The Medical Society now has new and updated governance documents. Earlier last month the membership approved new Bylaws by electronic vote, and on March 22, 2021 Articles of Amendment were filed with the Indiana Secretary of State. The new Bylaws bring several important changes to the governance structure of the Society, while retaining its basic role as a membership organization.
The Monroe County Medical Society was founded in 1940 (original Articles pictured above). The original Certificate of Incorporation (pictured) stated the following purposes of the society:
“… to bring into one organization the physicians of Monroe County so that by frequent meetings and full and frank interchange of views, they may secure such intelligent unity and harmony in every phase of their labor as will elevate and make effective the opinions of the profession and all scientific, legislative, public health, material and social affairs to the end that the profession may receive that respect and support within its own ranks and from the community to which its honorable history and great achievements entitle it; and with other county societies to form the Indiana State Medical Association and through it with other state associations, to form and maintain the American Medical Association.”
No significant changes were made to the original Bylaws (Constitution) over the next 80+ years except to welcome physicians of Owen County to the society in 1961, resulting in the renaming of the organization as the Monroe Owen County Medical Society. Early in 2019, the MOCMS Executive Committee decided to review the Bylaws. After consulting with an attorney, we determined that revisions were needed to better reflect the current operations and practices of the Society as a not-for-profit corporation and to create a governance structure consistent with other like organizations.
Over the next 2 years, a subcommittee consisting of Drs. Carrie Davis, Tashera Perry, James Faris, and Dan Lodge-Rigal with assistance from MOCMS Director Susan Richardson and Associate Director Kim Rudolph, drafted the new Bylaws and Articles of Amendment. Drafts of the new documents were subject to multiple reviews by the Executive Committee, ISMA, and legal review. Following final approval by the Executive Committee, the documents were sent to all current MOCMS members for review, comment and voting which was completed on March 13, 2021.
The most important change in the new Bylaws is the creation of a Board of Directors (BOD), which will replace and fulfill much of the current role of the large “Executive Committee” that had been described in the original constitution. The BOD will be elected by the membership of the Society. A standard Executive Committee, consisting of President, President-Elect, Past-President, and Secretary-Treasurer will be elected from members of the BOD. In the transition to the new governance structure, all current and newly elected members of the pre-existing Executive Committee were transitioned to members of the BOD. An additional change will be that MOCMS delegates (and alternate delegates) will no longer be elected positions but will be appointed by the BOD. Any member interested in serving as ISMA delegate is encouraged to contact any member of the BOD or director Susan Richardson.
A copy of the new Bylaws and spreadsheet of changes were circulated earlier to all members. If you have any questions or concerns, or need another copy to review, feel free to contact Susan Richardson at [email protected]. A separate document delineating specific details of administrative operations of the Society (Administrative Regulations) is currently being drafted and will be finalized this year. Thanks to all who helped in drafting and revising the documents and all members who offered comments and voted for approval. May these new documents serve the physicians of Monroe and Owen County as well for the next 80 years!
