CONSTITUTION
The American Association of Neuropathologists, IncRevised and Accepted by the Membership at the April 2007 Meeting
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this society shall be "The American Association of Neuropathologists,
Incorporated."
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Section 1
The purpose of the Association shall be to advance the science, practice
and teaching of neuropathology.
Section 2
The science of neuropathology is understood to include the study of diverse
aspects of diseases of the nervous system, including changes at tissue,
cellular, subcellular and molecular levels, with a consideration of the
etiology and pathophysiology, genetics, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations
of such diseases. The practice of neuropathology is understood to include
diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system, and teaching and training in
the science and practice of neuropathology.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERS
Section 1
Active members shall be graduates in medicine or veterinary medicine or hold
doctoral degrees in pathology or neuropathology or a related field who, when
elected, are actively engaged in neuropathology including teaching, research,
diagnosis and/or practice. They shall have made original contributions to neuropathology
or neurological sciences and have had at least four years of specialized training
and/or experience in the study of diseases of the nervous system. At least two
of these years must directly concern neuropathology, applied or experimental.
Active members shall have full voting privileges and the right to be elected
and serve as officers and councilors of the Association and to serve on committees.
Section 2
Affiliate members shall be in one of two categories: 1) Those engaged in the
study of neuropathology who have completed at least one year of this study and
who must qualify for active membership according to Article III, Section1 within
five years after election. If qualification for active membership is not achieved
within five years, the affiliate membership will be automatically rescinded,
pending review by council, and 2) Outstanding individuals who have contributed
meritoriously to the field of Neuropathology but who do not hold a doctoral degree.
Affiliate members are not eligible to hold office, serve on committees or vote
on the admission of new active members.
Section 3
Honorary members shall be exceptionally distinguished investigators or teachers
in the field of the neurological sciences. They shall not be eligible to hold
office or vote in the Association, and shall be exempt from the payment of dues.
Section 4
Senior members shall be former active members who upon retirement from active
professional life have requested and been granted this status. They no longer
have to pay dues to the Association, but are entitled to all their previous membership
privileges.
ARTICLE IV: ELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1
Candidates for active and honorary membership shall be nominated in writing by
two active members of the Association. Candidates for affiliate membership may
be nominated by two active members. Any member in good standing who anticipates
retirement may request in writing a change in status to the senior category.
The request should be submitted to the Membership Committee for approval by a
2/3 vote and that Committee's decision will be communicated to the
Executive Council.
Section 2
The nominators shall submit to the Chairman of the Membership Committee a completed
application form. Candidates for Honorary Membership shall have submitted on
their behalf two explanatory letters from two Active Members of the Association
in lieu of an application form.
Section 3
The application will be reviewed by the Membership Committee and the application
with a recommendation will be submitted to the Council. After receiving the recommendation
of the Membership Committee, the Council will vote on the application. The list
of proposed members will be circulated to the membership for comments, and final
action will be ratified by the membership at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND COUNCILORS
Section 1
The officers of the Association shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Vice-President,
a Vice-President-Elect, a Vice-President for Professional Affairs, a Secretary-Treasurer,
and an Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 2
The officers shall be elected for a term of one year or from the end of the annual
meeting of their election through the next annual meeting. The Vice-President
for Professional Affairs, the Secretary-Treasurer and the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
may be re-elected, but not serve more than five consecutive times.
Section 3
The Council of the Association shall consist of the officers, the three preceding
presidents of the Association, two members-at-large and the Editor-in-Chief of
the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. The member-at-large
shall serve for a period of four years, one member-at-large being elected alternately
every two years.
Section 4
As a member society, the Association is represented in the International Society
of Neuropathology by a designated number of councilors. The councilors shall
be elected for a term of three years, renewable once. Election of councilors
will occur at the annual business meeting at least 12 months but not exceeding
24 months prior to the International Congress of Neuropathology. Councilors will
represent the interest of the American Association of Neuropathologists, Inc.
and carry out such duties requested by officers of the International Society
and Congress.
ARTICLE VI: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1
The President shall appoint annually the last four preceding presidents as a
Nominating Committee under the chairmanship of the immediate past president.
The Nominating Committee shall nominate the candidates for the offices of
the Association and the Councilors of the International Society of Neuropathology
to be filled at the Annual Meeting. Active Members of the Association may
also present nominations from the floor at the time of the meeting.
The Nominating Committee in consultation with the President and Vice-President
of the Association, upon recommendation of an active member, shall select
recipients of the Award for Distinguished Service to Neuropathology.
Section 2
A majority of the votes cast by the active members present at the annual meeting
shall be necessary for election of officers.
Section 3
The officers of the Association shall be active members.
Section 4
The Vice-President for Professional Affairs shall be fully licensed to practice
medicine and shall be engaged in diagnosis and teaching of neuropathology.
ARTICLE VII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Section 1
The President shall direct the affairs and preside over all the meetings of the
Association and of the Council. He shall be empowered to call special meetings
and shall appoint all committee chairmen, except the chairman of the Professional
Affairs Committee, and in consultation with each chairman, shall appoint
the other members of each committee, except as provided for the Nominating
Committee (Article VI, Section 1). There will be the following standing
committees: Nominating, Membership, Program, Constitution, Professional Affairs and
Awards. No committee chairman may serve consecutively as such for more than two years.
Members of the Professional Affairs Committee, including its Chairman, may serve
as such for up to five years. Liaison shall be maintained with the Journal
of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, the Diagnostic Slide Session
and such other functions as may be appropriate for the best interests of
the Association and of the science of Neuropathology.
The president shall appoint an Archivist who will serve a term of four years
and who may be reappointed. The President shall select the Fishman-Moore
and Korey lecturers each year in conjunction with the Nominating Committee
and the Chair of the Program Committee.
The Membership Committee reviews applications of candidates for membership in
the Association and determines eligibility for acceptance in the appropriate
category in accordance with guidelines noted in Article III.
The Program Committee selects and arranges the scientific program for the annual
meeting through a mechanism determined jointly by the Committee Chairman,
committee members and in consultation with the president. The Constitution
Committee is charged with maintenance of the Constitution as a useable guide
to governing the affairs of the Association. Changes in the Constitution
may be considered at the request of five or more active members of the Association
to the President and other officers. Drafts of changes are handled as outlined
in Article XII.
The Awards Committee is charged with the task of determining awardees of the
Weil Award, the Moore Award, and the Rubinstein Award utilizing broad guidelines
previously outlined when the awards were established. Criteria for judging
are established by the Committee in consultation with the appropriate officers
of the Association.
Section 2
The President, President-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer shall be ex-officio members
of all committees.
Section 3
The President-Elect automatically becomes President at the end of the term of
the incumbent President. The Vice-President-Elect automatically becomes
Vice-President at the end of the term of the incumbent Vice-President.
Section 4
The Vice-President shall assist the President in the discharge of his duties
and shall perform the duties of the President in case of his absence or
disability.
Section 5
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a correct and permanent record of the meetings
and of the financial transactions of the Association and shall submit a
financial report at the Annual Meeting. He shall conduct the correspondence
and, with the President, shall notify new members of their election to membership.
He shall perform such other duties as may be demanded in conducting the
business of the Association and shall assist the Program Committee in preparing
the program of the annual meeting.
Section 6
The Assistant Secretary-Treasurer shall carry out such duties as are assigned
him by the Secretary-Treasurer. In addition, he will coordinate all Continuing
Medical Education (CME) activities throughout the year, as well as at the
Annual Meeting.
Section 7
The Vice-President for Professional Affairs shall be chairman of the Professional
Affairs Committee. He shall keep the Association informed in all professional
affairs affecting the practice, including teaching, research, training and
certification in neuropathology. Subject to the wishes of the President,
he may represent the Association at meetings with representatives of other
organizations, public or private, in the pursuit of information pertaining
to professional affairs. The members of the Professional Affairs Committee shall be
licensed to practice medicine and shall be actively engaged in the practice of neuropathology.
Section 8
The Archivist shall maintain files to include but not limited to the curriculum
vitae of members and of applicants passed by the Membership Committee, past
programs and abstracts of papers presented at the meeting, a set of slides
and case information for slides presented at the Slide Session, all correspondence
and printed matter, and other memorabilia.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1
There shall be an annual meeting of the Association which shall be held at the
time and
place designated by the President and Council.
Section 2
At the Scientific Session of the annual meeting, the members of the Association
and invited guests shall present communications related to their work in
neuropathology.
Section 3
The titles of the scientific presentations, together with their summaries, shall
be communicated to the Program Chairman at least three months in advance
of the meeting. The Program Committee shall allot the time for each presentation.
The program of the meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary-Treasurer to
the members at least four weeks in advance of the meeting.
Section 4
At the business session of the annual meeting, ten percent of the active membership,
or 50 active members, whichever is smaller, shall constitute a quorum. Only
members in good standing may attend, and only active members shall have
the right to vote.
Section 5
The order of business at all business meetings shall be as follows:
- proof of notice of meeting
- reading of minutes of the previous meeting
- receiving of communications
- reports of officers and committee chairman
- unfinished business
- new business
Section 6
The authority on parliamentary procedure shall be "Robert's Rule
of Order Revised" in all cases to which they are applicable and in
which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Association.
Any question regarding priority of business shall be decided by the Chair
without debate. The foregoing order of business may be altered or suspended
at any meeting by a majority vote of the active members present.
Section 7
The Council of the Association shall meet at least once yearly to advise
the officers of the Association on all matters pertaining to the purposes
and best interests of the Association, and shall fulfill such other duties
as are stated in Article IX. The Council may, at the request of the President,
hold additional meetings at any time of the year upon sufficient written
notice to all members of the Council.
Section 8
The Diagnostic Slide Session is recognized and conducted as a part of
the annual meeting, and a time for such presentation shall be designated
and published in the program. The financial report of the Diagnostic Slide
Session shall be incorporated into financial report of the Association.
ARTICLE IX: DUES AND EXPENSES OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1
Active and affiliate members shall pay such dues as proposed by the Council
and approved by majority vote of the active members present at the annual
meeting.
Section 2
The Council may, upon appropriate action, exempt individual members from
payment of dues. After 25 years of membership, after reaching age 65, or
upon retirement for age or disability, members may apply to the Membership
Committee and be granted senior status which shall relieve them of any obligation
for payment of dues. No member shall lose any of his previous rights by
reason of any such exemption from payment of dues.
Section 3
No officer or councilor of the Association shall receive compensation
for his services. The President may authorize the payment to any officer
or committee member of reasonable reimbursement for expenses incurred on
behalf of the Association.
ARTICLE X: FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP
Abstracts for the annual meeting will not be accepted from members in
arrears in their dues as of January 1. Members in arrears will also not
continue to receive the Journal or mailings from the Secretary-Treasurer's
office. Failure of any member of the Association to pay dues for two years,
unless exempted as provided for in Article IX, Section 2, may be considered
sufficient cause to remove that individual from membership in the Association
on recommendation of the Council. The Secretary-Treasurer shall, three months
before the annual meeting, notify those members who may be liable to forfeit
membership, but failure of the member to receive such notification shall
not relieve the member of his responsibility. Unethical conduct of a member
may also be brought to the attention of the Council for consideration of
cancellation of membership.
ARTICLE XI: Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Section 1
The association shall publish the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental
Neurology, which shall be the official journal of the Association to
which all Association members shall automatically subscribe, with the
exception of senior and honorary members.
Section 2
The Council and members of the Association shall appoint an Editor-in-Chief
of the Journal who must be an Active Member of the Association and
who shall serve for a period of five years, renewable once for a five
year term, but not more than ten consecutive years. This period may
be lengthened or shortened for due cause by approval of the Council and Members.
The Editor-in-Chief shall appoint an Editorial Board of limited tenure;
members of the Editorial Board shall serve for periods of 2, 3 or 4
years, renewable at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief, but for
not more than 6 consecutive years. The majority of the Editorial Board
shall be composed of Active members of the Association. The size of the Editorial
Board will be such as to meet the needs of the Journal as determined by
the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief, with the advice of the Editorial
Board, shall have full authority and responsibility for control of
the Journal editorial policy and arrangements for publication.
When a new Editor-in-Chief is to be selected a Search Committee shall
be appointed by the President with approval of the Council no later
than 1 year before expiration of the term of the incumbent Editor-in-Chief.
The Search Committee shall consist of no less than five and no more
than seven Active members and shall include two members of the Council,
two members from the membership-at-large and the incumbent Editor-in-Chief.
No member of the Search Committee shall be a candidate for the position
of Editor-in-Chief unless the Council decides that due cause and special
circumstances require the incumbent Editor-in-Chief to serve an extended
term of limited tenure.
Section 3
The Association through its Council shall have full authority and responsibility
for the financial management of the Journal and shall provide the funds
needed for the publication of the Journal, as determined by the Editor-in-Chief.
The Editor-in-Chief shall present a full account of the use of these
funds to the Council at its annual meeting or at other times as may be requested
by the Council, President, or Secretary-Treasurer.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
A motion to amend the Constitution may be made by the Constitution Committee
or by five other active members. If initiated by the latter, they should
sign such a motion and present it to the Secretary-Treasurer, who in turn
will submit it to the Constitution Committee for consideration and comments.
Any motion to amend the Constitution must then be communicated to the members
of the Association at least four weeks before the annual meeting. For
such amendments to be adopted, it shall require an affirmative vote of
three-fourths of the active members present at the annual meeting