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NHSMA Mission Statement: 

"The NHSMA is committed to the promotion and advancement of the Medical Assistant profession within the state of New Hampshire by way of advocacy, inclusion, and education."

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NHSMA SCOPE OF PRACTICE 

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Bylaws

 

 

 

 2017

 

 

 

New Hampshire State Society of Medical Assistants

 
 
 
NHSMA
 

The New Hampshire State Society of Medical Assistants

 
 

An Affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants

 
Bylaws
 

 
 
 
 
Article I - NAME
 
The name of this organization shall be the New Hampshire State Society of Medical
Assistants, hereafter referred to as the NHSMA.  It is a constituent society affiliated with
the American Association of Medical Assistants, Inc., hereafter known as AAMA.
 
 
Article II - PURPOSE
 
The purpose of NHSMA is to enable medical assisting professionals to enhance and
demonstrate the knowledge, skills and professionalism required by employers and patients,
protect the medical assistants right to practice, and promote effective, efficient health care
delivery through optimal use of multiskilled CMAs (AAMA).
 
 
Article III - ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY
 
The NHSMA is hereby declared to be nonprofit.  It is not, nor shall it ever become, a trade
union of collective bargaining agency.  No person otherwise qualified for membership in
the Society will be denied membership. No person who attends or participates in the

activities of organizations who purpose is to overthrow the Government of the United
States by force or violence may become a member of this Society.
 
 
Article IV - CONSTITUENT SOCIETIES
 
Section 1 -             Constituent society bylaws must be in strict conformity with the
mandated sections of the AAMA Bylaws: Name and Affiliation, Purpose, Membership,
Dues, Reciprocity of Membership, Delegates/Alternates representation to the House of
Delegates, Dissolution.   
 
Section 2 -             It will be the responsibility of the AAMA to notify constituent societies to
make mandated changes.  Copies of revised bylaws will be returned to AAMA within 30
days of notification.
 
Section 3 -             Any action taken by a state society that is inconsistent with such
mandated language shall immediately be null and void and of no effect.
 
Section 4 -             In the event of dissolution of Constituent Societies, a financial reporting
of finances shall be due in the AAMA Headquarters no later than ninety (90) days after
said state is dissolved. 
 
 
Article V - COMPONENT CHAPTERS
 
Section 1 -             Component (local) chapters are those county or district chapters of
medical assistants contained with the geographic limits of that Constituent society.
 
Section 2 -             A component (local) chapter shall become a member of the NHSMA by
applying for membership to the President of the Society.
 
Section 3 -            The component chapter will be notified after the NHSMA has approved
their affiliation.
 
Section 4 -             Component (Local) Chapters are those county or district chapters of
medical assistants within the geographic limits of a Constituent Society. The Component
Chapters shall be under the jurisdiction of that Constituent Society.
 
 
 
 
 
Article VI - MEMBERSHIP 
 
 

These definitions cannot be changed since they are mandated by AAMA Bylaws.  However,
Society, Honorary and Life Membership are optional and only pertain to the Society level
membership.
 
 
Section 1-              There shall be eight classes of membership.  Active, Life, Sustaining,
Associate, Student, Honorary, Affiliate and Member-at large.   Membership in a
component (local) chapter, constituent (state) and AAMA shall be required for all classes
except Life and Honorary, unless there is no component chapter in the area.  No other
membership or quasi-membership classes shall be permitted by the New Hampshire
Society or the component chapter.
All rights and privileges of membership in this Society shall be given to Active and Life
members.
 
 
Section 2 - Qualifications -
 
1. Active -     An Active member shall be one of the following:
 
 
1.       A CMA (AAMA) holding current credential status whose CMA (AAMA) credential
has not been revoked as provided by the AAMA Certifying Board Disciplinary Standards
and Procedures for the CMAs (AAMA). (see www.aama-ntl.org)
 
2.  Anyone who was an Active member on December 31, 1987, and who maintains
continuous active membership.  Continuous active membership shall be defined as having
dues postmarked or submitted electronically to the Executive Office by December 31. (The
controlling time is that of the sending, not that of receiving).
 
1. Life -      A Life member of the NHSMA shall be an Active member who has had life
membership conferred by NHSMA for having made an outstanding contribution
to the society.  Any member of a component chapter may submit to the General
Assembly, for its consideration, the name of a candidate for life membership
provided that the individual’s name and statement outlining the contribution be
submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting.  Conferral of Life
membership shall require a two-thirds vote by ballot.  There shall be no more than
one Life membership conferred in one year.  A Life member shall not pay state
dues but shall pay national and Chapter dues unless life membership has been
conferred at these levels.  A Life member shall continue to enjoy all of the rights
and privileges of active membership.
 
1. Sustaining -         Anyone who has been an Active member for at least two (2) years,
who has retired from medical assisting is eligible for sustaining membership.  This
membership shall be forfeited if not renewed annually.  Such a member shall pay
one-half dues, shall not vote, hold office, chair a committee or serve as a delegate.
 

1. Associate --           An Associate member shall be a medical assistant who is not yet a
CMA (AAMA) and who does not fall under any other category.
 
E.    Student --             Student member 
      1.    Shall be enrolled in a medical assisting program.
      2.    May choose a two-year student membership term or a one-year student
membership term.
              a.    After a two-year student membership term, the member is then eligible only
for either associate membership or active membership (if the member meets the active
membership requirements).
b.     After a one-year student membership term, the member is eligible for a second year of
student membership as long as the member renews during the member’s one-year student
membership term. After the second-year of student membership, the member is then
eligible only for either associate membership or active membership (if the member meets
the active membership requirements).
c.      No member is eligible for more than a total of two consecutive years of student
membership.
 
F.       Honorary - An Honorary member shall be one who is not eligible for Active
membership but has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical
assisting and/or the Association.  Honorary membership is conferred by two-thirds vote of
the Board of Trustees.  No more than two Honorary memberships may be conferred in any
year. 
Nominations with supporting documentation shall be submitted to the Board by a
constituent Society or a member of the Board of Trustees.  This documentation must be
received by the Executive Office no later than June 1.
 
G.      Affiliate -  An affiliate member shall be one who is not eligible for another category of
membership but who is interested in the profession of medical assisting.
H.      Member-at-Large -  Member-at-large is one who meets all the qualifications of
Active, Life, Sustaining, Associate, Student, Honorary and Affiliate except that a
component chapter does not exist in the area of residence.  Such a member shall pay only
state and national dues.
 
 
 
Section 3 - Privileges
 
A.         Only NHSMA Active or Life members who are CMAs (AAMA) holding current
status (defined as submitting dues to AAMA Executive Office post marked or submitted
electronically by December 31. The controlling time is that of the sending, not receiving)
may be candidates for NHSMA President and Vice President (President Elect).
 
B.     Sustaining members shall not vote, hold office, or chair a committee within NHSMA.
 

C.     Associate members are eligible to serve as State officers (excepting President or
President Elect as above), chair a committee, and have a vote at the NHSMA Annual
Meetings.
 
D.     Student members may vote at NHSMA and serve on committees.  They may not serve
as NHSMA officers
 
E.      Affiliate members may not vote, hold office or chair a NHSMA committee.
 
F.      To be a delegate of the House of Delegates of AAMA, one must be an AAMA Active
or Life member.
holding current status.
 
Section 4 - Reciprocity of Membership -
 
Constituent societies and component chapters shall offer reciprocity to members
transferring from another state.  The transferring member shall present proof of current
AAMA membership status.
 
 
Section 5 - Revocation -
Any member who has had their CMA (AAMA) credential revoked by the Certifying Board
as provided by the AAMA Certifying Board Disciplinary Standards and Procedures for
CMA (AAMA) (see www.aama-ntl.org), will immediately lose their membership and all
privileged attached thereto and shall not be allowed reinstatement, unless the revocation of
the credential is rescinded by the Certifying Board.  No refund of any dues amount paid
will be made.
 
 
Article VII - DUES
 
Annual dues for all classes of membership shall be established by the House of Delegates
upon recommendation by the Board of Trustees.  State dues shall be set by vote of the
membership attending either a Regular meeting or the Annual meeting upon
recommendation of the Executive Board of the NHSMA.
 
Section 1 -             Dues shall become due and payable on November 1st and shall be
delinquent if not postmarked or submitted electronically to the AAMA Executive Office by
December 31st  (the controlling time is that of the sending, not of receiving). Dues will be
billed by and remitted directly to the Executive Office of AAMA.
 
A.           Full dues will be assessed for active, associate and affiliate members.         Dues for
a new member joining on or after September 1st shall be credited to the following year
B.     One-half dues will be assessed for sustaining members
C.    Dues will be assessed for student members at the national level.  No dues will be
assessed at the state level for student members

D.    Life and Honorary membership conferred at the national level are not assessed
National dues
 
Section 2 -       To serve and continue to serve as a [AAMA] Delegate, an Alternate, an
Officer, or a Trustee, a member’s dues shall be postmarked or submitted electronically to
the AAMA Executive Office by December 31 for each year of office (the controlling time is
that of sending, not that of receiving).
 
Section 3 -       Membership belongs to the individual and shall be nontransferable.
 
 
Article VIII OFFICERS
 
Section 1-              The officers of the NHSMA shall be President, VP (President Elect),
Secretary and Treasurer.
 
Section 2 -             The term of office for each elected officer shall be for one (1) year or
until their successors are elected.   There is no limit on number of consecutive terms in any
one office.
 
Section 3 - Duties of officers
 
A.      The President shall preside at all meetings; shall appoint all standing and special
committees with the approval of the officers.  If at all possible, the President should attend
the National AAMA Convention, attend presidential functions as well as be an AAMA
delegate.
 
B.      The Vice-President (President Elect) shall assist the President as requested during the
year.  In the absence of the President, the VP shall assume the duties of the President.  At
the end of his/her term, the VP shall assume the office of President following installation.
 
C.      The Treasurer shall be responsible for the monies and financial records of the
NHSMA and shall pay all authorized obligations.  The Treasurer must be able to be
bonded.
 
D.      The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of all NHSMA Executive Board
meetings, regular and special.
 
 
 
 
Article IX - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
 
Section 1 -             No member may run for an elected office if dues are not considered
current by the Executive Office of the AAMA.
 

Section 2 -             The VP (President Elect) shall be responsible for setting up a slate of
officers from those candidates submitted to her/him 10 (ten) days prior to the Annual
Meeting by the Election Committee. 
 
Section 3 -             In order to be nominated for election as NHSMA President or VP
(President Elect), he/she must be an Active or Life Member of the AAMA and member of
NHSMA.  He/ she must have served as an Elected Board Member or on state committee for
two years prior to nomination.
 
Section 4 -             In order to be nominated for election as NHSMA Secretary or Treasurer,
he/she must be an Active, Life or Associate member of the AAMA and member of
NHSMA.
 
Section 5 --            Nominations for office may be made to the VP (President Elect) from the
floor on the day of elections.  The nominee must present documentation that he/she is an
eligible member for the office he/she is seeking, provide proof he/she is in good standing,
has a current professional resume to be provided to all voting members at the conference,
and has signed a statement of intent to uphold NHSMA and AAMA standards
 
Section 6 -             Election of officers shall be held during the Annual Spring Meeting. 
Each present eligible member shall vote by written ballot at the Annual Meeting on those
officers so nominated and presented to them by the VP (President Elect).  If there is only a
single slate of nominees, vote may be taken by raise of hands.
 
Section 7 -             Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the total voting power
present at the annual NHSMA meeting.  If a single candidate does not receive a majority
vote after two ballots, the candidate with the least number of votes is removed and a revote
occurs.  This process would continue until such time that a single candidate receives a
majority vote.
 
 
 
Article IX - PHYSICIAN LIAISON BOARD
 
The Liaison Board shall consist of a minimum of one doctor appointed by the Executive
Committee at the Annual Meeting.  They are to serve a one (1) year term and may be re-
appointed. 
 
 
Article X - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
Executive committee shall consist of President, VP (President Elect), Secretary, Treasurer,
Past President, and Committee Chairpersons.
 
 
Article XI - MEETINGS

 
Section 1 - There shall be at least one meeting per year.
 
Section 2 - There shall be specially called Executive Board Meetings as deemed necessary
for the continuance of the NHSMA.
 
 
 
Article XII - DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES TO AAMA ANNUAL BUSINESS
MEETING
 
Representation of this Society in the AAMA House of Delegates shall be in accordance with
the Bylaws of AAMA (Article XV Section 2C 1-4 as follows:
 
A.       [AAMA] Delegates and Alternates shall be Active or AAMA National Life members
whose membership has not been revoked, as delineated in Article VI.
 
B.     The names of the Delegates and Alternates shall be submitted to the Executive Office
at least ninety (90) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates.
 
C.     The number of delegates shall be determined by the constituent society's total Active
and Associate membership of the membership year prior to the date on which names of
delegates and alternates shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House.
 
D.     AAMA Delegates and alternates shall be elected at the Annual meeting of NHSMA. 
They must be in good standing in AAMA and be either an Active or Life member.
E. AAMA Delegates and Alternates shall be elected to serve from the opening of the
House of Delegates for the year elected until the next convening of the House of Delegates.
 
 
Article XIII - COMMITTEES
 
Section 1 - The Committees of the NHSMA shall be Membership, Program, Public
Relations, Bylaws, Ways and Means, and Newsletter, but not limited by such.  These
Committee Chairmen will serve on the Executive Board along with officers of NHSMA. 
 
A.      The Membership and Marketing Committee shall work toward maintaining and
increasing the membership of the NHSMA.
 
B.      The Program Committee shall obtain AAMA CEU approved speakers as determined
by the Executive Board.
 

C.      The Public Relations Committee will promote good will about the NHSMA through
association of the media and publicize any and all meetings of the NHSMA.
 
D.      The Bylaws Committee will be responsible for the writing and bylaw changes as well
as interpreting the bylaws as currently written.
 
E.       The Newsletter Committee will be responsible for writing and sending newsletters
periodically.
 
F.       The Ways and Means Committee shall be responsible for fund raising for NHSMA.
 
G.      The Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and will review
the treasury as necessary.
 
 
 
Article XV - AMENDMENTS
 
These NHSMA bylaws may be amended with a minimal 30-day written notice to members
and may be voted on by attending members at Regular or Annual meetings.
 
 
Article XVI - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
 
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, most current edition,
shall govern NHSMA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with the Bylaws of NHSMA.
 
 
Article XVII - DISSOLUTION
 
Section 1 -             In the event of dissolution of NHSMA, the assets shall not be distributed
to any member, but shall be transferred to the Maxine Williams Scholarship Fund of the
AAMA.
 
Section 2 -             Notification shall be sent to the AAMA Executive Office by the state
president no later than ten (10) days after meeting for the purpose of voting on dissolution.
CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Code of Ethics of the AAMA and the NHSMA shall set forth principles of ethical and
moral conduct as they relate to the medical profession and the practice of medical
assisting. 
 
Members of the AAMA and NHSMA dedicated to the conscientious pursuit of their
profession, and desiring to merit the high regard of the entire medical profession and the
respect of the general public which they serve, do pledge themselves to strive always to:

 
A.      Render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity;
 
B.      Respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally
authorized through employment or required by responsible performance of duty to divulge
such information;
 
C.      Uphold the honor and high principles of the profession and accept its disciplines;
 
D.      Seek to continually improve the knowledge and skills of medical assistants for the
benefit of patients and professional colleagues; Render service with full respect for the
dignity of humanity;
 
E.       Participate in additional service activities aimed toward improving the health and
well being of the community.
 
 
 
CREED:
 
I believe in the principles and purposes of the profession of medical assisting.
 
I endeavor to be more effective.
 
I aspire to render greater service.
 
I protect the confidence entrusted to me.
 
I am dedicated to the care and well being of all patients.
 
I am loyal to my physician employer.
 
I am true to the ethics of my profession.
 
I am strengthened by compassion, courage and faith.
 
 

NHSMA approved April 1, 2006)
Updated 6/16/05 per AAMA
Updated 2/25/08 per AAMA
Updated 6/22/13 per AAMA
Updated 4/12/14 NHSMA approved
Updated 11/17/2017 per AAMA
Updated 09/24/2018 per AAMA 
Updated 8/5/2022 per AAMA
Click here for info on Robert's Rules of Order
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