BY-LAWS OF THE SCSNM

ARTICLE I

Name

SECTION 1.1 The SCSNM shall be an autonomous, non-profit, scientific organization with its own officers, dues, and by-laws.

ARTICLE II

Membership

SECTION 2.1 The members of the SCSNM shall fall into four categories:

A) FULL MEMBERS: Full members must be actively employed in the clinical practice of Nuclear Medicine and must be certified by the State of South Carolina. In exceptional cases, individuals not qualified under the above may be presented to the membership by recommendation of the Council. A majority vote of the members will render FULL MEMBERSHIP to the individual. Members in this category will pay dues, have voting privileges, and may hold executive office or serve on the Council of the SCSNM.

B) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Associate membership is reserved for those individuals who are interested in the Nuclear Medicine profession, but who do not meet the qualifications for Full Membership. Members in this category will pay dues, have no voting privileges, may not hold executive office or serve on the Council of the SCSNM.

C) STUDENT MEMBERS: Student members shall be persons enrolled in an AMA approved Nuclear Medicine Training Program and certified as a student by the Program Director for that institution. Members in this category will pay dues, have no voting privileges, and may not hold executive office or serve on the council of the SCSNM.

D) LIFE MEMBERS: Life membership is reserved for those individuals who have distinguished themselves with contributions to scientific, educational, and professional endeavors of the Nuclear Medicine community. Criteria for Life Membership shall be determined by the Executive Council. Life Members shall pay no dues, shall receive the newsletter and have privileges and obligations of an Active Member.

SECTION 2.2 Applicants will submit an official application with dues to the Membership Committee. All qualified applicants shall be accepted as members. Applicants not accepted may appeal to the Executive Council.

SECTION 2.3 Membership will be renewed annually upon payment of dues.

ARTICLE III

Officers SECTION 3.1

The officers of the SCSNM shall be as follows:

1) President

2) President-Elect

3) Treasurer

4) Secretary

5) Board of Directors

a) Chairman of the Board

b) Advisor

6) Executive Secretary

The President-Elect shall be elected annually by the membership having Full Member status. The treasurer and secretary shall be elected bi-annually on opposing years by the same.

SECTION 3.2 A term of an elective officer is defined as the period between the installation of this officer at the annual meeting and the installation of a successor at the next annual meeting.

SECTION 3.3 The President shall preside at all SCSNM Executive Council meetings. The President shall appoint auditors, tellers, a parliamentarian, and other persons necessary to conduct business. (The President shall appoint all committee chairpersons.) The President must be a member of the Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Nuclear Medicine throughout the term of office. The President shall have been a member of the SCSNM for a minimum of five (5) years.

SECTION 3.4 The President-Elect shall familiarize himself/herself with all activities of the SCSNM and shall make preparations necessary for his/her elevation to the office of President. (The President-Elect shall serve one year and automatically move to the office of President at the installation of officers at the Annual Meeting.) The President-Elect shall serve as Chairperson of the Education Committee. The President-Elect shall have been a member of the SCSNM for a minimum of four (4) years.

SECTION 3.5 The Board of Directors shall consist of the past two Presidents of the SCSNM. The immediate past-president shall be called the Chairman of the Board, and the president previous to the immediate past president will be called the Advisor. The immediate past-president or Chairman of the Board shall be the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. In the absence of the President, he/she will assume the duties of the President. The other past- president or Advisor, shall be the chairperson of the Scholarship Committee. Members of the Board of Directors shall serve in an advisory capacity with voting privileges on the Executive Council. Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Council

SECTION 3.6 The Secretary shall keep minutes of the (Annual Meeting business sessions, other business sessions,) and Executive Council meetings, preserve the records, notify the membership of meetings, distribute and receive ballots, and submit minutes within 15 days following an Executive Council meeting. The Secretary shall be the Editor of the Newsletter.

SECTION 3.7 The Treasurer shall keep and preserve the records and receive and dispense funds. All records must be presented and distributed at the Annual Meeting for the entire membership. The Treasurer shall be the Budget Committee Chairperson. The term of office will be two (2) years. The treasurer will prepare the books and present them for an outside audit by an accountant appointed by the Executive Council before the end of February each year. The treasurer will be the head of the Membership Committee.

SECTION 3.8 The Executive Secretary shall be available to assist the Executive Council with duties when needed and shall attend Council meetings in an advisory capacity with no voting privileges on Executive Council. The Executive Secretary shall provide a permanent address for correspondence. This is an appointed office, (annually appointed) held until resignation if rendered or is asked to resign after a unanimous vote of all other Executive Council Officers.

SECTION 3.9 A Parliamentarian will be present at every business meeting and will be appointed by the President. The SCSNM will provide the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order for use by the Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian is not a voting member of Executive Council if in attendance unless that person serves in another voting capacity.

SECTION 3.10 The Legislative Committee Chairperson and SCRQSA Representative shall be responsible for all legislative matters as they relate to the SCSNM and its membership. He/she will be a full member voted to the Executive Council and elected with all other officers at the Annual Meeting. The Chairperson when elected will select a committee and co-chair (with approval of Executive Council). The term will run congruent with the SCRQSA guidelines and regulations

SECTION 3.11 In the event a vacancy should occur in an elected office, the position may be temporarily filled by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Council. In the event the office of President becomes vacant, the chairperson of the Board of Directors shall assume the duties of the President for the unexpired term. At the end of the term of office, the former President-Elect shall assume the duties as President for the term for which he/she was elected and a new President-Elect shall be elected.

SECTION 3.12 The Executive Council shall have general charge of the business affairs and property of the SCSNM and shall make such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary for the management and well being of the SCSNM. Matters dealing with the routine operation of the SCSNM and not specifically controlled by the By-Laws shall be the functions of the Executive Council. The Executive Council may appoint an Executor or Administrator to conduct such business as the Executive Council shall entrust to his/her management. The annual dues shall be submitted to the membership for final approval by majority vote of Full Members present at the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 3.13 The Executive Council shall meet at least once each year. Business meetings may be called by the President or by a petition of a majority of the membership of the Executive Council. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the membership of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE IVCommittees

SECTION 4.1 There shall be standing committees and ad hoc committees. The standing committees shall as follows and shall consist of at least two persons.

A. Membership Committee – Chairperson appointed by the President (shall be the Treasurer and shall be responsible for records of all active members).

B. Education Committee – Chairperson shall be President-Elect (and shall be responsible for Educational seminars at the Annual Meeting and any other educational meetings as deemed by Executive Council.)

C. Nominating Committee – Chairperson shall be immediate Past President (and shall be responsible for presenting a slate of officers at the Annual Meeting)D. By-Laws Committee – Chairperson appointed by the President (and shall be responsible for all amendments and additions to the By-Laws. They must submit these proposals to the Secretary at least 31 days before the Annual Meeting so they can be distributed to the entire membership).

E. Budget Committee - Chairperson shall be the current Treasurer. The immediate past treasurer shall serve as a standing member of the Budget Committee. (this committee shall be responsible for presenting a written budget to the Executive Council at the first meeting following the Annual Meeting).

F. Annual Meeting Committee – Chairperson appointed by the President. An Advisor is appointed by the President and serves until a resignation is rendered or is asked to resign by the President. (This committee shall be responsible for all accommodations and logistics for the Annual Meeting and will work in conjunction with the Education Committee)

G. Legislative Committee & SCRQSA Representative – Chairperson shall be elected as necessary at the Annual Meeting in accordance with SCRQSA guidelines. Chairperson must be a full member of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section. Chairperson will appoint co-chair and committee with approval of Executive Council. (Responsibilities shall include attending all SCRQSA meetings and reporting to the entire membership at each Annual Meeting.)

H. Awards Committee – Chairperson appointed by the President (and shall be responsible for presenting candidates for scholarships, Life Memberships, and Technologist of the Year.)

ARTICLE V Meetings

SECTION 5.1 The SCSNM shall hold an annual meeting which will consist of business meetings and scientific sessions.

SECTION 5.2 Additional business meetings may be called by the President provided notification is mailed to all members of the SCSNM at least 30 days prior to such meetings. An Annual Fall President’s Seminar shall be held in rotation locations around the state and shall include educational seminars and a business meeting. Any business matters may be addressed at this meeting as it may at the Annual Meeting except election of officers.

SECTION 5.3 A quorum at business meetings of the SCSNM shall consist of the voting members present at the business meeting.

ARTICLE VI Dues

SECTION 6.1 Dues shall be established annually by a majority vote of Executive Council and shall be submitted to the membership of the SCSNM for approval by a simple majority vote of the voting members present at the business meeting of the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 6.2 Dues are payable on November 1 of each year. Dues will be submitted annually with an updated application form for membership renewal.

ARTICLE VII Elections

SECTION 7.1 Elections shall be held at the business meeting of the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 7.2 One or more candidates for each elective office shall be offered by the Nominating Committee. Any Full Member may nominate another Full Member for elected office. The nominating member is required to submit a statement for the candidate who is being nominated that he/she is willing to serve if elected. A curriculum vitae of the candidate nominated should be submitted. (The slate of candidates for office will be introduced at the Annual Meeting by the Chairperson of the Nomination Committee and each candidate will have a brief biography given including prior offices and highlights from the curriculum vitae.) The election will be conducted by secret ballot. The results of the election and the installation of officers will be at the last business meeting of the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 7.3 The Slate of Officers and their curriculum vitas shall be sent to the Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 7.4 The Secretary shall notify the membership thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the slate of nominees for offices and any other proposals to be voted upon by the membership at the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 7.5 For each office, the nominee who receives the majority of votes shall be elected to the office.

SECTION 7.6 In the case of a tie vote, the members of the Executive Council present shall as a group, cast one tie-breaking vote.

SECTION 7.7 All new officers shall be installed on the final day of the Annual Meeting and shall serve from that time until the installation of their successors at the next Annual Meeting. If a newly elected officer is absent for the installation, installation will be at the first Executive Council meeting following the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII Affiliation

SECTION 8.1 The SCSNM may enter into an affiliation with another organization by a majority vote of the Full Members.

SECTION 8.2 The SCSNM may sever an affiliation with an affiliate organization by a majority vote of the Full Members.

SECTION 8.3 The SCSNM shall be affiliated with the TECHNOLOGIST’S SECTION, SOCIETY OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE and further affiliated with the TECHNOLOGIST’S SECTION, SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER, SOCIETY OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE. The President of the SCSNM shall serve as the State Delegate to the SEC, SNM.

SECTION 8.4 The SCSNM may not obligate any affiliate organization or represent them in any manner without their specific authorization nor may an affiliate organization obligate or represent the SCSNM without consent of a simple majority vote of the membership present at the business meeting of the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE XI Local Groups

SECTION 9.1 To be duly recognized by the SCSNM as a local professional group, the following requirements must be met:

1) The objective and membership criteria must be in full accord with those of the SCSNM.

2) Provide elected officers.

3) Hold at least four meetings annually in their immediate locale.

4) Maintain a current membership roster on file with the SCSNM.

5) Submit reports of meetings to the Secretary of the SCSNM within 30 days following a meeting.

SECTION 9.2 Local professional groups shall be considered recognized by the SCSNM after a majority vote of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE X Suspension of Membership

SECTION 10.1 The Executive Council shall have the authority of expulsion or suspension of any member who has committed an act contrary to the professional ethics of the SCSNM.

SECTION 10.2 Charges aimed at expulsion of a members shall be submitted to the Executive Council in writing by at least two members of the Executive Council. The Executive Council will investigate the charges and render a decision within 90 days. If, in the judgment of the Executive Council, the charges are valid, the member shall be advised of the charges and shall have the right to submit a wri6tten defense or appear in person or by means of an authorized representative, before a meeting of the Executive Council, of which the charged member has been notified at least 20 days in advance. If, in the opinion of the Executive Council, satisfactory defense has not been made, The Executive Council shall have the right to terminate membership. The nature of the expulsion and reasons thereof shall be maintained by the Secretary as permanent record.

ARTICLE XI Parliamentary procedure

SECTION 11.1 All questions of parliamentary procedure shall be determined at all meetings by the newest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order except those procedures specifically governed by provisions of these By-Laws.

ARTICLE XII By-Laws

SECTION 12.1 Any member may propose changes in the SCSNM By-Laws by submitting such proposals in writing to any officer.

SECTION 12.2 The proposed amendments shall be submitted to an Executive Council of the SCSNM for their review.

SECTION 12.3 The Secretary shall submit these proposals to the entire membership, by mail, at least thirty (30) days before the Annual Meeting. A majority vote of the voting members present at the Annual Meeting shall cause the proposed amendments to be accepted as changes.

SECTION 12.4 These changes shall be incorporated into the By-Laws of the SCSNM by the Chairperson of the By-Laws Committee and sent in final draft to the Secretary. The Secretary shall prepare the newly revised Constitution and By-Laws and have them reviewed by the President. The new document shall be dated and made available to the membership at all SCSNM functions the following year.

ARTICLE XIII Resolution

SECTION 13.1 In the event that the SCSNM shall cease to exist, it is hereby resolved that all properties, monies, minutes, and records shall become the property of the TECHNOLOGIST’S SECTION, SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER, SOCIETY OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE.