SMO Consitution & By-Laws

Article I: Name
This organization shall be known as the “Society of Military Otolaryngologists" (SMO).

​Article II: Purpose of Society
The purposes of this Society are, in addition to any others set forth elsewhere in this constitution, to bring into one organization the otolaryngologists of the Army, Air Force, and Navy; to further the social and professional contacts of military otolaryngologists; and for the advancement of the science and art of otolaryngology in the military services.

​​Article III: Membership

1.  All members shall be graduates in medicine in good professional standing and specializing in the art and science of otolaryngology.  They must be members of the Regular Army, Regular Air Force, Regular Navy, or reserve officers currently on an extended active duty status.  Retired regular or reserve otolaryngologists, retired either by virtue of length of service or physical disability, are eligible for membership.  There shall be two classes of membership.
   1. First:  Fellows: Those service personnel on active duty specializing in otolaryngology who are diplomats of the American Board of Otolaryngology.
   2. Second:  Associates:  Those service personnel on active duty specializing in otolaryngology who are eligible for examination by the American Board of Otolaryngology or who are currently in a training status leading to eligibility for Board examination.
2. Associate members must re-apply for membership every four years.  Associate members may apply for the status of Fellows upon certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
3. Upon discharge from the service other than by virtue of retirement or physical disability, members will revert to an inactive status and will not have the right to vote at the annual meeting, but will share in any other benefits of the Society.  Dues will be assessed these members.
4. The By-Laws of the Society may provide for Emeritus and Honorary membership for those doctors of medicine and others who do not possess all the requisites for regular membership. Such members shall be exempt from dues and assessments and shall not be entitled to vote in executive sessions.

Article IV: Meetings

1. Regular meetings shall be held annually during the week of, and at the place of, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology annual meeting at a time and date as has been determined by the Society.
2. Special meetings may be called by the President and shall be called by the written request of five members.  A call for a special meeting shall state the object of such meeting and no business shall be transacted except that for which the meeting was called.

​Article V: Officers

1. The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer, chosen from the Fellows of the Society.
2. The foregoing officers shall constitute the Board of Governors of the Society and shall be elected annually, or until their successors are elected.
3. They shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Society present at the annual meeting, to manage the affairs of the Society for the ensuing year and to serve at its next meeting.
4. The President shall not be eligible for re-election to the same office at the expiration of his term of service for a period of five years.

​Article VI: Dues

1. Initiation Fee.  An initial fee of $5.00 shall be required of all Fellows and Associate Members.  This fee includes the first years dues.
2. Annual Dues.  The annual dues for all members for each fiscal year shall be fixed by action of the Society at the last regular meeting of the preceding fiscal year. Dues are presently $1.00 per year. Fellows or Associate Fellows will be dropped from the rolls if they have not paid their dues for three (3) consecutive years.