Constitution for
Project Professionalism’s Humanism in Medicine Committee
Created July 6, 2007
Article l - Name, Purpose, and Non-Discrimination Policy of the Organization.
Section 1 - Name: Project Professionalism’s Humanism in Medicine Committee
Section 2 - Purpose: To create and maintain the culture of respect in the medical school environment.
The ‘culture of respect’ encompasses compassionate care, professional behaviors, excellence in medical
knowledge and placing the needs of others before your own (altruism). Creating this culture does not
depend on ‘policing’ each other but it is built on a foundation of caring about the personal and
professional growth of every medical student that seeks their education at The Ohio State University
College of Medicine.
Point I – Facilitating the enrichment of the learning process in medical education.
Point II – Enriching the medical education, outside the classroom, to foster personal and
professional growth.
Point III – Building a better learning environment while simultaneously providing an avenue
through which medical students can connect and serve their surrounding community.
Section 3 - Non-Discrimination Policy: This organization and its members shall not discriminate against
any individual(s) for reasons of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Article II - Membership: Qualifications and categories of membership.
Section 1 – Membership is open to all members of the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University.
Section 2 – Members of the faculty, alumni, and other related professionals will be considered honorary
members should they desire further involvement within the student organization or receive an invitation
from student members.
Article III - Organization Leadership: Titles, terms of office, type of selection, and duties of the leaders.
Section 1 – The structure of Project Professionalism shall consist of ten (10) named subcommittees, and 2
affiliated student groups.
Point I - Each of these satellite committees or groups shall be governed by an elected or
appointed committee chair. In cases where there are 2 or more candidates running for the committee chair
position, an election shall be utilized through a ballot vote with the winner of the majority vote being
granted the office. If there is only one eligible candidate, then that person shall be appointed to the
position by either the current committee chair or the faculty advisor of Project Professionalism.
Point II – Each subcommittee has the opportunity to elect an additional co-chair if there is need
for additional leadership and full consensus of the group. This second individual shall be elected or
appointed in the same manner as detailed in Article III, Section 1, Point I. Co-Chairs shall share all
responsibilities of governance.
Point III – Each determined subcommittee chair shall lead their respective group in a capacity
that fulfills the purpose of that subcommittee. In addition, each chair shall serve as a representative on the
leadership council of the larger Project Professionalism, herein termed the Project Professionalism
Council of Chairs.
Point IV – As a member of the Council of Chairs, each shall be responsible for the duties
outlined in Article III, Section 2.
Point V – All subcommittee chairs shall serve a leadership term lasting a minimum of one
academic school year and no longer than two years.
Section 2 – The Council of Chairs
Point I - The Council of Chairs shall be responsible for all voting and decision making regarding
Project Professionalism, as a whole. This Council shall be ultimately governed by a leadership core
comprised of two elected chairs, an elected Treasurer, and an elected Secretary as outlined in Article III,
Section 3.
Point II – Committee chairs are expected to report on all current developments for their
respective groups, including but not limited to membership status, financial status, and programming
status. In addition, committee chairs shall represent their groups as a voting entity within the Council of
Chairs regarding Project Professionalism movements and decision making.
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Point III - All voting shall occur as a show of hands, unless a ballot vote is proposed by any
member of the Council of Chairs. Each member of the Council of Chairs is granted one (1) vote.
Section 3 – Executive Leadership Body
Point I – The Council of Chairs shall be governed by two Co-Chairs, a Treasurer, and a
Secretary.
Point II – Executive leadership positions may only be granted to current subcommittee chairs.
For each elected position, eligible candidates must be nominated by the members of the Council of Chairs,
which encompasses self-nomination. Upon nomination of all candidates, voting shall immediately
commence by silent ballot.
Sub-point 1 – The Co-Chairs shall be elected first and the top two vote-getters shall be
appointed to the position. All nominated candidates, not granted the elected positions, are eligible to be
nominated for the remaining positions.
Sub-point 2 – Following the election of the Co-Chairs, voting shall commence for the
position of the Treasurer in the same manner as was conducted for the Co-Chairs. Upon this
determination, the position of Secretary shall be filled in the same manner.
Point III – Roles and Duties of the Executive Leadership
Sub-point 1 – Co-Chairs are responsible for organizing and running all proceedings of
the Council of Chairs, including but not limited to motions, movements, and presentation of new
developments to the group. Co-Chairs shall oversee the financial status and decisions of the group. CoChairs shall serve as a student liaison to the faculty, other student organizations, The Ohio State
University student body, and the SOURCE for all subcommittees.
Sub-point 2 – The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial
records and overseeing the checking account of the group. He or she shall accept and review all financial
requests from each subcommittee and distribute funds based on the discretion of the Executive
Leadership. He or she shall also serve as a liaison for the different subcommittees in regards to obtaining
all necessary funds.
Sub-point 3 – The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining accurate attendance
records and minutes for all meetings of the Council of Chairs. The Secretary shall be responsible for
possessing and maintaining current membership rosters for all subcommittees. The Secretary shall be
responsible for maintaining a current Constitution and amending all aspects of the document when
necessitated by group vote.
Sub-point 4 – All members of the Executive Leadership have the choice to continue
their roles as subcommittee chairs or to appoint a replacement chair in their stead.
Point IV - Executive Leadership shall serve a leadership term of one year extending from May of
MED I year to May of the MED II year.
Article IV - Standing Committees
Section 1 – Subcommittees
1. History of Medicine Committee. The work of this committee includes innovations in bringing
the rich heritage of the OSU COMPH legacy to the attention of the students in the COMPH.
Section 2 – Affiliated Groups
These affiliated groups are considered a part of the Project Professionalism group in regards to the COM
community, however they shall function as separate entities by classifications of The Ohio State University
student organization guidelines. These groups are therefore not privileged to any financial funding through
Project Professionalism granted to this group by the Source, but do fall under the umbrella of full
membership and voting privileges given to member groups of the Project Professionalism.
1. Clowning in Columbus: This committee shall provide opportunities to learn clowning
techniques and participate in community clowning outreach. Members of this group shall also have
educational opportunities through The Gesundheit! Institute.
2. Difficult Conversations: This committee shall hold several lunch-time panel discussions that try
to answer the difficult issues facing medical students and the medical profession.
Article VI – Advisor: Qualification Criteria.
Section 1 – Project Professionalism, as a whole, shall be advised by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
Section 2 – Each subcommittee and affiliated group shall have the opportunity to appoint their own advisor.
This advisor must be a full-time member of the University faculty or an administrative or professional staff
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member of the College of Medicine. If the subcommittee or affiliated group does not select an advisor, the
Associate Dean of Student Affairs shall serve in that capacity until otherwise determined.
Section 3 – All advisors shall oversee the proceedings of the various subcommittees and/or Project
Professionalism. These duties shall include but are not limited to assistance in resolution of conflicts and
facilitation of disciplinary action.
Article VII – Meetings of the Organization: Required meetings and their frequency.
Section 1 – Subcommittees shall be given full autonomy for establishing their meeting criteria based on
their objectives for the year.
Section 2 – Council of Chairs shall hold a minimum of one meeting each academic quarter, excluding the
summer quarter. Additional meetings can be organized based on need as determined by the Executive
Leadership or any committee chair.
Section 3 – All members of the Council of Chairs shall receive one (1) vote in regards to all motions and
movements. The Executive Leadership Co-Chairs shall run all voting proceedings. All voting shall occur
as a show of hands, unless a ballot vote is proposed by any member of the Council of Chairs. In the case
of a tie, the Co-Chairs shall organize one re-vote following a period of short discussion. Shall the tie
persist, then the tie-breaking vote shall be given to the faculty advisor.
Article VIII – Method of Amending Constitution: Proposals, notice, and voting requirements.
Section 1 – Any member of the Council of Chairs has the right to propose an amendment to this
Constitutional body.
Section 2 - Proposed amendments shall be in writing and presented to the Council of Chairs during a
general meeting. There shall be an open discussion by the Council regarding the proposed amendment. This
discussion shall be led by the Co-Chairs. Voting shall not commence at the same meeting in which the
proposal was presented.
Section 3 – The Executive Leadership shall hold a subsequent meeting of the Council of Chairs for which
voting on the proposed amendment shall occur. In order for a vote to take place, two-thirds of voting
members must be present to meet quorum. In order for the amendment to pass, two-thirds of those present
must vote in favor of the change.
Section 4 – Upon passing of an amendment, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to make all corrections to
the Constitution.
Article IX – Method of Dissolution of Organization
Section 1 – In order for dissolution to occur, there must be a complete consensus of all subcommittee
chairs, the Executive Leadership, and the faculty advisor.
Section 2 – Shall any organizational assets or debts exist, responsibility shall be transferred to the faculty
member holding Advisory role of Project Professionalism.
By-Laws
Article I- Membership
Section 1 – All students members of the COM are eligible for membership in all subcommittees, assuming
they are in good standing in the COM in regards to his or her professional and academic standings.
Section 2 – Students shall not be allowed to participate if they receive any note of un-professionalism on
their student record.
Section 3 – There shall be no restrictions in regards to the number of student members in each
subcommittee.
Article II- Election / Appointment of Government Leadership
Section 1 – Elections shall follow the guidelines detailed in the Constitution of Project Professionalism.
Section 2 – Elected individuals shall maintain their respective office for their full term and only be revoked
of these privileges in cases of un-professionalism, negligence or misuse of duties, or at the discretion of the
faculty advisor.
Point 1 – In these cases, the faculty advisor shall hold a vote of the Council of Chairs for removal
of the offending party.
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Point 2 – Majority vote shall control this decision and the offending party shall receive and official
written notification of removal by the Executive Leadership.
Section 3 – Any student wishing to resign from his or her duties must submit a letter of resignation to the
Executive Leadership one month in advance in order to facilitate the timing for a new election.
Point 1 – Elections for the replacement chair shall follow the same guidelines covered in the
Constitution.
Section 4 – In the case of a resignation or dismissal of a member of the Executive Leadership, the Council
of Chairs shall nominate and vote for a replacement in the same fashion as outlined in the Constitution.
Article III- Distribution of Funds
Section 1 – Each subcommittee shall submit a written proposal for the projected use of SOURCE funds for
the upcoming quarter. This proposal shall include the amount desired and a detailed budget of expenses.
Section 2 – All proposals shall be reviewed first by the Treasurer and then presented before the Executive
Leadership. There shall be a majority vote for approval of the organization’s budget within the Executive
Leadership.
Section 3 – The Treasurer shall then submit a proposal to the SOURCE quarterly on behalf of the projected
total of all subcommittee requests.
Section 4 – It will be responsibility of the Treasurer to control all funds obtained from the SOURCE and
disbursement of all said funds. Each subcommittee will be notified by the Treasurer of the funding amount
that will be allocated to them for the quarter based on their initial proposal.
Section 5 – Each subcommittee will then be free to spend their own money within the amount allocated to
them. Subcommittee chairs should then present receipts to the Treasurer within two weeks of the
conclusion of their event to receive reimbursement through SOURCE funds controlled by the Treasurer.
Section 6 – All funds that shall be distributed by the Treasurer shall not exceed the initial proposed amount
that was approved by the Executive Leadership prior to proposal to the SOURCE.
Section 7 – All funds shall be distributed in the form of reimbursements and no advance payments shall
occur.
Section 8 – In instances where subcommittees fail to utilize all requested funds, excess funds shall be
reallocated by the Treasurer to other subcommittees upon request of need in order to ensure complete
utilization of funds.
Section 9 – Should the case arise where Project Professionalism has excess funds for the year, all said
money shall be returned to the SOURCE by the Treasurer following specified guidelines.
Article VII - Meeting Requirements
Section 1 – All committee chairs are required to attend all quarterly meetings and other specially called
meetings of the Council of Chairs.
Section 2 – In cases of personal emergencies or extreme academic need, each chair has the right to send
another committee member in their stead. The student in this stead shall hold full voting rights during the
meeting.
Section 3 – Should no member of a subcommittee be able to attend, written notice is required 48 hours in
advance and should be sent to the Secretary. Failure to comply will result in revocation of the
subcommittees voting rights for the remainder of the academic year.
Section 4 – It is the responsibility of the Executive Leadership to organize and choose meeting dates and
times that facilitate the best attendance rate, including working around testing and class schedules,
preceptorships, and other academic requirements of the COM.
Section 5 – Executive Leadership shall also be responsible for securing a location for all meetings.
Article VIII - Method of Amending By-Laws
Section 1 – Any member of the Council of Chairs has the right to propose an amendment to this body.
Section 2 - Proposed amendments shall be in writing and presented to the Council of Chairs during a
general meeting. There shall be an open discussion by the Council regarding the proposed amendment. This
discussion shall be led by the Co-Chairs. Voting shall commence immediately following discussion,
assuming that quorum is met. In order for the amendment to pass, two-thirds of those present must vote in
favor of the change.
Section 3 – Upon passing of an amendment, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to make all corrections to
the By-Laws.
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