Constitution & Bylaws
PREAMBLE
Whereas, the
retirement of William C. Watson, Jr., from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention has led his fellow Public Health Advisors to
reflect on their association with him, and
Whereas, said reflection recognized the value and
benefit of such association among Public Health Advisors, and
Whereas, said reflection also recognized the unique
role of William C. Watson, Jr., in the growth and development of
this new cadre of health workers called Public Health Advisors, and
Whereas, the personal, social, and professional
attributes of William C. Watson, Jr., have served as standards for
many Public Health Advisors;
Therefore, it is
resolved to form an organization of Public Health
Advisors to continue the relationships among and between Public
Health Advisors, and
It is further resolved
that this organization be called The Watsonian Society, An
Organization for Public Health Advisors, in recognition of the
contribution of William C. Watson, Jr., to the membership of this
organization.
CONSTITUTION
Article
One: Name
This organization shall be
known as The Watsonian Society, An Organization for Public Health
Advisors.
Article
Two: Objectives and Purpose
The purpose of this society
shall be to unite Public Health Advisors of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR) and its predecessor organizations, for the
following objectives:
- Contribute to the overall
public health management excellence of CDC and ATSDR.
- Recognize, preserve, and
advance among CDC and ATSDR Public Health Advisors the
professional, personal, and social attributes that have
distinguished the career of William C. Watson, Jr., and
- Encourage and maintain
professional esprit de corps and general camaraderie among CDC
and ATSDR Public Health Advisors.
Article
Three: Membership
The society shall consist of
Active, Associate, Honorary, and Retired members, as defined in the
bylaws. Only Active or Retired members shall be entitled to vote and
hold office. For purposes of this constitution, an Active Member
shall refer to a Public Health Advisor whose job is currently
classified, or who has held a job that was classified, as that of
the GS/GM 685 series by CDC. The term "Associate Member" shall refer
to any non-Public Health Advisor person,
whether employed by CDC/ATSDR or not, who desires to support the
activities and goals of the Public Health Advisor job series at CDC/ATSDR.
Article
Four: Officers
The officers of the society
shall be a President, a President-elect, a Recorder, a Treasurer, a Retiree
Representative, a Field Representative, and an Exemplar. All except the President,
the President-elect, and the Exemplar will be
elected biennially, as provided in the bylaws, and will hold office
until the installation of their successors.
Article
Five: Executive Committee
The officers of the Society
together shall constitute an Executive Committee, which shall be
chaired by the President of the Society.
Article
Six: Meetings
Meetings of the Executive
Committee will be held by telephone or at a central site at least
four (4) times each year. Meetings of the membership will be held as
often as practical, as judged by the Executive Committee, in
conjunction with other meetings attended by members of the Society
or as special events. Chapter Director(s) as provided in Article
Seven will be invited to participate in Executive Meetings.
Article
Seven
: Local Chapters
The Executive Committee may
authorize the establishment of local chapters upon petition by said
local area Society members in good standing and where said chapter's
establishment would further the goals and mission of the Society.
Said chapters will operate and exist at the pleasure of the Society
and will represent the Society in local areas. Chapter officers will
consist of a Director, an Associate Director, and a
Recorder-Treasurer
Article
Eight: Amendments
It will be the duty of the
Recorder to present all proposed amendments to the constitution and
bylaws in writing to the voting membership at least 30 days prior to
election. An opportunity to vote on amendments will be included on
the ballot. For the vote to be valid, at least 33% of the membership
needs to vote. Amendments will be adopted if they receive a concurring
vote of two thirds of those voting, as certified by the Recorder.
Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may also be considered and
acted upon at times not coinciding with the election of officers at
the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Article
Nine: Committees
The Executive Committee shall
have the authority to establish or dissolve committees as needed.
Committees may be standing, ad hoc, or temporary.
BY-LAWS
Chapter One
Membership
Article One:
Eligibility
Every individual who
satisfies one of the criteria for membership described in Sections
One through Five of this article and who, after duly considering the
objectives of the society and the obligations of the constitution
and bylaws, subscribes to them, shall be eligible for membership.
Section One: Active
Membership
Any Public Health Advisor
currently employed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) or the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
in a headquarters or field-assigned position, or who has ever been so employed, is eligible for
Active Membership with full privileges, including voting rights and
holding office.
Section Two: Associate
Membership
Any non-Public Health Advisor
person, whether employed by CDC/ATSDR or not, who desires to support
the activities and goals of the CDC/ATSDR Public Health Advisor job
series is eligible for Associate Membership. Associate
members shall be eligible to serve on committees and be the chairperson of committees; however, Associate
members shall not be eligible to vote in any
Watsonian Society elections or hold any Constitutional office in the
Society.
Section Three: Honorary
Membership
A person who is not otherwise
eligible for Active or Retired Membership
shall be eligible for nomination as an Honorary Public Health
Advisor (HPHA) and upon election by the membership becomes an
Honorary
member of the Watsonian Society. Honorary members shall not be
eligible to vote in any Watsonian Society elections or hold any
Constitutional office in the Society. Aside
from having made a distinguished contribution to the practice of
public health, a nominee for HPHA must either have:
1. Made one or more major
contributions to the overall growth of the Public Health Advisor
Series, and/or
2. A distinguished record of
making a difference on the operational level in the ability of
significant numbers of Public Health Advisors to make a positive
impact on the health and well being of people.
Nominations for HPHA(s) may
be made by any Active or Retired member. They shall be written in
the format prescribed by the Executive Committee and shall be
submitted to the President-elect of the Executive Committee for
consideration. The President-elect, with advice from the Executive
Committee, shall review the nominations and select up to six
nominees to be put to a vote by the members.
1) Honorary Public Health
Advisor Election Process
The balloting shall be
conducted as follows: Members will receive a ballot by e-mail (or by
U.S. Mail if they are known not to have access to e-mail). That
ballot shall ask the member to select one or more candidates from
among the nominees for Watsonian Society Honorary Public Health
Advisor (HPHA) based on descriptions provided in the nomination, or
to mark their ballots "none of the above" if they do not
wish to vote for any nominee. There will be up to 6 nominees and up
to 3 HPHAs can be elected in a given year. All ballots selecting one
or more nominees or voting "none of the above" shall be
counted as a valid ballot. A ballot returned with no markings (an
abstention) shall not be counted as a valid ballot. The
President-elect shall provide a member one opportunity to convert an
invalid ballot into a valid ballot before determining it to be an
invalid ballot. The President-elect shall certify a valid election
has occurred if valid ballots are received from thirty three percent
(33%) of the active members. Otherwise, the President-elect shall
declare that balloting was insufficient to select a Watsonian
Society Honorary Public Health Advisor for that year.
When a valid vote has
occurred, the President-elect shall tabulate the votes. To be
selected, a candidate must receive a “Yes” or “No” vote from greater
than 50% of those voting and at least 85% of the votes must be
“Yes.” The President-elect shall
ask the Exemplar to assist with and/or to confirm certification of
his/her validation of ballots and tabulation of balloting. Upon
meeting that condition, the President-elect's certification shall be
final and shall not be subject to review or appeal.
Section Four: Retired
Membership
Any Public Health Advisor who
would otherwise be eligible for Active Membership and who retires or
is retired is eligible for Retired Membership.
Article Two:
Membership Year
The membership year shall be
from January 1 through December 31. Membership may be renewed for
each year by paying appropriate dues. Every application for
membership shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees and dues.
Article Three:
Fees and Dues
Fees and annual dues are set
forth as follows: annual dues of members shall be payable within 90
days of the beginning of the dues year, which begins January 1 of
each year. Every member whose dues are in arrears for a period of
six months after becoming due shall be removed from the membership
list and no longer receive Watsonian Society communications. Any
person whose name has been removed from the membership list for
nonpayment of dues may be readmitted upon re-application in regular
form, the re-application being accompanied by the appropriate fees
and dues.
Section One: Initiation
Fee
An initiation fee of $10 will be paid by any person accepted as a
new member.
Section Two:
Reinstatement Fee
A reinstatement fee of $5 will be paid by any person whose previous
membership has lapsed. A waiver can be approved by the Executive
Committee.
Section Three: Annual
Dues
Annual dues will be established by the Executive Committee for Active,
Associate, and Retired members. Annual dues for Associate members
shall be less than for Active members. No annual dues will be charged
for Honorary members of the society or members selected as the Outstanding
PHA.
Chapter Two
Officers
Article One:
Selection of Officers
The officers of the Society
shall be President, President-elect, Recorder, Treasurer, and
Exemplar. The Recorder and Treasurer will be
elected biennially by a ballot distributed by and returned to the
Recorder by mail or e-mail; each will serve a two-year term. The
President-elect will be elected annually by a ballot distributed by
and returned to the Recorder by mail or e-mail, and shall become President for
one year upon completion
of one year as President-elect. Geographic locations of members
shall not disqualify them from holding office.
The most senior Public Health
Advisor, based on years of service as determined by the Executive
Committee, currently employed by CDC or ATSDR headquarters or
supported by a CDC field position, who has served at least two years
in a field assignment shall be appointed by the President as the
Watsonian Society Exemplar. Should this person leave his or her CDC
position or decline to accept this post, other eligible candidates
will be appointed on the basis of seniority. The Exemplar may also
be nominated for and elected to any other office of the society.
The Executive Committee will
provide the membership with a slate of proposed officers, but
members may vote for persons not listed by the Executive Committee.
Vacancies that occur by
resignation, death, or disability may be filled by appointment by
the President for the remainder of the term.
Article Two:
Selection of Other Executive Committee Members
The Retiree Representative
and the Field Staff Representative shall be nominated and elected in
the manner described in Article One regarding the Officers of the
Society. Both shall hold their elected positions for a 2-year term
unless re-elected or replaced, also as specified in Article One. The
Field Staff Representative shall be a CDC field assignee and hold
his or her position for the elected term unless the incumbent
accepts a CDC headquarters or other position out of the field. Upon
the official transfer date to Atlanta, if greater than one year
remains in their term, the Executive Committee shall conduct a
special election to fill the former incumbent's unexpired term from
among persons who are CDC field assignees.
Article Three:
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and
responsibilities of the society shall be as follows:
A. President: The
President shall preside in person or by telephone at all general
meetings of the society and shall perform the customary and
parliamentary duties established by usage. The President shall
provide leadership in activities designed to achieve the society's
objectives, as stated in the constitution. The President will
chair the Executive Committee.
B.
President-elect: The President-elect shall assume the
duties of the President in the event of the death, incapacity, or
request of the President. The President-elect shall serve as a
member of the Executive Committee and upon completion of the term
as President-elect, assume the responsibilities of the President..
The President-elect shall receive
nominations for and coordinate the elections of the Honorary
Public Health Advisor.
C.
Recorder: The Recorder shall be responsible for the
maintenance of all official records of the society, other than
financial records. The Recorder shall be responsible for
establishing and maintaining a directory of CDC Public Health
Advisors, both active and inactive, eligible for membership in the
society. The Recorder shall conduct all elections and referenda
undertaken by the society and shall serve as a member of the
Executive Committee.
D.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for
conducting the financial affairs of the society in accordance with
the provisions of Chapter Three, Finances, and shall serve as a
member of the Executive Committee.
E.
Exemplar: The Exemplar shall ensure that the history and
condition of the Public Health Advisor series are communicated to
the Executive Committee and to the membership. The Exemplar shall
serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
F.
Retiree Representative: The Retiree Representative shall
participate as a member of the Executive Committee and represent
the interests of retired members of the Society.
G.
Field Staff Representative: The Field Staff
Representative shall participate as a member of the Executive
Committee by conference call, or in person when possible and
represent the interests of CDC field assignees who are members of
the Society.
Chapter Three
Finances
Article One:
Sources of Funds
Funds necessary for carrying
out the activities of the society shall be raised by the collection
of membership dues, special membership assessments, and by any other
manner approved by the Executive Committee and consistent with
regulations and policies of the CDC, the Department of Health and
Human Services, and the United States government.
Article Two:
Deposit of Monies
The Treasurer shall deposit
all monies received in an interest-bearing account in the name of
the Watsonian Society.
Article Three:
Payment of Monies
Monies shall be paid out only
by numbered voucher checks signed by the Treasurer or, in an
emergency, by the President of the Society.
Article Four:
Payment of Bills
The correctness of every bill
shall be certified by the Treasurer or, in an emergency, by the
President of the Society.
Article Five:
Auditing of Accounts
On or about February 1 of
each year, the Executive Committee shall arrange for an appropriate
audit of the Society's accounts from the previous calendar year.
Article Six:
Annual Financial Report
The Treasurer shall balance
the accounts of the Society on December 31 of each year and prepare
the annual financial report which shall be made available to the
Executive Committee by January 20 of each year and provided to the
membership within six months of its submission.
Chapter Four
Organization
of Chapters
Article One:
Eligibility
A chapter will represent the
Watsonian Society, an Organization for Public Health Advisors, in a
designated geographic area. Members of the Watsonian Society, as
defined in Chapter One of these bylaws, may also join the chapter in
their geographic area. Chapter and individual members must abide by
the constitution and bylaws of the Watsonian Society and reside in
the geographic area.
Section One.- Geographic
Area
Geographic area will be noted
in further text as a local area, and the geographic limits of a
local area will be determined by the Executive Committee. Chapter
members may petition the Executive Committee to alter the geographic
area their chapter represents.
Article Two:
Establishment of Chapters
A chapter may be established
by ten Watsonian Society members, living or working in the local
area, by signing and presenting a petition requesting formation of a
new chapter to the Executive Committee. If the petition is approved,
the Executive Committee will issue a Certificate of Chapter, signed
by the President and the Recorder. The chapter serves at the
discretion of the Executive Committee and may be dissolved at any
time. The Recorder will keep a copy of the original Certificate of
Chapter on file and will send the Certificate of Chapter to the
chapter Recorder-Treasurer.
Section One: Chapter
Membership
The chapter shall have at
least ten members in good standing at the beginning of each
membership year. The chapter has until the end of February of each
year to meet the established minimum level of membership and submit
a list of names and addresses to the Society Recorder. Any member
shall be able to transfer membership from one chapter to another,
provided geographic guidelines are met.
Article Three:
Review of Chapters
Each year, the Executive
Committee shall conduct a review of the chapter to ascertain whether
the chapter is fulfilling the obligations as established in this
constitution and these bylaws. Any delinquencies shall be connected
by the deadline established by the Executive Committee, which will
provide specific instances of delinquencies.
Article Four:
Dissolution of Chapter
A chapter may be dissolved if
membership falls below the established or if, in the judgment of the
Executive Committee, the chapter is not in compliance with the
purpose of the society as stated in the constitution and bylaws. In
the event that a chapter of the Watsonian Society is dissolved, any
assets owned will be donated to a non-profit organization(s) as
determined by the Executive Committee.
Article Five:
Selection of Officers
The officers of the chapter
shall be a Director, an Associate Director, and a
Recorder-Treasurer. These officers together shall constitute the
Board of Directors, which shall be chaired by the Director of the
chapter. All officers of chapters shall be elected annually by a
ballot distributed by and returned to the chapter
Recorder-Treasurer. Each term of office will be one year beginning
January 1 of each year. Elections will be held on or about October 1
for terms beginning the following year. The outgoing Board of
Directors will appoint a Nominating Committee to recommend a slate
of proposed officers for election. Chapter members may vote for
persons not listed by the Nominating Committee. Vacancies that occur
before completion of a term shall be filled by the Chapter Director,
in consultation with the President of the society. The appointee
will serve the remainder of the term. A chapter officer shall
resign from chapter responsibilities upon election or appointment to
a national office.
Article Six:
Duties and Responsibilities
of Chapter Officers
The duties and
responsibilities of the chapter officers shall be as follows:
A. Director: The
Director shall preside in person or by telephone at all general
meetings of the chapter and shall perform the customary and
parliamentary duties established by usage. The Director shall
provide leadership in activities designed to achieve the Society
and chapter objectives. The Director shall serve as a nonvoting
member of the Watsonian Society Executive Committee and be
responsible for communications with the Executive Committee. The
Director shall be responsible for returning the Certificate of
Chapter upon dissolution. No member may serve more than two
consecutive terms as Director.
B. Associate Director: The
Associate Director shall direct chapter efforts to enhance
professional development within the local chapter and will serve
in the absence of the Director. The Associate Director shall
assume the duties of the Director in the event of death,
incapacity, request of the Director, request of the Executive
Committee, or relocation of the Director. Vacancies of the
Associate Director will be filled in accordance with Article Five.
C. Chapter
Recorder-Treasurer: The chapter Recorder-Treasurer shall be
responsible for the maintenance of all official records of the
chapter. This includes establishing and maintaining a directory of
local CDC Public Health Advisors, both active and inactive,
eligible for membership; conducting all chapter elections; and
conducting financial affairs in accordance with Article Eight.
Article Seven:
Conflict Resolution
Section One: Disputes
Between Chapters
Any unresolved disputes that
arise between chapters shall be brought to the Executive Committee
for resolution. The Executive Committee's decision is final and
shall be observed by all parties involved.
Section Two: Removal of a
Chapter Officer
At the written request of at
least two thirds of the chapter membership, the President of the
Watsonian Society can remove any or all chapter officers. Vacancies
will be filled in accordance with Article Five and Article Six B.
Article Eight:
Chapter Finances
Section One: Finances
Funds necessary for carrying
out the activities of the chapter shall be raised by one of the
three mechanisms outlined in the following. These mechanisms must be
consistent with regulations and policies of CDC, the Department of
Health and Human Services, and the United States government.
A. Origination Funds:
Upon successful petitioning to establish a chapter, the Executive
Committee will transfer funds to the local chapter in the amount
of at least $100. Origination funds are available only when a
chapter is established. However, if a chapter is dissolved, new
origination funds may be issued upon reestablishment.
B. Annual Dues of the
Chapter Members: The annual society dues of chapter members
will be paid to the Treasurer of the society. Upon collection of
such dues, the Treasurer of the society will return a portion of
the dues to the chapter. The exact proportion will be established
by the Executive Committee.
C. Special Assessments:
The Board of Directors may petition the Executive Committee, with
the President of the Society having final authority, to implement
a special assessment or other manner of collecting funds for the
chapter membership.
Section Two: Deposit of
Monies
The chapter
Recorder-Treasurer shall deposit all monies received in a financial
facility account in the name of the Watsonian Society Local chapter
name.
Section Three:
Disbursement and Payment of Monies
Monies shall be paid out only
by numbered voucher checks signed by the chapter Recorder-Treasurer
or, in his or her absence or an emergency, by the Director. Upon
dissolution of a chapter, all funds shall be turned over to the
Treasurer of the society.
Section Four.- Payment of
Bills
The correctness of every bill
shall be certified by the Recorder-Treasurer or, in his or her
absence or an emergency, by the Director of the chapter.
Section Five: Auditing of
Accounts
On or about December 1 of
each year, the Board of Directors shall arrange for an appropriate
audit of the chapter's accounts.
Section Six.- Annual
Financial Report
The chapter
Recorder-Treasurer shall balance the accounts of the chapter by
December 31 of each year, prepare the annual financial report which
shall be made available to the Board of Directors by January 20 and
forwarded to the Executive Committee by the end of February each
year. This information will be made available to the membership
within three months of its submission to the Executive Committee.
Chapter Five
Conflict of
Interest
No officer, member of the
Executive Committee, or representative of this Society shall accept
gratuities or any other benefits, directly or indirectly, from
sellers of goods or services doing or soliciting business with the
Society, or receive special discounts over and above those available
to members.
Chapter Six
Dissolution
In the event that the
Watsonian Society is dissolved, any assets owned will be donated to
a non-profit organization(s) as determined by the Executive
Committee.
Constitution
and bylaws revised and approved August 4, 2004
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