Bylaws

Preamble
Kurdish American Medical Association, henceforth KAMA, is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization of medical professionals of Kurdish origin and their professional colleagues. KAMA was established to provide a platform and network for medical enhancement, academic advancement, community service, and mentorship.

ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization is the Kurdish American Medical Association known as KAMA.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES  
a.      Establish a network among Kurdish physicians.
b.      Promote enhancement of medical knowledge of KAMA members. 
c.       Provide an academic and clinical relationships on local and national levels among Kurdish healthcare providers.
d.      Support professional and educational activities.
e.      Create a mentorship program for students interested in pursuing a medical degree. 
f.        Advocate for community health and volunteering. 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP   
a.      Membership of KAMA shall consist of physicians and medical students with professional commitment to the advancement of health sciences and     medicine through teaching, research, education, publications, or discovery.
b.      Membership shall be open to physicians and students with an interest pursuing a career in medicine.
c.       Applicant submit the necessary online application form. Submission of the online application form indicates applicant’s acceptance of and agreement to the KAMA By-Laws.
d.      Associate membership may be open to distinguished academics and 
          providers. 
e.      Each application for membership will be reviewed for approval by the board of directors.
f.        If an application is rejected, then all fees submitted, if any, by the applicant shall be refunded.
g.         Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy: KAMA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations (amendment 4/28/2020)

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS  
a.      The board of directors shall hold regular quarterly meeting. 
b.      The president may call special meetings at any time.
c.      The presence of 25% of KAMA members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
d.      An annual meeting will take place where all members are encouraged to join. The date and time will be set by the board of directors.

ARTICLE V: THE OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
a.      The officers of the association shall be: 
          1.      President 
          2.      Vice-President 
          3.      Secretary/Treasurer 
          4.      Board of Directors
          5.      Chair of the Board of Directors

b.      The officers’ terms shall be two years renewable for one additional term upon the recommendation and approval of the board. The officers may serve future terms after a minimum of one year out of office.
c.       The board of directors nominates potential candidates for officers of the association.

ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a.      The governance of KAMA shall reside in a board of directors and a president.
b.      The board shall consist s of five members: fours officers and a president.
c.      The board of Directors shall be elected by the membership.
d.      The board shall elect its Chair from among themselves.
e.      Any member of KAMA in good standing may seek nomination for board positions.
f.        Duration of board term shall be three years. Members may be elected for two successive terms
g.      By a vote of 3 or more of the members of board of KAMA, and with the 
approval of the Chair of the Board, the President of the Association may be removed from office on the grounds of malfeasance, nonfeasance, or inability to perform the duties of the office, as determined by the board of  directors. 
h.      The board shall nominate the President of KAMA and be elected by active members. 
i.        The board has the final approval of proposed activities and decisions  related to KAMA.

ARTICLE VII: Code of Ethics
KAMA officers shall hold their position for the benefit of KAMA and act with the highest standards of ethics in their official work.
a.      No officer shall allow personal interest to influence a vote.
b.      No officer of KAMA shall get involved in any private activities or have financial interest where there is a conflict between the private interest and the public 
          interest of KAMA.
c.       Violation under this article may cause suspension, removal from office, or impeachment.

ARTICLE VIII: Elections
a.      The Board of Directors will decide on the number of Board Members to be elected in the upcoming election. 
b.      The President shall assign an Election Committee to be in charge of the 
election process. Members of the Election Committee cannot run in the  current election. 
c.       Elections shall take place at the official KAMA Meetings at the end of the officials’ terms.

ARTICLE IX: Responsibilities of Board of Trustees
a.      The Board of Trustees holds veto power on the following decisions of the Board of Directors. Any action involving the purchase, sale, or leasing of facilities (other than short term leasing for events) must be done with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

b.      In the rare instance when the Board of Directors does not follow the above rules or deviates from the vision and charter of KAMA, the Board of Trustees has the right to take the following actions.
            1.      Declare the action as void, upon written notice and give the board 60 days to correct it.

            2.      If the board does not correct the decision according to the guidance of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees has the authority to dismiss the Board of Directors and call for a general election. The Board of Trustees must communicate the decision to members of KAMA along with an explanation for such decision within 48 hours. The General Assembly must be called within 30 days for the purpose of electing a new Board of Directors. Should quorum not be present at the general assembly meeting, the election must be completed within 60 days of dismissal.

ARTICLE X: Finance
a.      The following sources will be considered to finance KAMA activities in compliance with the objectives of the organization outlined in the Bylaws of the KAMA:
        1.      Membership dues
        2.      Donations
        3.      Grants
        4.      Gifts/Endowments
        5.      Fundraising activities
        6.      Other legitimate resources

b.      The annual KAMA budget shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
c.       Disbursement of funds shall be in line with the objectives set in the Bylaws of the KAMA.
d.      All expenditures exceeding two hundred dollars shall be approved by 
          the Board of Directors.
e.      The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain detailed records of financial 
          transactions, including invoices and receipts, for the purpose of preparing year-end financial reports.

ARTICLE XI: Conflict of Interest Policy
a.      Each officer of KAMA must disclose the existence of the financial interest. 
b.      The person must be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of board considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS 
a.      Amendments must be submitted no less than two months prior to an annual meeting.
b.      These bylaws and any articles or selections, or any part thereof, may be amended or repealed or new bylaws adopted by the vote of at least two thirds of the board of directors.

ARTICLE XIII: Advisory Board 
The Advisory Board is created as a standing board for the purpose of working with the Kurdish American Medical Association (KAMA) Board of Directors (henceforth BoD). The Advisory Board shall limit its activities to advising on matters that directly concern KAMA  programs and fundraising efforts. The Advisory Board shall have no legal responsibilities and is formed to give advice and recommendations to the BoD and management. It cannot compel the BoD  or staff to act on its recommendations or feedback (amendment 4/28/2020)
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