Global Dosimetry - FCHPS Chapter Affiliate

Section 1. The objectives of the Chapter are to aid in the work of Health Physics, to improve dissemination of information between individuals in this field and related fields, to improve public understanding of the problems and need in radiation protection, to promote and improve Health Physics as a profession, and to promote and improve within the chapter's jurisdiction the activities of the Health Physics Society.

Section 1. Any member and Associate Member of the Health Physics Society may automatically become a Member of the Chapter upon presenting to the Chapter proof of membership in the Society, followed by payment of Chapter dues.

Section 2. The classification of Member Emeritus will be awarded to former full members of the Florida Chapter of the Health Physics Society or to plenary members of the Health Physics Society who have been nominated by the membership of the Chapter, approved by majority vote of the Executive Council and who have (i) reached the age of sixty-five (65) or have ceased to function professionally in the field of radiation protection because of permanent disability, (ii) retired from active employment, and (iii) held membership in the Health Physics Society and/or the Chapter for at least ten (10) years prior to reaching the age of sixty-five (65), or becoming permanently disabled. Dues will be suspended for Members Emeritus. Privileges accruing from this class of membership shall not be less than the privileges enjoyed by a full member of the Florida Chapter of the Health Physics Society.

Section 3. Honorary membership may be awarded as a result of significant administrative, educational, and/or scientific contribution to the profession of health physics, or significant contributions to the Chapter. Honorary membership shall be designated by the Chapter Awards Committee and approved by a majority vote of the Executive Council. Dues will be suspended for Honorary Members. Privileges from this class of membership shall not be less than the privileges enjoyed by a full member of the Florida Chapter of the Health Physics Society.

Section 4. The Executive Council of the Chapter shall serve as the Committee on Admissions and shall be responsible for approving applications for membership involving persons who are not Members or Associate Members of the Health Physics Society. An applicant may be any person who is engaged in a field of endeavor related to Health Physics or whose interest in the profession would make them a desirable Member of the Chapter. Application for membership in the Chapter by such persons shall be made on a form approved by the Executive Council and on a form which includes the approval signature of at least one sponsor who is a Member of the Chapter. Election to membership in the Chapter under the provisions of this section of the By-laws requires the approval of at least two (2) members of the Executive Council and persons so elected shall be entitled to all privileges of membership in the Chapter except, as hereinafter provided in Article IV, Section 1, of the By-laws, the right to become President, President-elect, Secretary or Treasurer.

Section 5. Any member of the Chapter whose dues are unpaid on December 31 of the calendar year in which dues are specified is not in good standing and shall have no vote. Membership in the Chapter ceases when the dues of the member are not paid within one year after they are due; their name shall be removed from the active membership list, and they shall be so informed.

Section 1. The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, President-elect, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers of the Chapter shall be persons who are Members or Associate Members in good standing of the Health Physics Society.

Section 2. The President-elect shall be chosen by vote of the Membership for a term of one year. At the conclusion of this period, they will automatically assume the office of President for a one-year term.

Section 3. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be chosen by vote of the Membership, each for a two year term that ends on alternating years. The Secretary or Treasurer may run for one or more consecutive terms if approved by vote of the Executive Council.

Section 4. No officer shall be eligible for election to the same office for more than two consecutive terms except as otherwise provided for in the By-laws.

Section 5. The term of office for all officers shall begin following installation at the Annual Meeting of the Chapter and shall expire with the installation of new officers at the succeeding Annual Meeting.

Section 6. An office shall be declared vacant by the Executive Council in the event that an Officer resigns, or ceases to be a Member of the Chapter. The vacated office shall be filled by the Executive Council in accordance with procedures set forth in Article V hereinafter provided.

Section 1. The Executive Council is the representative body of the Chapter, and as such, shall have, hold and control all funds, properties, and activities of the Chapter in accordance with the By-laws governing these matters.

Section 2. The Executive Council shall consist of eight (8) voting members including the current officers, the immediate past-President, and three (3) elective Council members. Council members shall be elected from the membership of the Chapter for a three-year term each. One of three Council members shall be elected each year.

Section 3. The Executive Council shall hold at least two meetings each year, and the meetings shall be presided over by the current President or President-elect if the President is unable to attend. Four (4) voting members of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum and all decisions of the Executive Council shall require approval of at least four (4) voting members of the Council. Any Council member not able to be present as a member of the Executive Council may be represented by a designated proxy.

Section 4. A seat on the Executive Council shall be declared vacant in the event that a Council member should resign or cease to be a member of the Chapter. The vacated seat may be filled as hereinafter provided.

Section 5. In the event of a vacancy in an elective position, the Council may make a recommendation for appointment to the office until the unexpired term is filled by election at the next regular ballot presented to the membership The person recommended for appointment must be a member in good standing and be willing to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the office. A majority vote by the Executive Council is required to fill this position.

Section 6. (Catastrophe Clause) In the event that the membership of the Council drops below four (4) members because of death, resignation, or other circumstances, as the first order of business at the first scheduled meeting of the Chapter President or President-elect if the President is unable to attend or if neither can attend, a Chairperson of the meeting as determined by a majority of Executive Council members present at the scheduled time and place of the meeting, shall cause the election of a Temporary Chair who in turn, shall convene those members of the Nominating Committee who are present. In the event that one or more of the members of the Nominating Committee are not present, the Temporary Chair shall appoint proxies for the absentee members. The Nominating Committee as now constituted shall select at least one nominee for each vacated elective position in accordance with provision of Article VI, Section 4, of the By-laws hereinafter provided. The Temporary Chair shall present the names of the nominees to the membership at the meeting, allowing additional nominations from the floor. After the nominations are closed, a secret ballot shall be taken and a majority vote of those present shall be required to elect. In the event that a majority vote is not obtained on the first ballot the balloting shall continue until a majority vote is obtained. Persons elected under this Section of the By-laws shall take office immediately and the Temporary Chair shall turn the meeting over to the acting Chair of the meeting at which time the office of Temporary Chair is dissolved.

Section 7. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Council to review the financial status of the Chapter annually for the purpose of establishing the annual dues required for membership in the Chapter.

Section 8. The Executive Council shall review the program of the Chapter as presented by the President and other Members, furnish appropriate guidance in these matters, and approve or reject in accordance with Council procedures.

Section 9. Meetings of the Executive Council shall be called at the direction of the President or a majority of Executive Council members.

Section 10. The meetings of the Council will not be open to the Membership or public. However, on occasion, the Council may hold sessions which are open to any person, or groups of persons, whom the Council may designate.

Section 11. The President will preside over all meetings of the Chapter and may appoint other individuals to assist in the conduct of the meetings. The President shall appoint necessary committees with the approval of the Executive Council and automatically becomes an ex-officio member of these committees. The retiring President shall submit an oral report of the "State of the Chapter" to the Membership at the Annual Meeting.

Section 12. The President-elect shall perform duties as delegated by the President, and in the absence of the President at a meeting of the Chapter will assume the duties of the President.

Section 13. The Secretary shall keep a record of all transactions and meetings of the Chapter and Executive Council. The Secretary shall carry out correspondence of the Chapter, keep an accurate mailing list of the Membership, and post all ballots used in election and amending procedures.

Section 14. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all moneys of the Chapter, shall receive all moneys due the Chapter, and shall pay all authorized bills against the Chapter. The Treasurer will consult with the Executive Council and receive a majority vote before investing chapter funds. The Treasurer shall submit accounts for audit to the Executive Council prior to the Annual Meeting of the Chapter, and shall turn over to the newly elected Treasurer, all funds and properties of the Chapter. The Treasurer shall submit an annual report summarizing the financial status of the Chapter to the Membership at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer may be bonded in such an amount as shall be determined by the Executive Council and by a company approved by the Executive Council. When bonded, expense of bonding shall be borne by the Chapter.

Section 1. Except as heretofore provided for in Article V, Section 6, of the By-laws, nominations for all elective positions and the election procedure governing the processes of election and balloting shall be in accordance with the provisions of Article VI of the By-laws.

Section 2. Nominations for all elective positions shall be made by a Nominating Committee consisting of a Chair and two (2) other members appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Council. No member of the Executive Council shall be eligible to serve on this committee. Two (2) members of the committee shall constitute a quorum and all decisions of the committee shall require the affirmative vote of at least two (2) members of the committee.

Section 3. The President-elect and one Council member shall be elected annually by the Members of the Chapter and shall serve until their successors are elected and installed. The Secretary or Treasurer shall be elected to serve until their successors are installed according to the terms specified in Article IV, Section 3. Newly elected Officers and Council members shall be installed by the outgoing President or a duly authorized representative in a manner set forth by the Executive Council and shall take office during the Annual Meeting following the ballot.

Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall select a nominee for each elective office and in no case shall an individual’s name be placed in nomination for more than one elective position during any one election. No member shall have their name placed in nomination without their consent.

Section 5. The Nominating Committee shall submit in writing the names of the nominees to the Secretary not later than forty (40) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Chapter.

Section 6. All ballots shall be prepared at the direction of the Secretary and distributed to each Member of the Chapter in good standing. Ballots for elective positions shall be distributed at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting and provisions shall be made for the names of write-in candidates on the ballots. A ballot shall be closed at the Executive Council meeting preceding the Annual Meeting.

Section 7. The Member shall return their ballot by mail to the Secretary with the Member's printed name and signature displayed upon the mailing envelope. Not less than four (4) members of the Executive Council will tabulate and certify the vote. The Secretary shall examine the names on the envelopes and certify the eligibility of the member to vote. The ballots shall be removed from the envelopes in such a manner as to preserve the vote as secret and no ballot shall be voided if the intent as to the choice of the member is clear. The envelopes, ballots, and tally sheets shall be retained by the Secretary and sealed in a suitable container until the close of the next Regular Meeting of the Chapter, after which time the envelopes, ballots and tally sheets shall be destroyed. A majority vote of the Membership voting for an elective position or an amendment shall be required to elect or amend. Ties shall be settled by lottery. Following certification of the results of the poll, nominees shall be notified promptly of the outcome of the election.

Section 1. The Chapter shall hold at least two (2) Regular Meetings each calendar year and one meeting shall be designated as the Annual Meeting of the Chapter. Meetings of the Chapter shall be held at such time and place as established by the Executive Council, except as otherwise provided for in the By-laws.

Section 2. The Annual Meeting of the Chapter shall be the first meeting of each calendar year and held before May 31^st.

Section 3. Other meetings of the Chapter may be called by the President with the approval of one (1) or more members of the Executive Council. A petition directed to a member or members of the Executive Council bearing the signatures of at least ten (10) percent of the active membership shall require a meeting of the Chapter to be called.

Section 4. Members in good standing shall be notified by mail or e-mail of all meetings at least ten (10) days in advance of the date, time and place set for the meeting. The notification shall include a program listing of scheduled activities of the meeting.

Section 5. A quorum at a Chapter meeting shall consist of ten (10) members or twenty (20) percent of the Membership, whichever constitutes the greater number.

Section 6. All meetings of the Chapter are open to the entire Membership. Except when otherwise specified in writing by the Executive Council, any member is privileged to bring guests to Chapter meetings provided reservations are made if required and/or registration fees are paid when applicable.

Section 7. The Executive Council shall develop a standard procedure for governing the order of business for all meetings of the Chapter establishing session time limits where applicable and the Robert's Manual shall be the guide for any parliamentary procedure not especially provided for in the said rules of the Chapter. A change in the standard procedure governing the order of business at a meeting of the Chapter requires the approval of a majority of the Membership at the meeting.

Section 1. The Executive Council shall review the financial status of the Chapter annually and establish membership dues in an amount not to exceed 50% of the national HPS plenary membership fee per annum.

Section 2. All funds shall be paid into the office of the Treasurer where they shall be entered in the books of the Chapter and deposited in a bank approved by the Executive Council.

Section 3. All expenditures shall be made in accordance with a budget of appropriations as adopted by the Executive Council.

Section 1. The President shall appoint with the approval of the Executive Council individuals and/or committees to assist the officers and the Executive Council in the development and administration of programs, projects, policies, and so forth. In making such appointments, consideration shall be given to maintaining a balance of representation from the various organizational groups to include industrial, governmental, educational, and professional interests.

Section 2. All committees shall be responsible for keeping records of the activities of the committee when directed by the President and shall submit such records to the Secretary of the Chapter.

Section 1. Amendments to the By-laws may be proposed in the form of a motion by any member in good standing at any Regular Meeting of the Chapter or at any Special Meeting called for that specific purpose. A motion covering a proposal to amend the By-laws shall require, as determined by a standing vote, the approval of the majority of the Membership present at the meeting in which the motion is presented. The Executive Council is authorized to poll the Membership on proposed amendments to the By-laws by means of a letter ballot in accordance with Article VI, Section 6 and 7 or a meeting of the Chapter. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Membership voting shall be required to amend.

Florida Chapter of the Health Physics Society

Specialists in Radiation Safety • Chartered 1967 • www.hpschapters.org/florida