Constitution and Bylaws
The American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

The mission of the American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery is to foster the use of stereotactic and functional neurological methods for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system. Our goal is to advance stereotactic and functional neurosurgery and related sciences, to improve patient care, to support meaningful basic and clinical research, to provide leadership in undergraduate and graduate education and continuing education, and to provide administrative facilities necessary to meet these goals.

Further, the Society will provide a forum for the review of the basic form and function of the human nervous system in order to improve stereotactic and/or functional neurosurgical procedures that alleviate human disease and suffering through diagnosis or treatment of the function of the nervous system. We will also establish minimum standards for the performance of stereotactic surgery through the meeting relevant to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.

Article I. Name

This Society shall be named, known and styled as:
The American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery

It is an affiliate section of the American Association on Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and, as such, members are also bound by the bylaws of the parent organization.

Section 1
The objectives of this Society shall be:
(a) To foster the use of stereotactic and functional neurological methods for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system.
(b) To advance stereotactic and functional neurosurgery and related sciences, to improve patient care, to support meaningful basic and clinical research, to provide leadership in undergraduate and graduate education and continuing education, and to promote administrative facilities necessary to achieve these goals.

Section 2
The function of this Society will be:
(a) To provide a forum for the review of the basic form and function of the human nervous system toward the improvement of stereotactic and/or functional neurosurgical procedures that alleviate human disease and suffering through diagnosis or treatment of the function of the nervous system.
(b) To establish minimum standards for the performance of stereotactic surgery through meetings relevant to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.

Section 3
No form of membership in this Society should be interpreted as endorsing the qualifications of the respective member to perform operations on human patients. Members who use their membership for advertising purposes in any way shall forfeit this membership.

Section 4
Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary to be acted upon by the Board of Directors.

Section 5
Any active member of the Society in good standing or the Board of Directors may prefer charges in accordance with the bylaws of the AANS and CNS against members who fail to maintain good professional standing.

Section 6
Special Committees may be appointed at the discretion of the President.

The members elected to this Society shall be divided into four types: (a) Active; (b) Associate; (c) Honorary; (d) International; (e) Resident; (f) Senior.

(a) Active members shall be medical doctors who are members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons or the Congress of Neurological Surgeons who have engaged in active participation in the field of stereotactic or functional neurosurgery. Only active members shall be entitled to hold office.

(b) Associate members may be M.D.'s, Ph.D.'s, engineers, and others who are not members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons or the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, but who are interested in the research and/or clinical applications of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.They may participate in any and all scientific activities of this Society but may not hold office or vote. They may be active dues paying members of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.

(c) Honorary Members - the officers may grant honorary membership to such qualified physicians or scientists who, in their opinion, merit such recognition. They shall not be required to pay dues and shall not have the privilege of voting or holding office. They may serve on committees, but shall not be required to attend meetings.

(d) International Members shall be neurosurgeons who practice neurosurgery outside the United States or Canada and are members of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, and wish to have a close affiliation with the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. They will pay the same dues and journal subscription as Active Members, may attend Meetings of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the member registration fee, but may not vote or hold elected office.

(e) Resident Members shall be neurosurgeons who are residents in a training program approved by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons who express an interest in the field of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. They shall pay a one-time membership fee and will have the option of subscribing to the journal Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at a reduced price. Upon completion of their residency or within five years, whichever comes first, they will no longer be eligible for Resident Membership status. Resident Members will not be eligible to vote or hold elected office.

(f) Senior Membership shall be granted to any person sixty-five years or age or older who is an Active Member in good standing, but no longer in the active practice of neurosurgery. Senior Members shall be exempt from payment of annual dues, but may subscribe to the journal Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at a reduced price. Senior Members may attend Meetings of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the member registration fee.

Section 2
The credentials of candidates for active and associate membership shall be first considered by the Membership Committee in accordance with Article VII, Section 1.

Section 1 The control of this Society shall be vested in a Board of Directors, ten in number, who shall manage the affairs of the Society in conformity with the bylaws of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Section 2 The officers of this Society shall be the President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer. The President and Vice-President will serve for terms of two years and the Secretary-Treasurer for a term of four years or until their successors have been qualified.

Section 3 The Board of Directors shall consist of the two immediate past presidents and eight elected directors, two to be elected at each annual business meeting. These directors shall serve for a period of four years or until their successors have been qualified. One of the candidates will replace an at-large member of the Board, and the other will replace a surgical subspecialty member (i.e., epilepsy, pain, stereotactic radiosurgery, functional or operative stereotactic surgery). A slate of candidates will be proposed by the Nominating Committee for each position. The Past-President shall serve a four year term as an at-large member.

Section 4 Vacancies occurring in the offices of the Society shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors until the next meeting. Members may not serve simultaneously in more than one office, including the Board of Directors.

President: The President shall preside at all meetings. He shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for; and perform all such other duties as appertain to the office of President. He shall be ex officio a member of all committees with the right to vote; he shall be entitled to vote at the meetings only in cases of a tie vote. He shall supervise the execution of all rules.

Vice-President: The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in the case of his absence, death, resignation or inability to act. He shall assist the President in such manner as necessary. He shall be in charge of all committees. The succession of the presiding officers thereafter shall be:

Secretary, then a member of the Board of Directors elected by the entire Board of Directors, then successive members of the Board of Directors elected by the Board of Directors, in turn.

Secretary-Treasurer: As the Secretary, he shall keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Society and the board of Directors. He shall issue printed or written notice of all meetings of the Society and the Board of Directors; and shall perform such other duties pertaining to this office as may be required from time to time by the Board of Directors. As Treasurer, he shall arrange for the billing and deposit of annual dues and for the payment of Society expenses.

Section 1
The Board of Directors shall act, together with the officers, as a Nominating Committee which shall present its recommendations for new officers and Board Members to the voting membership at least five days before the annual business meeting. Floor nominations for any officer or new Board member will be accepted. The new Board of Directors shall be elected by the majority of the members of the Society at the annual meeting of the Society.

Section 2
Tenure of Office - All officers and members of the Board of Directors shall hold their offices until their successors are duly elected or appointed. No elected officer shall serve in the same office for more than one term.

Section 3
Officers and Directors shall take office on the day after the close of the annual meeting of the Society at which they have been elected.

Section 4
Methods of Election - All elections shall be conducted by means of a closed ballot.

Section 1
The Membership Committee shall consist of two members approved by the Board of Directors to serve two years, and one committee Chairman appointed by the President of the Society from the at-large members of the Board of Directors. It will be the duty of the Membership Committee to survey the field of neurological surgery and related disciplines for individuals considered suitable for membership in the Joint Section. Members of the Society will solicit appropriate names to the Chairmen of the Membership Committee for consideration. It shall be the responsibility of the Membership Committee to receive and examine individuals proposed for membership as regards their compatibility with the focus and objectives of this Joint Society. The Membership Committee shall circulate a roster of eligible candidates to the Membership by letter on in the Society Newsletter prior to the annual business meeting at the AANS. Election to membership shall occur at the meeting in accord with Article IX, Section 3 of these rules and regulations. The committee will also regularly survey the membership for the best means to serve their needs and develop methods to accomplish the goals of the Society. This Committee shall also recommend candidates for Honorary Membership to the Board of Directors.

Section 2
The Program Committee shall consist of at least two members approved by the Board of Directors to serve two years, and one Committee Chairman appointed by the President of the Society from the at-large members of the Board of Directors. The Program Committee is charged with the responsibility of collaborating with the Program Committee of the AANS, the CNS and the special meeting of the ASSFN to coordinate and assist in selecting scientific papers for the meetings of those organizations. Such collaboration will insure that the scientific information and matters of interest and concern to the Society shall be appropriately represented on the respective Scientific Programs. At the discretion of the officers and Board of Directors, the Program Committee shall include a session at meetings of the AANS, the CNS and the ASSFN to encourage neurosurgical resident participation. This Committee shall be responsible for soliciting applications and selecting finalists for any awards given by the Society.

Section 3
The Education Committee shall consist of the five surgical subspecialty members of the Board of Directors to serve for four years and one committee Chairman appointed by the President from the at-large members of the Board of Directors to serve a term of two years. The Education Committee shall coordinate and assist the AANS and the CNS in long-range educational planning and in developing special programs for the annual meeting. Subcommittees may be formed as necessary to coordinate or to develop scientific and educational programs. The Chairman of the Education Committee shall be responsible to ensure that there is proper assistance in preparation and conduct of the ASSFN meeting. The Education Committee will be responsible for the development, construction, revision, and display of the Society Exhibit at the annual meeting of the AANS, the CNS and the special meetings of the ASSFN. They will help to prepare the Newsletter and disseminate news of educational activities of the Society to all members.

Section 4
The Research Committee shall consist of at least two members approved by the Board of Directors to serve for two years, the Chairman appointed by the President from the at-large members of the Board of Directors. Additional members may be elected at the discretion of the Committee to serve a term of one year. The Research Committee shall survey neurosurgical and other programs which provide research opportunities available to residents and fellows for specialty training in the field of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. The Committee will review the medical literature for important articles related to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery and prepare reviews to distribute to the membership.

Section 5
The Epilepsy Liaison Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors representative elected by the membership for expertise in this surgical subspecialty area and discretionary members as needed. The purpose of the Committee is to represent this subspecialty interest on the Board of Directors and serve as a liaison to other organizations whose interests overlap with this surgical subspecialty. Through their representative to the Education Committee, they are responsible for developing educational programs to promote this surgical subspecialty's interest. They may design whatever special projects are felt necessary and appropriate to educate the neurosurgical and medical communities or public concerning their surgical subspecialty.

Section 6
The Pain Liaison Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors representative elected by the membership for expertise in this surgical subspecialty area and discretionary members as needed. The purpose of the Committee is to represent this subspecialty interest on the Board of Directors and serve as a liaison to other organizations whose interests overlap with this surgical subspecialty. Through their representative to the Education Committee, they are responsible for developing educational programs to promote this surgical subspecialty's interest. They may design whatever special projects are felt necessary and appropriate to educate the neurosurgical and medical communities or public concerning their surgical subspecialty.

Section 7
The Stereotactic Radiosurgery Liaison Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors representative elected by the membership for expertise in this surgical subspecialty area and discretionary members as needed. The purpose of the Committee is to represent this subspecialty interest on the Board of Directors and serve as a liaison to other organizations whose interests overlap with this surgical subspecialty. Through their representative to the Education Committee, they are responsible for developing educational programs to promote this surgical subspecialty's interest. They may design whatever special projects are felt necessary and appropriate to educate the neurosurgical and medical communities or public concerning their surgical subspecialty.

Section 8
The Functional and Operative Stereotactic Surgery Liaison Committee shall consist of the Board of Directors representative elected by the membership for expertise in this surgical subspecialty area and discretionary members as needed. The purpose of the Committee is to represent this subspecialty interest on the Board of Directors and serve as a liaison to other organizations whose interests overlap with this surgical subspecialty. Through their representative to the Education Committee, they are responsible for developing educational programs to promote this surgical subspecialty's interest. They may design whatever special projects are felt necessary and appropriate to educate the neurosurgical and medical communities or public concerning their surgical subspecialty.

Section 9
The Liaison Committee to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons shall consist of the President and an active member appointed by the Board of Directors for one year. The committee will act as intermediaries between the Society and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. If possible, an active member who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the AANS should be appointed.

Section 10
The Liaison Committee to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons shall consist of the President and an active member appointed by the Board of Directors for one year. The committee will act as intermediaries between the Society and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. If possible, an active member who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the CNS should be appointed.

Section 11
The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Officers and Board of Directors of the Society. They shall act as described in Article VI, Section 1 of these Bylaws.

Section 12
The Bylaws Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as needed. It shall consist of four members, and one member the Board of Directors acting as Chairman. They shall review the Section's bylaws and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Section 13
Terms of office for Committee members shall begin and end with the last day of the Annual Meeting of the AANS. A majority of each committee shall constitute a quorum. The Committee Chairman has the right to vote and shall be entitled to vote at the meetings only in case of a tie vote. The Chairman shall supervise the execution of all rules. All meetings will be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.

Section 14
The President of the Society shall have the power to appoint such special ad hoc committees as may be required in the best interest of the Society.

Section 1
The Society shall meet with the AANS at its annual meeting.

Section 2
Quorum - At all meeting offered of the Society called by officers, both regular and special, the majority of the members present and voting at the time of the meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.

Section 1
New members shall be elected at such time as may be designated by the Board of Directors when eligible candidates are presented by the Membership Committee.

The Board of Directors may, under regulations which it may adopt, create and offer awards for investigations, contributions or developments in the field of neurological sciences. The cost of such awards may be defrayed from funds of the Society or from any funds which may be donated, entrusted or bequeathed to the Society for such purposes.

The Journal "Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery" will serve as the official organ of the Society.

The Society shall have the power to accept gifts.

Section 1
Amendments to these bylaws must be proposed in writing, signed by at least five members in good standing, and must be submitted to the Secretary at least three months before the annual meeting. The amendments must be mailed by the Secretary to the entire voting membership at least one month before the Annual Meeting at which the amendments are to be acted upon.

Section 2
The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members present shall be required for the adoption of an amendment.

The order of Procedure for the Executive Session of the Society shall be as follows:

1. The call to order
   
2. The reading of the minutes
   
3. Unfinished business
   
4. Reports of the officers and committees
   
5. Election of new members
   
6. Election of officers
   
7. Appointments of committees
   
8. New Business

Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of meetings of the Society unless otherwise specified.