By-Laws of The Society for Menstrual Cycle Research

as amended Fall, 1999
as amended June 6, 2003
as amended June 5, 2009
as corrected and amended June 3, 2011
as amended December 12, 2012

 

Article I – Name

The name of this society as provided in the Articles of Incorporation shall be The Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, hereinafter referred to as the Society.

 

Article II – Purposes

The purposes of this society shall be:

1. To identify research priorities, recommend research strategies, and promote                   interdisciplinary research on the menstrual cycle;
2. To establish a formal communication network to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue about menstrual cycle events in the context of women’s health over the life span;
3. To explore the practical and ethical issues surrounding menstrual cycle research; and
4. To disseminate information and promote discussion of issues related to the menstrual cycle among various public groups.

 

Article III – Membership

Section 1. Composition and classes.  Members of the society shall consist of those persons engaged in research and those who have demonstrated interest in research on the menstrual cycle and related issues.  Among said membership no classes or divisions of membership shall exist.  All said members shall be considered of one class, with each member having one vote.

Section 2. Election of members.  A person shall become a member of the society upon approval of their application for membership by the Executive Committee and payment of dues.

Section 3. Termination of membership.

1. The Board of Directors by affirmative vote of 2/3 of all of the Directors may suspend or expel a member for cause after a hearing held at a regular or special meeting.
2. Six months after the final notice of dues payable has been sent, a member who has not paid dues shall be terminated from membership in the society.
3. Any member may resign from the society by filing a written resignation with the Secretary.

Section 4. Reinstatement of membership.  Reinstatement of membership in the society may occur by decision of the Board of Directors by affirmative vote of 2/3 of all the Directors.

 

Article IV – Dues

Section 1. The amount of dues shall be decided by a 2/3 vote of all of the members of the Board of directors.

Section 2. The operating expenses of the society shall be met by the annual payment of dues by all members.

Section 3.  The term of membership shall run annually beginning when payment is received by the Treasurer and expiring the last day of the same month of the following year(s), as applicable. The membership person shall send reminders to members monthly, beginning two months prior to their expiration date and ending one month after the expiration date.

 

Article V – Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings.  Regular meetings for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting will be held at least once every two years at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.  Notice of such meetings will be sent to the membership by mail not less than 30 days prior to the date of the scheduled meeting.

Section 2. Special meetings.  Special meetings of the society may be called by the president or any three directors or by petition from 25% of the membership.

Section 3. Proxy voting.  Voting by proxy on motions before the membership shall be valid under the following conditions:

A.  Each proxy shall be dated and specify the date of the meeting at which it is to be exercised.

B.  Each proxy shall state the name of the person authorized to exercise the proxy and shall carry the signature of the absent member.

C.  The quorum may be filled by proxies properly drawn and signed.

Section 4. Quorums.  Twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership shall constitute a quorum at regular or special meetings.  Fifty percent (50%) of those present at the biennial meeting shall constitute a quorum for election of the Board of Directors and for amendment of these By-Laws.

 

Article VI – Board of Directors

Section 1. Duties and qualifications.  The business and affairs of the society shall be managed by the Board of Directors, all of whom shall be members of the society.

Section 2. Terms of office.  Following approval of these By-Laws, adjustments shall be made in the scheduling of elections of Directors so that one-third of the Directors are elected each year.  Thereafter, Directors shall be elected for terms of three (3) conferences or (6) years and serve until each successor is elected.

Section 3. Election of Directors.  No less than thirty (30) days prior to the regular meeting, the Nominating Committee shall submit to the membership the names of nominated provided the nominee first shall have given consent to serve, if elected.

Section 4. Vacancy. Any vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, may be filled by majority vote of the Board of Directors.  Any director so elected shall hold office until expiration of the term filled or until a successor shall be elected.

Section 5. Election of officers and term. At the initial meeting of the Board of Directors immediately following an election, the Board shall name its officers who shall hold office for a term of two years. The Past President will continue to serve for an additional two years on the Board of Directors as President Emerita.

Section 6. Power to appoint other officers and agents.  The Board of Directors shall have power to appoint such other officers and agents as the Board may deem necessary for transaction of the business of the society.

Section 7. Action by Majority Written Consent.  If and when a majority of the Directors shall consent in writing to any action to be taken by the Board, such action shall be valid as though it had been authorized at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Article VII – Officers and Committees of the Society

Section 1. The officers of the Society shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Conference Coordinator, who will serve as President-elect.  The standing committees of the Society shall include the Executive Committee, which consists of the officers of the Society.

Section 2.  The Standing Committees of the Society include:  the Nominating, Committee; the Membership Committee; and the Conference Coordinating Committee,

Section 3.  Such other committees, standing or special, as the board shall from time to time deem necessary, shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board.

 

Article VIII – Logo and Slogan

Section 1.  The logo of this society shall show :

This logo was designed for the Society by Steve Bogart in 2003. It integrates symbols of research (the

magnifying glass), feminism (the woman symbol), and menstruation (the moon) to represent the Society’s mission.

 

 

Section 2. The slogan of this society shall be “A monthly cycle, a life cycle.”

 

Article IX – Amendments to By-Laws

Section 1.  These by-laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the Society by a vote of 2/3 of the total membership provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting. 

 

Article X – Parliamentary authority

Section 1.  Roberts’ Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of the Society except in such cases as are covered by the By-Laws and special rules adopted by the Society.