SICB Constitution

Article I: Name and Object

Section 1.

The name of this organization is the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB).

Section 2.

The purpose of the Society promotes the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge and concepts in integrative and comparative biology, and it adopts and supports policies advancing innovative studies of organisms. shall be the association of professional zoologists for the presentation, discussion, and public dissemination of new or important facts and concepts in the area of animal biology, and the adoption and support of such measures as shall advance the zoological sciences.

Section 3.

These objectives shall be advanced by the holding of regular meetings; publication of a journal, the American Zoologist; and by assisting in the organization and financing of such activities as summer institutes, divisional meetings, symposia, and international congresses. The Society shall promote its stated objectives either directly or through the support of such agencies as the National Research Council and the American Institute of Biological Sciences.

Article II: Membership

Section 1.

The Society shall consist of members, student members, post-doctoral members, emeritus members, and honorary family memberships.

Section 2.

Full Members: Any individual who has completed the doctorate or who has scientific training equivalent to the doctorate and is professionally engaged in the study or promotion of animal biology as a scientific discipline, shall be eligible for Full Membership. Nomination to Full Membership shall be by a Full Member of the Society. Candidates who lack the doctorate may be asked to submit documentation of on-going professional activity.

Section 3.

Associate Members: Any individual who lacks the doctorate or equivalent but who has an interest in animal biology and is involved in the study or promotion of animal biology as a scientific discipline may be eligible for Associate Membership. Nomination to Associate Membership shall be by a Full Member of the Society. Associate Members may present a paper or poster at the Society's annual meeting if (1) a Full Member is a co-author of the presentation or (2) the presentation is sponsored by a Full Member. Associate Members shall receive announcements of meetings and all Society publications. Associate Members may vote but may not hold office. Associate Members who acquire the doctorate or the equivalent may petition the Membership Committee to become Full Members.

Section 3.

Student Members: Any postgraduate student in biological science who has been nominated by a Full Member of the Society shall be eligible for Student Membership. An individual may hold Student Membership for a maximum of six years. After six years, the Student Member who has completed a doctorate shall automatically be promoted to Full Membership. on demonstration of appropriate qualification. A Student Member who has not completed the doctorate shall automatically become an Associate Member after six years as a Student Member. A Student Member may request a limited extension of Student Membership by written a signed letter request signed by both the Student and the Student's advisor (or other appropriate Full Member of the Society) must be submitted to the Membership Committee which shall then approve or disapprove the request. to the Business Office. If the Student Member fails to complete the doctorate, he/she shall automatically be promoted to Associate Member on expiration of the extension. Student Members shall receive announcements of meetings and all Society publications. Student Members may vote but may not hold office. A Student Member may present one paper or poster at each meeting of the Society under sponsorship of a Full Member.

Section 4.

Student in Training (SIT) Members: Any undergraduate college or upper level high school student who has demonstrated a precocious and clearcut understanding of science which should lead to Full Membership at a later date may hold this membership. and whose application is supported by a letter of recommendation from a member of the Society. Election to Student in Training Membership shall be by majority vote of the Membership Committee. Normally an individual may not hold SIT Membership for more than five years, after which he/she is eligible for and shall be automatically promoted to Student Membership on demonstration to the Membership Committee of qualification for Student Membership. in the Society. SIT Members shall receive announcements of meetings and all Society publications. They may neither vote, nor hold office. An SIT Member may present one paper at each meeting of the Society, under sponsorship of a Full Member, after first having given a presentation at a recognized local, regional, or national scientific meeting.

Section 5.

Emeritus Members: Any individual SICB member who has retired shall, after written application to the Secretary, be designated as an Emeritus Member. Emeritus members shall hold one of two levels of membership; those who receive the Journal and those who do not. The Executive Committee will set membership dues as stated in the Bylaws.

Section 6.

Postdoctoral Members: Any student who has earned a doctoral degree in biological science, is a postdoctoral fellow or associate, and has been nominated by a Full Member of the Society shall be eligible for Postdoctoral Membership.

Section 7.

Family Memberships: SICB offers three types of family memberships: Full Family Membership; Postdoctoral Family Membership and Student Family Memberships. Family memberships allow two persons in one household to both be members. Although both members are eligible to vote, only one subscription of American Zoologist per household is included in this membership category.

Article III: Administrative Organization

Section 5.

Membership Committee: The President, after consultation with the Executive Committee, shall appoint a Membership Committee of three members, each for a term of three years. who shall review qualifications of individuals nominated for membership of all grades and elect those qualified as prescribed in Article II of the Constitution, and consider other matters relating to procedures and policies of membership in the Society. The Committee shall consider matters relating to the recruitment of new members and the procedures and policies of membership in the Society. The appointment of members of the Committee shall be ordered so that the term of one member shall expire each year. The senior member of the Committee shall serve as Chairperson and the Secretary shall be a member of the Committee ex officio.

Section 9.

Endowment Development Committee: The President shall appoint a Endowment Development Committee consisting of not less than seven (7) members, which may be augmented by ad hoc members appointed by the Chair. The Committee shall explore ways of increasing the Society's endowment as approved by the Executive Committee. The Committee shall approach potential donors to the endowment and make requests for donations. The appointment of members shall be ordered so that the term of one member shall expire every two (2) years. The president shall appoint the Chair, and the Treasurer shall serve as an ex officio member.

Section 10.

Graduate Student/ Postdoctoral Affairs Committee: The President shall appoint a Committee consisting of a Full Member as Chair and, after consultation with each Division, a student or postdoctoral member from each Division. The Committee shall host a program of special interest to Student and Postdoctoral Members at each annual meeting. The term of the Chair shall be three years; the terms of the Student and Postdoctoral Members shall be flexible, depending upon academic status of the individuals.

Section 11.

Graduate Student Support Committee: The President shall appoint a Committee consisting of a Full Member as Chair and no fewer than five (5) committee members. The Chair may also appoint ad hoc members as needed. The committee shall be responsible for overseeing all SICB activities related to student support as directed by the Executive Committee. The term of the Chair shall be three (3) years; the terms of the committee members shall be staggered at two (2) year intervals. The Treasurer shall serve as an ex officio member.

Article VI: Divisions of the Society

Section 1.

A Division of the Society may be organized in any specialized area of animal integrative and comparative biology by not less than twenty five members of the Society, upon written request to, and approval by, the Executive Committee. Such Divisions shall have the right to elect their own Chairpersons and other officers.

Article VII: Amendments to the Constitution

Section 4.