Homeopathy is a scientific method of treatment based on
the application of
three fundamental principles of healing.
First and foremost is the principle known as, “the law of similars.” This law states that the symptoms a patient is suffering from can be cured by a substance which can cause those same symptoms in a healthy person. This principle was introduced centuries ago by Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.). It was perfected in 1785 by the founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician.
Dr. Hahnemann was a medical doctor, chemist, and humanitarian. He was also gifted in languages and while working on a botanical translation from English to German he became interested in the medicinal effects of Cinchona (Peruvian bark). Quinine which was made from Peruvian bark was being used to treat malaria. He experimentally caused the symptoms of malaria on himself from ingestion of the plant. This became the first scientific “proving”. He went on to prove the effects of 106 other substances throughout his lifetime and subsequently discover the “law of similars”.
The word “homeopathic” is derived from the Greek words homeos, meaning “similar” or “like” and pathos meaning “disease” or “suffering.” Homeopathic prescribing takes into account all the symptoms that make up a patient’s state of disease or suffering. By selecting the remedy that most closely matches all the symptoms of the patient, a homeopathic practitioner works to restore health on physical, mental and emotional levels.
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IHMA Bylaws
BYLAWS OF THE ILLINOIS HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I—Name The name of this organization shall be the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association. Throughout the bylaws it shall be referred to as the IHMA.
ARTICLE II—Object To promote the science of Homeopathic Medicine. To encourage Homeopathic medical research. To establish standards of Homeopathic Medical education.
ARTICLE III—Members
Section 1. The membership of the IHMA shall consist of:
Active members–who are currently licensed in the U.S. as doctors of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry, naturopathy, veterinary medicine or currently licensed in the U.S. as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner;
Resident members–who are currently enrolled in an accredited residency training program for medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry, naturopathy, veterinary medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner;
Associate members–who are any other health practitioners who are currently licensed;
Student members–who are currently enrolled in a school of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry, naturopathy, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner;
Honorary members–who are recognized for theirsuperior achievement in support of Homeopathy.
Affiliate members-non-licensed practitioners of homeopathy and members of the community who are supportive of homeopathy.
Section 2. Only active or resident members are eligible to vote or hold office.
Section 3. Honorary members must be selected by a majority of voting members.
Section 4. Annual dues for all members shallbe in the amount as determined by the majority vote of the members. The membership fee schedule may be amended on an individual basis by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Membership will routinely expire eitherJune 30 orDecember 31 of the calendar year that follows the date of joining/paying dues. The renewal date of June 30 or December 31 is dependent on the date of joining/paying dues. Officers will be exempt from dues during their term in office. Once their term as officers has ended, they will again owe dues beginning January 1. Resident and student members shall pay less dues than active members.
Section 5. Members neglecting to pay their dues shall be ineligible toparticipate.
Section 6. Honorary members shall not be responsiblefor paying dues.
Section 7. Any person shall become a member upon completion of the IHMA application form, submission of proof of licensure status, approval by the membership committee, and payment of dues.
Section 8. If a member does not renew membership 30 days after receiving the 2ndnotice, the membership will be suspended. Notification of said suspension will be sent to the member. This member may be reinstated by the membership committee if a letter requesting membership is received anda $20 reinstatement fee is paid. A new application for membership will be required after a lapse of membership of 2 years or more and reinstatement will be upon approval by the membership committee.
ARTICLE IV–Officers
Section 1. The officersof the IHMA, who will also act as the Executive Committee, shall be the President, Vice–President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Secretary may also hold the office of Treasurer.
Section 2. The president shall preside at all meetings, shall appoint chairpersons and committees when needed, and shall execute the administrative duties of his/her office. The president shall deliver an address at the opening session of the annual meeting, presenting suggestions relative to the conduct of the affairs of the IHMA to be acted upon during the meeting.
Section 3. The vice–president shall fill an unexpired term of the president and shall perform the duties of the president in her/his absence or disability.
Section 4. The secretary shall keep a record of allproceedings of the business sessions of the IHMA conduct its correspondence, and have charge of its archives.
Section 5. The treasurer shall have charge of all funds and securities, to receive all monies, make all necessary disbursements, and report thesame at the annual meeting of the IHMA. These funds shall be appropriated only with the authority of another member of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. The officers shall also perform any other listed duties in the parliamentary authority and these bylaws.
Section 7. The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting by simple majority of those present to serve a term of one year until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin upon adjournment of the annual meeting.
Section 8. To hold office one must be an active member for three consecutive years, except during the first three years of the
IHMA’s existence during which any active member may hold office.
Section 9. Between the meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee which is composed of the officers shall have and shall exercise the power and authority of the Board in the management of the IHMA, except that the Executive Committee may not expend or commit expenditure of money in excess of $1,000 per expenditure forany purpose. The Executive Committee’s actions shall be subject to review by the Board of Directors.
Section 10. In the event of a vacancy in any office for any reason, the Board of Directors shall then appoint an Officer to fill the remaining vacancyuntil the next annual meeting of the Members.
ARTICLE V–Board of Directors
Section 1. The business and affairs of the IHMA shall be managed by the Board of Directors, which shall exercise the power of the Corporation and do all lawful acts and things which are not, by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these By–Laws, directed or required to be exercised by the Membership.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers (i.e. the executive committee), two permanentmembers from the MD/DO and DC licensure category, and one representative from each other licensure category within the active membership (i.e. DDS, ND, DVM, PA, NP) which has an active membership count which is greater than or equal to ten percent (10%) of thetotal active membership. If at the time of reelection, the specific licensure category has fallen below the 10% amount, then that licensure category shall lose its board seat until the 10% amount is again met. All board members are voting members.
Section 3. Nonofficer members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting by simple majority of the active members present to serve a term of three (3) years until their successors are elected. At the first election of board members, straws will be drawn to determine who serves a 3, 2 or 1 year term, so that each year at least one board seat will come up for reelection.
Section 4. A regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at the same place as the annual meeting members. The Board of Directors may call, by resolution, additional regular meetings of the Board.
Section 5.The president shall chair the annual Board of Directors meeting and set the agenda for this meeting. The Chair shall appointa secretary to record the minutes of any meetings of the Board and a copy of these minutes shall be delivered to the secretary for the archives.
Section 6. The Chair or the President or any two other members of the Board may call special meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board for the unexpired term of any vacancy occurring.
Section 8. Members of the Board of Directors shallreceive adequate advance notice of annual and special meetings. The business to be transacted at any special meeting of the Board must be specified in the notice of such meeting.
Section 9. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board. If less than a majority of the Board of Directors are present
at said meeting, a majority of the Directors present may recess the meeting from time to time without further notice. Section 10. Board members shall not receive any compensation for their services, but , by resolution of the Board, may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the execution of their duties. Non-officer Board members shall be responsible to pay yearly dues the sameas all other active members.
ARTICLE VI–Meetings
Section 1. The IHMA shall hold an annual meeting at such a time and place as designated by the board of directors. At least two months notice of the time and place of such meeting shall be given to the membership by written notification. The president when requested by two other members of the Board of Directors shall call a special meeting of the IHMA.
Section 2. Ten percent of the active membership of the IHMA shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of Members, the meeting will be recessed to a date selected by a majority ofthe voting Members present.
ARTICLE VII–Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in Bylaws of Illinois corporations and in the ModernEdition ofRobert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Society in all cases where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.
ARTICLE VIII–Committees
Section 1. The following committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the president at the annual meeting of the IHMA: education committee, membership committee, auditing committee, and nomination committee. The chairpersons may then choose other members to assist them in their committee work.
Section 2.The education committee shall propose continuing homeopathic medical education events and consider proposals for homeopathic medical research.
Section 3. The membership committee shall review and approve applications for membership.
Section 4. The auditing committee shall consist of one person who will audit the Treasurer’s report prior to the annual meeting so that approval of the Treasurer’s report can be made.
Section 5. The nomination committee shall consist of at least three active members whowill meet before the annual meeting, and present a slate of nominations for officers and the vacancies on the board of directors at the annual meeting. After the nomination committee report is delivered at the annual meeting, the floor will be opened forother nominations for the open seats. Election is by either voice vote if unopposed or by ballot if opposed, with the nominee receiving the majority of votes being declared elected.
ARTICLE IX–Amendments These bylaws may be amended at any annual or special meeting by a vote of the majority of the members present, provided that previous notice of the amendment was given to all members at least 30 days in advance.
The Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association is an association of licensed health care practitioners united in their purpose of using homeopathically prepared medicines in their practices.
A homeopathic medicine is any substance produced by serial dilution and succussion according to the standards of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).
Homeopathic medicines can be used as a sole therapy, wherever appropriate, or in conjunction with other therapeutic modaliaties as clinical necessity dictates.
The prescribing of homeopathic remedies is based on the judicious use of the principles of the Law of Similars, as outlined by Samuel Hahnemann (refer to The Principles of Classical Homeopathic Medicine listed below)
The organization will be open to other principles of homeotherapeutics as they become validated and have principles which can be incorporated into the Standards of Practice.
The homeopathic medical practitioners shall meet the standards of the various Medical Practice Acts for the State of their residence. They shall be currently licensed in their State. They will keep all medical records as required, employ all appropriate diagnostic and laboratory procedures, and make any necessary diagnoses.
The Principles of Classical Homeopathic Medical Practice
The Law of Similars is the Law of Cure. Samuel Hahnemann’s Organon of the Medical Art is the guide in therapeutics. The totality of signs and symptoms forms the basis for the selection of the homeopathic medicine.
The curative power of homeopathic medicines (remedies) is known from over 200 years of their testing on healthy individuals, which are recorded as provings. The symptom picture of these medicines is then matched to the symptom picture of the patient and administered accordingly.
Medicines are obtained and prepared according to the guidelines found in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States which is the standard homeopathic reference text recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The most beneficial therapeutic effect is attained from the action of a single homeopathic remedy given in the minimal dose.
All members practicing classical homeopathy shall be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the principles outlined in Samuel Hahnemann’s Organon of Medicine and continue to pursue proficiency of prescribing by ongoing study of homeopathic concepts, philosophy, medica medica and repertories.
