ARTICLE IX. DISTRICT BRANCHES

SECTION A. DIVISION

The membership of the Medical Society of the State of New York shall be divided into nine district branches, as follows:

The First District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of the Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond.

The Second District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Nassau and Suffolk.

The Third District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster.

The Fourth District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington.

The Fifth District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Cayuga, Chenango, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and St. Lawrence.

The Sixth District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Broome, Chemung, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.

The Seventh District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates.

The Eighth District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.

The Ninth District Branch shall comprise the members of the Medical Societies of the Counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester.

Changes in the number or membership of these district branches may be made by a two-third vote of the House of Delegates at any annual meeting thereof.

SECTION B. AIMS AND ORGANIZATION

The objectives of the district branches shall be to promote the scientific, social, cultural, and other interests of the medical profession within the district and to cooperate with the Council of the Medical Society of the State of New York in any way which that body may advise.

Each district branch may adopt a constitution and bylaws for its government and may amend them. The constitution, bylaws, and amendments shall not be in conflict with the Bylaws of the State Society and before becoming effective they shall be approved by the Council.

SECTION C. OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Each district branch shall elect a president for two years and a delegate to the House of Delegates for two years, but with the approval of the Council, a district branch may elect a president for one year.

Each district branch shall elect such other officers as are provided for in its bylaws. They shall attend the business meetings of the branch.

In the case of the inability of the delegate of a district to serve, the vice-president shall serve as delegate, and if the vice-president is unable so to function, the president shall designate a substitute delegate to serve and shall so notify in writing the secretary of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Any elected officer of a district branch who is called into active service in the armed forces of the United States or the United States Public Health Service may, on application to the Council, be granted leave of absence for any portion of said term of office during which said officer is on active service. During such absence said officer’s duties shall be designated as the Council may direct, except where such delegation is already provided for elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The president of each district branch shall visit the component county medical societies of the district at least once during the president’s tenure of office and make a careful inquiry of the condition of the profession in each county in the district and shall report thereon to the House of Delegates.