Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution

ARTICLE I—NAME

This organization shall be known as the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology and shall be incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the state of Texas.

ARTICLE II—OBJECTIVES

Section 1. To further scientific progress in veterinary and comparative dermatology.

Section 2. To coordinate research in veterinary dermatology.

Section 3. To provide an exclusive organization for dedicated individuals who devote a significant portion of their professional activity to research, teaching and/or clinical practice of skin diseases of animals.

Section 4. To further dermatologic education by:

1. Encouraging adequate dermatologic training in veterinary colleges.
2. Providing the means by which graduate veterinarians can carry on advanced studies in dermatology through meetings, seminars and courses.

Section 5. To encourage and promote improved methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases of animals.

Section 6. To associate with the American Academy of Dermatology to exchange comparative dermatologic information.

ARTICLE III—MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The types of membership shall be:

1. Charter member
2. Member
3. Affiliate member (non-veterinarian)
4. Honorary member
5. Life member
6. Deceased member

Section 2. Qualifications for membership:

1. Charter membership shall be reserved for those veterinarians who qualify as members and who actively established the organization.
2. Membership shall be limited to those veterinarians who devote a significant portion of their professional activities to research, teaching and/or clinical practice of veterinary dermatology, and who the Executive Board of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology considers eligible as members due to their special contribution, interest or training in dermatology.
3. Affiliate membership shall be open to non-veterinarians who are interested in veterinary dermatology. Affiliate memberships shall be approved by the Executive Board. Affiliate members shall not have the right to vote or hold office in the organization.
4. Honorary membership shall be reserved for non-veterinarians who have made major contributions to advance veterinary dermatology. Honorary membership shall be approved by the Executive Board. Honorary members shall not have the right to vote or hold office in the organization and shall not be required to pay annual dues.
5. Life membership shall be reserved for any member in good standing who has reached the age of 65 years and who has been a member for 20 years. Any member who has retired from veterinary medicine may apply for life membership. The Membership Committee shall consider each application individually and make recommendations to the Executive Board for approval. Life members shall be exempt from paying dues. It is the prerogative of the Membership Committee and the Executive Board to reinstate individuals to active membership.
6. Deceased membership shall include all types of membership and shall be listed for five years.

ARTICLE IV—OFFICERS

Section 1. The Officers of the Academy shall consist of the President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 2. The term of office shall be two years.

Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer may succeed him/herself in office without limitation.

Section 4. The Vice President shall become the acting President and fill out the unexpired term should the President be unable to fulfill the duties of the office for any reason.

Section 5. The Executive Board shall appoint qualified members to fill other vacancies that may occur.

ARTICLE V—EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Executive Board shall be composed of the Officers, the immediate Past President and two other qualified members elected at the annual meeting. The Executive Board shall also consist of Committee Chairs and the Meeting Coordinator.

Section 2. This board shall be the executive body of the Academy and shall have the responsibility for administering Academy affairs.

ARTICLE VI—MEETINGS

Section 1. The Executive Board shall call an annual meeting of the Academy.

Section 2. The President may call special meetings at his/her discretion.

ARTICLE VII—AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be signed by at least three members in good standing and submitted to the Executive Board for consideration. The proposed amendment with the recommendation of the Executive Board will be announced to the membership at least 30 days in advance of any regular or special meeting at which the proposed amendment may be discussed. An affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the membership present shall be required to adopt any amendment.

As Amended
April 28, 1994 and August 30,2000

Bylaws

ARTICLE I—MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Application for membership shall be made to the Secretary upon the official application blank provided by said Officer. Completed applications will then be reviewed by the Membership Committee and if approved, reviewed by the Executive Board. Acceptance for membership shall require two-thirds vote of the membership present at the annual meeting of this Academy.

Section 2. Membership in this Academy will be terminated by judgment of the Executive Board for any member who has not paid dues following one annual billing by the Treasurer.

Section 3. Resignation or withdrawal from membership may be secured upon written application to the Executive Board.

ARTICLE II—ELECTIONS

Section 1. The Officers and Executive Board members shall be elected at the annual business meeting of the Academy by mail or from the floor.

Section 2. A nominating committee shall be appointed two months before the election and shall recommend at least one qualified member for each office. Additionally, nominations of qualified members may be made from the floor.

ARTICLE III—DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, shall serve as Chair of the Executive Board, shall appoint all committees and at the conclusion of his/her term of office, shall serve for two years as a member of the Executive Board.

Section 2. The Vice President shall:

1. Become acting President to fill out the unexpired term should the President be unable to fulfill the duties of office.
2. Become President of the organization and shall serve as President after the President has completed his/her term of office.
3. Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her request.

Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall:

1. Be responsible for maintaining permanent and complete minutes of meetings of the members and of the Executive Board.
2. Be the custodian of the corporate records and the seal of the corporation.
3. In general, perform all duties incidental of the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Board.

Section 4. The Secretary/Treasurer shall also:

1. Be the custodian of all funds of the Academy and be responsible for the proper accounting for all receipts and disbursements of the Academy.
2. Serve as Chair of the Budget Committee, which consists of the President, Vice President and the Secretary/Treasurer.
3. Present a report of the financial status of the Academy at each Executive Board meeting and annual membership meeting and prepare additional financial reports as required by the Board of Directors.
4. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV—DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Academy, shall give majority approval to the payment of all bills, shall recommend membership and shall meet to conduct Academy business as requested by the Officers.

Section 2. A majority of the members of the Executive Board must be present to constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE V—MEETINGS

Section 1. The business meeting shall be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Academy.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President.

ARTICLE VI—MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE

Section 1. A certificate of membership shall be awarded to all charter members at the first annual meeting.

Section 2. All members who have been active in the Academy for one year shall be eligible to receive certificate of membership.

Section 3. All honorary members shall receive a certificate of honorary membership upon their election.

Section 4. The Secretary shall be responsible for the printing and distribution of membership certificates, which shall be signed by the President and the Secretary.

ARTICLE VII—DUES

Section 1. An initial membership fee of $45 shall be paid by each new member. This fee shall take the place of the annual dues from the time of acceptance of the member until December 31st of the current year.

Section 2. Annual dues shall be determined by the Executive Board but shall not be less than $45. Increases must be approved by a majority vote of members present at the business meeting.

Section 3. Affiliate members shall also be required to pay the initial membership fee and annual dues.

ARTICLE IX—AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be signed by at least three members in good standing and submitted to the Executive Board for its consideration. If approved by the Executive Board, the proposed amendment shall be voted upon at the regular meeting of the members and adopted by majority vote of the members present. The proposed amendment with the recommendation of the Executive Board will be announced to the membership at least thirty 30 days in advance of any regular or special meeting at which the proposed amendment may be discussed. If the proposed amendment receives unfavorable recommendation from the Executive Board, two-thirds majority must approve adoption.

As Amended
April 28, 1994 and August 30, 2000