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Southeast Pediatric
Cardiovascular Society
SEPCS
BYLAWS
Southeast Pediatric Cardiovascular Society (SEPCS)
ARTICLE 1
Name
The name of this organization is the Southeast Pediatric Cardiovascular Society (SEPCS).
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Goals
Section 1. Purpose Statement
To promote the health and welfare of infants, children, adolescents and adults with congenital or
acquired heart disease and their families by enhancing the art and science of pediatric
cardiovascular nursing.
Section 2. Goals
a) Plan and implement programs, projects and other activities to advance the professional
understanding and science of the congenital cardiovascular health care clinician.
b) Provide support and assist efforts to enhance the discipline of congenital heart disease and
cardiothoracic surgery care.
c) Encourage, foster and assist member participation in the development of educational
programs within the field of congenital cardiovascular care.
d) Provide technical assistance and education to interested professionals, including doctors,
nurses, respiratory therapists, and paraprofessionals on subjects relating to the care of the
congenital cardiovascular patient.
e) Engage in activities that will directly or indirectly improve the care available to infants,
children, adolescents and adults with congenital or acquired heart disease and their families.
f) Network with others in the field of congenital cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery by
sharing ideas on approaches, care and teaching materials that are currently being utilized
including publications, seminars, lectures and similar methods of communication.
g) Maintain a current directory of multidisciplinary caregivers specializing in the care of infants,
children, adolescents and adults with congenital or acquired heart disease as a reference for
specialists, peers and patients.
h) Support appropriate research endeavors by participating in and promoting research projects.
ARTICLE III
Status
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The SEPCS is a nonprofit organization and does not intend the distribution of gains, profits or
dividends to the officers, Board of Directors or members. This does not preclude the
redistribution of dues and/or fees to support educational or research endeavors.
ARTICLE IV
Membership
Section 1. Categories
The Society shall have three categories of members, that is Active, Lifetime and Honorary.
Section 2. Qualifications
Any person who is interested in the care of infants, children, adolescents and adults with
congenital or acquired heart disease and who subscribes to the purposes of the Society, agrees to
abide by its bylaws, and meets such other criteria for membership as may be established by these
bylaws or by the Board of Directors, shall be eligible for membership.
a) Active Member. Any health care professional caring for or having an interest in caring for
infants, children, adolescents and adults with congenital or acquired heart disease and their
families.
b) Lifetime Member. Any active member who has rendered distinguished service or outstanding
contribution to the care of infants, children, adolescents and adults with congenital or
acquired heart disease and their families and this Society shall be eligible for lifetime
membership by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of this Society.
c) Honorary Member. Any individual who is not eligible for membership in any other category
but has rendered distinguished service or outstanding contribution to the care of infants,
children, adolescents and adults with congenital or acquired heart disease and their families
and/or this Society shall be eligible for honorary membership by unanimous vote of the Board
of Directors of this Society.
Section 3. Rights and Benefits
Members shall have the rights conferred by this Section 3 and no other rights. Members shall
have the benefits determined by the Board of Directors of this Society.
a) Active Member. Active members shall be entitled to receive all official publications of the
Society, to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and shall have all other benefits of
membership.
b) Lifetime Member. Lifetime members shall be entitled to receive all official publications of the
Society, to vote, to hold office, to serve on committees, and shall have all other benefits of
membership.
c) Honorary Member. Honorary members shall be entitled to attend membership meetings and
shall have all the benefits of membership, except they shall not be entitled to vote, hold
office, or serve on committees.
Section 4. Membership Application
All applications for membership shall be made in writing and shall be submitted to the Treasurer 3
of the Society with the annual membership fees as established by the Board of Directors of this
Society.
Section 5. Annual Membership Renewal
All active members shall pay an annual membership fee determined by the Board of Directors.
The membership fee shall be due and payable on September 30 th of the current year. A one
hundred eighty (180) day grace period will be allowed for completion of membership renewal,
after which the membership shall automatically be terminated. Any member removed from
membership because of incomplete membership renewal may be reinstated by making a written
application as described in Section 4 of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
Section 1. Regular Meetings
There shall be at least one regular meeting each year that shall include academic programming. If
more than one meeting is held, the fall meeting shall be the Annual Meeting. Officers and
committees present annual reports at the Annual Meeting.
Special 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of 2 members of the SEPCS.
ARTICLE VI
Officers and Election of Officers
Section 1. Titles
a) The officers of the SEPCS shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership
Coordinator, and Website Coordinator. The officers shall be elected by email ballot and serve
a term of two years and/or until their successors are elected. Officers shall assume their office
upon the announcement of the election results. All officers are members of the Board of
Directors for the duration of their term of office.
b) The Past President remains a member of the Board of Directors, until succeeded. The Vice
President shall make quarterly updates to the membership directory and provide this to the
Web Site Coordinator for posting.
c) The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such other persons
as may be necessary to conduct the business of the SEPCS.
Section 2. Vacancies
The Vice President shall fill the office of the President in the event of a vacancy. All other offices
are filled by appointment of the Board of Directors with written notice to the membership of
available vacancies.
Section 3. Duties
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The duties of the officers shall be as followed:
a) The President shall be the Executive officer and shall administer all business of the SEPCS as
provided by the bylaws. The President will collaborate with the Web site Coordinator to
maintain timely, updated lists of meetings, conferences and announcements. The President is
an ex-officio member of all SEPCS committees with the exception of the Nominations
Committee.
b) The Vice Present shall work with the President as directed
c) The Secretary shall serve as corresponding and recording secretary, maintains an electronic
mailing list and sends out electronic/ group emails. The Secretary will prepare the minutes for
the Annual Meeting, maintain the minutes of Board of Director meetings and all electronic
/conference call minutes. The Secretary will provide minute minutes to the Web Site
Coordinator for posting.
d) The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the SEPCS and may be bonded. The
Treasurer shall provide information on all new member applications to the Secretary and
Membership Coordinator as it is received. Prepares the Financial Report for the Annual
Meeting.
e) The Membership Coordinator, with responsibility for maintaining membership records, will
send out annual Membership Renewal letters, membership cards and the President’s
Welcome letter
f) The Web site Coordinator shall keep the web site updated, posting current information on
conferences, meetings, Membership Directory and all other web information. Maintain the
electronic dues payment link (PayPal) and an access link to the current Membership
Directory. The Wed Site Coordinator will publish all ballot results, Membership Application
and Bylaws.
g) Each officer shall submit a report to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
Section 4. Compensation
The officers and directors of the Society shall receive no compensation for their services but may
be reimbursed for expenses approved by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Membership Coordinator, Web site Coordinator, and the Past President. The Board of Directors
shall meet annually and at such times as deemed necessary by conference call or email
communication to transact business of the Society. Notice of regular or special meetings of the
directors shall be given to each director at least 7 days prior to the time set for the meeting, if
mailed, or at least 48 hours prior if delivered by telephone or email.
ARTICLE VIII
Standing Committees
Section 1. Committee Structure
a) Standing committees can include the Bylaws Committee, Nominations Committee, and others
as designated by the Board of Directors.
b) The term of office shall be two years. A member may serve up to three consecutive terms or
may be reappointed by the President or Committee Chairperson.
c) Each standing committee shall present a report to the membership at the Annual Meeting. 5
Section 2. Bylaws Committee
a) The Bylaws Committee shall review the Bylaws annually. It shall consider, edit, and/or
correlate such amendments as it may originate and as are referred to it.
b) The Bylaws Committee shall consist of members appointed by the President.
Section 3. Nominations Committee
a) The Nominations Committee shall secure the consent to serve, prepare the ballot and send to
the Board of Directions prior to the Annual Meeting.
b) The Nominating Committee shall consist of elected or appointed members with the Past
President as the chairperson.
Section 4. Special Committees
To be appointed and dissolved by the President as needed.
ARTICLE IX
Finance
Section 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be October 1st to September 30th.
Section 2. Membership Fees
a) Members pay annual dues with the amount determined prior to the Annual Meeting by the
Board of Directors. This financial obligation shall be due at the beginning of the current fiscal
year.
b) Lifetime and Honorary members pay no dues.
ARICLE X
Quorum
Section 1. Membership
A quorum at an SEPCS business meeting shall consist of two officers and at least four members.
Section 2. Board of Directors
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of three members and must conduct one
meeting annually wherein they are physically present, or attend a telephone conference call.
Additional work of the Board may be conducted electronically.
ARTICLE XI
Parliamentary Authority
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Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised shall govern Society and Board meetings in all cases in
which they are consistent with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XII
Amendments
Members must present proposed amendments to the Bylaws to the Board of Directors for
review. Proposed amendments or revisions of the Bylaws must be approved by a majority vote of
the Board of Directors. Bylaws will be posted on the web for review.
ARTICLE XIII
Dissolution
A resolution for the dissolution of the SEPCS shall be signed by a majority of active members
entitled to vote and shall be presented at a meeting of the SEPCS. If ¾ of those members present
and voting shall vote for the dissolution, the officers shall take the necessary steps to conclude
the affairs of the SEPCS. Upon dissolution of the Society, assets shall be distributed for one or
more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal
government, or to a state or local government, for public purpose. These distributions of funds to
include the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) and the National Pediatric Cardiology
Quality Improvement Collaboration (NPCQIC). Any such assets not so disposed of shall be
disposed by the Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principle office of the
Society is located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations as said Court shall
determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Revised: October 12, 2015
Approved: E. Marsha Elixson,
Past President and JoAnn Nieves, Interim President