We, the Alumni of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, appreciating the opportunity to have received our training from the USC School of Medicine and/or its associated residency training programs, find it important for ourselves and those who will come after us, to maintain, nourish, and sustain the USC School of Medicine and its alumni. Mindful of our responsibilities and opportunities as former students and current friends of the School, the University, and affiliated hospital programs, we do hereby constitute ourselves as the USC School of Medicine Alumni Association. The organization and operation of the Association, consistent with the governance of the School of Medicine, will be advisory to the Dean. This Association, as with other associations of particular affinity, is authorized to be linked directly with the Greater University of South Carolina Alumni Association.

This Association is intended to bond the alumni of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine into a permanent and active organization to accomplish the following purposes:

1. To establish a network of relationships to promote the general welfare and development of the USC School of Medicine, its affiliates, and its alumni;
2. To advance the cause of medical education and training in South Carolina in concert with the USC School of Medicine’s mission and goals;
3. To promote the comprehensive educational and health affairs interests of the University of South Carolina and its affiliates for the benefit of the citizens it serves;
4. To encourage alumni participation in professional, social, and developmental aspects of the School of Medicine, University, and its affiliates;
5. To provide a group of role models for students in the School of Medicine through participation and attendance in Medical Student Association/School of Medicine functions.

Section 1 – Eligibility: Eligibility for active membership will be as outlined below and will be maintained by annual renewal:

1. Individuals who have completed the regularly prescribed course leading to the M.D. degree, Ph.D. degree, or Master’s degree at the USC School of Medicine;
2. Physicians who have completed postgraduate training in an approved residency or fellowship program jointly sponsored by the USC School of Medicine;
3. Individuals who have completed other approved postgraduate programs offered by the USC School of Medicine.

Section 2 – Honorary membership: Honorary membership is reserved for physicians, health care professionals, or other individuals who demonstrate outstanding service to the Association or the School of Medicine as benefactors or participants in its activities. The Board of Directors of the Association will approve persons for honorary membership.

Section 3 – Activities: All members of the Association will be eligible to participate in activities of the Association.

As requested by the University, separate dues will not be assessed for membership; however, members will be encouraged annually to participate in the School of Medicine Annual Fund.

Section 1 – Composition: The Association will be governed by a Board of Directors comprised of twenty-nine voting members and twelve non-voting members. Membership will be from the alumni of the School of Medicine who have completed an M.D. degree, Ph.D. degree, Master’s degree, or an appropriate post doctoral program at the USC School of Medicine or other standing as detailed above.

Officers of the Association will be members of this Board of Directors and will be elected by the general membership. The officers will serve as the Association’s Executive Committee and will have assigned special responsibilities as noted below:

President

President Elect – Alumni Membership/Fundraising

Secretary – Student/Alumni Relations

Treasurer – Continuing Medical Education Programs/Community Relations

Immediate Past President – Honors, Awards, and Nominations Process

Officers will serve a term of two years and shall not be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. The term will begin at the School of Medicine general membership meeting held in conjunction with the annual fall meeting. If the President cannot complete an elected term, the President Elect will succeed to the office for the remainder of the term. If an officer other than the President cannot complete an elected term, the Executive Committee will appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.

Officers may be removed for cause by a vote of two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors present at an appropriately announced Board meeting.

The membership of the Board of Directors will include the following, each of whom will serve a term of three years and shall not be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. After one year of non-membership, eligibility can be reinstated.

1. Twelve graduates of the School of Medicine as defined in Article III –

Section 1, A, will serve as at-large members. These members will include ten from the MD program, one from the PhD program, and one from the Master’s program. These members shall be nominated by a seven-member Nominating Committee as defined in Article VI, B, 6. The nominations should take into account year of graduation, specialty or program, previous professional association participation, and interest in serving. These members at-large will subsequently be elected by the general membership at the annual fall meeting from the nominations submitted. The elected individuals will become members of the Board subject to the approval of the Dean of the School of Medicine. Initially, this group of directors will be structured as follows:

1. Four (4) One Year Term Directors
2. Four (4) Two Year Term Directors
3. Four (4) Three Year Term Directors

1. Eleven graduates of the jointly sponsored residency/fellowship programs will serve on the Board of Directors. These members shall be recommended by each respective Department Chair in conjunction with the affiliated hospital Association Dean and appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine. One representative will be recommended by the Department Chairs unless the department has more than one training program, in which case two will be recommended.

1. Family and Preventive Medicine(2)
2. Internal Medicine(2)
3. Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science(2)
4. Obstetrics/Gynecology
5. Ophthalmology
6. Orthopaedic Surgery
7. Pediatrics
8. Surgery

Members serving by virtue of their office are:

1. A representative from the current residency/fellowship trainees: President of the Residency Council or his/her designee with appointment by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
2. A representative of the current medical students of the School of Medicine: the President of the Medical Student Association or his/her designee with appointment by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
3. A representative of the current graduate students of the School of Medicine: the Representative of the School of Medicine Graduate Program or his/her designee with appointment by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
4. A representative of the current graduate students of the School of Medicine: the President of the Medical Graduate Student Association or his/her designee with appointment by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
5. A representative of the current medical students of the School of Medicine: the President of the fourth year class or his/her designee with appointment by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
6. The Immediate Past President of the USC SOM Alumni Association or his/her designee with appointment by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
7. A non-voting representative of the School: the Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs or his/her designee.
8. A non-voting representative of the School: School of Medicine Alumni/Development Coordinator.
9. A non-voting representative of the School: School of Medicine Director of Development and Public Affairs.
10. A non-voting representative of the School: School of Medicine Director of Information Services.
11. Non-voting representatives of the School: A representative each of the Basic Science and Clinical Science faculty recommended by the Faculty Representation Committee and appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine. These two individuals will constitute the Faculty Alumni Liaison Officers and will be the major advisors on alumni affairs representing the Dean and faculty. They will make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning policies, programs and activities, and any other appropriate business that it cares to initiate. They will be advisory to the staff of the alumni office. The Faculty Alumni Liaison Officers shall be the day-to-day advisors to the School of Medicine Alumni Affairs Coordinator. Length of term will be designated by the Faculty Representation Committee.
12. A non-voting representative of the School: A USC SOM faculty member representative of the Greenville Hospital System recommended by the GHS Associate Dean and appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine. Length of term will be designated by the Associate Dean.
13. A non-voting representative of the School: A representative of the School of Medicine staff, usually from the offices of Medical Education and Academic Affairs, recommended by the Associate Dean for Medical Education and Academic Affairs and appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine. Length of term will be designated by the Associate Dean.
14. Non-voting representatives of the current graduate students of the School: A representative each of the four USC SOM graduate programs recommended by the Director of each program and appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine.

Section 2 – Charge: The following is the charge to the Board of Directors and Officers in establishing and continuing the practices and operations of this Association. In governing of the Association, the Board of Directors will be vested with all powers in accordance with the constitution and bylaws subject to the approval of the Dean of the School of Medicine, to wit: The Board of Directors of the Association will manage the affairs of the organization and carry out the mission of the Association. The Board of Directors will establish policies with regard to the operation of the Association. The Board of Directors will review and approve changes in the programs of the Association consistent with its mission. Activities of the Board of Directors and/or the committees when related to School of Medicine programs should be conducted in concert with the appropriate School of Medicine program and faculty/staff. The Officers, Board of Directors, and general membership will be assisted in these responsibilities by the School of Medicine staff listed in Article V, Section 1 – J, K, and L.

1. The President’s role is the traditional leader of the organization. The President or his/her designee will serve on the USC School of Medicine Partnership Board. This person will also serve as the primary advocate for the Association.
2. The Vice President will chair the Alumni Membership/Fundraising Committee and provide primary leadership of the alumni membership and annual fund raising efforts assisted by a committee.
3. The Secretary will chair the Student/Alumni Relations Committee which will be responsible for student relations (i.e., mentoring, student recruitment, transition from medical student to alumni association status). The Secretary will also have traditional roles and duties facilitated by staff in cooperation with administration representatives and other School/University resources.
4. The Treasurer will chair the CME Programs/Community Relations Committee which will be responsible for CME programs, Community Relations (i.e., Public Education Programs, Free Medical Clinic). The Treasurer will also have traditional roles and duties facilitated by staff in cooperation with administration representatives and other School/University resources.
5. The Immediate Past President will chair the Honors and Awards Committee and will provide leadership of the Association’s honors and awards. Responsibilities include recognition of individuals recommended to the Association for honors and oversight of the Association’s awards program.
6. The Immediate Past President will chair the Nominations Committee. Responsibilities include leadership of the Association’s nominations processes and leadership in the selection of directors and the slate of officers.

Section 3 – Meetings: The Board of Directors should meet twice a year. One of these meetings should be in conjunction with the general membership annual meeting and one should be a Board meeting in the spring.

Section 4 – Voting: Ten members of the Board of Directors will constitute a quorum for conducting business. In all activities of the Association, unless otherwise provided by this Constitution and By-Laws, decisions will be determined by a majority vote of Board of Directors present at announced meetings. All decisions are subject to the approval of the Dean of the School of Medicine.

1. The standing committees of the Board of Directors will consist of the Executive; Alumni Membership/Fundraising; Student/Alumni Relations; CME Programs/Community Relations; Honors and Awards; and Nominations committees.
2. The President may create or abolish any committees necessary for the business of the Board of Directors and the President appoints the members of the committees. The President will chair the Executive Committee and will be an ex-officio member of all committees. The standing committees of the Board of Directors will have the following responsibilities:

1. Each committee will conduct activities as designated by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will periodically determine the need for revision of the Constitution and By-Laws.
2. The Alumni Membership/Fundraising Committee is tasked with developing alumni involvement in planned programs and recruiting volunteers. It will also develop and participate in activities to raise financial support for the School of Medicine.
3. The Student/Alumni Relations Committee will actively seek to involve members of the Association and future alumni through the development of alumni activities and special events.
4. The CME Programs/Community Relations Committee will plan CME programs for alumni and strive to raise public awareness of the School of Medicine and develop a positive relationship between the School of Medicine and communities across the state.
5. The Honors and Awards Committee will collect nominations for honors and awards and present them to the Executive Committee for consideration.
6. The Nominations Committee will present a slate of officers and directors to the Board at the spring meeting. The Board will present this slate to the general membership at the fall meeting. The general membership may also submit nominations. Election of officers and directors to the board by the general membership will take place at the fall meeting. The Nominations Committee will be comprised of the following:

ARTICLE VII – General Provisions

1. Parliamentary procedure for conducting all business of the Association will follow the latest edition of Roberts’ Rules of Order.
2. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors present at an announced meeting, subject to the approval of the Dean of the School of Medicine.
3. Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution and By-Laws, votes taken by the general membership will be determined by a majority vote of the members present at announced meetings.
4. The Association will be supported financially by contributions from its members and with additional funding from the School of Medicine as practical.
5. Funds donated to the School of Medicine Alumni Association will be deposited with the USC Educational Foundation, designated for use by the Association, and administered in accordance with School and Foundation policies and procedures.
6. Records on all donors will be maintained by the School and University Development Offices and the Educational Foundation.
7. The Association will operate on a fiscal year that begins on July 1 and ends the following June 30.