ADLM (formerly AACC)

Bylaws of the Critical and Point of Care Testing Division

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1.
The name of this organization shall be the Critical and Point of Care Testing Division of the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC).

SECTION 2.
The purpose of the Division shall be to further and promote the professional and public interest by encouraging the study, advancing the science, expanding and improving, through education, the practice and quality of critical and point of care testing. .

ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES

The Critical and Point of Care Testing Division will work in collaboration with the National Office, Local Sections, other Divisions of the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC) and other professional organizations to promote and achieve the following objectives:

  1. To act as a resource or expert group to the Association in all matters related to the clinical application and understanding of critical care analytes and point-of-care-testing.
  2. To provide a forum for sharing knowledge, ideas, experiences and strategies in point-of-care testing and the measurement of analytes important for the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients.
  3. To promote ongoing communication among users, manufacturers and oversight groups.
  4. To promote awareness of issues unique to point of care testing (POCT), including scientific, clinical, financial, administrative and regulatory aspects.
  5. To provide continuing education on issues and developments in critical and point-of-care-testing through conferences, programs, workshops, roundtables, newsletters and by electronic means.
  6. To promote studies of the costs and outcomes of providing critical, POC and other rapid turnaround testing.
  7. To develop and promote reference materials, standards, guidelines, and common approaches to critical and point-of-care-testing , and to provide expertise to legislators and regulators in furtherance of the public interest.

ARTICLE III. ACTIVITIES

In order to accomplish the general objectives, a variety of activities will be pursued. These may include:

EDUCATION - Sponsor workshops, seminars, symposia, and other programs at regional and national meetings to enhance the knowledge of clinical laboratory professionals.

COMMUNICATION - Provide a forum for the dissemination of information about critical care and point of care testing and its alternatives.

PUBLICATION - Promote and sponsor scientific notes, communications, research papers, and monographs.

RESEARCH - Encourage research in methodologies suitable for use at the point of care, and in the costs and outcomes of point of care testing.

CONSULTATION - Maintain a liaison with federal and state regulatory agencies and other professional societies with related interests to share expertise with these organizations.

RECOGNITION – Acknowledge, through awards, significant contributions to the fields of critical and point-of-care-testing.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.
Membership in the Division shall be open to all members of the ADLM who indicate in writing to the Secretary of the Division their wish to join the Division or check the appropriate box on the annual ADLM dues statement and who pay the annual dues established by the Division.

SECTION 2.
Admission in the Division as a member shall be by application in writing to either the ADLM office or the Division Secretary.

SECTION 3.
Privileges of membership in the Division shall be established by the Executive Committee and may include but are not restricted to, reduced registration fees at Division symposia, workshops, and other meetings (e.g. regional) that are not part of an ADLM annual meeting.

SECTION 4.
Only Members may hold Division offices or committee appointments or may vote in elections of the Division. Only Members may represent the Division in professional matters.

SECTION 5.
Any member may resign by so indicating in writing to the Division Secretary. No refund of Division dues shall be forthcoming.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

SECTION 1.
Officers of the Division shall be Members in good standing of the ADLM and the Division and shall consist of the Chair, Chair-elect, Past Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and four members-at-large.

SECTION 2.
The terms of office shall be two calendar years. No officer will serve more than two consecutive terms. The Secretary and Treasurer will be elected in alternating years. Two members-at-large will be elected in alternating years. A Chair-elect will be elected every other year and will serve as Chair following the two year term.

SECTION 3.
Elections shall be by ballot. Ballots may be returned by mail, fax, or e-mail. The Executive Committee upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee will approve candidates. All nominees must have agreed to serve before placing their names on the ballot. Votes for write-in candidates will also be recognized. Ballots will be counted by the Division Secretary. Election will be by a plurality of the votes cast. In the event of a tie, another vote will be held.

SECTION 4.
Duties of officers shall be those generally associated with these titles and any additional duties assigned by the Executive Committee. These duties shall include the following elements:

A. Chair-elect

  1. Preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair.
  2. Serve as Chairman of the ProgramCommittee.
  3. Accede to position of Chair as defined in these Bylaws.

B. Chair

  1. Coordinate Division activities.
  2. Preside at all official meetings.
  3. Organize the annual Division Business Meeting.
  4. Appoint Chairs of standing Committees, except as otherwise specified in the Bylaws.
  5. Ensure that the Division provides program suggestions for the ADLM Annual Meeting EduTraks.
  6. Coordinate periodic and annual reports as required.
  7. Prepare with the Treasurer annual budget proposals.
  8. Promote the Division’s general mission of education.

C. Past-Chair

  1. Serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee
  2. Direct long-range planning activities of the Division

D. Secretary

  1. Keep minutes of all meetings of the Division and submit for approval to the Executive Committee.
  2. Submit approved minutes and election results to the NewsletterEditor and to the ADLM National Office.
  3. Carry out such correspondence of the Division as required by the Association and/or delegated by the Chairman.

E. Treasurer

  1. Maintain accurate and current records of all credits, debits, and balances.
  2. Present a financial report of receipts, disbursements, and current balances at Executive Committee meetings andBusiness meetings of the Division.
  3. Prepare with the Chair annual budget proposals.
  4. Prepare with the Chair-elect and Program Committee budgets for Division meetings and events.

F. Members-At-Large

  1. Provide input to the Executive Committee about the interests and opinions of the membership.
  2. Gain experience in Division administrative matters in order to qualify for future leadership roles.

SECTION 5.
Removal of Officers. Any officer who is negligent in fulfilling his or her duties as described in these Bylaws, or who willfully and knowingly violates Division or ADLM policy, and who is given a no-confidence vote by a majority of the total Executive Committee, shall be removed from office. 

SECTION 6.
A vacancy in any office other than that of the Chair, whether created by resignation, removal, death or otherwise, shall be filled at the next scheduled ballot for officers. In the interim, the Chair may appoint a temporary officer subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. A vacancy in the office of the Chair will be filled by the Chair-elect for the remainder of the unexpired term and for the following term as well. 

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES 

SECTION 1.
There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the Chair, Chair-elect, Past Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and four Members-at-Large. 

SECTION 2.
The Chair of the Division shall be the Chair of the Executive Committee. 

SECTION 3.
Except as otherwise specified herein, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to manage all of the affairs, assets, and finances of the Division. 

SECTION 4.
The Executive Committee shall hold meetings at least two times a year, one of which will be held in conjunction with the ADLM Annual Meeting. Further, it shall meet either at the call of the Chair or upon request of a quorum of the committee. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Executive Committee members. Meetings may be held by conference call. 

SECTION 5.
The Nominating Committee will consist of the Past Chair and four elected members, two of which will be elected in alternate years for two-year terms. No member of this committee shall serve more than two consecutive terms. 

SECTION 6.
The Program Committee will consist of the Chair-elect and other interested Division members. This Committee will have executive responsibility for the planning and execution of all educational programs sponsored by the Division. It will represent the Division in those educational activities developed in cooperation with the National ADLM or ADLM Local Sections. 

SECTION 7.
The Executive Committee may create such other committees as mayprove necessary. Each of these committees shall continue until dissolved by the Executive Committee. 

SECTION 8.
Task forces may be created by approval of the Executive Committee and shall be automatically dissolved after one year, unless specifically approved for continuance by the Executive Committee. 

SECTION 9.

CPOCT Awards Committee

  1. The Chair of the Awards Committee will be appointed in December by the Division Chair-Elect prior to their term beginning January 1.
  2. The Awards Committee must consist of 5 members including the Chair
  3. The Awards Committee membership must be finalized by January 31 of the current year
  4. Membership term of the Awards Committee Chair is 1 year, term of the Committee Members is 2 years; each term is renewable, and there is no limit on the number of consecutive terms.
  5. The Awards Committee will be responsible for administration of the following awards: CPOCT Division Outstanding Abstract Award, Point of Care Coordinator of the Year, CPOCT Division Lifetime Achievement Award, CPOCT Division Van Slyke Research Grant
  6. The Awards Committee will be responsible for drafting and maintaining guidelines for each award as needed

SECTION 10.

CPOCT Fundraising Committee

  1. The Chair of the Fundraising Committee will be the Division Treasurer
  2. The Fundraising Committee must consist of 4 members including the Chair, and one of the Division Members-at-Large; not all Fundraising Committee members must be members of the Executive Committee
  3. The Fundraising Committee will be responsible for soliciting sponsorship for Division events including: Division Awards (e.g. POCC of the Year, any abstract awards, etc.), the POC Forum at the ADLM Annual Meeting, the Afterglow at the ADLM Annual Meeting, and any other Division activities for which sponsorship has been planned into the budget.
  4. The Fundraising Committee will NOT be responsible for soliciting sponsorship for the CPOCT International Symposium.  That responsibility will reside with the Organizing Committee for that event.

SECTION 11.

CPOCT Forum Committee

  1. The Chair of the CPOCT Forum Committee will be appointed by the Division Chair no later than July of the year preceding the date of the CPOCT Forum.
  2. The Forum Committee must include at least 5 members including the Chair, and one of the Division Members-at Large.
  3. The Division Chair-Elect will serve as an ex officio member of the Forum Committee in their role as the Chair of the Programs Committee
  4. The Forum Committee will be responsible for the program selection, submission of all Annual Meeting paperwork, invitation of speakers, budgeting and any other arrangements for the event.
  5. The Forum Committee must coordinate with the Treasurer and Fundraising Committee to ensure that all costs for the CPOCT Forum are covered

SECTION 12.

CPOCT Afterglow Committee

  1. The Chair of the CPOCT Afterglow Committee will be appointed by the Division Chair no later than July of the year preceding the date of the Afterglow
  2. The Afterglow Committee must include at least 5 members including the Chair, and one of the Division Members-at Large.
  3. The Afterglow Committee should include at least one member local to the site of the ADLM Annual Meeting at which the Afterglow event will be held
  4. The Division Chair-Elect will serve as an ex officio member of the Afterglow Committee in their role as the Chair of the Programs Committee
  5. The Afterglow Committee will be responsible for the program selection, submission of all Annual Meeting paperwork, budgeting and any other arrangements for the event.
  6. The Afterglow Committee must coordinate with the Treasurer and Fundraising Committee to ensure that all costs for the Afterglow are covered

ARTICLE VII. FINANCES 

SECTION 1.
The fiscal year of the Division shall correspond to that of the ADLM. 

SECTION 2.
Members shall pay annual dues, the amount of which shall be decided yearly by the Executive Committee at the annual meeting in accordance with the bylaws of ADLM. Dues will be collected by the National Office of the ADLM. 

SECTION 3.
The Executive Committee has authority over all contracts, agreements, expenditures and any other business of the Division in accordance with the guidelines in the ADLM Divisions Policy and Procedures Manual. The Executive Committee may empower the Chair, or other elected orappointed officers, to act independently on its behalf, subject to financial limitations. 

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS 

SECTION 1.
The Division shall hold educational sessions at the ADLM Annual Meeting and other meetings, when approved by the Executive Committee. 

SECTION 2.
An annual business meeting for the general membership will be held at the Annual ADLM Meeting each year. Business requiring vote of the membership shall be conducted only at this meeting, except as provided elsewhere in these Bylaws. Voting shall be by active members in person. In special circumstances and after approval by the Executive Committee, voting by the membership may be conducted by mail, fax or other electronic means. 

SECTION 3.
The Executive Committee may call special meetings of the Division, if notice is given to the membership in writing or by publication in the official organ of the ADLM at least eight weeks in advance. If business is to be conducted at such a meeting, the specific nature of the business is to be made public as well as the outcome of decisions reached at such a meeting. 

SECTION 4.
Twenty five members of the Division shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at a general meeting. 

ARTICLE IX. PUBLICATIONS 

SECTION 1.
The Division shall publish a newsletter sent to all members at least
twice each year. The Division may also communicate with its members by electronic mail, broadcast fax, and by postings on a Division web site. Upon approval of the Executive Committee, the Division may also publish books, articles, monographs, etc., that are appropriate to its educational mission. 

SECTION 2.
The Chair will appoint a Newsletter Editor. The Newsletter Editor
may be reappointed without limitation. The Newsletter Editor has responsibility for all aspects of the Newsletter. 

SECTION 3.
The Newsletter Editor shall appoint a Board of Editors to assist with
the production and publication of the Newsletter. 

ARTICLE X. ENACTMENT, AMENDMENT AND LIMITATION OF BYLAWS 

SECTION 1.
These bylaws shall take effect upon approval of 2/3 of those
members who cast their ballot within 30 days, with at least 25 ballots received, when polled by a special ballot sent to all members. This ballot may be included with the ballot for election of officers. 

SECTION 2.
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by the Executive
Committee, or by petition signed by 25 or more members. Proposed amendments shall take effect upon approval of 2/3 of those members who cast their ballot within 30 days, with at least 25 ballots received, when polled by a ballot sent to all members. This ballot will be included in the next ballot for election of officers. A special ballot may be taken with the approval of the Executive Committee. 

SECTION 3.
These Bylaws shall be in subservient to the Bylaws of the American
Association for Clinical Chemistry, Inc. In the event of a conflict, the Bylaws of the ADLM shall prevail. 

ARTICLE XI. MERGERS AND DISSOLUTION 

SECTION 1.
The Critical and Point of Care Testing Division may be dissolved upon approval of 2/3 of those members who cast their ballot within 30 days, with at least 25 ballots received, when polled by a ballot sent to all members. 

SECTION 3. The Critical and Point of Care Testing Division has no separately owned assets. Any assets in the hands of a Division shall be returned to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC) upon dissolution.