Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization is the Greater Washington D.C. Area Physiological Society hereinafter referred to as "The Society".
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of The Society is to promote the increase of physiological knowledge, its dissemination and its utilization in the Greater Washington D.C. Area. The Society was created by physiology trainees and is dedicated to providing a dynamic, inquiry-based environment where physiological research and teaching are valued, discussed, and critiqued.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: The Society shall consist of regular members, emeritus members and student members. All members shall have voting rights.
Section 2: Regular Members. Any person who has conducted and published meritorious original research in physiology, who is presently engaged in physiological research or teaching in the Greater Washington D.C. Area shall be eligible for proposal for regular membership in The Society.
Section 3: Emeritus Members. A regular member may apply to Council for transfer to emeritus membership if that person (1) has reached the age of 65 and is retired from regular employment or (2) has been forced to retire from regular employment because of illness or disability. An emeritus member may be restored to regular membership status on request to council.
Section 4: Student Members. Any student, who is actively engaged in physiological work in the Greater Washington D.C. Area, as attested to by two regular members of The Society, shall be eligible for proposal for student membership. No individual may remain in this category for more than five years without reapplying.
ARTICLE IV: DUES
Annual dues shall be $15 per year and are payable on July 1st of each year. Students will not be required to pay membership dues. Any member whose dues have not been paid within six months of this date shall be dropped from membership. Reinstatement shall be accomplished by reapplication and submission of the annual dues required.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS & DUTIES
Section 1: The officers of The Society shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer. The President shall not be from the same university for two consecutive terms.
Section 2: The President shall call meetings, determine the annual meeting theme and serve as the annual meeting coordinator as required to conduct The Society’s business.
Section 3: The Vice President shall act as President in absence of the President.
Section 4: The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve one year and one outgoing year to assist with the transition of a new Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary will be responsible for meeting minutes and organization of events. The Treasurer will be responsible for the preservation of The Society’s funds and shall report on financial status of The Society. The Treasurer shall also disperse funds as authorized by a majority of the membership, the unanimous consensus of the Executive Committee, or as contained in the budget prepared by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer will be responsible for any income tax filings.
Section 5: The Public Relations Officer will serve one year and be responsible for website maintenance and listserv updates.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
Section 1: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Past President, President Elect, Treasurer, and Chairpersons of any standing committees.
Section 2: Committee Chairpersons shall appoint members of his/her own committee. Members of the committee shall serve a term of one year.
Section 3: The Annual Meeting Committee shall be chaired by the President.
Section 4: The elections procedure shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 5: Special committees, necessary for the development of The Society, may be appointed by the President and include the following:
- Community Outreach Committee: This committee will organize community outreach activities related to integrative physiology, and will promote participation in the APS.
- Membership and Fundraising Committee: This committee will coordinate membership recruitment/renewal, and will promote and engage in philanthropic activities to build and sustain a budget that supports The Society’s mission.
- Trainee Committee: This committee will consist of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, and will promote engagement of trainees (undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral) within The Society. The chairperson of this committee will work closely with the President in the planning and execution of the annual meeting.
ARTICLE VII: NOMINATION & ELECTIONS
Section 1: Elections shall be held around the annual meeting and may occur via email.
Section 2: The Executive Committee shall solicit from the membership nominees for officers.
Section 3: The list of nominees shall be presented to the membership in the form of a ballot. The ballot shall be anonymous.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1: Annual Meeting. A meeting of the Society will be held annually for transacting business, electing officer and members, presenting communications, and conducting related activities.
Section 2: Time and Location. The date and location of the annual meeting shall be determined by the Committee.
Section 3: Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the Committee may determine.
Section 4: Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of Society Business shall be those members at the annual meeting.
Article IX: DISSOLUTION
Section 1: In the event of dissolution of The Society, Funds remaining after the payment of all obligations shall be donated to the American Physiological Society.
Section 2: Amount to be distributed is to be determined by a plurality of the members present at the meeting called distributions.
Section 3: Written notice of a meeting called for the distribution of funds must be sent at least four weeks prior to the meeting.
Article X: AMENDMENTS
Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting, or any special meeting duly called for the purpose by a 2/3 vote of the voting member present.
Section 2: A notice of such amendments must be sent with a notice of such meetings at four weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 3:The proposed amendments must be in an acceptable parliamentary form and must not conflict with or nullify un-amended sections of the Bylaws.