the helping hands -

Winter 2021 Volume 61, Issue 4

The Helping Hands -a quarterly official publication of the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

As my time as President comes to a close, I’d like to thank everyone for their support, time and energy this year in helping to make OSSMA stronger than ever. I am continually humbled to see how much our members love our society and work very hard to support it. It’s your perseverance that allowed us to stand up for medical assisting in Ohio in this difficult year and will allow us to continue for years to come.

If you are not active with us at this time, please know that we are here to support you with continuing education offerings, leadership trainings , committee experi-ence, and mentorship opportunities. Many of these membership benefits come free with your annual dues.

It’s a common saying that you get out of it what you put into it. As many of our active members can attest, volunteering in our organization not only builds your skill set, but it also grows your networking circle. Best of all, you will gain a num-ber of new and supportive friends.

I am saddened to not be able to see all of you at our annual state conference. You can find all of the details in the later pages of this edition of the Helping Hands for our Virtual Conference. You can also go to our state website for details as well. I’d also like to wish Melanie Shearer best wishes as I pass on the Pres- identical torch to her capable hands. She will make a wonderful president.

Best Wishes Everyone!

Julie

It is that time of year again to start thinking about chapter members that would like to run for office for 2021-2022. The tentative date of the Virtual OSSMA House of Delegates is May 8, 2021.

This year’s delegates will be voting on the following positions:

• The following offices are up for nomi-nations:

o Vice President o Secretary o Treasurer o Speaker of the House o Vice Speaker of the House

• The following District Councilor are up for nominations: 2, 3, 6, 12 and Members at Large

• The following Alternate District Councilors are up for nominations: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and MAL As a reminder, the nominees must meet the following criteria per the OSSMA Bylaws:

Each candidate for state office shall be an active, associate or life member in good standing shall have attended at least one annual meeting of the OSSMA as a delegate or alternate delegate and have served as an officer of a component chapter. The candi-date shall have had prior service on a state committee.

We are striving to have a full slate of nomi-nees for voting during the virtual HOD. As a reminder, the consent to serve form must be submitted prior to the opening of the HOD.

The nominee must have active paid dues (paid by 12/31/2020) and maintain continu-ous membership during their term of office.

The nominating committee is planning a virtual “Meet the Candidates” event where they will present a short campaign speech and answer questions. This date will be held prior to the virtual HOD. It is required that all nominees have read and be familiar with all duties as outlined in the OSSMA Policy Handbook and OSSMA Bylaws (which can be found on the website) as some questions to the candidates may come from this infor-mation. The Consent to Serve forms must be re-ceived by February 13, 2021 and can be found on the OSSMA website.

Please feel free to contact me or my commit-tee members with any questions.

Respectfully, Aimee Wicker, CMA (AAMA), Chair Natasha Geno, CMA (AAMA) Rhonda Lazette, CMA (AAMA) Mary Elizabeth Regis, CMA (AAMA) Diana Rogers, CMA (AAMA)

DID YOU KNOW?

NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS/DISTRICT COUNCI-LORS 2021 HOUSE OF DELEGATES– AIMEE WICKER, NOMI-

NATING COMMITTEE CHAIR

The website for the Ohio

Department of Health has a

number of fact sheets availa-

ble for your reference. By

going to the website, https://

odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/

gov/odh/home , you will

have access to a number of

choices on information relat-

ing to everything from infant

care to safe tattoo practice.

Learn about Rocky Moun-

tain Spotted Fever or how

the ODH helps to keep Agri-

cultural Labor Camps safe. A

plethora of information is

available to you at no cost

and right at your fingertips.

If you are interested in learn-

ing more about ODH, you

can start your research by

clicking on this link: https://

odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/

gov/odh/about-us. Happy

learning!

You can contribute to

the Helping Hands!

The Helping Hands contains an

educational article in each edi-

tion. We are always looking for

volunteers to submit articles on

topics of interest to medical

assistants in Ohio.

Articles should be 500-1000

words in length and cover topics

that fall under administrative,

clinical or general education

areas in medical assisting.

Not much of a writer? No wor-

ries! Your submission will be

edited for grammar, spelling,

punctuation and spacing. All we

ask is that the information is

factual and cited by a reputable

medical/health source.

If you have any questions,

please contact the Helping

Hands editor at:

[email protected]

2

Save the Date!

Cuyahoga County

Chapter of Medical

Assistants presents

the OSSMA 2021

State Meeting

May 1-May 2, 2021

Virtual Event!

Purchase your tickets

on Eventbrite by click-

ing here. You can also

find the link on the

OSSMA website.

https://ossma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Info-for-Website-candidate-nominations.pdf

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home



https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/resources/rmsf

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/resources/rmsf

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/agricultural-labor-camp/agricultural-labor-camp

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/agricultural-labor-camp/agricultural-labor-camp

https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/about-us



https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ossma-annual-conference-2021-tickets-137027187005

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ossma-annual-conference-2021-tickets-137027187005

AAMA NATIONAL

CONFERENCE SEPT. 24-27, 2021

More information is rolling in for

our 2021 National Conference in

Houston, Texas. The conference

will be held at the Westin Galler-

ia in Houston.

Per the AAMA Conference Web-site,

“The AAMA’s priority is the health and well-being of all con-ference attendees. The confer-ence will be held in person un-less the AAMA determines that it is not in the best interest of the AAMA and its attendees to do so. The AAMA will continually assess the outlook of holding the event in person.

If conference must be canceled,

full refunds will be offered for

conference registration fees.

Flight and hotel reservations are

made independent of the AAMA;

please review the airline’s and

hotel’s cancellation policies be-

fore booking.”

EXCEL AWARDS 2020

Congratulations to OSSMA for

winning 2 AAMA Excel Awards

for 2020. See the full article in

our Kudos section. A full list of

the winners can be found at

https://www.aama-ntl.org/

news/conference/excel

3

2020-2021 Elected Officers

Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants

Julie Fogt

CMA(AAMA)

President

Melanie Shearer

CMA(AAMA)

Vice President

Jennifer Dietz

CMA(AAMA)

Secretary

Agnes Root

CMA(AAMA)

Treasurer

Aimee Quinn

CMA(AAMA)

Speaker of the

House

Amy McMasters

CMA(AAMA)

Vice Speaker of the

House

Judy Kronenberger

CMA(AAMA)

Immediate

Past President

Your Photos!! Updating the OSSMA Shutterfly account. Would love any

photos from local, state, and national meetings. Photos can

be uploaded to the Shutterfly account directly or emailed to

the Historian.

EMAIL:

[email protected]

Shutterfly site:

HTTPS://

ossmahistorian.shutterfly.com/

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hougw-the-westin-galleria-houston/

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hougw-the-westin-galleria-houston/

https://www.aama-ntl.org/news/conference/excel

https://www.aama-ntl.org/news/conference/excel

Pre-Conference

Board Meeting

April 30, 2021

7pm

Weblink information

will be emailed to the

Board of Trustees

closer to the date.

If you are an OSSMA

member and would

like to join the meet-

ing as a guest, Email

the OSSMA Secretary

for invite infor-

mation.

[email protected]

NOTICE: The deadline has passed for emergency dues assistance for 2021.

Do you need assistance with your membership dues this year? Do

you know someone that does? A special fund is available to help

our members pay yearly membership dues during times of hard-

ship. Please email Carol Watts, Emergency Dues Chair, for infor-

mation or to request assistance. Dues requests must be received by

November 30, 2021 in order to be processed in time for 2022. The

request is completely confidential.

Carol Watts, CMA(AAMA), Emergency Dues

Chair [email protected]

KUDOS!

This edition’s Kudos go to our 2020

Excel Awards winners. In the category

of, “Employer of the Year,” TriHealth

LLC of Cincinnati claimed this year’s

award. The OSSMA is proud to have

such a supportive organization for our

medical assistants.

Our second Excel Award was in the

category,

“Publishing,”

with the Helping

Hands winning

for Section D

(801 or more

members in

the state).

Again, the

OSSMA

is grate-

ful to our mem-

bers and volunteers for

working to make our organiza-

tion award winning!

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE: OFFERING A SMILE WHEN YOU NEED IT

EMERGENCY DUES ASSISTANCE

The OSSMA is proud to support the Sunshine Committee. This committee is charged with

sending out greetings in the event of an illness, marriage, birth of a baby, death of a loved

one or just to say, “We are thinking about you.”

Natasha Geno, Sunshine Committee Chair and

Immediate Past President has this to say about the

importance of the Sunshine Committee:

“The mission of the Sunshine Committee is to motivate, support, and build caring relationships with the members of our organization when we are celebrating a happy occasion or facing a chal-lenging time. A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of Sunshine into someone’s day.”

If you become aware of a member’s life event that

could benefit from a greeting from the Sunshine

Committee, please contact Natasha Geno, CMA

(AAMA) at:

[email protected]

4

Natasha Geno, CMA(AAMA)

Past President

2020-2021 OSSMA Board of Trustees and Committee Chairs # Report Name # Report Name

1 President Julie Fogt 19 Physician Advisor Dr. Tabb

2 Vice President Melanie Shearer 20 Judicial Council

Judy Kronenberger

3 Secretary Jennifer Dietz 21 Advertising Amber Delashmutt

4 Treasurer Agnes Root 22 Articles/Bylaws Aimee Wicker

5 Speaker Aimee Quinn 23 Awards Melanie Shearer

6 Vice Speaker Amy McMasters 24 Mary Buckley Carol Watts

7 Immediate Past President

Judy Kronenberger 25 Budget/Finance Agnes Root

8 Parliamentari-an

Cheryl Kuck 26 Bulletin Melanie Shearer

9 DC # 1 Clare Ley 27 Chapter Liaison Amy McMaster

10 DC # 2 Kim Hedgcorth 28 Continuing Educa-tion

Melanie Shearer

11 DC # 3 Jan Young 29 Conference 2021 Jennifer Dietz/Melanie Shear-er

12 DC # 4 Rhonda Lazette 30 Historian Aimee Quinn

13 DC # 5 Mary Elizabeth Browder

31 Membership Clare Ley

14 DC # 6 Diana Rogers 32 Nominating Aimee Wicker

15 DC # 10 Natasha Geno 33 Policy Handbook Judy Kronenberger

16 DC # 11 34 Public Policy Nicci Sutherland

17 DC # 12 Jennifer Krimaschewicz

35 Public Relations Deb Novak

18 DC MAL Jennifer Dietz 36

Alt DC # 1 Kirren Finn

Alt DC # 2 Amy Adams

Alt DC # 3 Amber DeLalashmutt

Alt DC # 4 Veronica Burgert

Alt DC # 5 Electing HOD

Alt DC # 6 Rose Orogolas

Alt DC # 10

Dianne Moreland

Alt DC # 11

Judy Harlan

Alt DC # 12

OPEN

Alt DC MAL

OPEN

37 Strategic Planning Diane Rodgers

38 Ways and Means Jan Young

39 Webmaster Jennifer Dietz

40 Social media Chair Natasha Geno

41 Emergency Dues Carol Watts

42 Partnership Task Force

Cheryl Kuck

43 Leadership Com-mittee

Aimee Wicker

44 Sunshine Commit-tee

Natasha Geno

2020-2021 Board of Trustees and

Committee Chairs

OSSMA CHAPTERS

BY DISTRICT

Yearly dues to the AAMA are due by December 31, 2021 if you

plan on running for an OSSMA officer position in 2022.

ATTENTION!!

The OSSMA would like to wish all of our

Medical Assisting students a happy semes-

ter! Graduation will be here before you

know it! The OSSMA is here for you as you

begin your MA career.

If you are a Program Manager or MA Facul-

ty and would like to become involved in the

OSSMA, please contact us through the

webpage at www.ossma.org.

AUGUST 6-7, 2021

The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Committee, as well as component chapters and OSSMA mem-

bers, may from time to time make recommendations for necessary and desirable changes in the Articles of

Incorporation and Bylaws of the Ohio Society of Medical Assistants for review by the Advisory Board of

Ohio State Medical Association, and action by the House of Delegates of the Ohio State Society of Medi-

cal Assistants.

Any proposed Bylaw changes will be discussed during the HOD Bylaw reference committee. The Bylaw

Reference Committee will convene on April 24, 2021 following the OSSMA HOD Delegate/Alternate

virtual orientation. The reference committee is a time for all delegates, alternate delegates and members to

discuss the proposed bylaw changes and discuss their opinions/suggestions for any additions/changes or if

they feel the Bylaw should not move forward for a vote. These comments will be reviewed by the By-

laws Reference Committee and will then make recommendations for changes, for it to move forward for a

vote or for them not to move forward for a vote.

A vote will be taken on the proposed amendments during the OSSMA HOD on May 8, 2021. Amend-

ments to the Bylaws of the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants may be amended by the House of

Delegates at any Annual Meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates in attendance at such meet-

ing.

For the 2021 OSSMA House of Delegates there are twelve (12) proposed by law changes as follows:

OHIO STATE SOCIETY OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT

21-01

Proposed by the Bylaws Committee

ARTICLE VII – House of Delegates and Nomination and Election of Officers and Trustees

Section: 3

Page: L

CURRENT: The House of Delegates shall meet annually at the time and place of the Annual Meeting of the Ohio

State Society of Medical Assistants. Special meetings of the House of Delegates may be called by a two-thirds

(2/3) vote of the Board of Trustees or upon petition of at least twenty-five (25) percent of the active members.

PROPOSED: Th The House of Delegates shall meet annually at the time and place of the Annual Meeting of the

Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants when feasible. A virtual House of Delegates may be held on a differ-

ent date if circumstances necessitate. Special meetings of the House of Delegates may be called by a two-thirds

(2/3) vote of the Board of Trustees or upon petition of at least twenty-five (25) percent of the active members as

an in-person or virtual meeting.

RATIONALE:

1) Due to recent events with the national pandemic, it has become necessary to hold OSSMA meetings and the House of Delegates on different dates. This change would allow changes to be made to allow necessary changes.


21-02



Section: 4-C

Page: L

CURRENT: The names of delegates and alternate delegates must be certified to the Secretary, Treasurer, and Speak-

er of the House of the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants by the component chapter at least sixty (60) days

prior to the Annual Meeting.

PROPOSED: The names of delegates and alternate delegates must be certified to the Secretary, Treasurer, and

Speaker of the House of the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants by the component chapter at least forty-five

(45) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

RATIONALE:

1) Depending on the date of the annual conference, a sixty-day deadline does not allow enough time for the Speaker of the House to obtain the updated OSSMA membership list from the AAMA and provide the chapters with their number of eligible delegates.

2) Electronic correspondence allows quicker correspondence.


21-03



Section: 7-B

Page: M

CURRENT: The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for preparing a slate of

candidates for elective officers and trustees. By October 1st, the Committee shall send a request to each President of the compo-

nent chapters soliciting nominations of members qualified for office, enclosing a “Consent to Serve” form for completion by the

nominee.

PROPOSED: The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for preparing a slate of

candidates for elective officers and trustees. By January 7th, the Committee shall send a request to each President of the com-

ponent chapters soliciting nominations of members qualified for office, enclosing a “Consent to Serve” form for completion by

the nominee.

RATIONALE:

1) Electronic correspondence allows quicker correspondence. 2) Making the date after the first of the year will allow Chapter Presidents to confirm the nominee has

paid their dues and are an eligible candidate prior to signing their consent to serve.


21-04



Section: 7-C

Page: M

CURRENT: Each candidate for a state office must be a member in good standing, shall have attended at least one

Annual Meeting of the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants as a delegate or alternate delegate and served as

an officer of a component chapter.

PROPOSED: Each candidate for a state office, district councilor or alternate district councilor must be a member

in good standing. Actional qualifications for specific office shall be:

• A candidate for Vice President shall: o Have served two terms in one or more of the following: Speaker, Vice Speaker,

Secretary or Treasurer o Served one term as a district councilor

o Served on a minimum of one OSSMA committee

o Attended at least one annual meeting of the OSSMA as a delegate

o Served as an officer of a component chapter

• A candidate for Speaker shall: o Have served one term in one or more of the following: Vice Speaker, Secretary

or Treasurer o Served one term as a district councilor

o Served on a minimum of one OSSMA committee



• A candidate for Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Speaker shall: o Served one term as a district councilor

o Served one term as a chair or member of an OSSMA committee



• A candidate for District Councilor and Alternate District Councilor shall: o Attended at least one annual meeting of the OSSMA as a delegate


RATIONALE:

1) Candidates for office need to have the necessary experience and knowledge to appropri-ately lead the organization. Holding the required roles will help the candidate to have the knowledge and experience to be successfully fulfil the duties required of the role.


21-05



Section: 7-E

Page: M, N

CURRENT: Nominations may be made from the floor of the House of Delegates. The Nominating Committee Chair

must have the written endorsement of the nominee and his/her component chapter before the name is placed in nomi-

nation. In the case of a member-at-large, written endorsement of their component chapter shall be waived.

PROPOSED: If a candidate has missed the deadline, nominations may be made from the floor of the House of

Delegates. The Nominating Committee Chair must receive the written endorsement of the nominee and his/her com-

ponent chapter seven (7) days prior to the house of delegates before their name is placed in nomination. There

shall be no campaigning by the candidate until their nomination has been announced from the floor. In the

case of a member-at-large, written endorsement of their component chapter shall be waived.

RATIONALE:

1) While it is encouraged for all candidates to abide by set deadlines, circumstances do hap-pen that a candidate may submit their consent to serve after the set deadline. The nominat-ing committee still needs appropriate time to check the candidates credentials and experi-ence to ensure they meet the requirements of candidacy.


21-06



Section: 10

Page: O

CURRENT: Officers, Trustees and alternate Trustees shall be elected by the House of Delegates during the Annual

Meeting. The term of office shall commence at the time of installation. The term of office for representative of Counci-

lor Districts and for the representative of the members-at-large shall be for two (2) years. The term for alternate repre-

sentatives of the Councilor Districts and for the alternate representative for the members-at-large shall be for one (1)

year.

PROPOSED: Officers, District Councilors and alternate District Councilors shall be elected at the House of Dele-

gates during the Annual Meeting. The term of office shall commence with the closing of the House of Delegates. The

terms of offices shall be:

• Speaker and Vice Speaker two (2) years voted in on the even years

• Secretary and Treasurer two (2) years voted in on the odd years

• District Councilors two (2) years with the odd numbered districted voted in on the odd years and the even numbered districts voted in on the even years

• Alternate District Councilors one (1) year

Restructuring to align the voting years (odd/even) will start with the 2022 House of Delegates

RATIONALE:

1) Changing terms to two years allows the candidate to more fully understand their role and helps them to get established to fully engage in the office that they are holding

2) Further aligns with the process of elections currently held at the national level of the AAMA


21-07


ARTICLE VIII – Duties of Officers and Trustees

Section: 1-C

Page: P

CURRENT: SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep all the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting, and any

other special meetings pertaining to the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants and be responsible for recording

a summary of the OSSMA House of Delegates for the Secretary’s file and any issues that would require Board of

Trustees consideration. Copies of the minutes of the meetings are to be sent out within thirty (30) days following

such meetings to the members of the Board of Trustees and any other special meetings are to be sent out within

thirty (30) days following such meetings to the members of the Board of Trustees and such committee chairmen

as directed by the President with the approval of the Board of Trustees. The Secretary shall maintain the list of all

officers, committee chairmen, advisors, delegates, and alternate delegates of the Ohio State Society of Medical

Assistants and shall preserve all important documents. The Secretary shall send notification of meetings as speci-

fied in Section 2 of this Article.

PROPOSED: SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep all the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting, and any

other special meetings pertaining to the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants and be responsible for recording

a summary of the OSSMA House of Delegates for the Secretary’s file and any issues that would require Board of

Trustees consideration. Copies of the minutes of the meetings are to be sent out and posted to the website within

fourteen (14) days following such meetings to the members of the Board of Trustees and any other special meet-

ings are to be sent out and posted to the website within fourteen (14) days following such meetings to the mem-

bers of the Board of Trustees and such committee chairmen as directed by the President with the approval of the

Board of Trustees. The Secretary shall maintain the list of all officers, committee chairmen, advisors, delegates,

and alternate delegates of the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants and shall preserve all important documents.

The Secretary shall send notification of meetings as specified in Section 2 of this Article.

RATIONALE:

1) The use of electronic communication allows for quicker distribution of information 2) Releasing the information via email and on the website allows officers and committees

to have quicker access to information of any changes or tasks that have been assigned.


21-08



Section: 1-D

Page: N

CURRENT: TREASURER: The Treasurer shall be custodian of all money and securities of the Ohio State Society

of Medical Assistants and shall pay all authorized self-incurred obligations promptly by check, countersigned by

the President. In the interim between Board of Trustees meetings, the Treasurer shall pay authorized self-

incurred expenses of the organization allocated in the approved budget. The Treasurer shall keep a detailed

account of the receipts and disbursements, shall make a written report for each meeting of the Board of Trustees

and House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall be under surety bond, the cost of which shall be

paid by the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants funds. Records shall be available for audit at the request of the

President and the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall be responsible for having the books audited by an account-

ant at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for having the books in

order to be turned over to the newly elected Treasurer at the close of the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall serve

as Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee.

PROPOSED: TREASURER: The Treasurer shall be custodian of all money and securities of the Ohio State Society

of Medical Assistants and shall pay the Treasurer’s authorized self-incurred obligations by check, counter-

signed by the President. The Treasurer shall only pay authorized expenses of the organization voted and

approved by the BOT and expenses allocated in the approved budget, utilizing the approved method of pay-

ment. The Treasurer shall keep a detailed account of the receipts and disbursements, shall make a written report for

each meeting of the Board of Trustees and House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall be under

surety bond, the cost of which shall be paid by the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants funds. Records shall be

available for audit at the request of the President and the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall be responsible for

having the books audited by an accountant at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. The audit report

shall be provided for review by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall be responsible for having the books

in order to be turned over to the newly elected Treasurer at the close of the Annual Meeting. Within 30 days of

new officers being elected, the bank accounts shall have the current President and Treasurer added as au-

thorized individuals on the account. The Treasurer shall serve as Chairman of the Budget and Finance Commit-

tee.

RATIONALE:

1) More accurately defines what the monies the treasurer is allowed to dispense during their term.


21-09



Section: 2

Page: R

CURRENT: The Board of Trustees shall be called into regular sessions by the President of the Ohio State Society of

Medical Assistants not more than three (3) times a year in addition to the Annual Meeting. Upon written request of

three (3) members of the Board to the President, the President shall call a special meeting of the board and said meet-

ing shall be held on or before the date specified in such request, giving Board members sufficient notice of the meet-

ing. All members of the Board of Trustees and the President of each component chapter shall be notified of each regu-

lar meeting at least thirty (30) days in advance. A majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for a

meeting of the Board of Trustees.

PROPOSED: The Board of Trustees shall be called into regular sessions by the President of the Ohio State Society of

Medical Assistants no less than three (3) times a year in addition to the Annual Meeting. Upon written request of

three (3) members of the Board to the President, the President shall call a special meeting of the board and said meet-

ing shall be held on or before the date specified in such request, giving Board members sufficient notice of the meet-

ing. All members of the Board of Trustees and the President of each component chapter shall be notified of each regu-

lar meeting at least thirty (30) days in advance. A majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for a

meeting of the Board of Trustees.

RATIONALE:

1) Change to reflect current processes and to allow the President to call additional meeting if necessary for business of the organization.


21-10


ARTICLE IX – Committees

Section: 3-D

Page: T

CURRENT: MARY BUCKLEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND: The Mary Buckley Scholarship Fund Committee shall

be responsible for funds for scholarships. They shall select recipients from applications from students enrolled

and/or to be enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited medical assisting program in the State of Ohio.

PROPOSED: MARY BUCKLEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND: The Mary Buckley Scholarship Fund Committee shall

be responsible for funds for scholarships. They shall select recipients from applications from students enrolled

and/or to be enrolled in a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited medical assisting program in the State of Ohio.

RATIONALE:

1) Change to align with current AAMA Guidelines that allows student from CAAHEP or ABHES accredited programs to sit for the AAMA certification exam.


21-11


ARTICLE IX – Committees

Section: 6

Page: V

CURRENT: The Advisory Board shall consist of one (1) or more physicians elected by the Ohio State Society of

Medical Assistants. Physicians, whose names are proposed, should be willing and able to lend advice and counsel to

our organization.

PROPOSED: The Advisory Board shall consist of one (1) or more providers, which may include Physicians, Ad-

vanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) or Physician Assistants (PA) elected by the Ohio State Society of

Medical Assistants. Providers, whose names are proposed, should be willing and able to lend advice and counsel to

our organization.

RATIONALE:

1) Allowing other eligible provider types will further enhance guidance and networking op-portunities.


21-12


ARTICLE XV – Amendments to the Bylaws

Page: X

CURRENT:

(1) Such proposed amendment has been first approved by the Advisory Committee of the Ohio State Medical Association prior to publication of such proposed amendment in

the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants official publication and no amendment shall

become effective until the amendment in its adopted form shall have been approved by the

Advisory Committee.

(2) It shall have been published in the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants official publication at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

PROPOSED:

(1) Proposed amendment shall have been distributed to the membership at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

RATIONALE:

1) Remove section one as the Ohio State Medical Society (OSMA) no longer has role within our Association, nor provides an advisory committee.

2) Change of how the bylaw amendments are distributed to allow additional ways of distri-bution other than just the Helping Hands.

Thank

you so

much

for

giving

me

the

opportunity to serve as

your Helping Hands Edi-

tor for the past two years.

I look forward to our fu-

ture publications and

serving as your OSSMA

President for 2021-2022.

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING OR CONTRIB-UTING TO AN ARTICLE IN THE HELPING HANDS? Advertising rates and information can be found on our OSSMA.org website or by contact-

ing Amber DeLashmutt, Advertising Chair by email. Additional ad space can be pur-

chased for any of our social media outlets as well as our OSSMA.org webpage.

Informational articles are always appreciated and will be shared in our Helping Hands

quarterly publication. Each chapter is encouraged to provide an article at least once per

year. Articles that are submitted are subject to editing to fit the template of the newslet-

ter. Articles should have proper citation.

Moving or Changing Your Name?

Please notify the AAMA. The AAMA sends the Helping Hands a list of Ohio members. If

you do not notify the AAMA of your new address, phone number, name change, or email

change, your edition of the helping hands will not arrive at your location. Be advised the

printed copies of the Helping Hands are only available to our members that do not have

internet access.

American Association of Medical Assistants 20 N. Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606

OSSMA Member

123 Main Street

Your Town, OH 44xxx

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

The Helping Hands c/o Melanie Shearer

5365 West Loveland Rd Madison, OH 44057

E-mail: [email protected]

Melanie Shearer, MS,

CMA(AAMA)

Helping Hands Editor

The next edition is scheduled for publication the end of April,

2021. Please have all ads, save-the-dates, Kudos, Thank yous,

etc. emailed to the editor by April 15th.

the helping hands -

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