PREAMBLE: It has been a number of years since the original Constitution was enacted. Over the past year, the Executive Council has considered a number of changes and a revised version of the Constitution is presented below. Each member is asked to read the suggested Constitution and then indicate his/her acceptance or rejection as indicated on the attached form (see bottom of page 11) and return the vote to Robert Erlandson. Results of this vote will be presented at the March 2000 General Meeting of the Society and subsequently published in the May 2000 newsletter.

CONSTITUTION
Incorporated 15 December 1994
Jefferson County, Alabama

ARTICLE 1. NAME
1.1 The name of the Society shall be the "Society For Ultrastructural Pathology".

ARTICLE 2. AIMS
2.1 The aim of the Society For Ultrastructural Pathology (hereafter called the Society) will be to promote the art and science of diagnostic electron microscopy. Its primary function will be to provide opportunities for intellectual and social interchange between active practitioners of this craft. The central focus of the Society will be upon electron microscopy, but considered to be within its purview as well are other special technologies that may come to impact upon or interplay with the use of this instrument in diagnostic applications.

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership in the Society shall be open to all interested individuals.

3.2 Classes of Membership will be Regular Members and Emeritus Members. Emeritus status will be granted to retired members in good standing, on request, with the approval of the Executive Council.

3.3 All members in good standing are eligible to hold office and vote at business meetings.

3.4 Cancellation of membership shall be made by virtue of a decision of the Executive Council on the grounds of non-payment of the annual dues for two successive years.

ARTICLE 4. SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
4.1 Scientific meetings are open to all interested persons and will take place no less frequently than at annual intervals. The date(s) will be determined by the Executive Council and the membership will be notified not less than six months before the meeting(s). An Ultrapath Conference will be given by the Society in even years.

4.2 Local arrangements for the scientific meetings will be the responsibility of the Local Organizing Committee appointed by the Executive Council. The Committee will liaise with the Society through its chairperson who will attend meetings of the Executive Council.

ARTICLE 5. BUSINESS MEETINGS
5.1 An annual business meeting, open to all members, will take place each year following the annual scientific meeting. An additional business meeting will be held at the biennial Ultrapath Conference.

5.2 The agenda of the annual business meeting shall include:
a) Secretary-Treasurer’s report
b) Election of officers (Ultrapath meeting)
c) Reports on future meetings
d) Any other business

ARTICLE 6. FINANCES
6.1 The finances of the Society will come from membership dues, and at the discretion of the Executive Council, other sources that may become available. The membership dues shall be paid annually, and the amount will be determined at the annual business meeting on the recommendation of the Executive Council.

6.2 The Executive Council shall have the authority to use the funds of the Society for the promotion of scientific interests in accordance with the aims of the Society and for the business affairs of the Society.

6.3 The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit a financial report to the Society at the annual and Ultrapath business meetings.

ARTICLE 7. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
7.1 The Executive Council shall consist of the President, the President-Elect, the Past-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, and the three Regional Councilors. Other officials of the Society appointed by the Executive Council, including the chairs of the Committees, will attend meetings of the Executive Council with voting privileges. Appropriate individuals may be invited to the Executive Council meeting at the discretion of its officers.

7.2 There shall be a Nominating Committee of three elected by a simple majority vote from a slate of candidates proposed by the Executive Council. The Nominating Committee shall be elected at the same time as the officers of the Society, and the outgoing Nominating Committee shall be responsible for the preparation and counting of ballots. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for preparing a slate of at least one candidate for each of the offices to be filled with space for write-in votes of each position also being provided.

7.3 The officers of the Society shall be elected by the membership at the biennial general assembly Ultrapath business meeting held in even years by a simple majority vote.

7.4 The officers of the society will be elected for a single two-year term. The Secretary-Treasurer, and the Councilors may be elected for consecutive terms. The Executive Council shall be responsible for appointing Committee Chairs and other officials of the Society, such as an Historian. The terms of newly elected officers will commence at the end of the biennial Ultrapath general assembly business meeting.

7.5 The Executive Council will meet at least once a year, usually on the day preceding the Annual Meeting of the Society and the Ultrapath business meeting. The President and Secretary-Treasurer will be responsible for convening Council meetings and will prepare the agenda and compile the minutes of the Council and annual business meetings.

7.6 The President of the Society shall be Chairman of the Executive Council. Four members present shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE 8. CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION
8.1 The Constitution can only be amended after the proposed changes have been approved by a two-thirds majority of the membership attending an annual or Ultrapath business meeting.

8.2 The proposed amendments will be circulated to members at least one month before the annual or Ultrapath business meeting at which they are to be considered, and will be discussed and approved by the Executive Council prior to being presented at the business meeting.

Enacted:____________________________

Revised:____________________________