Comparative and Veterinary Specialty Section

The objectives of the CVSS are:
Promote the diverse application of in vivo animal models (whole animal systems) in toxicologic research; comparative and clinical toxicology, environmental toxicology and to explore effects of animal disease, nutrition and other physiological confounding factors that affect toxic endpoints. Serve as the focal point for interaction of members of the Society of Toxicology who are interested in veterinary toxicology and in the use of in vivo animal models in toxicology; Conduct cutting edge programs and educational activities which emphasize current developments and issues of interest to CVSS members. Relate those developments to the activities of the Society of Toxicology, and stimulate interest and growth in use of in vivo models and veterinary toxicology in relation to the general science of toxicology. Act as a resource to the Society in the area of veterinary toxicology and in vivo animal models.

ARTICLE III -- MEMBERSHIP

Any member in good standing with the Society of Toxicology may become a member of the Comparative and Veterinary Specialty Section upon payment of Specialty Section dues. A member of the Specialty Section will be dropped from membership if dues are not paid on an annual basis or if he or she is not a member in good standing of the Society of Toxicology.

ARTICLE IV -- OFFICERS AND COUNCILORS

The Specialty Section officers shall be President, Vice President, Vice President-Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer. There shall be three Councilors. The Vice President-Elect and one Councilor shall be elected annually and the Secretary/Treasurer biannually by the Specialty Section members. They shall serve until their successors are installed. Officers and Councilors shall take office on May 1. Full and associate members are eligible for election as officers and eligible to vote.

ARTICLE V -- ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COUNCILORS

Section 1. The office of the Presidency shall be for a term of one year. The President, after serving one year, shall be designated immediate Past-President for one year. The President shall preside at all meetings. For the year in which this Section shall first be in effect, both a Vice President and Vice President-Elect shall be elected.

Section 2. The Vice President shall become the President of the Specialty Section after serving one year as Vice President.

Section 3. A Vice President-Elect shall be elected by a majority vote of the ballots cast and shall become Vice President of the Specialty Section after serving one year as Vice President Elect.

Section 4. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be chosen by vote of the membership for a term of two years.

Section 5. There shall be three Councilors who, together with the officers, comprise the Executive Committee. Two shall be chosen by a vote of the membership for a term of two years. The third Councilor shall be the immediate Past-President. At the initiation of the Specialty Section, one Councilor will be elected by the membership to a two-year term.

Section 6. A Nominating Committee consisting of not less than three members of the Specialty Section shall be appointed by the Executive Committee within two months following installation of officers. This committee shall provide a slate of candidates for each election. The Past President will chair the Nominating Committee.

Section 7. Elections shall be held annually in association with the mail ballot of the Society of Toxicology. Section 8. In the event of a vacancy in an elective office other than President, Vice President and Vice President-Elect, the Executive Committee may make an appointment or provide for a special election to fill the vacancy until the unexpired term is completed. In the event of a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice President shall accede to that office; similarly, the Vice President-Elect shall accede to the office of Vice President should that office become vacant.

ARTICLE VI -- ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. The Specialty Section shall be governed by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the four elected officers plus the three Councilors. The President of the Specialty Section shall be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee. Four members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Specialty Section and of the Executive Committee and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the Executive Committee. In the President’s absence, the Vice President shall act for the President. The Vice President-Elect shall serve in the absence of the President and Vice-President.

Section 4. The Specialty Section shall comply with Society of Toxicology provisions for continued authorization.

1. The Specialty Section shall provide annual reports of its activities and finances for the current year as well as plans of programs, activities and finances for the following year. Annual reports shall be submitted to the Society of Toxicology by July 31 of each year.

2. Annual reports and plans shall be reviewed by the Committee on Specialty Sections.

3. The Committee shall consult with the Specialty Section as necessary and report to Council with recommendations concerning continued authorization of the Specialty Section.

4. Society of Toxicology authorization shall be withdrawn from the Specialty Section if it fails to comply with the provisions for continuing authorization. 5. Specialty Section policy statements must be reviewed and approved by the Society of Toxicology in advance.

Section 5. The Secretary/Treasurer shall pay authorized bills incurred by the Specialty Section as directed by the Executive Committee. Dues and all other funds will be collected and held by the SOT for use exclusively by the Specialty Section. The successor to the Secretary/Treasurer shall receive all property of the Section following installation of office. The Secretary/Treasurer shall record all transactions of all meetings for the Section and the Executive Committee, and shall be responsible for the correspondence of the Section, and shall maintain a list of members and their status.

Section 6. Any Specialty Section funds or other property remaining at the time of termination or abandonment or dissolution of the Section shall be turned over to the Society of Toxicology and shall become a part of the Society’s general funds; no part of any such funds or property shall inure to the benefit of any member or officer of, or person associated with, the Section.

ARTICLE VII -- MEETINGS

Section 1. Meetings shall be held at least annually and as directed by the scientific and educational programs of the Section. The time and place of each meeting shall be established by the Executive Committee and communicated to the membership at least two weeks before each meeting.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, at any time or upon the presentation to the President of a petition signed by 51% of the responding membership in good standing.

Section 3. A quorum shall consist of 51% of the responding members in good standing.

Section 4. Executive Committee meetings shall be held at the discretion of the President provided that each of the members of the Committee is notified at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII -- DUES

Dues will be established by a majority of the Executive Committee, after which they may be changed subject to vote by members of the Section.

ARTICLE IX--COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Vice President shall be Chairperson of the Program Committee, and members are appointed by the Chairperson. The Program Committee shall develop scientific and educational programs consistent with the objectives of the Specialty Section, and provide copies of material to the Secretary/Treasurer who will, in turn, notify Council of SOT prior to developing the program. The Program Committee shall coordinate its activities with the SOT Program Committee and with other appropriate Specialty Sections.

Section 2. The President shall appoint other committees as required and shall automatically act as an ex-officio member of such committees. Members of such committees shall serve at the discretion of the President.

ARTICLE X -- AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to these bylaws may be presented by any member of the Specialty Section in good standing at any regular meeting of the Section, in writing, or at any special meeting called for that specific purpose. They shall be presented in written form and shall be offered to the membership present at that meeting on motion for consideration, and circulated to the membership. A simple majority shall be necessary to pass the motion. Amendments accepted for future consideration and circulation shall be printed and circulated with a ballot to all members in good standing. A two-thirds affirmative vote on the ballots returned within 30 days shall be necessary for adoption of any amendment.

Section 2. Amendments to these bylaws must be approved by the Council of the Society of Toxicology before they become effective. This is done to insure the Section that future changes in these bylaws will have the same force as the original, which was so approved.