There shall be four classes of membership: Active, Associate, Student, and Honorary.

Resignation, forfeiture, expulsion and reinstatement of an individual's membership in this corporation shall be effective upon receipt by this corporation of due notice of such action relative to such individual's membership in the American Health Information Management Association. For purposes of membership in this corporation , transfer of an individual's membership (1) in this corporation to another component state association of the American Health Information Management Association or (2) from such other component state association of this corporation shall be effective upon receipt by this corporation from the American Health Information Management Association of due notice of such transfer.

An annual business meeting of members shall be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may determine.

Special meetings of members may be called by the President or by the Board of Directors, and shall be called by the President upon the written request of not less than 10% of the active members of the corporation.

Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of which such meeting is called, shall be delivered either personally or by mail to each member not less than five (5) days and not more than forty(40) days before the date of the meeting, by or at the discretion of the President, or the Secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, with postage fully prepaid thereon, addressed to the member at his most recent address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Publication of such notice in an official publication of this corporation sent to each member shall be sufficient if it otherwise complies with this requirement of notice.

Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on each matter presented to a vote at any meeting of members. To be entitled to vote, an active member must be present at the meeting and vote in person.

At any meeting of members a quorum shall exist if at least 10% of the active members are present in person. The affirmative vote of a majority of the active members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of any matter voted upon by the members, unless a greater proportion is required by the Articles of Incorporation, by these Bylaws, or by law. Except as these Bylaws may otherwise specifically provide, each meeting of members shall be conducted in accordance with the then current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

The property, business and affairs of this corporation shall be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the President-elect, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Immediate Past-President, all designated herein as officer members, six Strategy Managers (appointed by the incoming President) and six district representatives (one from each LHIMA district: Central, Greater New Orleans, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest) elected at large from those active members of each respective district who are not officers of the Board of Directors. The President shall act as a chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Secretary shall act as Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Only active members in good standing shall be eligible to serve as members of the Board of Directors. No officer member of the Board of Directors may, at the same time, be a district representative member of the Board of Directors. A person who has served a full term as a district representative member of the Board of Directors may not be re-elected to succeed himself as a district representative member of the Board of Directors.

Each LHIMA District will elect a district representative to the LHIMA Board of Directors. The name of each elected district representative will be forwarded to the Board of Directors by February 1st of each year. These district representatives will serve on the Board of Directors of the LHIMA for a period of one year beginning July 1.

An officer member of the Board of Directors who ceases to fill the office to which he was elected shall cease to be a member of the Board of Directors automatically without further notice. Any district representative member of the Board of Directors may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Secretary of this corporation to be effective immediately or at a later time stated herein.

Vacancies created by the death, resignation, disqualification, or election to an office of a district representative member of the Board of Directors may be filled until the next annual election of district representative by affirmative vote of a majority of the active members in the affected district. The district representative so elected will fill the vacancy until June 30th. This district representative filling a vacancy that is not regarded as a full-term may be re-elected to succeed himself as a district representative member of the Board of Directors.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe at which any business of the corporation within the power of the Board to transact may be conducted. The Board of Directors shall meet not less than four times each year.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President and shall be called by the President upon written request of any four (4) members of the Board of Directors. The person or persons authorized to call such special meetings may fix any place within the State of Louisiana as the place for holding any such meeting called by them.

Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of any meeting shall be given at least five (5) and no more than forty (40) days before the day of such meeting, either personally or by mail addressed to each member of the Board of Directors at his address as it appears on the records of this corporation. Such notice shall be effective when given to the member in person, when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid as the case may be. A waiver of notice in writing, signed by the number of members entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated herein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a member at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a member attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted or the purpose of any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, except as may otherwise specifically be provided by the Articles of Incorporation, by these Bylaws or by law.

A majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum. The act or vote of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act or vote of the Board of Directors unless the act of a greater number is required by the Articles of Incorporation, by these Bylaws, or by law.

The officers of the corporation shall be President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.

Only active members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office.

The President, President-elect, and Immediate Past-President shall hold office for one year or until their successor has been elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in a manner hereinafter provided. The Secretary shall hold office for two years or until his successor has been elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal in a manner hereinafter provided. The Treasurer shall hold office for two years or until his successor has been elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal in a manner hereinafter provided. The election of the offices of Secretary and Treasurer shall be held in alternating years. The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy in an elected office created by death, resignation or disqualification by designating an acting officer to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. After serving in such office for one year, the President-elect shall succeed to the office of President, automatically without further action.

Nominations for the office of President-elect, Treasurer (in odd-numbered years), and Secretary (in even numbered years) and for President, should the office of President-elect become vacant, shall be made by the Nominating Committee at least 60 days prior to the annual business meeting. Voting for officers shall be by mail ballot only. Ballots with instructions for their use, shall be placed in the mail to all active members at least forty-five (45) days prior the annual business meeting. In order to be counted, a ballot must be returned by mail to the Credentials Project Manager, and must be received at least five (5) days before the annual business meeting. The Credentials Project Committee shall meet prior to the annual meeting and shall open and tabulate the ballots. Ballots received after the deadline shall be destroyed, unopened. The officers shall be elected by the plurality of the votes cast by the active members in good standing. In the cases of a tie, the election shall be decided by a lot. Results of the election shall be announced at the annual business meeting and the officers shall assume office on July 1.

Any officer may at any time resign by filing a written notice of such resignation to the Secretary of the corporation to be effective immediately or a later time stated therein. Any officer may be removed from office by the affirmative vote or two-thirds of the active members present at any meeting of members at which a quorum is present whenever, in their judgment, the best interest of the corporation will be served thereby. Any vacancy created by such removal shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by designating an active officer to serve. The removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the officer so removed.

There shall be such committees and projects as necessary to conduct the business of the Association. The composition, size and duties of the committees, with the exception of the Nominating Committee shall be set forth in the Association's Strategic Plan/Action Plans and subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Active members in good standing shall be eligible for appointment as chairmen of committees and strategy and project managers.

The term of office and provision for filling of vacancies on committees and projects shall be set forth in the Association's Strategic Plan/Action Plans.

The duties, operational policies and procedures shall be set forth in the Association's Strategic Plan/Action Plans. Committees/Projects shall not preempt the authority of the Board of Directors in any matter.

Each committee chairman/project manager shall present a written report to the President prior to each Board meeting and an annual report to the Newsletter Project Manager for the Interval Note Annual Report (June/July issue).

A majority of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum.

This corporation shall be represented in the House of Delegates of the American Health Information Management Association by a minimum of one delegate. If there are 150 or less active members of the Association, then this Association will be represented by one delegate. Beginning with 151 active members and for each additional 100 active members this Association will be represented by one additional delegate. In no event shall this Association be represented by more than 5 delegates. The apportionment shall be based on active membership of the Association on record in the Executive Office of the American Health Information Management Association at the close of business on December 31 of the immediate prior year.

The term of delegates shall be two years. Terms of delegates shall be staggered to maintain continuity in the House of Delegates and in this Component State Delegation. No delegate may serve more than two consecutive terms.

Only active members in good standing shall be eligible to serve as delegates to the American Health Information Management Association.

Nominations for delegates shall be made as provided in Section 7.7 (d) of these Bylaws. The President and President-elect shall automatically serve as delegates and additional delegates shall be elected as provided in Section 8.1 of this Article. 5th delegate position, if required by membership size, shall be filled by second year Secretary or second year Treasurer in alternate years. Election of delegates shall be by mail ballots of the active members in good standing. The ballots shall indicate the membership certification of each nominee. A plurality vote shall elect. The one receiving the next highest number of votes shall be called to serve as an alternate in case an elected delegate finds it impossible to serve during the two years.

This corporation shall receive from the American Health Information Management Association that portion of the dues paid to it by its members who are also of this corporation, as may from time to time be provided by the American Health Information Management Association in its Bylaws or otherwise. Such amounts received from the American Health Information Management Association may be augmented by such assessment against the members of this corporation as may from time to time be established by 3/4 vote of the membership at a duly constituted meeting.

Whenever any notice is required to be given to any person a waiver thereof in writing signed by such person, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to giving such notice. Any action which could be taken at any meeting of members of the Board of Directors or committee may be taken by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting signed by each person who would be entitled to be present and vote at such meeting.

This corporation is organized under the General Not for Profit Corporation Act of Louisiana and is organized for scientific and educational purposes and no part of its net earnings shall insure to the benefit of any private member, director, officer, or other individual. In the event of a dissolution of this corporation, the net distributable assets, after all liabilities and obligations of the corporation have been paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provisions have been made therefore, and after assets held upon conditions requiring return, transfer or conveyance, which condition occurs by; reason for the dissolution have been returned, transferred, or conveyed in accordance with such requirements, shall be distributed to one or more corporations, societies or organizations which are organized and operated not for profit and which in the judgment of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, then in office, are deemed to be engaged solely in scientific and educational activities advancing the causes of health information management and technology and the health of the public.

Members of the Board of Directors, officers, strategy/project managers, committee chairmen, committee members and delegates to the American Health Information Management Association shall serve without compensation. Nothing herein, however, shall prevent the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the corporation's affairs.

The location of the principal office of the corporation shall be in the city of the Secretary's residence, State of Louisiana, or such other place as the Board of Directors may from time to time select.

The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of July in each year and end on the thirtieth day of June in each year.

The Board of Directors may authorize any officer of officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and delivery any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instance. All checks, drifts, or other orders for payment of money, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation not otherwise employed, and all funds received shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

The power to alter, amend or repeal Bylaws or to adopt new Bylaws shall be vested solely in the active members. The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present at the meeting at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to alter, amend or repeal any Bylaw.

Written or printed notice of a proposal for alteration, amendment or repeal of any Bylaw, or adoption of any new bylaw, shall be mailed to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposal is to be submitted to the vote of the members. Such notice shall include the test of any Bylaw which it is proposed to alter, amend or repeal reflecting the proposed alteration or amendment, the text of any proposed new Bylaw, the comments and recommendation of the Board of Directors, if any and a statement that the proposal will be submitted to a vote of active members at the meeting to be held on the date specified on the notice.

After due adoption by the active members as provided in Section 10.1 of these Bylaws, each alteration, amendment or repeal of any Bylaw or adoption of any new Bylaw shall be submitted to the American Health Information Management Association for final signature or approval and shall become effective upon receipt by this corporation of such final signature of approval or at such later date as may be set forth in such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption.

The purpose of the District Associations shall be (1) to promote the art and science of health information management at the local level, and (2) to strengthen the Louisiana Health Information Management Association and the American Health Information Management Association by (a) providing a forum for discussion of the affairs of the state and national organizations, (b) by developing local leaders who may serve as leaders at the state and national levels, and (c) by providing a means of communication between the members of the local districts and the state association's Board of Directors.

Each district association shall elect an active registered or active accredited member to represent its members on the Louisiana Health Information Management Association Board of Directors, as provided in Article V, Section 5.2. The name of each representative shall be submitted to the Board of Directors not later than February 1 of each year.

Each District Association shall adopt bylaws which shall provide for the election of district officers. The name of each district officer shall be submitted to the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Health Information Management Association before February 1.

Assessments levied by the Louisiana Health Information Management Association, as provided in ARTICLE IX, Section 9.1 shall be paid directly to the Treasurer of the Louisiana Health Information Management Association by each member.

This association recognizes that as the need of the Louisiana Health Information Management Association and its members change, the redesignation of district boundaries may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of the organization. Should any active member of this organization feel that a redesignation of districts is necessary, that member shall follow the procedure for amendment of Bylaws as provided in ARTICLE X. In addition, for an amendment to the Bylaws affecting the redesignation of districts to be enacted, it must be approved by a majority of the active members in the district(s) concerned, as well as by the two-thirds vote of the active members of the Louisiana Health Information Management Association as provided in ARTICLE X, Section 10.1.