1. NAME
The corporation shall be called the Alberta
International Medical Graduates Association, hereafter referred to as AIMGA.
2. PURPOSE
AIMGA is a non-profit, independent association which represents physicians and surgeons
trained or licensed in jurisdictions outside Canada, who are legal residents of Alberta. AIMGA is committed to
the responsible, consultative, and equitable integration of international graduate physicians and surgeons
into the Canadian healthcare system, without compromising either existing medical ideals or standards, but with
recognition of skills and experience gained outside Canada.
The work of AIMGA may include research related to
access for international physicians and surgeons, network and coalition building, and participating with regulatory
and government bodies in the consultative reform of the processes of professional integration.
3. General Membership
3.1 Membership Criteria
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who
support the objectives and positions of AIMGA legally residing in Alberta may become a member. In
particular, this includes, but is not limited to, graduates of international medical schools as listed in the World
Health Organization Directory of medical schools, physicians who have been licensed and have practical medical
experience from jurisdictions outside of Canada, internationally licensed physicians with post-graduate or specialized training,
internationally licensed physicians who have entered the Canadian healthcare system. Community group representatives
who are also interested in the objectives of the AIMGA may also join. Members must additionally be in Good
Standing with AIMGA in order to serve as representatives on the Executive Committee.
3.2 Membership Role
The Executive Committee, staff, and chairs of
Working Committees will update the general membership on the progress of the association through various means of
communication. The general membership may be consulted on substantive issues relevant to the
association. The general membership will be encouraged to participate through focus groups, working groups, ad
hoc committees and other initiatives.
3.3 Membership Fees
The Executive Committee may set membership dues,
with the power to waive them if and when necessary.
3.4 Renewal of Membership
Membership should be renewed annually prior to or
at the Annual General Meeting. All members in good standing may vote on any issue at the AGM.
3.5 Resignation of Members
A member must give written notice of resignation,
by regular mail, fax or e-mail to the Executive Committee. A resignation is effective upon tender.
3.6 Meetings
The Executive Committee may call general
membership meetings up to four times per year. In the event that an emergent decision should be made
through the general membership, the Chair shall call for a special general meeting with at least 48 hours notice. Those in attendance
will then form a quorum in behalf of the association.
3.6.1 Annual General Meeting
The IMG's shall be the first scheduled meeting in
January.
4. Executive Committee
4.1 Membership
The affairs of AIMGA shall be managed by the
Executive Committee, hereafter referred to as "the EC". The duties of the association will be
conducted by 5 elected members to the following positions: Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary, Treasurer and a
director from the community at large.
4.1.1
Ex officio and non-voting members of the EC will
include:
Staff Coordinator of AGM (when there is one); and,
such additional positions that the EC determines from time to time, including, but not limited to, representation
from regional groups within the
association.
4.2 Responsibilities
Members of the EC are a governing and working
representation of its membership. Each member of the EC will chair an issues-related sub-committee. The Chair
shall uphold the AGM Terms of Reference to the best of her/his ability. S/he will be primarily responsible for
leading AGM and the EC. The Chair will
lead both EC and General Membership meetings. S/he will also be responsible for reporting to the general membership
on a regular basis on the activities of the EC. The Vice Chair will be available to act in the full capacity
of Chair in the Chair's absence. Other members of the EC may be appointed to speak on behalf of AGM, by the Chair or
Vice-chair, or by agreement of the EC.
4.3 EC Quorum
The quorum of the EC is 51% of the current EC
membership. Quorum shall be required for formal resolutions of the board. In the case where there is not
quorum physically present at a meeting, an EC member may participate and vote on the resolution by telephone
and thereby fulfill the quorum requirement. Or, resolutions agreed without quorum may be reviewed and adopted
by vote at the next board meeting that has quorum.
4.4 EC Meetings
The EC will meet monthly when possible, with no
less than 8 meetings annually. When the association is staffed, the staff Coordinator will set meeting times and
locations and set the agenda in consultation with the EC, and will be responsible for taking and distributing
minutes. When the association is not staffed, the secretary of the Board will be responsible for these duties.
4.4.1 Attendance
In order to perform the duties of the EC to a
satisfactory level, an attendance policy for EC meetings will be applicable to all members. Any member missing
more than 3 consecutive EC meetings in a year will be deemed to have resigned from the EC.
4.4.2. Decision Making
Decision making at EC meetings should be by
consensus, whenever possible. In the event of a vote, there shall be one vote per member. Normally the Chair
will not vote, except in the event of a tie, where a deciding vote is required.
WORKING COMMITTEES
The EC in response to issues, concerns, and
priorities raised by the general membership may establish working and ad-hoc committees as deemed necessary.
5.1 Membership
The EC and general membership will be encouraged
to participate on such committees. Each committee will consist of 2 to 5 members drawn from the general
membership, including at least 1 member from the EC.
5.2 Responsibilities
The Chair will be responsible for reporting back
to the EC then to the general membership, on the progress of their particular Working Committee. The EC liaison will
be responsible for reporting on the progress of the committee at EC meetings.
5.3 Meetings
The Working Committees will meet as often as
needed. Setting the agenda and distributing the minutes will be the responsibility of the individual committee.
5.4 Decision Making
Decision making should be by consensus, whenever
possible. In the event of a vote, there shall be one vote per member. Normally the Chair will not vote, except
in the event of a tie, where a deciding vote is required.
6. ELECTION TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
6.1 Vacancies
Members shall be notified of vacancies on the EC,
at least three (3) months prior to the Annual General Meeting and invited to nominate potential EC members.
6.2 Nominations
A Nominating Committee, to consist of at least
three (3) EC members and the staff coordinator (if there is one) will be appointed by the EC to review candidates
and put forward a slate for election at the AGM. Three (3) months prior to the AGM, members will be notified
of vacancies on the EC. Interested
candidates must submit a letter of interest to the Nominating Committee no later than two (2) months prior to the
AGM. The Nominating Committee will then make its selection and recommend it to the EC. The Nominating
Committee shall ensure that the proposed slate is able to pursue the aims and objectives of the organization
and is reflective of the diversity of the general membership.
6.3 Election
Election of the EC shall take place each year at
the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Nominating Committee will present the general membership with the
recommended slate of candidates for approval at the AGM. The slate will be approved by a show of hands
and absentee votes by mail, fax, e-mail or through the Association listserver poll.
6.4 Interim Vacancies
When vacancies become available throughout the
year, such vacancies will be communicated to the general membership who will be invited to forward letters of
interest. At the next EC meeting, letters of interest will >be reviewed and interim candidates will
be selected.
6.5 Term
The term of office for elected members of the EC
is One (1) year. Members of the EC are eligible for re-election, for a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms.
Each year, 30% of the EC may change through voluntary resignation of current members.
7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Every member of the EC has a duty to disclose any
situation in which the individual has a substantial interest in an issue or decision that would benefit him/her in a
personal or professional way, other than
with respect to any benefit resulting from the pursuit and/or attainment of the general purposes of the
organization.
FINANCIAL YEAR
The financial year of the corporation begins on 1
January and ends on 31 December of each year unless the EC changes it by resolution.
9. AMENDING FORMULA
These By-laws can be amended if at least 51% of
the general membership votes in favor of the amendment. Amendments may be proposed by any member, but must be
announced before any general membership meeting via formal inclusion in the agenda.
10. DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, and
after payment of all debts and liabilities, its remaining property, if any, shall be distributed or disposed of to a
charity or charities as identified by the EC.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Members of the executive committee are authorized
to bind AIMGA with respect to all financial matters in the normal course of business of the organization. The
signatures of any two members of the EC, of which one is the Treasurer, are required for banking and all
financial transactions.
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