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School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Medical Center

WISDM

Bylaws

Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University Women In Science, Dentistry, and Medicine Faculty Organization

Revised and approved 11/2010

ARTICLE I: Purpose

  1. To support and promote the career development of women faculty in the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
  2. To promote scientific and teaching excellence in women faculty of the School of Medicine.
  3. To increase the representation, participation and leadership of women in the organizational structure of the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and its standing committees.
  4. To promote equity for women with regard to faculty status, salary, and promotion and tenure.
  5. To promote the development and enhancement of leadership skills, networking opportunities and career development.
  6. To facilitate communication and networking among women in medicine and dentistry at the undergraduate, post-graduate, and faculty levels.
  7. To provide mentorship and support for women housestaff, faculty, and medical, dental and graduate students.
  8. To eliminate sex discrimination and sexual harassment at all levels.
  9. To create and promote a positive and healthy work environment for women.
  10. To sponsor and support high-quality faculty development opportunities for all faculty within the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
  11. To build a supportive community for women, from both within and outside the institution.

ARTICLE II: Membership

  1. Membership in this organization is open to those who meet the qualifications for membership, pay the membership fees as determined by the organization, and comply with these bylaws.
  2. There will be three categories of members:
    MEMBERS:
    1. Members:  All women faculty, students, housestaff, fellows, and post-docs in the VCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry are considered members of WISDM and invited and encouraged to participate in any and all events and meetings.  Our male colleagues are welcome to participate in our professional development programs, as well. 
    2. Sustaining Members:  Any faculty member, student, housestaff, fellow, post-doc, retired faculty, alumni, or interested colleague at the VCU Medical Center who pays an annual contribution to sustain and support our various programs is a sustaining member.  Fees are requested and collected each academic year, July 1- June 30th. 
    3. Charter/Lifetime Members:  Any faculty member, student, housestaff, fellow, post-doc, retired faculty, alumni, or interested colleague at the VCU Medical Center who pays the one-time contribution to sustain and support our various programs is a lifetime member. 
  3. Fees are requested, set and collected each academic year.
  4. The MCV Women in Medicine organization may reprimand or expel any member for conduct which is determined to be detrimental to the best interests of the organization. Such action shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the executive council. The member against whom such action is taken shall be afforded the opportunity to be heard according to reasonable procedures established by the council.

ARTICLE III: Officers

  1. The Officers of the organization shall be President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Treasurer and Secretary. No person may be elected to more than one office concurrently.
  2. Nominations for slates of officers shall be proposed by the Nominating Committee.
  3. The officers shall be elected by ballot of the members. Term of office shall be two years with the right of renewal for one additional term.
  4. Duties of the officers:
    Section 1. Past-President

    The duties of the Past-President shall include (1) serving as an advisor to the officers and the Executive Council (2) serving as a voting member of the Executive Council, and (3) serving as Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.

    Section 2. President

    The President shall manage and direct the overall functioning of the organization. The specific duties of the president shall include (1) serving as Chairperson of the Executive Council, (2) presiding at the general business portion of all meetings, (3) calling special meetings as needed, (4) appointing members to the Nominating Committee and to special ad hoc committees as needed, (5) filling any vacancy that arises on the Council with the approval of the Executive Council, (6) presenting an Annual report to the membership at the spring meeting with subsequent publication of this report in the Newsletter, and (7) assuring that incoming Officers and Chairpersons are properly oriented.

    Section 3. President-Elect

    The president-elect shall (1) serve as a voting member of the Executive Council and (2) assist the President and act in the President's absence.

    Section 4. Secretary

    The duties of the Secretary shall include (1) taking and keeping all minutes of the Executive Council and of the business portion of all general meetings, (2) keeping reports on file when appropriate, (3) handling the correspondence of the group, (4) notifying members of the Executive Council of meeting dates, and (5) maintaining the archives of the association.

    Section 5. Treasurer

    The duties of the Treasurer shall include (1) handling all funds of the organization, (2) paying all bills, (3) keeping accounts of all expenditures and receipts of the group, (4) making monthly status reports to the Executive Council, and (5) submitting an annual written report of the budget to the Executive Council and to the membership at the general spring meeting.

ARTICLE IV: Executive Council

  1. The Executive Council will consist of the following:
    • The Officers of the organization
    • The Chairpersons of all the committees
    • Women in Medicine Student Organization (WIMSO) Faculty Advisor
    • Women in Science (WIS) Faculty Advisor
    • Student Delegates (one elected representative from both medical student body (WIMSO) and graduate student body (WIS)
    • Housestaff Delegates (maximum of 2 representatives)
    • Members at Large: maximum of 6 elected members at large
    • Ex-officio (non-voting) members of the Executive Council shall include the Women's Liaison Officer (WLO) to the AAMC, the Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women and Minorities, and the Associate Dean for Professional Instruction and Development.
  2. All members of the Executive Council, except as noted, are entitled to vote on matters that come before the council.

ARTICLE V: Committees of the organization

  1. Membership on committees is open to all members, regardless of membership status. However, all committee chairs shall be Full Members of the organization. Committee chairs are appointed by the president and serve a one-year term of office. Chairs may be relieved of their positions at the discretion of the president, with concurrence of the Executive Council. Committee members shall be entitled to vote on matters that come before the committee.
    1. Membership Committee: This committee shall maintain the roster of members, and recruit new members.
    2. Newsletter Committee: This committee shall write, edit, publish and circulate our organizational newsletter.
    3. Nominating Committee: This committee shall recruit potential candidates to serve as officers of the organization.
    4. Professional Development and Programming Committee: This committee shall plan and direct any yearly activities, including professional development functions, the annual meeting, and any others as decided upon by the Executive Council.
  2. At any later date and time, the Executive Council may vote to establish new committees or abolish old committees in ways that further the best interests of the organization.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings

  1. Meetings shall be scheduled at the discretion of the Executive Council. There shall be no less than six meetings per year.
  2. All meetings shall be open to all organization members and their guests. The dates will be published in advance on the organization's website.

ARTICLE VII: Elections

  1. Nominees for Officers of the Executive Council will be solicited in the spring of every other year. Candidates will be presented to the general membership by ballot in the spring of every even numbered year. Elections will be held by email. Three to six weeks shall be allowed between the mailing of ballots and the determination of election results. Terms of office shall begin on August 1 following the election.

ARTICLE VIII: Amendment of the Bylaws

An amendment of these bylaws may be proposed by majority vote of the Executive Council, or by written petition of 20 or more members in good standing. The proposed amendments, with an attached ballot, shall be sent by mail to all members in good standing. Approval shall require an affirmative vote by a majority of the members voting. At least three weeks shall be allowed between the mailing of the ballots and the determination of the election results. Proposed amendments will be considered by the organization within the same academic year if submitted by April 1 of that year. Bylaws amendments may be added to the election ballots in even-numbered years.

ARTICLE IX: Ratification of these bylaws

These bylaws shall become effective when approved by a majority of the organization's members voting. Bylaws shall be given to all new members of the Executive Council on a yearly basis. Changes in the bylaws should be considered by the Executive Council before submission to the general membership.

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