The Aga Khan University Alumni Association of North America (AKUAANA) is:
- registered as a not-for-profit legal entity in Illinois, USA
- recognized by the Aga Khan University as the representative body for its Medical College alumni in North America
- a component society of APPNA (Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent of North America)
AKUAANA Governance:
- AKUAANA officers are elected and/or nominated to their positions for a term of two years.
- The election/nomination process for AKUAANA Officers starts with the creation of a “Nomination and Election” committee in the spring of the year of election. Officers are confirmed at the annual AKUAANA General Body Meeting. The new Executive Council’s term starts in January of the following year.
- Officers of the incoming elected and outgoing Executive Council have a period of overlap to allow for a smooth transition.
AKUAANA consists of:
- The Executive Council, which is formed by the President, Secretary, Treasurer and the President-Elect or Past-President. The Web Manager and other Committee members can be invited to attend the Executive Council meetings which are held at least quarterly through the year.
- The Board of Advisors functions as an overseer of AKUAANA. It comprises of five members and works to advise and monitor the functioning of the Executive Council. It also provides a mechanism to create an independent “Ethics and Grievance Committee”, if the need arises.
- The General Body consists of all membership including active voting-eligible members (Annual Attending/Trainee or Lifetime members), as well as non-voting (Associate and Honorary members). A General Body Meeting is held annually.
Incorporation & Legal Status of AKUAANA in the US:
In May 2011, AKUAANA was successfully incorporated as a not-for-profit entity in the state of Illinois. AKUAANA is also approved under the Internal Revenue Services code as a 501(c)(7) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
