CONSTITUTION OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
2006 (as amended)

ARTICLE I – Name

This organization shall be called the Central District Dental Society.  This Society shall be a component society of the Georgia Dental Association (GDA) , operating under a charter granted by the GDA and shall be governed in every way by the GDA Constitution and Bylaws.  The territorial jurisdiction of this Society shall embrace the counties specified in Article VII, Section 3A of the GDA Bylaws.

ARTICLE II- Purpose

As a component society of the Georgia Dental Association, the purpose of this society shall be to assist members in providing and promoting the highest professional and ethical levels of oral health care for the citizens they serve.  As an organized body, this Society shall empower its individual members to be collectively effective with the issues that confront them and serve as an advocate for the advancement of the profession.

In addition, this society shall work to The objects of this Society shall be: To (1)  advance the Dental Profession in education, science, and good fellowship; (2)  to encourage dental and oral research; (3)  to disseminate, in the profession, knowledge of dental discoveries and inventions; (4)  to promote free and liberal discussion and exchange of opinions on all subjects related to dentistry; (5)  to promote the standard of dental education; to (6)  promote the usefulness, honor, and interests of its members; (7)  to enlighten and direct public opinion in regard to oral hygiene and advanced scientific dental service; (8)  to encourage and participate in civic health work along dental lines; and (9) to advocate proper dental legislation and enforcement thereof. 
This Society shall be a component society of the Georgia Dental Association, operated under a charter granted by the Georgia Dental Association and shall be governed in every way by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Georgia Dental Association. The jurisdiction of this Society shall embrace the counties specified in GDA Bylaws Article 7 section 3. 

ARTICLE III- Officers

Section 1.  Officers:  The officers of this Society shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Vice President, a Secretary-Treasurer, Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the GDA House of Delegates of the Georgia Dental Association from this society and any other officers necessary for the proper functioning of this Society.

Section 2.  Election:  All elected officers shall be elected at the February meeting of this Society and installed at the Annual Meeting of the GDA during the Awards and Officer Installation Breakfast.

Article IV -Governance 

Section 1.  The governing authority of this Society shall be this Constitution, as further outlined in the Bylaws.  The Constitution and Bylaws of this Society shall be consistent with and at no time be in conflict with, or limit, the Constitution and Bylaws of the ADA or the Constitution and Bylaws of the GDA.  Upon adoption or amendment of the Constitution and Bylaws of this Society, this Society shall file a copy thereof and any changes with the Executive Director of the ADA and the Executive Director of the GDA.

Section 2.  Subject to the formal approval of the membership of this Society, the Executive control of this Society shall be vested in the Executive Council which and shall be composed of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Editor, Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the GDA House of Delegates of the Georgia Dental Association.
Section 2.  Authority:   The Executive Council shall have the authority to act for the membership of this Society and to conduct its business in an official capacity during intervals between Society meetings.

ARTICLE V -Standing Committees

Section 1.  The Standing Committees of this Society shall be: 
1.	Program Committee 
2.	Board of Censors
3.	Finance Committee
4.	Legislative Committee
5.	Necrology Committee
6.	Relief Committee
7.	Council on Dental Health
8.	Awards Committee
9.	Nominating Committee
10.	Membership Committee
11.	Economics and Insurance Committee
12.	Peer Review Committee.

It is hereby provided that the Section 2.  Additional Committees:  The President and/ or the Executive Council may add other committees when and if such committee(s) they are deemed necessary advisable.

ARTICLE VI –Membership

Section 1. Active Members.  Any dentist who is licensed in the State of Georgia and who practices within the territorial jurisdiction of this Society may submit an application for membership.  The Executive Council may reject any application for membership in this Society based on (1) failure to comply with the membership requirements set forth in the GDA Bylaws, (2) failure to adhere to the Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct of American Dental Association, (3) any state or federal criminal conviction, (4) sanction against a license to practice dentistry by the Georgia Board of Dentistry, and (5) other ethical or moral reasons.  Any denial of an application for membership may be appealed to the GDA Board of Trustees.   Any ethical, legally registered dentist residing within the jurisdiction of this Society, shall be eligible for active membership in this Society, and shall become an active member of the Society upon compliance with the conditions of membership prescribed in the Bylaws under Article I of the Georgia Dental Association and Article IV of these Bylaws. 

Section 2. Honorary Members. Any person who has made valuable contributions to the science, art or literature of dentistry or medicine may become an honorary member by election of by the membership of this Society at any regular meeting of the society, provided at least fifty percent of the active members of this the Society are present.  Honorary members may enjoy all of the privileges of this Society, except that they shall not be permitted voting rights or the right to hold of ballot or holding office. 

Section 3. Life Members. Life members of the Georgia Dental Association, who reside or practice within the territorial jurisdiction of this Society shall likewise be granted life membership of this Society. 

ARTICLE VII

All provisions in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Georgia Dental Association, now in force or adopted in the future, which apply directly to component societies shall automatically become a part of the Consti- tution and Bylaws of this Society.

ARTICLE VII- Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting session of this Society by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided, such amendment has been distributed in writing to the membership two weeks prior to said meeting.

 
BYLAWS OF 
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY
2006 (as amended)

ARTICLE I -Officers 

Section 1. President:

A.	Duties:  The President shall:  (1)  preside at all general meetings of the Society;  (2)  appoint all committees not otherwise provided for in these Bylaws; (3) sign, with the Secretary-Treasurer, all letters or certificate testimonials; (4) appoint members to fill vacancies in office or committees; (5)  notify members of such appointment; (6) make an annual report or address at the close of his or her tenure of office; (7)serve as a member of the Executive Council, and (8)perform such other duties as customary for a presiding officer.  In addition, he or she shall be a member ex-officio of all committees and shall be the presiding officer of the Executive Council.
B.	Term of Office:  The term for the office of the President shall be one year or until a successor is elected. 

Section 2. President Elect:

A.	The President-Elect shall (1)  assist the President and Vice President in the performance of their duties,  (2) shall succeed to the office of President at the annual installation of officers of the year following his or her election as President-Elect, (3) He or she shall preside in the absence of the President, (4) serve as a member of the Executive Council, and (4) shall serve as Program Chairman.
B.	Term of Office:  The term for the office of the President Elect shall be one year or until a successor is elected. 

Section 3.  Vice President:

A.	Duties:  The Vice President shall (1)  assist the President and the President-Elect in the performance of their duties, (2) The Vice President shall become President Elect following the completion of the term of his or her office, (3) . He or she shall be serve as a member of the Executive Council, (4)  He or she shall serve as Chairman of the Membership Committee, (5)  He or she shall expend his or her efforts in educate those dentists who are not members but reside in the territorial jurisdiction of this Society of the benefits of membership, educating ethical non-members residing in the territory of this Society as to the value of the Society, and shall promote increased member- ship. (6) He or she shall expend his or her efforts toward work to increase increasing attendance at meetings of this Society, (7) and shall be responsible for the proper registration of members and guests at the meetings of this Society, (8) control attendance at meetings of this Society, and (9) submit an annual report in writing to this Society.  He or she shall see that only those properly qualified attend meetings of the Society. He or she shall make an annual report in writing to the Society. 
B.	Term of Office: The term for the office of the Vice President shall be one year or until a successor is elected. 

Section 4.  Secretary-Treasurer:

A.	Duties:  The Secretary-Treasurer shall (1) keep full and complete records of this Society and its Executive Council, including minutes of all meetings, (2) He or she shall keep a correct list of the members of the Society as may be required prescribed by the Georgia Dental Association, (3)  He or she shall keep an up-to-date copy of the Constitution, and Bylaws and Policy Manual of this the Society, showing any and all amendments and standing resolutions, (4)  He or she shall notify in writing all officers of their election, (5)  He or she shall keep accurate records of all monies received and all monies expended,  and shall deposit all monies in a bank or depository designated by the Executive Council, paying out same those monies ordered by on order of the President and the Executive Councilor in accordance with under the Bylaws of this Society, (6)  He or she shall promptly make such reports as officers of the Society shall re-quest, (7)  He or she shall furnish in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Georgia Dental Association a list of the officers elected by this Society, (8) serve as a member of the Executive Council, (9) serve as a member of the Necrology Committee,  shall and (10) perform such other duties as generally appertain to his or her office.  In addition, he or she shall be required to give bond in amount to be determined by the Executive Council; the premium thereon to be paid by the Society.
B.	Term of Office:  He or she shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee to serve a term of four years, with the ability to .  The Secretary-Treasurer may serve two additional terms of two years each.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve on the Executive Council. The Secretary-Treasurer will not automatically become Vice President following the completion of his/her term of office. He or she shall be a member of the Necrology Committee. In the event a vacancy occurs, for any reason, in the office of the Secretary-Treasurer, the President is empowered to fill the office until the next meeting of the Executive Council.

Section 5.  Assistant Secretary Treasurer:

A.	Duties:  The position of the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer shall be an optional position and need not be filled at any time.  The Assistant Secretary Treasurer shall (1) take office after the announcement by the Secretary-Treasurer that he or she shall resign his or her position, (2) be guided and taught by the Secretary-Treasurer of the roles and responsibilities of the office of Secretary-Treasurer, and (3) take office one year after the Secretary-Treasurer announces his or her departure.
B.	Election and Term of Office:  He or she shall (1) be nominated by the Nominating Committee, (2) be elected by the Executive Council, and (3) serve until the Secretary-Treasurer resigns from his or her position or after one year (whichever shall occur first). 

Section 6. Editor:

A.	The Editor shall (1) be nominated annually by the Nominating Committee, (2) He or she shall publish in a timely fashion the newsletter of the CDDS, (3) He or she shall provide articles for the society in GDA Action, and (4) serve as a member of the Executive Council the State Dental Journal
B.	Term of Office:  He or she shall be a member of the Executive Council. His or her term is for one year.

Section 7. Delegates to the GDA House of Delegates: 

A.	Duties:  The Delegates to the GDA House of Delegates of the Georgia Dental Association shall (1) be the official representatives of this Society to the GDA,  that Association. They shall (2) present to the GDA such business as this Society may direct, and (3) They shall make all necessary reports to this Society at its regular or special meetings immediately following the adjournment of the GDA House of Delegates. after the adjournment of the Georgia Dental Association.
B.	Procedure:  The Chairman and Delegates to the GDA House of Delegates shall be governed according to those policies set forth in the Policy Manual of this Society and according to Article II of the GDA Bylaws.  Any conflict shall be resolved in favor of the GDA Bylaws.

Section 8. Election:  The officers shall be installed at the Awards and Officer Installation Breakfast during the annual session of the Georgia Dental Association.

ARTICLE II -The Executive Council 

Section 1. Authority:  The authority of the Executive Council is outlined in Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution of this Society.  The Executive Council shall transact the daily affairs entire business of this Society.   However, any said transactions or business conducted by the Executive Council must be submitted to this Society for ratification at its next regular meeting approved by the Society. Any member of this Society desiring to bring any matter of business before the Council must may do so in writing.

Section 2.  Meetings:  The Executive Council shall convene immediately proceeding each prior to every regular meeting of this Society to conduct all necessary business for this Society.  The times of each meeting shall be designated by the presiding officer of this Society.   Additional meetings may be held as necessary .to be designated by the Chairman (President of this Society),

Section 3.  Business before Executive Council.  At each meeting of the Executive Council, officers of this society and each committee of this Society shall submit written reports.  in order to receive reports of the officers and committees and for the transaction of any and all business connected with the Society.    The sessions of the Council shall be open to all members of this Society and to non-members upon consideration of the Executive Council.  Members may be heard by consent of the Executive Council and on any matter under consideration.  Any member of this Society desiring to bring any additional matter of business before the Council must may do so in writing.  public and members of the Society may be heard on any matter under consideration by consent of the Council.  The council shall have the right to declare Executive Session, at which point all those who are not members of the Executive Counsel must depart.

Section 3. Submission of Business to Society.  All business of the Society, including reports of any committee, shall be referred to the Executive Council, prior to presentation to before being presented to the Society.

Section 4. Appropriation of Society Funds:  The Executive Council shall vote all pass on the expenditure of all money belonging to the Society. The Executive Council They may authorize certain officers or committees to expend money for specific purposes.  , but However, appropriations other than legitimate expenses shall have the approval of the majority vote of the Society.

Section 5. Appointments:  The Executive Council shall appoint the members of the following standing committees:

(a)  1. Two members of the Board of Censors;
(b)   2. Council on Dental Health;
(c)  3. Finance Committee; and
(d) 4. Relief Committee.

Section 6. Society Membershjp:  In the interim between the regular meetings of this the Society, the Executive Council is empowered to approve an application for membership elect by unanimous vote an applicant for membership.  , provided his or her However, the application must shall have been first be approved by the unanimously approved by the Board of Censors by unanimous vote.  In the event that the Board of Censors or Executive Council fails to approve the application for membership by unanimous vote, the application shall be submitted for a vote to the membership of this Society.

Section 7.  Rules of Conduct:  The Executive Council shall have the authority to discipline a member of this Society, for any of the following reasons:

(a)	failure to adhere to the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct;
(b)	failure to comply with the peer review or ethics programs of the GDA or this Society;
(c)	violation of the Georgia Dental Practice Act;
(d)	had his or her license sanctioned by the Georgia Board of Dentistry;
(e)	received a felony conviction or any criminal conviction affecting his or her practice of dentistry; or
(f)	any other ethical or moral reasons.

In the event that any member of this Society, committee member, or officer of this Society shall willfully neglects or fails in the proper performance of his or her duties; or shall conduct himself or herself in an official capacity, or in a private capacity, in a manner detrimental to the best interests of this Society, it  It shall be the duty of the Executive Council to take cognizance of such neglect or conduct and take such action as is necessary.  Any such action against membership shall comply with Chapter XII of the ADA Bylaws.

Section 8:  Attendance at Meetings:

A.  Officers and delegates of this Society are required to:
(1): A.  CDDS officers as defined in Article III of the CDDS constitution shall Attend at least three (3) out of four (4) official quarterly meetings of this Society the CDDS;

(2) B: Attendance at these quarterly meetings shall be part, but not all, of the proper duties of an officer. Officers and Delegates are expected to attend the GDA Annual Meeting. 

(3)  C: CDDS Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the House of Delegates of the Georgia Dental Association shall a   Attend each regularly scheduled meeting of the G.D.A. House of Delegates meetines. Such attendance shall be considered evidence of compliance with the proper performance of the delegate duties.

B.  D: Attendance at Central District meetings of the Executive Committee meetings is required expected of all CDDS officers and delegates of this Society.  This is necessary for elected officers and delegates to execute the responsibilities placed upon them by this Society their society. Leadership that is informed of critical issues and gives it's input to the direction of the CDDS officer and delegate is essential to effective leadership. The failure of an CDDS officer or delegate to attend a required meeting shall be viewed as non-compliance with the duties of the particular position, unless: 

(1) The officer or delegate submits an explanation of absence to the Secretary/Treasurer of the CDDS within thirty (30) days of the missed meeting; and, (2) The explanation is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the CDDS Executive Committee of this Society at the next official Committee meeting after the absence in question. 

If the absent officer or delegate does not submit an explanation of absence from a mandatory meeting within the thirty (30) day time limit, the CDDS Executive Committee of this Society may declare the officer post or delegate position vacant.  The CDDS Executive Committee, if it declares the particular position vacant, shall then name a CDDS member dentist to fill the vacant post until the next scheduled election is held. 

Section 9.8. Reports of the Executive Council: The Executive Council shall make its report to the Society at each session, and upon adoption, the report shall become a part of the proceedings of the Society. 

Article III -Duties of the Standing Committees 

Section 1. The Program Committee shall, (1) with the aid of the President, secure clinicians and arrange a suitable program for the program meetings; (2) arrange the order of business of program meetings, subject to the provisions of the Bylaws; (3) decide what sessions during the program meeting shall be devoted to clinics, papers, discussions and other necessary arrangements; (3) provide chairs, fixtures, etc. and other necessary equipment for program meetings; and (4) notify the GDA President-Elect of the time and place, name of the clinicians, and nature of the clinics of any program meeting have charge of the same. The Committee Chairman shall (1) keep a record of all clinics and papers, and (2) shall make a report to the Society before the next close of the regular meeting of this Society. This committee shall cooperate with the President-Elect of the Georgia Dental Association, who served as liaison with the GDA Continuing Education Committee, and shall notify him or her as soon as a program is arranged, of the time and place of the meeting, together with the names of the clinicians and the nature of the Clinics  The program expense shall not exceed the amount stated by the budget of this Society. 

Section 2 The Board of Censors shall consist of three members.  Two members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Council.  The third member , one of whom shall be the President-Elect, who shall serve as Chairman.  The duties of the Board of Censors shall be (1) Their duties are to report on the qualifications of the applicants for membership, and (2) bring any charges against a member in accordance with  Any charges preferred against a member shall be referred to this Board and action shall be taken as provided in Article VI, Section 2, of these Bylaws.

Section 3. The Finance Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Executive Council.  The Committee They shall (1) immediately prior to the annual meeting, prepare an annual budget for the operation of this Society for the upcoming ensuing year, (2) present the proposed budget to the which they shall present to the Executive Council. This budget shall as accurately as possible list all anticipated sources of revenues and expenditures,  and shall carry include all recommendations of the designed to aid the Executive Council, and assist the Executive Council in the economical administration of the affairs of this Society.

Section 4. The Legislative Committee shall consist of at least three members.  The Their duties of the Committee shall be are: (1) To cooperate with the Georgia Dental Association and the Georgia Board of Dentistry in insuring enforcement of the current Dental Practice Act in stopping violations of existing dental laws; (2) To foster new legislation subject to review and approval of the Georgia Dental Association; (3) To cooperate with the American Dental Association in its legislative efforts and programs, and (4) to perform those functions outlined in the Policy Manual of this Society.  All expenditures by this committee must receive prior approval from of the Executive Council. 

Section 5.  The Necrology Committee shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be the secretary of the society.   This Committee The Necrology Committee shall report in writing at each annual meeting the deaths of any members of this Society, with such biographical sketches as it they may deem appropriate think proper. This committee shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be the secretary of the society. The Secretary shall notify the GDA Necrology Committee and send an appropriate letter of condolence to the next of kin of any departed member.

Section 6. The Relief and Survivors Assistance Committee shall be a standing committee composed consist of three members of this Society, all of which shall to be selected by the Executive Council. Vacancies upon said committee shall be filled by the Executive Council. This Committee shall cooperate with the relief committees of the Georgia Dental Association and American Dental Association in establishing eligibility for aid. 

Section 7. The Council on Dental Health shall be composed of three members.  The Committee shall (1) devise and promote such methods as will serve to educate the general public on oral health issues, (2) oral hygiene and more intelligent care of the teeth. They shall censor review and furnish all information given to the public by this Society concerning oral health, (3) dental subjects. They shall work towards assisting news agencies in the dissemination of any matters that the Committee deems they feel are of public interest, . They shall actively (4) cooperate with the Council on Dental Health of the Georgia Dental Association. They shall (5) prepare suitable articles concerning the meetings of the Society and other activities, and submit these articles to local newspapers. They shall and (6) cooperate with the Editor of the Journal of the Georgia Dental Association in providing news regarding within this Society and the district.  The Council shall be organized in a manner that shall be set forth in the Policy Manual of this Society.

Section 8 The Awards Committee shall be composed of three members.  Each member of the Committee must have been designated as an who are Honorable Fellows by of the Georgia Dental Association and be a member of this Society.  The Committee They shall submit in writing to the GDA Awards Committee any recommendations for designation as an Honorable Fellow by the GDA, and/or recipient of the Award of Merit or Oral Discoveries and Inventions Award to the Awards Committee of the Georgia Dental Association. Their recommendations shall be in the form required by the GDA Policy Manualaccompanied by the qualifications of any candidate or candidates. 

Section 9. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the following members: (1) Immediate Past CDDS President of this Society, (2) Chairman of the GDA Delegation, to GDA (3) the senior ADA Delegate or Alternative ADA Delegate, and (4) two members elected by the membership of this Societyat large from the CDDS. These members will be elected at the September meeting, following nominations from the floor. The Nominating Committee will present its slate of candidates for current CDDS elected positions of this Society at its the February meeting. 

Section 10 The Membership Committee shall consist of any number of members at the discretion of the of those members which the President deems appropriate. However, the Vice President shall be the Committee Chairman of this Committee. The committee duties of this Committee shall be consist of (1) actively endeavoring to obtain, as members of the Society, to encourage every qualified licensed dentist practicing within the territorial jurisdiction of this Society to become members, . It shall actively (2) to cooperate with the GDA Membership Committee, of the Georgia Dental Association. It shall expend its efforts toward increasing attendance at (3) encourage members to attend every meetings of this Society, and (4) shall be responsible for the proper registration of register members and guests at the meetings of this Society.  The Vice President, as Chairman, It shall see that only those properly qualified attend meetings of the Society. 

Section 11. The Economics and Insurance Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the President.  Their duties are as follows: 
(1) to represent the Central District Dental Society in all matters pertaining to the establishing of fees for dental services under any State or Federal agencies; 
(2) to evaluate for the membership and advise on types of insurance for which they are solicited;
(3) to cooperate with the Georgia Dental Association in fostering coverage for membership; 
(4) to act as intermediary between the insured and the agent in any grievance arising from the settlement of a claim and its adjudication, 
(5) the Chairman shall make an annual report on the activities of said committee to the Executive Council.  [Recommend to eliminate because of anti-trust concerns].

Section 1112. The Peer Review and Ethics Committee shall consist of five members, named by the Executive Council.  One member of the Committee shall be this Society's representative to on the Georgia Dental Association GDA Peer Review and Ethics Committee and he or she shall also serve as chairman of the Central District Peer Review Committee.  The committee shall function within the framework of the Peer Review and Ethics Manual of the Georgia Dental Association and the policies established by the Peer Review and Ethics Committee of the Georgia Dental Association.

ARTICLE IV Membership

Section 1. Territorial Jurisdiction:  This Society shall include be composed of dentists from the following counties in the State of Georgia: Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Monroe, Montgomery, Peach, Pike, Pulaski, Putnam, Spalding, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Twiggs, Upson, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson.  Any conflict between these Bylaws and the GDA Bylaws regarding the territorial limits of this Society, shall be resolved in favor of the GDA Bylaws.  Spalding, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Pike, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Upson, Crawford, Bibb, Wilkinson, Johnson, Twiggs, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Dooly, Treutlen, Pulaski, Dodge, Wheeler, Montgomery, Crisp, Wilcox, Telfair, Toombs; and shall be known as the Central District Dental Society of Georgia.  Ethical dentists residing in this area shall be eligible.  Each Component Society shall determine the qualifications of its own members, but, as such Societies are the only portals to membership in the Georgia Dental Association and the American Dental Association, they must comply with Article I of the ADA Constitution and Bylaws. 

Section 2.  Criteria for Membership:  This Society shall have the right to determine the qualifications of its members, consistent with guidelines for membership set forth in the ADA Bylaws and the GDA Bylaws.  The Executive Council of this Society shall have the right to deny an application for membership in this Society based on those reasons set forth in Article II, Section 7 of these Bylaws.

Section 3.  Application for Membership:  Candidates for membership apply upon the prescribed tripartite application blank furnished by the Georgia Dental Association.  This application shall be submitted to the GDA Executive Office and should be accompanied by a year's the current year’s dues for this Society, the ADA and the GDA.  Exemptions for dues for those serving in the United States armed forces shall be recognized by this Society, as outlined in Article I, Section H of the GDA Bylaws. , except as provided by Article I, Section 1, Part H of the Georgia Dental Association wherein stated, "Dentists serving fulltime with any branch of the United States Armed Forces and who are Direct Members of the ADA may become members of the GDA upon application to the GDA Executive Office. Military members have the right to elect an exemption from GDA dues. Military members electing to pay dues to the GDA shall have all the rights and privileges of active members."  After the tripartite application is processed by the GDA Executive Office,  the All applications shall be referred by the Secretary to the Board of Censors, who shall investigate and submit its their report thereon.  When a favorable report on any application for membership is submitted to a regular meeting of this Society by the Board of Censors, it shall require a majority vote of the members present to elect the applicant to membership.  Any dentist may appeal to the Georgia Dental Association against an unfavorable report of the Board of Censors on any application.  In the intervals between the regular meetings of this Society, the Executive Council shall be empowered to elect such applicants to approve applications for membership by unanimous vote, only after the and provided the application has been unanimously approved by the Board of Censors.  Any actions taken by the Executive Council on applications for membership to this Society shall be reported to this Society at its next regular meeting for ratification.  This Society shall have the final authority to accept or reject any application for membership.  Any appeal of a denial of an application for membership in this Society may be made to the GDA Board of Trustees as outlined in Article VII, Section 2 of the GDA Bylaws.  However, applications for membership which have been denied, from rejected candidates may not be resubmitted to this Society for shall not again be received within six months from the date of such rejections. 

Section 4.  Reinstatement of Membership after Non-Payment of Dues:  Any member who has been dropped from the rolls of membership due to non-payment of dues may be reinstated without action of this Society by obtaining the endorsement of the Board of Censors and paying all back Society and Association dues.  If the previous member owes more than one year of dues, he or she must submit an application for membership as if a new member.; provided, however, that not more than one year's dues remain unpaid.  Otherwise, the applicant must be elected as if a new member. 

Section 5. Change of Residence:  When a member in good standing changes his or her location of practice residence in this State, the Secretary shall issue a certificate which will entitle him or her to requests that the new component society accept the dentist as a member membership in the component society into whose jurisdiction he or she moves.  Any dentist who shall move into the jurisdiction of this Society and present to the Secretary of a similar such certificate from any other GDA component society in this State shall be accepted as a member in good standing from this Society.

Section 6. Honorary Membership: Honorary members shall be elected by the Society based upon the nomination of an active member.  Such nominations shall be submitted to the Executive Council for their review and referral to this Society.  The Society shall then approve or reject any such nominations.  If elected, honorary members shall , and, if elected, shall have all the privileges of active members except the right to of the floor but not the vote. The nomination shall fIrst be placed with the Executive Council and upon their approval shall be placed before the Society. 

Section 7. Life Membership:  Life members shall be granted to those members who have been granted similar status by the are life members of the Georgia Dental Association and the American Dental Association.  Life members They shall be exempt from CDDS the dues of this Society. 

Section 8. Upon election to membership, each new member shall receive a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Georgia Dental Association, the Constitution and Bylaws of this Society and a copy the Code of Ethics of the Georgia Dental Association of the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.

Section 9. This Society shall be governed in relation to its members by the Code of Ethics of the Ameri- can Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association.   The Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct of the ADA shall be the code of ethics governing all members of this Society.  All categories of membership in this Society must acknowledge the authority of this Society to mandate full cooperation with the Peer Review and Ethics Review processes as a final condition of membership.  Failure to cooperate with the Peer Review or Ethics Review processes shall result in expulsion proceedings by the GDA Board of Trustees.  A member does not lose the right to appeal. Appeals must be filed with the GDA House of Delegates within 90 days of notification of the Board of Trustees’ decision.

ARTICLE V Dues 

Section 1. The annual dues of this Society shall be set by the Executive Council, with approval of the membership. 

Section 2. Dues shall be paid annually on or before January 1, and shall be paid directly to the GDA as part of the tripartite renewal.  Members dues are due on January 1 of each year. Members who fail to pay their dues by January 31 of anythat year shall be classified as delinquent.  They shall be subjected to the rules set forth in Article IV, Section 4 of these Bylaws and Article I, Section 3 of the GDA Bylaws. regulating delinquents of the GDA and shall be suspended by this society.

Section 3. Life members of this Society shall be exempt from dues in this Society.

Section 4. Honorary members shall be exempt from all dues in this Society. 

ARTICLE VI. Resignations and Expulsions 

Section 1. A member of this Society in good standing may honorably withdraw his or her membership by application to the Society, provided he or she is in good standing with all dues paid at time of application for withdrawal is received. 

Section 2. Any member may be charged with a impeached for violation of those acts set forth in Article II, Section 7 of these Bylaws.  of the laws of this Society, for malpractice, or other gross misconduct.  All charges shall be made to the Board of Censors in writing with specifications clearly setting forth each violation of the Code of Ethics governing this body. The member in question so impeached shall have transmitted to him or her by the Board of censors a written copy of the specific allegations brought against him or her by this Society, along with the date and time of the hearing before the Board of Censors, provided to him or her at least 30 days prior to the hearing.  impeachment with notice of the time of hearing before the Board of Censors of this Society.  If the report of said Board of Censors, after hearing all the evidence presented, determines that the charges against the member in fact are accurate, sustains such impeachment, shall report its findings to this Society at the next regular meeting.  All members of this Society must be notified in writing that a proceeding to suspend or expel a member will take place.  The Society may, by ballot, then vote to suspend or expel such member.  However, any such vote to suspend or expel the member must be by three-fourths of all members present votes cast. 

Section 3. A member of this Society against whom charges shall have been made for violation of any of the laws of this Society, including the Code of Ethics, shall will not be permitted to withdraw his or her membership in this Society by resignation or failure to pay dues, not cease to be a member of the Society by resignation or by failure to pay his dues until the charges brought against him or her have been acted upon by this Society, provided that such action shall be taken by the Society at the next regular meeting after the charges shall have been made. 

Section 4. Any member who may feel aggrieved by an at the action of this Society the component society toward him or her shall have the right to appeal to the Georgia Dental Association.

ARTICLE VII Meetings of this Society

Section 1. Meeting Dates:  The regular meetings of the Society shall be the second Thursday of the months of September, November, February, and May.  All elected Society officers of this Society will be elected at the February meeting.  With the exception of the February meeting, the date of any meeting may be changed by the Executive Council.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall notify the membership of the date, time and place of all meetings of this Society.

Section 2. Meeting Conflicts:  It shall be the duty of the President of this Society to endeavor to arrange the dates of the meetings of this Society, so as to avoid conflicts with meetings of other district societies if possible.  Tentative dates for the meetings shall be submitted to the President Elect of the Georgia Dental Association who will assist in coordinating meeting dates. 

ARTICLE VIII Papers 

All papers read before this Society shall become its property unless otherwise arranged for by the Board of Censors.

ARTICLE IX -Order of Business

Section 1 The order of business of each regular meeting of this Society shall be as follows:

(1) Call to order by the presiding officer
(2) Reading of the minutes
(3) Committee Reports
(4) Unfinished business
(5) New business 
(6) Program 
(7) Adjournment.

Section 2 Parliamentary Procedure shall be governed by the Parliamentary Reference established by the American Dental Association.  The rules contained in the most current edition of “Sturgis Standard Code” shall govern the professional conduct of all meetings.

Section 3. The order of business may be suspended by two-thirds vote of all members present. 

ARTICLE X -Amendments 

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of this Society, by two thirds vote of members present, provided that at least 2 weeks written notice has been given at a revious regular meeting or in writing to the membership at least 2 weeks before the regular meeting at which the vote shall take place. 'hey may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present. 

 
CENTRAL DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY 
POLICY MANUAL

Preamble 

This manual has been prepared to inform present and future officers and members of the Central District Dental Society of the policies pertinent to the operation of the society.  It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Council of the Central District Dental Society to adopt, amend or rescind these policies.  From time to time, All policy changes will be published in the District Newsletter at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which a vote will take place so that all members will be familiar with them, thereby promoting a free exchange of ideas between the members and the Executive council. 

Hereinafter in this manual when the letters CDDS appear they shall denote "Central District Dental Society." 

President 

It shall be a policy that the President hold an Executive Council Planning Session between the Spring and September regular meetings after his or her election. 

President Elect 

It shall be a policy of the CDDS that the President Elect in his or her role as program chairman is be responsible for securing appropriately engraved plaques for clinicians at the regularly scheduled meetings of the this Society and presenting these plaques to the clinicians.

Prior to each meeting, the President Elect, as program chairman, shall secure from the Secretary-Treasurer a check for the appropriate honorarium for the clinician.

It shall be a further policy that it is the responsibility of the President Elect, as program chairman, to communicate with the Secretary-Treasurer prior to each meeting, informing him or her of what audio-visual equipment and accessories will be required by the clinician.

It will also be the responsibility of the President Elect, as program chairman, to host the clinician for each meeting, seeing that he or she is seated in the proper place and that all necessary equipment is in order.

Vice President

The nomination of the Vice President should be focused upon the following priorities. He or she should be the most qualified person for the duties/responsibilities of the office. A reasonable effort shall be made to ensure that every other year, the Vice President be a member from outside Bibb County. The residence of the candidate is not, however, a binding requirement, since the primary objective is to seek the most qualified person for the position of Vice President. [Not appropriate for Policy Manual].

The Vice President shall serve as Membership Chairman. He or she shall endeavor to encourage attendance at Society meetings and to promote new membership.

Secretary-Treasurer 

It shall be the policy of the CDDS that The Secretary-Treasurer has the responsibility of selecting an appropriate location for each regular meeting and shall plan the menu. 

The Secretary-Treasurer has the responsibility of notifying the membership of the time, date, and location of the regular meetings of the Society. 

It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to keep an accurate list of those members attending meetings of the CDDS. 

Assistant Secretary-Treasurer

It shall be the policy of the CDDS that an Assistant Secretary-Treasurer be an optional officer of the Society. He or she shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Executive Council, in the event that the Secretary-Treasurer communicates his or her desire to terminate resign from his or her office.  Effort should be made to have the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer serve for one year prior to becoming Secretary-Treasurer.

CENTRAL DISTRICT DENTAL SOCIETY DELEGATION TO HOUSE OF DELEGATES GEORGIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION 

Election of Delegates:

(1)	New members of the delegation to the GDA House of Delegates shall be elected alternately from in and out Bibb county.
(2)	A member must have practiced in the territorial jurisdiction of and maintained active membership in the CDDS for at least three years before becoming eligible to become a delegate or an alternative delegate.
(3)	All members with exception of the Chairman shall be elected annually by the membership at the February meeting.

Chairman:

It shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the delegation to: 

(1)	convene a caucus meeting of the CDDS delegation prior to each meeting of the GDA House of Delegates;
(2)	submit a written report of the proceedings of the GDA House of Delegates to the Executive Council and the Editor of the District Newsletter; and
(3)	provide an attendance record of his or her delegation to the Executive Council and the Nominating Committee of the CDDS.

The Chairman of the delegation will be nominated by the Executive Council for a term of two years. The Chairman may serve no more than three consecutive terms as Chairman.

Annual Roll-Up of Delegates:  Each member of the delegation, other than the Chairman, moves up one slot annually so that one alternate delegate is added to the delegation each year.  Upon a delegate's or alternate delegate's annual re-election he or she shall roll up one place on the delegation for a maximum of seven years. Following a delegation roll up, and after serving the maximum number of terms as Chairman, a member must not serve as an alternate or a delegate for one year.

Attendance at GDA House of Delegates Meetings:  Except in extraordinary circumstances, all delegates from the CDDS shall attend all meetings of the GDA House of Delegates.

Legislative Committee 

It shall be a policy of the CDDS that it is the responsibility of the Legislative Committee to plan and execute all arrangements for the Annual Legislative Dinner.  Close cooperation between the Legislative Chairman and the Secretary-Treasurer is absolutely necessary. 

Relief Committee 

It shall be a policy that the Relief Committee shall now be known as the Relief and Survivors Assistance Committee. 

New Members Committee

It shall be the policy of the CDDS that all new members are appropriately inducted into the Society.  Each new member shall be informed by the Secretary-Treasurer of the name of a current member, of the membership chairman to arrange for a current member, who resides in close proximity to the candidate, who will to host the applicant that candidate during the meeting at which he/she will be inducted. All new members will be seated at a prominent reserved table during the meeting. 

The membership Chairman of the Membership Committee shall introduce to the society all the new candidates.  The President of the society will welcome them briefly and shall present each candidate with a copy of:

(1). Constitution and Bylaws of CDDS;
(2).  Policy Manual of CDDS; and
(3).  Current Committee List of CDDS.

Council on Dental Health Committee 
It shall be a policy of the CDDS that the Council on Dental Health shall be organized as follow: 

General Chairman -Roll-up from position of Sub Chairman for Macon.

Sub Chairman -		Macon 
(with committee of 3) 		Milledgeville 
Griffin 
Warner Robins
Dublin 
Thomaston
Cordele

Representatives: 		Wrightsville 		Barnesville 
Ft. Valley		Jackson
Forsyth 		Montezuma 
Monticello 		Perry 
Vidalia 		Sandersville 
Eatonton 		Cochran 
McRea 		Hawkinsville 
Eastman 		Gordon
Vienna 

Awards Committee 

IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT THAT:

The Committee shall be organized as follows:

(1)	One new member shall be appointed to the Awards Committee each year.  Each member of the Committee and shall serve for a three year term.
(2)	The terms of each member shall be staggered, with one member rotating off the committee each year.

The Awards Committee shall:

(1)	accept the name of candidates for the Award of Merit or the Oral Discoveries and Inventions Award, or for designation as an Honorable Fellow from members of this Society;
(2)	make nominations and submit nominations to the GDA Awards Committee; and
(3)	retain a current file of all possible candidates and those nominated by the Award Committee.

All nominations for each award and submission of nominations to the GDA Awards Committee shall be consistent with the GDA Policy Manual section on Awards.

The names of candidates for Awards shall be are submitted at a time set by the state Chairman of the GDA Awards Committee. A meeting of the state policy that no more than 1 % of the membership be elected in anyone year. This gives the Central District either one or two places (175-200 members) at this time (1993).  [WHAT IS THIS REFERRING TO???]

As it is impossible for three people to know of the activities of all the members and to collect the proper information for the state, each and every member should be encouraged to submit names and credentials of persons they feel worthy.
This information should be in the hands of the district committee by Oct 1.

It shall be a policy that the Awards Committee retain a current file of all possible candidates.   For Honorable Fellow, Award of Merit, Oral Discoveries and Inventions Award or other possible Recognition by the District, GDA or ADA, it shall further be a policy that the Awards Committee, having three members, each have a staggered term membership, i.e.: one member rotating off each year. The senior member of the committee serves as its Chairman.

Nominating Committee 

It shall be a policy of the CDDS that the Nominating Committee shall consist of the following: 

I. Immediate Past CDDS President of the CDDS
2. Chairman of the CDDS Delegation to GDA House of Delegates
3. The Senior ADA Delegate or Alternate ADA Delegate
4. Two members at large from the CDDS. (These members will be elected at the September meeting of this Society.  Nomination will be accepted from the floor following nominations from the floor). 

The Nominating Committee will present its slate of candidates for current CDDS elected positions at the February meeting of this Society. 

Election of Officers and Delegate positions will be held at the CDDS February meeting. 

Newsletter 

It shall be the policy of the CDDS that the Editor publish, in a timely manner, a newsletter which will inform the membership of those events or stories that affect the CDDS. 

General Policies GENERAL POLICIES 

It shall be policy of the CDDS that all guests pay for their meals unless they are prospective candidates for membership members or clinicians.

It shall be a policy of the CDDS that, where practical, all appointments to committees shall be on a roll-up (staggered) basis. 

It shall be a policy of the CDDS that the delegates and alternate delegates to the GDA House of Delegates and new members be seated at a reserved table nearest the speaker's right.

It shall be a policy of the CDDS that each committee chairman has have the responsibility for updating the committee's manual before passing it to his or her successor. All committee reports shall be due by the May meeting of the executive council. 

At such time as the policies contained in this manual are adopted by the Executive Council of the Central District Dental Society they shall supersede any and all existing policies of the Society.  However, any policy that contradicts any term in the Constitution or Bylaws of this Society, the Constitution, Bylaws or Policy Manual of the GDA or the Constitution or Bylaws of the ADA shall  lid all such policies are automatically rescinded. 

Approved this ____ day of ____________________, _________.

By:  _____________________________________
Chairman, CDDS Executive Council

Attested to by: ______________________________
Secretary-Treasurer, CDDS Executive Council

Date Chm. Exec. council President CDDS