Constitution

Section 1: General

The function and influence of the Society depend upon the wisdom with which members are elected. Candidates are selected as nominees for membership of a Chapter as medical students, residents, fellows, faculty, or alumni/alumnae. Individual schools/Chapters shall establish procedures to apply the national criteria for nomination of new members. All members of the Chapter are eligible to vote for nominees at a meeting of members convened for that purpose or by mail. Selection as a nominee shall require a majority vote of those in attendance. Once nominated, election to membership in AΩA will occur when the nominee registers online with the national office and the first year dues have been paid. This does not apply to those elected by the Board as honorary members.

No candidate shall be denied election because of age; race; color; ethnicity; religion; national origin; sex; pregnancy status; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation; physical or mental disability; marital, civil union or domestic partnership status; veteran status; socioeconomic status; or any other characteristic protected by the laws of a state, province, territory, or nation.

AΩA expects an unbiased, inclusive nomination and election process as defined below.

Self-nomination will not be considered for any category of membership.

Section 2: Medical Student Memberships

A.) General guidelines for eligibility and election: Each school will identify students who, based on merit, demonstrate the characteristics of becoming excellent physicians and are aligned with AOA’s mission and values and the school’s determination; these students shall be considered as eligible for nomination for election (see section 2c).

The characteristics of excellent physicianship will be identified by each school; examples include trustworthiness, character, caring, knowledge, scholarship, proficiency in the doctor-patient relationship, leadership, compassion, empathy, altruism, and servant leadership.

From this group, up to twenty (20) percent of the total number of the class expected to graduate may be elected to membership. The Dean or his/her designee will work with the Chapter Councilor to establish a process to identify students expected to graduate and who match the school’s criteria for eligibility. This includes input from appropriate administrative staff who can verify that nominees have no academic or professionalism concerns.

AΩA expects an unbiased, inclusive nomination and election process as defined below.

B.) Timing of election: Each school/Chapter may determine the best timing for their elections. Chapters may choose to nominate all or a portion of their quota of student members at any time during the final year prior to graduation. Up to fifty (50) percent of the total number of students to be elected may be elected in the penultimate year. Chapters are encouraged to save one or two positions in each class of students for seniors to be nominated closer to graduation, in recognition of notable achievements during the final year of undergraduate medical education.

C.) Criteria for eligibility: Each school/Chapter will identify evidence-based methods for determining eligible students based on AOA’s mission and values and the school’s mission and definitions of excellence in physicianship. In addition to academic achievement, schools/Chapters should use measures of research and scholarship, leadership, ethical behavior, professionalism, service to the school and community at-large, and/or other elements determined by the school/Chapter. Each school/Chapter should identify and then weigh these elements in the election process based on their mission and goals.

Each school must maintain the attributes of AΩA – academic achievement, research, education, leadership, humanism, professionalism, service – throughout the election process.

Each school/Chapter must be transparent with this process and shall implement a mechanism for the selected elements and weighting to be made known to all students, e.g., handouts, orientation, website, etc.

Once nominated by a Chapter, students, residents, faculty, and alumni shall not campaign in any way for election to AΩA.

D.) Method of nomination: Members of each Chapter, including students, residents, fellows, and faculty, shall establish procedures to apply the national criteria for nomination of new members for election. Each eligible candidate shall be considered separately. If academic records and/or personnel files of eligible candidates are reviewed in connection with the selection process, the Chapter must contact the Dean’s office to determine if the specific written consent of students is required prior to this review. If so, that must be obtained from eligible students before the election process. Only the Chapter Councilor or the Councilor-designated member(s) should have access to grades or class standing of students. Conflicts arising about choices of students for nomination for election must be resolved within the institution by processes set by the Chapter Councilor and Dean.

E.) Students who have taken part of their medical school education elsewhere will be eligible for nomination for election to the Society after being in attendance for one academic year in the medical school of the nominating Chapter.

F.) Nominated candidates will be declared elected and inducted into the Society only after registration with the national AΩA office is completed and the first year dues have been paid.

Section 3: Resident and Fellow Memberships

Residents and fellows who were elected as medical students to the Society are automatically members of the Chapter of the medical school sponsoring the educational programs in which they are enrolled. In addition, each Chapter may nominate for membership in the Society each year residents or fellows who have completed a first year of residency or fellowship. Their election shall be based on continued academic achievement, leadership, professionalism, service, teaching, research and promise referred to in Article II and Article IV, with special emphasis on commitment and excellence in teaching of medical students. The numbers eligible to be nominated and elected will be related to the size of the medical school class and the number of students eligible to be nominated to membership in AΩA in the school. The minimum will be three residents or fellows. The numbers related to size and the increment will be determined by the Executive Director periodically.

Section 4: Alumni/Alumnae and Faculty Memberships

The provision for nomination by each Chapter of alumni/alumnae members and faculty members each year provides a means of recognizing and honoring individuals who have distinguished themselves in their professional careers. Such election shall be based on continued achievement, leadership, professionalism, service, teaching, research and promise referred to in Article II and Article IV. Inasmuch as the number of individuals eligible for selection in these two categories is limited, Chapters should evaluate carefully the professional and personal stature of nominees.

A.) Alumni/Alumnae: Graduates of medical schools in which a Chapter exists, who were not elected as students, residents, or fellows, but who, after ten years or more following graduation are judged on the basis of academic and professional achievement, leadership, professionalism, service, teaching, research and promise referred to in Article II and Article IV to be qualified, may be nominated for membership in the Chapter of the medical school from which they graduated.

B.) Faculty: Members of the sponsoring school’s Faculty of Medicine who hold an earned doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) and have demonstrated continued academic and professional achievement, leadership, professionalism, service, teaching, research and promise referred to in Article II and Article IV, and a commitment to scholarly excellence and medical education may be nominated for membership in the Chapter of that school.

The numbers eligible to be nominated and elected in each category will be related to the size of the medical school class and the number of students eligible to be nominated to membership in AΩA in the school. The minimum in each category will be two faculty and two alumni. The numbers related to size and the increment in these categories will be determined by the Executive Director periodically.

Section 5: Honorary Membership

The Board of Directors may elect physicians or others distinguished in careers related to medicine to honorary membership. Eligible are those who have attained national or international recognition in teaching, research, or in leadership roles that are relevant to medicine, and who are not eligible for election through other means. Election shall be by unanimous vote.

Section 6: Membership Transfer and Reciprocity of Membership

Members of the Society may join the activities of the Chapter nearest to the location of their continued professional activity by contacting the Councilor of that Chapter.

Members not residing near a Chapter may become affiliated with an Association or help in the founding of an Association (Section 7).

Section 7: Associations of Alpha Omega Alpha

Groups of ten or more society members may, with the approval of the Board of Directors, form an Association of Alpha Omega Alpha in medical schools, cities, or districts where a chartered Chapter does not exist. The function of these Associations will be to foster intellectual and social exchange among AΩA members forming the Associations. The Association may not nominate for election student members, but may nominate resident, fellow, faculty, and alumni members in accordance with Article IV, sections 3 and 4. Associations are formed and disbanded at the pleasure of the President of AΩA. Members desiring to form an Association may request a membership listing in a given area. The national office of AΩA should then be petitioned by providing a list of ten or more dues-paying members with e-mail and business addresses, and a brief statement of plans for activities. They should elect officers who will submit a yearly summary of activities and members to the Executive Director of AΩA.

Section 8: Membership Revocation

The Board of Directors may, at its discretion and by unanimous vote, revoke the membership of any member for proven behavior that is in conflict with the national criteria for election, or that is inconsistent with the mission, goals, and purposes of AΩA as outlined in Articles I and II, Section 2.