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Upcoming Ballot: Constitution and By-Laws Proposed Changes—Emeritus Membership Category and Scientific Program Committee to Increase Terms
Each year, SOT Council undertakes a complete review of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society of Toxicology and determines if modifications are needed to reflect organizational adjustments and to facilitate SOT reaching its strategic objectives. Below are proposed changes which have been approved by SOT Council and are related to Article Third of the Constitution: Membership; Article Second of the By-Laws: Membership; and Article Fourth of the By-Laws, Standing Committees.
The proposed changes will be discussed at the SOT Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Salt Lake City, Utah. After consideration of member comments, a ballot will be disseminated to the voting members. For the Constitution, a two-thirds approval vote of the ballots cast is required for adoption. For the By-Laws, a two-thirds vote of ballots received within 60 days is required.
The two changes that are being proposed are: one, to add an Emeritus membership category; and two, to extend the term of Scientific Program Committee members. The addition of a seventh category of membership, Emeritus, will recognize and reward career-long participation in the Society. The extended term of Scientific Program Committee members will allow for greater continuity as the Committee members learn the complexities of the SOT Annual Meeting scientific program development process.
If you have comments on either of these proposals, please send them to Shawn Lamb, SOT Executive Director.
Constitution Changes
Article Third: Membership
Section 1. There shall be six seven categories of membership: Full, Associate, Postdoctoral, Student, Honorary, and Retired, and Emeritus.
Section 8. Emeritus. A Full or Associate member of the Society who has paid dues continuously for 40 years may be accorded emeritus status upon approval of Council.
Previous Section 8 now becomes Section 9 (no other changes).
Previous Section 9 now becomes Section 10 with the following changes:
Section 10. Voting. Each Full member of the Society together with each Retired or Emeritus member who was previously a Full member described under Section 2 of the Article shall be entitled to vote (a) on procedural matters raised during the annual business meeting of the Society and on all matters pertaining to the affairs of the Society which are duly presented for consideration at special business meetings of the Society membership and (b) by mail or by electronic transmission for election of officers of the Society and such other officials to be elected by the members under the By-Laws in force and (c) by mail or by electronic transmission on such other matters as may from time to time, pursuant to the By-Laws upon action taken at any business meeting of the members, be approved for submission to the Full membership. All other members of the Society (Associate, Postdoctoral and Student members, and Retired and Emeritus members who were not previously Full members shall have no voting rights. A Retired or Emeritus member, who was a Full member previously, shall retain voting rights.
By-Laws Changes
Article Second: Membership
Section 1. Candidates for all categories of membership, except Postdoctoral, Student, Honorary and Retired, and Emeritus, shall be presented by at least two Full members of the Society on forms provided by the Executive Director. Candidates for Postdoctoral or Student membership require only a letter from their research advisor attesting to their student or postdoctoral status. Completed applications shall be returned to the Executive Director who shall refer them to the Membership Committee for its recommendations to Council. The candidates recommended by the Membership Committee shall be forwarded to Council through the Executive Director. Final approval or disapproval of the candidates recommended by the Membership Committee shall require a majority vote of Council. Candidates approved in this manner shall be notified by the Executive Director and shall henceforth be considered members.
Section 2. Applications for all categories of membership except Honorary, and Retired, and Emeritus, shall be processed and new members shall be admitted three times per year. The deadlines shall be as follows: the Executive Director shall receive applications by May 1, September 1, or January 1; the Membership Committee shall return its recommendations to the Executive Director by June 1, October 1, or February 1; Council shall take final action and those whose membership applications are approved by Council shall be notified of official membership by September 1, January 1, or April 1. Dues for incoming members shall be assessed and/or prorated according to a policy set forth by Council.
Article Fourth. Committees
Section 5. Scientific Program Committee. The Scientific Program Committee shall consist of the Vice President as Chair, the Vice President-elect, and twelve members of the Society who hold no elective office. Four shall be appointed annually by the President for three-year terms of office. Three shall be appointed annually by the President for four-year terms of office. The Scientific Program Committee shall make recommendations to the Council as to informative and appropriate scientific programs and shall be responsible for the planning and organization of the scientific program of the Annual Meeting. The Scientific Program Committee also shall make recommendations to Council regarding special scientific meetings and/or symposia.
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