The Michigan Neurological Association
Constitution
As Amended, July 2009
Article I
Name
The name of the Association will be the Michigan Neurological Association. In legal matters, it will be
known as the Michigan Neurological Association, Incorporated. Hereafter in this Constitution, it may be
referred to as the Association.
Article II
Purpose
The purpose of the Association will be the advancement of the practice and science of neurology in the
State of Michigan.
Article III
Members
Section I: Classes of Membership
There will be four classes of membership in the Association: Active Members, Emeritus Members,
Associate Members, and Educational Members. Only Active and Emeritus Members are entitled to vote
and to hold office.
Section II: Active Members
Active Members will be Doctors of Medicine or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine residing or practicing in
the State of Michigan whose primary interest and activity is in the field of medical neurology. They will
either have been certified in neurology or child neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology, Inc; the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry; or the Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or be qualified for board examination by the above mentioned boards
by having completed three years of training in neurology in centers approved for such training. The
Council may under special circumstances approve for membership an applicant of exceptional ability whose
training has been of exceptionally high quality, although differing from the above.
Section III: Emeritus Members
Any Active Member in good standing of the Association for the previous five years or who is otherwise
approved by the Council and who has retired from active practice may be designated an Emeritus Member
by action of the Council. Emeritus Members will not be required to pay special assessments or annual
dues. The right to vote, to hold office, or to serve on committees will not be abridged by change of
membership status from Active Member to Emeritus Member.
Section IV: Associate Members
Physicians who are not neurologists, as well as nurses, physician’s assistants, nursing students, and
scientists who are interested in neurology and neurological sciences may be appointed as Associate
Members. Associate Members may not vote or hold elective office in the Association. Reduced dues of
2/3 the dues of Active Members will be required.
Section V: Educational Members
Educational Membership may be extended to medical students, residents, or fellows in training programs
leading to board eligibility by one of the appropriate specialty boards as listed in Section II of this Article.
These members are not required to pay dues.
The Michigan Neurological Association
Constitution
As Amended, July 2009
Page 2
Section VI: Eligibility for Membership
The Council of the Association will make the final decision regarding eligibility for membership in the
Association.
Section VII: Termination of Membership
Members whose dues or special assessments are two years in arrears will have their membership terminated.
Individuals whose membership has been terminated may reapply for membership. If membership has been
terminated because of nonpayment of dues, delinquent dues must be paid with re-application.
Section VIII: Application for Membership
Individuals may apply for membership in the Association by communicating with the Secretary or the
Chairperson of the Membership Committee or by completing a membership application which may be
found on the Association website.
Article IV
Officers
Section I: Officers and Terms of Office
The officers of the Association will be a President, a Vice President who is President-Elect, a Secretary, a
Treasurer, and a Past-President. The elected officers will hold office for two years. They will assume their
duties at the termination of the biennial meeting at which they are elected.
Section II: Duties of the Officers
The duties of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past-President will be those usually
assigned to such officers.
Section III: Nomination of Officers
A Nominating Committee will be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Council, at
least two months before each biennial election. The Secretary of the Association will inform the
membership of the nominees selected by this committee by written or electronic means at least one month
before the biennial meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the time of the election.
Section IV: Elections
Elections of officers will be by plurality of all votes at the biennial meeting.
Section IV: Vacancies
Vacancies of unexpired terms of office will be filled by appointment by the Council.
Article V
Council
Section I: Councilors and Terms of Office
Two Active or Emeritus Members from southeastern Michigan (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, and
Washtenaw counties) and two from elsewhere in the state will be appointed Councilors of the Association.
An additional Councilor will be appointed from the Associate Membership and another will be appointed
from the Educational Membership. Councilors will be appointed by the President, with the advice and
consent of the other officers, and will serve for the duration of the biennium during which they are
appointed.
The Michigan Neurological Association
Constitution
As Amended, July 2009
Page 3
Section II: The Council
The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past-President, and Councilors will constitute the
Council of the Association. The Council will advise the President on committee appointments, determine
policies, establish dues and special assessments, recommend expenditures, aid in the planning of meetings,
and represent the Association in all business matters.
Article VI
Meetings
Section I: Annual Meeting
The Association will meet annually at a date and site to be determined by the Council.
Section II: Biennial Meeting
The annual meeting held in alternate (even-numbered) years will be the meeting at which the election of the
Vice President (who will also be President-elect), Secretary, and Treasurer is held.
Section III: Other Meetings
Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the Council.
Section IV: Voting
Active and Emeritus Members current on all dues and assessments of the Association are eligible to vote on
business matters presented at any meeting of the Association. Members unable to attend the meeting may
appoint a proxy or may submit a proxy vote to the Secretary of the Association at least one week before the
meeting. All business matters presented to the membership will be decided by a majority of the votes cast,
except elections of officers will be decided as described in Article IV and amendments to the Constitution
will be decided as described in Article IX.
Article VII
Dues
Section I: Dues
Annual dues will be established by the Council. Any member in arrears of dues is not eligible to vote in any
business matter or election of the Association.
Section II: Special Assessments
Special assessments may be levied by action of the Council. Any member in arrears of a special assessment
is not eligible to vote in any business matter or election of the Association.
Article VIII
Committees
Section I: Permanent Committees
Permanent committees will include a Membership Committee and a Program Committee. Other permanent
committees may be established by the Council. The duties and responsibilities of the committees will be
those usually assigned to such committees. Committee chairpersons and members will be appointed by the
President, with the advice and consent of the Council.
The Michigan Neurological Association
Constitution
As Amended, July 2009
Page 4
Section II: Nominating Committee
A Nominating Committee will be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Council, at
least two months prior to the biennial election.
Section III: Ad Hoc and Special Committees
Ad hoc and special committees may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the
Council.
Article VIII
Amendments
Amendments to the Constitution may be made at any annual or other meeting of the Association by action
of a two-thirds majority of those voting. Proposed amendments should be submitted to the Secretary of the
Association accompanied by the signed support of five Active or Emeritus Members at least two months
before the meeting, and the Secretary will inform the membership of the proposed amendment in writing or
by electronic means at least one month before the meeting.
Article IX
Parliamentary Authority
The rules of parliamentary practice comprised in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, will govern all
proceedings of the Association in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with this Constitution or with any special rules which may have been or may be adopted.