NJAST BYLAWS
Bylaws for the New Jersey Association of Sleep Technologists (NJAST)
This organization shall be known as the New Jersey Association of Sleep Technologists, hereinafter referred to as NJAST, organized as a nonprofit (501(c)6) corporation.
The boundaries of this NJAST shall be the boundaries of the State of New Jersey.
Section 1. Purpose
a. To encourage, develop and provide educational programs and related activities for those persons interested in and/or working as technologists in the field of Sleep Medicine.
b. To advance the science, technology, ethics, and art of Sleep Medicine through meetings, lectures, and the utilization of our website for the dissemination of information.
c. To facilitate cooperation, education and understanding between sleep medicine professionals and medical professions, allied health professions, government organizations, and other agencies within the State of New Jersey.
d. To establish defined pathways for the practice of polysomnography in the State of New Jersey and act as a cohesive voice for its members.
e. Provide education to the general public in regards to better sleep hygiene and sleep disorders.
Section 2. Intent
a. No part of the net earnings of NJAST shall inure to the benefit of any private member or individual, nor shall NJAST perform particular services for individual members thereof unless otherwise stated in these bylaws.
b. In the event of the dissolution of this NJAST, whether voluntary or involuntary, all its remaining assets shall be distributed in such a manner as the Board of Directors of NJAST shall by majority vote determine to be the best calculated to carry out the objectives and purpose for which NJAST is formed. The distribution of the funds, income, and property of this NJAST upon dissolution may be made available to any similar charitable, educational, scientific, or religious corporations, organization, community chests, foundations, or other kindred institutions maintained and created for one or more of the foregoing purposes, if at the time of distribution the payee or distributee are then exempt from income taxation under the provisions of sections 501, 2055, 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code, or later or other sections of the Internal Revenue Code or changes which amend or supersede the said sections.
c. Neither NJAST, nor any of its members, shall commit any act which shall constitute the unauthorized practice of medicine under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
Section 1. Classes
The membership of NJAST shall include three (3) classes: Active Member and Honorary Member and Founding Member.
Section 2. Eligibility
Any individual is eligible to apply to be a member of NJAST as long as that individual either live or work with the defined boundaries of NJAST. Although everyone interested in sleep medicine is encouraged to join, the Board will reserve the right to refuse an application for membership.
Section 3. Classification
a. Active Member
An individual is eligible for active membership in NJAST if they work or live within the boundaries of the State of New Jersey. Typically the active members will be non-physician professionals that work in the field of Sleep Medicine.
Active members in good standing of NJAST shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in NJAST including: the right to hold office, hold committee chairs, and to vote.
b. Honorary Member
Honorary Members of NJAST shall be individuals who have been appointed by the Board of Directors. Honorary members of NJAST who meet the requirements of NJAST membership shall have all the rights and privileges of membership of NJAST except that they shall not be entitled to hold office, hold committee chairs, and vote. This classification of membership shall generally be reserved for non-technologists who have made a significant impact on NJAST or have demonstrated activity that is concurrent to the purpose of the organization.
c. Founding Member
Founding Members will consist of the first elected officers of the organization. This classification of membership will permit the Founding Members to attend Board of Director Meetings and they will be recognized to speak but not to vote.
Section 4. Prerequisites for Membership
Each application for membership shall meet all of the qualifications of the class of membership, all members shall be bound by the Bylaws, and other rules and regulations, policies and procedures adopted from time to time by NJAST.
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Section 1. Officers
The officers of NJAST shall be as follows: President, Immediate-Past-President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All Officers of NJAST shall have achieved the title of RPSGT by successful completion of the BRPT exam.
Section 2. Members-at-Large
There shall be four (4) Members-at-Large. Two (2) Members-at-Large shall be elected every year and others as necessary in order to fill existing vacancies. The term of service will be 2 years for each Member-at-Large, except for two of the four who are elected the first year, they will have a term of only one year, to allow for election of two members each subsequent year. All Members-at-Large of NJAST shall have achieved the title of RPSGT by successful completion of the BRPT exam.
Section 5. Terms of Office
a. The term of office for NJAST Officers shall be for two (2) years. The term shall begin immediately following the annual meeting in October. The President shall not serve more than one (1) consecutive term in the same office, as the President becomes the Immediate-Past-President for two (2) years. Immediate-Past-Presidents are not barred from serving as President again if elected.
b. The term of office for Members-at-Large shall begin immediately following the annual meeting and shall be for a two (2) year year term of office, except as outlined in Article V - Section 2.
Section 6. Vacancies in Office
In the event of a vacancy in the Office of President, the Vice President shall become Acting-President to serve out the remaining term. There will immediately be a meeting of the remaining officers. This meeting will serve to appoint member(s)-at-large to any vacant officer position(s) to serve out the remaining term.
b. In the event of vacancy in members-at-large, they shall be filled by elections at the next immediate meeting of the group, the elected member serving out the remaining term..
b. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Immediate Past-President, that office shall remain vacant.
a. President
The President shall be the chief executive officer of NJAST, who shall preside at the annual business meeting and all meetings of the Board of Directors; prepare an agenda for the annual business meeting and submit it to the membership no fewer than thirty days prior to such a meeting in accordance with Article VIII of these Bylaws; appoint standing and special committees subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Elections Committee, present to the Board of Directors and membership an annual report of NJAST's activities. The President shall appoint liaisons to other organizations as deemed necessary.
c. Vice President
The Vice President shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the President and the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall then assume the duties and the office of the President for the remainder of the term.
d. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds and securities of NJAST endorsing checks, notes, or other orders for the payment of bills; disbursing funds as authorized by the Board of Directors and/or in accordance with the accepted budget; depositing funds as the Board of Directors may designate. The Treasurer shall assure an annual audit of the accounts. The Treasurer shall see that the full and accurate accounts are kept, submit quarterly financial reports, including original trial balances, and maintain complete records of expenses of NJAST; The Treasurer shall be bonded in the amount determined by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall be responsible for filing all necessary state and federal tax forms.
e. Secretary
The Secretary shall have charge of keeping the minutes of the Board of Directors, regular business meetings and the annual business meeting, submitting a copy of the minutes of every meeting of the governing board and other business of NJAST, and in general, performing all duties as from time to time shall be assigned by the President of the Board of Directors.
f. Immediate Past-President
The Immediate Past-President shall advise and consult with the President and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Composition and Powers
a. The executive government of NJAST shall be vested in a Board consisting of the Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past- President, and the 4 Members-at-large.
b. The President shall be Chairman and presiding officer of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. The President shall invite in writing such individuals to the meetings of the Board as the President shall deem necessary, with the privilege of voice but not vote. Liaisons to other organizations will be asked to attend and report to the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Duties
a. Supervise all business and activities of NJAST within the limitations of these Bylaws.
b. Adopt and rescind standing rules of NJAST.
c. Determine remuneration, stipends, and expenses, the amount to be considered after review of the budget.
Section 3. Vacancies
Any vacancy that occurs on the Board of Directors shall be filled in accordance with Article V, section 6 of these bylaws.
Section 4. Meetings
a. The Board of Directors shall meet immediately preceding and following the annual business meeting of NJAST and shall hold at least two (2) regular and separate meetings during the calendar year.
b. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the presiding officer at such times as the business of NJAST shall require, or upon written request of four (4) members of the Board filed with the President and the Secretary.
c. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
Section 1. Date and Place
a. NJAST shall hold an annual business meeting in October of each calendar year; additional meetings may be held as required to fulfill the objectives of NJAST.
b. The date and place of the annual business meeting and additional meetings shall be decided in advance by the presiding officer.
Section 2. Purpose
a. The annual business meeting shall be for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and committees, the results of the election, and for other business brought by the President.
b. Additional business meetings shall be for the purpose of receiving reports and other business brought by the President.
Section 3. Notification
Written notice of the time and place of the annual business meeting shall be sent to all members of NJAST not fewer than 30 days prior to the meeting.
Section 4. Quorum
A majority of the voting members registered at a duly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
ELECTIONS
Section 1. Committee
The Board of Directors shall appoint an impartial Elections Committee each year, at least 60 days before the annual business meeting to present a slate of nominees to the Board of Directors at least 30 days prior to the annual business meeting in October.
Section 2. Nominations.
The Elections Committee shall place in nomination the names of more than one (1) person for each office in question. Only Active Members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination. The Elections Committee shall provide a pertinent biographical sketch of each nominee's professional activities and services to the organization, all of which should be part of the ballot.
Section 3. Ballot
a. The Elections Committee's slate and biographical sketches shall be sent to every Active member in good standing, and eligible to vote, at least 14 days prior to the annual business meeting.
c. The Elections Committee shall check the eligibility of each ballot and tally the votes by the end of the annual business meeting.
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees
The chairpersons of the following standing committees shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, to serve for a term of two (2) years:
Elections -Education -Judicial - Bylaws -Web Development
Section 2. Special Committees and other Appointments
Special Committees may be appointed by the President.
Section 3. Committee Chairperson duties
a. The President shall appoint the Chairperson of each committee.
b. The Chairperson of each committee shall confer promptly with the members of that committee on work assignments.
c. The Chairperson shall recommend committee members to the President. When possible, the immediate past Chairperson shall serve as a member of the committee
d. All committee reports shall be made in writing and submitted to the President and Secretary of NJAST at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the report is to be read.
e. Non-members or physicians may be
appointed as consultants to the committees. The President shall request
recommendations for such appointments from NJAST's Medical Advisors.
f. Each Committee Chairperson requiring operational expenses shall submit a budget for the next fiscal year to the Budget Committee.
DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
.Section 1. Elections Committee
a. This committee shall prepare a slate of nominees and shall prepare, receive, verify, and count ballots for all elections held during the calendar year.
Section 2. Judicial Committee
a. This committee shall consist of four (4) members from the Board of Directors or previous NJAST Officers; one of whom shall be the current President of NJAST.
b. This committee shall review formal, written complaints against any individual NJAST member charged with any violation of NJAST Bylaws or otherwise with any conduct deemed detrimental to NJAST.
Section 3. Education Committee
a. This committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, one (1) of whom will be a member of the Board of Directors, who provides experience in the planning and implementation of all committee activities.
b. The Medical Advisor(s) shall be consultant(s) and a member of this committee.
c. The function of this committee is to ensure the availability and quality of continuing education offered by NJAST. This committee will also address public relation issues as assigned by the Board of Directors.
d. Other assignments may include the preparation of exhibits, programs, and other items to bring the word of NJAST to medical, nursing, and other groups as well as educational facilities where such material can be expected to recruit new people to the field of Sleep Medicine.
Section 4. Bylaws Committee
a. This committee shall consist of at least three (3) members one of whom shall be a member of the Delegation.
b. This committee shall review and prepare all amendments to these Bylaws for submission to the Board of Directors. This committee may also initiate such amendments for consideration.
Section 5. Web Development Committee
a. This committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, one of which will be a member of the Board of Directors.
b. This committee shall concern itself with the development of our website, and any other items requiring dissemination of information to NJAST membership.
c. This committee shall maintain such liaison as has been established by the Board of Directors with other organizations where activities may be of interest to the members of NJAST.
NJAST MEDICAL ADVISOR
NJAST shall have at least one Medical Advisor, this physican and/or doctorate level professional shall be Board Certified in Sleep Medicine, preferably practicing in the State of New Jersey and a current member of the American Board of Sleep Medicine.
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of NJAST shall be from January 1 through December 31.
ETHICS
If the conduct of any NJAST member shall appear, by report of NJAST or the Judicial Committee, to be in willful violation of the bylaws or standing rules of NJAST, or prejudicial to NJAST's interests, the Board of Directors may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its entire membership, suspend or expel such a member.
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, revised, shall govern whenever they are not in conflict with the Bylaws of NJAST.
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or called meeting or by vote of NJAST by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those voting, providing that the amendment has been presented to the membership in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote. All amendments must be approved by the Bylaws Committee and shall become effective upon ratification by the Board of Directors.
Effective Date: June 29, 2003.