Sample Constitution

Below is a sample constitution you may use for your new chapter.  Of course, feel free to amend and edit to fit your particular chapter's needs.

Please note the following national requirements for any new AAPI Chapter: 

a. Name of organization and medical institution. 
b. Purpose and Mission. (Article 1) 
c. Define eligibility membership (remember national database!) and dues, if any. (Article 2) 
d. A non-discriminatory statement. (Article 2) 
e. Officer Positions. (Article 3) 
f. Committees, if any. 
g. Rules of order in conducting business. (Article 3) 
h. Bylaws. (Article 4) 

SAMPLE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article I: Purposes and Mission Statement
A: Purposes
  • The AAPI-MSR Chapter is a local chapter of the parent organization AAPI-MSR, and will represent medical students and resident physicians of South Asian origin at __________
  • The AAPI-MSR Chapter will promote, uphold, and maintain the highest standards of ethics in the practice of medicine and medical education 
  • The AAPI-MSR Chapter will provide a channel of networking, support, and open communication among its members, and to the national organization. 
  • The AAPI-MSR Chapter will actively work to represent its members and their professional needs in both political and social domains. 
  • The AAPI-MSR Chapter will provide non-profit group service to the community at large and host other activities by local chapter members.
B: Mission Statement
  • The AAPI-MSR Chapter will assist the national parent organization in promoting the professional, political, and social goals of South Asian American medical students and resident physicians.
Article II: Membership
A. Eligibility Requirements
  • Medical student or resident physician (intern, resident, or fellow) in training at __________, who have paid the required dues of the organization. 
  • Membership in the national AAPI-MSR (free membership) 
  • Active interest in South Asian physician related issues
B. Discrimination.
  • ·Membership shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, gender, age, handicap, religious preference, disabilities, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin.
Article III: Officers, Elections, and Government.
A. Officers

The following offices shall be held by any active member of AAPI-MSR who became a member of both the national and local AAPI chapters no later than the academic semester preceding general elections.

  • President 
  • Vice-President 
  • Treasurer 
  • Secretary
B. Elections
  • General elections are to be held anytime during the spring semester of each academic year, between March 1 and April 30, as seen fit by the previous governing board of officers. 
  • A general quorum or (3/4) of local AAPI-MSR members is required for elections to take place. Absentee voters do not count towards quorum. 
  • Absentee ballots may be accepted until midnight on the first election meeting where quorum is met. Ballots must be physically in the possession of the board and must be verified by at least two officers to be valid.
Article VI: Amendments to the Constitution.
A. Proposal
  • Any proposal for an amendment to the Constitution shall be typewritten and shall state the Article, Section, and Paragraph to be changed, and shall be submitted to the __________ AAPI-MSR Officers.
B. Presentation
  • The AAPI-MSR Officers may change wording for clarification, but not to modify the intent, and present the new amendment, the part to be replaced and financial impact, if any, to the next Executive Committee Meeting.
C. Approval
  • After approval by three-fourths (3/4) of the voting members of the Executive Committee, proposed amendments to the Constitution are to be published by the Secretary for distribution within thirty (30) days to the general body after the vote.
D. Effective Date
  • The amendment shall take effect at the close of the next General Body Meeting at which it must obtain two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote.