Membrane Transport Bylaws
Article I
Purpose: The purpose of the Membrane Transport Subgroup is to foster the study of and communication about the biophysical mechanisms of permeation and transport of ions, small molecules, and biopolymers through membrane transport proteins across cell membranes.
Article II
Membership: Members of the Biophysical Society may join the Membrane Transport Subgroup; nonmembers of the Biophysical Society are welcome to attend Membrane Transport Subgroup symposia but are unable to join the Subgroup, serve as Officers of the Subgroup, or vote.
Article III
Meetings: Business meetings of the Subgroup membership shall be held in connection with or in close proximity to the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Biophysical Society. If any matters come up that require a vote at any time of year, Subgroup members can transact Subgroup business by a virtual vote. For virtual votes, decisions shall be made by two-thirds of the Subgroup members voting on the measure.
Article IV
Officers: The Subgroup will have a Chair, Vice-chair, and a Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have a one-year term as such, after which the Secretary-Treasurer will automatically become the Vice Chair and the Vice Chair will become the Chair. Thus, each Subgroup leader will serve for one year in each leadership position. These positions have the following responsibilities:
Chair & Vice Chair: Chair, with the help of Vice Chair will organize and conduct the annual Subgroup meeting; apprising the Biophysical Society of the activities and needs of the Subgroup; advising the Society on matters related to the Subgroup; promoting and overseeing the Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA) competition; communicating with the Society concerning meeting plans and public communications (flyers, announcements, newsletter reports, etc.); and participating in activities that benefit the Subgroup and Society. Responsible for the Subgroup meeting all deadlines established by the Subgroup Manager and monitoring all efforts that contribute to the Subgroup Report Card.
Secretary-Treasurer: Will work with the Society to manage Subgroup membership, budgets, keep up to date with financial information and sponsorships, and will work with the Chair to carry out necessary correspondence and other organizational tasks.
Article V
Eligibility for Office: Only members of the Membrane Transport subgroup may be elected to Subgroup leadership positions. If an elected officer does not become a member prior to the Annual Meeting where they would be taking office, the second runner-up candidate shall assume the position instead. The runner up must also be a BPS member and a member of the Subgroup in order to assume office. In order to serve as a regular Subgroup Officer, the member must be a Regular, Emeritus, or Early Career member of BPS. Graduate students/Postdocs can only serve if the Subgroup has a designated trainee position, in which case the position title will reflect the career stage of eligible members. Members may not be elected to the same position in the Subgroup more than once every five years.
Article VI
Elections: Elections must be held and concluded electronically two weeks prior to the Subgroup’s business meeting. The candidate for each office receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. In the case of a tie, the deadline will be extended for an extra three days. If the tie remains after three days, BPS staff will send out a new ballot with just the tied candidates to break the tie. The results will be announced to the Subgroup’s membership during the Subgroup’s Business Meeting. Officers will take office at the end of the annual Subgroup Business Meeting held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society. Interim vacancies in officers or councilors will be filled in accordance with Bylaw Article XVIII of the Biophysical Society.
Article VII
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will be responsible for fulfilling the scientific and business obligations of the group. The Executive Committee will consist of the Chair, Vice-chair, and Secretary-Treasurer. The affairs of the Subgroup shall be handled by the Officers in accordance with the policies determined by the Executive Committee and the Biophysical Society Council.
Article VIII
Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations from Subgroup membership and for preparing the final slate of candidates. The members of the Executive Committee shall constitute the Nominating Committee. Nominations can come from anyone, with self-nominations also permitted. Nominations will be received electronically no later than one month prior to the Subgroup’s Business Meeting. Nominees must accept their nomination prior to being placed on a ballot.
Article IX
Dissolution: The Membrane Transport subgroup must be in accordance with the Biophysical Society’s constitution and bylaws, mission, values, goals, and operational guidelines. If not, the group will be placed on probation and may be dissolved at the discretion of the Council of the Biophysical Society.
Article X
Amendments to the Bylaws: Amendments can be proposed by any member of the Membrane Transport Subgroup, approved by a two-thirds majority of the Subgroup’s Executive Committee, and be ratified in an electronic ballot by a majority of the members of the group voting.