Our mission is to promote leadership and excellence in patient care through education, advocacy, research, and community service.

ARTICLE I

This organization shall be known as the Maryland Dermatologic Society.

ARTICLE II

The purpose of the society is to serve as the professional association and support the activities of all dermatologists, dermatopathologists, dermatology fellows and residents in the state of Maryland. Our mission is to promote leadership and excellence in patient care through education, advocacy, research, and community service.

ARTICLE III

The officers shall consist of a President and Vice-President and immediate-past president.  These officers shall be elected at a spring meeting and shall hold office for two years commencing the following fall.

Section 1 – Duties of Officers

1. The President will preside over the sessions. At the beginning of the fiscal year, when vacancies occur, the President shall appoint an executive committee consisting up to three (3) members, President, Vice President and Immediate-Past President each appointed for a two year term. committee members may be reappointed to a maximum of three consecutive terms. After three consecutive terms, these members will serve on the executive committee as advisory members. In addition, one member for each academic institution shall be appointed to serve as a liaison between the society and the university’s academic department of dermatology. The present President and Immediate- Past President shall constitute the executive and nominating committee. The President shall appoint all special committees not otherwise provided.
2. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President and in the absence of both, the Immediate Past-President. If no elected officer is present, a temporary President shall be selected by a majority vote of the members present.
3. The administrator of the society shall keep the minutes of proceedings of each meeting, and do all other writing necessary to the proper functions of his office. The administrator shall collect dues from all members, make any necessary payments for expenses incurred by the Society and by his office, and at the first meeting of each year rendered a detailed and correct statement of all receipts and disbursements, which must be checked by the president committee appointed by the President.  The administrator shall keep a permanent and accurate record of all minutes, attendance, dues paid, other important transactions and the roll of the members attending each meeting.

Section 2 – All officers must be Board Certified in Dermatology.

ARTICLE IV

Membership

Section 1 – Active membership is to be conferred only on physicians who have been certified as Diplomates of the American Board of Dermatology, Inc., or have received subspecialty certification in Dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology.

Section 2 – All full members of the society as of May 31, 1976 will be active members.

Section 3 – Associate membership is to be conferred on those physicians who have completed the required training and are qualified to take the American Board of Dermatology examination but have not achieved certification.

SECTION 4 – Resident membership is to be conferred on any resident who is currently in a Dermatology residency program. Resident members cannot hold office and do not have voting privileges. No fee will be charged for resident membership.

Section 5 – Life membership is to be conferred on any member in good standing who has reached the age of 70 or to any other member who has retired from practice because of physical disability.  Life members retired from practice shall not be obligated to pay dues.  A Life Member shall continue to have all of the membership rights of his or her previous membership category, and they shall be obligated to observe all by-laws and administrative regulations of the society.

 Section 6 – Admission of Members

1. A new candidate for membership shall complete the prescribed application form and send it with the appropriate society dues to the chair of the membership committee or to The Maryland Dermatologic Society. The application shall be processed by the society staff, who shall forward it to the membership committee. The committee shall report to the next regular meeting, and then approval shall be granted by two-thirds affirmative vote by the members present.
2. There shall be no geographical limitations in membership. But a new member must be proposed by an active member and seconded by an active or associate member.
3. Upon recommendation of the membership committee, membership may be denied by the society on a 2/3 vote if (1) disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant’s license by the Maryland Board of Physicians or any state as a result of the grounds described in the Annotated Code of Maryland, or (2) the applicant or member has been convicted in any state of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or (3) the applicant or member has been discipline by or has resigned under the threat of disciplinary action from any professional medical organization or institution for professional misconduct.
4. Any member who is convicted of a felony or who engages in practices so unethical as to embarrass or compromise the good name of the Society may be dropped at the discretion of the society membership. A 2/3rds vote of the society will be required for this action.

ARTICLE V

Meetings

Section 1 – The society will meet at regular intervals throughout the academic year.

Section 2 – Notice of meetings shall be sent to all members at least ten days in advance.

Section 3 – Special meetings may be called when necessary by the President.

Section 4 – Only active and associate members are eligible to vote.  All votes shall be decided by a majority of active and associate members present.  Ordinarily, a majority of those present at the meeting will suffice.  For constitutional amendments and important issues, the society will conduct a vote using electronic resources, mail, phone and/or in person.

Section 5 – Meetings shall be automatically cancelled when the first phase of the Baltimore City Snow Emergency Plan is instituted.

Section 6 – Rules of Order

1. Scientific meetings shall be open to members and guests and shall encompass:
2. Introduction of guests
3. Presentation of cases
4. Discussion as approved by the President
5. Supplementary reports concerning previous scientific sessions.

Section 7 – Non member dermatologists shall be charged $250 to attend a membership meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Dues

Section 1 – Changes in the dues structure must be approved by the society-at-large.

Section 2 – All active and associate members must pay dues.

ARTICLE VII

Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members who cast a vote. The proposed amendment must be submitted in writing to the membership before the vote is taken.

*Revised 2/19/12 to include amendments effective 5/17/2012.

*Revised 5/21/13 to include amendments effective 5/21/2013.

*Revised 8/15/2014 to include amendments effective 8/15/2014.
*Revised 8/28/2017 to include edits and amendments effective 8/28/2017.
* Revised 11/12/2019