The name of the group is the Group on Women in Medicine and Science of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), referred to as GWIMS.
I. Mission
The mission of GWIMS is to advance the full and successful participation and inclusion of women across the spectrum of academic medicine and biomedical research by addressing gender equity, recruitment and retention, awards and recognition, and career advancement.
II. Purpose
GWIMS supports the mission of the AAMC to improve the health of all by serving as a national forum to promote policies, practices, and programs that advance women’s successful participation and inclusion. Its methods include:
- advocating for advancement and leadership of women faculty and learners in education, research, clinical practice, and administration;
- promoting sustainable strategies to enhance an institutional climate of inclusion, equity and opportunity;
- collecting, analyzing and applying data to inform institutional and individual decisions and actions;
- developing and disseminating initiatives, programs, and resources;
- recognizing women’s accomplishments;
- creating opportunities for networking; and
- collaborating with stakeholders and constituencies both internal and external to the AAMC.
III. Membership
The membership shall consist of persons from the faculty or administration appointed by the deans of medical school members, including affiliate and provisional members, of the Association of American Medical Colleges, and by the chief executive of Council of Academic Health System Executives (CAHSE) members, who advocate for women’s advancement and leadership. Their portfolio, formal or informal may include: gender equity, career advancement, women’s recognition, including awards, and women’s recruitment and retention throughout the continuum of academic medicine.
After appointment, if there is more than one member of the Group from an institution, one will be the “designated” representative who will receive and respond to formal GWIMS correspondence. Other persons appointed from an institution will be known as “additional” members.
All GWIMS members shall have the privileges of the floor in all discussions and be entitled to vote.
IV. Officers
The officers of GWIMS are elected by the Group and shall include a Chair, Chair-Elect, and Immediate - Past Chair.
All officers must be current or former members of the Steering Committee at the time of their election as an officer.
The term of all officers shall be two years. Leadership transitions will occur at the conclusion of the Group’s business meeting conducted at the Annual Meeting in November.
The director shall be an AAMC staff member appointed by the AAMC President. The director shall coordinate the provision of appropriate staff support and assist in the general direction of GWIMS.
Contact with major related organizations outside GWIMS shall be coordinated with the director.
V. Committees
A. GWIMS Steering Committee shall be composed of:
- The Chair (two-year term).
- The Chair-Elect (two-year term, served in the year immediately preceding serving as Chair.)
- The Immediate Past-Chair (two-year term, held in the year immediately following serving as Chair.)
- Up to seven at-Large Members (three-year terms). At Large Members may serve for a single additional term, such that their service does not exceed two terms in total.
Additional Members will consist of the following:
- One liaison each from the Council of Deans, Organization of Student Representatives and Organization of Resident Representatives, with terms consistent with their group’s Rules and Regulations.
- Issue-based representatives from outside organizations may be appointed as ex officio members for a one-year term to the Steering Committee at the discretion of the Chair after consultation with the committee members and the director. The term length is renewable, based on the parameters of the mission identified by the Steering Committee.
B. The GWIMS Steering Committee shall articulate the strategic intent of the Group. The Steering Committee shall meet at least twice annually in person. Conference calls and electronic communication will be used to conduct business. Formal actions may be taken at meetings of the Steering Committee at which a quorum* is present.
C. The Nominating Subcommittee, appointed each year by the Steering Committee, shall be chaired by the Immediate Past Chair and consist of GWIMS members. It shall consider nominations for the Chair-Elect and other open positions, and such nominations shall be publicized in advance to the membership. Members, with the consent of the nominee, may make additional nominations. Additional nominations must be made at least 30 days before the election is held. Elections will be conducted by electronic ballot and will occur annually.
A Steering Committee member who is no longer employed by the appointing authority may complete their elected term on the Steering Committee, only if they continue employment with an AAMC member medical school, academic society or teaching hospital during their term.
The Nominating Subcommittee will recommend to the Steering Committee any replacement Officer or Officer-Elect, if the previously elected person is unable to serve. The Steering Committee will then make such replacement appointment, and these will remain effective until the next Group election.
D. Standing or Ad Hoc GWIMS Subcommittees shall be chartered by vote of the Steering Committee. The charter shall include a description of the size, purpose, function and duration of the Ad Hoc committee.
- Descriptions of the purpose and functions of each Subcommittee shall be included in an appendix to the Rules and Regulations. The committee descriptions shall not be considered an official part of the Rules and Regulations. Major changes in the committee descriptions shall be made only or with the approval of the Steering Committee.
- Subcommittees and their charters shall be reviewed periodically by the Steering Committee. Those Subcommittees no longer active may be dissolved upon action of the Steering Committee.
- Appointment to Subcommittees shall be made by the Steering Committee. The chair of each Subcommittee will be the liaison between the Steering Committee and the Subcommittee. Members from the greater GWIMS Membership can be invited to join and/or selected from a call for volunteers.
VI. Meetings and Quorums*
Meetings may be designated as open or closed. Attendance at closed meetings is limited to members and persons specifically invited.
A business meeting of the Group membership shall be held at least annually.
The Steering Committee shall meet in person and/or by conference call. Conference calls and electronic communication will be used to conduct business of the Steering Committee and may be used, when practical, in place of other regular meetings.
*A quorum will be defined as equal to or greater than half of the elected members on the Steering Committee roster.
Actions and elections will be held by electronic ballot using tools suitable for this purpose provided by the AAMC. In each such case, the forwarding communication shall specify the date and time when the balloting shall close. The decision will be determined by a majority of votes cast within the specified timeframe.
In the conduct of meetings, the order of business shall be under the direction of the Chair who shall make all parliamentary decisions.
VII. Amendments
Subject to the approval of the AAMC Board of Directors, these Rules and Regulations may be amended or repealed. New Rules and Regulations may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at any regular meeting of the Group for which prior written notice (written, emailed or posted on the GWIMS web site) of the proposed changes has been given.
(Updated 2021, approved by AAMC Board of Directors, approved by voting members)