Bylaws of the Virginia Pharmacists Association Academy of Medical Cannabis
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Bylaws of the Virginia Pharmacists Association Academy of Medical Cannabis ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this organization shall be the Virginia Pharmacists Association (VPhA) Academy of Medical Cannabis (AMC), hereinafter referred to as Academy. ARTICLE II. MISSION STATEMENT To promote the general welfare of patients in Virginia by ensuring that the medical use of cannabis in Virginia remains safe, effective, and pharmacist-led. The Academy will provide education and advocacy related to the safe and effective use of medical cannabis to healthcare providers, students, patients, and industry partners. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP 1. Classification Active Technician Associate VPhA Associate Healthcare Provider Associate Medical Cannabis Industry Associate 2. Definition Any current Active pharmacist member of the VPhA in good standing is eligible for Active Academy membership. Active membership is limited to practicing pharmacists. Any current Technician member of the VPhA in good standing is eligible for Technician Associate membership. All other current members of the VPhA in good standing are eligible for VPhA Associate Membership. Active licensed healthcare professionals in Virginia are eligible for Healthcare Professional Associate Academy membership if involved in serving the cannabis community. Healthcare Professionals must join VPhA in order to be eligible for membership in the Academy. Members of the medical cannabis industry are eligible for Medical Cannabis Industry Associate Academy membership. Any licensed Pharmaceutical Processor firm or Medical Cannabis company may qualify as a Medical Cannabis Industry Associate member by entering into an agreement with the Academy and remitting dues as prescribed by the Academy. Each Medical Cannabis Industry Associate member shall designate one company representative to act on behalf of the company in matters relating to the Academy. This company representative must be a member of VPhA. At the discretion of the Board, the company representative may designate an emergency replacement if he or she is unable to attend a meeting of the Academy. 1 3. Limitations and Rights All members of the Academy may participate in business sessions of the Academy. Only Active members may vote or hold office within the Academy. At the discretion of the Board, one Healthcare Professional Associate Member and one Technician Associate may sit on the Board of Directors as non-voting members. 4. Dues Dues will be set by the Board of Directors of the Academy. 5. Resignation, Reinstatement and Expulsion A member in good standing may resign membership in this Academy by submitting a letter of resignation to the Chairman. A former member who has either resigned or forfeited membership in this Academy may be reinstated by submitting the current dues and meeting the same criteria of that classification of membership. Any member may be expelled from this Association by a unanimous vote of all the members of the Board of Directors after the member has been given an opportunity to be heard in his own defense. Grounds for expulsion shall be for conduct which the Board of Directors in its sole judgment and discretion determines improper. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS 1. OFFICERS The Officers of this Academy shall consist of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Officer and Administrative Officer and shall constitute the Executive Committee as specified in Article VI of these Bylaws. Officers may hold an office for no more than two consecutive terms. Officers may serve in only one office at a time. 2. ORDER OF SUCCESSION In the event that any officer is unable to perform his duties, the vacancy shall be filled through appointment by the Chairman with the consent of the Academy Board of Directors until an election can be held. The individual appointment by the Chairman must be an active member of the Academy in good standing. 3. CHAIRMAN The Chairman shall be elected by the membership of the Academy and shall serve for two years, or until a successor has been duly qualified, elected and installed. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Academy and shall perform all other duties customarily incident to that office. The Chairman shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees and shall discharge the other duties prescribed by these bylaws. The Chairman shall appoint all standing and special committees. 4. VICE CHAIRMAN The Vice-Chairman shall be elected by the membership of the Academy and shall serve for two years, or until a successor has been duly qualified, elected and installed. The Vice-Chairman shall perform all duties of the Chairman in the absence or inability of the Chairman to serve, or when requested. The Vice Chairman shall perform such other duties as may be specifically delegated to him/her or as may be required under these Bylaws. 2 5. TREASURER The Treasurer shall be elected by the membership of the Academy and shall serve for two years, or until a successor has been duly qualified, elected and installed. The Treasurer shall oversee all expenditures on behalf of the Academy. 6. SECRETARY The Secretary shall be elected by the membership of the Academy and shall serve for two years, or until a successor has been duly qualified, elected and installed. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Academy membership and Executive Committee business meetings, retain copies of all records and documents, and function as coordinator of all Academy activities. The Secretary shall notify individuals of their appointments to committees, notify members of the time and place of meetings, and carry out the general administrative responsibilities of the Academy assigned by the Executive Committee. 7. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER The Communications Officer shall be elected by the membership of the Academy and shall serve for two years, or until a successor has been duly qualified, elected and installed. The Communications Officer is responsible for communications of the Academy as assigned by the Executive Committee. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER The Executive Director of the Association shall serve as the Administrative Officer of the Academy. The Administrative Officer shall be responsible for all business matters as related to the Academy pursuant to the direction of the Chairman. 9. QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE Individuals holding any office in the Academy shall be an active member of the Academy and the Association in good standing. Officers may serve for a maximum of two terms. 10. COMPENSATION The elected offices of the Academy shall serve without compensation. Reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Academy shall not be considered compensation. ARTICLE V. Board of Directors 1. DIRECTORS The Board of Directors of the Academy shall consist of the Executive Committee and two At- Large Directors. At-Large Directors shall be elected by the Academy membership and shall serve for one year, or until a successor has been duly qualified, elected and installed. The At- Large Directors may include one Healthcare Provider Associate member and one Technician Associate member who serve as non-voting members. 2. DUTIES The Board of Directors of the Academy shall meet at least annually and shall be responsible for making policy decisions and implementing policies, subject to the review and ratification of the Association Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for actions necessary to accomplish its mission. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. No business shall be conducted without a quorum present. The Board of Directors of the Academy 3 shall annually submit a financial statement and a report to the Association Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Association regarding the activities of the Academy for the previous year. 3. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS OR DIRECTORS The Board may remove an officer or Director by a majority vote of all voting members of the Board of Directors after the officer or Director has received notice of the basis for his/her potential expulsion and been given an opportunity to be heard in his/her own defense. Grounds for removal shall be for conduct which the Board of Directors in its sole judgment and discretion deems improper. 4. EMERGENCY BUSINESS Emergency business of the Board of Directors may be conducted by conference call or an electronic means in which the sender can be verified and all action taken in such a manner shall be reported at the following meeting of the Board of Directors and made a part of the minutes. 5. COMPENSATION The Board of Directors of the Academy shall serve without compensation. Reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Academy shall not be considered compensation. ARTICLE VI. Executive Committee 1. MEETINGS The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. Members of the Executive Committee of the Academy shall consist of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer and the Administrative Officer. The Administrative Officer shall serve without voting privileges. 2. DUTIES The Executive Committee shall manage the business of the Academy between meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall consider and act on recommendations emanating from Academy members. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for determining that all programs and activities of the Academy are in accord with Association policy. The Executive Committee may adopt rules of operating procedures to implement the intent of this Chapter. The Executive Committee shall appoint an Academy member to report to the Association Board of Directors. 3. EMERGENCY BUSINESS Emergency business of the Executive Committee may be conducted by conference telephone or electronic means in which the sender can be verified and all action taken in such a manner shall be reported at the following meeting of the Board of Directors and made a part of the minutes. ARTICLE VII. Nomination and Election of Officers 1. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE The Chairman shall appoint a nominating committee of no less than three active members of the Academy.