Biological Fluorescence Bylaws
Article I
Purpose: The purpose of the Biological Fluorescence Subgroup is to promote the interchange of information and to foster the advance of knowledge pertaining to the development of new capabilities in fluorescence methodologies, both theoretical and experimental, and the application of these developments to the study of biological systems.
Article II
Membership: Members of the Biophysical Society may join the Biological Fluorescence Subgroup; non-members of the Biophysical Society are welcome to attend Biological Fluorescence Subgroup symposia but are unable to join the Subgroup, serve as Officers of the Subgroup, or vote.
Article III
Dissolution: The Biological Fluorescence Subgroup must be in accordance with the Biophysical Society’s constitution and bylaws, mission, values, goals, and operational guidelines. If the subgroup is found in violation of their bylaws or Society’s guidelines, the group will be placed on probation and may be dissolved at the discretion of the Council of the Biophysical Society.
Article IV
Meetings: Business meetings shall be held in connection with the annual scientific meeting of the Biophysical Society. Five percent of the members of the Biological Fluorescence Subgroup or 10 members, whichever is smaller, shall constitute a quorum. Scientific meetings shall be held in association with the annual Biophysical Society meetings, and must follow the guidelines established by the BPS Council. The members attending an Annual Meeting can transact Subgroup business by a simple majority vote.
Article V
Officers: The Officers of the Subgroup will be the Subgroup Chair, Past-Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer.
Duties of the Subgroup Chair are to organize and conduct Subgroup Meetings, to advise the Biophysical Society of the activities and needs of the Subgroup, to advise the Society on matters related to biological fluorescence and to any other activities the Chair deems to be beneficial to the Subgroup and the Society.
The Secretary-Treasurer will maintain adequate records of membership and finances, and carry on necessary correspondence.
The Subgroup Chair will serve for one year, beginning immediately following the Annual Meeting and continuing through the following Annual Meeting as Past-Chair. There will be a two-year term for the Secretary-Treasurer.
Article VI
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will be responsible for fulfilling the scientific and business obligations of the group. The Executive Committee will consist of the Officers: Chair, Past-Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall have the power to conduct business by means of electronic vote. The affairs of the Subgroup shall be handled by the Officers in accordance with the policies determined by the Executive Committee and the Biophysical Society Council.
Article VII
Nominating Committee: The members of the Executive Committee shall constitute the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations from subgroup membership and for preparing the final slate of candidates. Nominations will be received electronically up to one month prior to the Subgroup’s business meeting. Nominees must accept their nomination prior to being placed on a ballot. It is the intent of the Group that the Chair shall rotate so as to represent fairly the different specialties within the membership.
Article VIII
Eligibility for Office: Only members of the Biological Fluorescence Group may be candidates for offices. Members may not be elected to one office more than every five years.
Article IX
Elections: Elections will be held electronically up to two weeks prior to the Subgroup’s business meeting. The candidates for each office receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. The results will be announced to the Subgroup’s membership during the Subgroup’s business meeting. Officers will take office at the end of the annual business meeting held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Biophysical Society. Interim vacancies in officers or councilors will be filled in accordance with Bylaw Article VII of the Biophysical Society.
Article X
Awards Committee: An awards committee will solicit nominations through a call to all subgroup members, evaluate nominations, and select awardees. The committee’s selection criteria will be based on scientific excellence first but must also consider diversity.
Article XI
Amendments to the Bylaws: Amendments to the bylaws of the Biological Fluorescence Subgroup must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Subgroup’s Executive Committee, and ratified in an electronic ballot by a majority of the members of the group voting.