Constitution

Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this association shall be:

• a. To facilitate Christian fellowship among professionals in medicine, psychology and religion;
• b. To facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue among helping professionals;
• c. To work towards an understanding of the whole person, integrating the basic assumptions of medicine, psychology and religion and the Orthodox Christian faith;
• d. To assist in the education of one another and the community concerning interdisciplinary studies and the Orthodox faith; and
• e. To serve the community in matters concerning the whole person from an Orthodox Christain and interdisciplinary perspective.

Article III. Membership

• a. Membership in the association will be open to Orthodox Christian professionals in and allied to medicine, psychology and religion who meet the qualifications for membership in the profession of their discipline.
• b. A member of the association in good standing shall be entitled to all privileges of memberhip, including voting, holding office and mailings.
• c. Members in good standing will pay an annual membership fee to be determined by a simple majority vote during a national conference. Members will be informed of such votes at least two months in advance of the conference and absentee votes will be accepted.
• d. Applicants who do not qualify as members, as described above, will be considered for membership as Associate Members. Such members shall not vote or hold office except in the position as associate division chairperson.
• e. Applicants for membership shall be made in writing.
  • 1. A member will automatically be removed from membership if dues are not paid for two consecutive years.
  • 2. A member will be removed from membership upon the recommendation of at least two members in good standing and by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing.

Article IV. Executive Board

• The officers of the organization shall consist of: a president, a vice-president, a secretary-treasurer, and four division chairpersons (medicine, psychology, religion, and associate members), and the district coordinators.
• The duties of the president shall be to preside at the business meetings of the organizations and to appoint committees as appropriate.
• The duties of the vice-president shall be to perform any or all duties in case of the absence of the president. The vice-president will be the chairperson of the membership committee.
• The duties of the secretary-treasurer shall be to keep records of all business meetings and programs of the organization and to maintain records and files of the organization. He or she will also disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board.
• The four division chairpersons shall be responsible for overseeing the particular needs of their respective groups and representing such interests to the Executive Board.
• The district coordinators will serve as chairpersons of the organization in their respective areas. They are responsible for coordinating the activities of their districts and reporting to the Executive Board.
• The officers will be elected by a simple majority vote of at least twenty percent of the members in good standing at an annual meeting. The ditrict coordinators will be elected by the same process by the district members.
• The tenure for officers shall be two years.

Article V. Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is initiated by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board for a five-year term to advise and to be available for consultation about activities of the organization. Candidates for the Advisory Board shall be respected leaders and consultants in various fields of expertise.

Article VI. Amendments

• a. This constitution may be amended at an annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of at least twenty percent of the members in good standing.
• b. Amendments may be proposed by any member of the OCAMPR.