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By Laws

​

Amended Constitution

of the

Asian American Optometric Society

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME

  • Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Asian American Optometric Society (AAOS).

  • Section 2: The address of this organization shall be the mailing address of the President.

 

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE

The specific and primary purpose of this society is to promote and maintain a social, cultural, scientific and educational interchange of information and experiences amongst the members.

 

ARTICLE III:  MEMBERSHIP

  • Section 1: Membership shall be open to any licensed optometrist.

  • Section 2: Lifetime membership shall be granted to individuals who are Charter members or have served on the board as President. These individuals will be non-paying dues members and share all rights of other members.

 

ARTICLE IV:  EXECUTIVE BOARD

  • Section 1: The executive board officers of this organization shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Administrative Assistant (Secretary) and Treasurer.

 

ARTICLE V:  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Section 1: The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the Immediate Past President, Membership Chair, Social Chair, Education Chair, Social Media Chair, SCCO Liaison Director, Western Univeristy Liaison Director, New Graduate Chair and Newsletter Chair.

 

ARTICLE VI:  TRUSTEES

  • Section 1: Trustees shall be appointed by the Executive Board and the Board of Directors.

  • Section 2: Trustees shall serve a 1 year term as members of the AAOS Board.

  • Section 3: Trustees have full voting privileges.

  • Section 4: Trustee requirement is having served as President or a Charter Member.

  • Section 5: The number of Trustees shall not exceed the total number of Board of Directors and Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE VII:  BOARD OF THE AAOS

  • Section 1: The board of the AAOS shall consist of the Executive Board, the Board of Directors, and the Trustees.

 

ARTICLE VIII:  DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

  • Section 1: The President shall preside over all the meetings and supervise the Society’s affairs.

  • Section 2: The President-Elect will be President the following term of office. The President-Elect, in the absence of the President, shall assume the duties of that office. In event the President is unable to continue his duties voluntarily or involuntarily, the President-Elect will assume the duties for the remainder of the term. If this term exceeds 18 months, the executive board shall appoint a new President-Elect.

  • Section 3: The Administrative Assistant/Secretary shall maintain records of all the meetings and take care of all correspondence for the Society. He/She shall also keep the constitution, by-laws and policies of the Society current.

  • Section 4: The Treasurer shall keep financial records as well as collect and disburse all funds. He/She shall submit at the end of each year, a financial statement for the board to review.

  • Section 5: The board shall maintain a minimum of $5,000 in the general operating fund (checking account).

 

ARTICLE IX: ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS

  • Section 1: The officers shall be elected by December 31st of each year and assume office at the Installation Banquet.

  • Section 2: The election of officers shall be by ballot. The term of (1) year.

  • Section 3: The nominees shall be presented to the general membership via mail, electronic mail and/or social media. General membership will have four (4) weeks to vote.

 

ARTICLE X: MEETING

  • Section 1: The President shall call a board meeting quarterly. The President may call additional meetings as deemed necessary.

  • Section 2: The Society is to hold at least two educational seminars during each calendar year.

  • Section 3: All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Orders.

 

Article XI: SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Section 1: The society shall maintain at least three (3) scholarships, totaling a minimum of $3000 each year (each scholarship providing at least $1000) to a 3rd and/or 4th year Optometry school student from the Southern California College of Optometry at Ketchum University.  The society shall maintain at least one (1) scholarship, providing at least $1000, to a 4th year Optometry school student from the Western University College of Optometry.

  • Section 2: The three (3) Scholarships are: The Dr. Rodger T. Kame Memorial Scholarship, The Dr. Arthur Sugino Memorial Scholarship, and The Dr. William Yamamoto Memorial Scholarship.

  • Section 3: The scholarship winners will be selected by the AAOS board members.

 

ARTICLE XII: QUORUM

  • Section 1: For general business matters, 50% of the total board members shall constitute a quorum.

  • Section 2: For constitutional amendments, 70% of the total board members shall constitute a quorum.

 

ARTICLE XIII: VOTING

  • Section 1: Providing a quorum is met, a simple majority of those present shall prevail for general business matters.

  • Section 2: Providing a quorum is met, a vote of three-fourths of those present is necessary for approval of constitutional amendments.

 

ARTICLE XIV: DUES

  • Section 1: The membership fee shall be reviewed by the board annually.

  • Section 2: Membership fees are due December 31st of each year and delinquent January 31st of the following year.

 

ARTICLE XV: CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Ethics of the California Optometric Association shall be the guiding rule of this Society.

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