Constitution

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the National Capital Area Branch- American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (NCAB-AALAS).

Article II: Affiliation

This branch is affiliated with the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, herein referred to as AALAS, a national non-profit educational association of persons and institutions professionally concerned with the production, care, and study of laboratory animals used in research.

Article III: Objectives

The objectives of this organization shall be to:

1. Promote the aims and interest of AALAS at the branch level.
2. Sponsor training courses, workshops, and seminars. Provide public outreach information on the use of animals in research.
3. Promote exchange of information between persons working in the field of laboratory animal science and cooperate with other local branches for the same purpose.
4. Promote improvements in the care and humane use of laboratory animals.
5. Recognize outstanding persons in the field of laboratory animal science.
6. Provide current information on laboratory animal science to its members, other branches, AALAS and any intruded members if the general public, news media o governmental organizations.
7. Support other local branches and non-profit organizations with similar goals.

Article IV: Membership

1. Individual membership in the NCAB-AALAS shall be open to:
   • Any person interested in the care, improvement and use of laboratory animals is eligible for membership in the National Capital Area Branch of AALAS.
   • Any person in the National Capital Area obtain gin AALAS certification as an Assistant Technician, Technician, or Technologist or Certified Manager of Animal Resources will be given on year of free membership in the Branch when presenting appropriate documentation within 6 months of receipt.
2. Honorary life membership shall be bestowed upon an individual contributing significantly to the NCAB-AALAS by unanimous approval of the Council.
3. Institutional membership shall be open to an organization supporting the objectives of the NCAB-AALAS and paying the annual membership dues. Institutional members are comprised of educational or research facilities/institutions, government or civilians, whose interests can be promoted or aided by the interaction within the NCAB-AALAS scientific/educational organization.

The privilege of membership may be withdrawn for cause by majority vote of the Council.

Article V: Voting Power

The privilege of voting shall be vested only in members on good standing.

Article VI: Officers

The officers of the organization shall be a President, Immediate Past President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom must be members of the NCAB-AALAS in good standing. These officers are to be elected by the membership.

Article VII: Council

The governing body of the NCAB-AALAS shall be the council, composed of the President, the Immediate Past President, the President-Elect, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Chairpersons of the standing committees, the District 3 AALAS trustees, and two members appointed at large. In the event of a vacancy among the appointed Council members, the Council call name an interim appointee to serve during the unexpired term. The council shall have the power, except as provided otherwise by this Constitution, to fill at interim any vacancies that may occur among the Branch officers. Officers appointed at interim shall serve only until the next regular election. The Council shall conduct all affairs of the organization. All Council members must be member in good standing during their term in office.

Article VIII: Terms of Office

1. The president-elect serves for three year obligation: President-Elect, President and Past-President. Each term is one year.
2. The Secretary shall be elected for a two-year term and shall be eligible for no more than two consecutive terms.
3. The Treasurer shall be elected for a three-year term, first year is a year in training with the existing treasurer and the final two with full treasurer duties. They shall be eligible for no more than two consecutive terms.

Article IX: Election by Ballot

1. At a general meeting which shall be held during the month of August/September, the slate of the Nominating Committee, consisting of two candidates per office, shall be placed on the ballot.
2. The election of the officers shall be conducted by ballot. The ballot shall be provided to all eligible voting members by October 1st. Ballots will be provided either at the Annual Seminar or by mail. Ballots must be post marked for return by October 31st.
3. The Nominations Committee, chaired by the Past-President, shall receive and tally all ballots by November 15th.
4. The candidate for each who receives the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. The officers chosen shall take office on the following January 1st.

Article X: Quorums

1. A simple majority of members in good standing, present (or voting), shall constitute a quorum for the consideration of business at any general meeting of the Branch.
2. For changes in the Constitution and By-Laws, one-third of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum, with a period allowed for the return of ballots postmarked within 30 days. If a return of the ballots from less than one-third members of the members is received the business will go to a vote by Council by quorum. This applies to all business with the exception of the election by ballot as described in Article IX above.
3. At any meeting of the Council, two-thirds of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.

Article XI: By-Laws

The Branch shall establish By-Laws and many amend them form time-to-time as herein provided.

Article XII: Amendments

An amendment to the Constitution may be proposed by four members of the Council or by at least ten members of the Branch and shall be filed in writing with the Secretary. The proposed amendments shall be considered at the next scheduled meeting of the Branch. If approved by a majority of the members present and voting, a copy shall be sent by the Secretary to each member of the Branch, together with a ballot and an abstract of the discussion. An amendment shall be considered adopted if it received an affirmative vote of a simple majority of the members voting, provided that at least one-third of the membership shall vote on the amendment within 30 days. An amendment shall become effective immediately upon adoption.

Back to Top