National HBCU Health Care Service Reseaerch Network
Constitution

I.  Name

The name of the organization shall be the National HBCU Health Care Service Research Network.

II. Purpose

The objectives of the network are the promotion of health services research by and for African Americans and other underserved populations. these objectives are to be realized by such methods as may be deemed appropriate, including:

    a) An annual meeting for the discussion of issues pertaining to the health status of African Americans             and other under-served populations.

    b) Encouragement of collaboration between researchers at historically and predominaetly black colleges       and universities.

    c) Dissemination of research findings relevant to improving the health status of African Americans and        other under-served populations.

    d) Establishment of partnerships among historically and predominaetly black colleges and universities,         state and federal government agencies, majority instutions, and other parties interrested in improving the      health status of African Americans and other under-served populations.

    e) Facilitation of HBCU access to major research initiatives.

III. Membership

A. Affiliate Membership

    Membership shall be on an institutional basis. The institutions must be historically or predominately             black colleges and universities that offer at least the bachelors degree.

B. Individual Membership

    1. General

        a. Individual researchers associated with historically/predominately black colleges and universities.

        b. Must hold at least the masters degree and demonstrate an interest in finding solutions to the health           staus problems facing African Americans and other under-served populations.

        c. Shall have full voting status.

        d. Pay full dues.

    2. Associate Member

        a. Individual researcher formerly associated with historically/predominately black colleges and                    universities or former general network member with an interest in network activities.

        b. Graduate students that hold at least the bachelor degree.

        c. Shall have nin-voting status.

        d. Pay one half of dues.

Members shall be admitted to the network upon payment of anual dues.

IV.  Voting

Each member shall have one vote to be cast by individual members and a designated representative of each institutional member.

V.   Dues

The annual membership dues shall be recommended to the membership by the Executive Commitee and adopted at the annual meeting.

VI.  Meetings

The network shall hold an annual meeting at a date and place as determined by the Executive committee as the need arises.

VII. Executive Committee

The governing body of the network shall be the Executive Committee. This committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President for Programs, Vice President for Member Services, Secretary-Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and designated representatives of member institutions. A Director will chair the network's standing committees.

VIII. Officers

The officers of the association shall be a President, a Vice President for Programs, a vice President for Member Services, and a Secretary-Treasurer. Terms for the office shall be two years. Each officer is eligible to serve two consecutive terms. After the second term one must be out of the office for at least four years before he/she can again hold office.

IX.   Directors

Directors shall be elected to standard three-year terms of office with at least one term expiring each year. The directors will chair the network's standing committees.

X.    Elections

Officers ind directors shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting and shall take office at the conclusion of the annual business meeting. Whenever an officer or director's position becomes vacant, the executive committee shall fill the same by temporary appointment pending the election of a permanent succesor at the next annual meeting.

XI.   Amendments

Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the network. No change shall be effective unless approved be two-thirds of the members in attendance and voting. The SecretaryTreasurer shall consider no motion for an amendment unless a copy of such proposed amendment has been filed with the Secretary-Treasurer at least thirty(30) days before the meeting and a copy thereof sent to each member.

Bylaws

I.    Officers
As provided in the constitution, the principal officers of the network are: president, vice president for         programs, vice president for member services, and secretary-treasurer. These officers shall be elected        by the membership at the annual meeting of the network.

    A. The duties of the President shall be as follows:

        1. Preside at the annual meeting of the association and chair the executive committee.
   
        2. Act as Chief Executive Officer of the network and carry out the policies of the executive                           committee.
  
        3. Represent or appoint others to represent the network at all functions to which the network may be
            invited and in which it may desire to participate.
  
        4. Perform such other duties as customarily pertain to the office of the president.

    B. The duties of the Vice President for Programs shall be as follows:

        1. Serve as an aid to the president.

        2. In the temporary or permanent absence of the president for any cause, assume the duties of the                 president.

        3. Arrange the program for the annual meeting of the network.

    C. The duties of the Secretary-Treasurershall be as follows:

        1.  Present to the membership at the annual meeting a report of the financial operations for the                       proceeding year.

        2. Sign all required checks in payment of bills incurred by the network. A list of all checks in excess               of $100 shall be presented to the executive committee for the review at its next quarterly meeting.

        3. Keep minutes of the annual meeting and any special meetings of the network and meeting of the                executive committees; maintain appropriate files and financial records; notify all members                         regarding the annual meeting and any special meetings; and provide the agendas.

        4. Perform other duties as shall be specified by the executive coomittee.

    E. The duties of the Vice President for Member Services shall be as follows:

        1. Provide leadership in attrackting new members to the network.

        2. Maintain the membership roster.

        3. Publish an annual Membership Directory.

        4. Provide mailing labels as needed for the conduct of network business and to other parties as                      approved by the executive committee.

II.   Standing Committees