Article 1 - Name

Section 1.1

The organization shall be known as the Midwest Regional Users Group (MRUG).

Article 2 - Purpose of Organization
Section 2.1

To initiate, promote, and sponsor the exchange of information which is of material interest and value to the membership as it pertains to the GE Healthcare Systems Corporation.

Section 2.2

To formulate, sponsor, pursue, and promote common goals for the organization such as a National Affiliation for enhancements.

Section 2.3

To communicate to GE Healthcare the needs, interests, and concerns of our organization, as well as those of the profession.

Article 3 - Membership
Section 3.1

Any organization (GE Healthcare UCI) that is a client of GE Healthcare may be a member of MRUG.

Section 3.2

Payment of annual dues, as described in Article VIII.

Section 3.3

For any organization (GE Healthcare UCI) failure to pay the annual dues will result in the inactivation of the membership. Individual members will be prohibited from registration to a MRUG conference until dues are current. Reinstatement will be granted after the annual dues for that year are paid. Previously active organizations cannot register as a "guest" unless they have been inactive for more than two consecutive membership years.

Article 4 - Professional Conduct
Section 4.1

All members shall hold harmless MRUG and its officers, committee members, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, meeting hosts, and other members for any actions of or misrepresentations by any of the above.

Article 5 - Officers and Their Duties
Section 5.1

The officers of the organization shall consist of: Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, President, Past President and Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator and shall be referred to as the Executive Committee.

Section 5.2

Secretary/Treasurer: Elected by simple majority and serves four years. Officer serves one year or the remainder of the term a Secretary/Treasurer, then becomes Vice President.

5.2.1 Duties:

Recording of minutes of all general meetings.
Distribution of conference minutes.
Maintenance of the membership database.
Collection of annual dues.
Reporting of financial status of the organization including the annual filing of the IRS EZ990.
Maintains record of conference costs from Conference Coordinator.
Maintenance of master files.
General mailings.

Section 5.3

Vice President: Previous Secretary/Treasurer becomes Vice President. Officer serves one year or the remainder of the term as Vice President, then becomes President.

5.3.1 Duties:

Organize general conference program.
Coordinate the conference.
Prepare conference agenda.
Serve as Chair of conference in the absence of the President.
Follow up on recommendations made to GE Healthcare by MRUG.
Act as a liaison with GE Healthcare.

Section 5.4

President: Previous Vice President becomes President. Officer serves one year or the remainder of the term as President, then becomes Past President.

5.4.1

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of, and have supervision over, the affairs of MRUG. The President shall preside over all general meetings of the organization. If this person is absent, the Vice President will serve as Chair for the meeting.

5.4.2

The President will establish and appoint the Chair of any current or new committee.

Section 5.5

Past President: Previous President. Officer serves one year.

5.5.1

Acts as a resource to the Executive Committee.

5.5.2

Fills any vacant position until the position is appointed by the Executive Committee or an election is held.

Section 5.6

Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator: Previous Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator Assistant serves one year or the remainder of the term as Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator. Serves one year term.

5.6.1 Duties:

Acts as liaison between vendors participating in vendor fair.
Obtains signed contracts from vendors.
Collection of Conference fees from Vendors.
Assists in details associated with hosting a conference.

Section 5.7

Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator Assistant: Elected by simple majority and erves two years. Serves one year or the remainder of the term as Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator Assistant, then becomes Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator.

5.7.1 Duties - Assist Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator with:

Acts as liaison between vendors participating in vendor fair.
Obtains signed contracts from vendors.
Collection of Conference fees from Vendors.
Assists in details associated with hosting a conference.

Section 5.8

Vacancies:

5.8.1

Vacancies in any officer position will be appointed by the Executive Committee.

Section 5.9

Removal from Office:

5.9.1

If an officer fails to perform the required duties as stated in the by-laws, the officer may be dismissed from office.

5.9.2

Regular attendance at meetings and communication with other officers are requirements of office.

5.9.3

Prior to dismissal, a letter will be sent by a member of the Executive Committee stating the concerns of the Committee.

5.9.4

A simple majority vote of the Executive Committee is needed for dismissal.

Article 6 - Election
Section 6.1

Elections shall be held by mail-in ballot.

6.1.1

Any individual employed by a member organization shall have the right to be elected to office and to vote in elections.

6.1.2

There shall be only one vote per paid membership.

6.1.3

Nominations for Secretary/Treasurer will be taken at the April meeting.

6.1.4

Balloting for Secretary/Treasurer will take place in May, and the results announced in August.

6.1.5

Nominations for Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator Assistant will be taken at the April meeting.

6.1.6

Balloting for Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator Assistant will take place in May, and the results announced in August.

Article 7 - Conference Schedule
Section 7.1

Two conferences per year (April and October, based on property availability) will be held in a member city. A third gathering will be held during the GE Healthcare National Users Meeting, if deemed appropriate. The locations of the two conferences will be announced in the President's annual letter to the membership.

Article 8 - Dues
Section 8.1

Annual dues are required from an organization in order to maintain membership in the Midwest Regional Users Group. Dues will be determined on an annual basis and will cover expenses including one mailing per organization of meeting minutes. In addition, a conference fee may be charged if deemed appropriate.

Article 9 - Vendors
Section 9.1

GE Healthcare, GE Healthcare Partners, and non-GE Healthcare Partners that show a medical software benefit are welcome to participate.

Section 9.2

Vendors will be selected based on benefits, by the Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator position.

Section 9.3

All vendors are required to sign and return a contract with their payment to the Vendor Relations/Conference Coordinator.

Section 9.4

Vendors will be allowed to make a presentation to the general assembly. It is preferred that the presentation be made with an MRUG member.

Article 10 - Acceptance/Amendment of By-Laws
Section 10.1

These original by-laws shall take effect upon the majority vote by the members in attendance at the Summer General meeting 1990.

Section 10.2

Amendments and/or changes proposed between meetings shall be submitted in writing to the President.

Section 10.3

Amendments and/or changes may be proposed at regular meetings by any voting member of MRUG.

Section 10.4

A written notice and vote of the proposed amendment and/or change shall be sent to he membership at any time as deemed necessary.

Section 10.5

Amendments and/or changes to the by-laws will be voted on by the membership. A simple majority vote will be required to pass an amendment or approve the change(s).