Bylaws

Bylaws for the SMB Subgroup on Reaction Networks

(Provisional) 

Article 1. 

Name: The name of this Society for Mathematical Biology Subgroup is the Reaction Networks Subgroup.

Article 2. 

Objective: The objective of the Subgroup is to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and to foster research collaboration in the area of reaction networks.

Article 3. 

Membership: The Subgroup shall consist of members and voting members.  Membership in the Subgroup is open to scientists who have relevant educational, research, or practical experience, and who have interest in the topic of reaction networks. A voting member is any person who is both a member of the Subgroup and of the Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB) in good standing. Any SMB member with an interest in reaction networks may join the Subgroup. Non-SMB members need to be approved by the officers of the Subgroup. Prospective members can apply for membership in the Subgroup, by submitting the “Application for Reaction Network Subgroup Membership Form” available on the Subgroup website or from the Secretary/Treasurer. Additionally, SMB members may join the Subgroup by checking the appropriate box on their membership form. All members of the Subgroup are expected to abide by the SMB Principles of Community (https://smb.org/page-1369878).

Article 4. 

Dues: Dues may be assessed to cover the necessary expenses related to operation of the Subgroup. The amount and means of collection must be specified by a Bylaw adopted by the Subgroup.

Article 5. 

Operation: The Subgroup will be operated by the Subgroup Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and an Advisory Committee consisting of 3-4 members, collectively called officers, all of whom must be voting members of the Subgroup. Duties of the Subgroup Chair are to organize and conduct Subgroup meetings, to advise the Society for Mathematical Biology of the activity and needs of the Subgroup and to carry on any other activities that the Chair deems to be beneficial to the Subgroup and to the Society. Duties of the Vice Chair are to advise and assist the Chair in the Subgroup activities and to serve as acting Chair in the event that the Chair should become temporarily unavailable. Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer shall include the keeping of adequate records of membership and working with the Chair on organizational and financial matters relating to the Subgroup. Duties of the Advisory Committee are to advise the Subgroup Chair and Secretary/Treasurer on the organization of Subgroup meetings and activities, and to serve as the Nominating Committee for future officers (see Article 8 below). The officers may appoint distinguished scientists as Honorary Advisors, as needed. Such Honorary Advisors will have voting privileges if they are members of SMB. 

Article 6. 

Terms of Office: The Subgroup Chair will serve for two years and will be eligible for re-election as Chair after vacating that position for at least one year. The Vice Chair will serve for two years and will be eligible for re-election as Vice Chair after vacating that position for at least one year. The Secretary/Treasurer and members of the Advisory Committee shall each be elected for a term of two years. The Secretary/Treasurer may serve up to two consecutive terms in that position, following which they will be eligible for re-election to that position after vacating it for at least one year. Advisory Committee members will be eligible for re-election to the Advisory Committee after vacating that position for at least one year. 

Article 7. 

Eligibility for Office: Only voting members can be candidates for elected positions in the Subgroup.

Article 8. 

Nominating Committee: The nominating committee for the election of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and Advisory Committee members shall consist of the members of the Advisory Committee. Nominations may originate with any voting member and will be made via the Nominating Committee. Nominations may be sent to the Nominating Committee in advance of the Annual Subgroup Business Meeting and may also be made by voting members from the floor at that meeting. Nominees must accept their nomination prior to being placed on a ballot.

Article 9. 

Elections: Elections shall be held at the Annual Subgroup Business Meeting. Only voting members are eligible to vote in elections. The candidate for each office receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. Officers will take office at the end of the Annual Business Meeting held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Society for Mathematical Biology. 

Article 10. 

Meetings: There shall be at least one meeting per year, held at the Annual Meeting at the time designated for Subgroup meetings by the Society for Mathematical Biology. Elections and other business may be transacted by the Subgroup at the Annual Meeting. Adequate written notice of the Annual Meeting, such as publications in the Newsletter, must be given.

Article 11. 

Quorum: There will be no quorum. The voting members attending an Annual Meeting can transact Subgroup business by a simple majority vote.

Article 12. 

Amendments to the Bylaws: These Bylaws can be amended by a simple majority of all voting members present at a regular meeting or by a majority of voting members responding to an electronic ballot.