Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the Midwest Chapter of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, herein after referred to as “Midwest AAPL,” an affiliate chapter of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, and is chartered in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Within the boundaries of Midwest AAPL are the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pittsburgh, PA.

Article II: Purpose

This Chapter of the Academy is organized exclusively for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes; including, more specifically in the public interest:

• a. The exchange of ideas and experience in those areas where psychiatry and the law overlap.
• b. The development of standards of practice in the relationship of psychiatry and the law.
• c. Encouraging development of training programs for psychiatrists desirous of skill and knowledge in this area.
• d. Stimulating and encouraging research in the field.
• e. Improving relationships between psychiatrists and other professionals working in the field.
• f. Providing information to the public regarding problems in the area of psychiatry and the law and the potential contributions from psychiatry.
• g. Publishing journals, newsletters, books or pamphlets, holding property, receiving grants and awards, monitoring research activities conducted under its auspices, and organizing courses of instruction in the area of psychiatry and the law.
• h. Making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

Article III: Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility: All AAPL members in good standing residing or practicing within the geographic boundaries of Midwest AAPL shall be members of the Chapter.

Further, AAPL members in good standing who reside and practice outside the geographic boundaries of Midwest AAPL are welcome to join the Chapter, by notifying the President of their desire for membership.

All members of Midwest AAPL shall enjoy full rights of membership, irrespective of whether they work or reside within the Chapter’s geographic boundaries.

Section 2 – Dues: No Chapter dues are required from AAPL members; however, voluntary contributions may be solicited to assist in defraying the expenses of the chapter.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: The officers of this Chapter shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer and three (3) Councilors. Their duties shall be those usually associated with each title.

Section 2: The President-Elect and one (1) Councilor shall be elected by ballot each year at the annual meeting in the spring, except that if there is only one candidate for an office, the vote may be by voice.

Section 3: The term of office for the President-Elect shall be for one year and the term of office for a Councilor shall be for three years with one Councilor elected each year, or until their successors are elected. Each councilor shall serve only one term.

Section 4: A Secretary and a Treasurer shall be elected for a term of office of three years. If possible, the new Secretary and Treasurer should not be elected at the same time. The Secretary and the Treasurer may be re-elected, but shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 5: The Executive Committee shall present at least one candidate for each office who has consented to serve if elected. Nominations may be made from the floor.

Section 6: The President-Elect shall automatically succeed to office at the close of the MWAAPL annual meeting, at which time all those elected shall assume office.

Section 7 – Vacancies: If the office of President becomes vacant, the President-Elect shall succeed to that office for the remainder of the term to which s/he was elected. A vacancy in the office President-Elect shall be filled for the remainder of the term by the Executive Committee, but at the next election, candidates for both President and President-Elect shall be presented. Vacancies in the offices of Secretary and Treasurer shall be filled by the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

Article V: Meetings

Section 1: This Chapter shall meet semi-annually at the annual AAPL meeting and at the annual MWAAPL meeting.

Section 2: The independent meeting in spring shall be designated as the annual MWAAPL meeting.

Section 3: Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or on written request to the Secretary by ten members.

Section 4: A quorum shall be twenty members.

Article VI: Executive Committee

Section 1: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers and the immediate Past President. Past Presidents may attend as ex officio, non-voting members.

Section 2: The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President or any two of its members. A quorum shall be three members.

Section 3: The Executive Committee shall conduct necessary business between regular meetings, subject to ratification at the next membership meeting.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: There may be standing committees established by the Executive Committee.

Section 2: Special committees may be created by the Executive Committee or by request of the membership through the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee, or may be appointed through motion of the membership.

Section 4: The term of office of standing committee chairmen and members shall be the same as that of the President. Special committees serve until the task is completed.

Section 5: The responsibilities of each standing committee will be set forth in Rules of Procedure.

Article VIII: Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.

Article IX: Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1: Amendments may be proposed by any members, by a committee appointed to review the bylaws, or by the Executive Committee, at any meeting, provided notice is given at the preceding meeting or in writing all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which such amendments will be considered.

Section 2: Amendments may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at a meeting, provided proper notice has been given.

Section 3: Amendments hall become effective after submission to the Committee on Chapters, and receipt of its approval.

Amended 24 March 2012
Philip Pan, MD