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Bylaws

Postdoctoral Association Constitution

Article I—Name

The organization shall be known as "The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Postdoctoral Association" and hereinafter referred to as the PDA.

Article II—Membership

The membership of the PDA shall consist of:

  1. All persons in post-Ph.D. or post-M.D. positions at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, excluding those persons who hold tenure-track faculty positions, shall be classified as Active Members. Membership begins upon commencement of post-Ph.D. or post-M.D. research and continues until separation from the institution or reclassification of the individual concerned.
  2. Non-postdoctoral persons may be asked to be Associate Members. Associate members may include past active members, visiting postdoctoral associates or other persons agreed upon by the PDA. Associate members shall enjoy all privileges of membership but may not vote or hold office.

Article III—Mission

The missions of the PDA shall be:

  1. To develop a sense of community by fostering professional and social interactions among postdoctoral fellows throughout the institution.
  2. To provide a forum to disseminate accurate information and address issues relevant to postdoctoral fellows.
  3. To promote a productive dialogue among postdoctoral fellows, the administration and the faculty.

Article IV—Government

  1. The government of the PDA arises from, and shall always follow, the principle of democratic rule.
  2. The PDA shall be organized and guided by the PDA steering committee. The PDA steering committee shall be selected from the active members of the PDA.
  3. The steering committee shall speak for the PDA, shall act as representatives and advocates of the PDA, shall be responsible for the administration of the affairs of the PDA and shall always be accountable to the membership at large.
  4. At least one member of the PDA steering committee shall regularly represent the PDA at Postdoctoral Fellows Programs Committee meetings held by the faculty and administration.
  5. Ad hoc committees shall be formed from the active members as deemed necessary to address specific issues of concern to the PDA.

Article V—Rights and Obligations

  1. Active members of the PDA shall be obligated to observe the Constitution of the PDA.
  2. All active members of the PDA shall have the right to participate in the decision making process of all issues relevant to the PDA. In addition, all active members of the PDA shall have the right petition to amend this constitution as circumstances warrant.

Article VI—Meetings

  1. General PDA meetings shall be held regularly and shall be open to all PDA members. Meeting minutes shall be public and posted on the PDA Web site.
  2. The steering committee of the PDA shall meet regularly. Additional active or associate members, or other persons, may be invited to participate as necessary. Meeting minutes shall be public and posted on the PDA web site.

Please Note: This Constitution has not been officially ratified by the PDA membership. It is a draft document.

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