2025 Bylaws Changes
The vote on the 2025 Bylaws Proposed Changes represent an opportunity to create flexibility in definitions for AACPDM members and volunteers.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Current Version:
Section 2. Privileges
All Fellows, Honorary Members, Corresponding Members, Emeritus Members and Student/Resident/Trainee Members shall have the right to attend meetings. The right to vote shall be confined to Fellows of the ACADEMY and Emeritus Members. The right to hold office shall be confined to Fellows of the ACADEMY.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 2. Privileges
All Fellows, Honorary Members, Corresponding Members, Emeritus Members and Student/Resident/Trainee Members shall have the right to attend meetings. The right to vote shall be confined to Fellows of the ACADEMY and Emeritus Members. The right to hold office and serve on the nominating committee shall be confined to Fellows of the ACADEMY.
What the changes mean:
This edit was always implied. The changes provides clarity.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Current Version:
Section 4. Qualifications for the Categories of Membership
1. Fellows. Fellows. Fellows in the ACADEMY shall consist: of (1) members of the medical profession in good standing and other individuals with appropriate doctorate degrees who manifest by their work a significant interest and competence in cerebral palsy and/or other childhood-onset disabilities and whose professional activity is consistent with the mission and vision of the ACADEMY; and (2) individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree who manifest by their professional contribution a significant interest in cerebral palsy and/or other childhood-onset disabilities. Those who meet the criteria are designated as a Fellow Member.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 4. Qualifications for the Categories of Membership
1. Fellows. Fellows in the ACADEMY shall consist: of individuals whose professional activity is consistent with the mission and vision of the ACADEMY and are: (1) members of the medical profession in good standing; or (3) individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree who manifest by their professional contribution a significant interest in cerebral palsy and/or other childhood-onset disabilities. Those who meet the criteria, and do not have a perceived commercial bias are designated as a Fellow Member.
What the changes mean:
This edit was always implied. The changes provides clarity and efficiency for approvals from the Membership Committee.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Current Version:
Section 4. Qualifications for the Categories of Membership
5. Student/Resident/Trainee Members. The Student/Resident/Trainee member is a professional attending post-entry professional training (i.e. residency, clinical fellowship, masters, doctoral, or post doctorate programs). Full- time Student/Resident/Trainee and graduate students may use this category of membership for the duration of their training. Documentation of this status will be required (i.e. a letter from supervisor of fellowship training program). The chair of the Membership Committee, as part of the application process, will review documentation of the status. Membership fees for this category will be determined by the Board of Directors. Following training, Student/Resident/Trainee Members may apply for Fellow membership at a discounted rate for two years.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 4. Qualifications for the Categories of Membership
5. Student/Resident/Trainee Members. The Student/Resident/Trainee member is a professional attending post-entry professional training (i.e. residency, clinical fellowship, masters, doctoral, or post doctorate programs). Full- time Student/Resident/Trainee and graduate students may use this category of membership for the duration of their training. Documentation of this status will be required (i.e. a letter from supervisor of fellowship training program). The chair of the Membership Committee, as part of the application process, will review documentation of the status. Membership fees for this category will be determined by the Board of Directors. Following training, Student/Resident/Trainee Members may immediately apply for Fellow membership at a discounted rate for two years.
What the changes mean:
This definition was always implied. The edit provides clarity.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Current Version:
Section 7. Annual Meeting of Members
The annual meeting of members shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the ACADEMY. Such meetings shall be held for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting. The Annual Meeting shall consist of scientific sessions and at least one Executive (Business) session. Recognition of new Fellows and members shall take place at each Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 7. Annual Meeting of Members
The annual meeting of members shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the ACADEMY. Such meetings shall be held for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting. The Annual Meeting shall consist of scientific sessions and at least one Executive (Business) session. Recognition of new Fellows and members shall take place at each Annual Meeting.
What the changes mean:
The edit proposed in this action can still take place during the Business session. It is not an action that should be outlined in the Bylaws. Providing it I the policy manual allows for better efficiency and flexibility.
ARTICLE IV - LAPSE OF MEMBERSHIP
Current Version:
Section 1. Termination of Membership
Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, any Fellow or member of any class may be expelled by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Membership present at an Annual Meeting of the ACADEMY, provided that a copy of the charges against him/her with a written notice of the hearing thereon by the Board of Directors at a special time and place, shall have been delivered to him/her personally or mailed to his/her last known address, not less than 90 days before the date of such hearing, and further provided, that the member charged shall have the right to appear before the Board of Directors in defense of the charges.
ARTICLE IV - LAPSE OF MEMBERSHIP
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 1. Termination of Membership
Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors and/or Membership Committee, any Fellow or member of any class may be considered expelled by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Membership Committee. This will propel the vote to the Board of Directors, provided that a copy of the charges against them with a written notice of the hearing thereon by the majority of the Board of Directors at a special time, shall have been delivered to them personally through electronic media to their last known email address, not less than 30 days before the date of such hearing, and further provided, that the member charged shall have the right to appear before the Board of Directors in defense of the charges. If a member’s professional license is involuntarily revoked, they must inform the ACADEMY, and will be removed as a member.
What the changes mean:
These edits provide an update to reflect current times regarding communication methods and the opportunity for due process.
ARTICLE V - DIRECTORS
Current Version:
Section 2. Number of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the ACADEMY; the two (2) most recently retired Presidents of the ACADEMY; and eight (8) Directors from the general membership, including a Junior Director who is within 5 years of completing professional training and meets all qualifications for membership.
The Board of Directors shall also consist of the following ex-officio non-voting Directors: Historian; Executive Director; Editor of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology journal; and the Community Council Chair.
A. Historian
Duties:
- Serves as Parliamentarian at Board of Directors and other official Academy meetings.
- Periodically recommends bylaws changes to the Board of Directors.
- Provide historical background to assist in discussions at the Board of Directors meetings.
B. Editor, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Duties
- Apprises the Board on issues of mutual interest involving Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, including editorial and publication policies, and associated financial considerations.
C. Chair, Community Council
Duties:
- Acts as the voice for open communication between Community Council stakeholders and AACPDM members.
ARTICLE V - DIRECTORS
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 2. Number of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the ACADEMY; the two (2) most recently retired Presidents of the ACADEMY; and eight (8) Directors from the general membership, including a Junior Director who is within 5 years of completing professional training and meets all qualifications for membership.
The Board of Directors shall may also consists of the following ex-officio non-voting Directors. Historian; Executive Director; Editor of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology journal; and the Community Council Chair.
A. Historian
Duties:
Serves as Parliamentarian at Board of Directors and other official Academy meetings.Periodically recommends bylaws changes to the Board of Directors.Provide historical background to assist in discussions at the Board of Directors meetings.
B. Editor, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Duties
Apprises the Board on issues of mutual interest involving Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, including editorial and publication policies, and associated financial considerations.
C. Chair, Community Council
Duties:
Acts as the voice for open communication between Community Council stakeholders and AACPDM members.
What the changes mean:
The change in the definition of Junior Director allows for increased participation from more members due to the multi- disciplinary nature of the AACPDM. Common practice for associations is to not define ex-officio members in the Bylaws. These positions should and are outlined in the policy manual. This proposed change will transpire the exact same outcome and practice as is currently observed, but allows for efficiency and clarity to make adjustments in a more routine manner, should the need arise.
ARTICLE V - DIRECTORS
Current Version:
Section 4. Requirements for Directors
Any candidate for office must have been a Fellow Member of the ACADEMY for at least three (3) years.
ARTICLE V - DIRECTORS
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 4. Requirements for Directors
Any candidate for office or the nominating committee must have been a Fellow Member of the ACADEMY for at least three (3) years.
What the changes mean:
This definition has always implied. The edit provides clarity.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Current Version:
Section 1. Standing Committees
The Standing Committees of the ACADEMY shall consist of an Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Publications Committee and Scientific Program Committee, to be elected or appointed as hereinafter provided.
4. Publications Committee. The Publications Committee shall consist of six members, one appointed each year for a 3-year term by the Chair and Editor in Chief of the DMCN Journal.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Suggested Changes: June 2025
Section 1. Standing Committees
The Standing Committees of the ACADEMY shall consist of an Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Publications Committee and Scientific Program Committee, to be elected or appointed as hereinafter provided.
4. Publications Committee. The Publications Committee shall consist of six members, one appointed each year for a 3-year term by include a Chair, usually a Past-President, and at least one member the Chair and Editor in Chief of the DMCN Journal.
What the changes mean
This definition has always implied. The edit provides clarity.