Membrane Structure & Function Bylaws
Article I
Purpose: The purpose of the Membrane Structure and Function subgroup is to promote the interchange of information and. to foster the advance of knowledge pertaining to the biophysical properties of lipids, lipid assemblies, membrane proteins and lipid-protein interactions generally relevant to biological membranes and their assembly.
Article II
Membership: Members of the Biophysical Society may join the Membrane Structure & Function subgroup; non-members of the Biophysical Society are welcome to attend Membrane Structure & Function subgroup symposia but are unable to join the Subgroup, serve as Officers of the Subgroup, or vote.
Article III
Dissolution: Membrane Structure & Function 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 Membrane Structure & Function 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 Group business by a simple majority vote.
Article V
Officers: The Subgroup will be operated by the Subgroup Chair, two previous Past-Chairs, Chair-Elect and a 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 lipids and biomembranes, and to any other activities the Chair deems to be beneficial to the Subgroup and the Society.
Duties of the Past-Chairs and Chair-Elect are to advise the Subgroup Chair on the organization of Subgroup meetings, and other matters of interest to the Subgroup. The Secretary-Treasurer will maintain adequate records of membership and finances, and carry on necessary correspondence. The Secretary- Treasurer is a member of the Executive Committee.
The Subgroup Chair will serve as Chair-Elect immediately after election, then will serve as Chair for one year, beginning immediately following the Annual Meeting and continuing through the following Annual Meeting. There is a two-year term of office 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 five Officers: Subgroup Chair, two Past-Chairs, Chair-Elect, and Secretary-Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall have the power to conduct other 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 Subgroup 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 Membrane Structure & Function may be candidates for offices. Members may not be elected to one office more than once every five years.
Article IX
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
Amendments to the Bylaws: Amendments to the bylaws of the Membrane Structure & Function 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.
Proposals for new or amended Bylaws shall be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer for consideration at the Annual Meeting. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be placed on an electronic ballot by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting or at the discretion of the Chair.