<strong>Heart Transplant, Heart Transplant Association</strong>

BY-LAWS

Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta Heart Transplant Association

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta Heart Transplant Association.

Article 2 - Purpose

A. Purpose and Responsibility of this Chapter.

The organization shall promote and support within the territory covered by this organization and in accordance with the articles, by-laws and policies herein, heart transplantation, organ donation and support for transplant recipients.

B. Philosophy and Goals

1. To provide emotional support to the recipient and his or her family in coping with issues related to transplantation.
2. To assist the professional staff in communicating with patients, family and friends who are facing transplantation, both those waiting and newly transplanted.
3. To promote organ donation awareness in our community.
4. To provide continuing education to members on new information in the field of transplantation as well as other information of interest to transplant recipients.
5. To co-operate with existing organizations in promoting the acceptance of heart transplantation and organ donation awareness.

Article 3- Membership

Membership shall consist of those persons who have received a heart transplant, their family and friends. Membership is open to those professionals interested in transplantation and the staff of the Saint Josephs Hospital of Atlanta transplant team.

Article 4 - Dues

There shall not be any membership dues.

Article 5 - Officers and Directors

1. The officials of this organization shall be president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and twelve directors.
2. Officers and directors shall be elected for a term of one year by the members.
3. Duties:

The President shall:
a. Preside at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Board.
b. Prepare a monthly article for publication in Change of Heart when requested by editor.
c. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees.
d. Participate in the appointment of all committee members.
e. Direct and coordinate the business and activities of the Association.

The President-elect shall:

a. Assume the duties of president in the president’s absence.
b. Assist the president in the appointment of committee members.
c. Plan programs related to the purposes goals and objectives of this Association.
d. Succeed to the office of president in case of a vacancy.
e. Succeed to the office of president at the end of the president’s term.
f. Serve on the Executive Board.

The Secretary shall:

a. Record minutes of the regular and Executive Board meetings.
b. Preserve all important documents.
c. Assist with preparation and distribution of correspondence for the Association.
d. Serve on the Executive Board.

The Treasurer shall:

a. Account for all financial transactions and maintain records in a professional manner.
b. Prepare a financial report for each Executive Board meeting and a year-end statement for presentation at the first Association meeting held after the end of the year.
c. Serve on the Executive Board.

The Directors shall:

a. Participate in the control and management of the Association.
b. Serve on the Executive Board.

Article 6 - Meetings

1. Regular meetings will be held quarterly at a time and place designated by the Executive Board.
Meetings may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Board.
2. An annual election shall be held during the fourth quarter in conjunction with the regular meetings to elect officers and directors of this chapter for the ensuing year.
3. Any special meeting may be called by the executive board upon fourteen (14) days notice to the members.
4. Executive Board meetings shall be scheduled by the president.

Article 7- Executive Board

1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President who shall be its chairman, the President-elect, the Secretary, the Treasurer, immediate past President, a designated member of the Transplant Team of Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta, twelve Directors, and all committee chairpersons.

2. The Executive Board shall:
a. Control and manage the affairs of the Association.
b. Appoint committee memberships.
c. Formulate an agenda for activities, meetings and organ donation awareness promotions for the year.
d. Co-ordinate endeavors, projects, and activities with the membership and the Saint Joseph’s Transplant Team.
e. Provide leadership and supervision of all program activities in such a manner as to ensure compliance with the philosophies and standards of Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta.

Article 8 - Committees

The committees shall consist of the following standing committees and any additional committees which the President deems advisable to create:

A. Civic/Community
It shall be responsible for formulating a plan for increasing public awareness regarding transplantation and organ donation. It may co-ordinate a speaker’s bureau of transplant recipients to be available to speak to community organizations.

B. Political Action Committee
It shall be responsible for informing members and interested parties of legislation introduced which could affect various concerns of transplant recipients.

C. Newsletter/Editor/Public Relations
It shall be responsible for publishing the newsletter on a regular (monthly) basis and assisting the Editor as needed.

D. Visitation
It shall provide trained volunteers to visit in-patient transplant recipients and waiting patients at the request of the transplant services staff.

E. Membership
It shall be responsible for welcoming new transplant recipients into the Association and inviting them to the meetings. It shall also be responsible for organizing a telephone calling rotation to notify members of events and changes in schedules.

Article 9 - Parliamentary Authority

The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as a guide for proceedings of this chapter and the Executive Board when not in conflict with these By-laws.

Article 10- Amendments

Amendments to these By-laws may be made at any regular meeting of this Association by a vote of the members present provided the proposed changes have been submitted to the members in advance.

Article 11 - Chapters

This organization shall be the parent component of the Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta Heart Transplant Association and shall co-operate fully in the development of chapters for our membership in other areas.

November 10, 1999