NAPHF Bylaws

SECTION I - NAME

The name of this organization should be called the North American Public Health Forum (NAPHF). It will be referred to as the forum in this Bylaw.

SECTION II - PURPOSE

The mission of the forum is to serve as a resource, platform, and network to increase communication among Chinese public health scholars, to provide professional support and assist young researchers in career development, to further improve networking and collaboration among public health arena.

SECTION III - MEMBERSHIP

Members - Any person who subscribes to the purpose and aims of the organization shall be eligible to become a member. All full members shall be in good standing or otherwise shall be required to resign at the request of the governing board. Full members shall have the right to vote or to hold elective offices. Membership shall be open to all Chinese public health scholars regardless of age, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

SECTION IV - OFFICERS

A. The officers of this organization shall be the governing body known as the Board of Directors. The Board will consist of twelve members democratically elected from among the full membership. The Board will then elect its own officers for positions that they deem necessary to accomplish the work of the Board. All members of the Board shall have one vote.

B. Voting for the twelve-member Board of Directors is open to the full membership of the organization.

C. Qualification of officers - All officers shall be full members in good standing and subscribe to the purpose and aims of the organization.

D. Term of office - Officers shall serve for a term of 2 years.

E. Vacancies in office - Vacancies occurring for any reason shall be filled by action of the governing body within one (1) month after notice of the vacancy is received. In that event, the Board will have the option of holding a special election or appointing a full member in good standing to fill the vacancy. Any officer who has failed to perform the duties of the office or performed contrary to the good of the organization shall be required to resign at the request of the governing board, and the position will be declared vacant.
 

SECTION V- BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Duties and Powers - The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs, set policy, and control the property of the organization. The twelve elected officers constitute the voting members of the Board.

A. Meetings- The Board shall meet at least four (4) times each year. The dates and locations of Board meetings will be determined by majority vote of the Board members voting.

B. Quorum - One-half of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION VI - STANDING COMMITTEES

Standing committees will be established and chaired by persons appointed by the Board. A list of standing committees shall periodically be published and made available to all voting members. The Chair may appoint such special committees and special assistants as may be appropriate.
 

SECTION VII - ELECTIONS

A. Ballots shall be prepared with the names of all full members in good standing serving as the official slate of candidates for the governing board. Members have an opt-out option, and can submit written notification if they do not wish to be listed on the ballots. The ballots shall be distributed to each member. Membership shall vote by choosing the names of twelve members. Ballots including names of non-members, ballots with fewer than twelve names, or ballots with more than five names circled will be declared invalid and not counted. In case of a tie, election will be taken until selection is made.

B. Elections shall be by majority vote. Voting may be conducted on site or by absentee voting, with each ballot placed in a sealed envelope. They will be opened, verified, and counted on election day.

C. The Board of Directors shall seek a volunteer in good standing from the general membership to tabulate the votes. The teller shall collect the ballots, conduct a tally of the ballots, and announce the results of the election.

D. If an election is not held at the beginning of the term for vacated offices, the elected officers shall serve the remainder of the term.

SECTION VIII - DUES

No dues will be collected from members. Any change in dues shall be proposed by the Board of Directors and voted upon by the full membership at the business meeting.

SECTION IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Except as herein provided, all proceedings of the organization shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order (Latest Edition).

SECTION X - AMENDMENTS

These bylaws are approved and may be amended by a majority of voting members in good standing. Method of voting will be determined by the Board of Directors of the organization.

SECTION XI - DISSOLUTION

This organization shall remain until it is dissolved.