AMERICAN
COLLEGE OF LEGAL MEDICINE, INC. BYLAWS
(Amended 02/28/09)
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2010 Proposed Bylaws Changes
Proposed changes will be voted on by ACLM fellows at the 2010 ACLM Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida on March 4 - 7, 2010.
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Article I
- Members
Section
1.1 - Classes of Membership
The corporation, hereinafter referred to as the
“College,” shall have twelve classes
of membership, as follows:
Fellow-of-the College
Emeritus Fellow
Honorary Fellow
Retired Member
Medical Member
Dental Member
Law Member
Science Member
Affiliate Member
International Fellow
International Member
Student Member
Every member shall recognize and abide by the
Code of Ethics of the organizations which are
described in Article XII of these bylaws. Every
member shall at all times meet the particular
requirements of the class of membership of which
he is a member and, in addition, all other requirements
of these bylaws.
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Section
1.2 - Fellow-of-the-College
The requirements for membership as a Fellow-of-the-College
are satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s
good moral, ethical and professional standing;
and
(a) A degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor
of Osteopathy, or equivalent, from a Medical
School approved by the American Medical Association
or American Osteopathic Association, or their
Canadian counterparts, or in the case of foreign
medical graduates, a license to practice in
at least one state of the United States, its
territories or possessions (including the
District of Columbia) or in a province of
Canada; or
(b) A DMD or DDS degree, or equivalent, from
a dental school approved by the American Dental
Association or its Canadian counterpart, or
in the case of foreign dental graduates, a
license to practice in at least one State
of the United States, its territories or possessions
(including the District of Columbia) or in
a Province of Canada; and
(c) A degree of Bachelor of Laws or Juris
Doctor, or an equivalent, from an American
Bar Association or Canadian Bar Association
approved law school, or from a law school
in the United States that is accredited by,
or registered with, a State Committee of Bar
Examiners, and from which the graduate is
qualified to sit for and take the bar examination
in that state, or a license to practice law
in at least one state of the United States,
its territories or possessions (including
the District of Columbia) or in a province
of Canada; and
(d) A license to practice either medicine,
osteopathy, dentistry or law in at least one
state of the United States, its territories
or possessions (including the District of
Columbia) or in a province of Canada; such
a license may be considered satisfactory evidence
of a degree for purposes of (a), (b) or (c)
above; and
(e) Membership in at least one of the following
professional organizations: the American Medical
Association, the American Osteopathic Association,
the American Dental Association, the American
Bar Association, a state bar association,
a county medical society, a county dental
society, a county osteopathic society, a county
bar association, or the Canadian equivalent
of any of the above; a candidate who holds
membership in none of the above must be a
Diplomate of a Specialty Board recognized
by either the American Medical Association
or the American Osteopathic Association; and
(f) Sponsorship of the candidate by at least
one (1) Fellow in good standing in the College;
and
(g) A favorable recommendation by the Membership
& Credentials Committee and the subsequent
approval of the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of those present and voting.
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1.3. - Emeritus Fellow.
A Fellow-of-the-College who has been a Fellow
for a period of more than ten (10) years and
who has retired from professional activity is
eligible to become an Emeritus Fellow. Application
to become an Emeritus Fellow shall be made to
the Board of Governors for its consideration
and shall be approved by the affirmative vote
of at least two-thirds of the Governors present
and voting. Emeritus Fellows shall be entitled
to all privileges of membership except that of
voting and holding office. An Emeritus Fellow
shall not be required to pay dues.
Section
1.4. - Honorary Fellow.
Any member of the College may nominate any person
of outstanding reputation in the field of legal
medicine as a candidate for Honorary Fellowship.
Such nomination shall be approved at a meeting
of the Board of Governors by the affirmative
vote of at least two thirds of the Governors
present and voting. Honorary Fellows shall be
entitled to all privileges of membership except
that of voting and holding office. An Honorary
Fellow shall not be required to pay dues.
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Section
1.5. - Retired Member Status.
An Associate-in-Medicine, Associate-in-Dentistry,
Associate-in-Law, Associate-in-Science, Affiliate
Member or Corresponding Member of the College,
who has been a Member in good standing for a
period of more than ten (10) years, who is 65
years of age, and who has retired from professional
activity is eligible to become known as a Retired
Member. Application to become a Retired Member
shall be made to the Board of Governors for its
consideration and shall be approved by the affirmative
vote of at least two-thirds of the Governors
present and voting. Retired Members shall be
entitled to all privileges of membership except
that of voting and holding office. Retired Members
shall be required to pay a reduced dues rate
as approved by the Board of Governors and Voting
Fellowship of the College.
Special circumstances resulting from full time
early retirement from practice and/or retirement
due to disability must be approved by majority
vote on a case-by-case basis by the Board of
Governors on recommendation of the Membership
and Credentials Committee.
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Section
1.6. - Medical Member.
The requirements for membership as a Medical
Member are satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s
good moral, ethical and professional standing;
and
(a) A degree of Doctor of Medicine, Doctor
of Osteopathy, or an equivalent; and
(b) Certification by a Specialty Board, recognized
by the American Medical Association or the
American Osteopathic Association or a Canadian
equivalent, or a minimum of five (5) years
in active practice of medicine continuously,
(not limited to clinical medicine) and immediately
preceding the date of application, or faculty
status in an accredited law school or in an
accredited medical school in a course or courses
dealing with medical-legal subjects or satisfactory
evidence of favorable recognition of medical-legal
expertise; and
(c) A license to practice medicine in at least
one state of the United States, its territories
or possessions (including the District of
Columbia), or in a province of Canada; such
a license may be considered satisfactory evidence
of a degree for purposes of (a) above. The
requirement for a state license is waived
while physicians are on active duty with one
of the military services. However, such individuals
must fulfill the requirements of (a) above;
and
(d) Sponsorship of the candidate by at least
one (1) member in good standing in the College;
and
(e) Favorable recommendation by the Membership
& Credentials Committee and the subsequent
approval of the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of those present and voting.
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Section
1.7. - Dental Member.
The requirements for membership as a Dental Member
or satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s
good moral, ethical, and professional standing;
and
(a) A DMD or DDS degree or its equivalent;
and
(b) Specialty Board certification by a Board
recognized by the American Dental Association
or its Canadian equivalent, or a minimum of
five (5) years in the active practice of dentistry;
and
(c) A license to practice dentistry in at
least one state of the United States, its
territories or possessions (including the
District of Columbia), or in a province of
Canada; such a license may be considered satisfactory
of a degree for purposes of (a) above. The
requirement for a state license is waived
while a dentist in on active duty with one
of the military services. However, such individuals
must fulfill the requirements of (a) above;
and
(d) Sponsorship of a candidate by at least
one (1) member in good standing in the College;
and
(e) Favorable recommendation by the Membership
& Credentials Committee and the subsequent
approval of the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of those present and voting.
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Section
1.8. - Law Member.
The requirements for membership as a Law Member
are satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s
good moral, ethical and professional standing;
and
(a) A degree of Bachelor of Laws of Juris
Doctor, or an equivalent, from an ABA or Canadian
Bar Association approved law school, or a
license to practice law in at least one state
of the United States, its territories or possessions
(including the District of Columbia) or in
a province of Canada; or
(b) Faculty status in an accredited law school
or in an accredited medical school in a course
or courses dealing with medical-legal subjects,
or satisfactory evidence of favorable recognition
of medical-legal expertise; and
(c) License to practice law in at least one
state of the United States, its territories
or possessions (including the District of
Columbia) or in a province of Canada; such
a license may be considered satisfactory evidence
of a degree for purposes of (a) above; and
(d) Sponsorship by at least one (1) member
in good standing in the College; and
(e) Favorable recommendation by the Membership
& Credentials Committee and subsequent
approval by the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of those present and voting.
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Section
1.9. - Science Member.
The requirements for membership as a Science
Member are satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s
good moral, ethical and professional standing;
and
(a) A degree of Doctor of Podiatry, Doctor
of Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor
of Arts or Science or at least its equivalent
in a field of specialized health care or medical
science; or
(b) Faculty status in an approved allied health
care or medical science school for a period
of not less than five (5) continuous years
immediately preceding application or full
time practice, employment or similar service
for a period of not less than five (5) continuous
years immediately preceding application in
an allied health care or medical science practice;
and
(c) Satisfactory recognition of medical-legal
expertise; and
(d) Sponsorship by at least one (1) member
in good standing in the College; and
(e) Favorable recommendation by the Membership
& Credentials Committee and subsequent
approval by the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of those present and voting.
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Section
1.10. - Election of a Member to Fellow-of-the-College.
(a) A Member of the College may become a Fellow,
upon application, by approval of the Board
of Governors, if the applicant:
(1) has been a member of the College for
a minimum of six (6) consecutive years
from the date of admission to membership;
and
(2) has attended at least 50 percent of
the previous 6 annual meetings; and
(3) has the sponsorship of two Fellows
of the College in good standing; and
(4) has demonstrated outstanding service
and dedication to the ACLM in at least
two of the following areas:
(i) Service on an editorial board;
(ii) Presentation of lectures at College
meetings;
(iii) Authorship of articles published
in College publications;
(iv) Significant service on College
committees or on the Board of Governors.
(b) The requirements of 1.10(a) (4) (iv) shall
be determined by a favorable report of the
Membership & Credentials Committee and
by approval of a majority of the Board of
Governors.
(c) At no time shall the percentage of Fellows
who hold both the MD (or DO) and JD (or LLB)
degrees fall below 67 percent of the total
number of Fellows of the College.
(d) Any Fellow elected by the mechanism of
Section 1.10 is considered equal to a dual
degree holder, except for the limitations
of Section 1.10(c), Section 3.1(g) and Section
4.1.1.
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Section
1.11. - Affiliate Member.
Affiliate member status shall continue so long
as the affiliate member remains actively enrolled
or for a period of 10 years whichever comes first.
The requirements for membership as an Affiliate
are satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s
good moral, ethical and professional standing;
and
(a) In the case of an individual who has a
degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of
Osteopathy, satisfactory evidence of matriculation
as a degree candidate in an accredited school
of law; or
(b) In the case of an individual who has a
degree of Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor,
satisfactory evidence of matriculation as
a degree candidate in an accredited school
of medicine or osteopathy.
(c) License to practice either law, medicine
or dentistry in at least one state of the
United States, its territories or possessions
(including the District of Columbia), or in
a province of Canada; such a license may be
considered satisfactory evidence of a degree
for purposes of (a) above.
(d) Sponsorship of the candidate by at least
one (1) member in good standing in the College.
(e) Favorable recommendation by the Membership
& Credentials Committee and subsequent
approval by the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of those present and voting.
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Section
1.12. - International Fellow
An applicant who resides permanently in a country
other than the United States or Canada, and who
has both a Medical Degree, Doctor of Osteopathy,
or Dental Degree and a Law Degree, or their equivalents,
is teaching or practicing medicine, osteopathy,
dentistry or law in accordance with applicable
laws or governmental regulations along with documentation
to verify that the applicant is lawfully permitted
to practice or teach Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathy
or Law in the country of residence, and who otherwise
does not qualify under Section 1.2 of these by-laws
for membership as a Fellow-of-the-College may
be so elected if the applicant submits with the
application affirmative certification by the
authorities which granted the degrees of the
authenticity of the degrees, receives a favorable
recommendation of the Membership & Credentials
Committee, and approval of the Board of Governors
by two-thirds of those present and voting.
Section
1.12(a) - International Member
Any individual who is a resident of a country
other than the United States or Canada and who
meets all of the requirements of any of the above
classes may be admitted as an International Member
of such class. For the purpose of meeting the
requirement of a license to practice medicine,
osteopathy, dentistry, or law, a license to practice
such profession in the candidate’s own
country, or subdivision thereof where appropriate
will be sufficient. Such determination shall
be made upon favorable recommendation by the
Membership and Credentials Committee and subsequent
concurrence by the Board of Governors, by two-thirds
of these present and voting.
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Section
1.13. - Student Member.
A. The requirements for membership as a Student
Member are:
(1) Evidence that the applicant is enrolled
in a medical, osteopathic, or dental school
accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical
Education (LCME), the Bureau of Professional
Education of the American Osteopathic Association
or the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges
or in an internship, residency or fellowship
program accredited by the American Council
on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the
Council on Post Doctorate Training of the
American Osteopathic Association or the Association
of Canadian Medical Colleges: OR
(2) Evidence that the applicant is enrolled
in an American Bar Association, Canadian Bar
Association, or state approved/accredited
law school, or serving in a governmental law
clerkship; OR
(3) Evidence that the applicant is enrolled
in a dental school accredited by the American
Dental Association or in an internship, residency
or fellowship program accredited by the American
Dental Association; OR
(4) Evidence that the applicant is enrolled
in a dual degree MD/JD program in a medical
school approved by the liaison committee on
medical education (LCME), the Bureau of Professional
Education of the American Osteopathic Association,
or the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges;
and, the law portion of the program in a law
school approved/accredited by the American
Bar Association or the Canadian Bar Association,
or state approved/accredited law school.
B. Membership as a Student Member shall continue
so long as the student remains enrolled in a
full time program that meets the standards set
forth in (A) above. It shall terminate when the
student graduates or is no longer enrolled in
such a program. The Student Member must submit
proof of full-time enrollment from the institution
each year when paying dues.
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Section
1.14. - Sponsorship.
In the event that a candidate does not have the
necessary sponsorship, the Chair of the Membership
and Credentials Committee shall appoint a sponsor
nearest the applicant’s locale to make
recommendations to the Membership and Credentials
Committee for membership in the appropriate class.
Section
1.15. - Application Fee.
A nonrefundable fee, the amount of which may
be set from time to time by the Board of Governors,
shall accompany the candidate’s first application
for membership irrespective of category (except
there shall be no application fee for Honorary
or Emeritus membership). This fee shall be used
to defray expenses involved in the investigation
and processing of the application. Subsequent
requests for change of class or membership shall
be without charge. The application fee shall
not be credited toward annual dues.
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Section
1.16. - Election to Membership.
The application for membership to any class shall
be made upon the prescribed form furnished by
the Secretary of the College. The Membership
& Credentials Committee shall promptly consider
all applications for membership and make its
recommendations to the Board of Governors. Upon
consideration of the recommendations of the Membership
& Credentials Committee, the Board of Governors
may elect the candidate to the class of membership
proposed by the affirmative vote of two thirds
of the members of the Board of Governors present
and voting.
Section
1.17. - Dues.
The amount of the annual dues of any member of
each class shall be determined from time to time
by the Board of Governors. Annual dues are for
the calendar year and shall be due and payable
on January 1. Failure to pay dues by April 1
shall be sufficient grounds for suspension of
membership by the Judicial Council. The Board
of Governors, in its discretion, may modify or
waive the payment of dues by any member or class
of members.
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Section
1.18. - Use of the Designation "FCLM."
Only Fellows-of-the-College, Emeritus Fellows
and Honorary Fellows in good standing are authorized
to use the letters FCLM after their names for
purposes of signifying accreditation by the American
College of Legal Medicine. Anyone not in compliance
with the bylaws of the American College of Legal
Medicine and the conditions of membership in
the American College of Legal Medicine, including
payment of dues, shall not be authorized to use
the designations “Fellow of the College
of Legal Medicine,” “FCLM,”
or their equivalent.
Section
1.19. - Issuance of Membership Certificate.
In order for any newly elected member, regardless
of category other than Corresponding Members,
to receive the official certificate of membership,
said member must attend either an annual convocation
or a midyear scientific meeting of the College.
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ARTICLE II - Meetings
of Members
Section
2.1. - Annual Convocation of the College.
An annual convocation of members of all classes
of the College shall be held. The annual convocation
in each year shall be held at such hour and such
day or days and at such place within or without
the State of Delaware as may be fixed by the
Board of Governors.
Section
2.2. - Annual Meeting of Fellows.
An annual meeting of the Fellows-of-the-College
for the election of Governors and officers and
for the transaction of all other business of
the College shall be held in conjunction with
the annual convocation at a time and place as
may be fixed by the Board of Governors.
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Section
2.2.1
A total of three Members (one Law Member, one
Medical Member, and one Member from either Dental
Members, Science Members, Affiliate Members or
International Members) will be elected to the
Board of Governors at the Annual Business Meeting
of the College by those Members present at the
meeting and belonging to the six membership groups
named in this section.
Section
2.3. - Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Fellows-of-the-College
may be called by the President, and shall be
called by the President or the Secretary when
directed to do so by resolution of the Board
of Governors or at the written request of Fellows
representing a majority of all the Fellows-of-the-College.
Any such request shall state the purpose or purposes
of the proposed meeting.
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Section
2.4. - Notice of Meetings.
Whenever Fellows-of-the-College are required
or permitted to take any action at a meeting,
whether annual or special, unless notice is waived
by all Fellows entitled to vote at the meeting,
a written notice of the meeting shall be given
which shall state the place, date and hour of
the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting
the purpose or purposes for which the meeting
is called.
Unless otherwise provided by Law, and except
as to any Fellow duly waiving notice, the written
notice of any meeting shall be served personally
or by mail, not less than ten (10) nor more than
ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting
upon each Fellow entitled to vote at such meeting.
If mailed, notice shall be deemed given when
deposited in the United States mail, first-class
postage prepaid, directed to the Fellow at his
address as it appears on the records of the College.
Each Fellow has the responsibility to see that
his current mailing address is shown on the records
of the College.
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or
place, notice need not be given of the adjourned
meeting if the time and place thereof are announced
at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.
At the adjourned meeting the College may transact
any business which might have been transacted
at the original meeting. If, however, the adjournment
is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of
adjourned meeting shall be given to each Fellow
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section
2.5. - Quorum.
Except as otherwise provided by Law or by the
Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws
in respect of the vote required for a specified
action, the following quorum requirement shall
apply. For the annual meeting of the Fellows
of the College, 20 percent of all Fellows of
the College in good standing registered for the
meeting shall constitute a quorum, provided however,
that at least 5 percent of the Fellows of the
College in good standing are required as a minimum
to constitute a quorum. For special meetings
of the Fellows of the College, 10 percent of
all Fellows of the College in good standing shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of any
business. At the annual meeting or at a special
meeting the Fellows present, although less than
a quorum, may adjourn the meeting to another
time or place, and except as provided in Section
2.4 of these bylaws, notice need not be given
of the adjourned meeting.
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Section
2.6 - Voting for Members to be elected Governors.
Voting for Membercandidates to be elected to the Board of Governors shall be held at the time of the Annual Meeting of the Fellows as described in Section 2.2. Those voting shall be restricted to Members as defined in Sections 1.6 (Medical Member), Section 1.7 (Dental Member), Section 1.8 (Law Member), Section 1.9 (Science Member), Section 1.11 (Affiliate Member) and Section 1.12 (International Member). A quorum of 5% of the total Members in the six categories enumerated in this section is required. In the absence of such quorum, all Fellows and Members present will vote to elect such Member candidate(s) to the Board of Governors.
Section
2.7. - Voting Process.
Section 2.7.1. - ACLM Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates for the elective offices of the College and those for the Board of Governors to be elected by the Fellows of the College, and shall notify the secretary of the College of the nominees at least 90 days before the annual meeting of the Fellows of the College.
Section 2.7.2. - Additional Nominations
(a) The Executive Director of the College shall notify all members, in writing (or electronically), of the slate of nominees at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting of the Fellows of the College.
(b)
Additional nominations for the elective officers and the Board of Governors to be elected by the Fellows of the College may be made in writing by a Fellow. Such nominations must be accompanied by a petition that includes the printed names and signatures of 5 eligble voting members and must be received by the secretary no later than 45 days prior to the annual meeting of the Fellows. The members shall be informed of the list of additional nominations no later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting of the fellows.
(c)
Nominations for the elective officers and the Board of Governors will be allowed from the floor at the annual Fellows meeting.
(d)
If there is a contested nomination, each nominee and one supporting individual will be allowed three (3) minutes each to present their position to the Fellows; the nominee will have the privilege to yield her/his time to a second supporting individual.
Section
2.8 - Voting and Privileges of Membership.
Each Fellow-of-the-College shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted for action at a regular or special meeting of the Fellows at which a quorum is present. Except as otherwise provided in the bylaws, only a Fellow-of-the-College is eligible to hold office as a Governor or officer of the College or to chair any committee of the College. No member of any class of membership in the College is entitled to vote on any matters presented for consideration at a meeting of the College.
Whenever Governors or officers are to be elected at a meeting of the Fellows, they shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the meeting by the Fellows present and entitled to vote. Whenever any action, other than the election of Governors or officers, is to be taken by vote of Fellows at a meeting, it shall, except as otherwise required by Law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws, be authorized by a majority of the votes cast at the meeting by Fellows present and entitled to vote thereon. There shall be no voting by proxy.
Section 2.9. - Presiding Officer and Secretary.
At every meeting of members or Fellows, the President, or in his absence, the President-Elect, or, if none be present, the appointee of the meeting shall preside. The Secretary, or in his absence the appointee of the presiding officer of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.10. - List of Members.
The officer who has charge of the membership lists of the College shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every regular or special meeting of Fellows, a complete list of the Fellows entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each Fellow. Such list shall be produced and made available at the time and place of the meeting and shall be open to the examination of any Fellow, for any purpose germane to the meeting.
Section 2.11. - Written Consent of Fellows in Lieu of Meeting.
Any action which may be taken at any regular or special meeting of Fellows-of-the-College, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by Fellows, having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Fellows entitled to vote thereon were present.
Prompt written notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those Fellows who have not consented in writing and who would be entitled to vote thereon at a meeting. Signatures for such written consent may be contained in one document or any number of documents of substantially similar tenor signed by such Fellows and filed with the Secretary of the College. Any such written consent shall be effective as specified therein, provided that such effective date is not more than sixty (60) days prior to the date such written consent is filed with the Secretary, or, if no such date is so specified, on the date such written consent is filed with the Secretary.
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ARTICLE
III - The Board of Governors
Section
3.1. - Number and Terms of Governors.
The Board of Governors shall consist of twelve
elected Governors, eight of whom shall each be a Fellow-of-the-College,
one of whom shall be a Fellow of the College pursuant to Section 1.2(b) above; one of whome shall be a Medical Member; one of
whom shall be a Law Member and one of whom shall
be either a Fellow of the College or a member of the group consisting
of Dental Members, Science Members, Affiliate
Members and International Members (hereinafter
referred to as At-Large Fellow/Member).
(a) For the purpose of staggering their terms
of office so that the terms of two Governors
who are Fellows shall expire each year, and,
the terms of the one Governor who is a Member
or At-Large Fellow/Member, shall expire each
year, the elected Governors shall be divided
into three classes consisting of two Governors
who are Fellows and one who is a Member or
At-Large Fellow/Member.
(b) The term of each Governor shall be for
a period of three years, except that the Board
of Governors may set any Governor’s
term for less than three years in order to
achieve the equal, staggered terms described
above. Members of the Board of Governors may
not serve more than two consecutive terms.
(c) The number of Governors may be changed
at any time by a majority vote at an annual
or special meeting of the Fellows. Signed
absentee ballots shall be valid for voting
on a change in the number of Governors. A
ballot shall be issued to each Fellow entitled
to vote along with the notice of the meeting
at which the issue is to be decided. Each
Governor shall hold office from the time of
his election and qualification until his successor
is elected and qualified or until his earlier
resignation or removal. No decrease in the
number of Governors shall shorten the term
of any incumbent Governor.
(d) In addition, the Immediate Past-President
of the College shall be a voting member of
the Board of Governors. If, however, any such
Past President is duly elected as a member
of the Board of Governors at any time during
which he is also the Immediate Past-President,
he shall have only one vote in the decisions
of the Board and he shall fill his elected
term as a Governor without regard to the fact
that he may have already served one or more
years on the Board by virtue of his being
the Immediate Past-President.
(e) In addition, those officers of the College
consisting of the President, President-Elect,
Treasurer and Secretary shall become ex officio
members of the Board of Governors with voting
privileges, for the duration of their elected
term of office.
(f) In addition, the Editor of the Journal
of Legal Medicine shall be an ex officio member
of the Board of Governors without voting privileges.
(g) At least fifty-one percent (51%) of the
voting members of the Board of Governors shall
be dual degree fellows as defined in Section
1.2.
(h)
In addition, the President of the ACLM Foundation shall be an ex officio member of the Board of Governors without voting privileges.
(i) In addition, the Chair of the ABLM shall be an ex officio member of the Board of Governors without voting privileges.
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Section
3.2. - Newly Created Governorships and Vacancies.
Newly created Governorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of Governors
shall be filled by election at a meeting of the
Fellows or by written consent of the Fellows
entitled to vote thereon in lieu of a meeting.
Vacancies arising out of death, resignation or
removal from office shall be filled by a majority
of the Governors then in office, although less
than a quorum or by a sole remaining Governor.
Section
3.3. - Resignation.
Any Governor may resign at any time either by
oral tender of resignation at any meeting of
the Board of Governors or by oral tender to the
President or by giving written notice to the
College. Any such resignation shall take effect
at the time specified therein or, if the time
be not specified, upon receipt thereof, and the
acceptance of such resignation, unless required
by the terms thereof, shall not be necessary
to make such resignation effective.
Section
3.4. - Removal From Office.
Any or all of the Governors may be removed at
any time for cause by vote of two-thirds of the
Fellows present and entitled to vote at a duly
called meeting of the Fellows-of-the-College.
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Section
3.4.1
All members of the Board of Governors have a
duty of regular attendance at Board Meetings.
Three absences from such meetings, except under
extraordinary circumstances of such a nature
as to satisfy a majority of other members of
the Board of Governors, shall operate as an automatic
resignation from the Board for the remainder
of that Governor’s term of office.
Section
3.5. - Meetings.
Meetings of the Board of Governors, regular or
special, may be held at any place within or without
the State of Delaware. Any meeting of the Board
of Governors, or of any committee designated
by the Board, may be conducted by means of conference
telephone or similar communication equipment
by means of which all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other, and participation
in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence
in person at such meeting.
The annual meeting of the Board of Governors
shall be held after each annual election of Governors.
If such election occurs at an annual meeting
of Fellows, the annual meeting of the Board of
Governors shall be held at the same place and
immediately following such meeting of Fellows,
and no notice thereof need be given. If an annual
election of Governors occurs by written consent
in lieu of the annual meeting of Fellows, the
annual meeting of the Board of Governors shall
take place as soon after such written consent
is duly filed with the Secretary of the College
as is practicable, either at the next regular
meeting of the Board of Governors or at a special
meting. The Board of Governors may fix times
and places for regular meetings of the Board
and no notice of such meetings need be given.
A special meeting of the Board of Governors shall
be held whenever called by the President or by
at least one-third of the Governors for the time
being in office, at such time and place as shall
be specified in the notice or waiver thereof.
Notice of each special meeting shall be served
by the Secretary or by a person calling the meeting
upon each Governor by mailing the same, first-class
postage prepaid, postmarked not later than the
seventh day before the meeting; or personally
or by telegraphing or telephoning the same not
later than the second day before the meeting.
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Section
3.6. - Quorum and Voting.
One-third of all the members of the Board of
Governors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business but, if there be less than a quorum
at any meeting of the Board of Governors, a majority
of the Governors present may adjourn the meeting
from time to time, and no further notice thereof
need to be given other than announcement at the
meeting which shall be so adjourned. Except as
otherwise provided by Law or by these bylaws,
the vote of the majority of the Governors present
at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall
be the act of the Board of Governors.
Section
3.7. - Action of the Board of Governors Without
a Meeting.
Written Consent of Governors in Lieu of a Meeting.
Any action required or permitted to be taken
at any meeting of the Board of Governors or of
any committee thereof may be taken without a
meeting with 48-hour notice by a mail or facsimile
poll of all governors. In order for the issue
in question to be approved, three-quarters of
the governors must vote affirmatively. Alternatively,
a telephone poll may be conducted of all available
Board members assuming a quorum is available.
Two-thirds of those available must vote affirmatively
for the issue in question to be approved.
Section
3.8. - Contracts and Transactions Involving Governors,
Officers, or Agents of the College.
No contract or transaction between the College
and one or more of its Governors, or officers,
or agents, or between the College and any other
corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of its Governors
or officers or agents are directors or officers,
or have a financial interest, shall be void or
voidable solely for this reason, or solely because
the Governor or officer or agent is present at
or participates in the meeting of the Board of
Governors which authorizes the contract or transaction,
or solely because his or their votes are counted
for such purpose, if: (1) the material facts
as to his relationship or interest are made known
to the Board of Governors, and the Board in good
faith authorizes the contract or transaction
by the affirmative votes of a majority of the
disinterested Governors, even though the disinterested
Governors be less than a quorum; or (2) the material
facts as to his relationship or interest and
as to the contract or transaction are disclosed
or are known to the Fellows-of-the-College entitled
to vote thereon at a duly held meeting of the
follows, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the Fellows;
or (3) the contract or transaction is fair as
to the College as of the time it is authorized,
approved or ratified, by the Board of Governors
or the Fellows. Interested Governors may be counted
in determining the presence of a quorum at a
meeting of the Board of Governors which authorizes
the contract or transaction.
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ARTICLE IV
- Committees of the Board of Governors
Section
4.1. - The Executive Committee of the Board of
Governors.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors
shall consist of the President, the President-Elect,
the Past President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.
The Executive Committee shall have the powers,
duties, and responsibilities which are assigned
to and inherent in the Board of Governors. The
Committee may meet between any meeting of the
Board and may take any action which the Board
may take. The Committee is accountable to the
Board, and all actions taken by the Committee
are subject to ratification by the Board at its
next regularly scheduled meeting. A simple majority
of the members of the committee constitutes a
quorum for any action to be taken. Any action
by the Committee requires a simple majority vote
unless otherwise noted in the bylaws.
A meeting of the Committee may be called by either
the President or by a simple majority of the
members of the Committee. Meetings of the Committee
may be held at a meeting with personal attendance
or by telephone conference.
Section
4.1.1
At least 51% of the Executive Committee shall
be dual Degree Fellows as defined in Section
1.2.
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Section
4.2. - Appointment and Powers.
The Board of Governors may from time to time,
by resolution passed by a majority of the whole
Board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of one or more governors.
The Board of Governors may designate one or more
Governors as alternate members of any committee,
who may replace any absent or disqualified members
at any meeting of the committee. The resolution
of the Board of Governors may, in addition or
alternatively, provide that in the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee,
the member or members thereof present at any
meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether
or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously
appoint another member of the Board of Governors
to act at the meeting in the place of any such
absent or disqualified member. Any such committee,
to the extent provided in the resolution of the
Board of Governors, shall have and may exercise
all the powers and authority of the Board of
Governors in the management of the business and
affairs of the College, and may authorize the
seal of the College to be affixed to all papers
which may require it, except as otherwise provided
by Law. Any such committee may adopt rules governing
the method of calling and time and place of holding
its meetings. Unless otherwise provided by the
Board of Governors, a majority of any such committee
(or the member thereof, if only one) shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business, and
the vote of the majority of the members of such
committee present at a meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be the act of such committee.
Each such committee shall keep a record of its
acts and proceedings and shall report thereon
to the Board of Governors whenever requested
to do so. Any or all members of any such committee
may be removed, with or without cause, by resolution
of the Board of Governors, passed by a majority
of the whole Board.
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ARTICLE V -
Officers, Agents and Employees
Section
5.1. - Election and Term of Office.
The officers of the College shall include a President,
a President-Elect, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
The term of office for all such officers shall
be one year. All such officers, except the President,
shall be elected by the Fellows-of-the-College
at their annual meeting. Nominations for all
offices, except that of the President, shall
be made by the Nominating Committee. And, in
addition, nominations may be made by any Fellow
at the annual meeting. All candidates for office
shall be Governors of the College, or shall have
been Fellows-of-the-College in good standing
for a minimum of five (5) years. All officers
of the American College of Legal Medicine, not
elected members of the Board of Governors, shall
be ex officio members of the Board with voting
privileges.
Section
5.2. - Appointed Office.
Except as may be prescribed otherwise in these
bylaws, the Board of Governors may appoint, and
may delegate power to appoint, such other officers,
agents and employees as it may deem necessary
or proper, who shall hold their offices or positions
for such terms, have such authority and perform
such duties as may from time to time be determined
by or pursuant to authorization of the Board
of Governors.
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Section
5.3. - Resignation and Removal.
Any officer may resign at any time upon written
notice to the College. Any officer or committee
member may be removed from office for cause by
a three-fourths majority of the whole Board of
Governors or by a two-thirds majority of the
Fellows present and voting at a meeting or the
Fellows specifically called for that purpose.
Any agent or employee of the College may be removed
by the Board of Governors or by a duly authorized
committee thereof, with or without cause at any
time. Such removal shall be without prejudice
to a person’s contract rights, if any,
but the appointment of any person as an officer,
agent or employee of the College shall not of
itself create contract rights.
Section
5.4. - Bonding.
The College may secure the fidelity of any or
all of its officers, agents or employees by bond
or otherwise.
Section
5.5. - President.
The President shall be the chief executive officer
of the College and shall succeed to and occupy
that office for a period of one year, immediately
after having served a term during the prior year
as President-Elect. He shall preside at all meetings
of the members and of the Board of Governors.
He shall have general charge of the business
and affairs of the College according to the customary
rights and prerogatives attached to the office
and the policies established by the Board. He
may employ and discharge employees and agents
of the College, except such as shall be appointed
by the Board of Governors, and he may delegate
these powers.
Section
5.6. - President-Elect.
The President-Elect shall assist the President
in the administration of the affairs of the College
and shall preside in the absence of the President.
The President-Elect shall, at the end of his
term, automatically succeed to the office of
President, without the necessity of election
to that office.
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Section
5.7. - Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds
and securities of the College. He shall invest
and reinvest such funds upon the direction of
the Board of Governors, he shall endorse the
funds and securities for deposit or collection
when necessary and deposit the same to the credit
of the College in such banks or depositories
as the
Board of Governors may authorize. He shall pay
all bills authorized to be paid by the Board
of Governors or by those who have been given
the authority by the Board of Governors. He shall
sign all checks and keep a record of all financial
transactions. He may endorse all commercial documents
requiring endorsements for or on behalf of the
College and may sign all receipts and vouchers
for payments made to the College. He shall cause
an annual audit to be conducted to the books
and records of the College and shall prepare
periodic reports to the Board of Governors and
an annual report at the annual meeting of Fellows.
He shall have all such further powers and duties
as generally are incident to the position of
Treasurer or as may be assigned to him by the
President or the Board of Governors.
Section
5.8. - Secretary.
The Secretary shall maintain and preserve the
records of the College. He shall record or cause
to be recorded all the proceedings of the meetings
of the members and Governors in a book to be
kept for that purpose and shall also record thereon
all action taken by written consent of the members
or Governors in lieu of a meeting. He shall attend
to the giving and serving of all notices of the
College. He shall have custody of the seal of
the College, if any, and shall attest the same
by his signature whenever required. He shall
make regular reports to the Board of Governors
on the activities and functioning of the College
and shall have all such further powers and duties
as generally are incident to the position of
Secretary or as may be assigned to him by the
President or the Board of Governors.
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Section
5.9. - AMA Delegates.
The number of Delegates and Alternate Delegates
from the College to the House of Delegates of
the American Medical Association (AMA) is established
by the AMA and is contingent upon approval of
the ACLM according to the then rules of the AMA.
(a) The Delegate(s) and the Alternate Delegate(s)
from the College to the AMA House of Delegates:
(1) shall be Fellows-of-the-College,
(2) shall be and have been members of the
AMA in good standing for at least two (2)
years prior to their nomination,
(3) shall be nominated by the Nominating
Committee or by any Fellow at the annual
meeting, and
(4) shall be elected by a majority of the
Fellows present and eligible to vote at
said meeting.
(b) The Delegate(s) and the Alternate Delegate(s)
shall serve for a term of two (2) years and
shall assume office on January 1 of the year
succeeding the election.
(c) The Delegate(s) and/or the Alternate Delegate(s)
shall act as the representative(s) of the
College to the AMA House of Delegates and
will attend all meetings, caucuses, special
meetings of the House, and discharge all duties
requested by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
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Section
5.10. - AMA Specialty and Service Society (SSS).
In the event that Article V, Section 5.9 is voided
by action of the AMA then the President with
the approval of the Executive Committee may appoint
a representative as per the rules of the AMA.
(a) the Delegate and the Alternate from the
College to the AMA Specialty and Service Society:
(1) shall be Fellows-of-the-College
(2) shall be and have been members of the
AMA in good standing for at least two (2)
years prior to their nomination,
(3) shall be nominated by the Nominating
Committee or any Fellow at the annual meeting,
and shall be elected by a majority of the
fellows present and eligible to vote at
said meeting.
(4) if in the interim between fellow meetings
a vacancy occurs it shall be filled by
the President with the approval of the
Executive Committee.”
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ARTICLE VI
- Indemnification
Section
6.1. - Indemnification of Governors, Officers,
Employees and Agents.
Any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceedings, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(including any action or suit by or in the right
of the College to procure a judgment in its favor)
by reason of the fact that he is or was Governor,
officer, employee or agent of the College, or
is or was serving at the request of the College
as a Governor, office, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, shall be indemnified by
the College against expenses (including attorney’s
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with the defense or settlement of such action,
suit or proceeding. Any indemnification expressly
provided by statute in a specific case shall
not be deemed exclusive of other rights to which
any person indemnified may be entitled under
these bylaws or any other lawful agreement, vote
of disinterested Governors or otherwise, both
as to action in his official capacity and as
to action in another capacity while holding such
office, and shall continue as to a person who
has ceased to be Governor, officer, employee
or agent and inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.
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ARTICLE
VII -
Councils, Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees
Section
7.1. - Council Composition and Terms.
All council chairs shall be members of the Executive
Committee excluding the President. All committee,
council, task force and project chairs shall
be recommended by the President and approved
by at least three of the remaining members of
the Executive Committee other than the President.
All chairs and members shall serve a one-year
term. There shall be four Councils: Services, Education, Membership, and Ways and Means.
All Council Chairs shall report to the President.
Standing committees assigned to councils are
as follows:
Services Council
Directory and Website Committee
Marketing and Public Relations Committee
Publications Committee
Education Council
Education and Professional Development Committee
Student Awards Committee
Membership Council
Honorary Fellowship and Gold Medal Committee
Membership and Credentials Committee
Nominating Committee
Ways and Means Council
Bylaws and Resolutions Committee
Ethics Committee
Finance Committee
Except as otherwise herein provided, committee
members may be appointed from all classes of
membership. Fellows of the College shall serve
as chair of all committees.
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Section
7.2. - Committee Composition and Terms.
All committee members shall be appointed by the
President and shall serve, unless otherwise provided,
for terms of one year or as set out in the charge
to the committee. Except as otherwise herein
provided, committee members may be appointed
from all classes of membership. Fellows or Members
of the College shall serve as chair of all standing
committees. All committees shall report to a
designated council.
Section
7.3. - Definitions.
Standing Committee - An ongoing committee
with a charge defined in general terms by the
Bylaws with appointments of members lasting one
year. Those eligible to be chair shall be Fellows
of the College. All chairs shall be appointed
by the President and approved by the Executive
Committee.
Subcommittee - A selected group formed
from the members of a standing committee to carry
out a specific task in the charge of the committee
as assigned by the committee chair, the Executive
Committee or Board.
Ad Hoc Committee or Task Force - A committee
appointed for a special or unique purpose for
a limited term to accomplish a specific assignment
outside the charge of the standing committees.
Chair of ad hoc committees or task forces should
be any member in good standing. All chairs shall
be appointed by the President and approved by
the Executive Committee and shall serve a term
not to exceed one year.
Project - The assigned work of any standing
committee, ad hoc committee or task force of
the College wherein the duration of the activity
exceeds one month.
Councils - The organizations providing
direct oversight of assigned standing committees,
subcommittees, ad hoc committees and task forces.
The councils are: Services, Education, Membership,
and Ways and Means. Councils are chaired by members
of the Executive Committee, appointed by the
President and approved by the majority of the
Executive Committee other than the President.
Councils are responsible for reporting on activity
of their assigned committees, subcommittees,
ad hoc committees and task forces to the Executive
Committee and Board.
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Section
7.4. - Membership and Credentials
Committee.
The committee shall consist of three or more
members, at least one of whom shall have served
as a member of the committee during the previous
year. The committee shall review the qualifications
of applicants for membership in all categories
except Honorary Fellowship and shall recommend
those candidates found to be qualified for membership,
or changes in membership category except Honorary
Fellowship for approval by the Board of Governors.
The committee shall also identify and implement
methods of promoting membership in the College.
Section
7.5 - Honorary Fellowship and Gold Medal Committee.
The committee shall be three or more members
appointed by the President and approved by the
Executive Committee. The chair shall be a Past
President of the College. The committee shall
receive recommendations from the membership of
ACLM for Honorary Fellow. Any person of outstanding
reputation in the field of legal medicine is
eligible. Nominations are made by a majority
of the committee members via written ballot prior
to the recommendation to the Board of the ACLM.
Honorary Fellowship shall be conferred with at
least two-thirds of the Board present and voting
in favor the nominations(s).
In addition, the committee shall receive recommendations
for recipients of the Gold medal of the American
College of Legal medicine to be awarded at the
annual banquet. Candidates shall be members who
have provided outstanding and distinguished service
to the American College of Legal Medicine. Each
year the committee may nominate one or more members
for Gold Medalist.
The recommendations shall be made by members
of the College. The nominations must be made
by a majority of the committee. The endorsed
recommendations become nominations of the committee.
The nominations of the committee shall be forwarded
for consideration at the mid-year meeting of
the Board of Governors. Gold medals shall be
conferred with at least two-thirds of the Board
of Governors present and voting in favor of the
committee nominations(s). The award(s) shall
be presented at the next annual meeting banquet.
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Section
7.6. - Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.
The Bylaws and Resolutions Committee shall consist
of three or more members, all of whom must be
Fellows of the College. At least one of the members
shall be a member of the Board of Governors,
and at least one shall have served as a member
of the committee during the previous year. The
committee shall review the Bylaws of the College
annually and recommend amendments when necessary
or advisable. The committee shall review and
recommend appropriate action on all resolutions
or petitions of policy submitted for approval
by the members of the College. The submission
and handling of such resolutions or petitions
shall be in accordance with the procedural rules
established by the Board of Governors.
Section
7.7. - Education and Professional Development
Committee.
This committee shall consist of three or more
members, at least one of whom shall have been
a member of the committee during the previous
year. The committee shall oversee the scientific
program of the Annual Convocation and other educational
programs of the College. The committee shall
develop, supervise and study suggestions and
plans for improving the application of dual medical-legal
training to society and to interprofessional
relations. The committee shall plan, direct and
administer the educational activities of the
College, subject, however, to the directives
and limitations set down by the Board of Governors.
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Section
7.8. - Nominating Committee.
The College Nominating Committee shall be composed of the immediate past-president, two sitting members (non-officers) of the Board of Governors and two active Fellows who have never been an officer or member of the BOG. The immediate past-president shall serve as committee chair. The two sitting governors shall be elected by closed ballet at the mid-year Board meeting and they shall serve a term of one year. The two active Fellows shall be appointed by the current sitting President. No member of the Nominating Committee may be nominated to any office during his/her term on the Nominating Committee.
Section
7.9. - Finance Committee.
The Finance Committee shall consist of at least
three members. One of the members shall be a
member of the Board of Governors and at least
one individual who was a member of the committee
during the previous year. The committee shall
prepare a proposed budget for each fiscal year
and shall review the financial condition of the
corporation with the Treasurer periodically.
The committee shall be available for consultation
with the President and/or the Treasurer.
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Section
7.10. - Student Awards Committee.
The Student Awards Committee shall consist of
at least three members, all of whom shall be
Fellows. The committee shall receive and review
all papers and/or written briefs submitted for
such competition awards and shall, by majority
vote, unless prescribed otherwise by the Board,
recommend to the Board of Governors of the College
and appropriate third parties the winners in
each category of award.
Section
7.11. - Publications Committee.
The Publications Committee shall coordinate existing
publications of the College, set publications
policy and serve as liaison between the Board
of Governors and present and future publishers
of printed or electronic books, directories,
journals and other publications of, by, and for
the College. It shall advise the Board of Governors
on publications policy and perform any other
publication related activities delegated to the
committee by the Board of Governors.
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Section
7.12. - Directory and Website Committee.
The Directory and Website Committee shall consist
of five or more members, at least one member
of whom shall have previously served as a member
of the committee (following the year after its
formation). The Chair of the committee shall
be a Fellow of the College. The committee shall
be made up of members appointed by the President
who may be recommended by the committee Chair.
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Section
7.13. - Marketing and Public Relations Committee.
The Marketing and Public Relations Committee
shall consist of at least three members. The
Chair of the committee shall be a Fellow of the
College, one of the members shall be a member
of the Board of Governors, and at least one individual
who was a member of the committee during the
previous year (following the year after its formation).
The committee shall prepare a proposed annual
marketing and public relations plan with a focus
on promoting membership in the College. The plan
shall include an annual budget and impact with
goals and objectives. The plan is to be presented
to the Treasurer, Finance Committee and Executive
Committee 120 days in advance of the annual meeting
for consideration and comment. The marketing
plan shall be considered and voted upon at the
annual meeting of the Board. The marketing plan
budget will be considered as part of the annual
budget of the College.
Section
7.14. - Ethics Committee.
The Ethics Committee shall consist of at least
three Fellows or Members of the College. The
Chair of the Committee shall be a Fellow of the
College, one of the Members shall be a member
of the Board of Governors, and at least one member
who was a member of the committee during the
previous year (following the year after its formation).
Subject to the approval of the Board of Governors,
the Committee shall research, assess, establish
and publish the American College of Legal Medicine’s
position on current, relevant ethical issues
in health law.
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ARTICLE
VIII - Finance
Section
8.1. - Budget.
The proposed budget for the forthcoming fiscal
year shall be prepared by the Finance Committee
and shall anticipate all necessary expenses of
the College. The Finance Committee shall submit
the proposed budget for the approval of the Board
of Governors prior to the first day of the forthcoming
fiscal year.
Section
8.2. - Fiscal year.
The fiscal year of the College for tax and accounting
purposes shall be the period from January 1 through
the following December 31.
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ARTICLE
IX - Disciplinary Procedure
Section
9.1. - Judicial Council.
The Judicial Council shall be composed of five
members, all of whom shall be Fellows-of-the-College.
The Chair of the Judicial Council shall be appointed
by the President each year from among the members
of the Council. One member of the Judicial Council
shall be nominated each year by the President
for appointment by the Board of Governors for
a term of five years, provided that, upon the
adoption of these bylaws, the President shall
nominate the names of five members for approval
by the Board of Governors and the Board shall
designate the term to be served by each. The
President shall appoint a new member to fill
an unexpired term of a member who has died, resigned
or been removed, and the new member shall serve
for a period which will complete such unexpired
term.
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Section
9.2. - Censure, Suspension or Expulsion of Members.
The Judicial Council shall hear and determine
all disciplinary questions brought before it
according to the procedures adopted in these
bylaws. The Judicial Council shall review every
complaint brought against a member of the College.
The Council shall recommend to the Board of Governors
the censure, suspension, or expulsion of a member
of the College if the Council in its sole discretion
determined that any of the following acts have
occurred:
(a) Expulsion from membership of the American
Medical Association, the Canadian Medical
Association, the American Bar Association,
or the Canadian Bar Association; or
(b) Revocation or suspension of a license
to practice medicine or disbarment from the
practice of law; or
(c) Conviction in a court of law of an offense
involving moral turpitude; or
(d) Failure to abide by these bylaws; or
(e) Conduct which is detrimental to the interests
of the College or the practice of Legal Medicine.
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Section
9.3. - Right to Petition for a Hearing.
Any member of the College may file with the Judicial
Council a written petition of complaint requesting
a hearing before the Judicial Council on any
matter which constitutes grounds for the censure,
suspension, or expulsion of any member of the
College.
Section
9.4. - Investigation.
The Judicial Council shall investigate every
complaint. The Council shall determine whether
or not it shall have a formal hearing on each
matter.
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Section
9.5. - Notice.
The Judicial Council shall, by registered mail,
postmarked at least thirty (30) days prior to
a formal hearing and mailed to the last known
address of each person, notify all parties concerned
or involved in the complaint. Such notice shall
include the particulars of the complaint and
the date, time, and location of the hearing.
Section
9.6. - Hearing.
Hearings shall be conducted by the Chair of the
Judicial Council sitting with at least two other
members of the Judicial Council. The hearing
shall be conducted under rules of procedure which
shall have been adopted by the Judicial Council.
A copy of such rules shall be made available
to all parties involved. Each party shall have
the right to be represented by counsel at his
own expense. Should any party fail to appear
at a hearing without good and sufficient cause
as determined in the discretion of the Judicial
Council, the Judicial Council may consider the
matter and take any action which it deems necessary
or advisable based upon the evidence before it.
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Section
9.7. - Decision of the Judicial Council.
The findings of fact in all cases as determined
by the Judicial Council shall be final. In all
cases where the Council determines that there
are insufficient grounds to uphold the complaint,
the decision of the Judicial Council shall be
final. The findings of fact and recommendations
of the Judicial Council shall be submitted to
the Board of Governors.
Section
9.8. - Action by the Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors at its next meeting following
receipt of the written opinion of the Judicial
Council shall consider the exercise final authority
as to the disposition of all cases in which the
Judicial Council recommends censure, suspension,
or expulsion of a member. In cases where the
Board of Governors fails to find sufficient grounds
to uphold the decision of the Judicial Council
recommending censure, suspension, or expulsion
of a member, the Board of Governors shall order
the Secretary of the College to continue such
member’s status as one in good standing.
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ARTICLE X
- Seal
Section
10.1. - Seal.
The seal of the College shall bear as a central
figure the scales of justice supported by the
Staff of Aesculapius with a single serpent wrapped
about it and shall also bear the corporate name.
The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any
other manner reproduced. The seal shall be kept
in the custody of the College.
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ARTICLE
XI - Waiver of Notice, Parliamentary Authority,
and Proxy Voting
Section
11.1. - Waiver of Notice.
Whenever notice is required to be given by statute,
or under any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver
thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein,
shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance
of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver
of notice of such meeting, except when the person
attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting, at the beginning of the meeting to
the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the
business to be transacted at, nor the purpose
of any regular or special meeting of the Fellows,
Board of Governors, or members of a committee
of Governors need be specified in any written
waiver of notice.
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Section
11.2. - Parliamentary Authority.
The official parliamentary authority for all meetings of the College shall be Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure. No provision of parliamentary procedure shall be effective if such provision is in violation of these bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or the Laws of the State of Delaware. The annual meeting of Fellows or of the Board of Governors may, by unanimous consent, grant any motion, action, or request even though inconsistent with accepted parliamentary procedure. However, no motion, action, or request shall be valid if in violation of these bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or the Laws of the State of Delaware. The presiding officer at any meeting may appoint a parliamentarian.
Section
11.3. - Proxy Voting.
No voting by proxy shall be permitted in the
conduct of the business of the College or at
any of the Fellows-of-the-College, Board of Governors
or any of the committees.
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ARTICLE XII
- Code of Ethics
Section
12.1. - Code of Ethics.
The Principles of Medical Ethics of the American
Medical Association, the Principals of Ethics
of the American Dental Association and the Code
of Professional Responsibility and the Canons
of Judicial Ethics of the American Bar Association
shall constitute the governing Code of Ethics
applicable to all members where appropriate of
the corporation practicing within the United
States. Equivalent applicable codes of ethics
shall govern members practicing outside the United
States.
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ARTICLE
XIII - Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc.
Section
13.1. - Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc.
Checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, bills of
exchange and other orders or obligations for
the payment of money shall be signed by the Treasurer
and countersigned by the President, Secretary
or Executive Director or other person as the
Board of Governors may designate from time to
time.
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ARTICLE
XIV - Amendments
Section
14.1. - Amendments of the Bylaws.
The bylaws may only be amended at the annual
meeting of the Fellows-of-the-College or at a
meeting of the Fellows specifically called for
that purpose in either of two ways:
(a) by a two-thirds majority of the Fellows
present and voting, if the proposed change
in the bylaws has been approved by a two-thirds
majority of those present and voting in any
meeting of the Board of Governors held within
six (6) months preceding the annual meeting
of the Fellows; or
(b) by a three-quarters majority of the Fellows
present and voting.
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ARTICLE
XV - Miscellaneous
Section
15.1. - Grandfather Clause.
No change shall occur in the status of any member
or Fellow of the corporation who is in good standing
at the time of the adoption of these bylaws solely
by reason of their adoption, any provision of
these bylaws to the contrary notwithstanding.
Section
15.2. - Administrative Procedure.
The Board of Governors shall adopt procedure
rules necessary or convenient to carry out any
provision of the Certificate of Incorporation
or of these bylaws and shall record and edit
such rules in a “Handbook of Administrative
Procedures of the College” for distribution
to members.
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