Constitution
Amendments, Article XI
Board of Directors, Article V
Component Societies, Article IV
Council on Dental Health, Article IX
Election of Officers, Article VIII
Enactment, Article XII
Executive Committee, Article VI
Membership, Article III
Mission Statement, Article II
Name, Article I
Officers, Article VII
Standing Committees, Article X
Bylaws
Amendments, Article XXIII
Appropriations, Article IX
Assessments, Article VII
Code of Ethics, Article XXII
Credentials to Delegates, Article XIII
Dues, Article VI
Duties of Board of Directors, Article I
Duties of Council on Dental Health, Article IV
Duties of Executive Committee, Article II
Duties of Officers, Article III
Duties of Standing Committees, Article V
Expulsion, Article XVI
Funds, Article VIII
Indemnification, Article XXV
Loss of Rights and Privileges, Article XVII
Nominations to board of Dentistry, Article XXI
Order of business, General Assembly, Article
XX
Principles of Judicial Procedure, Article XIV
Quorum, Article X
Reinstatement, Article XVIII
Resignation, Article XIX
Rules of Order, Article XXIV
Seal, Article XII
Special Meetings, Article XI
Suspension, Article XV
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section I - This organization shall be known as the “Montana Dental
Association.”
Section 2 - This organization is a constituent of the American Dental Association,
having declared its allegiance to said American Dental Association, and having
agreed to the formation and perpetuation of its House of Delegates.
ARTICLE II - MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Montana Dental Association is to represent the interests of the members of the dental profession and to promote the art and science of dentistry, so as to improve the health of Montanans.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section I - Members of this Association shall be classified as Active,
Associate Dentist, Retired, Service, Honorary, Life, or Student.
Section 2 - ACTIVE MEMBERS shall consist of reputable dentists who are legally
and ethically practicing their profession in the State of Montana and who have
been elected to membership by and are in good standing in a component dental
society.
Section 3 - RETIRED MEMBERS shall consist of those dentists (l) who through
illness or disability are unable to engage in the active practice of dentistry
or (2) who have retired from the active practice of dentistry provided that
such retired members were active members in good standing at the time of their
retirement or discontinuance of practice.
Section 4 - SERVICE MEMBERS shall be those active members of this Association
who have been inducted into active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Section 5 - HONORARY MEMBERS shall consist of persons who have made some valuable
contribution to the science or art of dentistry or have rendered important
services to the profession.
Section 6 - LIFE MEMBERS - A member in good standing who has been an active
and/or retired member in good standing for thirty (30) consecutive years or
a total of forty (40) years of active membership, having attained the age of
sixty-five (65) years shall be automatically notified as to eligibility as
a life member in the Montana Dental Association. Such applicant must be a member
in good standing at the time of classification as a life member.
Section 7 - STUDENT MEMBERS – (1) A student enrolled at a dental school
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and a member in good standing
with the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) may become a member of
the Montana Dental Association upon application and payment of dues. (2) A
dentist may also be classified as a student member if engaged full time in
an advance training course or a residency provided that the advanced training
course or residency is at least one academic year’s duration in a specialty
area recognized by the American Dental Association and accredited by the Commission
on Dental Accreditation. A dentist engaged full time in an advanced training
course in the field of dentistry of not less than one academic year’s
duration in an accredited school or residency program in a discipline neither
recognized by the American Dental Association nor accredited by the Commission
on Dental Accreditation may apply for membership as a student member and the
Board of Directors will determine whether to admit the dentist as a student
member. (3) A dentist who was an active member but subsequently becomes a student
member, shall be entitled to have the year or years of such subsequent membership
counted as active membership for the sole purpose of establishing possible
later eligibility for life membership
Section 8 – ASSOCIATE DENTIST MEMBERS – Associate dentist members
shall be those dentists who are legally and ethically practicing their profession
outside the State of Montana and are members in good standing of the American
Dental Association and the appropriate component and constituent societies
of a U.S. state other than the component and constituent societies in Montana.
ARTICLE IV - COMPONENT SOCIETIES
Section 1 - The State of Montana shall be divided into ten component
dental societies as follows:
No. 1 - Lincoln and Flathead Counties and the northern portion of Lake County
in which is located the city of Polson. This district shall also include Glacier
National Park.
No.2 - Sanders, Mineral, Ravalli and Missoula Counties, the northern portion
of Powell County, and the southern portion of Lake County in which is located
the City of Ronan.
No.3 - Silver Bow, Jefferson, Beaverhead, Madison, Granite, Deer Lodge Counties
and the southern portion of Powell County In which is located the City of Deer
Lodge.
No.4 - Glacier, Toole, Pondera, Teton, Choteau and Cascade Counties
No.5 - Lewis & Clark, Meagher and Broadwater Counties.
No.6 - Gallatin, Park and Sweet Grass Counties.
No.7 - Blaine, Hill, Liberty and Phillips Counties.
No.8 - Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland and Golden Valley Counties.
No.9 - Stillwater,Carbon, Musselshell, Yellowstone and Big Horn Counties.
No. 10- Garfield, McCone, Richland, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Prairie, Dawson,
Wibaux, Fallon, Powder River, Carter, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan and Roosevelt
Counties.
Section 2 - The April meeting of each component dental society shall be the
annual meeting of that society at which time the officers shall be elected,
to be installed the following May. The secretary of each component dental society
shall immediately report to the Central Office of the Association the results
of the election.
Section 3 - Each component dental society of this Association shall determine
the eligibility of dentists within its jurisdiction for membership in this
Association and the American Dental Association. All applications for membership
shall be acted upon by the governing body of the component dental society.
Upon election to membership in a component dental society by its governing
body such member shall automatically become a member of this Association and
the American Dental Association and shall maintain membership In good standing
upon payment of dues and assessments, if any, for membership in each association
as determined by the respective governing bodies.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 - The management of this Association shall be vested in a
Board of Directors which shall consist of one representative from each
component dental society who shall serve for a term of three years.
Such representative shall not be eligible for election for more than two consecutive
terms.
Section 2- No member of the Board of Directors shall be represented by proxy.
If a member of the Board of Directors is unable to attend any regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors, the component dental society concerned may
appoint one of its members to serve as its representative at such meeting,
and the secretary of the component dental society concerned or the member of
the Board shall notify the Executive Director of this Association of the name
of the alternate representative. If the duly elected representative of any
component dental society on the Board of Directors or his/her authorized alternate
be absent, that component dental society shall have no representation upon
the Board of Directors at such meeting.
Section 3- Delegates-at-large shall serve as advisory members of the Board
of Directors without the right to vote.
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President/ Alternate Delegate,
who shall serve as chairperson of this committee, the President - Elect/
Alternate Delegate, the Vice- President/ Alternate Delegate, the Secretary-
Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate, and the immediate Past President/Alternate
Delegate.
Delegates-at-large shall serve as advisory members of the Executive Committee
without the right to vote.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
Section 1 - The officers of this Association shall be a President/ Alternate
Delegate, a President Elect/Alternate Delegate, a Vice-President/ Alternate
Delegate, a Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate, and immediate Past
President/Alternate Delegate.
Section 2 - Candidates for these offices must be members who have served a
full three year term as director, or who by their efforts on behalf of the
Association over a like period of time have demonstrated beyond question their
ability to act as an officer and who shall have been an active member of this
Association in the private practice of dentistry in Montana for at least five
years preceding his/her nomination.
ARTICLE VIII - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1 - Officers of this Association shall be elected in the order
named in Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution.
Section 2 - Election of officers of this Association and Delegates/ Alternate
Delegates to the American Dental Association shall be on the floor of the General
Assembly in the annual session meeting. Voting shall be by ballot unless otherwise
provided.
Section 3- Nomination for officers shall be in accordance with Article I, Section
2 of the Bylaws
ARTICLE IX - COUNCIL ON DENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH PLANNING
The Council on Dental Health and Health Planning shall consist of one representative from each component dental society, each of whom shall be appointed for a three-year term by the component dental society. The dentist(s) who are members of the State Board of Health and the Director of the Dental Division of the State Board of Health shall be ex-officio members of this Council. One member of this Council shall be elected by the Council to serve as chairman, one as vice chairman and one as secretary of the council on Dental Health and Health Planning.
ARTICLE X - STANDING COMMITTEES
All Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee,
unless otherwise stated in this Constitution. All committees shall be
rotating committees, unless otherwise stated in this
Constitution. The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee, in consort with the existing members of the committee, unless otherwise
stated in this Constitution.
Section 1 - ETHICS AND PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE - The Ethics and Peer Review Committee
shall consist of six (6) members. The Secretary - Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate
of this Association shall serve as an advisory member without the right to
vote. Two (2) members shall be appointed each year to serve a three-year term.
Section 2 - GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - The Government Affairs Committee
shall consist of six (6) members. The committee members shall consist of the
state MoDePAC Chairperson, the two (2) MDA officers who will serve as MDA Presidents
during their respective legislative years, and three (3) MDA members from the
Helena area. The three members serving from the Helena area will be appointed
on a rotating basis for three-year terms.
Section 3 - DENTAL BENEFITS COMMITTEE - The Dental Benefits Committee shall
consist of five (5) members. Appointment shall be for three-year terms with
a 2-2-1 rotation. The President-Elect Alternate Delegate of this Association
shall serve as an advisory member without the right to vote.
Section 4 - CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE - The Continuing Education Committee
shall consist of five (5) members. Appointment shall be for three-year terms
with a 2-2-1 rotation. The Vice President of this Association shall serve as
an advisory member without the right to vote.
Section 5- CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE - The Constitution & Bylaws
and Nominating
Committee shall consist of the three (3) Immediate Past Presidents of this
Association. The first Immediate Past President shall serve as chairperson
of this committee.
Section 6 - INSURANCE COMMITTEE - The Insurance Committee shall consist of
five (5) members. Appointment shall be for three-year terms with a 2-2-1 rotation.
The Vice-President Alternate Delegate of this Association shall serve as an
advisory member without the right to vote.
Section 7 - ANNUAL SESSIONS COMMITTEE - The Annual Sessions Committee shall
consist of the local arrangements chairpersons of the immediate past annual
session, as well as the current and assigned
future annual sessions, the Executive Director, the CE Committee Chairperson
and the President/Alternate Delegate and President-Elect/ Alternate Delegate
of this Association. The Executive Director will serve as chairperson.
Section 8 -FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE -The Financial Oversight Committee
shall consist of three (3) members. Appointment shall be for three-year terms
with a 1-1-1 rotation. The
Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate of this Association shall serve as
an advisory member without the right to vote.
Section 9- DENTISTRY AWARENESS AND SPOKESPERSON COMMITTEE -The Dentistry Awareness
and Spokesperson Committee shall consist of one representative from each component
dental society. Representatives may be reappointed on termination of their
term of office. The Committee shall elect one member of the committee to serve
as chairperson, one as vice-chairperson and one as secretary at the meeting
held in conjunction with the Montana Dental Association Annual Meeting each
year.
Section 10 - COMMITTEE ON THE NEW DENTIST - The Committee on the New Dentist
shall consist of no more than one new dentist representative from each component
dental society, and one (1) member of the Executive Committee, who shall serve
as an advisory member without the right to vote. Committee members’ term
of office is three years, and a member may serve up to two terms. To serve
on this committee as a representative of a component the member must be a new
dentist at the time of initial appointment. Committee officers include a chairperson
and vice chairperson/secretary. The chairperson is appointed by the Association
president and serves a two-year term. At a meeting held in conjunctionwith
the Association Annual Meeting, the committee shall select one member to serve
as vice-chairperson/secretary for a one-year term.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
All motions to amend this Constitution shall be submitted to the membership in writing at least thirty (30) days before the Annual Meeting, at which time a two-thirds (2/3) favorable vote of those present shall be necessary to adopt; such amendments may be adopted at the session when so offered.
ARTICLE XII - ENACTMENT
The Constitution shall take effect and be in force from and after passage and all constitutions previously in force are hereby revoked.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - DUTIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 -The management of this Association shall be vested
in a Board of Directors and all other duties not otherwise provided for
shall be performed by it.
Section 2 -The Board of Directors shall bring before this Association,
in General Assembly, nominations for the offices of President Elect/
Alternate Delegate, Vice-President/ Alternate Delegate and
Secretary-Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate. Active members of this Association
may make further nominations from the floor of the
General Assembly after the nominations of the Board of Directors have
been placed.
Section 3 -The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place
of each annual meeting.
Section 4 - The Board of Directors shall be the final Court of Appeals.
Section 5 - The President/ Alternate Delegate shall be the Chairperson
of the Board of Directors and shall attend all Board of Directors meetings
with voting privileges as detailed in Article III, Section I. The Secretary-
Treasurer/ Delegate of the Association shall be the secretary
to the Board of Directors throughout his/her term of office. All Board
of Directors meetings shall be attended by the President-Elect/Alternate
Delegate, Vice-President/ Alternate Delegate, Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate
Delegate, Immediate Past President/Alternate Delegate, and the Delegates-at-large;
however, these members shall be without the right of vote.
Section 6 - The Board of Directors shall review and approve the annual
budget of this Association.
Section 7 -The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice each year
and shall determine the time and place of its sessions.
Section 8 - The Board of Directors shall have the power and duty to select
the mode of management and the personnel required to operate the Central
Office.
Section 9 - The Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Executive
Committee shall have the responsibility to establish goals, objectives,
and policies for the Association.
ARTICLE II- DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall act in the capacity of the Board of Directors when that body is not in session, except as otherwise provided. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to appoint all Standing Committees. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to meet prior to the ADA Eleventh District Caucus meeting. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to review the management of the Central Office and review a budget for each calendar year,
ARTICLE III- DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1- No officer shall have the right to vote at the meetings
of the Board of Directors.
Section 2- The PRESIDENT/ALTERNATE DELEGATE shall preside at all meetings
of this Association and of the Board of Directors and shall serve as
Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The President/ Alternate Delegate,
in conjunction with the Secretary, shall certify all official acts of
this Association. The President/Alternate Delegate, in consort with other
members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint all special committees,
and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office.
In addition, the President shall serve as Secretary to the Delegation
during the annual ADA House of Delegates.
Section 3 -In the absence of the President/Alternate Delegate, the PRESIDENT-ELECT/ALTERNATE
DELEGATE shall preside and
shall assume all duties and responsibilities of the President/Alternate
Delegate. The President-Elect/Alternate Delegate shall supervise and
coordinate the activities of all councils and committees of the Association.
Section 4- The VICE PRESIDENT/ALTERNATE DELEGATE, who shall serve as
an assistant to the President/Alternate Delegate and President Elect/Alternate
Delegate, shall assist in the organization of component dental societies
within the State and shall act as a liaison between this Association
and the component dental societies. The Vice President/Alternate Delegate
may visit annually each component dental society upon request and shall
be reimbursed for his/her expenses by the component dental society. The
Vice President/Alternate Delegate shall be the parliamentarian of this
Association.
Section 5- The SECRETARY-TREASURER/ALTERNATE DELEGATE shall oversee the
operation of the Central Office including but not necessarily limited
to the following:
The engagement of all necessary employees, except as otherwise provided
in these Bylaws;
The certification of all official acts of the Association, in conjunction
with the President;
The recording and preparation of reports to be kept in the files of the
Association;
The proper receipt, expenditure, and accounting of all monies of the
Association;
The engagement of a certified public accountant for an annual review
of the accounts of the Association;
The presentation of a detailed financial report to the Board of Directors
at each annual meeting, or when so requested by the President;
The successful transfer of funds, books, papers, minutes, and other Association
properties whenever a change in personnel shall make such transfer necessary;
The responsibility for any Association properties not otherwise mentioned;
and
The proper disposal of receipts, vouchers, and checks over five years
old.
ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF COUNCIL ON DENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH PLANNING
The Council on Dental Health and Health planning shall formulate
plans and recommended policies concerning activities related to dental
health and preventive dentistry. It shall assist component societies,
dental public health and other agencies in dental health affairs in
planning resources and facilities for preventive dentistry and community
health programs and to monitor and evaluate such programs. It shall
also cooperate with other public interest organizations in undertaking
dental health initiatives at the State and local level.
ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1 -Minutes of reports of all committee meetings must
be submitted to the Central Office of the Montana Dental Association
no later than two weeks after meetings.
All reports must be typewritten on standard paper (8 1/2” x 11”)
and are to be kept in the appropriate files of the Association.
Section 2 - Duties of standing committees of the Association shall be
as follows but these Bylaws shall not preclude the possibility of other
duties as assigned by the Executive Committee or Board of Directors:
1 -ETHICS AND PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE. Ethics: The Committee shall receive
all complaints of infractions of the Code of Ethics and make a diligent
canvass of such complaints and any other irregularities of practice,
and report the findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors
for final action. Peer Review: The Committee shall act upon requests
by patients, dentists, or third party carriers on matters within their
function and scope concerning, but not limited to, fees, utilization
and quality of care. It shall be obligatory for a member of this Association
to appear before the Peer Review Committees when summoned to do so, and
to file a report in answer to a complaint when requested. Decisions shall
be binding upon members and failure to comply with their directives shall
be considered a violation of these bylaws, subject to disciplinary proceedings.
2 - GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. The Government Affairs Committee shall
study and develop recommendations on legislation and policy of state
and national governments related to dentistry. The committee shall actively
lobby and organize the membership to effectively support the positions
of the MDA before government legislatures and agencies. It shall be the
responsibility of this Committee to bring legislative issues before the
Board of Directors for policy decisions. This Committee shall report
annually to the General Assembly of this Association any work accomplished
and any legislative measures it deems of benefit to the people of the
State of Montana and to this Association.
3 - DENTAL BENEFITS COMMITTEE. The duties of the Dental Benefits Committee
shall be to formulate and recommend policies relating to the planning,
administration and financing of dental benefits; to study evaluate and
disseminate information on the planning, administration and financing
of these programs; and to assist the component societies and other agencies
of said programs.
4 - CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE. The Continuing Education Committee
shall encourage further scientific study among the members of the Association.
It shall develop and revise, as needed, guidelines for the performance
of its duties. It shall organize and arrange scientific educational programs
for the members statewide, and shall be available, on request, to help
with such organization and arrangement at the component level and for
the Montana Dental Association meetings. It shall monitor the affiliation
with the ADA Continuing Education Registry. It shall monitor establishment
of any continuing dental education approval or credentialing program.
It shall monitor the quality of proposed programs and lectures. It shall
work with appropriate committees to promote and insure quality control
for dental services in Montana.
5 -CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS AND NOMINATING
COMMITTEE. The Constitution & Bylaws and Nominating Committee shall
propose such amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of this Association,
as it deems necessary and desirable. It shall submit its recommendations
for the revision of these instruments to the Board of Directors for consideration
after which they shall be submitted to the General Assembly for adoption
In accordance with Article XI of the Constitution and Article XXIII of
the Bylaws. It shall be the duty of this Committee to present to the
Board of Directors, at its meeting immediately preceding the Annual Session,
a nominee or nominees for each of the elective offices of the Association
and for the positions for Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the American
Dental Association. After consideration by the Directors, these nominees,
or others of the Directors’ selection, shall be referred to the
General Assembly at the Annual Meeting for election.
6 - INSURANCE COMMITTEE. The Insurance Committee shall study all proposals
that this Association sponsor any plan of group life, health and accident
or similar insurance program for the membership upon such proposals to
the Board of Directors. It shall also serve in a liaison capacity with
the underwriters of any insurance program sponsored by the Association
and shall endeavor, when feasible, to improve such insurance.
7 - ANNUAL SESSIONS COMMITTEE. The duty of the Annual Sessions Committee
shall be to meet immediately following the current year’s annual
session or prior to the fall meeting of the Board of Directors for the
purpose of performing an informal critique of the current year’s
annual session, and to offer suggestions for improvement or enhancement
to the annual session scheduled for the following year.
8 - FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. The duties for this committee will
require that meetings be held either in person or by teleconference prior
to the scheduled fall and spring meetings of the Board of Directors,
or as often as it is deemed necessary to allow input of the committee
to the budget process and facilitate a report to the Board of Directors
at its fall and spring meetings. This committee shall review the fiscal
position of the Association to include budget, bookkeeping, investments,
financial solvency both present and future, as well as the overall management
of the Association and its Central Office. It will be the duty of this
committee to furnish a report to the Board of Directors after each meeting
of the committee before the next meeting of the Board.
9 - DENTISTRY AWARENESS AND SPOKESPERSON COMMITTEE. The duties for the
Dentistry Awareness and Spokesperson Committee will require that it shall
formulate plans, provide resources, and coordinate activities to promote
the image of dentistry to dentists, allied health professions and the
general public. It shall work to provide public education and build allies
for the dental profession. The committee will organize and coordinate
state-wide promotions in cooperation with the American Dental Association
national promotions and assist the component societies and individual
members in carrying them out.
10 - COMMITTEE ON THE NEW DENTIST. The duties of the Committee on the
New Dentist shall be to formulate and propose practical and feasible
activities relating to assisting the new dentist in making the transition
to active membership and participation in organized dentistry; to provide
insight into the persepective, trends, needs, interest, and issues of
new dentists in the State of Montana; to assist the component societies
and Association in membership recruitment and retention activities for
new dentists; and identify the needs and concerns of new graduate dentists
and make recommendations for any programs to assist with their transition
to practice. The duties will require that committee meetings be held
twice a year in person or be teleconference. It will be the duty of this
committee to furnish a report to the Board of Directors after each meeting
of the committee before the next meeting of the board.
Section 1 -ALL DUES FOR MEMBERSHIP shall be for the calendar
year. Dues and assessments for all members of a component may be collected
at either the component or the constituent level. If billings and dues
collection is to be done at the component level, arrangements must be
made with the MDA Secretary- Treasurer by written request of the governing
body of said component by October 1 of each year. Current component dues
and assessments, if any, collected by the Montana Dental Association
Central Office shall be returned to the component treasurer each month
with a current list of paid membership. Arrangements for advance payment
of dues may be made with the Montana Dental Association Central Office.
Section 2 -ACTIVE MEMBERS. The annual dues of active members shall be
$395 for the 2002, 2003, and 2004 membership years with $35 per active
member allocated for promotion of direct reimbursement. In the year 2005,
annual dues of active members shall be $360 annually. Two dollars ($2.00)
of each members dues collected by Montana Dental Association shall be
forwarded to the ADA Relief Fund. Members elected to active membership
in this Association for the first time or reinstated after a lapse in
membership of a minimum period of one year and who are elected after
July I shall pay one-half (I/2) the current annual dues; and who are
elected after October I shall pay one quarter (I/4) of the current annual
dues. All dues for active membership shall become payable January I.
An active member whose dues have not been paid by March 31 of the current
year shall cease to be a member of the Association. These members shall
be notified by registered or certified mail by the Executive Director
of the Montana Dental Association apprizing them of their loss of membership
and of Article XVIII of the Montana Dental Association Bylaws, Reinstatement.
Section 3 -STUDENT MEMBERS of the Montana Dental Association as described
in the Montana Dental Association Constitution shall remit $5 annual
dues for membership in the Montana Dental Association. In addition, ASDA
dues must have been paid so that the individual is a member in good standing
with the ASDA. A dentist who accepts classification as a student member
will again commence payment of dues for active membership upon completion
of such program at the next period-in-time levied for dues payment.
Section 4 - NEW GRADUATE MEMBERS of the Association shall not be required
to remit dues to this Association for the balance of the year of their
graduation. During subsequent years their dues shall be reduced by the
same percentage as provided in current ADA policy.
Section 5 - HONORARY MEMBERS shall not be required to remit the usual
dues for membership of this Association.
Section 6 - LIFE MEMBERS of the Montana Dental Association who receive
any monetary income from the practice of dentistry shall be required
to pay one-half (I/2) dues. Non-practicing Life Members pay no dues.
Section 7 -SERVICE MEMBERS. The dues of members of this Association called
to active duty shall be waived. The regular membership dues shall again
become payable January I following their discharge from the military
service.
Section 8 - RETIRED MEMBERS shall not be required to remit the usual
dues for membership in this Association and shall not be eligible to
vote or hold office.
Section 9 – ASSOCIATE DENTIST MEMBERS shall be required to remit
only one quarter (1/4) of the annual active member dues which shall not
include any assessments required of active members. Associate dentist
members are not eligible to vote on the levying of assessments or hold
office.
Section 10 -FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. Upon approval of the Executive Director
and the component president, members who have suffered a significant
financial hardship that prohibits them from payment of their full dues
may be excused from the payment of that percentage of MDA and component
dues allowed by the ADA.
Section I -The Board of Directors, in case of emergency may, by a two- thirds (2/3) majority vote, levy an assessment against the members of this Association. During no calendar year shall the assessment exceed fifty percent (50%) of the annual individual dues for active membership.
Section I -THE FUNDS OF THIS ASSOCIATION shall be kept in a bank designated by the Secretary- Treasurer in the name of the “Montana Dental Association.”
Section I -THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall authorize and approve payment of all claims against this Association not included in the annual budget.
Section 1 -THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS -A majority of the members
of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at a meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 2- GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS -Ten percent (10%) of the general
membership shall constitute a quorum at the general meeting of the Association.
The general membership shall be defined as all active members and new
graduate members of the organization.
Section 1 - Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President/Alternate Delegate or upon the request of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, provided that adequate notice be given to all members of the Board of Directors.
Section 1 -THIS ASSOCIATION shall use one common seal with such device and inscription as may be agreed upon.
ARTICLE XIII -CREDENTIALS TO DELEGATES
Section 1 -DELEGATES AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES shall be elected as per
Article VIII; Section 2 of the Constitution of this Association. Delegates
shall consist of two (2) Delegates-at-large, elected for three (3) year
terms, and Delegates and Alternate Delegates determined as per Article
VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of this Association.
Section 2- THE PRESIDENT/ALTERNATE DELEGATE and the Secretary- Treasurer/
Alternate Delegate shall issue credentials to the elected Delegates.
If the Delegates find it impossible to attend the meeting of the House
of Delegates of the American Dental Association, the President/Alternate
Delegate and the Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate shall issue
credentials to Alternate Delegates. All such credentials shall be signed
by the Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate and shall bear the imprint
of the Official Seal of this Association.
ARTICLE XIV - PRINCIPLES OF JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
The Principles of Judicial Procedure of the Montana Dental Association including disciplinary penalties, disciplinary proceedings appeals and noncompliance shall follow and comply with those of the American Dental Association..
Any member may be suspended by the Board of Directors. Suspension shall require a three fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 1 -THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS may expel, upon petition
by the governing body of the component dental society concerned, any
member of this Association for good and sufficient cause. A three-
fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Board of Directors shall be necessary
for expulsion. Any member of this Association who has been expelled
for cause maybe reinstated upon a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote
of the Board of Directors provided his/her reinstatement is recommended
to the Board of Directors by the governing body of the component dental
society in which such member resides and/or practices.
Section 2 -ALL COMPLAINTS MUST BE SUBMITTED to the Secretary- Treasurer/Alternate
Delegate at least thirty days (30) days prior to the meeting at which
such complaint is to be considered. The Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate
Delegate shall then inform in writing the person so accused so that he/she
may make a defense if he/she so desires.
ARTICLE XVII -LOSS OF RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
Section 1 -NO LICENSED DENTIST who is under sentence of suspension or expulsion from this Association or who is delinquent shall be entitled to any of the rights and privileges of membership in the Association, nor shall be permitted to participate in any of its proceedings until by proper procedure his/her privileges have been restored.
Section 1 -ANY LICENSED DENTIST who has forfeited membership
because of nonpayment of dues shall be eligible for reinstatement upon
filing a new application for membership with the secretary of the component
dental society and may be reinstated as a member of this Association
and the American Dental Association upon election to membership by the
governing body of the component dental society in which the applicant
resides and/or practices and upon payment of dues and assessments, if
any for the current year.
Section 2 -Any licensed dentist suspended by the Board of Directors may
be reinstated by a three-quarter (3/4) majority vote of the Board of
Directors provided his/her reinstatement is recommended to the Board
of Directors by the governing body of the component dental society in
which such member resides and/or practices.
Section 3 -Any member of this Association who has been expelled for cause
may be reinstated upon a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of the Board
of Directors provided his/her reinstatement is recommended to the Board
of Directors by the governing body of the component dental society in
which such member resides and/or practices.
Section 1 -ANY MEMBER not financially in arrears and in good standing may, upon written application to the Secretary- Treasurer/ Alternate Delegate, resign his/her membership in this Association.
ARTICLE XX -ORDER OF BUSINESS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1. Call to order by presiding officer
2. Address of welcome
3. Address by president/Alternate Delegate
4. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
5. Report of the Board of Directors
6. Unfinished business
7. New business
8. Election of and installation of officers
9. Adjournment
ARTICLE XXI -NOMINATIONS TO BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Each component dental society may submit, annually, to the MDA, the name of one or two of its members for nomination for suggested appointment to the Board of Dentistry. Each year the Board of Directors shall annually select no more than three nominees for presentation to the Governor of the State of Montana for his/her consideration for appointment. No component of the MDA shall present the names of nominees other than those selected by the Board of Directors of the MDA to the Governor. No name shall be placed for nomination of a member who has previously served two terms on the Board of Dentistry. Candidates must be members of the Montana Dental Association.
Section 1 -THE PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS of the American Dental Association shall constitute the Code of Ethics of this Association to govern the conduct of its members.
Section 1 -ALL MOTIONS TO AMEND THESE BYLAWS shall be submitted to the membership in writing at least thirty (30) days before the annual meeting, at which time a two-thirds (2/3) favorable vote of those present shall be necessary to adopt; such amendments may be adopted at the session when so offered.
Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure shall govern the deliberations of this Association in all cases in which they are applicable and consistent with these Bylaws.
Each officer, council member, committee member, employee, and other agent of the Association shall be held harmless and indemnified by the Association against all claims and liabilities and all costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees reasonably Incurred or imposed upon him/her in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding, or the settlement or compromise thereof, to which he/she may be made a party by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken by him/her as an officer, council member, committee member, employee, or agent of the Association, in good faith. This right of indemnification shall inure to such person whether or not he/she is an officer, council member, committee member, employee, or agent at the time such liabilities, costs or expenses are imposed or incurred and, in the event of his/her death, shall extend to his/her legal representatives. To the extent available, the Association shall insure against any potential liability hereunder.
Montana Dental Association
P.O. Box 1154
Helena, Montana 59624
E-Mail: mda@mt.net
800-257-4988 (In Montana only)
406-443-2061 (in the Helena area)
Fax: 406-443-1546