHAPTER III - THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Article I. - ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

Section 1. -COMPOSITION-The Executive Board is the executive governing division of the Society. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the Society, up to eight directors, one technician, and one pharmacy resident at-large member.

Section 2.-RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD-The Executive Board shall be vested with the authority and responsibility of conducting business and administering to the finances of the Society. It shall approve the time and place for all meetings of the Society and perform other functions designated by the bylaws. It shall establish and maintain an organizational relationship with the Michigan Pharmacists Association and the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Section 3.-QUORUM OF THE BOARD-- A simple majority of, all current board members is sufficient to carry any motion of business presented at an executive board meeting.

Section 4.-OFFICES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD-Only Registered Pharmacists may hold officer positions. (i.e. President, President-Elect, Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Article II - OFFICERS & MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Section 1.-OFFICERS--The executive board shall consist of a President, President-elect, a Past President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a maximum of eight Directors, a technician, and a Pharmacy Resident.

Article III - NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 1.-NOMINATIONS--Only active members of WMSHP may be nominated for executive board positions.

Section 2.-ELECTIONS--Ballots listing eligible candidates for expiring executive board positions will be mailed to the active members within two weeks following the close of nominations, or with the announcement for the final general meeting of the operational year. The results shall be announced at the final general meeting.

Section 3.--INSTALLATION OF BOARD MEMBERS--Successful candidates shall be installed prior to the close of the final general meeting of the operational year.

Section 4.--TERMS OF OFFICE-

A. A President-elect shall be elected every year and will serve as vice-president during the current president's term of office. At the end of that term, the President-elect shall become President.

B. The President shall serve for one year, followed by one year of service as Past President.

C. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in opposite years. Each shall serve for two years.

D. The Society President shall serve as the regional delegate to the MSHP Executive Board for the term of their office. The President's MSHP membership dues shall be paid for by the Society while the President is serving as the regional delegate.

E. The Directors shall serve for two years. New directors will be elected each year.

F. The Pharmacy Technician shall serve for two years.

Section 5.-VACANCY--In the event a current Director is elected to an officer position (i.e. president-elect, secretary, or treasurer) the remainder of the term shall be served by an active member appointed by the executive board. If the office of President is vacated prior to the end of service, the President-elect shall assume the duties of President and will continue to serve their elected term thereafter. All other premature executive board vacancies shall be filled by an individual receiving the majority approval of the current executive board.

CHAPTER IV - COMMITTEES

Article I - COMMITTEES

Section 1.-COMMITTEES--The executive board shall have the power to create and fund necessary committees.

CHAPTER V-GENERAL OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS

Article I - ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR

Section 1.-ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR--The organizational year will begin the first day of January. Organizational years are identified by the year in which they end.

Article II - MEETINGS

Section 1.-MEETINGS--The executive board of WMSHP shall meet as required to conduct necessary business. General meetings will be determined by the executive board and are open to all members and their guests. A fee may be required for nonmembers as determined by the WMSHP executive board.

Article III - QUORUM AND VOTING

Section 1. -- QUORUM AND VOTING --A simple majority of active members present at a general meeting is sufficient to carry any motion of business presented.

CHAPTER V - AFFILIATIONS

Article I - AFFILIATIONS

Section 1.-AFFILIATIONS-- WMSHP is affiliated with the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Michigan Pharmacists Association, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

CHAPTER VI - AMENDMENTS

Article I - AMENDMENTS

Section 1.-AMENDMENTS-- Any amendment to the bylaws must be presented in writing at the meeting prior to the meeting the vote will take place. A simple majority vote of the active members present at a general meeting shall carry any amendments to these bylaws. These bylaws supersede any previous bylaws or constitution of this organization.