2024 Bylaw Amendment Vote
The IS-MPMI Board of Directors reviewed and approved the amended bylaws. IS-MPMI voting members are being asked to ratify the amended bylaws. An electronic ballot was emailed on March 5th to members. Voting is open through March 25, 2024.
Contact Linda Schmitt at IS-MPMI if you did not receive your electronic ballot.
View Bylaw Changes
Bylaws
Amended June 2023
ARTICLE I. Name
The Association shall be known as the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Inc. (IS-MPMI).
ARTICLE II. Purposes
The purpose of the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Inc. (IS-MPMI) is to engage in activities which advance interdisciplinary science pertaining to molecular interactions of plants with microbes (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) as well as parasitic angiosperms, nematodes, and insect pests (referred to as molecular plant-microbe interactions) affecting plant growth and productivity on a worldwide basis.
To that end the Society may engage in activities of the following nature:
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Sponsoring publications, which include original research and reviews, detailing advances in the field of molecular plant-microbe interactions.
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Organizing periodically an international Congress open to any individual interested in molecular plant-microbe interactions.
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Developing molecular data banks which can be exchanged among scientists for purposes of facilitating and assisting research in studies on molecular plant-microbe interactions.
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Sponsoring seminars and conferences related to molecular plant-microbe interactions.
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Awarding young and established scientists in the community for exceptional achievements in the field of molecular plant-microbe interactions.
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Encouraging national and regional organizations to affiliate with the Society.
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Providing periodic information and news in the field of molecular plant -microbe interactions to the Society members.
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Any other activities that will advance the science of molecular plant-microbe interactions and that are consistent with the role of the Society as a nonprofit organization, exempt under revenue ruling 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE III. Members
SECTION 1. Membership Types
Individuals interested in the advancement and promulgation of knowledge relevant to molecular plant-microbe interactions are eligible to join the Society. An individual that has fully paid the designated membership fees for a year shall be considered a member during that year.
Classes of membership include:
- Professional
- Post-Doc
- Student
- Emeritus
To be eligible for student membership, an individual must be enrolled in a degree program at a school of higher education; a major professor or department head must certify status annually.
To be eligible for post doctorate membership, an individual must be employed in a post-doctoral position at a school of higher education; a major professor or department head must certify the post doctorate status annually.
To be eligible for complimentary emeritus membership, an individual must have been a member of IS-MPMI for at least 25 years and be retired. Emeritus applicants must submit a request for transition to Emeritus Membership to IS-MPMI Headquarters; staff will confirm membership tenure of at least 25 years with database records and approve upon confirmation. Those not meeting the 25-year requirement will be offered a reduced Emeritus rate equivalent to the student member dues rate.
SECTION 2. Privileges of Members
Members shall have the right to vote for candidates to the Board of Directors. The Board will then elect the President and will appoint or elect other officers.
ARTICLE IV. Election of Board of Directors and Officers
SECTION 1. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors ("the Board") shall number maximally fourteen (14) members: the President, the President-Elect, the immediate past President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Editor-in-Chief of the journal
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (MPMI), the Associate EIC of MPMI, the Editor-in-Chief of the
IS-MPMI Interactions newsletter, plus four Directors and two Junior members defined as early career scientists (Ph.D. students, postdocs, or members not on a tenure track position).
- The immediate past President will serve the Board ex officio non-voting, in an advisory role only, for two years.
- Directors will rotate off the Board after serving four years unless they are an officer (President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer).
- Junior members will rotate off the Board after serving for two years unless they are elected as Director or Officer. Years served as an officer are added to the standard four years served as Director.
- All board members shall rotate off the Board after a maximum of eight (8) consecutive years of service, excluding ex officio service (immediate past President).
- In the case of a vacancy in a position of an elected board member, the President will appoint a replacement to complete that member's four-year term, keeping in mind the need to balance board representation in terms of gender, geography, and area of expertise.
SECTION 2. Board Member Responsibilities
All members of the Board will participate in monthly board activities including congress meeting planning, fundraising, and communications to the membership. They will also partner in new initiatives to support and cultivate diversity and inclusion within our IS-MPMI community.
SECTION 3. Executive Officer
The Board shall appoint an Executive Officer to administer the business affairs and offices of the Society and any other duties assigned to them by the Board or the Officers. The Board shall also authorize the employment of whatever permanent or part-time help that may be necessary to conduct the affairs of the Society.
SECTION 4. Directors
Except for the editors of MPMI and
Interactions, and the Junior members, Directors of the Board shall be elected by the members of the Society. Candidates at any stage of their career will be sought from the membership as a whole through nominations and self-nominations. All nominees shall be willing to serve and will be required to submit one page describing their motivation and vision for serving on the board, and their commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Elections Committee (see Article VI Section 2) will be responsible for ensuring Director representation from each of the four geographic regions (North America/Europe, Africa, Central/South America, and Asia/Oceania). Representation is defined as the current region of employment. The Elections Committee shall take into consideration a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, representing different geographical areas, genders, racial and ethnic diversity, career stages, and areas of expertise to help ensure a balanced and well-rounded Board. Board directors shall be elected by an affirmative vote of the plurality of those voting of electronic and/or mail ballots returned to the Society prior to the biennial IS-MPMI Congress.
The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) and Associate EIC (AEIC) of
MPMI nominees are recommended by the board and forwarded to the American Phytopathological Society (APS) Publications Board for consideration, with final approval of the
MPMI EIC and AEIC by the APS Council. The
MPMI EIC and AEIC serve a three-year term based on the start of a publication year. The Editor-in-Chief of
IS-MPMI Interactions is appointed by the President and shall serve a two-year term, which is renewable for one additional term.
Junior members of the board will be selected by the Board after requesting nominations or self-nominations from the membership base every two years. The nominees shall provide a vision statement that articulates 1) Their commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and 2) the region(s) of the world they are representing and the perspectives that they bring to the committee from their lived experience including their commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Both junior members will be approved by the president and two-thirds of the Board. Junior members shall serve two-year terms beginning at the close of the biennial IS-MPMI Congress.
SECTION 5. Officers
The officers are the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.
- The Board shall be responsible for identifying two current or past Board members (that have served at least 2 years) for the nomination of President-Elect. The members of the society elect the President-Elect.
- The President-Elect shall serve two years as President-Elect and the following two years as President.
- The immediate past President shall serve on the Board for an additional two years in an ex-officio capacity (non-voting).
- The Secretary shall serve two years and the Treasurer shall serve four years. The Secretary and the Treasurer are selected from the Board and appointed by the Board.
- The election of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Junior members, and their installation, shall be made at the Board's meeting during the biennial IS-MPMI Congress. Their duties start immediately after the biennial International Congress.
SECTION 6. Election Process
The Elections Committee shall request nominations and self-nominations 20 weeks before the biennial IS-MPMI Congress and leave the call open for four (4) weeks.
Nominations must include a self-written vision statement from the nominee that articulates 1) what the candidate views as priorities for the Society, 2) their commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and 3) the region(s) of the world they are representing and the perspectives that they bring to the committee from their lived experience.
A rubric for evaluation of vision statements will be shared with membership at the time of the call for nominations. The nominees list shall be submitted to the Board 16 weeks before the biennial IS-MPMI Congress. Nominees will be approved by the Board a month preceding distribution to the membership of the ballot. Ballots for election will be distributed to the membership at least eight weeks prior to the Board's business meeting during the biennial IS-MPMI Congress. Positions to be elected by membership include President-Elect and Directors.
Candidates will be elected individually by the membership; an affirmative vote of the plurality of those voting will constitute a victory for a candidate. Elected members will begin their terms at the Board meeting following the business meeting during the biennial IS-MPMI Congress.
SECTION 7. Board Installation
When, due to unexpected circumstances, the IS-MPMI Congress is not held in alternating years, the terms of incumbent Board members and officers shall be extended until the next Congress is held. At that time new board members shall be elected and installed in the usual manner.
ARTICLE V. Duties of the Board of Directors and Officers
SECTION 1. Board Meetings
Regular (actual, telephonic, or electronic) meetings of the Board shall be held at least annually at such time and place as may be determined by the Board. Meetings may be called at any time by the President or any four Board members. Notices of both regular and special meetings shall be given at least three weeks before any such meeting and shall state the purposes thereof.
SECTION 2. President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society and shall serve as Chair of the Board for a period of two years. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society and of the Board; shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for in the Bylaws; shall fill all vacancies in appointive positions; shall have the general direction of the affairs of the Society; and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.
SECTION 3. President-Elect
The President-Elect shall serve as President in case of the absence or inability of the President to serve. This service shall not affect succession to the office of President two years following election as President-Elect. The President-Elect, upon request by the President, may preside at any meeting of the Board.
SECTION 4. Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of meetings of the Society and the Board; for distributing minutes of such meetings to members of the Board; shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Society; and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Board for a two-year term.
SECTION 5. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the custody of funds and securities of the Society; shall report to the President and Board as to the financial condition of the Society; and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board for a four-year term followed by a two-year ex officio term.
SECTION 6. Resignation
Any officer of the Society may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board.
SECTION 7. Removal
The Board shall have the power, by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board, to remove an individual from a position as an officer for conduct prejudicial to the interest of the Society, provided that any such officer shall have received at least thirty days' notice of the time of the vote concerning the officer's possible removal, together with a copy of the charges against such officer, so that such officer may have an opportunity to provide a written rebuttal to such charges to the Board.
ARTICLE VI. Committees
SECTION 1. Finance Committee
The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Executive Officer, and at least one other member of the Board appointed by the President. The Finance Committee shall recommend annual membership dues and a budget each year to the Board, including costs of Society publication. A two-thirds vote of the Board shall be required for approval of the membership dues and budget.
SECTION 2. Elections Committee
The Elections Committee will convene one year before the biennial IS-MPMI Congress. The Committee shall be composed of the President, President-Elect, and four additional non-Board members representing each of four geographic regions (North America/Europe, Africa, Central/South America, and Asia/Oceania) in order to take into consideration, the reasonable distribution of the geographical location of Board members. Election committee members, except President and President-elect, will serve no more than a two-year term. The Board should request nominations and self-nominations to serve in the elections committee from the Society, and the request shall specify the responsibilities, time commitment, and requested qualifications.
Nominations must include a self-written vision statement from the nominee that articulates 1) Their commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion and 2) the region(s) of the world they are representing and the perspectives that they bring to the committee from their lived experience.
The Elections Committee shall prepare a slate for election of Board members by members of the Society consisting of names numbering at least twice the positions to be filled. The elections committee must ensure the ballot contains a diverse slate of candidates as defined in the IS-MPMI inclusion statement. If sufficient diversity is not reflected in the received nominations, it is the responsibility of the committee to seek additional candidates. All qualified candidates must consent to the nomination for office. Following the final selection of candidates, the Elections Committee will present a report to the membership describing the selection process. A two-thirds vote of the entire Board shall be required to approve the slate recommended by the Elections Committee.
SECTION 3. Conference Committee
The Conference Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall minimally include the President-Elect, the Treasurer, and the heads of the current and immediate past local organizing committees. The Conference Committee, in consultation with the President, shall consider other meetings of similar interest, recommend the site and local organizing committee for future Conferences to be sponsored by the Society, and shall provide guidelines for interaction between the Board, its agents and representatives, and the local organizing committee in financial and administrative decisions.
SECTION 4. Awards Committee
The Awards Committee shall be appointed by the President and will be composed of at least three members of the Board. The Awards Committee shall organize a review of candidates for both the IS-MPMI Outstanding Achievement Award and the IS-MPMI Early Career Achievement Award. The committee will forward awardee recommendations to the Board for final approval.
ARTICLE VII. Amendment of Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended, altered, changed, added to, or repealed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board. Any such changes must be ratified by simple majority vote of the membership of the Society. Said vote may occur at any regular or special meeting or by electronic and/or mail ballot.
ARTICLE VIII. Dissolution
SECTION 1. Assets
The Society shall be organized as non-profit corporation. No money or assets of the corporation shall be distributed to directors of the corporation, except as compensation for services, nor shall the corporation make any loans of any kind of corporate assets.
SECTION 2. Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this Society by vote of the membership or legal action, after the discharge of all debts and obligations, any funds and property remaining thereafter shall be conveyed to another qualified non-profit organization(s) dedicated to the perpetuation of objectives similar in nature to those of the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Inc., providing that such organization(s) at the time of dissolution shall be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as amended or under such successor provisions of the Code as may be in effect at the time of dissolution, and also provided that the conveyance of such funds and property is consistent with the Articles of Incorporation of the Society and the provision of Chapter 317, Minnesota state as amended to date of dissolution.