International Meningioma Society

Constitution and Bylaws

 

ARTICLE I- NAME, MISSION AND PRINCIPLES

 

SECTION 1- NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

SECTION 2- MISSION

SECTION 3- PRINCIPLES

SECTION 4 -TAX STATUS OF THE ORGANIZATION 

 

ARTICLE II — MEMBERSHIP

 

SECTION 1 – ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 2 – CLASSIFICATION, APPLICATION, AND ELECTION OF MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 3 – RESIGNATIONS  

SECTION 4 – DUES 

 

ARTICLE III — OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

 

SECTION 1- OFFICERS

SECTION 2- GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS

SECTION 3- ELECTION OF OFFICERS, TERMS AND DUTIES

SECTION 4- VACANCIES

 

ARTICLE IV — COMMITTEES

 

SECTION 1 – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 2 – MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE 

SECTION 3 – FINANCE COMMITTEE 

SECTION 4 – CONGRESS SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM COMMITTEE 

SECTION 5 – NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

SECTION 6 – WEB AND PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 

SECTION 7 – CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

SECTION 8 – AWARD COMMITTEE

 

ARTICLE V— MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY 

 

SECTION 1 – BIENNIAL MEETING TIMES AND LOCATION 

SECTION 2 – INTERIM MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY  

SECTION 3 – RULES OF ORDER

SECTION 4 – OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

 

ARTICLE VI— STATUS OF MEMBERS

 

SECTION 1 – STANDING 

SECTION 2 – DELINQUENT DUES

SECTION 3 – SUSPENSION

 

ARTICLE VII— AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 1- AMENDMENT VOTING PROCESS

 

 

 

International Meningioma Society

 

Article I- Name, Mission and Principles of Society

Section 1- Name of the Organization

The name of this organization, a non-profit unincorporated Society, shall be the International Meningioma Society (the “IMS”)

 

Section 2- Mission

The Mission of the IMS shall be the advancement of the understanding of the biology and treatment of meningiomas and to improve the lives of patients afflicted. 

 

 

Section 3 – Principles

 

The IMS exists for and is dedicated to the following principles:

 

A. provide a communication interface for the interaction and association of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and scientists interested in meningiomas 

B. Promote an exchange and dissemination of knowledge of the biology and principles of treatment of meningiomas

C. Establish standards of quality care for patients harboring meningiomas.  Help to promote, disseminate information, and implement such standards of neurosurgical and other medical care for these patients. 

 

 

Section 4 – Tax Status of the Organization

 

The IMS is a not-for-profit public benefit society, which is not organized for the private gain of any person.  It is not incorporated, and exists for educational and charitable purposes.

 

ARTICLE II- Membership

Section 1- Eligibility

Membership in the IMS is available to health care professionals, basic and clinical research scientists, and medical physicists involved with the basic and clinical research, diagnosis and treatment, or patient advocacy of meningiomas.

 

Section 2- Classifications, Application, and Election of Membership

 

Membership Classifications

Regular Membership

Regular voting membership in the IMS is limited to persons practicing in the field of clinical care or research of meningiomas and who pay regular dues. Regular members may serve on Council and hold office.

Senior Membership

Senior members may be elected from among Regular members who have been Society members and are fully retired from the active practice of meningioma clinical care or research, or are disabled. Senior members will have reduced dues. Senior members retain the privileges of regular membership

 

Junior Membership

Junior membership is available to students who are candidates for an M.D., Master’s, or Ph.D. Degree, or their equivalents; and to interns, residents, clinical or research fellows, or post-doctoral fellows who have not completed their training and are engaged in a field of study or training related to meningiomas.  Junior members have reduced dues.  They are not eligible to become officers of the standing committees.

 

 

Application and Election for Membership

1. The membership application may be downloaded from the website http://meningiomasociety.com/.  When complete, shall be submitted to the Secretary’s office of the IMS. 

 

1. Admission to membership is by majority vote of the Executive Committee, based upon a determination that an applicant has met the Society’s criteria for membership. 

 

Section 3- Resignation

 

Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Executive Committee; however, resignation does not relieve a member from liability for dues accrued and unpaid as of the date of resignation. 

 

 

Section 4- Dues

Regular members shall pay annual dues.  The dues shall be set by members of the Executive Committee.  Senior and Junior members shall pay dues at a rate of 50% that of regular members.

 

ARTICLE III- OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

Section 1- Officers

 

There shall be elected officers of the IMS (hereafter called the Executive Committee). Officers are elected by the IMS regular membership and serve terms of office as outlined below.

 

1. President (also President of the next Congress) 

2. Past-President 

3. President-Elect 

4. Vice President

4. Secretary-Treasurer

 

Section 2- General Qualifications of Officers

 

Officers of the IMS shall be regular members at the time of their election or re-election.

 

 

Section 3- Election of Officers, Terms and Duties

New officers are elected by majority vote at each biennial IMS meeting or by electronic vote and take office at the close of that meeting.  The term of office for the position of President, President-Elect, Past President and Vice President is two years.  The term of office for the positions of Secretary and Treasurer is 4 years.

 

The President shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and shall be an ex-officio member of all of the other committees of the IMS, with the exception of the Audit and Nominating Committee. The President shall preside at all business sessions of the membership of the Society, act as chief spokesperson of the Society, and be responsible for making appointments to standing committees. At his/her discretion may create ad hoc committees or task forces and appoint Society representatives to civic, professional, and governmental organizations as may be required to execute the business and affairs of the Society.  He/she shall serve no more than one (l) term as President. 

The President-Elect shall automatically become the President of the Society upon completion of the President's term at the end of the biennial meeting. The President-Elect shall assist the President in the performance of duties whenever requested to do so, and acts in place of the President when the President is not available. The President-Elect shall be elected at the Congress and on election shall immediately assume his/her term of office. 

The Vice-President shall assist the President in his/her duties and will assume the duties of either the President or President-Elect if the President or President-Elect is absent, ill, resigns, dies or, for any other reason, is unable to fulfill the duties of the Office. The Vice-President is expected to attend all Executive Committee meetings. 

 

The Secretary-Treasurer shall act as the communications officer for the organization, reminding officers and committee chairs of deadlines for their activity. The Secretary-Treasurer shall assume the usual duties and responsibilities of a secretary of a scientific society and shall be responsible for the ongoing records of the society. These include keeping minutes of each meeting, read all correspondence to the IMS, and send notices to the membership of all meetings.

 

The Secretary-Treasurer shall assume the duties and responsibilities common to this office.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall accept all dues and other monies received by the Society and shall deposit them in a suitable bank. The Treasurer shall expend the funds of the Society in accordance with the policies and budget approved by the Executive Committee. At the discretion of the Executive Committee, more than one signature may be required on bank checks and all other documents.  The Treasurer shall provide an operating statement and balance sheet at intervals of no longer than twelve (12) months or more frequently when there is greater financial activity, such as that which precedes and follows a Congress. An interim budget and balance sheet should be presented at each meeting of the Executive Committee. A comprehensive budget should be prepared six months before each Congress. The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit the financial accounts of the Society to an annual independent audit. 

 

Section 4- Vacancies

In case of a vacancy of any elected office during the period of tenure, the position shall be filled by appointment of the EC, the officer to serve until the next biennial meeting.

 

ARTICLE IV- COMMITTEES

There shall be an Executive Committee, Standing, Special and Other Committees of the Society as listed:

 

1. Executive Committee
2. Membership
3. Finance
4. Congress Scientific Program
5. Nominating
6. Web and Publication
7. Constitution and Bylaws 

 

Section 1-Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (EC) shall be composed of the President, President- Elect, Past-President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.  It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to conduct the affairs of the IMS as provided for in these Constitution and Bylaws, and to oversee the activities of the IMS between biennial meetings of the Society.   

 

Section 2- Membership Committee

The newly-elected President will appoint 3 members to serve as the membership committee, to serve for a period of 2 years co-terminus with the President. 

The Membership Committee will be responsible for maintaining a current membership list, recruiting and soliciting new members, retaining current members, and reporting of delinquent members to the EC. Each year the Membership Committee shall report to the EC on each candidate with recommendations and explanations for their approval or disapproval.  All nominees shall be presented to the membership at large for voting at the biennial meeting following disclosure of the Membership Committee’s recommendations for each candidate.

 

Section 3- Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will be comprised of the President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.  The Secretary-Treasurer will serve as the Chairperson of the committee.

The Finance Committee shall meet at least annually to review the financial status of the IMS and the Congress.  The Committee will secure any and all additional funds required beyond those afforded by the dues from individual members of the Congress and from the member of the Society, and review a budget of the Congress from the Treasurer for approval by the Executive Committee one year prior to the Congress.  It will keep the Secretary- Treasurer informed of expenditure and/or collection of any funds of the Society for special or unusual purposes not provided for by the EC.  It will recommend action to the EC on any financial matters. 

 

Section 4- Congress Scientific Program Committee

The Congress Scientific Program Committee will be appointed by the President, and will serve a period of 2 years, members of which may be re-appointed.  The Scientific Program Director will be the Chair of the Committee.  The President and Secretary-Treasurer will serve as ex-officio members of the Committee.  The Chair of the Committee may suggest for appointment up to 5 members to carry out the duties of the Committee. 

The Congress scientific program committee is responsible for planning and implementing the scientific session for the annual meeting.   This Committee shall choose invited speakers, and determine the scientific program for the Congress.  They will be responsible for the selection of papers, posters and videos to be presented at the Congress, emphasizing the assignment of adequate time for discussion.  They will also establish a social program for the Congress. 

 

Section 5- Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members.  The Past President will be the Chair of the Committee; there will be four (4) At-Large members appointed, and appointments will be for two (2) years. 

The nominating committee is responsible for reviewing potential candidates and recommending a slate of one nominee for each vacant Officer position for each election. The slate shall be presented to the membership no less than 14 days before the annual meeting. 

 

Section 6- Web and Publication Committee

The Web and Publication Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members, which include a Chair appointed by the President, the President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer as ex-officio members, and 2 appointed At-Large members chosen by the Chair of the Committee. 

 

The Web and Publications committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining the Society's website; and for recommending publication strategies the Society's publications and proceedings to the EC and membership.

 

Section 7- Constitution and Bylaws Committee

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall be composed of three (3) members selected by the Executive Committee and appointed by the President. The President shall designate which member shall be the Chairperson of the Committee. The terms of appointment will be for 2 years.

The Bylaws Committee is responsible for reviewing and drafting amendments to the bylaws. Changes to the bylaws may be proposed by motion from the floor at the annual meeting, or by initiative of the Bylaws Committee or the EC. 

Section 8- Award Committee

There shall be an Award Committee composed of the President, Secretary, and one of the Past Presidents. During each biennial convention, the committee will give three different awards:

1. Gold Medal Of International Meningioma Society
   The International Meningioma Society will give a gold medal or medals for the most distinguished neurosurgical contribution, education effort, or service efforts for the International Meningioma Society. Awardee(s) will be decided in the meeting before the biennial convention.

2. Lifetime Achievement Award
   The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to those individual neurosurgeons in recognition of their outstanding service and contribution to Neurosurgery Worldwide and to Meningioma pathology.

3. The Academy Award
   A biennial award shall be granted to the best scientific presentation at the International Meningioma Society. The announcement of this award shall be neurosurgical residents in training or young neurosurgeons. Papers shall be submitted to the Secretary, describing either clinical or laboratory research, which the candidate has had the primary responsibility.

The selected paper will be presented at the meeting, and all expenses of the awardee will be covered by the International Meningioma Society. The awardee will receive a certificate and an honorarium (Amount will be determined each year by the Executive Committee.)

 

ARTICLE V- MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY

Section 1- Biennial Meeting Time and Location

The IMS will hold at least one (1) meeting every two (2) years at a place and time determined by the EC, with suggestions considered from the general membership.  The Scientific program of the meeting will be determined by the Congress Scientific Program Committee.

 

Section 2- Interim Meetings

Interim meetings of the IMS may be called by the Executive Committee.  Every member will be notified of the time and place of the interim meeting in advance of the date of the meeting.

 

Section 3- Rules of Order

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the conduct of the Business Meeting of the IMS, and the duties of its officers. The order of business shall be as follows: roll call, acceptance of the previous meeting minutes, reading of correspondence, reports of officers including the Secretary and Treasurers report, reports of committees, election of new members, election of Officers, announcement of appointments, new business, and adjournment.

 

Section 4- Official Language

The language of the Society and the Congress shall be English.

 

ARTICLE VI- STATUS OF MEMBERS

Section 1- Standing

All members shall be considered in good standing when abiding by this Constitution and Bylaws of the IMS.

 

Section 2- Delinquent Dues

A member delinquent in dues or assessments for two (2) consecutive years is automatically suspended from membership, regardless of membership category.

 

Section 3- Suspension

Any member may be suspended by the President after recommendation from the Executive Committee for cause.  Further action shall be considered by the membership at the biennial meeting.

 

ARTICLE VII- AMENDMENTS

Section 1- Amendment Voting Process

The Articles of the Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the Regular and Senior members present and voting at any stated meeting, provided due notice of all proposed changes have been sent to all Members at least two (2) months before said meeting.  A three-fourths affirmative electronic vote may also be used for this purpose, with the same period of due notice.