ISVD BY-LAWS

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF VETERINARY DERMATOPATHOLOGY

ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Requests for membership applications should be made to the Secretary, who shall serve as the chair of the Membership Committee. The secretary will then forward the official application blank to the prospective member; the application blank may also be downloaded from the website. The completed application is sent to the Treasurer via mail, FAX, or electronic submission. After receipt of payment and processing by the Treasurer, the applications will then be forwarded for review by the Membership Committee, who will offer a recommendation to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will review this recommendation at the next annual meeting, or via electronic mail, and make a decision on membership. If a Board has not yet been elected, then the Membership Committee will have the authority to make decisions on new membership.

Section 2. If an applicant believes his/her request for membership was not thoroughly or accurately evaluated, the applicant may state in writing the reasons for this belief and submit necessary supporting documentation. The application will be reevaluated by the Executive Board during their next meeting. Final decision for all but honorary membership rests with the Executive Board. If a Board has not yet been elected, then the Membership Committee will have the authority to review appeals for membership and make final decisions.

Section 3. Membership in this Society will be terminated by judgment of the Executive Board for the following reasons:
1) failure of any member to pay dues to the Society following two successive annual billings;
2) suspension or revocation of license to practice medicine;
3) falsification of information utilized for acceptance into or determination of level of membership in the society;
4) any other major breach of ethical standards while serving the Society.

Section 4. A demit may be secured upon written application to the Executive Board.

ARTICLE II - ELECTIONS Section 1. The officers and the other two (2) at large Executive Board members shall be elected from the floor at the annual business meeting of this Society, or via the ISVD listserv.

Section 2. After the first two (2) years of the existence of this Society, a Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Board at least two (2) months prior to election. The Nominating Committee shall recommend at least one qualified full member for each office and for each of the two (2) at large board positions. Nominations will also be solicited from the membership via the ISVD listserv.

Section 3. At least one (1) officer and one (1) at large member of the Executive Board who is not an officer must be a resident of North America. At least one (1) officer and one (1) member of the Executive Board who is not an officer, must be a resident outside North America.

Section 4. The final list of nominations compiled by the nominating committee will go forward to the membership via the ISVD listserv. Elections may be held via the listserv at least two (2) weeks prior to the next annual meeting. An officer or at large board member is considered elected by winning a majority of the respondents votes.

ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF OFFICERS: CLICK HERE

ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD: CLICK HERE

ARTICLE V - STANDING COMMITTEES: CLICK HERE

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS: CLICK HERE

ARTICLE VII - DUES: CLICK HERE

ARTICLE VIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY: CLICK HERE