Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup Bylaws
Article I
Purpose: The purpose of the Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup (formerly Membrane Biophysics) is to promote the exchange of ideas and information pertaining to the study of biological membranes. Subgroup members pursue research in a variety of areas including the structure, function and regulation of channels and transporters, ligand-receptor interactions, signal transduction mechanisms, protein trafficking and secretory mechanisms.
Article II
Membership: Members of the Biophysical Society may join the Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup; non-members of the Biophysical Society are welcome to attend Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup symposia but are not entitled to join the Subgroup, serve as Officers of the Subgroup, or vote.
Article III
Dissolution: The Channels, Receptors & Transporters 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, 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 Channels, Receptors & Transporters 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 Biophysical Society Council.
Article V
Officers: The elected Officers of the Subgroup will be the Chair, the Chair-elect, the past-Chair, the past-past Chair, and the Secretary-Treasurer. The Chair shall serve one year as such, preceded by one-year as Chair-elect, and followed by one year as past-Chair and another year as past-past Chair. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected for a term of 3 years.
The Chair will be responsible for assembling the scientific program for the annual Subgroup Meeting, which may include either invited speakers, selected talks from submitted abstracts. The Chair and Secretary-Treasurer will be responsible for the organization of any social events during the meeting. The Chair and Secretary-Treasurer will run the business meeting and make sure bylaws are being followed. The Secretary-Treasurer will make sure the books are balanced and that available funds are spent according to the mission of the Subgroup. The Secretary-Treasurer will also be responsible for the electronic communications with the membership and for collecting nominations for the elected positions and awards.
Article VI
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will be responsible for fulfilling the scientific and business obligations of the group, by means of electronic vote when necessary. The Executive Committee will consist of the abovementioned Officers. 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 for the positions of Chair and Secretary-Treasurer. 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.
Article VIII
Eligibility for Office: Only members of the Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup may be candidates for offices. Members may not be elected to one office more than once every five years.
Article XI
Elections: Elections will be held electronically up to two weeks prior to the Subgroup’s business meeting. The candidate 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 be established annually consisting of the Chair, the Chair-elect, the past-Chair and two Subgroup members who are not Officers, and who will be appointed by the Chair for a one-year term. In coordination with the Secretary-Treasurer, the 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
The Kenneth S. Cole Award: It is the policy and intent of the Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup to make an award annually to one or more investigators in the field of membrane biophysics, in recognition of their research achievements as well as their potential for future contributions.
The Award shall consist of a medal or other appropriate symbol as well as a monetary prize. The funds to support this Award shall come from dues, voluntary contributions from members of the Channels, Receptors & Transporters Subgroup and any other sources which may become available.
The recipient of the Award will be selected by the Awards Committee. Nominations may be made by any Subgroup member. The nomination package must include the nominee’s curriculum vitae as well as a brief statement summarizing the nominee’s qualifications, contributions and potential for future achievements. One or more letters of support may also be enclosed, which need not be from members of the Subgroup. Members of Executive Committee or Awards Committee may not submit letters of support.
Nominees may not be current members of the Executive Committee or Awards Committee or have previously received the Cole Award. The selection procedure will be established by Awards Committee each year.
Nominations must be made before November 1 of each year.
The Award will be presented by the outgoing Chair or a designate from within the Executive Committee at the annual Subgroup meeting.
The Award need not be given if a suitable candidate is not found.
Article XII
Amendments to the Bylaws: Amendments to the bylaws of the Channels, Receptors & Transporters 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.