THE WESTERN NEW YORK SOCIETY OF PATHOLOGISTS BY-LAWS

Revised in 2013

ARTICLE I

Definition of Pathology

Pathology shall be defined as a Subspecialty in Medicine which concerns itself with the cause and nature of human diseases

ARTICLE II

Name

The name of the organization shall be: THE WESTERN NEW YORK SOCIETY OF PATHOLOGISTS

ARTICLE III

Mission Statement

1. To promote the practice of medicine by the application of laboratory, surgical pathology, cytopathology and molecular methods for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases
2. To foster the highest standards in education, research and clinical practice
3. To provide continuing pathology education amongst its members
4. To encourage closer ties between Pathologists in different practice settings
5. To expand its membership and activities to include other professionals, such as Pathologist Assistants, Histotechnologists and Cytotechnologists

ARTICLE IV

Section 1 — Membership

          (a) Junior Member

          (b) Member

          (c) Emeritus Member

Section 2 — Qualification for Membership

(a) Junior Member — Any physician of good moral character, accepting the code of ethics of the College of American Pathologists shall be eligible if he/she is in an ACGME accredited training program in Pathology in Western New York. Junior members shall not have the right to vote or hold office.

(b) Member — Any physician of good moral character who resides in Western New York, accepts the code of ethics of the College of American Pathologists and who devotes his/her time to the practice, teaching or research in Pathology and who has completed an ACGME approved training program in Pathology shall be eligible. Any non-medical members who also practice within the scope of Pathology may apply for membership. Members in good standing who have paid their membership dues can hold office by a majority vote of its members.

(c) Emeritus Member — Any member of the organization, upon retirement from active practice and/or teaching of Pathology, shall become an emeritus member. Emeritus Member in good standing who have paid their membership dues shall enjoy all of the privileges of a member.

Section 3 — Application for Membership

Application for membership shall be made in writing on a form authorized by the Society and signed by the applicant with the appropriate membership fee.

Section 4 — Resignation

Members in good standing who wish to resign from the Society may do so in writing.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1 — Board members should include:
(a) President
(b) Vice-President
(c) Treasurer
(d) Secretary
(e) Board Members representatives

Section 2 — Election

          The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for a period of one year commencing on the day of election, which shall be the last regular meeting of the academic year. After serving as Vice-President for one year, this person shall be automatically placed as candidate for the office of President. Election shall be made by the majority of the members present at a scheduled meeting. All other nominations for the position of president shall be made from the floor. The elected president can nominate one vice president and one secretary to assist his/her regular duty, and up to 4 board members, representing the various local hospitals in the Western New York area. The elected president should also appoint a Treasurer to handle the membership fees and other financial related issues.

Section 3 — Duties of Officers

          The President shall function as the principal executive officer, shall preside at all meetings of the Society, and shall appoint all Board members. The Secretary shall carry out the usual duties performed in this office, including minutes of the meeting. In the absence of the President at any meeting, the Vice-President shall preside. The Treasurer shall be in-charge of dealing with the funds of the Society.

ARTICLE VI

Time and Place of Meeting

The time and place of the meetings, from September through May, shall be determined by the officers who shall also act as Program Committee members.

ARTICLE VII

Amendments

When proposed and approved by board, the bylaws may be altered or amended by a vote of three—quarters of the members present at a regular meeting. Amendments shall be presented to all of the members in writing at least 30 days before this meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

Quorum

The members present at a conference meeting shall be considered a quorum.

ARTICLE IX

Membership fees

The annual dues for members, junior members and emeritus members may be changed during any of the regular meetings of the Society by a majority of the members present and can be changed by board members with majority votes. Annual dues for members ($100.00), junior members ($50.00) and emeritus members ($100.00) are payable by September 30th of the academic year.

ARTICLE X

Discipline

Section 1 — Non-payment of dues

(a) Members in arrears of dues for one year shall be notified in writing of their delinquency. If within 30 days these dues are not paid, the member shall be dropped from membership.
(b) To be reinstated, the former member must pay dues for the current meeting year, plus dues for the previous year ($100.00). Special consideration can be given on an individual basis to waive the due for the previous year.

Section 2 — Expulsion
(a) For unethical conduct, using as a standard the principles of the medical ethics of the American Medical Association and the Ethics of the College of American Pathologists, a Member, Junior Member or Emeritus Member may be expelled or suspended upon the recommendation of the Officers and Board members and by a vote of three quarters of the
members present at a conference meeting.
(b) The member under expulsion consideration shall have a right of hearing before the Committee. If the Committee makes a recommendation of expulsion or suspension, the member shall have a right of hearing before the Society.
(c) The Officers and its Board shall notify the membership in writing of their recommendation.
(d) Action on this recommendation shall be made by the membership at a conference meeting that occurs not less than 20 days or more than 40 days after the recommendation.

ARTICLE XI

Committees

There are no committees appointed at this time. The need for such will be evaluated by the Officers and its Board at a scheduled conference meeting.

ARTICLE XII

Vacancies

In the event of permanent vacancy of the Presidency, the unexpired term shall be filled by the Vice-President. In the case of permanent vacancy of the offices of Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer or “board member representative”, the President and/or vice president should nominate a member to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. However, the appointment has to be approved by majority votes of the board members.

ARTICLE XIII

Parliamentary Procedure

The parliamentary procedures at the meeting of the Society shall be governed by the Robert’s Rule of Order, except as otherwise provided.

The standing rules — the President shall call the members assembled in order; the minutes of the preceding meeting shall be read; the unfinished business shall be taken up; reports of the Officers and its Board; election of new members; new business; scientific papers presented and adjournment.

At the last regular meeting of the academic year, the standing rules shall be the same as those of regular meetings, except that the first items of new business shall be nomination, election and installation of new officers