ARTICLE I ‑ Name
The name of this Association is MENNONITE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE II ‑ Purpose
This association is organized and shall be operated exclusively for
charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes including,
for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that
qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3), or its
successor statute, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Specifically, the association is organized and shall be operated for
the following purposes:
Section 1. To uphold and strengthen the doctrines and ideals of the Mennonite Central Committee constituent churches.
Section 2. To give moral and financial support to medical mission programs of the Mennonite Central Committee constituency.
Section 3. To encourage, guide and assist students of the Mennonite
Central Committee constituency in their pursuit of medical and dental
careers.
Section 4. To publish a periodical, Mennonite Medical Messenger.
Section 5. To hold before Members the need for physicians and dentists
in mission and church‑related projects, and keep them aware of service
opportunities both abroad and in North America.
Section 6. To engage our members in the search for appropriate Christian responses to the bio‑ethical dilemmas of our time.
Not withstanding any other provision of this Constitution, no part of
the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or
be distributable to, its officers or other private persons (except that
the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable
compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these
Articles). No substantial part of the activities of the corporation
shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to
influence legislation (except as provided in 501(h) of the Code), and
the corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including
publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on
behalf of any candidate for public office. The corporation shall not
carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a
corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), or
its successor statute, of the Code or (b) by a corporation,
contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2), or its
successor statute, of the Code.
The Association shall do all and everything necessary, suitable and
proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes or the attainment
of any of the objectives hereinabove set forth and to do every act or
acts, thing or things incidental or appurtenant, or growing out of, or
connected with, the aforesaid objects or purposes, or any part or parts
thereof provided that same is not inconsistent with the laws or
provisions of this Constitution or the Bylaws.
ARTICLE III ‑ Membership in the Association
Section 1. Any person who is a member of a Mennonite Central Committee
/Anabaptist related constituent church, or subscribes to the Statement
of Faith (attached hereto, and made a part hereof) and is in fellowship
with a local church body, who is a graduate of, or a student in an
approved school of medicine, dentistry or osteopathy is eligible for
membership in this association. Membership in this association shall
terminate:
(1) when a student's educational program is terminated, either by the student or by the educational institution;
(2) when a member no longer identifies with an Anabaptist faith perspective;
(3) when a member no longer supports the basic objectives and purposes of this association;
(4) when a member has not paid the annual dues for two consecutive
years (however, payment of back dues within a reasonable time after
mailed notice of termination has been given shall automatically
reinstate the former member); and (5) when a member, in writing,
informs the Executive Secretary of his/her desire to terminate
membership.
Section 2. The Association shall have the following categories of membership:
(1) Active Member . A member who is in good standing in his/her church
and is eligible for membership in his/her local professional
organization.
(2) Sustaining Member. An active member who expresses interest in and
loyalty to the Association and its mission by giving voluntary support
in the payment of dues above the regular rate (designated by the
Executive Committee).
(3) Associate Member. Interested professionally qualified persons who
are not otherwise eligible for membership in this association such as
those in paramedical professions.
(4) Honorary Member. An active or associate member who receives his/her
full support from the Mennonite Central Committee or a Mennonite
Central Committee constituent mission board or relief agency, or who is
serving full time with such organization, or a member who has retired
from clinical practice.
ARTICLE IV ‑ Payment of Dues and Voting Rights
Section 1. Active Members and Associate Members, as defined in Article
111, hereof, have the right to vote and are responsible to pay annual
dues set by the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Sustaining Members make payment of dues as suggested by the
Executive Committee above that of the regular annual membership dues.
Section 3. Honorary Members, as defined in Article III hereof, have the
right to vote, but are not required to pay the annual dues set by the
Executive Committee, but may do so if they wish.
Section 4. Membership dues shall be determined annually by the
Executive Committee subject to the approval of the Association at its
annual business meeting.
ARTICLE V ‑ Mennonite Medical Messenger (Now the Mennonite Health Journal – 2004)
The Mennonite Medical Messenger shall be distributed without charge to
all of the active, honorary, and associate members of this association,
unless the Executive Committee by appropriate resolution determines
otherwise.
ARTICLE V1 ‑ Officers
Section 1. The officers of this Association, who shall have the normal
duties of such officers, shall consist of president, president‑elect
(who shall have the duties of vice‑president), and secretary‑treasurer.
Members of this Association who are students or Associate Members are
not eligible to hold office.
Section 2. The term for which the office‑holders shall be elected is
two years. The president shall not be elected as such, but shall become
president after serving as president‑elect for two years, at which time
a new president‑elect, his/her successor, is elected. Elections shall
be held in conjunction with the annual business meeting. In the case of
death, disability or resignation of an officer, the remaining officers,
though less than a quorum, may appoint another qualified member of the
association, eligible to hold office, for the duration of the term of
the vacant office.
Section 3. The president shall not hold office in this Association
until one year following the expiration of his/her previous term of
office.
Section 4. The Executive Comn‑dttee shall consist of the officers of
this association, and such other active or honorary members as shall,
from time to time be determined by the Bylaws, but shall not exceed
seven in number.
Section 5. The office of Executive Secretary, whose duties shall
include editorship of the Mennonite Medical Messenger, shall be filled
by the Executive Committee by appointment. The term of office shall be
indefinite; the office holder shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Executive Committee.
Section 6. The business of the Association shall be managed by the Executive Committee.
Section 7. The affairs of the Association shall be regulated by the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII ‑ Annual Meeting
Section 1. The Association shall meet at least annually, at the call of
the president. Special meetings may be held at the call of the
Executive Committee. Notice by mail at least thirty days prior to any
meeting shall be given to all members.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the program and planning of all meetings called.
Section 3. Those members present at a meeting duly called shall
constitute a quorum. All business transacted (carried by a majority of
those voting) shall constitute the informed action of this Association.
ARTICLE VIII ‑ Local MMA Chapters
Section 1. Where there are more than two members in any community, a
local chapter may be formed. This constitution shall become the basis
upon which a local chapter is formed. The general organization and
activities of local chapters shall be consistent with those of the
national Association, but in matters of local programs, meetings,
finances, etc., the local chapters shall otherwise be autonomous.
ARTICLE IX ‑ Amendment
Section 1. This Constitution may be altered, amended or revoked after
adoption, provided such change shall be approved by a two‑thirds
majority of the ballots returned in a special mail vote sent to all the
members of the Association at least thirty days prior to the date set
for return of said votes.
Section 2. All changes to this Constitution shall first be approved by
the Executive Committee prior to submission to the membership of the
Association for the amendatory vote.
ARTICLE X ‑ Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the Association, after paying or making provisions
for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Association, any
remaining assets of the Association shall be forwarded to the Mennonite
Central Committee for its use in its religious charitable relief
ministries, or to such other organization or organizations which are
organized and operated exclusively for a charitable, religious,
scientific, educational or such other exempt purposes as shall at the
time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section
501(c)(3), or its successor statute, of the Internal Revenue Code.
