American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology

CONSTITUTION

Article I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology hereinafter referred to as the "College."

Article II

Incorporation

Section 1: The College shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois as a non-profit educational organization operated exclusively for one of the purposes specified in Section 501 (c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 2: The term for which it is organized shall be perpetual; however, if dissolution of the corporation should occur, its property shall be distributed to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Article III

Objectives

The primary objectives of the College shall be to advance the discipline of veterinary clinical pharmacology as a clinical specialty and assure the competence of those who practice in this field by:

  1. establishing requirements for veterinary postdoctoral education and experience for certification in the specialty of veterinary clinical pharmacology;
  2. examining and certifying veterinarians as having met the requirements to be a specialist in veterinary clinical pharmacology;
  3. encouraging veterinary clinical pharmacologists to pursue a program of continuing education for professional advancement throughout their careers;
  4. supporting and promoting education and research and other contributions to knowledge relating to veterinary clinical pharmacology;
  5. enhancing the exchange of new knowledge in veterinary clinical pharmacology; and
  6. organizing committees of experts to research and make recommendations to the profession on current problems in veterinary therapeutics.

Article IV

Organization

Section 1: The College shall be composed of Diplomates and shall be administered by a group of officers who constitute a Board of Regents, hereinafter referred to as the "Board".

Section 2: Standing committees of the College shall consist of the Nominating Committee, the Education Committee, the Credentials Committee, the Examination Committee, and the Scientific Program Committee.

Section 3: The College will hold at least one business meeting each year.

Article V

Membership

Section 1: Members of the College shall be designated according to one of the following categories:

  1. Charter Diplomates
  2. Diplomates
  3. Emeritus Diplomates

Section 2: A Charter Diplomate, Diplomate, or Emeritus Diplomate shall:

  1. be a graduate of a College or School of Veterinary Medicine accredited or approved by AVMA or possess a certificate of accreditation in Veterinary Medicine from the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), or be legally qualified to practice veterinary medicine in some state, province or territory or possession of the U.S., Canada, or other country; and
  2. be of unquestionable moral character with impeccable professional behavior.

Section 3: A Charter Diplomate is not required to submit to examination and must:

  1. be a member of the organizing committee;
  2. have achieved distinction in the field of clinical pharmacology and have qualifications far exceeding those proposed for candidates to take the Diplomate Certifying Examination;
  3. be recognized as a qualified specialist by peers; and
  4. satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
    1. Have at least 10 years experience in clinical pharmacology with no less than 75% of his or her professional time in each of the last 5 years being devoted to clinical pharmacology, and by teaching, research, or practice have contributed significantly to the development of clinical pharmacology; or
    2. Be a full professor of clinical pharmacology in a college or department of veterinary medicine, and have contributed significantly to the development of this field; or
    3. Have significant training (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical pharmacology; have demonstrated competency through teaching, research, or practice in clinical pharmacology to which the individual devotes most of his or her professional time; and be an author of significant publications resulting from research or practice in this field.

Section 4: Diplomates shall have the following qualifications:

  1. They shall meet the general qualifications stated in Article V, Section 2 of the Constitution and Article VI of the Bylaws.
  2. They must successfully pass a Diplomate Certification Examination given by the College.
  3. They must be accepted for membership in the College by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 5: Members requesting Emeritus Diplomate status shall petition the Board for such designation. The Board will base a decision to grant Emeritus Diplomate status on the guidelines for retired members set forth by the AVMA. Emeritus Diplomates will:

  1. not be required to pay annual dues;
  2. continue to receive all mailings of the ACVCP;
  3. not have the right to vote or hold office; and
  4. be required to pay registration fees for College sponsored functions subject to alteration by the appropriate committee or committees.

Article VI

Officers and Governance

Section 1: Officers of the College shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2: The Board of Regents shall be composed of five voting members and shall be the governing body of the College. The officers shall comprise of members of the Board and the past President. The Chairperson of the Examination Committee shall be an ex officio member of the Board without vote.

Article VII

Amendments

Section 1: Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Board through the Secretary-Treasurer at least 90 calendar days before a scheduled meeting of the College, or before a ballot. Proposed amendments, with the recommendation of the Board, shall be mailed to the membership, sent by electronic mail, or posted on a secure ACVCP web site, at least 30 calendar days prior to a meeting of the College or the counting of a mail ballot.

Section 2: Voting shall be at a meeting of the College, by mail ballot, or via electronic-mail response, conducted by the Secretary-Treasurer as specified in Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution.

Section 3: An affirmative vote on an amendment shall require that at least 3/4 of the eligible membership vote, and that at least 3/4 of those voting approve the proposed amendment.

Approved May 2002