Amendment to Bylaws

Resolution 404-2014 — Adopted
Sponsors
2013-14 Governance Work Group
Financial Impact
None
Resolution

Resolved, that the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this Association is the American Student Dental Association, hereafter referred to as “the Association” or “this Association.”

ARTICLE II - MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
The American Student Dental Association is a national student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests and welfare of dental students. It introduces students to lifelong involvement in organized dentistry and provides services, information, education, representation and advocacy.

The objectives of the Association are:

  1. Promote the welfare of dental students by educating and involving them in the social, moral and ethical obligations of the profession of dentistry and the provision of oral healthcare to all people.
  2. Advocate just treatment for dental students and assist them in the event that such treatment is not afforded.
  3. Represent the needs, interests and welfare of dental students to legislative and regulatory bodies and other entities that have influence on these concerns and the profession of dentistry.
  4. Promote, encourage and foster lifelong involvement in organized dentistry.
  5. Research, organize and disseminate information important to dental students and to other organizations and individuals involved in healthcare education, practice and research.
  6. Promote, encourage and provide opportunities for participation in leadership development, community service, dental research and other experiences for professional development and the advancement of dentistry.
  7. Advocate for the improvement of dental care and its delivery to the public.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

  • Section 1.  Categories
    1. Predoctoral Membership
      Predoctoral membership is available to a dental student enrolled in a predoctoral program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, beginning with the first full membership year following enrollment in dental school. Upon graduation, a predoctoral member maintains membership status until the end of the membership year.
    2. Predental Membership
      Predental membership is available to a person seeking enrollment in a predoctoral program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, who resides within the United States and its possessions, and who is not eligible for predoctoral membership. Upon enrollment into dental school, a predental member maintains membership status until the end of the membership year.
    3. International Dental Student Membership
      International dental student membership is available to dental students currently enrolled in a dental school outside the United States and its possessions that is listed in the World Directory of Dental Schools compiled by the FDI World Federation.
  • Section 2.  Membership Privileges
    1. Predoctoral Members
      A predoctoral member is entitled to all the privileges and benefits of the Association, including the right to hold a national leadership position and cast a vote in the House of Delegates if eligible.
    2. Other Members
      A member who is not a predoctoral member may be entitled to membership benefits as deemed appropriate by the board of trustees. Only predoctoral members may be elected to a national leadership position and cast a vote in the House of Delegates.
  • Section 3.  Ethics
    Members must abide by the ASDA Code of Ethics.
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  • Section 4.  Membership Dues
    Membership dues are determined by the House of Delegates. Membership runs on a calendar year from January 1 through December 31. Dues received after September 1 are applied to the following year’s membership. If dues are not processed by December 31, membership is forfeited until dues are paid.
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  • Section 5.  Resignation
    A member resigns by tendering a written notice to the board of trustees and forfeits all dues paid to the Association.
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  • Section 6.  Expulsion
    A member may be expelled for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of trustees. Any member involved in disciplinary proceedings is entitled to present his/her defense in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE IV - LEADERSHIP

  • Section 1. Officers
    The officers of the Association are the president, the two (2) vice presidents, the speaker of the House of Delegates and the executive director.
    1. President
      1. Duties
        The duties of the president include:
        1. Official spokesperson for the Association
        2. Chairperson of the board of trustees
        3. Chairperson of the executive committee
        4. Call a special session of the House of Delegates or board of trustees
        5. Immediate past president for a term of office to run concurrently with that of his/her successor
        6. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates
      2. Voting Privileges
        The president may vote on the board of trustees by secret ballot, to break a tie, to create a tie, or when the president is not serving as chair. The president has full voting privileges on the executive committee.
      3. Vacancy
        If a vacancy in the office of president arises, the board of trustees elects a new president from the vice presidents by a majority vote. The newly elected president serves until a new president is elected at the next Annual Session of the House of Delegates. If the president is temporarily unable to fulfill his/her duties, the president directs a vice president to fulfill the duties of the office.
    2. Vice President
      1. Duties
        The duties of the vice president include:
        1. Official spokesperson for the Association at the request of the president
        2. Assist the president as requested
        3. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates
      2. Voting Privileges
        The vice president has full voting privileges on the board of trustees and the executive committee.
      3. Vacancy
        If a vacancy arises in the office of vice president, the board of trustees will nominate predoctoral member candidates for the position. Upon notification, the member must submit an application by an established deadline to be considered. The board of trustees elects a vice president by majority vote.
    3. Speaker of the House of Delegates
      1. Duties
        The duties of the speaker of the House include:
        1. Chairperson of the House of Delegates
        2. Parliamentarian of the Association
        3. Review Association governance documents
        4. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates
      2. Voting Privileges
        The speaker of the House is a non-voting member of the board of trustees.
      3. Vacancy
        If a vacancy in the office of speaker of the House arises, the board of trustees fills the vacancy. If the speaker of the House is temporarily unable to fulfill his/her duties, the executive committee appoints a speaker pro tem.
    4. Executive Director
      1. Duties
        The duties of the executive director include:
        1. Chief administrative, operations and financial officer of the Association
        2. Secretary of the House of Delegates
        3. Treasurer of the Association
        4. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees
      2. Voting Privileges
        The executive director is a non-voting member of both the board of trustees and the executive committee.
      3. Qualifications
        The executive director shall have experience in Association management, including personnel and fiscal management.
      4. Vacancy
        If a vacancy in the office of executive director arises, the remaining executive committee members appoint an executive director, subject to the approval of the board of trustees. In the absence of the secretary, the speaker of the House appoints a secretary pro tem. If the executive director is temporarily unable to fulfill his/her duties, the remaining executive committee members appoint an interim executive director, subject to the approval of the board of trustees.
  • Section 2.  District Trustee
    1. Duties
      The duties of a district trustee include:
      1. Board of Trustees member
      2. Represent the constituents of his/her district
      3. Chair person of the district caucus
      4. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees
    2. Voting Privileges
      A district trustee has full voting privileges on the board of trustees.
    3. Vacancy
      If a district trustee is unable to fulfill his/her term of office, the executive committee appoints a member from the same district to fill the vacancy, subject to the approval of the board of trustees.
  • Section 3. Appointed Leader
    An appointed leader is a predoctoral member appointed to a national leadership position by the board of trustees in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees. An appointed leader vacancy is filled by the board of trustees.
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  • Section 4. Eligibility
    A predoctoral member is eligible for election or appointment to a national leadership position if he/she is a member in good standing with his/her school and chapter, consents to candidacy and submits an application and required materials to the executive director by an established deadline.
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  • Section 5. Term
    An elected or appointed leader serves from the conclusion of the annual session following their election or appointment until the conclusion of the subsequent annual session.

    Members appointed to ADA councils or the ASDA delegation to the ADA House of Delegates serve the terms specified by the ADA.
  • Section 6. Removal from Office
    Any elected or appointed leader may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of trustees.

ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATION

  • Section 1. Incorporation
    This Association is an Illinois non-profit corporation.
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  • Section 2. Chapter
    A chapter may be established at any predoctoral dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in the United States and its territories, subject to the approval of the board of trustees as per the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates. A chapter is a separate legal entity. The Association is not responsible for debts or obligations of a chapter and a chapter is not responsible for the debts or obligations of the Association. A chapter’s charter may be suspended or revoked for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of trustees.
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  • Section 3. District
    A district is a grouping of chapters which facilitates joint chapter activities. A district is not an internal unit of the Association. Chapters of this Association are grouped into districts based on geographical distribution.

ARTICLE VI - GOVERNANCE

  • Section 1. House of Delegates
    1. Members
      The House of Delegates consists of two (2) credentialed delegates from each chapter of the Association. The chairperson is the speaker of the House of Delegates. The secretary is the executive director. The executive committee, the immediate past president, Trustees, and staff are non-voting ex officio members of the House of Delegates. Access to the floor of the House of Delegates is at the discretion of the Chair.

    2. Powers
      The House of Delegates is the supreme legislative body of the Association and is responsible for determining policies, initiatives, and directives for the Association.

    3. Duties
      The duties of the House of Delegates include:
      1. Determine the policies governing the Association
      2. Establish task forces as necessary
      3. Amend these Bylaws
      4. Elect the president, vice presidents and speaker of the House
      5. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates
    4. Meetings
      1. Annual Session
        The House of Delegates meets during the Association's Annual Session. Dates and location of the Annual Session are determined in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees.
      2. Special Session
        The president shall call for a special session of the House of Delegates on three fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of the members of the board of trustees or on written request of at least one half (1/2) of all first and second delegates. The time and place of a special session is determined by the president, provided the time selected is not more than forty-five (45) days after the necessary request quota was received. The business of a special session is limited to that stated in the official call except by unanimous consent.
      3. Telephone and Electronic Meetings
        Telephone and electronic meetings are permitted as outlined in the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees.
  • Section 2. Board of Trustees
    1. Members
      The board of trustees consists of the president, the vice presidents, the executive director, the speaker of the House of Delegates, the immediate past president, the editor-in-chief and district trustees. The executive director, the speaker of the House of Delegates, the immediate past president and the editor-in-chief are non- voting ex officio members of the board of trustees.
    2. Powers
      The board of trustees is the governing body of the Association and is responsible for administration and management of the Association.
    3. Duties
      The duties of the board of trustees include:
      1. Approve the Association’s budget
      2. Appoint leaders as indicated by the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees
      3. Establish task forces as necessary
      4. Establish, modify or eliminate councils and/or workgroups
      5. Fulfill the directives of the House of Delegates
      6. Determine interim Association policy by a two-thirds (2/3) vote between meetings of the House of Delegates, subject to House of Delegates approval at its next session
      7. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees
    4. Meetings
      The board of trustees meets no fewer than five (5) times per year. Cancellation of any meeting requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of trustees.
  • Section 3. Executive Committee
    1. Members
      The executive committee consists of the president, the vice presidents, and the executive director. The executive director is a non-voting ex-officio member of the executive committee.
    2. Powers
      The executive committee administers and manages Association business between meetings of the board of trustees. Policy decisions are subject to approval by the board of trustees.
    3. Duties
      The duties of the executive committee include:
      1. Review the Association’s budget and oversee fiscal planning
      2. Appoint leaders as indicated by the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees
      3. Fulfill the directives of the House of Delegates
      4. Other duties as may be indicated by the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates and the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees
    4. Meetings
      The executive committee determines its own meetings.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS

  • Section 1. Candidacy
    1. Official Candidate
      An eligible member wishing to be an official candidate for president/vice president, speaker of the House of Delegates or district trustee must submit an application and required materials to the executive director by the established deadline. An official president/vice president or speaker of the House candidate is named in ASDA News, receives formal district caucusing privileges and has his/her name printed on ballots.
    2. Write-in Candidate
      Write-in candidates for president/vice president or speaker of the House of Delegates are permitted. A write-in candidate is not considered an official candidate for office and is not entitled to the privileges of an official candidate. A write-in candidate is no longer an eligible candidate once he/she does not advance to a subsequent ballot.
  • Section 2. Nomination
    An official candidate shall be formally nominated on the floor of the House of Delegates at the Association’s Annual Session by a predoctoral member who is not a current or former national leader of the Association. A write-in candidate may be nominated by a predoctoral member on the floor of the House of Delegates following the nomination of official candidates. Nomination is not required for eligibility.
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  • Section 3. Voting
    1. President and Vice Presidents
      The first ballot lists the names of all official candidates for president/vice president. Each delegate votes for three different candidates and only ballots with exactly three different candidates selected are valid. The first ballot determines the student members of the executive committee and the three candidates receiving the most votes advance to the second ballot. In the case of a tie, more than three candidates will advance to a subsequent ballot containing the remaining candidates’ names. Balloting will continue until the student members of the executive committee are determined in the same manner as the first ballot. If fewer than three official candidates for president/vice president exist, the first ballot is conducted in the manner of a second ballot.

      Once the student members of the executive committee are determined, on each subsequent ballot each delegate votes for one candidate for president. Advancing candidates may be asked questions submitted in advance by the district trustees and selected by the chair as per the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates. A candidate for office cannot serve as chair of the House of Delegates during any portion of election proceedings for that office.

      The second ballot lists the names of official candidates advancing from the first ballot. Each delegate votes for one candidate. Only ballots with exactly one candidate selected are valid. The candidate with a majority vote is elected president. The two remaining candidates are elected vice presidents. If no candidate receives a majority on the second ballot, the candidate receiving the least votes of the three does not advance and is elected vice president. If the second ballot does not elect a president, delegates cast a third ballot.

      The third ballot lists the names of official candidates advancing from the second ballot. Each delegate votes for one candidate. Only ballots with exactly one candidate selected are valid. The candidate with a majority vote is elected president. If the third ballot does not elect a president, the House of Delegates recesses for the purpose of caucusing. The House of Delegates then reconvenes and delegates cast a fourth ballot in the same manner as the third ballot. If the fourth ballot does not elect a president, delegates cast a fifth ballot in the same manner as the third ballot at the beginning of the next business meeting during that Annual Session.

      Only advancing candidates are eligible to receive a vote on subsequent ballots. Any ballot possessing a vote for an ineligible candidate is invalid.
    2. Speaker of the House of Delegates
      The first ballot lists the names of all official candidates for speaker of the House. Each delegate votes for one candidate and only ballots with one candidate selected are valid. The candidate with a majority vote is elected speaker of the House. If the first ballot does not elect a speaker of the House, the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to a second ballot.

      Advancing candidates may be asked questions submitted in advance by the district trustees and selected by the chair as per the Standing Rules of the House of Delegates. A candidate for office cannot serve as Chair of the House of Delegates during any portion of election proceedings for that office.

      The second ballot lists the names of official candidates advancing from the first ballot. Each delegate votes for one candidate. Only ballots with exactly one candidate selected are valid. The candidate with a majority vote is elected speaker of the House. If the second ballot does not elect a speaker, the candidate receiving the least number of votes does not advance. All other candidates advance and delegates cast a third ballot.

      The third ballot lists the names of official candidates advancing from the second ballot. Each delegate votes for one candidate. Only ballots with exactly one candidate selected are valid. The candidate with a majority vote is elected speaker of the House. If the third ballot does not elect a speaker of the House, the House of Delegates recesses for the purpose of caucusing. The House of Delegates then reconvenes and delegates cast a fourth ballot in the same manner as the third ballot. If the fourth ballot does not elect a speaker, delegates cast a fifth ballot in the same manner as the third ballot at the beginning of the next business meeting during that Annual Session.

      Only advancing candidates are eligible to receive a vote on subsequent ballots. Any ballot possessing a vote for an ineligible candidate is invalid.
    3. District Trustee
      A district elects a trustee in accordance with the procedures found in the district’s caucus rules. Election ballots must be returned to the secretary of the House of Delegates following election.
    4. Eligibility for Voting
      Only credentialed delegates may cast a ballot. No absentee ballots are accepted.

ARTICLE VIII - STANDING COMMITTEES

Standing committees of the Association are councils, work groups and the Editorial Board. The board of trustees appoints the council chairs and associates, work group chairs and the Editorial Board. The executive committee assigns board members to all standing committees and work groups.

ARTICLE IX - SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A special committee of the Association is a task force. A task force performs specific tasks not assigned to a standing committee. The task force ceases to exist after the final report is submitted or until otherwise specified. The executive committee or board of trustees may appoint the chair and members of the task force, subject to approval by the board of trustees.

ARTICLE X - QUORUM

  • Section 1. House of Delegates
    A quorum of the House of Delegates consists of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members registered at a House of Delegates meeting. No action of the House of Delegates is valid unless a quorum is present.
  • Section 2. Board of Trustees
    A quorum of the board of trustees consists of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members. No action of the board of trustees is valid unless a quorum is present.

ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The most current edition of the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure governs this Association in all parliamentary situations not provided for by law, these Bylaws or Special Rules of Order.

ARTICLE XII - RESIDUAL AUTHORITY

All powers not specified in these Bylaws, Standing Rules of the House of Delegates or the Standing Rules of the Board of Trustees of the Association reside with the House of Delegates.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS

An amendment to these Bylaws must be presented in writing to the secretary of the House of Delegates by the established deadline. On receipt of a proposed amendment and subsequent review by the board of trustees, the Secretary forwards a copy to each chapter before Annual Session. An amendment is ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the House of Delegates.

The speaker of the House of Delegates is authorized to make an editorial change to an Association governance document, including these Bylaws.