To support the growing demands of the ISBNPA community and its responsibilities, the Executive Committee is suggesting some changes to the by-laws.
If you are a member, watch your inbox for the ballot to vote.
The first suggested change is associated with a clarification of the Student and Early Career Researcher membership classes. The EC analyzed several definitions from other societies and institutions and agreed that the suggested clarification encompasses better the current and future ISBNPA membership. Additionally, it clarifies that the students are entitled to vote for all positions.
The second change is suggested to increase by one the number of officers in the EC. Our Society is growing in activities and responsibilities. The additional Member-at-Large allows the EC to respond more efficiently to the increased demand.
Number III – Members
Section 2. Membership classes
Current text of the by-laws
(a) Regular members are individuals who are professionally active in the area of behavioral issues in nutrition and physical activity and/or conducted or conduct research into behavioral issues in nutrition and physical activity These Members are entitled to vote and hold office.
(b) Student Members are individuals who are students (full or part-time) in undergraduate or graduate degree programs (up to 12 months after the date of their doctoral degree). Student Members are entitled to hold one officer position and to vote for that student officer position.
New text of the by-laws (suggested changes in bold)
The Executive Committee suggests:
(a) no changes
(b) Student Members are individuals who are students (full or part-time) in undergraduate or graduate degree programs (up to 12 months after the date of their doctoral degree). Student Members are entitled to hold one student officer position and to vote (removed the text "for that student officer position").
(c) Early Career Researchers Members are individuals who have completed their doctoral degree in the past five years. Early Career Researchers Members are entitled to hold one Early Career Researcher officer position and to vote.
Number V – Executive Committee
Section 3. Number and Classes of Executive Committee Members.
Current text of the by-laws
The Executive Committee shall have no more than 14 members. The number of officers will change every other year between:
(a) Four officers – President-elect (serving a one year term), President (serving the second year of a two-year term), Secretary and Treasurer;
(b) Three officers – President (serving the first year of a two-year term), Secretary and Treasurer.
The Members at Large will range from 6 to 10, depending on the Executive Committee priorities, for a three-year term. The Members-at-Large will be divided into three groups whose terms expire in successive years. The Members-at-Large will include a Student Representative and an Early Career Researcher Representative that will be elected for a two-year term.
New text of the by-laws (suggested changes in bold)
The Executive Committee shall have no more than 15 members. The number of officers will change every other year between:
(a) Four officers – President-elect (serving a one-year term), President (serving the second year of a two-year term), Secretary and Treasurer; (b) Three officers – President (serving the first year of a two-year term), Secretary and Treasurer.
The Members-at-Large will range from 7 to 11, depending on the Executive Committee priorities, for a three-year term. The Members-at-Large will be divided into three groups whose terms expire in successive years. The Members-at-Large will include a Student Representative and an Early Career Researcher Representative that will be elected for a two-year term.
