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Southern Society for Clinical Investigation: Constitution, Bylaws, and Amendments
Southern Society for Clinical Investigation: Constitution, Bylaws, and Amendments
O
n October 10, 1946, representatives from twenty-three southern medical schools met at the Tulane University School of Medicine to discuss the wisdom of establishing a regional society devoted to the interests of clinical investigation. The meeting was the product of many factors, but the initial stimulus originated from earlier conversations among Dr. James A. Green of Houston, Dr. Thomas Findley of New Orleans, and Dr. Raymond L. Gregory of Galveston. This preliminary meeting resulted in the election of an organization committee charged with the duty of construction of a constitution for the Southern Society for Clinical Research and the selection of a Founders Group thereof. The organization committee consisted of Doctors Roy R. Kracke, R. H. Kampmeier, and Thomas Findley; it selected a Founders Group of 40 members. The first meeting of the Founders Group was held at Arnaud's Restaurant, New Orleans, on January 24, 1947, and the first scientific meeting on the following day in the Gold Room of the Roosevelt Hotel. Since then, the annual meeting has been held in New Orleans in conjunction with that of the Southern Section of the American Federation for Clinical Research, except in 1952, when the two meetings were held in Atlanta. The proceedings appeared in the American Journal of Medicine through 1959. Since 1960 they have appeared in Clinical Research. At the meeting of the Society on January 25,1963, a revised constitution was adopted and the name of the Society changed to the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. . In 1973, the Society made its first presentation of the Founders Medal. This medal is awarded annually to a member or former member of the Society who has made distinguished contributions to the conduct or furtherance of clinical investigation. The medal bears the likeness of Pierre Louis who first introduced statistical analysis of clinical experience ("the numerical method of Louis") and is considered the founder of modem clinical investigation (c.f. Am J Med Sci 1973;226:92). Although membership in the Society is limited to those actively engaged in research pertaining to clinical programs, the public is cordially invited to attend the scientific programs. Article 1: Name
The name of the Society shall be the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. 138
Article 2: Object
The object of the Society shall be the encouragement of research in the various medical sciences and the establishment of a forum from which new ideas may be presented to the medical profession at large. Notwithstanding the above object the Society is organized solely for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of 2501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). No part of the earnings of the Society shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Society shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Article. No substantial part of the activities of the Society shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the Society shall not participate in any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office. The Society shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under 2501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Article 3: Membership
Section 1. Types of Members There shall be four classes of members: active, honorary, emeritus, and inactive. Section 2. Eligibility of Members A. Active Members. Any doctor of medicine, doctor of philosophy, or doctor of science who has accomplished meritorious research in a branch of the medical sciences related to clinical medicine and who resides within the territorial limits of the Society and enjoys an unimpeachable reputation in his profession shall be eligible for membership. Number of active members shall be determined from time to time by the Society upon recommendation of the council. Any active member who leaves the territorial limits of the Society may retain his/her active membership by continuing to pay dues. Candidates residing outside the territorial limits of the Society may be recommended for membership at the discretion of the council. B. Honorary Members. Any physician or medical scientist, irrespective of age or location, whom September 1999 Volume 318 Number 3
sse, the Society may wish to compliment for any reason may be elected to honorary membership in the Society at large upon recommendation of the council. The number of honorary memberships shall not be restricted. Honorary members shall not become emeritus by reason of age alone. C. Emeritus Members. An active member may become emeritus by his own choice after 10 years of active membership or at the age of 65 years. All present emeritus members who, under the revised constitution, would be eligible for active membership shall be invited to revert to active membership status. D. Inactive Members. Any active or emeritus member who moves from the area embraced by the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, for more than 1 year, may request the council in writing to be placed on the inactive status. Return to previous status may be accomplished by request to and approval of the council.
Section 3. Obligations and Privileges of Members A. Active Members. Members assume an obligation to actively continue in medical research. They shall pay membership dues. They shall have voting privileges and may hold office. They shall receive all regular communications and mailings ofthe Society. Active members are expected to manifest sustained interest in the Society by attending at least every second meeting. B. Honorary Members. The obligations and privileges shall be the same as those of emeritus members, except that honorary members are not expected to pay dues. C. Emeritus Members. Emeritus members shall be encouraged to attend meetings. They shall pay dues equal to one-halfthose paid by active members. They shall receive all regular communications and mailings of the Society. They may not hold office and they may not vote, but they may engage in all other activities of the Society, including nomination of new members, presentation of papers, the discussion of papers on the floor, etc. D. Inactive Members. Inactive members will be carried on the Society rolls in that capacity. They shall not be permitted to vote, hold office, nominate candidates for membership, present papers, or sponsor papers. They shall not receive any of the regular communications or mailings of the Society. They may attend meetings and participate in discussions from the floor. They are not expected to pay dues. Section 4. Nominations and Elections Nomination to active and honorary membership may be made in writing to the secretary-treasurer at any time. Nominations must be signed by two members of any category (except inactive) who are not officials of the Society. Nominations must be accompanied by a statement regarding the qualifications of the nominee, his curriculum vitae and his bibliography. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
His name must be placed in nomination by November 15 before the annual meeting. The council shall by a two-thirds vote select candidates for consideration by the Society. The election shall be by secret ballot cast by those active members of the Society present at the annual business meeting, and an affirmative vote by a majority of the ballots cast shall be required for election. At the discretion of the council, a nomination may be continued for a period not to exceed 3 years. Article 4: Officers
The officers of the Society shall be president, president-elect, and secretary-treasurer. The presidentelect and secretary-treasurer shall be elected annually. The editor of the Society's journal will also be a member of the council for as long as helshe holds that appointment. The president-elect and (at least) three councillors (see below) shall be elected annually. The secretary-treasurer shall be elected for a 3-year term. Nominations shall be made by a nominating committee of three members, elected by a secret ballot of the Society from a panel of candidates elected by the current nominating committee. This committee shall offer one or more nominations for each position, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. Elections shall be made by secret ballot. The majority of the active members present at the annual business meeting shall be deemed a quorum for purposes of election. All officers, except secretary-treasurer, shall be ineligible for reelection to the same office. The secretary-treasurer may be elected three times or, upon specific approval and recommendation by the council, four times. Each councillor shall be elected for a term of 3 years. The manner of nomination and voting shall be the same as for other officers. No councillor may serve more than one term of office. If a councillor is elected at any time during his or her 3-year term to the office of president, president-elect, or secretarytreasurer, his or her unexpired term should be filled at the same election. The councillor serving part of an unexpired term is subsequently eligible for election to a full 3-year term. Article 5: Duties of Officers
The duties of president, president-elect, and secretary-treasurer shall be those usually assigned to such officers. Among other duties, the secretary-treasurer shall arrange for the printing of the program for each annual meeting and for publication of the abstracts. Article 6: Council
The council shall consist of the president, president-elect, secretary-treasurer, the immediately retired president, and nine councillors. Seven members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. It shall be the duty of the council to supervise the 139
Constitution, Bylaws, and Amendments
affairs of the Society, to make all arrangements for the annual meetings, to supervise the nominations and elections of members and officers, to report on election results to the Society, to govern the financial affairs of the Society, and to report on the work of the members. The president is empowered to appoint subcommittees from the members of the council and the Society for any purpose. Article 7: Publication Committee
The Society may undertake to publish a scientific journal, may lend its name to an existing journal, or may designate such journal as its official publication. For that purpose, the president, with the approval of the council, may appoint a publication committee that may advise the editor of said publication. The president may appoint other members of the Society to serve on the publication committee for the purpose of aiding him/her in the editorial activities of the journal. Article 8: Meetings
The Society shall meet annually at a place and time to be designated by the council. The council is empowered to make firm, binding contractual commitments with cities and hotels for meetings as long as 5 years in advance. Article 9: Quorum
Any number of active members present at the annual meeting shall constitute a quorum, except for the passage of a constitutional amendment, which requires that twenty percent of the active members return a ballot. If twenty percent of the active members cannot be obtained to ballot on a proposed constitutional amendment, the council may, at its discretion, order a mail ballot to be taken in the interim between annual business meetings. Article 10: Dues
The annual dues of the Society shall be fixed by the council from time to time. The nonpayment of dues for 3 consecutive years automatically carries with it forfeiture of membership. Article 11: Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution must be proposed in writing by five active members and submitted to the secretary-treasurer no less than 3 months before the annual meeting. The secretary-treasurer shall mail to each member a copy of the proposed amendment at least 1 month before the annual meeting, but final action may be taken either then or 1 year hence. At least twenty percent of the active members must vote on a proposed amendment. For adoption, an amendment shall require an affirmative vote of three fourths of the ballots that are cast. 140
Article 12: Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Society the council shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society exclusively for the purposes ofthe Society in such manner or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, education, religious, or scientific purposes, as shall at the time qualifY as an exempt organization or organizations under 2501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the council shall determine. Bylaws
(1) The territorial limits of the Society shall include the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. (2) Expenses incurred at the annual meeting shall be borne by the Society in negotiation with other societies meeting jointly. (3) The books of the Society shall be audited annually by an auditing committee appointed by the president. (4) The abstracts of all papers read at the annual meeting (and where feasible, all abstracts considered for presentation) shall be submitted by the secretary-treasurer to the editor of a suitable journal. (5) The program committee for the succeeding year shall consist of the president and whomsoever he or she may wish to appoint. Titles and abstracts must be submitted to the secretary-treasurer at a date set by the council. The length of the abstract shall be set by the council. (6) The secretary-treasurer is authorized by the council to secure essential secretarial and stenographic aid for a period not to exceed 6 months (or equivalent) of any 1 year. (7) A fund, known as the council fund, shall be established by voluntary contributions of members or friends. The use of this fund shall be at the discretion of the council. Criteria for Selection of Candidates
The criteria for selection of candidates shall consist of an overall consideration of the individual based upon academic responsibility, capacity September 1999 Volume 318 Number 3
ssel for independent research, productivity, and significance ofthe research, and letters in support ofthe nominee. Amendment to Article 4. Officers
The officers of the Society shall be president, president-elect, secretary-treasurer, and nine councillors. Nominations shall be made by a nominating committee of three members, elected by a secret ballot of the Society from a panel of candidates selected by the current nominating committee. This committee shall offer one or more nominations for each position, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. Elections shall be made by secret ballot. The majority of the active members present at the annual business meeting shall be deemed a quorum for purposes of election. All officers shall be ineligible for reelection to the same office. The secretary-treasurer may be elected to serve an additional year upon specific approval and recommendation by the council. One councillor shall be elected each year for a term of 3 years. The manner of nomination and voting shall be the same as for other officers. No councillor may serve more than one term of office. If a councillor is elected at any time during hislher 3-year term to the office of president, president-elect or secretary-treasurer, hislher unexpired term should be filled at the same election. The councillor serving part of an unexpired term is subsequently eligible for election to a full 3-year term. Amendment to Article 7-The American Journal of
the Medical Sciences Section 1. Staff The American Journal of the Medical Sciences will be heretofore the official journal of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, Inc. (SSCI, Inc.). The journal is published for the Society by Lippin-' cott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., through an arrangement. The arrangements are to be revised at 3-year intervals. The editorial staff will consist of an editor, no more than three associate editors, and assistant editors the number of which is at the discretion of the editor. The appointments of the editor and the associate editors will be approved by the council. The salaries of the editor as well as those of the associate editors will be set by the council. Members of the editorial board will not receive payment for their services. Section 2. Duties of the Editor The editor is responsible to the SSCI, Inc., through its council for the publication of The American Journal of the Medical Sciences and shall submit an annual report to the council and in turn to
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
the SSCI, Inc. This report shall include a statement of the financial status of the journal. He/she shall submit the names of the candidates for associate editors who will assist in the publication of the journal.
Section 3. Editorial Board The editorial board shall consist of the editors and such other members ofthe SSCI, Inc., numbering at least fifteen, as the editors deem necessary to maintain the high editorial standards of The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. At least two thirds of the editorial board shall be active members. They shall, individually and collectively, be available to assist the editor at hislher request in all matters pertaining to the journal. The editorial board will meet at least once annually. Section 4. Publication Committee A publication committee appointment by the president and the council of the SSCI, Inc., may advise the activities of the editor and the associate editors and the progress of the journal. The committee shall report annually directly to the council. Members of the committee shall be active or emeritus members of the SSCI, Inc. The publication committee shall consist of five members, each of whom will serve 5 years in staggered terms, one member each year from now on. Current members are to leave in alphabetical order. Section 5. Tenure of the Office of Editor and Editorial Board The period of office of the editor shall be 3 years. The editor and each member of the editorial board shall serve for a period of 3 years and may be re-elected for a second period. The editor's age shall not be a consideration in the selection of the editor. Section 6. Election of Editor The editor shall be selected for the SSCI, Inc., by the membership at the annual meeting before the expiration of the incumbent editor's term. The nomination of a candidate for editor shall be made by a committee of three active members appointed by the president. The nominee will have received approval by the council by the annual meeting. Any active member may be elected editor. Election shall be by secret ballot. Amendment to Article 12, No.3
A certified public accounting firm will prepare state and federal tax returns. These returns will serve as official documentation of the financial status of the SCCI and The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. An SCCI auditing committee, appointed by the president at the annual meeting, may examine these reports.
141
O
n October 10, 1946, representatives from twenty-three southern medical schools met at the Tulane University School of Medicine to discuss the wisdom of establishing a regional society devoted to the interests of clinical investigation. The meeting was the product of many factors, but the initial stimulus originated from earlier conversations among Dr. James A. Green of Houston, Dr. Thomas Findley of New Orleans, and Dr. Raymond L. Gregory of Galveston. This preliminary meeting resulted in the election of an organization committee charged with the duty of construction of a constitution for the Southern Society for Clinical Research and the selection of a Founders Group thereof. The organization committee consisted of Doctors Roy R. Kracke, R. H. Kampmeier, and Thomas Findley; it selected a Founders Group of 40 members. The first meeting of the Founders Group was held at Arnaud's Restaurant, New Orleans, on January 24, 1947, and the first scientific meeting on the following day in the Gold Room of the Roosevelt Hotel. Since then, the annual meeting has been held in New Orleans in conjunction with that of the Southern Section of the American Federation for Clinical Research, except in 1952, when the two meetings were held in Atlanta. The proceedings appeared in the American Journal of Medicine through 1959. Since 1960 they have appeared in Clinical Research. At the meeting of the Society on January 25,1963, a revised constitution was adopted and the name of the Society changed to the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. . In 1973, the Society made its first presentation of the Founders Medal. This medal is awarded annually to a member or former member of the Society who has made distinguished contributions to the conduct or furtherance of clinical investigation. The medal bears the likeness of Pierre Louis who first introduced statistical analysis of clinical experience ("the numerical method of Louis") and is considered the founder of modem clinical investigation (c.f. Am J Med Sci 1973;226:92). Although membership in the Society is limited to those actively engaged in research pertaining to clinical programs, the public is cordially invited to attend the scientific programs. Article 1: Name
The name of the Society shall be the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. 138
Article 2: Object
The object of the Society shall be the encouragement of research in the various medical sciences and the establishment of a forum from which new ideas may be presented to the medical profession at large. Notwithstanding the above object the Society is organized solely for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of 2501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). No part of the earnings of the Society shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Society shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Article. No substantial part of the activities of the Society shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the Society shall not participate in any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office. The Society shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under 2501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Article 3: Membership
Section 1. Types of Members There shall be four classes of members: active, honorary, emeritus, and inactive. Section 2. Eligibility of Members A. Active Members. Any doctor of medicine, doctor of philosophy, or doctor of science who has accomplished meritorious research in a branch of the medical sciences related to clinical medicine and who resides within the territorial limits of the Society and enjoys an unimpeachable reputation in his profession shall be eligible for membership. Number of active members shall be determined from time to time by the Society upon recommendation of the council. Any active member who leaves the territorial limits of the Society may retain his/her active membership by continuing to pay dues. Candidates residing outside the territorial limits of the Society may be recommended for membership at the discretion of the council. B. Honorary Members. Any physician or medical scientist, irrespective of age or location, whom September 1999 Volume 318 Number 3
sse, the Society may wish to compliment for any reason may be elected to honorary membership in the Society at large upon recommendation of the council. The number of honorary memberships shall not be restricted. Honorary members shall not become emeritus by reason of age alone. C. Emeritus Members. An active member may become emeritus by his own choice after 10 years of active membership or at the age of 65 years. All present emeritus members who, under the revised constitution, would be eligible for active membership shall be invited to revert to active membership status. D. Inactive Members. Any active or emeritus member who moves from the area embraced by the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, for more than 1 year, may request the council in writing to be placed on the inactive status. Return to previous status may be accomplished by request to and approval of the council.
Section 3. Obligations and Privileges of Members A. Active Members. Members assume an obligation to actively continue in medical research. They shall pay membership dues. They shall have voting privileges and may hold office. They shall receive all regular communications and mailings ofthe Society. Active members are expected to manifest sustained interest in the Society by attending at least every second meeting. B. Honorary Members. The obligations and privileges shall be the same as those of emeritus members, except that honorary members are not expected to pay dues. C. Emeritus Members. Emeritus members shall be encouraged to attend meetings. They shall pay dues equal to one-halfthose paid by active members. They shall receive all regular communications and mailings of the Society. They may not hold office and they may not vote, but they may engage in all other activities of the Society, including nomination of new members, presentation of papers, the discussion of papers on the floor, etc. D. Inactive Members. Inactive members will be carried on the Society rolls in that capacity. They shall not be permitted to vote, hold office, nominate candidates for membership, present papers, or sponsor papers. They shall not receive any of the regular communications or mailings of the Society. They may attend meetings and participate in discussions from the floor. They are not expected to pay dues. Section 4. Nominations and Elections Nomination to active and honorary membership may be made in writing to the secretary-treasurer at any time. Nominations must be signed by two members of any category (except inactive) who are not officials of the Society. Nominations must be accompanied by a statement regarding the qualifications of the nominee, his curriculum vitae and his bibliography. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
His name must be placed in nomination by November 15 before the annual meeting. The council shall by a two-thirds vote select candidates for consideration by the Society. The election shall be by secret ballot cast by those active members of the Society present at the annual business meeting, and an affirmative vote by a majority of the ballots cast shall be required for election. At the discretion of the council, a nomination may be continued for a period not to exceed 3 years. Article 4: Officers
The officers of the Society shall be president, president-elect, and secretary-treasurer. The presidentelect and secretary-treasurer shall be elected annually. The editor of the Society's journal will also be a member of the council for as long as helshe holds that appointment. The president-elect and (at least) three councillors (see below) shall be elected annually. The secretary-treasurer shall be elected for a 3-year term. Nominations shall be made by a nominating committee of three members, elected by a secret ballot of the Society from a panel of candidates elected by the current nominating committee. This committee shall offer one or more nominations for each position, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. Elections shall be made by secret ballot. The majority of the active members present at the annual business meeting shall be deemed a quorum for purposes of election. All officers, except secretary-treasurer, shall be ineligible for reelection to the same office. The secretary-treasurer may be elected three times or, upon specific approval and recommendation by the council, four times. Each councillor shall be elected for a term of 3 years. The manner of nomination and voting shall be the same as for other officers. No councillor may serve more than one term of office. If a councillor is elected at any time during his or her 3-year term to the office of president, president-elect, or secretarytreasurer, his or her unexpired term should be filled at the same election. The councillor serving part of an unexpired term is subsequently eligible for election to a full 3-year term. Article 5: Duties of Officers
The duties of president, president-elect, and secretary-treasurer shall be those usually assigned to such officers. Among other duties, the secretary-treasurer shall arrange for the printing of the program for each annual meeting and for publication of the abstracts. Article 6: Council
The council shall consist of the president, president-elect, secretary-treasurer, the immediately retired president, and nine councillors. Seven members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. It shall be the duty of the council to supervise the 139
Constitution, Bylaws, and Amendments
affairs of the Society, to make all arrangements for the annual meetings, to supervise the nominations and elections of members and officers, to report on election results to the Society, to govern the financial affairs of the Society, and to report on the work of the members. The president is empowered to appoint subcommittees from the members of the council and the Society for any purpose. Article 7: Publication Committee
The Society may undertake to publish a scientific journal, may lend its name to an existing journal, or may designate such journal as its official publication. For that purpose, the president, with the approval of the council, may appoint a publication committee that may advise the editor of said publication. The president may appoint other members of the Society to serve on the publication committee for the purpose of aiding him/her in the editorial activities of the journal. Article 8: Meetings
The Society shall meet annually at a place and time to be designated by the council. The council is empowered to make firm, binding contractual commitments with cities and hotels for meetings as long as 5 years in advance. Article 9: Quorum
Any number of active members present at the annual meeting shall constitute a quorum, except for the passage of a constitutional amendment, which requires that twenty percent of the active members return a ballot. If twenty percent of the active members cannot be obtained to ballot on a proposed constitutional amendment, the council may, at its discretion, order a mail ballot to be taken in the interim between annual business meetings. Article 10: Dues
The annual dues of the Society shall be fixed by the council from time to time. The nonpayment of dues for 3 consecutive years automatically carries with it forfeiture of membership. Article 11: Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution must be proposed in writing by five active members and submitted to the secretary-treasurer no less than 3 months before the annual meeting. The secretary-treasurer shall mail to each member a copy of the proposed amendment at least 1 month before the annual meeting, but final action may be taken either then or 1 year hence. At least twenty percent of the active members must vote on a proposed amendment. For adoption, an amendment shall require an affirmative vote of three fourths of the ballots that are cast. 140
Article 12: Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Society the council shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society exclusively for the purposes ofthe Society in such manner or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, education, religious, or scientific purposes, as shall at the time qualifY as an exempt organization or organizations under 2501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the council shall determine. Bylaws
(1) The territorial limits of the Society shall include the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. (2) Expenses incurred at the annual meeting shall be borne by the Society in negotiation with other societies meeting jointly. (3) The books of the Society shall be audited annually by an auditing committee appointed by the president. (4) The abstracts of all papers read at the annual meeting (and where feasible, all abstracts considered for presentation) shall be submitted by the secretary-treasurer to the editor of a suitable journal. (5) The program committee for the succeeding year shall consist of the president and whomsoever he or she may wish to appoint. Titles and abstracts must be submitted to the secretary-treasurer at a date set by the council. The length of the abstract shall be set by the council. (6) The secretary-treasurer is authorized by the council to secure essential secretarial and stenographic aid for a period not to exceed 6 months (or equivalent) of any 1 year. (7) A fund, known as the council fund, shall be established by voluntary contributions of members or friends. The use of this fund shall be at the discretion of the council. Criteria for Selection of Candidates
The criteria for selection of candidates shall consist of an overall consideration of the individual based upon academic responsibility, capacity September 1999 Volume 318 Number 3
ssel for independent research, productivity, and significance ofthe research, and letters in support ofthe nominee. Amendment to Article 4. Officers
The officers of the Society shall be president, president-elect, secretary-treasurer, and nine councillors. Nominations shall be made by a nominating committee of three members, elected by a secret ballot of the Society from a panel of candidates selected by the current nominating committee. This committee shall offer one or more nominations for each position, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. Elections shall be made by secret ballot. The majority of the active members present at the annual business meeting shall be deemed a quorum for purposes of election. All officers shall be ineligible for reelection to the same office. The secretary-treasurer may be elected to serve an additional year upon specific approval and recommendation by the council. One councillor shall be elected each year for a term of 3 years. The manner of nomination and voting shall be the same as for other officers. No councillor may serve more than one term of office. If a councillor is elected at any time during hislher 3-year term to the office of president, president-elect or secretary-treasurer, hislher unexpired term should be filled at the same election. The councillor serving part of an unexpired term is subsequently eligible for election to a full 3-year term. Amendment to Article 7-The American Journal of
the Medical Sciences Section 1. Staff The American Journal of the Medical Sciences will be heretofore the official journal of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, Inc. (SSCI, Inc.). The journal is published for the Society by Lippin-' cott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., through an arrangement. The arrangements are to be revised at 3-year intervals. The editorial staff will consist of an editor, no more than three associate editors, and assistant editors the number of which is at the discretion of the editor. The appointments of the editor and the associate editors will be approved by the council. The salaries of the editor as well as those of the associate editors will be set by the council. Members of the editorial board will not receive payment for their services. Section 2. Duties of the Editor The editor is responsible to the SSCI, Inc., through its council for the publication of The American Journal of the Medical Sciences and shall submit an annual report to the council and in turn to
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
the SSCI, Inc. This report shall include a statement of the financial status of the journal. He/she shall submit the names of the candidates for associate editors who will assist in the publication of the journal.
Section 3. Editorial Board The editorial board shall consist of the editors and such other members ofthe SSCI, Inc., numbering at least fifteen, as the editors deem necessary to maintain the high editorial standards of The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. At least two thirds of the editorial board shall be active members. They shall, individually and collectively, be available to assist the editor at hislher request in all matters pertaining to the journal. The editorial board will meet at least once annually. Section 4. Publication Committee A publication committee appointment by the president and the council of the SSCI, Inc., may advise the activities of the editor and the associate editors and the progress of the journal. The committee shall report annually directly to the council. Members of the committee shall be active or emeritus members of the SSCI, Inc. The publication committee shall consist of five members, each of whom will serve 5 years in staggered terms, one member each year from now on. Current members are to leave in alphabetical order. Section 5. Tenure of the Office of Editor and Editorial Board The period of office of the editor shall be 3 years. The editor and each member of the editorial board shall serve for a period of 3 years and may be re-elected for a second period. The editor's age shall not be a consideration in the selection of the editor. Section 6. Election of Editor The editor shall be selected for the SSCI, Inc., by the membership at the annual meeting before the expiration of the incumbent editor's term. The nomination of a candidate for editor shall be made by a committee of three active members appointed by the president. The nominee will have received approval by the council by the annual meeting. Any active member may be elected editor. Election shall be by secret ballot. Amendment to Article 12, No.3
A certified public accounting firm will prepare state and federal tax returns. These returns will serve as official documentation of the financial status of the SCCI and The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. An SCCI auditing committee, appointed by the president at the annual meeting, may examine these reports.
141