BYLAWS
OBJECTIVES:
I. The object of the Society shall be to advance the quality, development, and role of biomedical technology in the health care institution by:
1) Providing a medium for the interchange of ideas and the dissemination of information among members.
2) Conducting regular meetings, conferences and educational programs.
3) Encouraging and assisting members to develop their knowledge and increase their competence in the field of biomedical technology.
4) Promoting the field of biomedical technology and publicizing its members’ existence.
II. The Society is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes as a non-profit organization. It shall be so conducted that no part of its income and earnings shall accrue to the benefit of any member, director, officer or other individual.
ARTICLE I MEMBERS
Section 1. Active Membership
Part 1. Active membership shall be granted to persons interested in gaining or advancing their knowledge of the biomedical environment.
Part 2. Active members will have voting privileges, may hold office, and may serve as delegates.
Part 3. Active members present at meetings will have one vote and members unable to attend membership meetings may vote via absentee ballot
Section 2. Associate Membership
Part 1. Associate membership shall be granted to persons currently enrolled in a biomedical technology, biomedical engineering or clinical engineering program.
Part 2. Associates members will be nonvoting members. Associate members may not hold office or serve as delegates.
ARTICLE II MEETINGS
Section 1. The officers shall not meet less than once a quarter. Additional board meetings may be called by the President. A quorum of at least half of the officers shall be present to conduct a board meeting.
Section 2. Regular meetings of the Society shall not meet less than once a quarter, with an annual meeting for election of officers.
Section 3. The Society’s meetings shall not be used for political or religious discussions except in an advocating role for the advancement of the Society.
ARTICLE III OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustee (past president). These officers shall comprise the Board of Directors of the Society. The President shall act as the Board Chairperson.
Section 2. Officers shall be elected by ballot and shall be installed at the annual meeting and shall serve until their successors are elected and installed the following year.
Section 3. In the event that an officer shall become unable to perform the duties of the office, the President shall appoint a member to serve as the acting officer until the annual meeting.
Section 4. Should the President become unable to perform the duties of office, the Vice-President shall serve as temporary President until the next meeting when an officer shall be elected to serve the remaining term. In the event that both President and Vice-President become unable to perform the duties of the office, the Secretary shall assume these responsibilities until the next meeting.
ARTICLE IV DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1. The President shall preside at all Board meetings and all membership meetings. It shall be the Presidents duty to exercise general supervision over the activities and welfare of the Society.
Section 2. The Vice-President shall assume all duties and responsibilities of the President in the absence or the incapacity of the President. The Vice-President shall serve as the Chairperson of the Program Committee.
Section 3. Secretary
Part 1. The Secretary or editor of the newsletter shall be responsible to issue notices of meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible to file an annual report and perform such duties as may be requested by the President consistent with the bylaws, policies and other commitments of the Society. The Secretary or designee shall be responsible to keep a roster of members.
Part 2. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of the Society’s board and membership meetings. In the event of their absence from the meeting of their inability to perform the duties of office, the President shall appoint a temporary Secretary for this purpose.
Section 4. Treasurer
Part 1. The Treasurer shall be custodian of the funds, book of accounts and all valuable papers of the Society. They shall keep a set of books of entry containing in detail the financial transactions of the Society. All receipts shall be deposited within one month of their receipt in the bank prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Part 2. The Treasurer and/or the President shall have authority to sign all checks, drafts and notes drawn by the Society. The Treasurer shall prepare a balance sheet and present it at each Board meeting.
Part 3. The Treasurer shall also provide an annual report to be reviewed at the annual membership meeting.
Section 5. The Trustee shall be the past President and shall advise the new officers elected to the Board of Directors. The trustee shall be a voting member of the Board.
ARTICLE V NOMINATION AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. At the meeting preceding the annual meeting a slate of candidates shall be selected from these members who are eligible to hold elected office. Nominations for these offices shall be taken from the floor. If necessary a Nomination Committee may be appointed by the President to assist in this selection.
Section 2. Elections
Part 1. The candidates with the largest number of votes will be elected for each office being filled.
Part 2. After the initial election of officers. No person shall be elected to office in the Society who has not been an active member of the Society for at least one year.
ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President, may appoint the following standing committees from among the membership:
1. Special committees and appointments may be appointed as the need arises.
ARTICLE VII MEMBERSHIP FEES
Section 1. Membership fees shall be fifteen dollars per year for active membership. Associate membership shall be ten dollars per year.
Section 2. Annual membership fees shall be due on the anniversary date of initial membership.
Section 3. Membership fees which are in arrears shall be paid before voting privileges shall be granted.
Section 4. Fees are subject to change after it has been duly brought to the floor for discussion and approved by the majority of the members.
ARTICLE VIII EXPULSIONS
Section 1. The Board of Directors may expel any member who neglects to comply with these bylaws or whose conduct is detrimental to this Society.
Section 2. Before the Board of Directors can expel a member, written charges shall be filed with the Board and the Secretary shall furnish such member a copy of the charges and a notice of the time and place where the Board will consider such charges and such member shall appear before the Board and answer such charges and present such proof as they may have relative to the charges. After such a hearing, the Board shall determine whether or not the member shall be expelled and their decision shall be final.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These by laws my be altered, amended or repealed by a simple majority of the members by way of membership meeting vote or by submission of vote on website. In the latter case, sufficient notice shall be given to the members as to the proposed changes.
Date of last revision: September 12, 2009