NYMBCG / Bylaws

The NYMBCG Bylaws

Article I - Membership Qualifications

Section 1		Founding Members This is restricted to those members who were instrumental in the formation and development of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc. (see attached list of Founding members and their affiliated institutions).
Section 2		Honorary Members The title of Honorary Member may be conferred upon distinguished specialists in the field of breast cancer upon recommendation of the membership committee, and an affirmative vote of three quarters of the membership present at a duly convened meeting of the Group.
Section 3		Emeritus Members Founding or active members who have made noteworthy contributions to the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc. for minimal period of ten years or who have reached the age of 65 may, upon recommendation of the membership committee and an affirmative vote of three-quarters of the members present at a duly convened meeting of the Group, be elected to Emeritus membership.
Section 4		Active Members Active members shall be medical specialists or members of allied services in various disciplines who have a major interest in breast cancer. Election to Active membership shall be on recommendation of the membership committee and an affirmative majority vote of the members present at a duly convened meeting of the Group.
Section 5		Corresponding Members The title of Corresponding member may be conferred upon distinguished specialists in the field of breast cancer living outside the New York Metropolitan area upon recommendation of the membership committee and an affirmative vote of three-quarters of the membership present at a duly convened meeting of the Group.
Section 6		Associate Member The title of Associate member may be conferred upon any lay person who demonstrates a particular interest in the field of breast cancer.

Article II - Finances

Finances shall be obtained by dues and donations of members, funds from agencies, private and governments, foundations, and individuals.

Article III - Officers and the Chairperson of the Standing Committees

The Officers and the Chairperson of the Standing Committees shall be elected annually upon recommendation by the Nominating Committee by a majority vote of the members present at a duly convened meeting of the Group and shall serve for a period of not longer than three consecutive terms in any one position. Additional nominations can be made from the floor.

Article IV - Duties of Officers

Section 1		The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer responsible for administration of the Group and shall preside.
Section 2		The Vice-President shall assist the President in the discharge of his duties and in the absence of the President or in his inability to act shall assume the authority to perform all the duties of the President. In the event of vacancy in the office of the President, he shall become President for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Section 3		The Secretary/Treasurer shall send out notices and keep minutes for all meetings and shall sign the correspondence and documents as may be required in the discharge of his duties. He shall administer the funds of the Group under the supervision of the Executive Committee and shall make an annual report to the Group.

Article V - Committees

Section 1		The Executive Committee consisting of three Officers and the Chairperson of the Standing Committees shall be the governing body of the Group and shall exercise the powers of the Group in the interval between meetings of the Group.
Section 2		The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall be an AdHoc Committee that must meet at least once every three years to review the Constitution and By-Laws of the Group.
Section 3		The Education and Program Committee shall consist of a Chairman and at least three members appointed by the President subject to approval by the Executive Committee. It shall be responsible for recommending and arranging for scientific programs and educational seminars and all other matters as related to educational activities for health professionals, allied services, and the general public.
Section 4		The Grievance and Judiciary Committee, and AdHoc Committee, shall consist of a Chairman and three members of the Executive Committee. They shall hear all complaints brought by any member of the Group concerning his or her rights and shall serve as a special judicial commission to hear matters of disciplinary nature. They shall make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee. They shall meet upon call of the President.
Section 5		The membership Committee shall consist of a Chairman and at least three members appointed by the President subject to approval of the Executive Committee. They shall review all applications for membership and make recommendations to the Group.
Section 6		The nominating Committee shall consist of a Chairman and at least three members elected by a closed ballot by the Executive Committee. They shall submit names of nominees for the officers and governors to the membership each year but at least one month prior to the annual meeting. This committee shall meet at least once yearly.
Section 7		The Research Committee shall consist of a Chairman and at least three members appointed by the President subject to approval of the Executive Committee. They shall be responsible for reviewing and establishing research protocols for the Group. They shall meet on call by the Chairman but they must meet at least twice annually.
Section 8		Eliminated.

Article VI - Order of Business

The order of business for the Group shall be as follows:

1. Reading of the minutes of previous meeting
2. Election of new members
3. Report of Officers and Committees
4. Approval of actions taken by the Executive Committee
5. Unfinished business
6. Adjournment

Article VII - Vacancy of Office

In the event of a vacancy occurring in any office except the Presidency, the Executive Committee shall, unless otherwise prescribed by the Constitution and By-Laws determine the method by which that vacancy shall be filled. In case of vacancy of the office of the President, then the Vice-President shall automatically become President.

Article VIII - Parliamentary Authority

"Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedures" shall govern proceedings at all business meetings and serve as a guide in the settlement of matters under dispute or controversy.

RESOLVED: That the Constitution and By-Laws of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc. be and are herby revised and amended by the adoption of the proposed Constitution and By-Laws. It is further resolved that upon the adoption such revised Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect forthwith.

The NYMBCG Constitution

Article I - Name

The official name of this corporation shall be the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to study the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of human breast cancer, to conduct research on it and to disseminate knowledge about it to the medical professions as well as to the general public.

Article II - Composition

The Group shall consist of medical specialists of multiple disciplines from medical institutions in the New York Metropolitan area (except for Corresponding and Associate Members) as well as people in allied services who have a major interest in breast cancer.

Article III - Membership

Section 1		Membership shall be restricted to medical specialists and members of allied services who have demonstrated a major interest in cancer, who are supported by two letters of recommendation, and who are affiliated with medical institutions in the New York Metropolitan area (except for Corresponding and Associate Members).
Section 2		The medical specialists and members of the allied sciences shall be multidisciplinary including the fields of bio-statistics, chemotherapy, endocrinology, general oncology, immunology, pathology, radiology, rehabilitation medicine and surgery as well as other fields as designated by the Group.
Section 3		Medical institutions shall include medical schools, hospitals, medical groups and research organizations who have a section or service with a primary interest in breast cancer.
Section 4		Membership shall be composed of the following classes of members: 1. Founding members 2. Honorary members 3. Emeritus members 4. Corresponding members 5. Associate members

Article V - Certificates

All candidates who have been elected to membership shall be entitled to receive a certificate indicating their membership in the Group.
Article VI - Finances

Finances shall be obtained by dues from members, donations of members, funds from agencies, private and governmental, foundations, and individuals.

Article VII - Officers

Section 1		The officers of the Group shall be a President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2		The officers shall be elected annually and shall serve for a period of no longer than two consecutive years in any one position except for the Secretary/Treasurer who may serve for four consecutive years.

Article VIII - Governors

Eliminated

Article IX - Governing Body

The governing body of the Group shall be called the Executive Committee and shall consist of the three officers and the Chairperson of the Standing Committees. This committee will serve as the governing body of the Group and shall exercise the powers of the Group in the intervals between the meetings of the entire Group.

Article X - Committees

Section 1		There shall be the following standing committees of the Group and each committee shall include a chairman and at least three additional members. The function and duties of these committees shall be defined and set forth in the By-Laws. A. Executive Committee B. Education and Program Committee C. Membership Committee D. Nominating Committee E. Research Committee
Section 2		Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed by the Group President as needed.

Article XI - Meetings

Section 1 There shall be at least one meeting of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc. annually. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to set the time and place for this meeting as well as all other regular and special meetings. A quorum for a meeting of the Group shall consist of the membership present.

Article XII - Authorizations of By-Laws

This document provides for the development of by-laws which become effective when adopted and may be amended in a manner provided herein.

Article XIII - Amendments

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at ay meeting of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, Inc. by a vote of three quarters of those present provided that the proposed amendment has been approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and written notice of such proposal shall have been given in the call for the meeting at least four weeks in advance of the meeting. It shall be the duty of the Secretary, in the call for any meeting, to give notice of such proposed amendments.