| CONSTITUTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SAFETY AFFAIRS FORUM ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this organization shall be the Biological Safety Affairs Forum, BSAF (Be-Safe), herein referred to as the Forum. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE The purpose of the Forum shall be: 1) To promote the study, evaluation and control of biohazards in the workplace and environment; 2) To increase the knowledge of biological, industrial and environmental health through interchange and dissemination of information; 3) To bring together persons interested in safety and environmental issues; 4) To discuss methods of implementing programs for biological, chemical mad radiological safety; and 5) To encourage an interest and knowledge of current regulations. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP Any individual having an interest in the area of biological safety and health may become a member of the Forum. Corporate memberships, allowing up to five voting company representatives, are also available.
ARTICLE IV. DUES Membership shall be maintained through the payment of appropriate dues to the Forum. The membership year shall run concurrently with the calendar year. Dues shall be payable on or before January 1.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. Elective Officers - The officers of BSAF shall be President, Vice -President, Secretary and Treasurer. The office of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person. The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for one year B. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers, the Past President and six elective Directors. Four members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Committee business. The President shall preside at all Forum and Committee meetings and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors. The Vice-President shall be available to maintain the responsibilities of the President in the event s/he cannot serve. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all transactions of all meetings of the Forum and Board of Directors and shall disseminate these minutes to all members. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all monies of the organization and shall pay all authorized bills against the Forum. The Treasurer shall submit an annual report and shall submit the accounts for audit by a designated committee. The Treasurer is also responsible for filing any and all tax paperwork. The six elective Directors shall be elected to serve a one year term. ARTICLE VI. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS A. No person shall be nominated, elected or appointed to the position as an Officer or Board of Directors member unless at the time of such nomination, election or appointment, he/she is a voting member of the Forum. B. The chairman of the Nominating Committee shall call a meeting of the Committee at least two months prior to the Annual Business (December) Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall: 1) Select at least one (1) nominee for each elective office to be filled; 2) Affirm in each case that the nominee is eligible to hold the office for which he has been nominated and that he/she will serve if elected; and 3) File with the Officers of the Forum a report which lists the names of the nominees. C. Nominations will also be taken from the floor at the meeting prior to the annual business meeting. D. Officers and Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the ballots returned by members in good standing. ARTICLE VII. EDITORS AND COMMITTEES A. The editors of any news journal (if initiated) of the Forum shall be elected by the Board of Directors. B. Standing committee will be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. C. The Committees on Finance, Membership, Programs and Nomination shall be designated as Standing Committees. Terms of membership shall terminate coincident with the Annual Business (December)) Meeting. It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to seek sources of financial support outside of the membership, whenever financial needs arise. It shall be the duties of the Membership Committee to inform potentially interested persons of the Forum and its goals; to maintain a current file of members, their addresses, and scientific interests; and to provide the Secretary/Treasurer with a listing of members, addresses and interests. It shall be the duties of the Nominating Committee to carry out their functions as enumerated in Article VI. Until the Forum becomes large enough, the functions of the Finance, Program and Membership Committees shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS Meetings shall be held bimonthly during even months at a time and place approved by the Board of Directors. The December meeting will be termed the Annual Business Meeting and will note the beginning of a new business year. The new officers and committee members will take charge on its adjournment. ARTICLE IX. NEWS JOURNAL The Forum shall have the right to disseminate reports of the Secretary/Treasurer or other reports, abstracts, announcements or business of the Forum, and any other papers or reports for distribution to the general membership. ARTICLE X. GENERAL PROHIBITIONS A. The Forum shall be organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes. B. No part of the funds of the Forum shall or may under any circumstances inure to the benefit of any private group or individual. C. No substantial part of the activities of the Forum shall consist of attempting to influence legislation. D. The Forum shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office. E. The Forum shall not be organized or operated for profit. ARTICLE XI. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS Upon the dissolution of the Forum, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Forum, dispose of all the assets of the Forum. ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION Amendments to the Constitution may be presented by any member in good standing at any regular meeting. If approved by a majority of the members present, the amendments are to be presented and circulated with a ballot to all members in good standing. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the ballots returned shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendments. ARTICLE XIII. PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICES Robert's Rules of Order (revised), except when inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws, shall govern parliamentary practice in the meeting of the Board of Directors, General Membership Meetings, Boards and Committees.
BYLAWS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SAFETY AFFAIRS FORUM 1. PROGRAMS Speakers will be selected based on their education and scientific experiences to present topics on biological safety and related issues. There shall be a Board of Directors meeting in conjunction with each bimonthly meeting. There shall be an Annual Business meeting of the Board of Directors in December Program arrangements shall be the duties of the Board of Directors (until such a time as the membership dictates the formation of a standing Program Committee). Suggestions for programs shall be encouraged and may be submitted by members to any member of the Board of Directors. 2. DUES The schedule of dues for individual members and corporate members shall be set by the Board of Directors. 3. FINANCES A. All funds of the Forum shall be deposited to the credit of the Forum in such bank(s) or other depositories as the Board of Directors shall direct. B. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money in the name of the Forum shall be signed by the Treasurer or one of the other Officers of the Forum in such a manner as established by the Board of Directors. C. The annual accounting period of the Forum funds shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31. D. Prior to each Annual Business meeting, the accounts of the Forum shall be audited by a designated committee. The results of the audit shall be presented to the Board of Directors and shall be read at the Annual Business meeting. 4. USE OF THE FORUM'S NAME Unauthorized use of the Biological Safety Affairs Forum (BSAF) for advertising or other business ventures is prohibited. The circulation of any unauthorized literature shall be taken as prima facie evidence of the violation of the intent and purpose expressed in this Bylaw, and the member, after being properly notified, may be expelled from the Forum either by a majority vote of the Forum at its Annual Business meeting or by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
5. AMENDMENTS A. An amendment to the Bylaws may be presented by any member in good standing at any regular meeting. If approved by a majority of the members present, the amendments are to be printed and circulated with a ballot to all members in good standing. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the ballots returned shall be necessary for adoption of any amendment. Ballots of fifty (50)% of the dues-paying members must be returned in order to constitute a valid poll. B. Interpretation of the intent and language of the Bylaws shall be decided by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Revision: May 15, 1994 Revision: December 6, 1990 Revision: September 18, 1990
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