Section 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be " The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, a Chapter of the National Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

         Section 2. Purpose and Structure

The purpose of this organization shall be to:

1. To provide a means for professional interaction, problem solving, and discussion of professional issues among local groups of ACRP members.

2. To provide educational programs and support for the purpose of professional development.

3. To provide improved access to ACRP resources, including certification.

4. To increase the opportunity for member participation in ACRP activities.

5. To provide a network to rapidly gain member feedback on issues of concern to ACRP committees and the Board of Directors.

6. To provide a readily accessible mechanism for regional program development.

7. To provide a locally effective membership recruitment mechanism.

1. Each chapter must have a minimum of 10 members; active members shall consists of individuals

interested in the goals and objectives of the ACRP and who are currently paying their national ACRP and chapter dues. Only members of the ACRP may be chapter members, although nonmembers may be guests at Chapter meetings.

2. Each Chapter should represent a geographic area or interest group.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Chapter

Active members shall consist of individuals interested in goals and objectives of the ACRP

regardless of race, creed, gender, or national origin.

Application for membership shall be made on a standard form and forwarded to the Treasurer of the Chapter with any appropriate dues.

ARTICLE III GOVERNANCE

All active members of ACRP shall be voting members of the Chapter, and may hold office and chaircommittees.

All persons who are Chapter officers shall be members of the ACRP. The officers shall consist of a President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and shall comprise the executive board of directors. The board of directors will be composed of the elected officers and the respective committee chairman of each committee. The President shall appoint, as needed, additional directors of the corporation as may be required by law. The first board of directors will be elected for a term of 16 months. All succeeding boards shall be elected for a term of one year. The board will assume office on September 1, 1998 and hold office until December 31, 1999. The president-elect shall move successively to the office of president on January 1, 2000.

Section 3. Elections

Annual elections shall occur during the fourth quarter of each year. Not less than sixty (60) days prior to the annual election, the Chapter Nominations Committee shall present via mail or at a regularly scheduled meeting of the active membership 1 – 2 candidates for each elective office. In addition, other nominations from any active member may be made in writing to the nominations committee, or from the floor at any regularly scheduled meeting of the active membership, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual election. Elections will take place by secret ballot at a regularly scheduled meeting of the active membership. Active members who cannot be in attendance may leave a written proxy vote with the President. Any proxy shall be executed in writing by the member or his/her duly authorized attorney in fact. No proxy shall be valid after thirty (30) days from the date of its execution. Ballots will be tallied by at least two members of the Nominations Committee and certified accurate by the President. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared the winner. The voting results shall be forwarded to the ACRP Central Office within thirty (30) days of the tally.

1. President-The President/Chair shall be the chief elected officer. The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings. The President shall have the right to call special meetings of the active membership, upon at least fourteen-(14) days written notice to each member. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Within 30 days of taking office, the President shall ensure that each committee has at a minimum three committee members and that each committee has elected a committee chair. In cases where a chairperson has not been elected, the president shall appoint a committee chair. Within 30 days of taking office, the President shall provide all standing and ad hoc committees with written charges.

If any executive board position should become vacant for any reason, the President shall appoint an executive officer Pro Tempore until a special election can be held for the purpose of electing a new executive officer. Such election must be held within 90 days of the vacancy of the executive office.

B. President Elect The president-elect shall work with the president in all aspects of his or her position. To prepare for assuming the office of president, the president elect, shall preside at a minimum of one meeting during his or her time as president-elect.

During the temporary absence of the President, the President Elect shall assume the duties of the President Pro Tempore. If the office of President becomes vacant for any reason, the President Elect shall immediately assume the office of President. He/she shall succeed to fill his/her own elected term as President at the end of the substitution.

C. Vice President The Vice President shall be responsible for maintaining communications with each of the committee chairs and reporting the progress of each committee to the President and President Elect. The Vice President may determine the need for the creation of additional committees. If the Vice- President determines such a need, the final decision for creation of a new committee will be decided by majority vote of the executive board.

D. Treasurer- The treasurer shall be custodian of the organization's funds; shall supervise receipts and expenditures; shall render an annual statement to the membership on the financial condition of the organization; shall prepare and submit any reports required by law.

E. Secretary- The Secretary shall record and maintain minutes of all meetings; shall have charge of all papers, archives, records and property; shall issue all notices of meetings; maintain an up-to-date membership roster; and shall provide periodic reports on the activities of the organization to the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

F. The terms of Immediate Past President may also be approved, and duties allocated as determined by the Executive Board of Directors.

Section 1. Funds

Funds may be derived from an annual rebate from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) only for those Chapter members who are also ACRP members. The amount of this rebate shall be determined by the Board of Directors of ACRP based upon the number of active members present in this organization. Additional funds may also be derived from: dues collected from each active member, income from educational programs; as well as grants from sponsors and CROS, and ads in your newsletter and on theWebPage.

Section 2. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December of eachyear.

Section 3. Dues

Annual dues, whose amount shall be set by the active membership not to exceed $20, may be required of all active members. Dues collected from the founding members of the chapter shall cover the 16 month time period of September 1, 1998 to December 31, 1999. From then on, dues shall be payable on January 1 each year and become delinquent sixty (60) days thereafter. Any member delinquent in his or her dues may be removed from the membership rolls. Dues from the founding members of the ACRP shall be collected at the time of election of officers.

Section 4. Loans

No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the organization and no evidence of indebtedness shallbe issued in its name unless authorized by a two-thirds majority vote of the active membership.

Section 5. Authority

The active membership, by majority vote of those present at any regular or special meeting, mustapprove any project requiring the expenditure of funds in excess of $ 100.

ARTICLE V MEETINGS

At least two educational programs or meetings shall be held per year.

ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees

Standing and ad-hoc communities shall function in an advisory capacity to the President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Committees may develop and implement programs and policies authorized by the active membership. Committees shall not independently contact other organizations nor secure or attempt to secure funds from outside sources without the prior approval of the President.

Committee chairpersons shall report on their activities at least annually and at such other times as directed by the President. The members of all standing committees shall hold office until relieved by their successors. All committee chairpersons should prepare a written report summarizing their respective committee’s activities during their term of office.

Each committee shall be comprised of a minimum of three persons. Each committee is responsible for electing a committee chairperson. Efforts should be made to elect a chairperson that does not hold a position as an elected officer. In cases where the committee does not appoint a chairperson, the president shall then appoint a chair person. Each respective committee chair shall provide an update to the vice president as necessary.

Membership Committee - The Membership Committee will conduct an ongoing recruitment effort that actively identifies potential new members. This committee shall also develop a formal mechanism for encouraging research professionals who are non-ACRP members to join both the National ACRP as well as the local ACRP Chapter. A summary of the effects of these efforts must be submitted with the Chapter's annual report. The Membership Committee will also be comprised of a Specialty Track Subcommittee that will be responsible for identifying specialty areas and promoting their respective goals.

Publications Committee - The Publications Committee shall consist of two sub-committees, a Newsletter Committee and a Webpage Committee. The Newsletter Committee will publish a newsletter and the Webpage Committee will be responsible for maintaining electronic communications and a homepage for the local chapter.

Education Committee/ Program Committee - The Education/Program Committee shall be responsible for identifying and targeting speakers for the ACRP Chapter Meetings and for managing CEU applications. This committee shall also be responsible for confirming meeting locations, dates, times and all other pertinent meeting arrangements.

By-laws Committee – The Bylaws Committee shall be responsible for reviewing the by-laws on an annual basis and revising the bylaws as necessary. Amendments to these Bylaws may be considered at any meeting of the membership. Amendments may be initiated by a proposal signed by at least two (2) voting members, and shall be delivered to the Chairman of the Bylaws Committee. Within thirty (30) days thereafter, the Chairman of the Bylaws Committee shall send notice of the proposed amendment to Executive Board of Directors. Such notification must be sent not less than thirty (30) days prior to a meeting of the membership where such amendment is to be considered. Amendments to these Bylaws shall be approved by a majority of votes cast. All revisions to the Bylaws must be approved by a vote of an ACRP Central Office staff member and shall prevail at all meetings, except when contrary to the Bylaws or any standing rule.

Section 3. Ad-Hoc Committees

Ad-Hoc Committees may be appointed at the discretion of the President, President Elect or Vice President. Such committees shall remain active until they have accomplished the purposes for which they were appointed or until inauguration of the succeeding President.

The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals is an affiliated Chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and as such supports and promotes the goals and objectives of ACRP as outlined in its bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

The latest revised edition or Robert's rule of Order shall prevail at all meetings, except when contrary to the Bylaws or any standing rule. As a rule, the Chapter should govern itself by consensus.

 

Section 1. Dissolution

In order to dissolve this organization, the President must present a resolution recommending that the organization be dissolved to the active membership. A proposal for dissolution may be considered at a regular or special meeting of the active membership only after thirty (30) days notice in writing is given to each member in good standing. The resolution to dissolve shall be adopted upon receiving at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by active members present at such regular or special meeting. This organization shall not be dissolved while 20% of the members in good standing dissent.

Section 2. Resolution

Upon adoption of the resolution for dissolution, this organization shall cease to conduct its affairs, except insofar as may be necessary for the proper completion thereof, and shall immediately cause a notice for the proposed dissolution to be mailed to each known creditor and shall proceed to collect its assets and apply and distribute them as provided in the Articles of Incorporation. All moneys will be transferred to the ACRP Central Office and be will held for a period of not less than 2 years to be used in case another chapter is formed.