(revised and adopted July 17, 2010)

Article I Board of Directors

I.1  The Board of Directors (BOD) shall consist of nine (9) elected members voted on by the membership at the annual business meeting.  New board members shall serve a term of seven (7) years.  Additionally, the BOD shall have an ex-officio (voting) representative from each of the affiliated local chapters of LMGMA.  The ex-officio representative will be the President (or equivalent officer) of the local chapter, or his/her appointed representative.  All voting BOD members must be Active or Allied members of LMGMA as defined below.

I.2  The President shall issue notice for meetings of the Board of Directors.  There shall be no less than three (3) meetings of the board, inclusive of the first meeting scheduled at the close of the annual conference. 

I.3  A Quorum of the BOD is defined as consisting of the majority (5) members of the elected board members.

I.4  It will be mandatory for elected board members to attend at least 60% of the board meetings annually and no less than four (4) conferences during their seven (7) year term.  Failure to meet the attendance requirement may subject a board member to termination prior to completion of their term.

I.5  Board members must remain off the board upon completion of their terms for at least one year before they are eligible to be nominated again.

I.6 The elected members of the Board of Directors shall vote on officers at the first board meeting to be held immediately following the annual conference.  Only Active category members may serve as Officers.  The outgoing President will chair this first board meeting until such time as a new President is elected.

1.6 (a) The offices to be filled are: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

1.6 (b) Before being eligible for an office, a board member must have served two (2) years of their seven (7) year term. This requirement may be waived if the person has previously served as an officer of LMGMA.

I.7  In the event a board member vacates a board position prior to the end of the term, the President will appoint a replacement to fill the board member position pro tempore. That person will hold the position until the next annual business meeting.

I.8  The nomination and election process for membership to the Board of Directors shall be as follows:

I.8 (a) Nominations for BOD membership shall be accepted from the Active and Allied categories of membership by mail or electronic transmission to the LMGMA State Office one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the annual conference.  Only active category members may nominate or be nominated.  Nominations received at the State Office past the deadline will not be considered.

I.8 (b) All nominations will be turned over to the Nominating Committee for consideration.  The Nominating Committee may or may not seek additional candidates.

I.8 (c) After vetting the nominations, the Nominating Committee shall present the final slate of nominations to the BOD at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual conference.  The BOD may accept or reject the Nominating Committee recommendations ( in whole or in part.)  If the BOD rejects a candidate(s), the Nominating Committee will have 15 days to present an amended slate to the BOD. The BOD maintains the right to add additional names to the amended slate prior to final approval.

I.8 (d) The slate of Nominees to the BOD will be presented to the general membership at least 30 days prior to the annual conference.

I.8 (e) The election of membership to the BOD will occur during the Business Meeting at the annual conference.

I.8 (e) 1.  Only Active and Allied members attending the Business Meeting are eligible to vote.

I.8 (e) 2.  Nominations from the floor will not be accepted.

1.9   Ex-Officio Board Members.  In addition to the Ex-Officio BOD members noted in 1.1, the BOD may appoint other individuals to serve in that capacity.  The BOD-appointed Ex-Officio members are entitled to participate for one year, which may be renewed, but have no voting rights on matters before the Board of Directors.

Article II Membership and dues

II.1  Membership classifications shall be as follows:

            II.1 (a)     Active Member - A Louisiana resident primarily responsible for medical practice management.  Settings include physician office practices and medical group practices.  Active members can vote, hold office and serve on committees.

            II.1 (b) Affiliate Member - An individual who supports medical practice administrations either as a banker, attorney, CPA, vendor, sponsor, position with another health care trade organization or other arrangement acceptable to the Board of Directors may apply for membership.  Affiliate members do not vote or hold office but may serve on committees.  Affiliate members may reside within or outside Louisiana.

            II. 1 (c) Allied Member - A Louisiana resident who is not eligible to be an Active member and does not fit the category of Affiliated Member. For example, an Allied member may be employed by a hospital, healthcare organization or hospital system, practice management firm, management service organization or other business entity and perform significant managerial or administrative tasks for one or more practices on a full or part time basis. Allied members may also be individuals who  work for other practices or clinics that provide health services by non-physician providers such as physical therapy services, home health services, ancillary services, etc. An Allied member may also be a faculty member or a representative of a non-group practice organization who is otherwise involved in health care through professional societies and emerging health care systems. Allied members may vote, be a committee chair, serve on committees and serve as a Board of Director of the Association. Allied members cannot hold an office.

         II.1 (c) Student Member - An individual enrolled full-time in a health service administration curriculum within or outside Louisiana may apply for membership.  Student members may not vote or hold office but may serve on committees. Students must forward details on their status and curriculum to the LMGMA State Office when applying for membership.

         II.1 (d) Honorary Life Members - A former member who has become disassociated from practice management may be nominated for honorary life status by the Board of Directors.  This member may not hold office or vote and is exempt from paying dues.

II.2    Dues: the Board of Directors shall set Member dues, conference registration fees and fees for other services. No one shall be a member unless all dues and fees as set by the Board of Directors are paid in full.

IV.1      The standing committees of the Board of Directors are as follows:

·   Legislative Committee

·   Audit Committee

·   Nominating Committee

·   Education/Scholarship

·   Membership Committee

IV.2      The Board of Directors from time to time may establish additional standing or ad hoc committees.

IV.3      The President will appoint the committee chairperson, who will, in turn, appoint the committee members.

Article VI Amendment to By-Laws.

VI.1       Amendments to the By-Laws of the corporation shall be submitted to the Secretary in writing at least 60 days prior to the annual business meeting of the Association. 

VI.2       The Secretary shall send a copy of the proposed amendments to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. 

VI.3       A majority vote of the Active and Allied members attending the annual business meeting will be required for adoption of amendments to the by-laws.