PSA Bylaws


Approved August 3, 2000

UC Davis Postdoctoral Scholars Association
Charter Bylaws

 

Name and Purpose


A. The name of this organization shall be the UC Davis Postdoctoral Scholars Association (PSA).

B. The PSA seeks to provide resources, information and representation for postdoctoral scholars at the UC Davis campus. The PSA also strives to create a stronger sense of community through an e-mail listserv, webpage and social activities.

 

Membership


A. All postdoctoral fellows who have a current UC Davis appointment are automatically full members.

B. A postdoctoral fellow is defined as an individual who has been awarded or has completed the requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e. Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., or foreign equivalent) and is pursuing a program of advanced training and research. Note- This excludes individuals appointed under the Lecturer series which has its own organization.

 

Officers and Duties


A. The following officers will be appointed by the active PSA members: Chair, Vice-chair, and Secretary/Treasurer.

B. No elections are necessary unless two or more individuals volunteer for a position. In this case, candidates will provide a short statement for review by other PSA members (via e-mail). Ballots will be cast at the next meeting for selection.

C. Appointments for the Chair and Vice-Chair will be for at least 10 months. An officer shall provide advance warning to fellow officers when they will not be able to perform their duties.

D. The Chair will be responsible for the following duties:

  •  Overseeing the timely appointment of new officers
  •  Facilitating and presiding over PSA meetings
  •  Serve as the official PSA representative for communications (e.g. administration)
  •  Maintain a record of PSA meeting attendance

E. The Vice-Chair will acquire all the Chair's responsibilities when the Chair is unable to perform them.

F. The Secretary will record the minutes of PSA meetings and disseminate a draft of these minutes to PSA members via the e-mail listserv prior to the next meeting. The secretary will also post any corrections or additions to the minutes following approval of the minutes in the subsequent meeting.

 

Conduct of the Meetings


A. Agendas and meeting time/location shall be announced via e-mail.

B. The Chair will call the meeting to order

C. Approval of the minutes. The Chair shall ask if there are any additions or corrections to the minutes. After general consent, the minutes will be declared “approved” or “approved as amended” by the Chair.

D. Reports from subcommittees or special guests/representatives if pertinent.

E. Order of subsequent business will be as follows:

  •  Unfinished business from previous meeting
  •  Any business that was to be considered at the previous meeting
  •  New business. The Chair will ask the members if there is any new business to be discussed.
  •  Announcements. The Chair may make, or call upon others to make announcements. Also, members can make any announcements briefly.

 

Voting


A. Voting motions can be made by any member when the Chair considers it appropriate.

B. Voting motions will not decided upon in the same meeting so that the motion can be presented via e-mail to the other members not in attendance. This gives these individuals a chance to cast a vote in the next meeting.

C. The Chair will preside over the discussion/debate on the voting motion.

D. A voting quorum of at least eight PSA members must be met for legitimacy.

E. Decisions shall be made by majority vote.

 

Subcommittees


A. Subcommittees shall be created by the PSA, as needed, by general consensus.

B. The subcommittee will be comprised of volunteers from which a chair is selected.

C. The goals and duties of the subcommittee will be outlined at its formation and approved by the PSA.

 

Review of Bylaws


A. The bylaws can be reviewed by the PSA at any time.

B. Proposed changes to the bylaws can be made by any member. The proposed changes shall be presented via e-mail to all members unable to attend and voted upon at the next meeting.