Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)

Constitution

  1. NAME
  2. The name of this organization will be “Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)”
  1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) is 1) Introduce the field of internal medicine to students during their pre-clinical years and clear up any myths that students might have regarding a career in internal medicine 2) Explain the many facets of internal medicine: from primary care to hospitalist care to specialty care 3) Connect new medical students to internal medicine faculty mentors for research and shadowing opportunities 4) To foster an early start to a solid clinical education in internal medicine by offering seminars and educational material.

  1. The internal medicine interest group is affiliated nationally with the AmericanCollege of Physicians (ACP).
  1. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
  2. 100% of active memberships must be USF students. Associate membership may be granted to non-USF students under special circumstances; these associate members will not be given the rights and privileges of active USF students. The Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) must have 10 active members (including officers) at all times to remain active with the Office of Engagement and Involvement.
  3. Active membership continues until either the individual graduates or has been removed by the organization. Associative membership continues until either the individual withdraws or has been removed by the organization.
  4. Upholding the objectives and purpose of the organization, plus any requirements set upon by the executive board are the only requirements for continued membership.
  5. If any member fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization. Does not meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, he/she may be removed by a 2/3’s vote of the Active, voting members.
  6. Only Active USF students in the organization have voting rights. Non-USF students do not have voting rights.
  1. DUES/FEES
  2. No dues, fees, assessments, donations or other charges are levied for membership into the Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG). Currently there is no fee to join the AmericanCollege of Physicians (ACP) as a medical student member.
  1. QUORUM
  2. A quorum will be composed of 50% +1 of current, active voting members.
  1. OFFICERS
  2. The required officer positions include: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers are elected to serve a term following elections of new officers(s) to the following school year’s elections. These officers are included in the executive board. Our charter year’s officer positions will be filled by students who have volunteered to serve at these posts and will not be voted upon during run-off elections.
  3. Duties
  4. President- must have been a participating member for at least one semester with the group. The President’s duties will be to preside over meetings and appoint and oversee organizational functions, and to act as the primary University liaison.
  5. Vice President- will assist the President with his/her duties and preside over the organization in the President’s absence.
  6. Secretary- will record, keep and make available copies of the meeting minutes, and dispatch correspondence as directed by the President.
  7. Treasurer- will receive, dispatch and keep accurate records of all financial matters regarding the Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) and be the main contact with whom University officials discuss funding for the group. He/she will also be responsible for securing financial donations for group events/affairs.
  8. An optional position of WebMaster will be available to any interested party during our charter year. In subsequent years, the position’s availability will be decided on by that year’s active board members.
  9. An optional position of Community Service Chair will be available to any interested party during our charter year. In subsequent years, the position’s availability will be decided on by that year’s active board members.
  10. An optional position of a First Year Officer will be available to any interested party during our charter year. In subsequent years, the position’s availability will be decided on by that year’s active board members.
  1. ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS
  2. One month prior to the last general meeting of the Spring semester, the President must notify the members of the annual election of officers. The election will take place during the last general meeting of the Spring semester or online via e-mail if no meeting has been scheduled.
  3. Elections are by secret ballot. Winners are chosen based on simple majority of votes. If there is a tie, the tied candidates will have a run-off election the following week. If a tie still remains, a majority vote of the current executive board will decide the winning candidate.
  4. If an executive position is vacated during the year, the President will call an emergency vote to fill the vacancy. If no person is voted upon to fill the vacancy, the position’s responsibilities will be filled by the remaining executive board members.
  1. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
  2. If any officer fails to uphold the purpose and objectives of the organization, fulfill the duties of office, meet membership requirements, or does not comply with University policies, a vote of “no confidence” must be presented to the executive board. Written notification must be presented with reason for removal to the officer in question. After the officer in question has had his/her right to speak to the board on their own behalf, a vote is taken from the executive board. The officer in question does not have a vote. He/she may be removed by majority vote of the executive board.
  1. ADVISORS
  2. The advisor for the group is chosen by the executive board by simple majority vote. His/her minimum requirements for active advisorship with the Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) is to 1.) attend at least one meeting per semester to lecture members on the field/practice of Internal Medicine 2.) discuss group proceedings with the executive board 3.) act as liaison to the group in its interests regarding members “shadowing” doctors both hospitalist medicine and subspecialties in Internal Medicine.
  1. MEETINGS
  2. The officer transitions meeting will be held 2 weeks following the election of new officers. Executive board meetings are held whenever possible for the board to meet, either in person, electronic messaging or by telephone conference call. Efforts must be made to ensure at least one general meeting each month regardless of circumstances.
  3. Special meetings may be called by any member of the executive board at any time for any reason.
  4. Attendance is mandatory for any and all voting members of the IMIG. Failure to attend scheduled meetings more than twice will result in suspension of active membership and loss of voting rights.
  5. Reinstatement of active membership and voting rights may be accomplished by giving the board a good reason for it and not doing it again.
  1. RULES OF ORDER
  2. The meetings will be run according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
  1. AMENDMENTS
  2. The Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG) will operate in accordance with the University, Student Government and the Office of Engagement and Involvement provisions. Any amendment or bylaw changes regarding the IMIG will be passed by a quorum vote of 50% +1 and be considered pending until presented to and reviewed by the Office of Engagement and Involvement.
  1. ANTI-HAZING CLAUSE
  2. “This organization prohibits its members, both individually and collectively, from committing any acts of hazing as defined herein:
  3. Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with this organization. Such terms shall include but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any forced activity which could adversely affect the mental or physical health, the safety or dignity of the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental or physical health, the safety or dignity of the individual. For the purpose of this section, any activity as described above upon which the initiation or admission into of affiliation with this organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be a ‘forced activity’, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding”.
  1. ORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
  2. Organization agrees to abide by Florida State Statute #240.262 regarding hazing. Furthermore, agrees to abide by all Engagement and Involvement policies as outlined in the student handbook, to check the organization’s mailbox regularly, to communicate via email upon request and to update the organization’s records whenever there is a change.