ARTICLE III

COMPONENT MEDICAL SOCIETIES

3.1 Authorization to Organize. The members of the Association, except at-large members, shall be organized into component medical societies, (“societies”) chartered by the Association. Not more than one society shall be chartered to operate in any county except in a county so large in area as to make it impractical for one society to operate. The territorial jurisdiction of each society shall be determined by the House of Delegates and set forth in the charter issued to it by the Association.

3.2 Charter Qualifications. Any society which has adopted principles of organization not in conflict with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Association may, upon approval of its application by the House of Delegates, become a chartered component medical society and receive a charter evidencing that fact. Each charter shall be signed by the President and the Secretary of the Association.

3.3 Limitations. Nothing contained in any charter issued or in the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Association and no action of the House of Delegates or of the Board of Trustees shall bind or commit any society to carry out any policy or recommendation of the Association not consistent with the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

3.4 Revocation of Charter. Any charter issued to a society may be revoked by the House of Delegates if the society acts in violation of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Association. If the House of Delegates finds that any society is not functioning effectively, the House of Delegates may consolidate that society into any physically contiguous society.

3.5 Unified Membership. A person applying for membership in a component medical society must concurrently apply for the same class of membership in the Association. Membership in the Association may not be discontinued unless membership in the society is also discontinued. Application to a component medical society may be made as follows:

A. If the member’s residence and principal office are in different jurisdictions, membership may be elected in the society with jurisdiction over either the residence or the principal office.

B. If the member’s residence and principal office are in one society’s jurisdiction, the member must elect that society, except as otherwise provided in this section.

C. If the member’s residence or principal office is on or near a society line, and the society in which the residence or principal office is located consents, the member may elect the adjoining medical society.

D. For purposes of membership and delegate count, the member must designate the primary component medical society through which the member’s MMA dues will be paid.

E. Component medical societies may accept members who are dues paying members of another component medical society provided these members are currently MMA members in good standing. A list of these members shall be provided annually to the MMA by each component medical society.

F. A medical student may join a society with jurisdiction over the area in which the medical student’s residence is located or the area in which the school is located.

G. A resident may join a society with jurisdiction over the area in which the physician’s residence is located or the area in which the hospital or primary training facility is located.

H. A member who moves to a different society jurisdiction may elect to maintain membership in the society to which the member belonged prior to moving or may transfer membership to the society of the jurisdiction to which the member has moved.

For members who transfer their membership from one component medical society to another, the membership shall be reciprocal for that calendar year and no additional dues shall be assessed granted that full dues have been received prior to the transfer.

3.6 Scope of Organization. Each society shall have general direction of the affairs of the profession in its county or district; shall further the purposes of the Association; and shall foster membership in the Association.

3.7 Membership Qualifications. Each component society shall judge the qualifications of its own applicants, but, as such societies are the only portals to this Association, ample opportunity to become a member shall be given to every physician in the county or district who is eligible according to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

3.8 Data Requirements. The Secretary of each society shall keep a roster of its members showing the full name, address, medical school and date of graduation, date of license to practice in this state, and other relevant information requested by the Association.

3.9 Dues Processing. Each component medical society shall forward the dues of its members to the Association on a monthly basis. Assessments shall be forwarded within the time specified. Component medical societies accepting guest members, as defined in Article III, Section 3.5, Paragraph E, shall be responsible for all administration and collection of any fees they choose to assess for guest memberships.

Component medical societies may contract with the Association to bill its members and collect dues and assessments on its behalf.

3.10 Suspension. Each component medical society which fails to forward to the Association the dues of its members according to the terms of its contract shall be suspended and none of its members or delegates shall be permitted to participate in any of the business proceedings of the Association or of the House of Delegates until the requirements have been met.