Bylaws: Health and Medical Geography Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers
(ratified 1992; amended 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2023, 2025)
Article I: Name and Purpose
The name of this organization is the Health and Medical Geography Specialty Group (HMGSG) of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). The objectives of the HMGSG are to provide an international forum for disseminating research on health and wellbeing, disease, illness, spatial epidemiology, disease ecology, population health, ethnomedicine and non-western understandings of health and medicine, spatial aspects of healthcare delivery, and healthcare policy and political economy. Further, to promote health geography within geography and related disciplines, and advocate its applications and service to public and private agencies and the general public in high-, middle-, and low-income settings.
Article II: Membership
HMGSG membership is open to all AAG members in good standing who have notified the AAG of their desire to be HMGSG members subject to the rules of the AAG regarding specialty group membership. Membership in the HMGSG is on an annual basis concurrent with AAG membership.
Article III: Dues
HMGSG members are assessed annual dues to be set by majority vote at the Annual Business Meeting to cover the costs of maintaining the HMGSG website, paying for incidentals associated with awards, sponsoring guests at annual meetings, and other purposes approved by the officers of the group. Dues are $12 for non-students and $2 for students. The AAG Central Office collects specialty group dues as part of the annual AAG membership renewal process.
Article IV: Executive Committee
The HMGSG is administered by an Executive Committee (hereafter referred to as the Committee) consisting of the following officers: a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, and seven at-large members, two of which are graduate students and one who is an undergraduate student. All officers must be regular AAG members. If not an elected member of the Committee, the Web Administrator is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Committee. The Committee may elect other ex-officio, non-voting members of the Committee as it sees fit. No Committee member may hold more than one elected position at any given time.
The Committee exercises general supervision over the affairs of the HMGSG, legislating policies as seen proper to the interests of the HMGSG. The Committee performs its duties and abides by the limitations specified in these Bylaws and by the AAG Council as set forth in its Guidelines of 10 December 1991 for the formation and functioning of specialty groups. Substantive actions of the Committee are subject to approval by the majority of the members voting either at the Annual Business Meeting, or by special ballot. The special ballot regarding a Committee action may be requested by the majority of the members present and voting at the Annual Business Meeting or by a petition signed by at least 20 HMGSG members.
Article V: Duties of Executive Committee Members
The Chairperson is to preside at all meetings of the HMGSG; to be an ex-officio member of all HMGSG committees and task forces; to convey information about the views of the HMGSG and the Committee to the AAG Council; and to perform all duties inherent in the office and as directed by the Committee. The last duty of the outgoing chair – after the conclusion of the corresponding annual meeting – shall be to submit the annual report in partnership with the vice chair.
The Vice Chairperson assists the Chairperson, and is prepared to take on the responsibilities of the Chairperson in their absence. The at-large Committee members serve on the Committee and carry out other duties as directed by the Chairperson and the Committee.
Article VI: Terms of Executive Committee Members
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson serve two-year terms. The Vice Chairperson succeeds the Chairperson. Former Chairpersons may serve as ex-officio advisors to the Committee. At-large members serve two-year terms.
Graduate student members will serve two-year terms, but with those terms expiring upon graduation. Student members in their second year will be asked to ‘run unopposed’ to reaffirm their role during the board election. Three graduate student members will be elected in total, with 2 in one year and 1 in the other. If a situation should arise where the lone member ceases their affiliation and all 3 positions come up for election in the same year, the vacated position will be elected as a one-year position. Additionally, one undergraduate student member will be elected at a time, on a one year term.
Should a student member cease to be a student prior to completing their term, they must notify the Committee and resign their position. The resigning student will be replaced on the Committee for a full two-year term at the next regular election. In the meantime, the Chairperson may at their discretion appoint a student to fill the position until the election.
If the Chairperson post becomes vacant in the middle of a term because of the resignation or disability of that member, the Vice Chairperson assumes that position. If any other Committee post becomes vacant in the middle of a term because of the resignation or disability of that member, the Chairperson, in concert with the remaining members of the Committee, will identify and solicit a qualified member of the HMGSG in good standing to assume the vacated post for the remainder of that term. Appointed Committee members are not prohibited from assuming an additional term of office.
Article VII: Other Committees
Other Committees of the HMGSG may be established by the Executive Committee or by a vote of the membership. Members of all committees are named by the Chairperson subject to the approval of the Committee. Current such committees include the Melinda Meade Distinguished Scholar Award, the Mid-Career Scholar Award, the Emerging Scholar Award, the Jacques May Thesis Prize, the Peter Gould Student Paper Award, the Health Data Visualization Award, and the Student Travel Awards.
Article VIII: Election of Executive Committee Members
At least one month prior to the Annual Business Meeting, the Committee will solicit HMGSG members for nominations for open Committee positions. At least one week prior to the Annual Business Meeting, the Committee will distribute the ballot to all HMGSG members for voting, which will remain open until approximately 15 minutes prior to the close of the Annual Business Meeting. All positions are filled by the persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast. New Committee members will be announced by the Chairperson prior to the close of the Annual Business Meeting, and will assume their positions immediately.
Article IX: Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting of the HMGSG is to be held during the AAG national meeting at the site of that meeting. HMGSG members are notified of the time and place of the Annual Business Meeting on the HMGSG Website and in the AAG annual meeting program. Among items covered at the Annual Business Meeting are the announcements of new Committee members, a report of Committee actions, and general HMGSG activities by the Chairperson.
Article X: Ratification and Amendment of Bylaws
These Bylaws take effect immediately upon their approval. Amendment of these Bylaws may be formally proposed by two or more members of the Executive Committee, or by a written petition signed by at least three HMGSG members. Final approval of any amendments must be by a two-thirds vote of all HMGSG members who voted during the Annual Business Meeting in which they are presented. Bylaws are to be reviewed at minimum every five years, beginning in 2025.
Health and Medical Geography 