Charter and Bylaws

Salutaris:

The NIH Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Employees’ Forum

Article I:  Name

The name of the organization shall be Salutaris: The National Institutes of Health Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Employees Forum.

Article II:  Purpose

To represent gay, lesbian, bisexual and Transgendered (hereafter to be referred to as GLBT) employees; to coordinate meetings, organize social activities, and sponsor educational programs open to all members of the NIH community; to be available as a resource on GLBT issues to The NIH community at large; to provide guidance and recommendations to the NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM) on matters affecting the welfare of GLBT employees and assist the OEODM in fostering a workplace environment that is accepting and supportive of GLBT employees.

Article III:  Participation

Participation in Salutaris shall consist of Voting members: NIH employees who request membership, and who are legal age of majority, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, race, religion, creed, national origin, or disability.

Article IV:  Executive Committee Members

The elected Executive committee members of Salutaris shall consist of a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Newsletter Coordinator, Web Page Coordinator, Public Relations Coordinator and Signature Event Coordinator.  Executive committee Members shall serve for a period of one (1) year beginning January 1 (Calendar Year) and may serve up to two consecutive years in any given position.  After a one-year hiatus, an individual may again seek election to a previously held position.  During the hiatus, said individual can serve in another elected capacity.  All Executive Committee Members are required to hold and keep current paid membership in the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association.

Executive Committee Member position responsibilities

Chairperson:

Ø      Organize and lead general membership and executive committee meetings

Ø      Designating committees

Ø      Liaison with the NIH OEODM and other NIH interfaces, such as the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association

Secretary:

Ø      Logistical arrangements for the meetings

Ø      Take meeting notes and provide an electronic copy of those notes to the Executive Committee

Ø      Distribution of meeting agendas and other meeting materials

Treasurer:

Ø      Oversight of all Salutaris financial matters

Ø      Coordinate Salutaris fundraising activities

Newsletter Coordinator:

Ø      Develop format and distribution of the Quarterly Salutaris Newsletter

Web Page Coordinator:

Ø      Maintain the Salutaris website

Public Relations Coordinator:

Ø      Maintain the Salutaris Mailing list

Ø      Oversee distribution of all global e-mails

Ø      Develop and oversee production of publication materials to include advertisements, brochures, etc.

Signature Event Coordinator:

Ø      Plan and oversee the Noons-In-June and or other approved June Pride Event

Additional Coordinators can and will be elected with the approval of at least 3 Executive Committee Members.

Article V:  Vacancies

Where a Salutaris Executive Committee Member is unable to serve the full term, the Executive Committee may elect any other voting Salutaris member to the vacant position.  Where the remaining period of the outgoing committee member is in excess of a three (3) month period, the committee must attempt to fill the position.

Article VI:  Voting

All Executive committee Members will have voting rights.  Non-Executive Committee Members will gain voting rights through attendance at two or more Salutaris meetings and a written request for voting rights.  A vote may only be initiated if a quorum is present.  A quorum will be defined as at least three (3) of the seven (7) Executive Committee Members being present.  Members may vote by proxy, by sending their vote on agenda items to either the Salutaris Chairperson or Secretary, prior to the Salutaris meeting at which the vote is taken.  A majority of votes will be defined as the majority of those members present and those voting by proxy. 

Article VII:  Meetings

Salutaris meetings shall be held at least six (6) times annually.  The Chairperson or three Executive Committee Members may call additional meetings, as deemed necessary.  A report of early activities shall be prepared by the Chairperson with input from the other Executive Committee Members and submitted to the Director of OEODM each January.

Article VIII:  Amendments

Proposals for amendments to the bylaws will be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee.  All amendments will be presented at the next regularly scheduled Salutaris meeting.  Any voting member of Salutaris may initiate proposals.  Proposed amendments must be approved by a simple majority of members in attendance at the meeting where the amendment is discussed and proxy votes.  Charter revisions shall become effective upon approval of the OEODM Director.

Article VIII:  Adoption

These bylaws were approved by Salutaris: The National Institutes of Health Gay, lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Employees' Forum on January 23, 2001 and submitted for approval the The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management on 2/11/02.

 

Robert A. DeBellis                 04/02/2002
Chair, Salutaris                            Date
 
Lawrence N. Self                      04/09/2002
Director, OEO                              Date