WSRS | Washington State Radiological Society

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About Us

Mission
The WSRS supports the highest standards of diagnostic and therapeutic radiology for our members and their patients.

Goals
At the Washington State Radiological Society, our goals are to provide a forum for radiologists in Washington state on issues of concern to radiology; to provide representation for Washington state radiologists in decision making by the American College of Radiology on these issues; to introduce Washington State radiology residents to the ACR.

WSRS Bylaws
(As amended December, 2003)

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Washington State Radiological Society, a chapter of the American College of Radiology, and shall hereinafter sometimes be referred to as "The Chapter".

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of the Chapter shall be those of the American College of Radiology, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "The College": to advance the science of radiology; to improve radiologic services to patients; to study the socio-economic aspects of the practice of radiology; to represent Radiology in interdisciplinary meetings and councils; to encourage improved and continuing education for radiologists and those in allied professional fields; and to establish and maintain high medical and ethical standards in the practice of radiology.

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION

The Chapter will be an affiliate of the American College of Radiology. The principles of ethical practice of the American College of Radiology are hereby expressly adopted as the principles of ethics of the Chapter.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

There shall be eight classes of membership in the Chapter: (1) Active Members, (2) Associate Members, (3) Junior Members, (4) Members in Physics, (5) Associate members in Allied Health Sciences, (6) Honorary Members, (7) Retired Members, and (8) Inactive Members.

(1) Active Membership: An Active member shall:

A. Be certified in radiology, or one of its recognized branches by an approved accrediting board.

B. Be of high professional reputation.

C. Be engaged in a practice limited to radiology, or one of its recognized subspecialties in the state of Washington.

D. Have the right to vote and to hold office in the Chapter.

(2) Associate Membership: An Associate member shall:

A. Meet all the requirements of Active Membership except requirement (1)A.

B. Not have the right to vote or hold office in the Chapter.

(3) Junior Membership: A Junior member shall:

A. Occupy a residency or fellowship in the state of Washington in radiology, or one of its recognized subspecialties approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association, but not yet to be certified by an approved accrediting board.

B. Not have the right to vote or hold office in the Chapter.

C. Make application for Active or Associate Membership within two (2) years after completion of post graduate training.

(4) Membership in Physics: A Member in Physics shall:

A. Be a physicist certified by the American Board of Radiology.

B. Have the right to vote but not hold office in the Chapter.

(5) Associate Membership in Allied Health Science: An Associate member in Allied Health Sciences shall:

A. Be an individual who possess a doctorate in biology, biophysics, physics, chemistry, engineering, or the equivalent; a doctor of veterinary medicine degree; or a minimum of a Master's degree in a scientific field with at least four additional years of experience in the field of qualification.

B. Not have the right to vote or hold office in the Chapter.

(6) Honorary Membership: An Honorary member shall:

A. Be an individual who has made a special contribution to the field of radiology, or who possess special qualifications in fields associated with radiology, but who can not fulfill the requirements for other categories of Membership.

B. Not have the right to vote or hold office in the Chapter.

(7) Retired Membership: A Retired member shall:

A. Be an Active member, Associate member, Member in Physics, or Associate Member in Allied Health Sciences who has fully retired from active practice.

B. Not have the right to vote or hold office in the Chapter.

(8) Inactive Membership: An Inactive member shall:

A. Be an Active member, Associate member, Member in Physics, or Associate Member in Allied Health Sciences in good standing in the Chapter who, for reasons acceptable to the Executive Committee, is temporarily unable to continue to be involved with the Chapter (Military Service, additional training, illness, etc.).

B. Not have the right to vote or hold office in the Chapter.

Section 2

An approved accrediting board shall be the American Board of Radiology, the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or a specialty board which is a member of the American Board of Specialties or its Canadian equivalent.

Section 3

Application for any of the classes of membership established in Section 1 of this Article, except honorary, retired, or inactive membership shall be made through the auspices of the American College of Radiology under the provisions of the College's centralized membership program. Application shall be made in writing on a form provided by the Chapter secretary to the College for subsequent transmission to the candidate, the Chapter form to be returned to the Chapter secretary by the College when formal agreement to abide by the Bylaws of the Chapter including the principles of ethical practice of the American College of Radiology. An application must be endorsed by two members of the Chapter who shall certify the applicant's qualifications for membership. The members of the Chapter shall be notified in writing of all pending applications prior to the meeting at which the applications will be voted upon.

Section 4

Members shall seek retired or inactive membership status by written request to the secretary. Such requests may be granted by the Executive Committee.

Section 5

Election of individuals to honorary membership in the Chapter shall be at the annual meeting by vote of two-thirds of the members present, after recommendation of two active members in good standing and after approval of such recommendation by the Executive Committee.

Section 6

Election to all classes of membership in the Chapter, except retired or inactive membership, shall be by open or secret ballot, at the president's discretion; at the regular meeting or the annual meeting of the Chapter, and, upon receiving two-thirds of the votes of the members present and voting, a candidate shall be declared elected.

Section 7

Any member of the Chapter may resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the secretary.

Section 8

The Executive Committee may suspend or expel any member for failure to pay dues or assessments, and may, upon recommendation of the committee on judicial affairs or upon referral by the chairman of the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiology, and by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the members of the Executive Committee present at the meeting at which such action is taken, censure, suspend, expel, or otherwise discipline any member of the Chapter for violation of the Bylaws or Principles of Ethics of the Chapter. Any such disciplinary action shall be promptly reported to the Judicial Council of the American College of Radiology by the secretary of the Chapter.

Before final action is taken by the Executive Committee upon a recommendation of the committee on judicial affairs for disciplinary action with respect to a member, written notice shall be sent by registered or certified mail to such member not less than thirty (30) days prior to a meeting of the Executive Committee stating that the member may there appear in person or by the member's representative to state the member's objection to the recommendation of the committee on judicial affairs. A copy of the recommendation of the committee on judicial affairs shall be attached to said notice.

A member with respect to whom disciplinary action has been taken by the Executive Committee shall have the right to appeal such action to the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiology.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Section 1

The officers of the Chapter shall be the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Councilors, and the Alternate Councilors. The office of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined.

Section 2

Election of officers shall be by voice vote at the appropriate annual meeting of the Chapter. Any voting member may call for a vote by written ballot. The nominee for each office who shall receive a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. In case no candidate receives a majority, a second ballot shall be taken on the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot.

Section 3

All terms of office shall begin upon election.

ARTICLE VI- DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1

The President shall be the presiding officer of the Chapter and shall perform all of the duties which custom and parliamentary practice associate with the office of the President. He shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. He shall act as chairman of the Executive Committee.

Section 2

In the absence of the President or his inability to act, the order of succession to his duties shall be as follows: Vice President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer.

Section 3

The Secretary shall record and preserve the minutes of the proceedings of meetings of the Chapter and of the Executive Committee, and shall forward promptly to the Executive Director of the American College of Radiology a copy of the minutes of each meeting or the Chapter. He shall notify all members of the Chapter of their appointments and he shall keep a record of the membership of the Chapter. He shall notify all members of the time and place of meetings and or any special business to be brought before the Chapter.

Section 4

The Treasurer shall receive all moneys due to the Chapter and shall disburse such moneys. He shall make an interim report of the funds of the Chapter at each meeting, and a complete report at the annual meeting.

Section 5

The President, the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer shall each serve a term of two years, or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Section 6

Vacancies occurring in any office of the Chapter shall be filled by action of the Executive Committee.

Section 7

The President shall appoint such committees as are necessary for the proper functioning of the Chapter. The following standing committees shall be appointed:

(1) Committee on Professional and Judicial Affairs

This committee shall consist of three members appointed by the President from amongst past presidents, past vice presidents, and/or past councilors of the Chapter. Where possible, current members of the Executive Committee shall not be appointed to the Sub-Committee on Judicial Affairs.

This committee shall be charged with responsibility for the following areas

A. Standards in Radiologic Practice

This sub-committee shall be charged with the duty of assisting members of the Chapter in developing arrangements for the proper practice of radiology in accordance with The Principles of Ethical Practice of the American College of Radiology.

B. Judicial Affairs/Peer Review

This sub-committee shall consider charges of unethical conduct involving a member of the Chapter and shall transmit its recommendations to the Executive Committee of the Chapter.

Before advising the Executive Committee that disciplinary action should be taken with regard to a member, the Committee on Judicial Affairs shall, by registered or certified mail, notify the member in question at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting of the Committee on Judicial Affairs, and shall inform the member that he or she may be there by personal or representative appearance, and may submit such evidence as the member deems proper to show that disciplinary action should not be taken. The member should be advised that failure to cooperate reasonably with an ethics investigation is independent grounds for disciplinary action.

C. Radiologic Technology Advisory

This sub-committee shall assist organizations and individuals in projects and programs undertaken to advance radiologic technology after such have been approved by the Executive Committee.

D. Radiation Safety and Control

Provide expert advice to government, lay groups, and others upon request as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

E. Radiology Business Managers and Society of Radiation Oncology Administrators Liaison

Provide liaison to and communications with RBM and SROA.

(2) Nominating and Fellowship Committee

This committee shall consist of three members elected by the Chapter, and who are fellows of the College when possible.

This committee shall present to the appropriate meeting of the Chapter nominations for those offices established by these Bylaws whose terms will expire in the current year.

This committee shall also receive and evaluate nominations from existing fellows in the Chapter for the purpose of nominating members to fellowship in the American College of Radiology. Nominations shall be approved by the Executive Committee; signed by the President or secretary of the Chapter; supported by a minimum of two letters from fellows of the American College of Radiology, at least one of whom is not in practice with the nominee; and addressed to the chairman on credentials of the American College of Radiology.

(3) Executive Committee This committee shall be composed of the President, the Immediate Past President, Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Councilors, the Alternate Councilors, the President of the Division of Radiation Oncology, and the Membership Committee Chairman.

This committee shall act for the Chapter between regular meetings of the Chapter.

(4) Membership and Attendance Committee

This committee shall review all applications for all classes of membership in the Chapter and shall report its recommendations to the Executive Committee at any regular meeting. This committee shall also have the duty of promoting attendance at the Chapters meetings.

This committee shall ideally be composed of seven members as follows:

1 Eastern Washington - Spokane

1 Eastern Washington - Central Area

1 Western Washington - North

2 Western Washington - Puget Sound

1 Western Washington - South

1 Chairperson

(5) Bylaws Committee

This committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President, who shall be the chair, and two (2) additional members.

This committee shall have the responsibility of reviewing the bylaws as directed by the Executive Committee and proposing appropriate revisions as necessary to the Executive Committee.

(6) Program Committee

This committee shall have the responsibility for arranging speakers for the education portion of Chapter meetings.

(7) Legislative and Governmental Committee

This committee shall consist of six members including the President and Vice President.

This committee shall have the responsibility of reviewing legislative and governmental issues that have a potential impact on radiology and of providing input and testimony as appropriate at hearings and other venues in order to protect and promote the practice of radiology in the state of Washington.

(8) Reimbursement/CAC Committee:

This committee shall have the responsibility of monitoring reimbursement issues and providing input and testimony as appropriate to various bodies concerned with reimbursement issues as they affect radiology in the state of Washington, including but not limited to the following:

1. DSHS & L&I;

2. Medicare;

3. Managed Care;

4. Other third-party reimbursement entities.

Members shall include the Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine CAC and Managed Care ACR Network representatives.

Each standing committee shall present a written report at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VII - COUNCILORS AND ALTERNATE COUNCILORS OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY

Section 1 - Representation in the Council

The Chapter shall elect Councilors to the Council of the American College of Radiology in such numbers and on the terms authorized by the Bylaws of the College.

Section 2 - Election of Councilors

Election of Councilors shall be by voice vote at the appropriate annual meeting of the Chapter. Any voting member may call for a vote by written ballot, and the nominee for each vacancy who shall receive a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. In case no candidate for a vacancy receives a majority, a second ballot shall be taken on the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes. For each Councilor so elected, the Chapter shall elect, by the same procedure, an Alternate Councilor. Councilors and Alternate Councilors must be members or Fellows of the College.

Section 3 - Term of Office

The term of office of a Councilor shall be three (3) years to start in June of the year he/she is elected, always following that years annual ACR meeting, or whatever term of office is prescribed in the Bylaws of the American College of Radiology. The Councilor may be eligible for succession to one additional term of three (3) years, but shall not be eligible for re-election to additional terms until a lapse of not less than one (1) year; provided, however, that not withstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary, the terms of any or all of the Councilors first elected under this Article VIII may be established at less than three (3) years so as to insure that the terms of one-third, or a number as near thereto as is practicable, of the Councilors so elected shall expire each year.

The term of office of an Alternate Councilor shall be one (1) year to start in June of the year he/she is elected, always following that years annual ACR meeting; alternates shall be eligible to succeed themselves.

An Alternate Councilor shall be eligible at any time to be elected a Councilor for a full three year term.

Section 4 - Duties of the Councilor

The Councilor's primary duty is to serve as a representative from the Chapter in the Council of the American College of Radiology.

In the proper discharge of this function the Councilor shall: 1) Attend and participate in the deliberations of the Council, 2) Be active in the affairs and meetings of the Chapter, 3) Be knowledgeable of the activities and problems at both the local and national levels, 4) Contribute ideas, guidance, and advice to both the Chapter and the Council, 5) Stimulate the preparation of Chapter resolutions for presentation to the Council, and 6) Serve as Liaison between the Chapter and the College and interpret each to the other. If a Councilor is unable to attend a meeting of the ACR Council, he or she will arrange for one of the Alternate Councilors to attend that meeting. In serving as a local representative of the College, the Councilor may be called upon by:

(1) Officers of the College:

A. To transmit communications from the College to the Executive Committee of the Chapter.

B. To confirm the retirement of Fellows or members applying for retired status in the College.

C. To help to evaluate charges against a radiologist or irregularities in ethical and contractual matters in his area.

E. To assist with surveys and inspections undertaken by the College, notably the inspection of Radiologic Technologist training schools.

D. To submit to the College, when requested, reports concerning legislative, social, economic, educational and other important matters affecting radiology in the Councilor's area.

(2) Radiologists in the Councilor's area:

A. To advise and assist in matters of radiologic ethics and economics.

B. To act when requested as the intermediary of the individual radiologist in his dealings with the College.

(3) Radiologists outside the Councilor's area for information concerning that area.

(4) Physicians and other Non-Radiologists for information about and interpretation of radiological affairs.

(5) Preceptors of Radiology in the Councilor's area for assistance with the teaching of medical ethics and economics.

Section 5 - Duties of the Alternate Councilor

The Alternate Councilor shall assist the Councilor in the performance of his duties, and shall accompany him to meetings of the Chapter and of the College. The Alternate Councilor shall be prepared to act for the Councilor whenever necessary.

Section 6

(This section to be reworked after fiscal note by the Executive Secretary)

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

Section 1 - Annual and other Regular Meetings

There will be four (4) regular meetings of the Chapter. The Annual Meeting will be the third meeting of the meeting season, usually in March-April to preceed the annual ACR meeting. In years in which Officers' terms of office are to expire, nominations of Officers, including Councilors, will be made at that regular meeting which immediately precedes the Annual Meeting, and elections will be conducted at the Annual Meeting. Meeting dates will be established by the Executive Committee. Additional regular meetings may be scheduled by the Executive Committee, notice of the exact time and place of such meetings shall be mailed to the members by the Secretary not less than fifteen (15) days prior to such date.

Section 2 - Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Chapter shall be called (1) By the President when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee, (2) At the request of the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiology, or (3) By petition of one-third of the voting members in good standing or by ten such members, whichever is less. Notice stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be mailed to each member at least seven (15) days prior to the meeting. At a special meeting no business may be transacted except that for which such special meeting was called.

Section 3 - Quorum

A quorum shall consist of ten or more of the Voting members of the Chapter.

Section 4 - Order of Business

(1) The following shall be the order of business at all regular meetings of the Chapter except as specified under (2), (3), and (4) below:

A. Call to Order.

B. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting of the Chapter and the meetings of the Executive Committee.

C. Report of the Secretary.

D. Report of the Treasurer.

E. Report of the Membership Committee.

F. Election of New Members.

G. Report by the President as Chairman of the Executive Committee.

H. Committee Reports.

I. Report of Councilors.

J. Communications.

K. Unfinished Business.

L. New Business.

M. Adjournment.

(2) The following shall be the order of business at the Fall Meeting of the Chapter:

A-L as in Section 4(1) above.

M. Election of the Nominating Committee.

N. Adjournment.

(3) The following shall be the order of business at the first Winter Meeting of the Chapter:

A-L as in Section 4(1) above.

M. Report of the Nominating Committee.

N. Adjournment.

(4) The following shall be the order of business at the Annual Meeting:

A-L As in Section 4(1) above.

M. Report of President of Division of Radiation Oncology.

N. Report of Secretary-Treasurer of Division of Radiation Oncology.

O. Election of Officers.

P. Adjournment.

ARTICLE IX - STANDING RULES

Section 1

All Active Members, Associate Members, Members in Physics, and Associate Members in Allied Health Sciences shall pay dues in an amount based upon a budget prepared by the Executive Committee and approved by the members at the Annual Meeting. Members in Physics and Associate Members in Allied Health Sciences shall pay 50% of the dues required of Active Members. Such dues shall be payable on January 1 of each year. Junior, Inactive, Honorary, and Retired Members shall not pay dues. Assessments may not be levied except upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and by a majority vote at any meeting of the Chapter, notice of such recommendation having been sent to each Member not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. Names of members in arrears in payment of dues or assessments shall be referred to the Executive Committee for action.

Section 2

Eighty (80) percent of dues collected from members of the Chapter who are also members of a Section of the Chapter authorized by these Bylaws are intended to be utilized for the benefit of that Section, and shall be budgeted by the Executive Committee as needed by the Section for its appropriate activities. The President of the appropriate Section shall present a request for the needed funds at the time of overall budget preparation and ratification at the Annual Meeting. Unspent funds each year will be left in the general account for use by the Society.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Amendments to these Bylaws may be made at any regular meeting of the Chapter by the favorable concurrence of two-thirds of the members present and voting, provided the proposed amendments shall have been presented in writing to the Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments are to be voted upon. The Executive Committee shall notify the members by mail of proposed amendments not less than fifteen (15) days prior to such meeting.

Section 2

Any amendment so adopted shall not be contrary to requirements for chapter status in the American College of Radiology. This conformity shall be established before such amendment shall be added to the Bylaws of the Chapter.

ARTICLE XI - DIVISION OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Section 1

Members of the Washington State Radiological Society engaged in the part or full-time practice of Radiation Oncology shall be empowered to form the Washington State Radiological Society division of Radiation Oncology, a section of the Washington State Radiological Society, and hereinafter sometimes referred to as "The Division." The purpose of the Division shall be to advance the science of Radiation Oncology, to encourage continuing education for Radiation Oncologists and Allied Professionals, and to improve the exchange of information among members statewide.

Section 2

Members of the Washington State Radiological Society shall become members of the Division of Radiation Oncology by application to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Division, and by fulfilling such requirements as the Division may have for membership.

Section 3

Radiation Physicists who are members of the Washington State Radiological Society shall be eligible for membership in the Division.

Section 4

The Division of Radiation Oncology may hold meetings as a separate Section in conjunction with meetings of the Washington State Radiological Society, or at separate times and places

Section 5

Officers of the Division of Radiation Oncology shall be the President and the Secretary-Treasurer. These officers shall be elected biannually and shall serve two years or until their successors are elected.

Section 6

A Nominating Committee consisting of two members elected by the Division shall present biannually to the President of the Division nominations for all offices established in these Bylaws. These nominations shall be reported by the President of the Division at the conclusion of his or her report at the appropriate Annual Meeting of the Chapter; nominations may also be made from the floor at this time. Election of officers of the Division will then be carried out by voice vote of the members of the Division at the Annual Meeting. In the event no candidate receives a majority, a second vote shall be taken on the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes.

Section 7

The President of the Division shall conduct meetings and perform all duties which custom and parliamentary practice associate with the office of President, and shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee of the Washington State Radiological Society. The President of the Division shall report to the Annual Meeting of the Washington State Radiological Society on the activities of the Division. A quorum consisting of 10 of the members of the Division shall be required to conduct business at meetings of the Division.

Section 8

The Secretary-Treasurer shall 1) Arrange the time and place of each meeting and record and preserve the minutes of the proceedings of the Division; 2) Notify all members of the Division of the time and place of all meetings and of any special business to be brought before the Division; 3) Receive all moneys due to the Division and make a report of the funds of the Division at each Annual Meeting of the Washington State Radiological Society; and 4) Report to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Chapter at the end of each calendar year the names of members in good standing in the absence of the President, the Secretary-Treasurer shall perform his duties.

Revised: ___________