About Southwestern Ohio

Introduction to HFMA & Our Chapter

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is a national organization with members who are employed by hospitals, integrated delivery systems, managed care organizations, medical practice groups, long-term and ambulatory care facilities, public accounting and consulting firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and other organizations.

The Association represents its members and meets their needs by providing opportunities for professional development and growth, influencing healthcare policy, and communicating information and technical data.

HFMA was established on September 30, 1946, as the American Association of Hospital Accountants by 126 hospital accountants who recognized a need for a group to address their special professional requirements.

The member driven organization is governed by a Board of Directors that is elected by the membership to serve as the primary policy setting body for the Association.

HFMA’s organizational structure is in three tiers-national, regional, and chapter. Our chapter is one of four in the state of Ohio and we join the three chapters in Michigan to form Region 6. Each region is served by a Regional Executive and National Board Member who are the communication links among the chapters in the Region and to National. In total, there are eleven regions comprising 70 chapters.

Our chapter was formed in 1954 with 33 members. Since that time we have grown to approximately 580 members as of the latest count. Chapter sizes range from 19 to over 1400 members.

The chapter is the fundamental, essential level of HFMA and provides the primary service opportunity for individual members. Members are the lifeblood of HFMA. Not only do the members provide the focus for the broad range of services and benefits which HFMA delivers, members also provide the ideas and effort in helping to create and ultimately administer these activities. Thanks to a broad range of professional settings from accounting to senior financial management, from hospitals and nursing homes to consulting firms and insurance companies, members express a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions on key healthcare issues facing the industry, and guide HFMA in representing the profession.

This section of the web site includes the HFMA mission statement, code of ethics and statement of values, and elaborates on benefits to members. Follow the links on the left to learn more about our chapter and the benefits of being a member.

The most important role of our chapter leadership is to provide relevant and current education in a variety of formats that meet the needs and busy schedules of our membership. The following Program Subcommittees have been created topical areas to fulfill this role

The Education Program year begins in September and extends through the following April. Half-Day Forums are scheduled on the third Friday of selected months beginning in September. In addition, our chapter also offers Full-Day Education Programs, which offer CPEs at each Program. Please click here to be directed to the Upcoming Events calendar for Education Program details.

Accounting Decision Support

PURPOSE: The Accounting/Decision Support Forum will bring together meaningful and substantive information in the practice of accounting and managerial support systems and approaches for health care financial professionals that will add value in our professional lives.

Compliance Regulatory

PURPOSE: To provide healthcare financial management professionals within the Southwestern Ohio Chapter area with updates and insight relative to important federal and state regulations and compliance issues.

Managed Care

PURPOSE: To update the membership on current managed care trends, contracting strategy, revenue management, & market developments.

Physician

PURPOSE: Provide HFMA members insight on current trends and future movements in the physician practice sector of the Healthcare industry.

Revenue Cycle

PURPOSE: To facilitate the interaction of Patient Accounting professionals within the Southwestern Ohio Chapter area to promote the profession and HFMA.

Reimbursement

PURPOSE: To serve and represent members by providing professional development opportunities through educational programs in areas that affect reimbursement to healthcare providers.

The Founders Merit Award Series, launched in 1960 with the William G. Follmer Award, was created to recognize individual HFMA members for meritorious service at the Chapter level. The Robert H. Reeves and Frederick T. Muncie Award were developed during the next nine years to recognize increasing levels of Chapter service. Through the series, HFMA members are rewarded for their contributions of time and effort, without which Chapter growth and success would not be possible.

Each of the three awards is part of a merit rating plan in which specific Chapter and National Activities are assigned a range of point values. When the number of points earned by a member reaches 100, the William G. Follmer Award (stage one) is presented. When a second 100 points is earned, the Robert H. Reeves Award (stage two) is presented. Members who earn a third 100 points are presented with the Frederick T. Muncie Award (stage three). Traditionally, our Chapter recognizes our award recipients at the annual Awards Banquet.

In 1986, the three awards were renamed the Follmer Bronze Award, the Reeves Silver Award, and the Muncie Gold Award. At the same time, other changes were also made. The maximum number of points a member could earn in one year is 40 and additional categories were added to give recognition for service at the National Level. At the same time, a fourth award, the Founders Medal of Honor, was added. This award is conferred on the recommendation of the Chapter. To be eligible, a member must have a minimum of three years of service since earning the Muncie Gold Award, provided significant service at the Chapter and/or National level, in at least two of those years, and currently be a member of good standing.

The merit rating plan on which the series is based measures both quantity and quality of services performed for HFMA. Members may earn points for a variety of activities including serving as an elected or appointed Chapter or National leader, attending meetings, authoring a technical paper and making a presentation.

Points are accumulated and accounted for on an annual basis-using the June-May membership year. The Chapter Secretary, or the appropriate appointed or elected leader is responsible for monitoring and recording member activity. The Chapter enters all points earned by members for the immediate past year and mails the form to the National office in August. HFMA’s Membership and Chapter Services staff keypunch the data, identify award recipients and process the individual plaques. These plaques are sent to the Chapter President for an appropriate presentation.

Finally, a couple of key points to remember:

• Earning a Founders Award is a significant achievement and should be highly recognized and acclaimed by the Chapter. According to the rules of scoring, it takes an absolute minimum of three years to win the Follmer Bronze Award, two years additional to win the Reeves Silver Award, and three years additional to win each subsequent award. Therefore, the minimum amount of time to earn all four awards is eleven years-usually it takes longer than that, often an entire career.
• A major key to member involvement in the Founder Award program is member awareness. The Chapter should assign specific responsibility to an individual or committee-perhaps the same group responsible for administration of the program-for increasing member awareness of the Founders Award program. Include an article in the Chapter newsletter, make handouts available at Chapter meetings, or promote the program when presenting plaques to award recipients.

HFMA’s Mission Statement

HFMA’s Purpose Is: To define, realize and advance the financial management of health care by helping members and others improve the business performance of organizations operating in or serving the healthcare field.

Vision Statement

HFMA’s Vision Is: To be an indispensible resource for healthcare finance.

Quality Statement

Quality is the foundation of the Association and the keystone of its efforts to ensure member and customer satisfaction. HFMA’s Objective Is To:

• Consistently provide services and products that meet the quality expectations of its members, customers, and employees.
• Actively pursue a program of continuous quality improvement that enables employees and volunteers to do their jobs right the first time.
• Quality is a major, strategic Association goal. It lies at the heart of everything done for members and customers. HFMA strives continually to improve the quality of services and products offered, the processes and procedures used to produce them, and the manner in which they are delivered.

Statement on Diversity

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) values and respects diversity. Individual differences are viewed as assets that promote the growth and success of HFMA and its members. In principle and in practice, HFMA encourages and supports diverse individual viewpoints and contributions. HFMA believes that a diverse membership is a quality membership.

Core Values 

SERVICE. We believe that service to members is our highest priority.

EXCELLENCE. We believe in excellence in all that we do.

TEAMWORK. We believe that teamwork is essential in meeting the objectives of HFMA.

IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUALS. We believe in the importance of individuals.

INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY. We believe in encouraging innovation and creativity.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. We believe in conducting HFMA with financial responsibility and a prudent approach to business.

Code of Ethics

As a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, I will endeavor to promote the highest standards of professional conduct by:

• Practicing honesty and maintaining personal integrity, including avoidance of conflicts of interest with those of my employer or the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
• Striving for the objective and fair presentation of financial information.
• Fostering excellence in healthcare financial management by keeping abreast of pertinent issues.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of privileged information.
• Promoting a greater understanding of financial management issues by others in the healthcare field, and seeking increased public understanding through communication about such issues.
• Seeking to maintain a reasonable balance between the quality and cost of health care.

ACCOUNTING/FINANCE

AICPA The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

OSCPA The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants

FASB Information on Financial Accounting Standards

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS 

OHA The Ohio Hospital Association

OHCA The Ohio Health Care Association

MGMA The Medical Group Management Association

ACHE The American College of Health Care Executives

AHA The American Hospital Association

DATA/STATISTICAL

Census U.S. Census statistics and information

NCHS National Center for Health Statistics

BLS Bureau of Labor Statisitics

AHA The American Hospital Association

OTHER

CMS (Formerly HCFA) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Home Page

OIG The Office of the Inspector General

WEDI The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (HIPAA)

JCAHO The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

AHPR The Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research 

HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

HFMA The Healthcare Financial Management Association

Join Join HFMA

Bylaws Of The HFMA Southwestern Ohio Chapter

ARTICLE 1

Name, Objectives, Powers, and Office and Agent

Section 1.1 Name.  The name of this corporation shall be the HFMA: Southwestern Ohio Chapter.  For purposes of identification and brevity herein, the Southwestern Ohio Chapter is referred to as the “Chapter” and the Healthcare Financial Management Association is referred to as “HFMA.”  The “Board of Directors” refers to the Chapter Board of Directors unless otherwise stated.

Section 1.2 Objectives.  The objectives of the Chapter shall be identical with those of HFMA.  HFMA is an Association of individuals who are organized to improve financial management of healthcare institutions and related patient care organizations, and to (i) foster and increase knowledge of and proficiency in financial management; (ii) conduct and participate in educational programs and activities concerning financial management; (iii) provide media for the interchange of ideas and dissemination of material relative to financial management; (iv) strengthen cooperation among individuals of varying disciplines in financial management; (v) develop curricula and financial management supporting material for use by educational institutions; (vi) cooperate with healthcare institutions and related healthcare organizations and agencies, and other interested groups in matters pertaining to financial management; (vii) establish and promulgate principles relative to financial management; (viii) promote and encourage financial management standards of performance for individuals and institutions in the various areas of financial management; and (ix) undertake research in financial management related to these objectives.

Section 1.3 Powers.  Except as provided otherwise by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the Chapter shall have all the powers of a corporation organized under the Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, as amended, and shall have such additional powers as are permitted by any applicable law.

Section 1.4 Office and Agent.  The Chapter shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Illinois a registered office and a registered agent whose business office is identical with such registered office, and may have other offices within or without the State of Illinois as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE 2

HFMA Charter

Section 2.1 Charter Terms and Conditions.  Chapter officers and directors shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the Chapter charter, as granted by HFMA and as may be amended by HFMA from time to time.  All actions and activities of the Chapter shall be in accordance with these Bylaws, the Chapter charter, and the policies, procedures, and regulations of HFMA, including, but not limited to, those relating to federal, state, and local income tax law requirements, antitrust compliance, membership procedures, disciplinary procedures, and use of trademarks and other intellectual property in which HFMA owns or claims rights.

Section 2.2 No HFMA Liability.  Chapter officers and directors shall not obligate or otherwise make HFMA responsible or liable for any expenditures, nor shall they make commitments or advance positions on behalf of HFMA, unless the making of such expenditures or commitments or the advancement of such positions shall first have been approved in writing on behalf of HFMA by an authorized officer thereof.

ARTICLE 3

Members

Section 3.1 Qualifications.  Membership in the Chapter shall be open to all members of HFMA; provided that, an HFMA member may not be a member of more than one chapter concurrently.  Classes of membership within the Chapter and qualifications for membership in those cases shall be the same as those specified in the Bylaws of HFMA.

Section 3.2 Admissions.  Final determination of an applicant’s qualifications for membership and for a specific class of membership, except in the case of a Chapter Life member, shall be made in accordance with the policies established by the Board of Directors of HFMA.  The Board of Directors, through the Chapter President, may recommend to HFMA that Chapter Life Membership be conferred upon a member to recognize outstanding chapter accomplishments.  The member must be a retired member in good standing.

Section 3.3 Voting Rights.

(a) Each Member, Advanced Member, Chapter Life Member or National Life Member shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.  Student members shall have no voting rights.

(b) Use of the term “members” hereinafter shall refer to all members of the Chapter.  Use of the term “voting members” shall refer to all members of the Chapter who may vote.

Section 3.4 Duties; Fees and Assessments; Delinquency; Discipline; and Resignation.  

(a) It shall be the duty of each member to keep on file with the designated office of the Chapter a current official address and, when available, an e-mail address, to which all notices required by applicable law or by these Bylaws may be sent.  The mailing of a notice to such address shall be the extent of the Chapter’s responsibility for such notice.

(b) All members shall pay annual HFMA dues as determined by the HFMA Board of Directors.  Dues shall be payable on such date(s), and in such amounts and manner, as may be determined by the HFMA Board of Directors.

(c) Members who have not paid their annual dues within the time provided in HFMA’s Bylaws shall cease to be members of HFMA and, thereby, of the Chapter, and may be reinstated only as provided in HFMA’s Bylaws.  The Chapter shall cooperate in encouraging prompt payment of membership dues.

(d) Any member whose conduct is found to be detrimental to the objectives of HFMA, or who is found to have engaged in activities that violate the Code of Ethics of the HFMA currently in existence or as may, from time to time, be amended, shall be reported to the chief staff officer of HFMA for possible disciplinary action.

(e) A member may resign at any time by giving written notice to HFMA’s Member Service Center; provided that, resignation shall not relieve a member from liability for dues accrued and unpaid as of the date of resignation.

Section 3.5 Meetings of Members.

(a) The annual meeting of the members of the Chapter shall be held  after January 1 of each year, at such time and place as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, for the purposes of electing officers and directors or transacting such other business as may properly come before the membership.

(b) Additional regular meetings of the members may be held at such time and place as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

(c) Special meetings of the members may be called by the President or the Board of Directors or by written petition of ten (10) percent of voting Chapter members.

Section 3.6 Notice of Meetings.

(a) Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of a meeting of members and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days nor more than 60 days (and, in the case of a special meeting, not more than thirty (30) days) before the date of the meeting, by the Secretary, or his or her designee, to each member of the Chapter at the address shown for such member on the records of the Chapter.  Such delivery may be accomplished by U.S. mail, by facsimile, or by electronic communication.

(b) Notice of any meeting of members may be waived in a writing signed by the member(s) entitled to such notice either before or after the time of the meeting.  Attendance of a member at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where the member attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the holding of the meeting because proper notice was not given.

Section 3.7 Quorum.  Ten percent of the voting members of the Chapter, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the consideration of matters at any meeting of members.  If a quorum is not present, a majority of the voting members present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another time.

Section 3.8 Action at a Meeting.  Only voting Chapter members in good standing may vote on matters submitted to a vote of members.  Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter.  The affirmative vote of a majority of voting members, present in person or by proxy, at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the members, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws.

Section 3.9 Proxies.  

(a) At meetings of members, a member having voting rights may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member or by the member’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact.  Such proxy shall be filed with the President of the Chapter before or at the time of the meeting.

(b) No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless the proxy provides otherwise.

(c) Only a Chapter member may be appointed as proxy; provided that, no employee of the Chapter may be appointed as proxy even though such person may be a Chapter member.

Section 3.10 Action Without a Meeting Prohibited; Attendance by Telephone Prohibited.

(a) Except as provided in Section 3.11 of these Bylaws, members may not act through a writing, or in any other manner, except at a duly called meeting.

(b) Members may not participate in or vote at any meeting of members through the use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment.

Section 3.11 Election By Written Ballot Permitted.  Elections of the Chapter may be accomplished by written ballot pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 7 of these Bylaws and, in such event, ballots may be distributed and returned by U.S. mail, by facsimile, or by electronic means.

Section 3.12 Fixing Record Date for Voting.  For the purpose of determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of members, or in order to make a determination of members for any other proper purpose, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent out shall be the record date for such determination of members.

ARTICLE 4

Officers

Section 4.1 Enumeration.  The officers of the Chapter shall include a President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary, and such other officers as may be elected (or appointed by the Board of Directors as described in Section 4.5(c)).  Officers whose authority and duties are not prescribed in these Bylaws shall have the authority and perform the duties prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.2 Qualifications.  Officers shall be voting Chapter members in good standing.

Section 4.3 Election and Term of Office.

(a) The President of the Chapter shall succeed from the office of President-Elect.  The President shall hold office for one term of one (1) year; provided that, if the President-Elect fills a vacancy in the office of President, he or she shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the President’s term and for an additional term.

(b) The President-Elect shall be elected by action of the voting members of the Chapter at an annual Chapter meeting or, if so determined by the Board of Directors, by mail ballot pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 7 of these Bylaws, and shall hold office for one term of one (1) year; provided that, if the President-Elect holds office by appointment due to a vacancy in the office, he or she shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term and shall not succeed to the office of President unless duly elected as President.

(c)    The Vice President shall be elected by the action of the voting members of

the Chapter at an annual Chapter meeting or, if so determined by the Board of Directors, by mail ballot pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 7 of these Bylaws, and shall hold office for one term  of one (1) year; provided that, if the Vice President holds office by appointment due to a vacancy in the office, he or she shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term and shall not succeed to the office of President-Elect unless duly elected as President-Elect.

(d) The Secretary and Treasurer of the Chapter each shall be elected by action of the voting members of the Chapter at an annual meeting or, if so determined by the Board of Directors, by mail ballot pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 7 of these Bylaws, shall hold office for a term of one (1) year, and maynothold office for more than two (2) full consecutive terms.

(e) The term of office of each regularly elected officer shall begin on the June 1 following that officer’s election. Each officer shall hold office until May 31 of the final year of the officer’s term of office and until a successor has been elected and qualified, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation, or removal in the manner hereinafter provided.  Election of an officer shall not of itself create any contract rights.

(f)     The Corporate Secretary shall be designated by HFMA and shall not serve as a director.

Section 4.4 Resignation and Removal.

(a) Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the President or the Secretary.  A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a date later than the date of delivery.  The resignation of an officer need not be accepted in order to be effective.

(b) Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, any officer of the Chapter may be removed when, in the judgment of the membership, the best interests of the Chapter or HFMA will be served by the removal.  Such officer(s) may be removed only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members of the Chapter present at a meeting of the members of the Chapter for which written or electronic notice stating that a purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one or more of such officers named in the notice is delivered to all members.  Only the named officer(s) may be removed at such meeting.

Section 4.5 Vacancies.

(a) Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the President-Elect shall automatically succeed to that office and perform the duties thereof for the unexpired term.  At the end of such term, that individual shall assume the office of President  for the next full term.

(b) Should a vacancy occur in the office of President-Elect, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy from among the members of the Board of Directors for the unexpired term.  An individual appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of President-Elect shall not succeed to the office of President unless so elected by action of the voting members of the Chapter.

(c)   Should a vacancy occur in the office of the Vice President, the Board of

Directors shall fill the vacancy from among the members of the Board of Directors for the unexpired term. An individual appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of the Vice President shall not succeed to the office of President-Elect unless so elected by action of the voting members of the Chapter.

(d) Should a vacancy occur in the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, or any other office, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy from among the members of the Board of Directors for the unexpired term.

Section 4.6 Compensation.  No officer shall receive payment for services as an officer, except that an officer may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his or her service as an officer.

Section 4.7 Duties of the President.  The President shall serve as the chief executive officer of the Chapter.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter membership, the Board of Directors, and its Executive Committee, calling meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, as the President deems necessary.  The President shall exercise general supervision over the activities of the Chapter, shall assure adherence to the Chapter Bylaws and keep the members of the Board of Directors fully informed and consulted concerning the business of the Chapter.  The President shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees.

Section 4.8 Duties of the President-Elect.  In the absence of the President, or during the President’s incapacity (as determined by the Board of Directors), the President’s duties will be performed by the President-Elect.  The President or the Board of Directors may assign such duties as will allow the President-Elect to become familiarized with the duties of the Presidency and the policies, objectives and general affairs of the Chapter.

Section 4.9 Duties of the Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall receive and disburse the funds of the Chapter.  The Treasurer shall keep and preserve proper vouchers and books of account that shall be open to inspection by the Board of Directors and subject to periodic review.  The Treasurer shall deposit funds of the Chapter in such financial institutions as may be approved by the Board of Directors and shall disburse funds only upon approved vouchers.  The Treasurer shall submit regular financial reports to the Board of Directors and an annual financial report to the Chapter membership and HFMA along with such other reports as may be required by HFMA from time to time, including a required annual financial review.

Section 4.10 Duties of the Secretary.  The Secretary, or his or her designee, shall record the proceedings of the meetings of the Chapter and shall notify members of their election to office, maintain a roster of members, issue notices of all meetings, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the President.

Section 4.11 Duties of the Corporate Secretary.  The Corporate Secretary shall have the authority to sign corporate documents on behalf of the Chapter.

Section 4.12 Duties of the Vice President.  The Vice President shall provide

support to the Chapter Officers, Committee Chairpersons and Event Chairpersons, assist the President-Elect in conducting the Chapter planning meeting(s), represent the Chapter and conduct meetings when the President and President-Elect are not present and when they so authorize, be trained in and be familiar with the basic duties of the Officer positions and perform such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the President and/or President-Elect.

ARTICLE 5

Board of Directors

Section 5.1 General Powers and Duties.

(a) The affairs of the Chapter shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors.

(b) The Board of Directors shall have the powers and duties ordinarily delegated to the governing body of a corporation, including the following:

1. To exercise its legal authority and responsibility in the general direction and conduct of the affairs of the Chapter in order to promote the purposes of the Chapter;

2. To establish general administrative procedures governing the activities of the Chapter and to develop long-term policies to foster the Chapter’s growth and development;

3. To transact the general business of the Chapter;

4. To create and appoint members to committees of the Chapter Board of Directors and committees of the Chapter, and to direct and review all activities of all such committees;

5. To call regular and special meetings of the Chapter as may be required;

6. To report to the Chapter annually its activities, including an annual financial report, and to make such interim reports as may be necessary and advisable; and

7. To take or cause to be taken such other action as it deems necessary to carry out the duties and intentions of these Bylaws.

Section 5.2 Qualifications.  Directors shall be voting members of the Chapter in good standing, and actively serve as a Committee Chair or Co-Chair.

Section 5.3 Composition.

(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of thirteen (13) voting members.

(b) The  Board shall be composed as follows:

1.Four (4) elected Chapter officers who shall serve ex officio as voting directors;

2.Eight (8) elected voting directors; and

3.The immediate past president of the Chapter who shall be appointed to serve ex officio as a voting director; and

4. The Vice President of the Chapter who shall be appointed to serve exofficio as a non-voting director.

Section 5.4 Election and Term of Office.

(a) Elected directors shall be elected by action of the voting members of the Chapter at an annual Chapter meeting or, if so determined by the Board of Directors, by written ballot pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 7 of these Bylaws, for a term of two (2) years.  No director shall be elected to more than two (2) full consecutive terms.

(b) The term of office of each regularly elected director shall begin on the June 1 following that director’s election.  Each director shall hold office until May 31 of the final year of the director’s term of office, and until a successor has been elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal in the manner hereinafter provided.

Section 5.5 Resignation.  A director may resign at any time by written notice delivered to the President or the Secretary.  A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a date later than the date of delivery.  The resignation of a director need not be accepted in order to be effective.

Section 5.6 Removal of Directors.  

(a) Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, one or more directors may be removed when, in the judgment of the membership, the best interests of the Chapter or HFMA will be served thereby.  Cause for removal shall include, but shall not be limited to, failure of the director to attend at least 50% of Board meetings during any calendar year.

(b) An elected director may be removed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members present at a meeting of the members of the Chapter for which electronic or written notice stating that a purpose of the meeting is to vote upon the removal of one or more directors named in the notice is delivered to all members.  Only the named director(s) may be removed at such meeting.

(c) An appointed director may be removed by action of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.7 Vacancies.  Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors and any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors shall be filled by action of the Board of Directors.  A director appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office or, if the director is appointed because of an increase in the number of directors, the term of such director shall expire at the next regular election unless otherwise specified in the action appointing such director in order to maintain staggered terms among the Board of Directors.

Section 5.8 Regular Meetings.  A minimum of four (4) regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held each year, one of which shall be designated the annual Chapter meeting.

Section 5.9 Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any three voting directors, and such person or persons may fix any reasonable place and time for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors so called.

Section 5.10 Notice of Meetings.

(a) Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given in accordance with these Bylaws at least ten (10) days in advance thereof by written notice to each director at the address shown for such director on the records of the Chapter, delivered by U.S. mail, facsimile, or electronic communication.

(b) Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors may be waived in a writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice either before or after the time of the meeting.  Attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(c) Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws.  Notice of special meetings shall state the purpose of the meeting.

Section 5.11 Quorum.  A majority of the currently seated voting directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting; provided that, if less than a majority of the directors are present, a majority of the directors then present may adjourn the meeting to another time without further notice.  Withdrawal of interested directors as defined in Section 5.17 from any meeting shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that meeting.

Section 5.12 Action at a Meeting.  Each voting director shall be entitled to one vote.  The affirmative vote of the majority of the voting directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws.  In the case of a tie vote, the position taken by the presiding officer shall determine the action of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.13 Proxy Prohibited; Presumption of Assent.

(a) No director may act by proxy on any matter; provided that, directors may act without a meeting pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 5.15 of these Bylaws.

(b) A director who is present at a meeting at which action on any matter is taken by the Board of Directors is conclusively presumed to have assented to the action taken unless such director’s dissent or abstention is entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless such director files his or her written dissent or abstention to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment of such meeting or forwards such dissent or abstention by registered or certified mail to the Secretary immediately after the adjournment of such meeting.  Such right to dissent or abstain does not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

Section 5.14 Attendance by Telephone.  Directors may participate in and vote at any meeting through the use of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other.  Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5.15 Action Without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted by law to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting (i.e. by mail) if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all currently seated directors.  The consent shall be evidenced by one or more written approvals, each of which sets forth the action taken and bears the signature of one or more directors.  All the approvals evidencing the consent shall be delivered to the Secretary to be filed in the records of the Chapter.  The action taken shall be effective when all the directors have approved the consent unless the consent specifies a different effective date.  Any such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote.  The written request for action and the written consent thereto may be delivered by U.S. mail, by facsimile, or by electronic communication.

Section 5.16 Compensation; Reimbursement.  No director shall receive any payment for services as a director, except that a director may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his or her service as a director.

Section 5.17 Interested Directors.

(a) A director who is directly or indirectly a party to a transaction with the Chapter (an “interested director”) shall disclose the material facts of the transaction and his or her interest in or relationship to such transaction to the members, the Board of Directors, or any committee of the Board of Directors or committee of the Chapter considering such transaction prior to any action by the members, the Board of Directors, or such committee to authorize, approve, or ratify such transaction.  A director is indirectly a party to a transaction if the director has a material financial interest or is an officer, director, or general partner in an entity which is a party to the transaction.

(b) The presence of the interested director or of a director who is otherwise not disinterested may be counted in determining whether a quorum of members, the Board of Directors, or a committee is present but may not be counted when action is taken on the transaction.

Committees

Section 6.1 Committees of the Board of Directors.

(a) The Board of Directors may by resolution create one or more standing or special committees of the Board of Directors; appoint a director as chairperson of each committee; and appoint directors and other members of the Chapter to serve on the committee or committees.  Each committee may exercise the authority of the Board of Directors to the extent permitted by law and as specified by the Board of Directors or in the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, but the designation and appointment of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any individual director, of any responsibility imposed by law.  A committee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with these Bylaws or that revokes or amends any previous action by the Board of Directors which is still in effect.

(b) Each standing or special committee of the Board of Directors shall have two or more directors as members, at least a majority of its members shall be directors, and all committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  Committee members, other than officers of the Chapter who serve ex officio, each shall be appointed for a two (2)-year term and may not serve for more than two (2) full consecutive terms.

(c) The President of the Chapter shall serve ex officio as a voting member of each committee of the Board of Directors.

Section 6.2 Action of Committees of the Board of Directors.  A majority of a committee of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.  The act of a majority of committee members present and voting at a committee meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee.  No member of such committee of the Board of Directors may act by proxy and, to the extent provided in these Bylaws for presumption of assent of directors, assent is presumed for committee members.  A committee member may participate in and act at any meeting through the use of a conference telephone or other similar communications equipment, and the committee may act by unanimous consent in writing without a meeting, in the manner provided by these Bylaws for the Board of Directors.  Subject to these Bylaws and to action by the Board of Directors, a majority of the members of a committee of the Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of committee meetings and the notice required for such meetings.

Section 6.3 Executive Committee.

(a) There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors which may be known by such other title as the Board deems appropriate.

(b) The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers of the Chapter, each of whom shall serve ex officio,plus three (3) at-large current voting directors, both of whom having served as directors during the previous year.  Such at-large directors shall be elected for one (1) one (1)-year term at the last regular meeting of the Board of Directors preceding the beginning of the fiscal year in which they will serve.  A vacancy among the at-large directors on the Executive Committee shall be filled by action of the Board.

(c) The President shall serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee and the Secretary shall serve as secretary of the Executive Committee.

(d) The Executive Committee shall act upon such matters as may be referred to it during intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors to the extent permitted by law and as specified by the Board of Directors.

(e) Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or any two (2) Executive Committee members.  Written notice of any such meeting shall be provided at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting via U.S. mail, facsimile, or electronic communication.  Neither the purpose of nor the business to be transacted at any such meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting.  A copy of each notice of an Executive Committee meeting shall be provided simultaneously to each member of the Board of Directors in order to allow the members to express their views on matters which may be considered at such meeting.

(f) The Secretary, or his or her designee, shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Executive Committee and shall present such record of proceedings at each Board of Directors meeting.

Section 6.4 Other Committees of the Board of Directors.  In addition to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors may create such other standing committees as it deems advisable.

Section 6.5 Committees of the Chapter.

(a) The Board of Directors may by resolution create one or more standing or special committees of the Chapter; appoint a chairperson of each committee; and appoint directors and other members of the Chapter to serve on the committee, a majority of whom need not be directors.  Committees of the Chapter may not act on behalf of the Chapter or bind it to any action, but may make recommendations to the Board of Directors or to the officers.

(b) The number of committee members of each standing and special committee of the Chapter shall be determined by the chairperson of the committee, subject to approval by the President.  Committee members shall be appointed for one (1)-year terms.

(c) The Board of Directors may by resolution appoint one or more individuals who are not members of the Chapter to serve, at the pleasure of the Board, as advisors to a committee of the Chapter.  Advisors may, at the discretion of the chairperson of the committee, be present at committee meetings but may not vote.

Section 6.6 Action of Committees of the Chapter.  A majority of a committee of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum.  The act of a majority of committee members present and voting at a committee meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee.  No member of such committee may act by proxy and, to the extent provided in these Bylaws for presumption of assent of directors, assent is presumed for committee members.  A committee member may participate in and act at any meeting through the use of a conference telephone or other similar communications equipment, and the committee may act by unanimous consent in writing without a meeting, in the manner provided by these Bylaws for the Board of Directors.  Subject to these Bylaws and to action by the Board of Directors, a majority of the members of a committee of the Chapter shall determine the time and place of committee meetings and the notice required for such meetings.

Section 6.7 Nominating Committee.

(a) The Nominating Committee shall be a committee of the Chapter whose purpose it shall be to nominate officer and director candidates from among qualified members of the Chapter.

(b) The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three (3) Chapter members, each of whom shall be appointed by the President for a one (1) year term.

(c) The Nominating Committee shall meet at least once each fiscal year.  The chairperson of the committee shall report out the names of the candidates, each of whom shall have provided written or electronic consent to stand for election, to the President of the Chapter within ten (10) days of receipt of such consents, but in no event later than January 31 of each year.

Section 6.8 Financial Review Committee.

(a) The Financial Review Committee shall be a committee of the Chapter whose purpose it shall be to ensure that a financial review is performed on the books and financial records of the Chapter at the close of each fiscal year.

(b) The Financial Review Committee shall be composed of two (2) Chapter members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a one (1) year term.

(c) The Financial Review Committee shall meet at least once each fiscal year.

(d) The Financial Review Committee, or its designees, shall:

1.Perform or have performed an annual review of the Chapter’s financial records and communicate the results in writing to the Board of Directors;

2.Review and report in writing to the Board of Directors on the adequacy of the Chapter’s internal controls; and

3.Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.9 Other Committees of the Chapter.  In addition to the above committees, the Board of Directors may create such other committees of the Chapter as it deems advisable.

Section 6.10 Term of Office, Removal of Committee Members, and Committee Longevity.

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the term of office of each committee member shall begin at the beginning of the committee meeting following that committee member’s appointment, and shall continue until a successor is elected or appointed, unless the committee is sooner terminated, or the member resigns from the committee, is removed from the committee, or ceases to qualify as a member thereof.

(b) Any committee member may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Chapter or HFMA will be served by the removal.

(c) No committee shall continue beyond the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors after the designation of the committee unless otherwise expressly provided in the resolution creating the committee.

ARTICLE 7

Election By Written Ballot

Section 7.1 Procedures.

(a) A regular election of the Chapter shall be held each year.

(b) If so determined by the Board of Directors, elections may be accomplished by means of secret written ballot sent to voting members of the Chapter.  Written balloting may be accomplished via U.S. mail, facsimile, or electronic means.  The Board shall establish and publish rules and procedures for the fair and orderly conduct of elections.

(c) By no later than April 15 of each year, each voting member in good standing shall be sent an election ballot containing the names of the candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee, together with a notice explaining the procedure to be followed in submitting such ballots.  No nominee’s name shall be included on the election ballot unless the nominee has indicated in writing a willingness to serve if elected.

(d) The election ballot shall set forth at least one (1) nominee for each office and directorship to be filled.  Provision also shall be made for write-in candidates.  Election shall be by majority vote of the members of the Chapter submitting ballots in such election.

(e) The Secretary or Treasurer, and at least one other director, shall oversee the counting of election ballots.  The results of regular elections of the Chapter shall be determined and reported to the Board of Directors and to all nominees within thirty days after the final date for the return of election ballots.  The Chair shall announce the names of the new officers and directors at the Annual Chapter Meeting.  The results of a special election of the Chapter shall be determined, reported to the Board of Directors and the nominees, and announced to members of the Chapter as soon after the special election as is reasonably possible.

Section 7.2 New Officers and Directors.  New officers and directors shall be present, but shall not vote unless qualified by an office or directorship held prior to the election, at sessions of the Board of Directors occurring after his/her election or appointment, but before June 1.  New officers and directors shall take office on the June 1 following their election.

ARTICLE 8

Contracts and Financial Transactions

Section 8.1 Contracts.  The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Chapter to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Chapter, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 8.2 Loans.  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Chapter and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in the name of the Chapter unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors or by action of a duly empowered committee of the Board of Directors.  Such authority may be general or confined to specified instances.  No loan shall be made by the Chapter to a director or officer of the Chapter.

Section 8.3 Checks, Drafts, Etc.  All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness, issued in the name of the Chapter, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Chapter and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or by action of a duly empowered committee of the Board of Directors.

Section 8.4 Deposits.  All funds of the Chapter shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Chapter in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

Section 8.5 Gifts.  The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Chapter any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the Chapter.

ARTICLE 9

Records

The Chapter shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, Board of Directors, and committees having any authority of the Board of Directors, and shall keep at its registered office or principal office a record giving the names and addresses of its members, directors, officers, and committee members.  All books and records of the Chapter may be inspected by any member, or any member’s agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.

ARTICLE 10

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be from June 1 to May 31.

ARTICLE 11

Notices

Section 11.1 Manner of Notice.  Whenever under the provisions of law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, any notice whatever is required to be given to any officer, director, or member of the Chapter, it shall not be construed to require personal delivery.  Such notice may be given in writing electronically, by facsimile, or by depositing it in a sealed envelope in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed to such officer, director, or member at his or her address as it appears on the books of the Chapter, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when it is thus deposited in the United States mail; or such notice may be given in writing by any other means and if given by such other means, shall be deemed given when received.  Such requirement for notice shall be deemed satisfied, except in case of meetings of members or meetings of directors or committees of the Board of Directors with respect to which written notice is required by law, if actual notice is received orally or in writing by the person entitled thereto as far in advance of the event with respect to which notice is given as the minimum notice period required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws.

Section 11.2 Waiver of Notice.  Whenever any notice is required to be given by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.  Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice thereof unless the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the holding of the meeting because proper notice was not given.

ARTICLE 12

Rules

All deliberations of the Chapter, its Board of Directors, and its committees shall be governed by parliamentary procedure as interpreted by the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, when not in conflict with these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, or the law.

ARTICLE 13

Nondiscrimination

The Chapter shall not adopt any policy, practice, or procedure which results in discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

ARTICLE 14

Indemnification and Insurance

Each person who at any time is or shall have been a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Chapter or is or shall have been serving at the request of the Chapter as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified by the Chapter in accordance with and to the full extent permitted by the Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, as in effect at the time of adoption of these Bylaws or as amended from time to time, and by any subsequent Illinois not for profit corporation law.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of disinterested directors, or otherwise.  If authorized by the Board of Directors, the Chapter may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person to the full extent permitted by the Illinois General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986, as in effect at the time of the adoption of these Bylaws or as amended from time to time, and by any subsequent Illinois not for profit corporation law.

ARTICLE 15

Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the Chapter, the Board of Directors shall make provision for the payment, satisfaction, and discharge of all of the liabilities and obligations of the Chapter, and shall return, transfer, or convey any assets held by the Chapter upon a condition requiring return, transfer, or conveyance by reason of the dissolution.  Thereafter, the Board of Directors shall transfer or convey the remaining assets of the Chapter to HFMA.

ARTICLE 16

Amendments

Section 16.1 Authority.  These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, or new bylaws adopted, provided that the resulting Bylaws of the Chapter are consistent with the law and the Articles of Incorporation.

Section 16.2 Procedure for Amending Bylaws.

(a) A Resolution to Amend the Bylaws, setting forth the full text of the proposed amendment and approved by the Chapter Board of Directors, shall be submitted for review by HFMA.

(b) HFMA shall approve or disapprove the Resolution, or approve same upon condition that it be revised in stated particulars, and shall transmit its action in writing to the Chapter Board of Directors.

(c) Upon receipt of the approved Resolution or upon adoption of a Resolution to Amend the Bylaws embodying any revisions stipulated by HFMA, the Secretary of the Chapter, or his or her designee, shall mail or electronically forward a copy of the Resolution to each voting member of the Chapter together with a notice of the meeting at which the vote on the amendment(s) is to be taken.

(d) An amendment shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of Chapter members, present in person or by proxy, at a meeting for which proper notice and information has been provided.

(e) Upon adoption, the Bylaws shall be immediately revised incorporating said amendment(s) and a copy of the Bylaws shall be transmitted to HFMA for filing.

(f) Amendments to the Bylaws shall become effective upon adoption, unless otherwise provided in the text of the amendment.