Article I: Name

The name of the organization shall be the Siouxland Chapter of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (called the Chapter).

Article II: Purposes

Section 1: The purposes of the Chapter shall be those same purposes stated in the Articles of Incorporation of CLMA:

Vision Statement: The Clinical Laboratory Management Association will be the worldwide leader and catalyst in achieving excellence in health-care management and quality clinical services as a positive force for a healthier world.

Mission Statement: The Clinical Laboratory Management Association is a professional association dedicated to excellence in clinical services worldwide; to enhancing professional, managerial, and leadership skills; to promoting efficient, productive, and high-quality operations; and to advocating on behalf of quality patient care and the membership.

Shared Values: CLMA’s core values are intended to guide CLMA members, leaders, and staff in implementing the strategic plan. These values are: teamwork, high-quality clinical services, personal development, valuing individuals/diversity, education and learning, caring/service to others, leadership, equitable access to health care, and high ethical standards.

Section 2: The Chapter is organized exclusively as a membership organization within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 3: The chapter intends to obtain the full benefit of any tax exemption it may be entitled to under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the Chapter shall be managed in a manner consistent with exempt status.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Qualifications

a.   Regular voting members shall be persons who are or have been: (1) engaged in the supervision or administration of clinical services; (2) engaged at supervisory or managerial levels in the manufacture or distribution of supplies, equipment, or services to clinical service personnel; or (3) engaged in the education of clinical services personnel. These members shall be eligible for membership in the CLMA in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Benefits shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

b. Regular non-voting members shall be persons who are or have been: (1) engaged in the supervision or administration of clinical services; (2) engaged at supervisory or managerial levels in the manufacture or distribution of supplies, equipment, or services to clinical service personnel; or (3) engaged in the education of clinical services personnel. These members shall be eligible for membership in the CLMA in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Benefits shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

c.   Graduate students shall be full- and part-time students enrolled in an accredited graduate or post-graduate degree or certificate program related to a career in clinical services management, health-care administration, or other management careers related to a profession in clinical sciences. Maximum term of eligibility of this class is 2 years. Students shall be non-voting; benefits shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

d.   Pathology residents shall be residents enrolled in an accredited pathology residency program. Maximum term of eligibility for this class is 4 years. Residents shall be non-voting. Benifits shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

e.   Retired CLMA members shall be any regular voting member who has retired and has been a CLMA member for a minimum of 2 years. Retired CLMA members shall be voting. Benefits shal be the same as for Regular Members.

Membership in the international CLMA organization is a requirement for membership in the chapter.

Section 2: Dues

a.   Membership dues for the Chapter shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

b.   If a Chapter member relocates and wishes to join a new chapter and relinquishes membership in the former chapter, chapter dues are considered reciprocal until the next member invoice date.

Section 3: Termination of Membership

a.      If the dues of any member are not paid by their established anniversary date, this membership shall automatically terminate.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1:The Officers of the Chapter shall consist of a President, President-elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2: Term of Office: Officers shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected. The secretary is elected in odd years, and the President-elect and Treasurer are elected in even years. Officers shall not serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 3: Qualifications: Only members are eligible for election as officers.

Section 4: Duties: Officers shall perform the duties described by these Bylaws, the Bylaws of the CLMA, the parliamentary authority accepted by the chapter, the Board of Directors, and the voting membership.

Article V: Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of the Immediate Past President, the elected officers of the Chapter, and two Directors. The two Directors shall serve for a term of 2 years. One director is to be elected in even years and one director elected in odd years.

Section 2: Powers

a.   To conduct and manage the affairs and business of the Chapter between regular meetings of the membership.

b.   To prepare and present a financial audit at the annual meeting of the membership.

c.   To make policies consistant with the Articles of Incorporation, CLMA bylaws, and any special rules adopted by the Chapter membership.

Section 3: Action without a Meeting: Action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent in writing to such action. Such written consent shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.

Section 4: Quorum: A quorum shall consist of at least a majority of at least 4 Directors.

Section 5: Vacancies: In the event of vacancies, the Board of Directors shall fill vacancies for the unexpired term.

Article VI: Election of Officers and Directors

Section 1: The announcement of results of election of officers and directors shall take place at the annual meeting.

Section 2: The Nominating Committee shall prepare a ballot of members willing to serve as officers or directors.

Section 3: The ballot shall be mailed to each voting member to be returned in time for the election results to be announced at the annual meeting. Sent out ballots will be postmarked no later than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 4: The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each office shall be declared to be elected.

Section 5: The officers and directors shall begin their terms the first of January following their election.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Other standing and/or ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the President and the Board of Directors.

Article VIII: Meetings of Members

Section 1: Meetings

a.   The membership shall have regular meetings for educational purposes. The date, time, and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors and communicated to all members at least 14 days before each meeting.

b.   At one of the meetings, the annual business meeting of the Chapter shall be conducted for the purposes of receiving the annual report, announcement of election of officers results, and any other business.

b.   Special meetings of the Chapter may be called by the President, the Board of Directors, or by written request by a majority of members.

Section 2: Quorum

At any meeting of the members, a quorum shall be constituted by those members present, at least one of who shall be an officer.

Article IX: Parliamentary Procedure

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases in which they are applicable.

Article X: Chapter Responsibilities

This Chapter is a chapter of CLMA. The bylaws, policies, and procedures of the CLMA shall take precedence over any bylaw, policy, or procedure of the Chapter.

Article XI: Amendments

Section 1: The Board of Directors or any member may propose amendments.

Section 2: Any amendment to these bylaws will be effective only after the amendment has been submitted to and approved by the CLMA Board of Directors and then adopted by the Chapter membership.

Section 3: These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those voting members at a regular or special meeting of the chapter provided a quorum is present and the proposed amendment has been presented to each member in writing and postmarked at least two weeks before the vote.

ARTICLE XII: Dissolution