Resolutions to the Bylaws
Resolutions to Article II. Purpose
Resolution 1. Focus of Activities. The focus of scientific and educational activities, the Annual Meeting and The Journal of Neuroscience shall be global.
Resolutions to Article III. Membership
Resolution 1. Application for Membership. Any person who has done research relating to the neurosciences is eligible to apply for Regular or Student membership as appropriate. An application supported by two Regular Members shall be submitted directly to the membership team of the Society on forms that shall be provided by the Society office.
Resolution 2. Regular Members. The following subcategories of regular membership have no effect on member rights and benefits. Regular members may be eligible for five categories of reduced fees.
a) Reduced Dues Category 1. Reduced Dues Category 1 is available to Regular members residing in countries classified by the World Bank as “low-income economies.”
b) Reduced Dues Category 2. Reduced Dues Category 2 is available to Regular members residing in countries classified by the World Bank as “lower-middle-income economies.”
c) Reduced Dues Category 3. Reduced Dues Category 3 is available to Regular members residing in countries classified by the World Bank as "upper-middle-income economies"
d) Emeritus Category. Any Regular member may become an Emeritus member upon retirement by submitting written notification thereof to the Executive Director of the Society.
e) Postdoctoral Member Category. Postdoctoral Member Category is available to Regular members who have obtained their doctoral degree and are currently working in a postdoctoral training program. Members are eligible for the postdoctoral member category for a period of five years. Members in the postdoctoral member category may request an extension beyond the five-year limit, but must provide documentation confirming eligibility to SfN's membership team.
Resolution 3. Student Members. Student members have all rights of Regular members except the right to vote, hold elected office, or sponsor membership applications. Eligibility for student membership categories shall continue until the individual is eligible for the Postdoctoral membership category, up to a maximum of two years.
a) Reduced Dues Category 1. Reduced Dues Category 1 is available to Student members residing in countries classified by the World Bank as “low-income economies.”
b) Reduced Dues Category 2. Reduced Dues Category 2 is available to Student members residing in countries classified by the World Bank as “lower-middle-income economies” and as “upper-middle-income economies.”
c) Undergraduate Student Member Category. Undergraduate Student Member Category is available to Student members who are enrolled in programs at undergraduate degree-granting institutions.
Resolution 4. Affiliate Members. Persons or organizations interested in the Society's objectives and in participating in the Society's functions but not eligible for Regular or Student membership may be appointed to Affiliate membership. Affiliate members shall not vote or hold elected office. The categories of Affiliate membership are described below.
a) Honorary Members. Council may elect Honorary members in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of neuroscience generally or to the Society for Neuroscience in particular. Both neuroscientists and non-neuroscientists are eligible, but no current Regular, Student, or Affiliate member is eligible for election to Honorary membership. Nominations shall be submitted to Council by the Global Membership Committee.
b) Sponsored Members. Any researcher or student who is unable to apply for Regular or Student membership because of political and/or economic reasons, or is otherwise ineligible to apply for membership in one of these classes, can be proposed for Sponsored membership. An application supported in writing by one Regular member who agrees to act as a Sponsor shall be submitted directly to the Society's
Global Membership Committee. The application shall certify that the candidate 1) desires membership in the Society, and 2) meets the criteria for membership in the applicable class.
c) Sustaining Associates. Organizations that have an interest in the advancement of neuroscience may be approved at the time of their initial request by the full Global Membership Committee, or its chair, to become Sustaining Associates. Organizations that are denied membership will be reviewed by Council.
d) Institutional Program Members. Formal programs at educational or research facilities that include undergraduate, pre-doctoral, or postdoctoral trainees engaged in neuroscience research and/or study, and that provide the necessary expertise in a wide range of interdisciplinary scientific skillsets to trainees that propels the scientific enterprise towards discovery and an understanding of the workings of the nervous system, may be approved at the time of their initial request by the full Neuroscience Training Committee, or its chair, to become Institutional Program Members. Academic departments and programs that are denied membership will be reviewed by Council.
Resolution 5. Nondiscrimination. No applicant otherwise qualified for membership in one of the foregoing classes shall be denied such membership on the grounds of age, sex, race or ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual preference, disability, or any other category protected by federal or District of Columbia law.
Resolution 6. Expulsion from Membership. In extraordinary circumstances Council may expel from the Society a member whose actions are counter to the purposes of the Society. Said member shall be given written notice of expulsion and the reasons therefore, and shall have the right of appeal to Council.
Resolution 7. Penalty for Nonpayment of Dues and Assessments. New and continuing members who have not paid dues within 30 days of the stated due date will be notified of forfeiture of membership. Reinstatement shall require the request of the delinquent member and liquidation of all indebtedness.
Resolution 8. Duration of Membership. Members may resign at any time by giving written notice to the membership team of the Society. Otherwise, membership shall continue indefinitely as long as dues and assessments are paid according to the preceding section.
Resolution 9. Service on Committees. With the exception of the Investment Committee (see Resolutions to Article IX. Committees, Resolution 3. Business Committee Charters), members of all Society for Neuroscience Committees shall be Regular or Student members.
Resolutions to Article IV. Meetings
Resolution 1. Annual Members' Business Meeting. This meeting will be held during the Annual Meeting to provide the opportunity for the Membership to meet with Council to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Resolutions to Article V. Officers
Resolution 1. Definition of Officers. The Officers of the Society include President, President-Elect, Past President, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Past Treasurer, Secretary, and Secretary-Elect.
Resolution 2. Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary will chair the Committee on Committees and serve as editorial advisor to the Society's newsletter.
Resolution 3. Nomination of Officers. Slates of candidates for Officers shall be prepared annually from the roll of eligible Members by the Nominating Committee. Candidates may be proposed by Members with voting rights during the thirty (30) days after nominations are open. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate with not less than two nor more than three names for each position, taking into consideration the representation of scientific disciplines, with due regard to proposals received. Additional candidates may be nominated and placed on the ballot by petition of one percent or more Members eligible to vote. The ballot will indicate that the candidate was placed on the ballot by the petition mechanism. Receipt of petitions for write-in candidates to be included on the Ballot without selection by the Nomination committee must be received prior to the close of nominations of that election year.
Resolution 4. Nominating Committee Composition. The Nominating Committee will be composed of members of the Committee on Committees and will be chaired by the President of the Society.
Resolution 5. Vacancies. Should the Office of President become vacant, the President-Elect shall become President and serve the remainder of the term as well as the succeeding term. Should the position of President-Elect become vacant between the annual election and Annual Meeting, the newly designated President-Elect shall assume office. Should the office of President-Elect become vacant between the Annual Meeting and annual election, or if the President-Elect designate shall be unable to assume office, Council shall by majority vote elect a member of Council to serve in an interim capacity until a replacement can be elected. Should the Office of Secretary become vacant while there is a Secretary-Elect, the latter shall assume office. If the Secretary-Elect cannot assume office or there is not a Secretary-Elect, the Council shall by majority vote elect a Councilor to serve in an interim capacity until the next duly elected candidate assumes the office of Secretary.. Should the Office of Treasurer become vacant while there is a Treasurer-Elect, the latter shall assume office. If the Treasurer-Elect cannot assume office, the Council shall by majority vote elect a Councilor to serve in an interim capacity until the next duly elected candidate assumes the office of Treasurer.
Resolution 6. Removal from Office. An Officer who is found to carry out the duties of office in a manner counter to the interests of the Society may be removed from office by vote of 75% of the other Council members with voting privileges.
Resolution 7. Voting. All Regular members are eligible to vote in elections for Officers. Officers shall be elected by a simple plurality of votes on ballots received a minimum of 15 days after ballots have been provided to all Members with voting rights. Individual votes shall be cast for each designated position.
Resolution 8. Membership Standing of Officers. Each of the elected officers is required to be a Regular Member.
Resolution 9. Duties of the President-Elect. The President-Elect shall appoint the incoming chair of the Program Committee, who will take office at the same time as the President-Elect.
Resolutions to Article VI. Council
Resolution 1. Nomination of Councilors. Slates of Regular Member candidates for Councilor positions shall be prepared by the Nominating Committee through the same procedures and guidelines stipulated for the selection of nominees for Officers, with a separate slate of names for each Council vacancy.
Additional candidates for Councilor may be nominated and placed on the ballot by petition of one percent or more of Regular Members prior to the close of nominations of the election year. The ballot will indicate that the candidate was placed on the ballot by the petition mechanism.
Resolution 2. Vacancies. All vacancies in Councilor positions shall be filled on an interim basis by the President from the list of eligible Members. At the next annual election replacements shall be elected for the balance of the term by the same procedures as stipulated for the ordinary election of Councilors. Councilors appointed or elected to serve a partial term are eligible to be nominated and run for election to any Councilor position.
Resolution 3. Removal from Office. A Councilor who is found to carry out the duties of office in a manner counter to the interests of the Society may be removed from office by written vote of 75% of the other members of Council with voting privileges.
Resolution 4. Voting. Councilors shall be elected by a simple plurality of votes on ballots received a minimum of 15 days after ballots have been provided all Members with voting rights. Individual votes shall be cast for each designated position.
Resolution 5. Execution of Business by Council. In meetings, decisions of Council will be determined by a simple plurality of votes cast. Any forum whereby Councilors can all simultaneously witness and participate in a discussion is considered a meeting. Meetings may be conducted in person or by telephone or other telephonic communications. Council may also conduct business by mail or email but in such cases any vote must be unanimous of all voting members of Council.
Resolutions to Article VII. Executive Director and Central Office
Resolution 1. Managerial Responsibilities. The Executive Director shall oversee the preparation of the Society's Annual Budget, which shall be reviewed and approved by Council. The Executive Director shall have signatory powers, and shall maintain and have custody of the financial books and other records of the Society. Such records shall be subject to annual audit and other review from time to time as may be directed by Council. The Executive Director shall have the authority to hire and remove staff within the authorized financial plan, and shall enter into such agreements as may be necessary to carry out the activities of the Society as approved by Council. The Executive Director shall be responsible for distributing notice of the Annual Meetings and special meetings of the membership.
Resolutions to Article VIII. Chapters
Resolution 1. Charter. Chapters will be chartered by Council upon receipt of a petition signed by no less than 10 Regular Members residing in the region. Student Members may initiate the process but will need to engage 10 Regular Members as signatories on the petition. A prospective chapter may only submit a petition if there is not a chapter in the local area. In the event that the local chapter is inactive, the member cannot apply to start a new chapter but must reactivate the existing chapter.
Resolution 2. Active status. To maintain active status as a Chapter, at least one meeting must be held each year, and the Chapter must maintain at least 10 Regular, Honorary, or Sponsored Members who reside in the region. Chapters may adopt Bylaws for the regulation of the affairs of the Chapter, provided such Bylaws do not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Resolutions or Policies of the Society, and further provided that such Bylaws be approved by the Global Membership Committee.
Resolution 3. Dissolution. A Chapter shall be dissolved and terminated at the time its membership is less than 10. There shall be, however, a two-year grace period before the final dissolution. In the event of dissolution or termination, the Chapter shall, after the payment of all the debts and liabilities of the organization, convey and transfer any remaining assets to the Society. Under no circumstances shall the Society be responsible or liable for any debts or liabilities of the Chapter that are outstanding at the time of said dissolution or termination.
Resolutions to Article IX. Committees
Resolution 1. Executive Committee. In the case of major decisions that have not been discussed by the full Council, or if an actual or potential emergency or unexpected situation arises that could pose a significant threat to SfN's operations, membership, or reputation, it is agreed that the Council's and the Executive Committee's default expectation is that a conference call with the full Council should be scheduled if time and circumstances permit, to allow information about the situation to be shared, and options or actions to be taken by the Society to be discussed by the full Council.
Resolution 2. Committee Member Types. Committees may be composed of four different types of members: standard, internal liaison, ex officio, and external liaison. The chair of the committee must be a standard or ex officio committee member.
a. Standard committee members are approved by Council, may vote, must be members (with the exception of the outside members of the Investment Committee), and serve terms as defined in the bylaws and/or committee charters.
b. Internal Liaison committee members serve to facilitate communication between committees. Internal Liaison committee members are chosen by the committee that they primarily serve, may vote, and serve terms consistent with those on their home committee.
c. Ex officio committee members serve by virtue of their office and serve terms as defined by their office. Ex officio members for each committee are defined in the committee charters and may vote.
d. External Liaison committee members serve to facilitate communication between SfN committees and other external organizations. External liaison committee members are approved by Council, may vote, and serve terms as defined in the bylaws and/or committee charters. Guests are invited by the chair of the committee as needed and may not vote.
Resolution 3. Business Committees. The Society's Business Committees will be created to integrate activities of the membership, promote education and dissemination of information, and represent the Society to the public, governmental agencies, and other scientific organizations. The Society's Business Committees shall include, but are not be limited to, the following: Audit Committee, Committee on Animals in Research, Trainee Advisory Committee, Global Membership Committee, Government and Public Affairs Committee, Investment Committee, Neuroscience Training Committee, Nominating Committee, Professional Development Committee, and Public Education and Communication Committee. All Business Committees shall submit, in advance of the Annual Meeting, a written report of the year's accomplishments and progress toward goals.
Resolution 4. Business Committee Charters. Charters for each of the Society's Business Committees are approved by Council and outline the goals, composition and terms, and general schedule. Council shall update these charters as needed to ensure that they are in line with the Society's strategic plan and goals. The charters may be found here.
Resolutions to Article X. Publications
Resolution 1. Income. The expenditure of income derived from journals and other publications shall be under the direction of Council.
Resolution 2: Editor-in-Chief. The positions of Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of The Journal of Neuroscience and eNeuro are a five-year appointment and are considered a one-term position by default. If the current EIC wishes to be considered for a second term, this intent should be expressed to Council in writing by the middle of the fourth year (prior to the Summer Council meeting). In that event, Council should appoint an ad hoc committee to recommend to Council by the annual meeting whether a second term should be granted. The EIC may not serve more than two terms.
Resolution 3. Authority of the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Neuroscience and of eNeuro have complete authority and autonomy over the review, acceptance, publication, or retraction of content in print and online for the publication.
Resolutions to Article XII. Amendments
Resolution 1. Proposed Amendments. Proposals for Amendment to the Bylaws are presented and discussed at the Members' Business Meeting held yearly at the Annual Meeting. The vote of the eligible members will occur in the January following the Members' Business Meeting.
The Resolutions were updated November 2017.
