Bylaws

Established in 2006, Amended February 26, 2011; and Amended July 26, 2021

Article I—Name

The name of this organization shall be the “Association of Scientists of Indian Origin” Special Interest Group of the Society of Toxicology hereinafter designated as the “ASIO” or “the Special Interest Group.”

Article II—Objectives

The objectives of the ASIO are:

  • To promote fellowship among scientists of Asian Indian origin globally.
  • To serve as the focal point for interaction of members of the ASIO.
  • To enhance collegiality, networking, career, and professional development of all associated with and engaged in the active learning and practice of toxicology.
  • To develop, propose, and conduct programs and educational activities in toxicology that would benefit ASIO members.
  • To act as a resource to the SOT in the area of toxicology as it relates to the interests of the ASIO.

No part of the net earnings of the Special Interest Group shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the ASIO shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes herein- above set forth.

No substantial part of the activities of the Special Interest Group shall be the carrying onof propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the ASIO shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Article III—Membership

Section 1. Any member in good standing of the Society of Toxicology of any ethnic background who shares the same common interests as the Special Interest Group may become a member of ASIO upon payment of the required dues. ASIO members who are SOT members shall receive all privileges conferred by their SOT membership.

Section 2. Any person having a professional interest in toxicology may become a member of ASIO upon payment of the required dues. Special Interest Group members who are not SOT members shall receive limited SOT privileges as approved by the SOT Council. These benefits will be posted on the Special Interest Group’s Website and/or other similar means.

Article IV—Officers, Councilors, and Representatives

Section 1. The Executive Committee (EC) shall consist of the Officers and Councilors. The Officers of the ASIO shall be the President, Vice President, Vice President-Elect, and Secretary-Treasurer. There shall be three Councilors (Immediate Past President, Junior Councilor, and Senior Councilor). Only Full, Associate, Retired, or Emeritus members in good standing of the Society of Toxicology and the Special Interest Group shall be eligible to serve as Officers in the Presidential chain or as Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2. There shall be a Student Representative and a Postdoctoral Representative, who shall act as liaisons between the students and postdoctoral fellows, respectively, and the Executive Committee. Student and Postdoctoral Representatives shall be elected fromthe ASIO membership. Eligibility during the term requires current enrollment in a full-time graduate program for Student Representatives and engagement in a formal mentored postdoctoral position for Postdoctoral Representatives.

Section 3. Officers, Councilors, and Representatives shall begin their terms of office on May 1 following the SOT Annual Meeting at which their election is announced or one month after the Annual Meeting if in any year it is held after April 1.

Article V—Election of Officers, Councilors, and Representatives

Section 1. The President shall serve for a term of one year. The President, after servingone year, shall serve as Immediate Past President for one year. The President shall preside at all meetings.

Section 2. The Vice President shall become the President of the Special Interest Group after serving one year as Vice President. The Vice President shall serve in the absence ofthe President.

Section 3. The Vice President-Elect shall be elected annually by a plurality vote of the ballots cast by the ASIO membership and shall become the Vice President of ASIO for one year after serving one year as Vice President-Elect. The Vice President-Elect shallserve in the absence of the President and Vice President.

Section 4. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected by a plurality vote of the membership for a term of two years.

Section 5. There shall be three Councilors. Two of these Councilors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the membership for a term of two years, with one Councilor being elected each year. The third Councilor shall be the Immediate Past President, who willserve a term of one year.

Section 6. Student and Postdoctoral Representatives shall be elected by a plurality vote of the membership for a term of two years.

Section 7. In the event of a vacancy in an elective office, other than the Presidency or Vice Presidency, the Special Interest Group's Executive Committee may make an appointment or may 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 accedes to that office until the unexpired term of the Presidency is completed and shall serve as President the following year; similarly, the Vice President-Elect accedes to the office of Vice President, should that office become vacant, until the unexpired term of the Vice Presidency is completed and shall serve as Vice President the following year. A special election must be held to fill the office of Vice President-Elect should this office become vacant; however, the Executive Committee may make an appointment to fill the vacancy until such time that an election can be conducted.

Section 8. Elections shall be held annually by electronic ballot in the format deemed appropriate by the Society of Toxicology prior to the SOT Annual Meeting.

Article VI—Administration

Section 1. The ASIO shall be governed by the Executive Committee except as otherwise herein expressly provided.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers and Councilors. The Student and Postdoctoral Representatives will serve in an advisory capacity as non-voting members of the Executive Committee. The President of the Special Interest Group 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 will preside at all meetings of the ASIO 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 succeeding order of Officers shall preside.

Section 4. The ASIO shall comply with the following provisions in order to retain its status as an authorized body within the Society of Toxicology.

  1. The ASIO shall provide annual reports of its activities 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 the required date of each year.
  2. Annual reports shall be reviewed by the SOT Council, which shall consult with the ASIO as necessary.
  3. ASIO policy statements must be reviewed and approved by the Society of Toxicology Council prior to release.

Section 5. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have fiduciary responsibilities for all monies ofthe ASIO and shall authorize all disbursements as appropriate. The Secretary-Treasurer shall transmit to the successor in office all property of the Special Interest Group in their possession. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all transactions of all meetings.

No funds shall be expended by or in the name of the Special Interest Group to the extent that the expenditure, if made by the Society of Toxicology, would represent use of funds for a purpose or purposes not within the Society's exempt purposes under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 6. Any ASIO funds or other property remaining at the time of termination or abandonment or dissolution of the Special Interest Group shall be turned over to the Society of Toxicology and shall become a part of the Society’s general funds.

Article VII—Meetings

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

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President at any time with the approval of the Executive Committee or by presentation to the President of a petition signed by 20% of the membership in good standing.

Section 3. A quorum shall consist of 20% of the 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 are established by the Society of Toxicology Council and are the same for all Special Interest Groups. A request for variance from the established rate shall be directedto the Society of Toxicology Council. Special fees outside of the dues structure (i.e., funds for an off-site reception) can also be collected if pre-arranged through the Special Interest Group Liaison.

Article IX—Committees

Section 1. The Vice President shall be the Chairperson of the Program Committee and designate its members. The Program Committee shall develop scientific and educational programs consistent with the objectives of the ASIO, complete arrangements for speakers and for meeting places and provide the Secretary-Treasurer with the program. The Secretary-Treasurer will, in turn, notify the membership. The Program Committee shall coordinate its activities with the SOT Program Committee and with other appropriate Special Interest Groups.

Section 2. A Nominating Committee consisting of not less than three members shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of the ASIO within two months following installation of Officers. The Committee shall provide a slate of candidates for each election. In the event that the committee fails to identify members who are willing to serve, the previously elected officials can continue to be put forth as candidates on the ballot for additional terms with the approval of the majority vote from the Executive Committee.

Section 3. The President shall appoint other committees as required and shall automatically act as an ex-officio member of such committees. Members of suchcommittees 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 ASIOin good standing at any regular meeting of the ASIO or at any special meeting called forthat specific purpose. They shall be presented in writing and shall be off ered to the membership present at that meeting on motion for consideration and circulation to the membership. A simple majority shall be necessary to pass the motion.

Section 2. Amendments accepted for future consideration and circulation shall be forwarded to the Special Interest Group Staff Liaison to be circulated with a ballot to all members in good standing. A two-thirds affirmation vote of the ballots returned within the determined timeframe shall be necessary for adoption of any amendment.

Section 3. Amendments to these Bylaws must be approved by the Council of the Society of Toxicology before they become effective. This is done to ensure that future changes inthese Bylaws will have the same force as the original, which was so approved.