Neurological Surgery Discipline Bylaws

 

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC SURGEONS

BYLAWS OF

THE DISCIPLINE OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

 (Approved in September 2025 at the Annual Clinical Assembly)

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) Discipline of Neurological Surgery.  It will be referred to as the Discipline.

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

 

1.       To advance osteopathic neurosurgery by dissemination of scientific knowledge and research through meetings and publications.

 

2.       To elevate and sustain formal institutions for advanced study and training in osteopathic neurological surgery.

 

3.       To honor leaders in the field of osteopathic neurological surgery.

 

4.       To promote mutual fellowship among osteopathic neurological surgeons.

 

5.       To cooperate with other branches of the medical profession in all matters of mutual interest and to the benefits of our patients.

 

6.       To pursue excellence in medical education especially as it concerns the         osteopathic neurological and surgical sciences.

 

7.       To establish and sustain high standards for excellence in education and the practice of osteopathic neurological surgery.

 

8.       To uphold those principles, policies and practices for the attainment of         excellence in osteopathic patient care.

 

9.       Establish an organization as authorized by the ACOS Board of Governors and to preserve the overall objectives, ideals, functions and purpose of the ACOS.

 

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

 

Membership in the Discipline shall consist of ACOS members whose surgical practice is in the specialty of neurological surgery. Active, Retired and Life members shall meet the requirements as stated in the ACOS bylaws and will have completed a neurological surgery residency training program either accredited by the AOA or accredited by the ACGME.  Resident members shall meet the requirements as stated in the ACOS bylaws and have commenced training in an AOA or ACGME accredited neurological surgery training program.  Associate, Honorary, Inactive and International Members will follow the requirements in the ACOS bylaws.

 

ARTICLE IV - DUES

 

Members shall be assessed annual dues, as determined by a majority vote of the Discipline membership at the annual business meeting.  These dues must be paid in advance for the upcoming year to maintain membership within the Discipline.

 

Any member, who after due and proper hearing, is suspended or expelled from the membership of the ACOS or is dropped from membership due to delinquency in dues payments, shall automatically forfeit his/her membership in the Discipline. Reinstatement of the membership shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, if any, as imposed by the Board of Governors of the ACOS in relation to the disciplinary action taken. Such written consent may be provided through any technological means provided that there is written proof of the communication.

 

ARTICLE V - DISCIPLINE OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1 - COMPOSITION AND ELECTION

 

The officers of the Discipline shall be a Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, and Secretary- Treasurer. At the annual member business meeting of the Discipline, a Chair-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two (2) years by a majority vote of the members present. To serve, the officer must be a fellow of the ACOS (FACOS) and been in active surgical practice during the last three (3) years. Officers shall not receive any compensation for their service.

 

SECTION 2 - CHAIR

 

The Chair-Elect shall succeed to the office of Chair at the end of the second Board of Governors meeting at the ACA. The Chair shall be the principal elective officer of the Discipline and shall preside at all meetings of the Discipline and of the Executive Committee. He/she shall be a voting governor on the ACOS Board of Governors, an ex officio member of all discipline committees and shall execute all duties delegated to him/her by the Executive Committee. He/she shall also communicate to the College and to the Board of Governors regarding the state of the Discipline and may make suggestions to promote its welfare. The discipline chair shall serve no more than one (1) term of two (2) years. If, for any reason, the Chair is unable to perform his/her duties, the Chair-Elect shall assume the office of Chair for the balance of the term of the Chair and will fulfill his/her elected term as delineated in this Article V Section 4.

 

SECTION 3 - PAST CHAIR

 

The Chair shall become the Past Chair of the Discipline at the end of the second Board of Governors meeting at the ACA. The Past Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Discipline and of the Executive Committee in the event of the temporary disability or absence from meetings of the Chair and Chair-Elect. He/she shall have such other duties as the Chair, or the Executive Committee may assign. In the event of the death or resignation of the Chair and the Chair-Elect, or if the Chair and Chair-Elect shall for any reason be unable or unqualified to serve, the Secretary-Treasurer shall fill the office of the Chair until the next meeting of the Discipline, at which time elections will be held.

 

SECTION 4 - CHAIR-ELECT

 

A Chair-Elect shall preside at all meetings of the Discipline and of the Executive Committee in the event of the temporary disability or absence from meetings of the Chair and shall execute all duties delegated to him/her by the Chair or the Executive Committee. He/she shall succeed to the office of Chair as provided for in Section 2. In the event of the death or resignation of the Chair-Elect, the office shall remain vacant until the next meeting of the Discipline, at which time a Chair-Elect shall be elected. In the event of the death or resignation of the Chair or if the Chair shall for any reason be unable or unqualified to serve, the Chair-Elect shall fill the office of Chair during the balance of the Chair's term and then automatically succeed to office as provided in Section 2.

 

SECTION 5 - SECRETARY-TREASURER

 

The Secretary-Treasurer shall oversee: the Discipline's funds and financial records; the timely collection of members dues and/or assessments; the establishment of appropriate accounting procedures for the handling of the Discipline's funds; the preparation of an annual budget for approval by the Executive Committee; the performance of an annual review of the financial statements prepared by the ACOS staff; and, further shall report on the financial condition of the Discipline at the annual members meeting, and at other times as called upon by the Chair.

 

The Secretary-Treasurer shall ensure the accurate recording and maintenance of proceedings of meetings of the Discipline and the Executive Committee, shall ensure that accurate records are kept of all members, and perform such other duties as legally required or otherwise prescribed by the Executive Committee.

 

Any of the duties of the Secretary-Treasurer may, by action of the Executive Committee, be assigned to the ACOS staff if approved by the CEO. In the event of the death or resignation of the Secretary-Treasurer, the Chair shall appoint a member of the Discipline to the office until the next business meeting when a new officer can be elected.

 

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

SECTION 1 - COMPOSITION

 

The Executive Committee of the Discipline shall be comprised of the Discipline officers including the Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer and the Governor(s) of the Discipline.

 

SECTION 2 - AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBLITY

 

The Executive Committee shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the Discipline; shall determine its policies or changes therein within the limits of the College bylaws and policies; shall actively pursue its purposes and shall have discretion in the disbursement of its funds. It may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of the power granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary.

 

The Executive Committee shall have regular meetings at the time and place of the annual meeting of the Discipline. The Executive Committee also shall meet upon the call of the Chair or a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. Meetings may take place virtually via conference call or video conferencing format. The times and places of the meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be sent by email to each member of the Executive Committee in advance of each meeting. A majority of the whole Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Committee.

 

Any action taken by the Executive Committee may be voted upon by email, online, or voice vote provided that all members of the Executive Committee consent and no less than a majority of the entire Executive Committee vote in favor of the issue presented for approval.

 

Members shall not receive any compensation for their service on the Executive Committee.

 

SECTION 3 - ELECTION

 

The election of the discipline officers and a Governor(s) shall be held at an annual business meeting of the discipline at which there is a quorum by a majority vote of the voting members who are in attendance. A Governor shall be elected for a term of three (3) years not to exceed a total of two (2) terms or three (3) terms provided one (1) term is as discipline chair.

 

Only members who hold the FACOS title and who are currently in active surgical practice or have been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years may be elected as discipline officers and Governors. To be eligible to be elected by the Discipline as Chair, a member shall have served as a Discipline committee member and/or Secretary-Treasurer. A current member of the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery’s Board of Directors is ineligible from serving as a Governor on the ACOS Board of Governors.

 

SECTION 4 - VACANCIES AND REMOVAL

 

A member of the Executive Committee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the ACOS Chief Executive Officer. Such resignation will take effect at the time specified therein or at the time of acceptance as determined by the Chair or the Executive Committee.

 

For just and reasonable cause, any member of the Executive Committee may be removed by a majority vote of the discipline membership.

 

When a Governor is elected as President-Elect of the Board of Governors, the Discipline shall elect a Governor to replace that individual at the Discipline’s next business meeting.  In the interim, the Chair may appoint a temporary Governor until an election can occur.

 

When a Governor is elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Governors, that individual will maintain their Governor seat until such a time as they finish their term as Governor or complete their Secretary-Treasurer responsibilities, whichever is later.

 

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

 

SECTION 1 - ANNUAL DISCIPLINE MEETING

 

There shall be an annual business meeting of the discipline membership during the Annual Clinical Assembly of the ACOS or virtually at a time and place determined by the Chair.  This meeting may be attended by only active, life, and retired members who are in good standing with the ACOS.  At the annual meeting all necessary business shall be transacted and in election years, the election to the offices of the discipline for the upcoming term shall be held.  Other membership meetings may be held at the call of the Chair.

 

The discipline shall conduct educational programs deemed desirable and beneficial by the Continuing Education Committee. These programs shall fully comply with the regulations governing general programs at the Annual Clinical Assembly.

 

The order of business at the annual business meeting shall be:

 

  1. Call to order by the Chair
  2. Approval of minutes

      3.       Chair’s report and Governor’s report

      4.       Secretary-Treasurer's report

                   a. Financial report

       5.      Committee Reports

       6.       Report of the Nominating Committee when necessary

       7.       Election of Officers in alternate years when necessary

       8.       Election of an ACOS Governor when necessary

       9.       Unfinished business

       10.     New business

       11.     Adjournment

 

SECTION 2 - QUORUM

 

A quorum shall consist of 50 voting members or fair representation of the discipline.

 

SECTION 3 - VOTING

 

Only active members, life members, and retired members in good standing are eligible to vote at a member meeting. Action may be taken upon a simple majority vote of those entitled to vote, once a quorum is present.

 

If ACOS bylaws are updated to online voting, neurosurgery discipline will update our voting policy accordingly. Other meetings of the members shall be held at the call of the Chair.  Notice for any special meeting will be given in advance of the meeting.  Such notice shall be in writing, using technological or written means, to all members of the discipline.

 

The Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the membership between regularly scheduled meetings, may decide that any action which could be taken at an annual meeting of the members may instead be taken without a meeting. This can be done by delivering a written ballot to every current member entitled to vote on the matter, using any reasonable technological or written means. Voting by written ballot shall be permitted to the fullest extent allowed by the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act as described in the ACOS Bylaws.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES

 

SECTION 1 - CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 

The Discipline’s Continuing Education Committee (CEC) will prepare an educational program on neurological topics for the Annual Clinical Assembly (ACA) and to conform to the regulations and requirements of the CEC of the ACOS.  The committee chair will be appointed by the Chair of the Discipline who will offer oversight to the committee.  The executive committee of the Discipline will be members of the CEC, in addition to Discipline membership. 

 

The CEC shall meet at the call of the committee chair and shall have a representative present at all meetings of the CEC of the ACOS. This committee has the responsibility to prepare educational material on neurological topics for all educational programming.

 

 

SECTION 2 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE

 

The Nominating Committee shall consist of no fewer than three (3) members of the Discipline, one of whom shall be an appointed committee chair.

 

Nominating Committee chair will serve a two (2) year term for a maximum of two (2) terms. The Nominating Committee shall vet all nominees in an apolitical fashion, without bias, and should recuse themselves from vetting a candidate if there is a conflict of interest.

 

No current member of the Nominating Committee is eligible for election as a discipline officer or as a Governor.

 

A slate of candidates as named by the Nominating Committee shall be presented together with each candidate's qualifications to the ACOS CEO ninety (90) days, prior to the next annual business meeting to be sent to the membership. 

 

The committee will present no more than three (3) names for each position to be filled. Additional names may be presented from the floor at the annual business meeting, granted those nominated are not members of the Nominating Committee and have been previously vetted by the Nominating Committee.

 

 

SECTION 3 - BYLAWS COMMITTEE

 

The Bylaws Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members appointed by the Chair, one of whom shall be designated Committee Chair. The Chair of this committee shall be Parliamentarian for the Discipline. It shall be the duty of this committee to study and recommend improvements in the bylaws of the Discipline.  The Chair of this committee will also serve on the ACOS Bylaws Committee.

 

SECTION 4 - AD HOC COMMITTEES

 

Committees are essential to an organization to ensure focused attention on critical issues, foster innovation, and maintain high standards of professional practice. The Executive Committee may appoint or discharge other committees.

 

ARTICLE VIII - RULES OF ORDER

 

In the absence of any provision in these Bylaws, all meetings of the ACOS, the Board of Governors, duly appointed committees, and task forces shall be governed by standard parliamentary procedures which provide for adequate notice and fair opportunity for debate. The Presiding Officer may be guided by, but not bound by, the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order-Newly Revised.

 

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

 

The Discipline bylaws shall be consistent with the bylaws, policies, and procedures of the ACOS. The administration of the discipline shall in no way conflict with the overall objectives, ideals, functions, or purpose of the ACOS.

 

Amendments to these bylaws shall be made by a majority vote of the members present.  Amendments shall be subject to approval by the Board of Governors of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and no proposition to amend shall be acted upon unless written notice thereof has been sent to the CEO and members of the neurosurgical surgeons discipline ninety days (90) prior to the annual meeting or this can be accomplished by delivering a written ballot to every current member entitled to vote on the matter, using any reasonable technological or written means. Voting by written ballot shall be permitted to the fullest extent allowed by the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act as described in the ACOS Bylaws.

 

 

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION

 

The Discipline shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the Discipline. On dissolution of the Discipline any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified charitable, educational, scientific or philanthropic osteopathic surgical organizations to be determined by the ACOS.