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Section VII.  Structure of Local Chapters

The local chapter serves as the official representative body of constituent members to the national organization.  All medical students enrolled in a LCME, AOA or ECFMG accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school are eligible for “active” membership (Constitution and Bylaws—Article III, Section 1, Subsection A).  The structure of the local chapter is determined by the local members; however, chapters are encouraged to formulate an organizational structure according to guidelines set forth by the House of Delegates.

A.            Chapter Officers.  Although the chapter structure varies according to local need, the House of Delegates requires that each chapter of the Association select a Chapter President, a Recruitment Coordinator and a Chapter Legislative Representative. Each chapter is recommended to designate Liaisons for each of the Action Committees and Interest Groups as well as National Primary Care Week Coordinator and coordinators of other national initiatives. The creation of other offices and positions is at the discretion of the local chapter. (2005)

B.            Responsibilities of Chapter Officers.  All duties and responsibilities for each of the chapter officers are determined by members of the local chapter. However, the  House of Delegates, in order to maintain communication and facilitate activities of the Association, requires certain minimal functions to be accomplished by the local  officers.  The functions of the chapter officers are as follows:

1.             provide ongoing feedback to the Regional Director and national officers on the concerns of chapter members relative to policy, programs and activities of the Association;

2.             serve as the focal point for communicating local chapter activities to the national office and Regional Director;

3.             coordinate programs and activities at the chapter level;

4.             coordinate the annual membership drive; and

5.             facilitate activity within the chapter and communicate through periodic chapter meetings to discuss and review issues of concern to medical students.

6.             be medical student members of the Association in good standing at the time of or within 30 days of their election and during their term of office. (1998)

C.            Responsibilities of Chapter President.  The primary functions of the Chapter President are as follows:

1.             serve as primary contact for the national office in the receipt and distribution of pertinent information and materials relating to the organization and issues of concern to medical students: (2005)

2.             coordinate local chapter activities and work with other local chapter officers to accomplish responsibilities delineated above; (2005)

3.             attend the Chapter Officers Conference and the National Convention. (2005)

D.            Responsibilities of the Chapter Legislative Representative.  The Chapter Legislative Representative serves as the primary contact for the Legislative Affairs Director and other National Leaders who address legislative issues on the national, state and local levels. The functions of the Chapter Legislative Representative include, but are not limited to:

1.             distribution of information relative to all aspects of legislation received from the national office to members of the Association and other medical students;

2.             serve as the focal point for communicating all pertinent legislative proposals introduced at the local and state level to the national office; and,

3.             facilitate activity by members of the Association at the chapter level relative to legislation proposed at the national, state and local level.

E.             Responsibilities of the Chapter Liaisons for Action Committees and Interest Groups

1.             subscribing to the appropriate Action Committee or Interest Group listserv to receive all updates concerning the activities of the Action Committees and Interest Groups;

2.             serving as the focal point for information gathering and distribution to the local chapter of information concerning the national and local activities of the Action Committees and Interest Groups;

3.             regularly perusing the information available on the AMSA Web site and distributing and promoting that information at the local level; and,

4.             attend the Annual meeting, become familiar with the activities, projects and policies of the Action Committees and Interest Groups.

F.             Responsibilities of Chapter Recruitment Coordinator.  (2005)

1.             serve as primary contact for national office for distribution of recruitment materials; (2005)

2.             coordinate local chapter recruitment drive; (2005)

3.             report to Regional Director regarding success of recruitment drive; (2005)

4.             attend the Chapter Officers Conference in the event that the Chapter President is unable to attend. (2005)

G.            Responsibilities of National Primary Care Week Coordinator.  (2005)

1.             serve as primary contact for national office regarding NPCW events; (2005)

2.             coordinate local NPCW; provide ongoing feedback to national office regarding success of implementing NPCW. (2005)

H.            Chapter Officer Selection.  The House of Delegates encourages the election of all chapter officers in an open meeting of local members. The national office should be notified by the outgoing chapter liaison immediately upon the election of new chapter officers in order to expedite the flow of information to the official chapter representative.