CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE NATIONAL STUDENT SECTION OF THE SOCIETY FOR BIOMATERIALS PREAMBLE

The purpose of this section of the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) is to encourage the development, dissemination, integration and utilization of knowledge in biomaterials primarily among students, but also among other members of SFB.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this Section shall be The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials (Student Section).

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Student Section shall be to enhance student research and interest in biomaterials and related disciplines, to promote the advancement of biomaterials research and education and its related aspects, and to further the aims and objectives of the SFB as they relate to student research and education.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Each member shall be restricted to one vote on all motions submitted to a vote.

Section 1 – Local Chapters

Local student chapters may be organized at any university that has faculty and students interested in biomaterials research. All local chapters must consist of no less than three associate or active members of SFB, submit annually a list of officers to the Student Section, have the same objectives and goals as the Student Section Bylaws, and return a signed copy of the Student Chapter Bylaws to the Student Bylaws Chair and the Society For Biomaterials Headquarters office.  All local chapters must have a faculty advisor who is an active SFB member. Any local chapter failing to pay SFB dues for at least three members or to submit a list of officers with a faculty advisor shall have its status as a local chapter revoked until such time as these requirements are met.  New chapter applications must be submitted to the Bylaws Committee Chair for approval, and the chapter will be considered “active” immediately following approval.

Section 2 – Individual Members

The National Student Section shall consist of all local student chapters and their members. Membership in the Student Section shall further be open to all those students who share the stated purpose of the Student Section and who have educational, research or practical experience or interest in biomaterials or in an allied scientific field.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

Meeting notices shall be mailed or emailed to all local chapters and shall be published in the SFB newsletter or posted on Student Section pages of the SFB website. Meetings of the organization shall be held at least once annually during the SFB Meeting. On years when the SFB Meeting is held abroad, a Student Section meeting will be held during the domestic symposium. An executive Board meeting shall be held one hour prior to the Student Section meeting at the same location. Additional Executive Board meetings may be held at the discretion of the President. No meetings or events, however, shall be held during scientific sessions.  Parliamentary procedures as documented in Robert’s “Rules of Order, Revised” shall be followed upon request of any voting member in the case of confusion regarding correct procedure during a meeting.

ARTICLE V – ELECTIONS

Nominations for officers shall be open 80 days prior to the annual Student Section Meeting. Nominations will be closed 20 days prior to the annual meeting. Election ballots will be e-mailed/circulated electronically to all current student SFB members 15 days prior to the annual meeting. Ballots will be collected until 5 days prior to annual meeting. Elections shall be made by a simple majority vote or by acclamation when there is but one candidate for the office. Results of the elections for officers of the Student Section shall be announced as the last order of business at the annual meeting with newly elected officers assuming their duties at the close of the meeting.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

Any member of the Student Section may hold one office with the approval of his/her academic advisor. The officers of the Section shall be the President, President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer, Secretary/Treasurer-Elect, Bylaws Chair and any other Committee Chairmen appointed by the president.   Each year, elections shall be held for President-elect, Secretary/Treasurer-elect, and Bylaws Chair.

Section 1 – Duties

a. President shall, in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Section and shall preside at all meetings of the Student Section and of its Executive Board. The President shall also send out correspondence from the Student Section to its local chapters and act as a representative from the Student Section to the SFB and its Council. In this capacity he/she shall be responsible for relations between the SFB and its Student Section, and work closely with the Educational and Professional Development Committee Chairman to bring student concerns to the SFB Council. Term of office shall be for a period of one year following a one year term as President-elect.

b. President-elect shall assist the president in supervising and controlling all of the business and affairs of the Section and shall, in the President’s absence, be responsible for all of  the duties of the President.  The term of office shall be for a period of one year, followed by one year as President.

c. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all records of the Student Section. The Secretary-Treasurer shall also record the minutes of all Student Section meetings and Executive Board meetings, and place all advertisements or notices in SFB newsletters or for posting on the Student section of SFB website. In the absence of the President and President-elect, the Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for the duties of the President. Term of office shall be for a period of one year following a one year term as Secretary/Treasurer-elect.

d. Secretary/Treasurer elect shall assist the Secretary/Treasurer in maintaining the records of the Student Section and placing advertisements or notices in SFB newsletters and/or on the student section of the SFB website.  In the absence of the Secretary/Treasurer, the Secretary/Treasurer-elect shall be responsible for all duties of the Secretary/Treasurer.  The term of office shall be for a period of one year, followed by a one year term as Secretary/Treasurer.

e. Bylaws Chair shall be the head of the Bylaws committee, which will consist of the chair and two additional student members.  The Bylaws committee shall review the Constitution and Bylaws annually and recommend to the membership any necessary revisions or amendments at the annual meeting. This committee shall also be responsible for reviewing and approving any Constitution/Bylaws submitted by student groups wishing to become local chapters.   The term of office shall be for a period of one year. 

f. The Committee Chairmen shall be appointed by the president for a term of 1 year and shall be responsible for the actions of their committees with respect to the National Student Section. They shall be held accountable to the President. One committee currently exists. All new committees must be approved by the Student Section and by the Educational and Professional Development Committee of the Society.  Any officer may be removed from office by approval of two-thirds of the voting membership when a quorum is present. Vacancies among elected officers lasting less than one month shall be filled by consensus of the Executive Board. Vacancies greater than one month shall necessitate re-election by the general voting membership.

Section 2 – Executive Board

The management of the Society shall be vested in the Executive Board which shall consist of all officers. All members of the Executive Board shall be responsible for attending all general meetings, in addition to all executive meetings. All Executive Board members shall hand in written reports to the Chairman at least 1 week prior to the general meeting. All members of the Executive Council shall be entitled to one vote each in executive meetings.

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

There shall be one standing committee of the Student Section, and any number of ad hoc committees, as seen fit by the President. All members of committees not specifically designated by this Constitution shall be appointed by the President.

Section 1 – Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee shall consist of the Chairman and two additional student members. This committee shall review the Constitution and Bylaws annually and recommend to the membership any necessary revisions or amendments at the annual meeting. This committee shall also be responsible for reviewing and approving any Constitution/Bylaws submitted by student groups wishing to become local chapters.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this document must be proposed as specific in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

ARTICLE IX – EFFECTIVE DATE

This Constitution became effective on May 21, 1990, by approval of one more than two-thirds of the members voting in referendum. This Constitution is subject to approval by the Council of SFB.

Last Amended on November 24, 2010.