Article I. Name

This National Association shall be known as The Ghanaian Pharmacists Association - North America and shall be abbreviated “GPhA-NA”.

Article II. Vision & Mission

Vision: To establish a strong, unified network of Ghanaian pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians to make a positive impact in healthcare both here in North America and in Ghana.

Mission: To advocate for all Ghanaian pharmacists, pharmacy students and technicians, share knowledge, ideas and innovations, assist with career opportunities and to project a positive professional image while working to strengthen the bond between Ghanaian pharmacists in North America and Ghana.

Article III. Goals & Objectives

The goals and objectives of GPhA are:

1. Form a professional network of Ghanaian pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians.
2. Advocate on behalf of all Ghanaian pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy technicians.
3. Collaborate with Ghanaian pharmacy institutional stakeholders to expand the role of pharmacists, promote best practices and the use of technological innovations in healthcare delivery in Ghana.
4. Organize health events, charitable activities and community services in North America and Ghana.
5. Encourage professional competency and leadership development through advanced education and specialization in pharmacy practice.
6. Partner with other healthcare professionals and organizations to promote optimum health in North America and in Ghana.
7. Support pharmacy students, new graduates and Ghanaian pharmacists migrating to North America.
8. Support pharmacy schools both in Ghana and North America in terms of aid, mentorship, preceptorship, and educational exchange programs.
9. Establish a working partnership with the Ghana Pharmacy Council and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana.

Article IV. Membership

1. Active Membership

Any North America domiciled Ghanaian pharmacist, in good professional standing who has a valid license to practice pharmacy is eligible to become a member.

2. Other Categories of Membership

The Board of Trustees shall establish other categories of membership, as it deems appropriate.

Article IV. Governing Body

The national governing body of the GPhA-NA shall be the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees shall provide supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the association, making changes if necessary within the limits of the constitution and bylaws; shall actively pursue the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the association; and shall have the final discretion in the disbursement of its funds. It may adopt procedures for the conduct of its business, and may, in the execution of the powers granted, appoint such agents, as it may consider necessary. The Board of Trustees must approve all contracts entered into on behalf of the association by the chapter presidents.

Article V. Chapters

The governing body for each state chapter shall be the state executives. The executive shall provide leadership and supervision at the state level. A minimum of three Ghanaian pharmacists are needed to start a chapter. State chapters will have their state abbreviation next to GPhA. (For example, the name for the Maryland chapter shall be GPhA-MD).

Article VI. Board of Trustees

The immediate-past president, President, Vice-President, National Coordinator, National Treasurer, National Secretary and five (5) at-large members shall constitute the Board of Trustees.

Article VII. State Executives

The State Chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Programs Coordinator shall constitute the Executive. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The State Chapter President may call a physical meeting or conference call at any given time.

Article VIII. Amendment of Constitution

Every proposal to amend this constitution must be submitted in writing to the Board of Trustees. The proposed changes shall be presented to the membership at a regular or special meeting of the association. Upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at this meeting, the proposed amendment shall become part of the constitution.

Bylaws

Article I. Membership

A.   Active Membership

Any North America domiciled, Ghanaian pharmacist in good professional standing who has a valid license to practice pharmacy is eligible to become an active member. To be an active member in good standing, the annual membership dues must be paid.

B.    Associate Membership

Any Ghanaian pharmacy technician in good professional standing is eligible to become an associate member. To be an active associate member in good standing, the annual membership dues must be paid.

C.   Student Membership

Any Ghanaian pharmacy student currently enrolled in an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school is eligible to become a student member.

D.   Dues

Dues shall be paid annually according to the following categories of membership: One hundred fifty dollars ($150) for Active Membership, seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for Associate Membership, and fifty dollars (50) for Student Membership.

The Board of Trustees shall determine the annual dues for each category of membership of the association. The Chapter Treasurer shall notify members who fail to pay their dues within a period specified for each category of membership by the Board of Trustees. If payment is not made within a grace period specified by the Board of Trustees, without further notice and without hearing, the delinquent members shall be dropped from the Association rolls and thereupon forfeit all rights and privileges of membership including but not limited to the right to hold office, the right to vote in elections, the privileges of member discounts, and eligibility for member only promotions. The Board of Trustees may establish procedures for extending the time for payment of dues and continuation of membership privileges upon request of a member showing good cause.

E.    General Meeting

The National Association shall meet at least once during the year at times set by the Board of Trustees. This meeting shall be known as the GPhA Annual General Meeting.

Article II. Board of Trustees

A.   Composition

The Board of Trustees shall be composed of eleven (11) members and shall include the following: The President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, National Coordinator, Immediate Past President (ex-officio member) and at-large members. The sitting president of GPhA shall be the Chairman of the Board. At-large members of the Board of Trustees shall include: the three (3) founding members of GPhA. No ex-officio member shall have voting privileges. The Board of Trustees may designate additional ex-officio members on an annual basis by a majority vote of the Board. Dr. Anthony Wutoh and the Registrar of the Ghana Pharmacy Council shall serve as special advisors to the Board.

B.    Eligibility

Members of the Board of Trustees shall be licensed pharmacists who practice or reside in North America. Members of the Board of Trustees must maintain their GPhA membership during their tenure. The registrar of the Ghana Pharmacy Council shall be exempt from this eligibility requirement.

C.   Terms of Office

Elected officers of the Association shall normally hold office for a period of three (3) years up to a total period of service not exceed six (6) years. Special elections would be held to replace an elected official who resigns and this election must be held within one (1) month after the resignation(s).

D.   Meetings of the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees shall have regular meetings throughout the year, including a meeting during the Annual General Meeting. The Board shall meet upon call of the President at such times and places that may be designated, and shall be called to meet upon demand of a majority of the Board. Notice of all meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be communicated at least ten (10) days in advance of such meetings.

E.    Quorum

A majority of the whole board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board. The president will cast the deciding vote in a case of a tie vote.

F.    Absences

If a member of the Board of Trustees is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings for reasons, which the Board has declared to be insufficient by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees, and if the trustee is given reasonable prior notice of the potential removal, resignation shall be deemed tendered and accepted.

1. Compensation

Trustees shall not receive compensation for their services as trustees, but the board may, by resolution, authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Nothing herein shall preclude a trustee from serving the association in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such services.

2. Resignation or removal

Any trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the President or to the Board of Trustees. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at the time of acceptance thereof as determined by the President of the Board. Any trustee may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees. The trustee shall be given reasonable prior notice of the potential removal and the reasons for removal.

3. Vacancies

Any trustee vacancy that may occur on the board by reason of death, resignation, or removal shall be filled by a majority vote of all remaining members of the board for the unexpired term.

Article III. Officers

A.   Installation

Each officer shall take office upon installation and shall assume the duties of his or her office and shall serve for the stated term of office or until the successor is duly elected and installed.

B.    Vacancies

Except for vacancies in the position of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President vacancies in all other offices shall be filled for the balance of the term thereof by an individual elected by a majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees.

C.   President

President shall be the head of the organization. He/she shall designate someone to organize programs and association meetings, shall supervise and assemble the affairs of the executive committee to preside at each meeting. He/she shall also moderate all meetings with the help of the general secretary. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by the organization, bylaws. The President shall submit a report at the annual meeting of the association.

D.   Vice President (who shall be the President-elect)

The Vice President shall be the President-elect, and in the event of the temporary disability or absence of the President and with the approval of the Board of Trustees, shall assume and perform the duties of President until the President is able to resume such duties. The Vice President will assist the president in his/her duties. The vice president will also work closely with the organizing secretary to lead association members on special projects and assist with social activities and charitable events.

The Vice President shall have such duties as the President and the Board of Trustees may assign.

E.    General Secretary

General Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of executive board decisions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all association meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained. General Secretary will also ensure that all documentation (i.e. flyers, notices, presentations) needed for an event, meetings and activities are provided to the responsible party.

F.    Treasurer

The Treasurer shall ensure the maintenance of an account of all monies received, invested, and expended by the Association; shall oversee disbursements authorized by the Board of Trustees; and shall make a report at the annual meeting or when called upon by the President. All sums received shall be deposited in institutions approved by the Board of Trustees. Funds may be drawn only upon the signature of the Treasurer and one of the individuals approved by the Board of Trustees. The funds, books, and vouchers and the Treasurer's control shall be at all times subject to the verification and inspection by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall ensure that an audit of the books by an accounting firm approved by the Board of Trustees be performed on an annual basis and also upon a significant change of association staff. The Treasurer shall ensure that all required tax returns and other governmental requirements be performed in a timely manner. The Treasurer shall chair the Budget and Finance Committee, which is responsible for drafting an annual budget to present to the Board of Trustees and to monitor investments to ensure compliance with the Investment Policy Statement of the Association.

G.   Organizing Secretary/Programs Coordinator

The Organizing Secretary/Programs Coordinator shall be the coordinator for all social activities and events, and special projects for the association. Shall be the liaison between association and other charitable organizations and provide information, resources or fundraising contributions to their cause. Shall serve as the publicity coordinator for the association.

Article IV. Election Process

1. Election of officers of the association shall be held every three years at the annual general meeting.
2. Candidates for election must be nominated and seconded by members in good standing.
3. Officers of the association would normally hold office for a period of three (3) years but may be eligible for re-election to the same position provided that the total period of service does not exceed six (6) years. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
4. Special elections would be held to replace an official who resigns and this election must be held within one (1) month after the resignation(s).
5. A vote of the association members shall be initiated within seven (7) days after the nominations. The nominee for each position receiving the highest vote shall be declared duly elected. In the event of a tie vote, a supplemental ballot election shall be held.

Article V. Committees

1. The Board of Trustees shall create both standing and ad-hoc committees. Committees shall be established by a majority vote of the board of Trustees.
2. The membership of committees shall consist of a chairperson, and other persons who indicate interest in serving on the committee.