Bylaws

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NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1.    Name.    The name of the Society shall be the “New   England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.” (‘the   Society’).  

Section 2.    Objectives.    The objectives of the Society shall be: 

1. To generate within its membership an increase in scientific knowledge.  
2. To promote educational and research activities in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery.  
3. To improve the standard of practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery in New England.  
4. To foster and improve communication between the plastic surgeon, patient, and the general public.  
5. To promote and encourage the highest standards of ethical   conduct among plastic and reconstructive surgeons practicing in New   England.  
6. To provide a medium for the exchange of information, ideas,   and knowledge relating to the art, science, and development of   plastic surgery.  
7. To educate the Members and attendees through clinical or  basic science presentations. All papers must be presented or co-authored  by an Active or Senior member of the New England Society of Plastic and  Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc., with the exception of invited papers or  guest speakers solicited by the Program Committee. 

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.   General Qualifications.    Membership is a privilege   granted in the Society’s discretion to ethical plastic surgeons with   appropriate professional qualifications, who, as a condition to initial   membership as well as continuing membership, are members of and comply   with the Code of Ethics of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,   Inc.  

Section 2.    Classification of Members.    Membership in the Society shall consist of five classes: 

1. Active;  
2. Senior;  
3. Candidate;  
4. Associate;  
5. Honorary. 

All diplomats of the American Board of Plastic Surgery residing in a   New England state on May 21, 1959, the date of the Society’s   incorporation, who have signified a desire to become members shall be   considered charter members of the Society and shall comprise the initial   active membership of the Society.  

Section 3.    Active Members.    Active members shall be plastic and   reconstructive surgeons who are diplomats of the American Board of   Plastic Surgery, who are active members of the American Society of   Plastic Surgeons or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,   and who reside and/or actively practice in one of the New England   states. Active members shall enjoy all privileges of membership,   including the right to vote and to hold office, and shall be required to   pay dues and assessments.  

Section 4.    Senior Members.    Senior members shall be former active   members of the Society who have retired from active practice and have   become a Life Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the   American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Senior members shall   retain the right to vote but may not hold office and shall not be   required to pay dues or assessments. Senior members may attend any   meetings of the Society upon payment of the registration fee.  

Section 5.    Candidates for Membership.    Plastic and reconstructive   surgeons residing and actively practicing in one of the New England   states who have completed formal training requirements for the American   Board of Plastic Surgery but have not obtained certification, and who   are Candidate members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc.,   or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, are eligible  for  election to Candidate status and, if elected to this category,  shall  automatically become Active Members at the time of certification.  If the  candidate fails to pass his/her Boards of Plastic Surgery seven  years  following completion of Plastic Surgery Residency, she/he will   automatically lose his/her membership status.  

Candidates are not eligible to vote or hold office. They are invited  to  attend scientific and business meetings of the Society upon payment  of  registration fee. They shall be required to pay dues and assessments.  

Section 6.    Associate Members. 

1. Physicians, researchers, and allied health professionals   practicing with plastic surgeons and who are Associate Members of the   American Society of Plastic Surgeons, shall be eligible for election to   Associate Membership.  
2. Armed Forces Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons who are   members of the Armed Forces and who are stationed in one of the New   England states and have completed their plastic surgery training, and   are Associate Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, shall   be eligible for election to Associate Membership.  Such an  individual’s  membership shall terminate when she/he is transferred out  of the New  England States or when he/she satisfies the requirements of  Article II,  Section 5.  
3. Residents and Fellows who are currently enrolled in   accredited plastic surgery residency programs in the New England states   may become members of the NESPRS Resident Program. Enrollment is free.    Members of the Resident Program will still be required to pay meeting   registration fees. 

Section 7.    Inactive Members.    Inactive member status will be   accorded to Active Members upon changes of residence to regions outside   the New England states.  Upon resuming residence in the New England   states, such inactive members shall ipso facto revert to active   membership or to senior status, if the member is eligible or so   requests.  

Associate members and inactive members shall have all the privileges   and responsibilities of active members except that they shall not be   allowed to vote or hold office and may be excused from paying dues and   assessments, if so recommended by the Executive Council.  

Section 8.    Honorary Members.    Honorary members shall be persons   who have made a significant contribution to the meetings of the Society   (as a guest lecturer, panelist, etc.) and who are elected by a majority   vote of the membership at the annual meeting.  

Section 9.    Election to Membership.    To be considered for election   to active membership or candidacy for membership, the individual must   be proposed and sponsored by an active member or senior member of the   Society.  Another letter of support must be obtained from either (1) the   applicant’s plastic surgery program director or her/his successor or   (2) a second member of the New England Society practicing in the same   vicinity as the applicant.  Letters of support are to be sent to the   Membership Chair at least two months in advance of the annual meeting.  

These applicants who have completed their residency more than five   years previously and who have been in practice in another state, require   sponsorship by an active member or senior member of the New England   Society. Supporting letters will be required from the secretary of their   previous regional or state Plastic Surgery Society and a letter from a   second member of the New England Society practicing in the same  vicinity  as the applicant.  

Each applicant’s credentials shall be presented by the Membership  Chair  to the Executive Council, which, in its discretion, determines if  the  individual satisfies the Society’s requirements for admission to   membership.  After approval by the Executive Council, the list of   proposed new members shall be distributed to the membership thirty (30)   days prior to the annual meeting in order to allow time for comments.    Assuming no changes after consideration by the full membership, the  list  of proposed new members shall be submitted to a vote of the active   membership at the annual business meeting of the Society.  

Election to membership shall be by ballot, and the affirmation vote of   not less than three-quarters of the active members present and voting   shall be required for election.  

Section 10. Loss of Membership. 

1. Annual Dues Obligation.    Annual dues are an obligation of  the  Active members and candidates for membership. A member who fails to  pay  the annual dues by the due date, after the 90-day grace period has   expired, will incur a late fee of , for which they will be invoiced.    Such an individual is to have had at least two statements of dues sent   to him/her either via postal mail or fax. If such a member still fails   to pay annual dues, without case deemed valid, and after consideration   by the Executive Council, they shall be automatically dropped from the   rolls and will be notified by registered mail. If such a member is   dropped from the membership rolls, he or she can reapply for membership   using the same format as a newly applying member.  
2. Resignation or Withdrawal.    Any member may withdraw from   the Society after fulfilling all financial and other obligations and   after giving written notice to the Secretary/ Treasurer.  
3. Loss of Membership in A.S.P.S.    Membership in the American   Society of Plastic Surgeons is a condition for membership in the New   England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.  A Member   who loses his/her membership in the American Society of Plastic and   Reconstructive Surgeons for any reason shall automatically be dropped   from the New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons,   Inc. membership roles. 

ARTICLE III

GOVERNMENT

Section 1.    Executive Council. 

1. Governing Body.    The governing body of the Society shall  be the  Executive Council which shall supervise, control and manager the   affairs of the Society.  
2. Composition.    The members of the Executive Council shall   number fifteen and consist of the four elected Officers, the Immediate   Past President, nine elected Councilors, and a Parliamentarian appointed   by the President.   
   1. Elected Officers.    The President, Vice President,  Secretary/ Treasurer, Secretary/Treasurer-
        Elect, and the Immediate Past  President of the Society shall serve  as members of the Executive Council  with full voting rights.    
   2. Elected Councilors.    The number of Elected Councilors   shall be nine and each Councilor shall serve for a term of three years   and shall take office immediately following the annual meeting at which   he/she is elected. Three Councilors shall be elected each year to  insure  that the number of elected Councilors not exceed nine.   
3. Meeting of the Executive Council.    The Executive Council   shall meet at least once annually and such annual meetings shall be held   prior to the annual meeting of the members. Special meetings or   conference calls of the Council may be called by the President upon   notice given not less than five days before such meetings. A majority of   the membership of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum for   the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting.
    The Executive Council may take action without a formal meeting of the   members if written consent setting forth the action taken is executed  by  all members of the Council. Such procedure may be utilized at the   discretion of the President.   
4. Vacancy. In the event a vacancy occurs in the Executive   Council either among the Elected Councillors or any officers except   President, said vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by a   person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the   Executive Council, due notice of such election have been given to all of   said Executive Council members. In the event a vacancy occurs in the   office of President, the Vice-President shall succeed to the office of   President, and the vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be   filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of   the remaining members of the Executive Council as set forth above. 

Section 2.    Officers.    The Society shall have the following Officers: 

1. Number of Officers. President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Secretary/Treasurer-Elect.  
2. Election and Term of Office. The President, Vice-President,   Secretary/Treasurer, and Secretary/Treasurer-Elect of the Society shall   be elected annually and shall serve for a term of one year or until   their successors have been elected or appointed. The President,   Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Secretary/Treasurer-Elect shall be   elected by written ballot and by a majority vote of the voting members   of the Society present and voting at the annual meeting. Such officers   shall take office immediately after the close of the annual meeting at   which they are elected. In the event there is not a quorum at such   annual meeting, such officers, including the President, shall continue   to hold office until their successor has been duly elected at either an   annual or special meeting called for such purpose.  
3. Duties of Officers.   
   1. The President shall function as the principal executive  officer  of the Society, shall serve as Chair of the Executive Council  with the  right to vote, shall preside at all meetings of the membership  of the  Society, shall appoint the members and Chairs of all Society   committees, and shall perform such other duties incident to the office   of the President or as may be prescribed by the Executive Council.    
   2. The Vice President shall generally assist the President  in  the performance of her/his duties and in the absence of ability to  act  of the President, shall perform such other duties as the Executive   Council may from time to time assign to him/her. The Vice President   shall under ordinary circumstance and by election, succeed to the   Presidency upon the expiration of the President’s term or in the event   of the death or resignation of the President. The Vice President will   have the obligation of by-laws review and when appropriate, make   recommendations for revision to the Executive Council.    
   3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for the   proper recording of meetings of the Society, shall see that all notices   are given, shall be custodian of the corporate books, records, papers   and seal and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of   Secretary. As Treasurer, she/he shall have charge and custody of the   funds of the Society and shall be responsible therefore, to the   Executive Council. He/she shall keep proper books, records, and accounts   which shall be available at all times for examination by the Executive   Council and shall deposit funds of the Society in the Society’s name  in  such depository as shall be designated and approved by the Executive   Council. In general, she/he shall perform all duties incident to the   offices of Secretary and Treasurer.    
   4. The Secretary/Treasurer-Elect shall perform duties as   delegated by the Secretary/Treasurer, and familiarize himself/herself   with the administrative workings of the Society. The   Secretary-Treasurer/Elect shall serve as Membership Chair.    
   5. The Parliamentarian shall attend all meetings of the   Executive Council as well as the annual business meeting of the Society   and determine whether a quorum is present and rule on such  parliamentary  matters as may come before these bodies. Robert’s Rules  of Order, 2nd  Edition will serve as a guide to parliamentary procedure.  The  Parliamentarian is a non-voting member of the Executive Council.   

Section 3. Committees and Appointed Representatives Appointed by the President. 

1. Regional Societies Representative, Membership Chair, Nominating Committee  
2. The Nominating Committee will consist of four members in   addition to a Chair. The Chair will be the Immediate Past President of   the Society. Of the four other members, two will be chosen by the   Executive Council, and two will be nominated by the Active Membership at   the annual meeting. 

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS

Section 1.    Annual and Special Meetings. 

1. Annual and Special Meetings.    An annual meeting of the  Society  shall be held at such time and place as proposed by the  Executive  Council and approved by the voting membership of the Society.  Such  annual meeting shall include a business section and a scientific   program. Special meetings of the Society may be called at the discretion   of the Executive Council or upon the written request of not less than   three active members. Any such request shall specify the particular   business for which said special meetings is to be called.  
2. Quorum.    Fifty percent of the voting membership registered   and in attendance at the Annual Meeting of the Society shall constitute   a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Business   Meeting.  
3. Notice.    The Secretary/Treasurer shall send a notice to   all members not less than 60 days prior to the annual meetings and not   less than 14 days prior to any special meetings.  
4. Order of Business.    The order of business at the business session of the annual meeting shall be as follows:   
   1. Reading of the minutes.    
   2. Appointment of the Auditor.    
   3. Report of the Executive Council.    
   4. Report of the Secretary/Treasurer.    
   5. Report of the Committees.    
   6. Election of:     
      1. Honorary Members.      
      2. Senior Members.      
      3. Active Members.      
      4. Candidate Members.      
      5. Associate Members.      
      6. Officers.      
      7. Councilors.      
      8. Nominating Committee.     
   7. Report of the Auditor.    
   8. Miscellaneous Business.     
      1. Old Business.      
      2. New Business.     

The order of business may be altered or suspended at the annual meetings by a majority vote of the voting members present.   

ARTICLE V

GUESTS

Section 1.    Each active and senior member may invite one guest (and   the guest’s spouse) to the non-business sessions and shall be   responsible for the guest’s registration fee.  The names of proposed   guests shall be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer at least one month   prior to the meeting and written invitation shall be sent by the   Secretary/Treasurer.  Prospective members should be invited guests   before being proposed for membership.   

ARTICLE VI

FINANCES

Section 1.    The initiation fee and annual dues shall be set by the   Executive Council, subject to the approval of the majority of the voting   members of the Society, and are payable to the Secretary/Treasurer   three months after the annual meeting.  

Section 2.    No member is privileged to attend an annual meeting until all annual dues and assessments have been paid.  

Section 3.    The fiscal year shall end with the last day of August of each year.   

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS 

Section 1.    The By-Laws may be amended or repealed, or new By-Laws   may be enacted at any annual or special meeting of the Society by a   two-thirds vote of the voting members present, provided that written   notice of proposed changes shall have been sent to all members via   United States postal service, electronic (fax) or internet (email) at   least thirty days prior to the meeting.  Exception may be made only by   unanimous vote of all voting members present.   

ARTICLE VIII

AUDITOR 

Section 1.    At each annual meeting the President shall appoint an   Auditor at the Executive Council meeting, usually held on the day prior   to the beginning of the Annual Meeting.  The auditor shall make an  audit  of the financial affairs of the Society for the past year and  shall  report thereon to the Society at the Annual Business meeting the  next  afternoon.  The Auditor may be a member of the Society.   

ARTICLE IX

INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS 

Section 1.    All books, papers and documents of every kind belonging   to the Society shall be opened to the inspection of the officers and   members of the Executive Council at all reasonable times but, except as   otherwise provided by law, shall be open to the inspection of members   only at such reasonable time or times and to such extend as the   Executive Council shall determine.