• Encourage current and new members to get involved with AALAS at the local level. 

• Build connections and encourage teamwork among members in Central Illinois and nearby areas. 

• Share ideas and encourage dialog about lab animal science and animal welfare. 

• Support learning and professional growth for members and others who work with and care for laboratory animals. 

PREAMBLE:  A local branch organization may be established by the Board of Trustees of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) in response to a request signed by ten members of the association in good standing and residing within the designated local area.  Approval of a new branch requires a two-thirds affirmative vote by the Board of Trustees of AALAS.  The Central Illinois Branch of AALAS was established on April 14, 1980. 

Article I.  NAME 

The name of this organization shall be the Central Illinois Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.  The Branch acronym will be CIBAALAS 

Article II.  AFFILIATION  

Section 1. CIBAALAS is affiliated with the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science herein referred to as AALAS.  AALAS is a national nonprofit educational association of persons, institutions and commercial organizations professionally concerned with the production, care and study of laboratory animals who contribute to research for medical advancement for humans and animals.  

Section 2. Failure to maintain a minimum of 10 AALAS members in good standing for two consecutive years shall result in the automatic forfeiture of the Branch’s title and affiliation as a local branch of AALAS. 

Section 3.  In the event of the dissolution of CIBAALAS, the Board of Directors shall direct the payment of all outstanding liabilities of the Branch.  All remaining funds and any property shall revert to AALAS, a tax-exempt organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois as a nonprofit educational institution.  

Section 4.  The Branch shall supply AALAS with a copy of its current Constitution and Bylaws and a copy of all amendments as they are adopted by the Branch.  

Article III.  OBJECTIVES 

The objectives of the branch are:  

• To carry out the programs of AALAS at the local level 

• To promote cooperation among members in central Illinois and adjoining areas. 

• To share in the resolution of questions concerning laboratory animal science and animal welfare.  

• To hold at least one annual meeting for the purpose of conducting business, presenting and discussing matters of scientific interest. 

• To make local arrangements for the annual meeting of AALAS when it is held in this geographical area. 

• To sponsor and promote professional educational and training programs for its members and such others who are professionally engaged in the production, care, handling and welfare of laboratory animals. 

Article IV. MEMBERSHIP 

Membership in the branch shall be open to persons, institutions and commercial organizations professionally concerned with the production, care handling and welfare of laboratory animals as well as the education and training of personnel engaged therein.  

Classes of membership and eligibility are established in the Bylaws.  The Branch may include in its membership people who are not members of AALAS.  A member may be expelled for actions considered contrary to the objectives of this organization.  A member so charged will be given the opportunity to address the Board before a final decision is made for membership or termination of membership.  

Article V. OFFICERS 

There shall be a president, vice-president, immediate past president and such other officers as may be specified in the Bylaws.  All officers must be active members of the Branch in good standing. 

Article VI. ELECTIONS 

The election of officers and directors shall be conducted in accordance with the Branch Bylaws. 

Article VII.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

1. The Board of Directors shall have charge of the property and financial affairs of the Branch and shall perform all such duties as described in the Branch Bylaws.  

2. Composition.  There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of the officers of the Branch and minimum of four general members who shall be active members in good standing.  The terms of all directors shall begin January 1st after the election and terminate at the end of the second year.  

3. Quorum.  A quorum shall be a simple majority of the Board. 

4. Powers and Duties. In addition to those prescribed in the Constitution and Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the following functions, powers and duties.  

1. Recommend amendments to the Bylaws. 

2. Establish policy and provide guidance for the Branch. 

3. Establish methods for the procurement of funds including annual dues and special assessments. 

4. Prepare budgets for the work of the organization. 

5. Determine allocation of Branch monies in the budget for the ensuing year. 

6. Vote on the chairperson of any and each standing committee as submitted by the vice president.  

7. Act on legislative matters as deemed necessary. 

8. Establish special and ad hoc committees and appoint members thereof. 

9. Maintain good public relations and disseminate information concerning the Branch and its activities to appropriate individuals, organizations, and news media. 

10. Receive a report from the president in which the work, accomplishments and financial status of the Branch during the year preceding shall be reviewed.   

Article VIII. Conduct of Business by EMAIL/Mail 

The Business of the Branch may be conducted by email or mail provided for in the Bylaws. 

Article IX.  PUBLICATIONS 

The organization shall publish matters deemed pertinent to its objectives. 

Article X.  OFFICERS (duties of) 

1. President. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the Branch and the Board of Directors.  The president shall convene the Board of Directors as often as the business of the Branch may require.  Presidential appointments of branch representatives to national AALAS, District and interbranch organizations shall be subject to approval by the board of Directors.  The President shall serve a two-year term with option to renew at each annual meeting. 

2.  Vice President.  In the absence of the president, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president.  The vice president will automatically be among other nominated individuals for the position of president at the end of the term.  Subject to the approval by the Board of Directors, vice president shall appoint a chairperson for each standing committee and shall appoint one member in good standing who is a national AALAS member to the position of Technician Branch Representative (TBR).  The vice president shall serve a two-year term with option to renew at each annual meeting. 

3. Immediate Past- President.  The immediate past-president shall serve a two-year term on the Board of Directors. 

4. Secretary.  The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Branch and the Board of Directors.  The secretary shall have a charge of all records other than financial; shall keep a corrected list of the members; shall notify members of the Branch meetings; shall notify the Board of Directors of their meetings; and shall present to the Board all matters which require Board action.  In addition, the secretary shall supply annually to the Executive Secretary of AALAS a list of the Branch membership as well as the list of the Branch officers.  The secretary will promptly notify the Executive Secretary of any changes in said officers.  The secretary shall serve a two-year term with the option to renew at each annual meeting.  

5. Treasurer.  The treasurer shall receive membership dues and assessments along with all other monies of the organization.  He/she shall pay all obligations of the organization as authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.  The treasurer shall be in charge of the financial records of the organization and shall present to the Board of Directors at each meeting a statement of the current income and expenses for the year.  The treasurer may be bonded at the expense of the organization as determined by the Board of Directors.  The treasurer shall serve a two-year term of office with the option to renew at each annual meeting.  

6. Secretary-treasurer.  The duties of the secretary and the treasurer may be combined in one office if necessary.  

Article XI. Conflict of Interest 

1. To preserve transparency, fairness, and integrity, no serving Board Member, Alternate Board Member, or Officer of CIBAALAS is eligible to receive or benefit from any award, prize, scholarship, grant, or other recognition administered or provided by CIBAALAS during their term of office. 

2. Board Members and Officers serve in a fiduciary capacity and owe a duty of loyalty to CIBAALAS. They shall avoid: 

1. Participating in any decision or action in which their personal, professional, or immediate family interests may conflict with the interests of CIBAALAS. 

2. Using information obtained through their position for personal gain or for the benefit of any other person or entity. 

3. Receiving any improper personal benefit from third parties in connection with their role. 

3. While Board Members and Officers may have outside business, professional, or personal interests, they shall not participate in any CIBAALAS decision that could directly benefit those interests. 

4. As a condition of nomination or appointment, all nominees and applicants must agree to comply with this Conflict of Interest Policy. 

5. Any Board Member, Officer, or Committee Member with a potential conflict of interest must promptly disclose it and recuse themselves from discussion and voting on the matter.  

Article XII. COMMITTEES 

The Board of Directors shall appoint committees as needed.  A committee must have a chairperson appointed by the vice-president and approved by that Board of Directors.  The Committee chairperson may appoint two or more members in good standing to the committee.  A member may serve on more than one committee.  Except as otherwise stated in the Constitution and Bylaws, a simple majority vote will determine committee actions.  Committees may include:  

1. Membership.  The membership committee shall actively solicit applications for membership and annually solicit renewals on a timely basis.  

2. The Elections committee shall call for nominations to the active membership for officer and board of director positions.  The notice shall indicate a deadline for receipt of nominations.  The committee shall present the Board of Directors with nominees for each position. The committee shall then prepare a ballot for elective offices as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws.  The elections committee will determine the format for voting and the deadline to receive the votes.  Ballots must be presented in a manner which preserves the anonymity of the person casting the ballot.  The candidates for each office who receive the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected and shall take office at the conclusion of the previous term.  In the case of a tie, the Board of Directors will cast the tie breaking vote.  

3. Education and Programs.  The education and programs committee shall be responsible for planning and evaluating workshops, wet labs, technician certification training programs or other educational programs throughout the year.  This committee shall also be responsible for the procurement and/or selection of papers, speakers or special programs for presentation and Branch meetings.  Papers of timely interest to be submitted by branch members will be actively sought and presentation by non-branch individuals will be sought when appropriate.  

4. Fundraising.  The fundraising committee plans and executes fundraisers for CIBAALAS to help fund CIBAALAS events. Some of the duties include reaching out to different people and places, estimating participation and profit, and informing members and non-members of our fundraiser events.  

5. Social. The Social Chair is responsible for planning and coordinating social events that promote a sense of community, engagement, and team spirit among members. This role involves organizing inclusive and welcoming events, managing logistics such as venues and supplies, and coordinating event budgets in collaboration with the Treasurer or other relevant officers. The Social Chair also plays a key role in encouraging member participation and fostering a positive social environment. In addition, they work closely with other members and leadership to ensure events align with the organization’s goals and values. 

6. Public Relations & Social Media.  The duties of the Public Relations & Social Media committee include maintenance of organizational website, email communications and social media campaigns.  

Article XIII.  SPECIAL AND AD HOC COMMITTEES 

Other committees may be authorized and appointed by the Board.  The appointments of their members shall expire or be re-committed at the next annual meeting, unless the committee is dissolved prior to that time by the Board, either at a regular or called meeting.  If in the opinion of two or more of the following: president, vice president, immediate past-president, it becomes necessary to appoint a special or ad hoc committee at a time when it is impossible to obtain authorization of the Board, they shall be empowered to appoint such a committee.  The committee will serve until the next meeting of the Board, at which time it will make a report and be continued or dissolved by the Board.  

Article XIV. FINANCES 

1. Dues and assessments.  Annual dues and special assessments will be established by the Board of Directors. 

2. Remittances.  All remittances shall be deposited into the bank account of the Branch and the treasurer shall be custodian of the investments of the Branch and shall disburse funds in accordance with duly authorized vouchers.  

3. Audit.  The books of the Branch shall be audited annually by the Board of Directors or special finance committee. 

Article XV.  MEETINGS 

There shall be one general meeting of the Branch to be known as the annual meeting which shall be held each year at the time and place selected by the Board of Directors.  The order of business at the annual Branch meetings will be:  

1. Reading of the minutes of the previous annual meeting and special meetings and their approval. 

2. Report of the Board of Directors. 

3. Treasurers report. 

4. Reports of the standing committees. 

5. Reports of the special committees. 

6. Unfinished business from previous meetings 

7. New business. 

The order of business at a special meeting may be limited to the purpose for which the meeting was scheduled or called. 

Article XVI. PROXIES 

In the event a member of the Board of Directors is unable to attend any regular of called meeting of the Board, he/she may in writing notify the secretary of the name of another active member in good standing who is to serve in his/her place for that specific meeting.  The individual named may not be a current member of the Board of Directors.  

Article XVII.  AMENDMENTS 

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors present and voting subject to approval by a majority of the active membership.  When amendments are to be considered at an annual meeting, the membership of the Board shall be notified as the first order of business after the Board is convened.  If amendments are to be considered at any other meeting of the Board of Directors, the members of the board shall be notified of the specific amendments, in writing, not less than 10 days prior to the meeting.  Ten or more active members may submit a proposed amendment to the president.