Bylaws

Bylaws

1. Officers 

1. The chapter shall have the following officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Postdoc Officer, Secretary, Treasurer.  

2. As per APS Chapter Governance Guidelines, the Vice Chair shall assume the position of Chair automatically in the next term. 

3. The position of Postdoc Officer can only be assumed by a Postdoc of LSU. 

4. The term for all officers is June 1 to May 31. 

5. Duties 

1. Chair: Set agendas and preside over chapter meetings, in collaboration with the other officers. Seek and advocate for financial support of the chapter. Submit the chapter annual report. Act as point of contact between APS and chapter.

2. Vice Chair: Assist the Chair in carrying out chapter activities and carry out the duties of the Chair when the chair is absent. 

3. Postdoc Officer: Represent the interest of the postdoc members of the chapter. Act as a mediator and judiciary during conflict within the chapter. 

4. Secretary: Keep chapter records (meeting minutes, election of officers, events, etc). 

5. Treasurer: Maintain the finances of the chapter. Report budget at each meeting. 

6. Elections 

1. For offices not assumed automatically, elections will be performed every year during the month of May.  

2. The entire Chapter will be notified of elections by email. 

3. Anyone interested in running for an election may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. 

4. The position of Postdoc Officer will only be voted on by Postdoc members within the chapter.

4. If for any reason, an automatically assumed position will not be filled, it will be put up for election. 

5. Elections are won by simple majority vote. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election for that position will occur, between the two candidates with the most votes. 

6. Only one person may hold any given office.

2. Officer Removal 

1. In the case that an officer is found to be failing to perform their duties, any member of the chapter (including officers) may motion to table a vote to remove said officer from their position. If the motion is seconded, a vote will be held within the next three weeks, but not before a week has passed from the motion.  

2. The vote will include all chapter members and will be successful if two-thirds of the chapter votes to remove the officer, at which point the term of the officer will then end at the beginning of the next meeting. 

3. The chair shall appoint a replacement officer, from any APS member in the chapter. If no other APS members exist, the Postdoc Officer will assume the duties of the removed officer. If the Postdoc Officer is removed, the Chair will assume their duties. If the Chair is removed, the Vice Chair shall appoint a replacement officer. 

4. If the replacement officer assumes the position of Vice Chair or Chair, they do not automatically assume a position next term. Instead, a majority vote will be put out before officer election, between allowing the replacement officer to assume the next position or voting on the next position during the officer election. 

3. Meetings 

1. Meetings will be held at least bi-monthly. The date, time, and location of each meeting shall be distributed to the entire Chapter by the Secretary no later than one week before the meeting. 

4. Amendments 

1. An amendment to these guidelines can be presented at any Chapter meeting. 

2. The amendment must be read aloud, in full, at the meeting. 

3. An immediate majority vote of the officers will be taken. 

1. If the vote passes, the amendment will be put to a supermajority (2/3rds) vote of the entire chapter. The vote will be held within the next three weeks, but not before a week has passed from the motion. The entire chapter must be notified by email of the amendment, in full, before the vote.  

2. If the vote fails, the amendment is stricken down. 

5. APS General Chapter Governance 

1. If these Addendum conflict in any way with the APS Chapter Governance Guidelines, the APS Chapter Governance Guidelines takes immediate and ultimate precedent in all scenarios. Additionally, if conflicts exist, this document should be amended to remove such conflicts posthaste.