Bylaws & Governance

Organizational Identity

Name

The organization is known as the New Jersey Society for Respiratory Care (NJSRC) and is a chartered affiliate of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Boundaries

The geographic boundaries of the Society are the boundaries of the State of New Jersey.

Purpose & Intent

Purpose

The NJSRC exists to:

• Encourage, develop, and provide educational programs and related activities for those interested in respiratory care
• Advance the science, technology, ethics, and art of respiratory care through regional institutions, meetings, lectures, and publications
• Facilitate cooperation and understanding among respiratory care personnel, medical and allied health professions, government organizations, and other agencies within New Jersey
• Provide public education in pulmonary health promotion and disease prevention

Intent

• No part of the Society’s net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private member or individual
• Upon dissolution, remaining assets shall be distributed to qualifying charitable, educational, scientific, or religious organizations in accordance with applicable federal tax law
• Neither the Society, nor any of its members, shall commit any act constituting the unauthorized practice of medicine under New Jersey law

Membership

• Membership in the NJSRC requires current membership in the AARC
• Membership classifications mirror those defined in the current AARC bylaws
• Members must live and practice within the boundaries of New Jersey
• Members are bound by the Society’s governing documents and the AARC’s bylaws, standing rules, code of ethics, and policies adopted from time to time

Officers & Leadership

Officers

The officers of the Society are:

• President
• President-Elect
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

Officers serve two-year terms beginning immediately following the annual meeting. The President and President-Elect shall not serve more than one consecutive term in the same office.

Directors-at-Large

• There are four (4) Directors-at-Large
• Two (2) Directors-at-Large are elected every other year, and others as necessary to fill vacancies
• Directors-at-Large serve four-year terms beginning immediately following the annual meeting

Delegation

• The Delegation is comprised of up to three members, including two delegates at large and the President
• Delegates are voting members of the Board and represent the Society at the AARC House of Delegates
• Delegates serve four-year terms beginning January 1 following election and installation
• No person shall serve more than eight (8) consecutive years in the House of Delegates

Concurrent Office

No individual may hold concurrent offices at the State or National level.

Vacancies in Office

• If the President’s office becomes vacant, the President-Elect becomes Acting President to serve out the unexpired term and then serves their successive term as President
• If the President-Elect office becomes vacant, the Vice President assumes the duties (but not the office) until a new President-Elect is elected
• Vacancies in Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer are filled by Board appointment until the next scheduled election

Duties of Officers

Board of Directors

Composition

The Society’s executive government is vested in a Board of at least eleven (11) Active or Life members, including:

• President
• President-Elect
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Two (2) Delegates
• Four (4) Directors-at-Large

Role and Powers

• The Board supervises all business and activities within the limitations of the bylaws
• The Board may adopt and rescind standing rules
• The Board determines remuneration, stipends, and expenses after budget review

Meetings and Quorum

• The Board meets immediately preceding and following the annual business meeting
• The Board holds at least two (2) regular meetings during the calendar year
• Special meetings may be called by the presiding officer or upon written request of four (4) Board members
• A majority of the Board constitutes a quorum

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. It may act for the Board between meetings; however, all Executive Committee actions must be approved by a majority vote of the Board at the next meeting.

Vacancies

Board vacancies (except those addressed under Officer vacancy procedures) are filled by majority vote of the Board. Individuals elected to fill vacancies serve until the next regular election.

Committees

Standing Committees

The President, subject to Board approval, appoints chairpersons for the following standing committees (two-year terms):

• Elections
• Education
• Government Affairs
• Judicial
• Communications and Public Relations

Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed by the President. Chairpersons are appointed by the President, subject to Board approval.

Committee Chair Responsibilities

• Confer promptly with committee members on work assignments
• Recommend committee members to the President
• Submit written reports to the President and Secretary prior to the meeting where the report will be presented
• Submit budgets for operational expenses (when needed) to the Treasurer for the next fiscal year
• May appoint non-members or physicians as consultants

Key Committee Functions

Elections

• The Board appoints an impartial Elections Committee at least 120 days before the annual business meeting (in election years)
• The Elections Committee presents a slate of nominees to the Board at least 60 days prior to the annual business meeting
• More than one nominee is presented for each office in question
• Only Active and Life members in good standing are eligible for nomination and voting
• Ballots and candidate biographies are distributed at least 30 days prior to the annual business meeting
• Ballots must be submitted at least five (5) days before the annual business meeting

Annual Business Meeting

• The Society holds an annual business meeting each calendar year
• The date and place are decided in advance by the presiding officer
• The meeting includes officer and committee reports, election results, and other business brought forward by the President
• Notice is provided to all Society members at least sixty (60) days prior
• A quorum is a majority of voting members registered at the meeting

Fiscal Oversight

• The Society fiscal year runs from January 1 through December 31
• The Treasurer maintains accurate financial records and submits quarterly reports
• An annual audit of accounts is required
• The Treasurer is responsible for filing required state and federal tax forms

Ethics & Professional Conduct

Members are expected to adhere to the Society and AARC bylaws, standing rules, and the AARC Code of Ethics. If conduct is determined to be in willful violation or prejudicial to the Society’s interests, the Board may suspend or expel a member by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its entire membership. Any motion to reconsider suspension or expulsion is reported to the AARC Judicial Committee for reconsideration at the next meeting of the AARC Board of Directors.

Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order (Revised) governs the Society whenever it is not in conflict with the Society or AARC bylaws.

Amendments

• Bylaws may be amended at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote
• Proposed amendments must be presented to membership for comment, in writing, at least sixty (60) days prior to the vote
• All amendments must be approved by the AARC Bylaws Committee
• Amendments become effective upon ratification by the Board of Directors

Governing Documents

• Official NJSRC Bylaws (PDF)

For questions regarding governance or bylaws, please contact NJSRC leadership.

Content sourced from the official NJSRC Bylaws document.