Approved September 22, 2016

CHAPTER I. NAME 

The name of this organization shall be the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (hereinafter referred to as “IAMRA”).

CHAPTER II. LOCATION 

IAMRA is incorporated in and shall operate within the State of Texas, and in such other areas as may be authorized by the Management Committee, for the purposes set forth in Chapter III.

CHAPTER III. PURPOSE, VISION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 

IAMRA is organized and shall be operated exclusively to support the purposes of medical regulation through scientific, educational and collaborative activities, which shall include the furtherance of the following purpose:

Purpose
To encourage best practice among medical regulatory authorities worldwide in the achievement of their mandate – to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards for the profession of medicine.

IAMRA will develop its Vision, Goals and Objectives and review and update them on a regular basis. These will be published on IAMRA’s website.

CHAPTER IV. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS 

1.  All organizations in the membership, or which are applying for membership, must be in good standing in their own country. An organization is in good standing if it is in compliance with any obligations imposed upon it by a national authority and may discharge these obligations unconditionally and without restriction. The right to accept or deny membership applications is at the sole discretion of the Management Committee.

 

2.  All organizations granted membership must comply with the Promotion and Communication of IAMRA policy to remain in good standing (see Chapter XI of these Bylaws). This policy will be published on IAMRA's website and any revisions will be communicated to members by IAMRA.

 

3.  IAMRA has two classes of membership: Members and Partners.

 

4.  Should there be changes to IAMRA's membership classifications, with these changes being approved at the Members General Assembly, any resulting change in membership fees will be amended accordingly in the next billing cycle for annual membership dues.

 

5.  Notwithstanding the eligibility criteria for membership of IAMRA, organizations that had or were granted membership at the time of IAMRA's incorporation in July 2004, will retain their membership classification in perpetuity on payment of the required membership dues, unless their membership is ceased in accordance with the cessation of membership provisions contained in Chapter XI of these Bylaws.

SECTION A. MEMBERS

Membership in IAMRA shall be open to medical regulatory authorities and to national associations of medical regulatory authorities. Eligible organizations will be admitted upon approval of their application by the Management Committee and payment of membership dues. The term “Medical Regulatory Authority” as used in the Articles of Incorporation and in these Bylaws shall refer to an organization recognized by the government of a specific country or jurisdiction as being responsible for the registration/licensure of physicians whereby such physicians are entitled to practice the profession of medicine and/or the regulation and discipline of such physicians.

SECTION B. PARTNERS

An organization, which has a nexus to IAMRA:

 

a)  as indicated by its direct contribution to the quality and integrity of the practice of medicine and therefore medical regulation, through activities such as medical education and assessment (undergraduate and postgraduate), credentialing of licensed/registered practitioners;

 

b)  by virtue of directly regulating health care professionals other than the medical profession;

 

and can reasonably be expected to add a unique perspective or bring expertise to the deliberations of the Members General Assembly, and is not otherwise eligible to join IAMRA as a Member, may become a Partner upon approval of its application by the Management Committee and payment of membership dues.

SECTION C. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

1.  The right to vote at the Members General Assembly is vested in, and restricted to, Members in good standing. For the purposes of these Bylaws the term “in good standing” shall be defined to include, but is not limited to, a Member whose dues are current at the time of the Members General Assembly, and the conduct of the voting delegate.

 

Each Member is entitled to designate three (3) participating delegates from their organization. These delegates may speak at the Members General Assembly.

 

As a collective, Members located within any one country are entitled to one (1) vote at the Members General Assembly and shall appoint one (1) individual named as a participating delegate by a Member in that country to serve as the voting delegate on behalf of all of the Members of that country (i.e. one country, one vote).

 

A country must designate a Member in its country to put forth a voting delegate within 30 days of the Members General Assembly. If the Members from a country cannot agree on a voting Member, then that country will forfeit the right to vote at the Members General Assembly.

 

2.  Resolutions may be proposed by any Member of IAMRA and the procedure for submission of such resolution shall be in accordance with IAMRA policy.

 

3.  Subject to any privacy laws or any legal prohibitions, Members will be entitled to any information necessary to enable them to participate fully at any Members General Assembly. Any other information held by IAMRA, whether relating to IAMRA, any Member or Partner, or otherwise, may be released to Members upon request and as the Management Committee considers appropriate at its sole discretion.

SECTION E. RIGHTS OF PARTNERS

1.  Partners will not be permitted to vote at the Members General Assembly.

 

The right to participate at the Members General Assembly is vested in, and restricted to, Partners in good standing. For the purpose of these Bylaws, the term "in good standing" shall be defined to include, but is not limited to, currency of dues at the time of the Members General Assembly and conduct of the participating delegate.

2.  Each Partner shall be entitled to designate three (3) participating delegates from their organization.  These delegates may speak at the Members General Assembly.

 

3.  Resolutions may be proposed by any Partner of IAMRA and the procedure for submission of such resolution shall be in accordance with IAMRA policy.

 

4.  Partners may serve on any standing committee or working group of IAMRA other than the Management Committee or the Nominating Committee.

 

5.  Subject to any privacy laws or any legal prohibitions, Partners will be entitled to any information necessary to enable them to participate fully (except voting) at any Members General Assembly. Any other information held by IAMRA, whether relating to IAMRA, any Member or Partner, or otherwise, may be released to Partners upon request and as the Management Committee considers appropriate at its sole discretion.

		Back to Top

CHAPTER V. OFFICERS, ELECTION AND DUTIES 

SECTION A. OFFICES OF IAMRA

The Offices shall be that of Chair, Chair-elect and Secretary.

SECTION B. ELECTION OF CHAIR-ELECT

1.     Only those individuals who are designated as voting delegates by Members at the time of the Members General Assembly shall be eligible for election as Chair-elect of IAMRA.

              

2.     Other than in exceptional circumstances as outlined below, only those individuals who have served on an IAMRA committee or working group for at least one year shall be eligible for election as Chair-elect of IAMRA.

 

3.     Nominations for a Chair-elect shall be made in accordance with the instructions for Submitting Nominations, as determined solely by the Management Committee of IAMRA and published from time to time.

 

4.   A Chair-elect shall be elected at each meeting of the Members General Assembly by a majority (one more than one-half (1/2)) of the number of eligible voting delegates of the Members General Assembly who are present and who vote.

 

5.   All nominees shall be invited to provide oral statements in support of their candidacy before the vote.

      Time will also be given to Members of the General Assembly to ask the nominees questions about their

      candidacies before the vote.    

6.   If more than two nominations are received for Chair-elect and no nominee receives a majority during the first round of voting, a subsequent round of voting will be held, with the ballot listing the two nominees who received the most votes on the first ballot and then a further ballot will be held in relation to those two nominees only. In the event of a deadlock or tie between the relevant two nominees, one additional runoff election shall be held. If the vote is not resolved, the deadlock will be resolved by the toss of a coin by the current Chair.

7.   If there is only one nominee for the Chair-elect, then that individual will be declared elected by acclamation.

8.   In the exceptional event that no nomination for Chair-elect is received, nominations from the floor will be

      permitted at the Members General Assembly, provided there is a Member as nominator and at least two 

      additional supporting Members as seconders.

 

 The nominee in such circumstances need not have served as a member of an IAMRA committee or working 

 group for at least one year. If more than two nominations are received from the floor, the nominees shall be

 invited to provide an oral statement in support of their candidacy before the vote.

 

 Their nominators and their two or more additional Members as seconders shall be invited to provide oral

 endorsing statements. Time will be given to Members of the General Assembly to ask the nominees questions

 about their candidacies before the vote.

 

9.   In addition to the procedural requirements contained in these Bylaws, the election process will be carried out in

      accordance with the Election Process document, as determined solely by the Management Committee of 

      IAMRA and published from time to time.

110. The Chair-elect shall automatically assume the position of Chair at the close of the next Members General

        Assembly.

 

SECTION C. SECRETARY

1.  The Secretary shall be appointed by the Management Committee at its first meeting following each meeting of the Members General Assembly and shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until his/her successor is named.

 

2.  The Secretary shall be a representative of the organization providing the Secretariat. His/her appointment should be subject to approval by the Management Committee, until such time as the Management Committee names a replacement to the Secretariat in accordance with Chapter VII of these Bylaws.

3.  Should the person serving as Secretary be elected as Chair-elect, then he/she would also serve as Secretary, until such time as his/her term as Chair is complete. In the event that a candidate from the organization holding the Secretariat, but different from the person holding the post of Secretary is elected as Chair-elect, then he/she would also take over the role of Secretary until such time as his/her term as Chair is complete.

 

4.  Should the Secretary cease to be a representative of the organization providing the Secretariat during his/her

     term as Secretary, then he/she will be required to stand down and the organization providing the Secretariat will

     be required to nominate a new Secretary, subject to approval by the Management Committee, who will serve

      as Secretary until the next Members General Assembly.

5.  The Secretary may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Management Committee upon conviction of a felony, gross misconduct, failure to perform, dereliction of duties or conflict of interest.

SECTION D. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1.   The duties of the Chair shall be to:

 

a.  carry out such functions and duties on behalf of IAMRA as may be necessary for the efficient functioning of IAMRA and in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws and the policies and decisions of IAMRA;

 

 b. preside over all meetings and sessions of the Members General Assembly and the Management Committee;

 

 c. act as the official spokesperson and official representative of IAMRA; and

 

 d. perform the duties customary to the office of the Chair of a corporation.

2.   The duties of the Chair-elect shall be to:

 

 a. assist the Chair in the discharge of his/her duties;

 

 b. perform the duties of the Chair at his/her request; and

 

      c.  in the absence of the Chair, carry out the functions and duties of the Chair.

3.   The Secretary shall have duties customary to the office of secretary of a corporation and such other duties and responsibilities as IAMRA and the Management Committee shall determine, including, but not limited to:

 

      a.  being the custodian of the records of the organization; and

 

      b.  overseeing the Office of the Secretariat.

SECTION E. TERMS OF OFFICE AND SUCCESSION

1.  The individual elected to the office of Chair-elect shall serve for a total of two (2) years as Chair-elect or until his/her successor assumes office (unless the individual vacates the office in accordance with Section F. of this Chapter V). 

 

2.  The Chair-elect shall assume the office of Chair upon final adjournment of the Members General Assembly at which a new Chair-elect is elected and shall serve for a term of two (2) years as Chair or until his/her successor assumes office (unless the individual vacates the office in accordance with Section F. of this Chapter V).

 

3.  The Chair or Chair-elect of IAMRA shall be a representative of their organization throughout their term. Should the Chair or Chair-elect of IAMRA cease to be a representative of that IAMRA Member organization, during his/her term as Chair or Chair-elect, then he/she will require written support to complete his/her term as Chair or Chair-elect of IAMRA from both the Management Committee and from the organization he/she represented when he/she stood for election.

SECTION F. VACANCIES

1.   A Chair or Chair-elect may vacate his or her office by providing thirty (30) days notice in writing of his/her

      resignation to the Management Committee.

2.  A Chair or Chair-elect may be removed from office in accordance with paragraph 1, Section D. Chapter VI of

     these Bylaws.

3.   In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chair, the Chair-elect shall assume the position of Chair for the remainder of the unexpired term, and shall then serve a full two-year term as Chair.

4.   In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chair-elect, the Management Committee shall appoint a Member-at-Large to assume the duties, but not the office, of Chair-elect until the next Members General Assembly. At the next Members General Assembly, both a Chair and a Chair-elect shall be elected in accordance with the provisions in Section B of this Chapter V.

		Back to Top

CHAPTER VI. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE  

SECTION A. MEMBERSHIP, REPRESENTATION, ELECTION AND TERMS

1. MEMBERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION
   

While elected positions are dependent upon nominations and a willingness and ability to serve, representation on the Management Committee should, as much as possible, reflect the diversity of the membership.

 

a)  There shall be no more than one (1) member on the Management Committee from the same organization at the same time.

 

b)  There shall be no more than one (1) member on the Management Committee from the same nation-state at the same time.

 

The Management Committee shall be composed of the three (3) officers of IAMRA; the immediate Past Chair; and six (6) Members-at-Large representing the six world regions, these being:

 

• Africa
• Asia
• Australasia Pacific
• Europe
• Central and North America
• South America

       and two (2) Members-at-Large from any world region.

      
     2. ELECTION OF MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

1.  Only those individuals who are designated as voting and/or participating delegates by Members at the time of the Members General Assembly shall be eligible for election as Members-at-Large.

 

2.  Nominations of Members-at-Large will be made in accordance with the Instructions for Submitting Nominations, as determined solely by the Management Committee of IAMRA and published from time to time.

 

3.  At least two (2) Members-at-Large shall be elected at each meeting of the Members General Assembly to serve on the Management Committee by a majority (one more than one-half (1/2)) of the number of voting delegates of the Members General Assembly who are present and voting.

4.  All nominees for Member-at-Large shall be invited to provide oral statements in support of their candidacy

     before the vote.

     Time will also be given to Members of the General Assembly to ask nominees questions about their   candidacies before the vote.

If more than one Member-at-Large position is to be filled from a single list of nominees, and if one or more seats are not filled by a majority during the first round of voting, subsequent rounds of voting will be held until a majority is obtained for each position. For each successive vote, the ballot will list nominees equal in number to twice the number of positions remaining to be filled.

 

5.  These nominees will be those who received the most votes on the first ballot. In the event of a deadlock or tie for a single position, up to two additional runoff elections shall be held. If the vote is not resolved, the deadlock will be resolved by a method chosen by the Assembly.

 

6.  If the number of nominees is equal to the number of Member-at-Large positions to be filled, then those individuals will be declared elected by acclamation.

7.  In the exceptional event that not enough nominations for Member-at-Large positions are received, nominations from the floor will be permitted at the Members General Assembly, provided there is a Member as nominator and at least two (2) additional supporting Members as seconders. If, in these circumstances,  more nominations than Member-at-Large positions are received from the floor, the nominees shall be invited to provide an oral statement in support of their candidacy before the vote. Their nominators and their two (2) or more additional Members shall be invited to provide oral endorsing statements. Time will be given to Members of the General Assembly to ask the nominees questions about their candidacies before the vote.

8.  In addition to the procedural requirements contained in these Bylaws, the election process will be carried out in accordance with the Election Process document, as determined solely by the Management Committee of IAMRA and published on the website from time to time.

    3. TERMS OF OFFICE

1.  Each Member-at-Large shall be elected for a term of four (4) years or until his/her successor assumes office and shall be eligible to be re-elected to one (1) additional term.

2.  A Member-at-Large of the Management Committee shall be a representative of his/her organization throughout his/her term. Should a Member-at-Large cease to be a representative of that IAMRA Member organization during his/her term on the Committee, then that Member-at-Large will require written support to compete his/her term on the Committee from both the Management Committee and from the organization he/she represented when he/she stood for election.

SECTION B. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

 1.    The management and administration of IAMRA are vested in the Management Committee and it shall act for IAMRA between meetings of the Members General Assembly.

 

 2.    The Management Committee shall carry out the mandates of IAMRA as established by the Members General Assembly, and it shall have full and complete power and authority to perform all acts and to transact all business for and on behalf of IAMRA.

 3.    The Management Committee shall conduct and manage all property, affairs, work and activities of IAMRA, subject only to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws and to the resolutions and enactments of the Members General Assembly; provided, however, that IAMRA will not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law) or by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding provision of any future internal revenue law).

 

 4.    The Management Committee shall provide leadership in the development and implementation of IAMRA’s strategic plan and business plan.

 

 5.    Members of the Management Committee shall, at the request of the Chair, represent IAMRA to the leadership of other organizations and speak on behalf of IAMRA to promote recognition of the IAMRA’s efforts to fulfill its goals.

 

 6.    The Management Committee, through the Chair, shall present an activity report to the Members and Partners at the meetings of the Members General Assembly and regularly through other means including, but not limited to, mailed and electronic communications.

 7.    Each member of the Management Committee, and each member of any other IAMRA committee or working group, is required to comply with the Conflict of Interest Policy, as determined solely by the Management Committee of IAMRA and published from time to time.

 

 8.    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, IAMRA shall not engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of IAMRA, as stated above and in the Articles of Incorporation.

SECTION C. VACANCIES—MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

In the event of a vacancy in a Member-at-Large position, the Management Committee may appoint an individual, providing that individual has the support of their Member organization, and otherwise meets the criteria of Chapter VI, Section A (1), to fill this vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

SECTION D. TERMINATION AND APPEALS

1.     Any officer or member of the Management Committee, including the Chair and Chair-elect, may be suspended or removed from the committee for any cause deemed sufficient, following due process as defined in these Bylaws, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total members of the Management Committee entitled to vote and who are not subject to removal from office. If the affected person is removed by the Management Committee, the decision should be advised to all Members and Partners in a timely manner.

 

2.     Any member of a standing committee or working group, including the Chair, may be suspended or removed from membership of that committee/working group for any cause deemed sufficient, following due process as defined in these Bylaws by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total members of the Management Committee.

 

3.     A member of the Management Committee removed by the Management Committee may appeal for reinstatement to the Management Committee within six months of removal. The affected person may be reinstated by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of members of the Management Committee.

4.     A member of a standing committee or working group removed by the Management Committee may appeal to the Management Committee for reinstatement within six months of removal. The affected person may be reinstated by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of members of the Management Committee.

5.     To be considered for reinstatement to any committee or working group, the affected person must submit a written request to the Management Committee. The written request must include a detailed explanation of why reinstatement should be considered. The Management Committee reserves the right to ask for additional information as it pertains to the request for reinstatement. The affected person has 30 days from the date of the request for additional information to submit the information to the Management Committee. The Management Committee will advise its decision on reinstatement in writing to the affected person within 60 days of receipt of all information requested for consideration of reinstatement. The Management Committee’s decision is final and no additional appeals will be considered. Neither the Management Committee nor IAMRA is responsible for any costs incurred by the individual seeking reinstatement, regardless of whether or not reinstatement is approved.

SECTION E. DUE PROCESS

1.  Due process includes, but is not limited to:

      a.  appropriate verification of information to be considered in making any decision;

      b.  providing notice to the relevant member, Chair or Chair-elect of the concerns as well as all information that

           will be considered by the Management Committee in making any decision; and

      c.  providing an opportunity for the relevant member, Chair or Chair-elect to comment on all or any

           information prior to consideration by the Management Committee.

		Back to Top

CHAPTER VII. SECRETARIAT

1.     The support services of IAMRA shall be undertaken by an organization appointed by the Management Committee until such time as the Management Committee names a replacement. Expenses incurred in this capacity on behalf of IAMRA shall be reimbursed to the relevant body from corporation funds.

2.  The support services of IAMRA shall be put out to tender should the organization providing the services decide

      that it no longer wishes to provide them, or should the Management Committee decide on a replacement. the

      tender and selection process will be managed by the Management Committee.

  

3.   In the event of the need for a permanent office for IAMRA being identified, such an office will be established at a place to be determined by the Management Committee and staffed and financed in accordance with policies established by the Management Committee.

CHAPTER VIII. MEETINGS 

SECTION A. MEMBERS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1.     The business of IAMRA shall be in accordance with resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Members General Assembly to be held at least once every two years at a place and time to be determined by the Management Committee.

 

2.     Resolutions shall be decided by the majority vote of those present and voting, with the Chair having both a deliberative and a casting vote.

 

3.     Adopted resolutions shall be binding on Members and Partners (as applicable to each), only so far as they relate to the business of IAMRA, and shall not impinge on the autonomy of Members and Partners to implement or not to implement resolutions in terms of their own statutory responsibilities and jurisdictions.

4.     At the request of the Chair or a voting Member and with the approval of two-thirds of voting Members present, the Members General Assembly may, for any agenda item specified in the request of the Chair or a voting Member, be held in-camera, with Members only allowed to attend.

SECTION B. QUORUM

The quorum for conducting business at any session of the Members General Assembly shall be at least one-fourth (1/4) of the voting delegates appointed in accordance with Chapter IV, Section C. Rights of Members.  A majority (one more than one-half) of the voting members of the Management Committee or any committee or other constituted group shall constitute a quorum of the Management Committee, any other committee or group.

SECTION C. RULES OF ORDER

Meetings of the Members General Assembly shall be conducted in accordance with the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, current edition, except when in conflict with the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in which case the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall prevail.

SECTION D. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Members General Assembly may be called at any time by the Chair, on the written request of ten (10) Members or by action of the Management Committee. Written notice of the time and place of such meetings shall be given to all Members and Partners not fewer than 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.

CHAPTER IX. COMMITTEES 

SECTION A. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

1.     At least one hundred and twenty (120) days before a Members General Assembly at which officers will be elected, the Chair (with the advice and consent of the Management Committee) shall appoint and chair a Nominating Committee consisting of not less than three (3) individuals, at least one (1) of whom shall also be a current member of the Management Committee. None of the members of the Nominating Committee shall be standing for election.

 

2.     The Nominating Committee shall submit a slate of one or more nominees for each of the offices and positions to be filled by election at the meeting of the Members General Assembly.

 

3.     The Nominating Committee shall communicate its slate of candidates to Member organizations not fewer than 60 days prior to the Members General Assembly.

SECTION B. OTHER COMMITTEES

The Management Committee shall establish and appoint committees or working groups in order to give effect to the purpose of IAMRA. Such committees or working groups shall report to the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall receive regular reports from the committees and working groups, and shall regularly review the terms of reference and composition thereof.

SECTION C. TELEPHONE MEETINGS

Subject to the requirements of the Texas Non-Profit Act, as amended, or these Bylaws for notice of meetings, members of the Management Committee, or members of any committee or working group designated by the Members General Assembly or Management Committee, may participate in and hold a meeting of a committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in a meeting can hear each other, and participation in the meeting pursuant to this Section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

		Back to Top

CHAPTER X. FINANCES AND DUES 

SECTION A. SOURCES OF FUNDS

Funds will be collected by means of annual membership dues as well as voluntary contributions, donations, grants and interest on any investments of IAMRA.

SECTION B. ANNUAL DUES

Annual membership dues shall be payable by all Members and Partners. Annual membership dues shall be determined by the Members General Assembly for the year immediately after the assembly meets and, in alternate years, solely by the Management Committee. Annual membership dues shall be payable in United States dollars on or before 1 May every year. Annual membership dues shall be structured in accordance with the rates for Membership dues, as published by IAMRA from time to time.

Annual dues are non-refundable.

SECTION C. APPLICATION OF FUNDS

All funds shall be applied to give effect to the purpose of IAMRA in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws. Each Member and Partner shall accept responsibility for expenses of its delegates for attending Members General Assemblies.

SECTION D. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

All funds of IAMRA shall be administered by the current Secretariat appointed in terms of Chapter V above. The Secretariat shall submit to the Management Committee at each meeting of the Management Committee quarterly financial statements and variance reports for the year under review. Additionally, the Secretariat shall ensure that an annual independent audit of the financial accounts and records of IAMRA is performed by an independent accountant, and shall submit such audit to the Management Committee for review and approval. Financial statements for the current fiscal year and final audit documents of the most recently closed fiscal year shall be presented to the Members and Partners of IAMRA at the Members General Assembly for information. The Management Committee shall approve an annual budget and authorize all expenditures. The Secretariat shall be authorized to sign checks on behalf of IAMRA. The liability of any Member or Partner with respect to the finances of IAMRA shall be limited to the amount of its membership fees.

SECTION E. EMOLUMENTS

No delegate to, representative or any officer of IAMRA shall be entitled to any emoluments from IAMRA save to be reimbursed for authorized expenditures incurred in the pursuance of his/her duties, as determined by policies established by the Management Committee. No compensation shall be paid to any committee member in their capacity as committee member. Loans to Officers or members of the Management Committee are prohibited.

SECTION F. FEES PAYABLE FOR SERVICES

The Management Committee shall determine what fees, if any, will be payable to IAMRA for any services or information provided by IAMRA.

SECTION G. INDEMNIFICATION

1. Every member of the Management Committee, in exercising the powers and discharging the duties of a member of the Management Committee, shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of IAMRA and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
   
   
2. Subject to the foregoing, IAMRA may purchase adequate liability protection to provide appropriate indemnification for the members of the Management Committee.

SECTION H. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Financial resources will be available to assist a member of the Management Committee from a Category 1 or 2 country to attend the annual face-to-face meetings of the Management Committee.

SECTION I. SPONSORSHIP OF MEMBERS FROM CATEGORY 1 AND 2 COUNTRIES TO ATTEND IAMRA EVENTS

1. A call to Members for contributions to the sponsorship fund will be sent at least six months before each IAMRA event.
   
   
2. Subject to funds being available, a call for applications to receive financial assistance will be sent to Members in good standing from Category 1 and 2 countries at least six months before an IAMRA event.
   
   
3. Each Member in good standing from Category 1 and 2 countries may submit a formal request for financial assistance for one participant from its organization.
   
   
4. Applications from Members in good standing that have not received financial assistance in the previous five years will be considered on a preferential basis, all other things being equal.
   
   
5. The Management Committee will review all applications for financial assistance and make a decision based on identified need, fairness and available sponsorship funding.

      6.  The decision of the Management Committee is final.

CHAPTER XI. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP  

CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP:

Membership of IAMRA for any Member or Partner shall cease either:

1. On Notice
   
   Upon written notice given to the Management Committee of the Member’s or Partner’s intent to withdraw as a member of IAMRA; or
   

   
   

2. Not In Good Standing
   
   Where the Management Committee believes on reasonable grounds that:
   

   
   The Member or Partner organization is not in good standing, the matter will be considered by the Management Committee, which may suspend the membership rights of the Member or Partner and refer the matter to the next Members General Assembly, for a vote as to whether the relevant Member or Partner should continue its membership of IAMRA. Membership shall cease upon a two-thirds vote at the Members General Assembly that the relevant Member or Partner should not continue to belong to IAMRA.

The exercise of the powers of suspension or cessation of membership under Chapter XI, 2 are subject to Chapter VI, Sections D and E.

For the purposes of this clause (“Cessation of Membership”), the term “not in good standing” does not include the non-payment of any annual membership dues.

Suspension Of Membership:

The Management Committee may suspend any Member or Partner for non-payment of membership dues. The defaulting Member or Partner must be given written notice of the intended suspension at least 30 days before such suspension becomes effective. Reinstatement of membership will be effected upon written application together with payment of any outstanding membership dues and approval by the Management Committee. Should a suspension continue for 24 months, the membership of the relevant Member or Partner shall be terminated.

CHAPTER XII. CORPORATE SEAL 

The Management Committee may adopt a corporate seal that meets the requirements of the state in which IAMRA is incorporated.

CHAPTER XIII. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS  

SECTION A. AMENDMENT

The Bylaws may be amended or altered by a majority (one more than one-half (1/2)) of the number of voting delegates of the Members General Assembly who are present and voting at a Members General Assembly. Written notice of such proposed amendment must be given to Members and Partners at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Bylaws should be reviewed and, if required, updated on a regular basis, at minimum, in time for every other Members General Assembly.

SECTION B. EFFECTIVE DATE

These Bylaws and any other subsequent amendments thereto, shall become effective upon their adoption.

		Back to Top