CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION OF PARASITOLOGISTS
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Southwestern Association of Parasitologists, hereinafter referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Association shall be the advancement of the disciplines of parasitology, promotion of parasitological research and teaching, provide for informal discussions of research and teaching of parasitology, and fellowship among workers in parasitology and allied fields.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
The Association shall be open to all interested persons, regardless of place of employment, residence, or affiliation in other recognized societies, so long as the individuals' employment or affiliation do not advocate overthrow of the Constitution of the United States of America .
1. There shall be student members, i.e., individuals who have not earned a doctorate degree and are enrolled as full-time students in a recognized educational institution.
2. There shall be full members, i.e., individuals who have terminated their studies and those who do not fall into the student member category.
3. There shall be emeritus members, i.e., individuals who have retired from active professional work and who have been full members for at least 10 years. Emeritus status is granted upon written request to the Secretary-Treasurer. Emeritus members shall not pay dues but shall be accorded all rights and privileges of full members.
4. There shall be life members, i.e., individuals who have made a one-time contribution of at least $250.00 to the Association. Contributions by life members shall be placed in student award accounts. Life members shall be exempt from payment of dues and shall exercise all rights of full members.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
1. The officers of the Association shall be President, President-Elect, Secretary Treasurer, and Representative to the Council of the American Society of Parasitologists, hereinafter referred to as ASP Representative.
2. The term of office of the President and President-Elect shall be one (1) year, beginning at the close of the annual meeting.
3. a. The term of office of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be three years, beginning at the close of the annual meeting.
b. The term of the ASP Representative shall be one (1) year, beginning at the close of the annual meeting. The ASP Representative may be re-elected to a maximum of two additional terms of one (1) year each.
4. The duties of the officers shall be such as usually pertain to the offices held and also duties that may be prescribed by the Constitution.
5. Election of the President-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer shall be by a simple majority of the members voting. The office of President shall be assumed by the President-Elect at the end of his/her term. In the case of death or resignation by the President-Elect, the newly elected President-Elect will assume the duties and serve out the terms of both offices.
ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES
1. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Association composed of current officers and the Immediate Past President.
2. The President-Elect shall serve as Program Chairman and appoint a committee as he/she deems necessary. The Program Chairman (and committee) shall be responsible for arrangements and scientific sessions at the annual meeting.
3. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three (3) members to nominate a candidate or candidates for each office to be filled at the next election. The Chairman of this Committee shall submit a list of nominees to the Secretary-Treasurer at least six (6) weeks prior to the date of the next annual meeting.
4. The President shall appoint any ad hoc committees which he/she or the Executive Committee deem necessary and representatives to scientific organizations other than the American Society of Parasitologists.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
1. An annual meeting shall be held in the spring of each year to provide for exchange of information pertinent to research and teaching of parasitology.
2. The annual business meeting of the Association shall be held in conjunction with the annual meeting.
3. The place of the annual meeting shall be determined by the Chairman of the Program Committee with the approval of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VII. DUES
1. The annual membership dues for full members shall be four dollars ($4.00) and for student members shall be two dollars ($2.00), payable at the time of application for membership and thereafter at the time of the annual meeting.
2. Members whose dues records are delinquent for the previous two (2) years at the close of the annual meeting will be considered to have resigned from the Association and will be dropped from the mailing list. Reinstatement will require the payment of current dues and the delinquent dues of the previous year.
3. Changes in dues shall be made by the Executive Committee, subject to approval of the membership.
ARTICLE VIII. QUORUM
A quorum for the transaction of business of the Association shall be those members present at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
Any proposed amendment shall be sent to the membership at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting. Proposed amendments shall be adopted if approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting by mail ballot or by show of hands at the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE X. RULE OF ORDER
Roberts Rules of Order - Newly Revised shall govern deliberations in all cases where they are applicable and are not inconsistent with this instrument or special rules of the Association.