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Bylaws of PROTECT NEW YORK
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An Academic and Professional Society Devoted to Research and Education to Safeguard New York from Terrorism and Disaster
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ARTICLE I - NAME
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This society will be named Protect New York.
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ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
  1. The objectives of the society are to safeguard New York State and the Metropolitan New York area from terrorism and disaster, through:
    1. The application of academic research, science and scholarship
    2. Translation of research results into training and implementation
    3. Incorporation of lessons and priorities from professional practice into research priorities
    4. Public learning and open debate
    5. Excellence in higher education, academic research, and training
    6. Advancement of knowledge and exchange of ideas
    7. Inter-campus and multi-disciplinary collaboration
    8. Service to New York State, the New York Metropolitan area, and municipal subdivisions of New York State.
  2. These objectives may be furthered by activities, including, but not limited to:
    1. Regular academic meetings and seminars
    2. Exchanges with government, industry, professional groups, and other interested parties
    3. Providing testimony and advice to government
    4. Acquisition of grants and contracts for the organization as a whole
    5. Facilitation of the acquisition of research grants and contracts for the membership
    6. Establishing and maintaining a web page and listserv
    7. Publications
    8. Improving post-secondary-level education in disaster planning, homeland security, emergency management, public health, hazard and disaster engineering, medicine, and related fields.
    9. Creating and maintaining a registry of academic specialists and experts for advising to prevent and respond to disaster
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
  1. Members: Part-time or full-time faculty members (including emeritus faculty) or academic administrators at any accredited college or university who share an interest in this society's objectives, subject to approval by the Executive Committee
  2. Affiliated members: Persons from the professions, business, public affairs, and journalism who share an interest in the society's objectives, subject to approval by the Executive Committee
  3. Board of Advisors: Leaders from government, industry, academia, labor, and nonprofit organizations, subject to approval by the Executive Committee
  4. Student members who share an interest in the objectives of the society, subject to approval by the Executive Committee
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
  1. There will be an annual meeting of the members at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee. At the Annual Meeting there will be a business session for the report of the Executive Committee, consideration of changes in the Bylaws, and other items of business. The first Annual Meeting may be held up to two years from the date of founding.
  2. Special meetings of the members may be called by the Executive Committee or by written request of at least twenty percent (20%) of all Society members.
  3. All regular meetings will be called with at least thirty (30) days by written or electronic notice. Unscheduled meetings can be called by the President on short notice upon consultation with the Executive Committee.
  4. Twenty-five percent (25%) of all Society members will constitute a quorum for business or policy meetings of the members. Any decision or approval of the meeting requires a majority vote.
ARTICLE V - THE FOUNDING BOARD
  1. Members present at the founding meeting on April 24, 2006, shall constitute the Founding Board. The Founding Board supervises the process of establishing the Society.
  2. Until the Society is formally organized, the Founding Board will execute the functions of the Meeting of Members defined in the Article above.
  3. Rules for convening meetings of the Founding Board will be the same as for a meeting of the members of the Society.
ARTICLE VI - THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
  1. The Executive Committee will:
    1. manage the affairs of the Society
    2. fill all vacancies in elected positions of the Executive Committee in case of death or resignation until a successor is elected by the members
    3. call and organize meetings
    4. invest and administer funds of the Society
    5. establish and appoint committees
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
  1. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at such times and places as necessary to carry out the business of the Society.
  2. A majority of the Executive Committee will constitute a quorum.
  3. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President, who chairs the meetings.
  4. Telephone or video conferencing may be utilized to conduct Executive Committee meetings.
ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
  1. The Executive Committee will consist of the President, Vice President, President-elect, immediate past President, Secretary, Treasurer, and committee chairs.
  2. The responsibilities of the officers
    1. The President will:
      1. Coordinate activities of the society.
      2. Plan, supervise and chair annual meeting and Executive Committee meetings.
      3. Manage liaison with government, corporations, foundations, other organizations, and the press.
      4. Become Past President at expiration of term.
    2. The Vice President will:
      1. Assist the President
      2. Take President's place when he/she is not available
    3. The President-elect will:
      1. Assist the President
      2. Take President's place when President and Vice President are not available
      3. Become President at the expiration of incumbent President's term
      4. Become chair of Program Committee at annual meeting
    4. The Secretary will oversee:
      1. Membership record-keeping and communications
      2. Minutes of meetings
      3. Elections
      4. Processing of membership applications and updating of membership lists
    5. The Treasurer will oversee:
      1. Collection of dues
      2. Management of the funds of the Society
      3. Maintenance of accurate accounting records
      4. Preparation of annual reports of the Society's financial condition
ARTICLE IX - ELECTION AND TENURE OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
  1. The President-elect will be elected by majority vote of the membership. The term will be two years. This vote will take place by letter or electronic form supervised by the Secretary.
  2. The President-elect automatically becomes the President after two years. The term will be two years.
  3. The terms of office of Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall each be three years.
  4. The Executive Committee will appoint a nominating committee no less than ninety (90) days prior to the beginning of the term for which an election is to be held.
  5. The Nominating Committee will prepare the official ballot containing names of candidates and any other persons nominated by five percent (5%) or more of the Society membership.
  6. Official ballots will be mailed (or possibly distributed by electronic means) to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to the due date for return of ballots. Ballots must be returned by a date specified by the President and in a sealed envelope bearing the member's signature (or by appropriate electronic means). Ballots will be counted by tellers appointed by the President and the results announced to the members.
  7. There shall be a limit of office of two consecutive terms for any elected officer of the society.
ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES
  1. Standing committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
  2. The President shall appoint ad hoc committees in consultation with other members of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE XI - FEES AND DUES
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Fees and dues will be determined by the Executive Committee.
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ARTICLE XII - SEVERANCE AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
  1. A member in good standing may resign by submitting a written resignation to the President. A resigned member may resume membership upon payment of current dues.
  2. A member whose conduct has been prejudicial to the good of the Society or inconsistent with its objectives and bylaws may be dropped from membership and any office by two thirds vote of the Executive Committee. The member must be notified at least twenty (20) days in advance of the meeting as to the charges, and must be given the opportunity to answer charges in person, in writing, or by an authorized representative.
ARTICLE XIII - RULES OF ORDER
  1. The Executive Committee shall make decisions by simple majority of those present.
  2. In the event of procedural disputes, Robert's Rules of Order will prevail.
ARTICLE XIV - INTERPRETATION OF BYLAWS
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All questions of interpretation of the bylaws will be decided by the Executive Committee.
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ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS
  1. The bylaws may be adopted, annulled, or amended by the affirmative vote of majority of the members voting by letter or electronic means.
  2. No such action will be taken unless the change in the bylaws is proposed by the Executive Committee or by written request of at least twenty percent (20%) of the membership. Notice of the proposed change must be mailed by the President to each member at least thirty (30) days in advance.
ARTICLE XVI - FOUNDING THE SOCIETY
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For the election of officers in 2006 and 2007, the Founding Board will function as the Society as a whole and will undertake the role of the Executive Committee defined in Article V. The Founding Board will be dissolved once the Executive Committee is formed by the first election of the Society.
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ARTICLE XVII - EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BYLAWS
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These bylaws shall become effective immediately after they are adopted by at least two thirds of the Founding Board.
The Society is Founded and the Bylaws Adopted on April 24, 2006
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