Constitution

Article 1 – Name

This organization shall be known as the Society For Comparative Endocrinology.

Article 2 – Objectives

Section 1

To further scientific progress in comparative endocrinology, especially aspects concerning companion and domestic animals.

Section 2

To coordinate research in comparative endocrinology.

Section 3

To provide an organization for persons dedicated to research, teaching, or practice in the field of comparative endocrinology.

Section 4

To further education by:

1. 1. 1. Encouraging adequate training in comparative endocrinology
      2. Providing by means of meetings, seminars and courses, the opportunity to carry on advanced studies in  comparative endocrinology

Section 5

To encourage and promote improved method of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of endocrine diseases of animals.

Article 3 – Membership

Section 1

The types of membership shall be:

1. 1. Charter Member
   2. Member
   3. Honorary Member
   4. Life Member
   5. Deceased Member

Section 2

Qualifications for membership:

1. 1. Charter membership shall be for those veterinarians who qualify as members and who are active in the establishment of the organization.
   2. Membership shall be limited to those persons dedicated to research, teaching or practice in the field of comparative endocrinology and who the executive board of the Society For Comparative Endocrinology considers eligible as members because of their special contribution or training in endocrinology.
   3. Honorary membership shall be reserved for those who have made major contributions to the advancement of comparative endocrinology.  Honorary membership shall be approved by the executive board.  Honorary members shall not have the right to vote or hold office in the organization and shall not be required to pay the initial membership fee or annual dues.
   4. Life membership shall be reserved for any member in good standing who has reached the age of 65 years and who has been a member for 20 years. Any member who has retired from veterinary medicine may apply for life membership.  Each application shall be considered individually by the executive board.  A life member shall be exempt for paying dues.  It is the prerogative of the executive board to reinstate the individual to active membership
   5. Deceased membership shall include all types of membership and shall be listed for a period of five years.

Article 4 – Officers   

Section 1

The officers of the academy shall consist of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Section 2

The term of office shall be two (2) years.

Section 3

The secretary and treasurer may succeed themselves in office without limitation.

Section 4

The vice president shall become acting president to fill out the unexpired term if for any reason the president shall be unable to fulfill the duties of office.

Section 5

Other vacancies which might occur shall be filled by the executive board from qualified members.

Article 5 – Executive Board

Section 1

The executive board shall be composed of the officers, the immediate past president, two other qualified members elected at the annual meeting, and the president of the European Society for Veterinary Endocrinology (ESVE).  The president of the ESVE will be a non-voting SCE board member

Section 2

This board shall be the executive body of the society and shall have the responsibility of administering society affairs.

Article 6 – Meetings

Section 1

An annual meeting of the society shall be called by the executive board.

Section 2

Special meetings may be called by the president at his or her own direction.

Article 7 – Amendments

Proposed amendments to the constitution shall be signed by at least three (3) members on good standing and submitted to the executive board for its consideration.  The proposed amendment with the recommendation of the executive board will be announced to the membership at least sixty (60) days in advance of any regular or special meeting at which the proposed amendment may be discussed. An affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the membership present shall be required for the adoption of any amendment.

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the Society for Comparative Endocrinology

The Society for Comparative Endocrinology is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the Society shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Society shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Society shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Society shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the Society shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (1) by an organization exempt for federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon the dissolution of the Society, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Society is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

The following change in the constitution was discussed and voted upon at the Annual Business Meeting (Seattle, Washington, 2000):

It was decided that the Board will have the ability to vote on lifetime membership. Currently the Constitution states that a person must have been a member for 20 years to qualify, but the Society has not existed for that long.