American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists Logo

ACOOG BYlaws

Policies and Procedures

This document serves as a reference for the duties, composition, and term limits of each ACOOG Committee. It is a dynamic document revised as needed and approved by the Board of Trustees — no general membership approval required, unless changes affect the Bylaws.

The ACOOG Board of Trustees will approve any changes to this document, but approval of the general membership is not required. Any changes to the Bylaws of the ACOOG will need to be approved by the Board of Trustees and the general membership.

Editorial Committee

Composition

Chairperson (editor of the ACOOG newsletter, no term limits) and four members. Term: 1 year with a 3-year limit; terms are staggered.

  • The Chair shall be the editor of the ACOOG newsletter.
  • Members shall act as guest editors for the ACOOG newsletter.
  • The committee will cooperate with the editorial department of the American Osteopathic Association and assist in editing obstetrical and gynecological writing intended for publication.

Research and Awards Committee

Composition

Chair and three or more members as determined by the President, including one senior resident or postgraduate fellow. Term: 1 year with a 3-year limit; terms are staggered. The Chair has no term limits.

  • Foster excellence and integrity in physicians in training programs; promote original research publications and manuscript submissions.
  • Work with the ACOOG Executive Committee and EVP to explore funding sources to subsidize research in this specialty.
  • Encourage and assist postgraduate trainees in the preparation and submission of research projects.
  • Recommend to the Board of Trustees which research projects shall receive financial support from available funds.
  • Evaluate and grade research projects presented at the annual meeting.
  • Recommend to the Board of Trustees any outstanding osteopathic physician for a special award.

Nominating Committee

Composition

Immediate Past President (Chair), current President, President-Elect, and Vice President.

  • Propose members' names for the various offices of the College and appropriate AOA Committee recommendations.
  • Notify the general membership of proposed nominations at least 30 days in advance of the annual meeting.

Bylaws Committee

Composition

Chair and 5 members. Term: 1 year with a 3-year limit; terms are staggered. The Chair has no term limits.

  • Study all proposed and necessary amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws, and policies and procedures.
  • Draw up in proper form all suggested amendments and send copies to the Executive Vice President.
  • Proposed Bylaw amendments must be approved by the Board of Trustees and forwarded to the general membership 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting for approval.

Ad Hoc Committee on Ethical and Professional Standards

Composition

Chair and 5 members appointed by the President on an Ad Hoc basis when required.

  • Enforce the Code of Ethics of the ACOOG, which follows the AOA Code of Ethics.
  • Review, investigate, and hold hearings regarding allegations or complaints of violations of the Constitution, Bylaws, Code of Ethics, or unprofessional conduct.
  • Issue formal complaints to respondent members with at least 20 days to file a written answer; conduct hearings within 60 days if requested.
  • Make written findings of fact and forward recommendations to the Board of Trustees within 30 days of any hearing. A three-fourths vote is required for any committee decision.
  • Forward records of suspensions or expulsions to the AOA CEO for review by the AOA Board of Trustees.

Continuing Medical Education Committee

Composition

Chair (no term limits) and 13 members including program chairs/co-chairs of the next three scheduled conferences, a resident representative (two-year term), and a student representative (one-year term). Ex-officio: Executive Vice President. Term: 3 years, maximum 2 terms per member.

  • Ensure at least two CME programs per year to assist members in meeting AOA requirements.
  • Review and recommend candidates for Program Chair(s) to the Board of Trustees.
  • Review and recommend program curricula submitted by Program Chairs to the ACOOG Board of Trustees.
  • Review attendee evaluation forms and conduct appropriate needs assessment activities.
  • Develop long-range CME course curricula.
  • Assist with the incorporation and promotion of Osteopathic principles and practices in OB/GYN residency training.
  • Ensure the inclusion of appropriate Osteopathic content in all ACOOG CME programs.

Strategic Planning Committee

Composition

The two most recent Past Presidents (Immediate Past President as Chair), President-Elect, Vice President, Resident Representative to the BOT (two-year term), a second-year NSS member (two-year term), two elected members (staggered two-year terms), optionally a Postgraduate Fellow at the Chair's discretion, and the Chairs of the Membership & Promotion, CME, and Government Affairs Committees.

  • Conduct an annual review of the strategic plan and recommend additions, deletions, or other changes to the Board of Trustees.
  • Publish and present the strategic plan to the general membership at the annual membership meeting.

Government Affairs Committee

Composition

Six regular members (one being Chair), one resident representative (one-year term in 3rd or 4th year of training), and one student representative. Members may be selected based on geographic representation. Ex-officio: Executive Vice President. Term: 3 years with staggered terms.

  • Report governmental issues important to women's health to the ACOOG Board of Trustees — twice annually at the annual and mid-year meetings.
  • Serve as liaisons between the ACOOG and government relations committees of other national organizations involved in women's healthcare.
  • Participate in the annual ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference and DO Day on the Hill; members should be willing to travel to Washington, DC at least once annually.
  • Hold a minimum of 2 virtual meetings per year; attendance at least once per year is mandatory.
  • Participation in OB-GYN PAC and/or OPAC is highly encouraged on an annual basis.

Historian and Traditions Committee

Composition

Chair (Historian of the College, must be a Distinguished Fellow, three-year term with no term limits) and four members plus a resident representative. At least two members must be Distinguished Fellows. Members serve three-year terms with a two-term limit, staggered. The resident member serves a one-year term in the 3rd or 4th year of training.

  • Recommend actions, activities, and maintain a log of significant events by the ACOOG membership.
  • Keep a written history — complete with photographs, documentation, and personal and professional information — of significant ACOOG events to preserve its legacy.
  • Recognize current members who have achieved milestones; record awards and ceremonies with consistent, professional documentation.
  • Meet at least once per year at the annual meeting.

Position Response Committee

Composition

Immediate Past President (Chair), President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Government Affairs Committee Chair, AOBOG Chair, Executive Vice President, and representatives to other relevant organizations as determined by the President as needed.

  • Maintain a mechanism for rapid responses to inquiries from other organizations or to draft consensus statements from the ACOOG on various topics or events.
  • Work closely with the ACOOG Board of Trustees and all other committees on public relations and review any communication released by the ACOOG.

Council of Postgraduates (COP-ACOOG)

Composition

Resident Representative to the Board of Trustees (Chair), resident representatives of all other ACOOG committees, a new physician in practice who is the most recent past resident representative to the Board (two-year term), and a faculty advisor who is a senior member of the College (renewable two-year term). If the most recent past resident representative cannot serve, another new physician in practice will be appointed by the President.

  • Serve as the advocacy body for the candidate membership (residents and fellows) of the ACOOG.
  • Provide education, resources, and support for all candidate members in training.
  • Cultivate communication and promote opportunities for meaningful interaction and fellowship among candidate members.
  • Inspire postgraduate engagement in future leadership roles in the ACOOG.
  • Promote osteopathic distinctiveness within the GME community.
  • Meet at least twice annually — once at the ACOOG Fall Conference and additional meetings by phone or web conference.

The Council serves as a functionary of the ACOOG and is subject at all times to change, alteration, modification, and abolition by the Board of Trustees. It has no authority to obligate the ACOOG financially or to act as an agent of the ACOOG except as specifically authorized.

National Student Society (NSS-ACOOG)

Composition & Officers

Members appointed by the ACOOG President from student members nominated by locally sanctioned student ob/gyn interest groups (SOBIG). Each campus has one voting delegate and one alternate. Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary) serve one-year terms, elected at the Fall Conference. Nominations open 90 days before the meeting; slate published 30 days in advance. An NSS-ACOOG advisor — a regular or senior ACOOG member — is appointed by the ACOOG President.

  • Familiarize and educate osteopathic medical students about the mission, vision, and core values of the ACOOG.
  • Provide opportunities for fellowship among osteopathic medical students interested in osteopathic OB/GYN.
  • Educate students about opportunities for postgraduate education and research in the field of women's health.
  • Foster communication between the ACOOG and sanctioned osteopathic OB/GYN student interest groups at accredited Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
  • Meet at least annually at the time of the ACOOG Fall Conference. Only seated delegates have voting privileges.
  • Officers cooperate with the AOA and ACOOG as local officers and agents, within the specific authority granted by those organizations.

The NSS-ACOOG serves as a functionary of the ACOOG and is subject at all times to change, alteration, modification, and abolition by the Board of Trustees. It has no authority to obligate the ACOOG financially or to act as an agent of the ACOOG except as specifically authorized.

Official Document

ACOOG Policies and Procedures

Download the full official document as approved by the ACOOG Board of Trustees.

⬇ Download PDF