AAVCT Constitution and By-Laws
Constitution
The name of this organization shall be the “American Academy of Veterinary and Comparative Toxicology”, hereinafter referred to as “AAVCT”.
Incorporation AAVCT shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois as a not-for-profit educational organization. Objectives The purpose and objectives of this organization shall be: Section 1. Purpose: To encourage professional improvement and esprit de corps among veterinary and comparative toxicologists. Section 2. Objectives:
Article IV Membership Section 1. The types of membership in this organization shall be:
Election to membership shall require approval of 75% of the Council. Article V Requirements Section 1. Candidates for membership as Fellow, Retired Fellow or Student Fellow shall submit with the application all necessary documentation and information to enable Council members to evaluate the candidate’s interest, ability, training and experience in toxicology. Section 2. Requirement that must be met to become one of the following types of members are:
Section 3. Members of the Academy elected as Fellows. Only Fellows may hold office. Retired or Student Fellows may neither vote nor hold office. Article VI Section 1. The officers of this organization shall consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Past-President. Section 2. The Council shall consist of eight members, including the officers and four additional elected members, the councilors. The method of election of the Council and its duties shall be stated in the by-laws. Article VII Amendments Section 1. Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to the Council through the Secretary-Treasurer for recommendation. Any proposed amendment, with the recommendation of the Council, shall be submitted by mail to the voting members. Section 2. Balloting will be members by mail, email, fax, and/or over a secured internet site, with a return date given. Section 3. An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members voting shall be required for the adoption of the amendment. Article I Election of Officers Section 1: The President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer shall be Fellows elected members by mail, email, fax, and/or over a secured internet site, by a majority of the members voting. Each officer shall serve two years. The immediate Past-President shall also serve as a Council member for two years. Section 2: Four Councilors shall be elected by a majority of the members voting. Their term of office shall be four years after an initial programming that shall provide for the election of one new Councilor each year. Section 3: Nominations for all officers shall be made by a committee of three Fellows designated by the President. Additional nominations shall be made on the ballot or from the floor by any Fellow in good standing as provided below in Section 4e and f. Should vacancies in any office occur, the Council shall appoint a Fellow to fill that office for the unexpired term. Section 4: The procedure for election by mail, email, or internet ballot is as follows.
Article II Duties of Officers Section 1. President: the President shall preside over all meetings of the Academy and the Council, shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, and shall perform the duties of such office. The President shall have no vote on committees as an ex-officio member. The President shall have no vote in the Council except in cases where a tie vote exists. Section 2. Vice President: the Vice-President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and shall assume the office and duties of the President should that office be vacated. He/she shall be the chairperson of the program committee for all scientific sessions sponsored by the Academy. Section 3. Secretary-Treasurer: the Secretary-Treasurer shall serve the Academy under the general direction of the Council. He/she shall conduct the business affairs of the Academy. He/she shall record minutes at all the meetings, collect dues and fees, issue receipts for said dues and fees, draw vouchers, pay bills and expenses, and arrange for the safe-keeping and audit of the funds of the Academy. He/she shall submit a financial statement at each annual meeting and perform such other duties as may be necessary for the conduct of his/her office. Section 4. Newly elected officers shall assume duties at the annual meeting. Section 1: Council shall have the duties and powers ordinarily delegated to the governing body of a corporation. These responsibilities are defined by the Constitution. Councilors shall assume office at the Annual Meeting. Section 2: Council shall also have the following duties.
Meetings Section 1: Regular meetings of the Academy and Council shall be held annually at the time and place of the annual meeting of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. Special meetings of the Academy may be called by the President and shall be called by him upon recommendation of a majority of the Council. Such meetings shall be announced by mail to the entire membership not less than 60 days prior to the stated time of the meeting. Dues and Fees Section 1. Applications for Fellow and Associate Fellow shall be accompanied by an application fee and dues for the first year.
Dissolution Section 1. In case of dissolution of the Academy, the assets of the Academy shall be given to the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology. If this organization is non-existent, the assets shall go to the American Veterinary Medical Association Foundation. Conduct of Business Section 1. A quorum of the Academy will consist of those voting members in attendance at the Annual Business meeting. Section 2. A quorum of the Council shall consist of at least four members Exclusive of the President. Section 3. The By-Laws, with the exception of Sections 1 and 2 of this article may be suspended at any meeting by consent of 2/3 of the voting members. Article VIII Amendments Section 1. Proposed amendments to these laws shall first be submitted to the Council for recommendation. Any proposed amendments with the recommendation of Council shall be submitted to the membership at the regular meetings. An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the voting members present shall be required for the adoption of the amendment. Section 2. As an alternative to voting on the proposed amendment at the regular meeting, the Council may authorize the Secretary-Treasurer to conduct a poll on the amendment members by ballot to be returned by mail, email, fax, and/or over a secured internet site with a return date stipulated. An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members voting shall be required for the adoption of the amendment. Members shall be notified of the results of the poll by the Secretary-Treasurer by mail as directed by Council in the event of any poll or vote taken. Ratification Section 1: Proposed amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws shall be considered to be ratified thirty (30) days after receipt of a 2/3 vote of approval from the voting members of the Academy. Specific amendment implementation procedures shall be established as needed by the Council.
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