Constitution

Article I: Name

The name of the organization is the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (hereinafter referred to as CCNP).

Article II: Aim

The aim of the College shall be:

  1. to provide a forum for clinical and basic science researchers to discuss and exchange ideas and experience in neuropsychopharmacology and to promote the development of this science nationally and internationally.
  2. to be a liaison body to educational institutions, public, industry and government organizations as well as other related scientific bodies in order to promote quality of research and treatment in this field.

Article III: Members

There shall be six categories of members including Founding Fellows, Fellows, Affiliate Members, Honorary Fellows, Junior Members and Retired Members all of whom shall be interested and concerned with neuropsychopharmacology.

Article IV: Officers

The officers to be elected for two-year terms shall be:

  • A President who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the College, Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Council. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall preside at the meetings of the College and be responsible for the program and various functions at the CCNP Meetings. The President shall serve as Chair at all meetings of the Council. The President shall continue to serve on the Executive Committee for two years following the end of the term of office.
  • The Vice-President and President Elect shall be members of the Executive.
  • Committee and shall by virtue of their election have full voting power. They shall carry out such other duties as may be delegated to them by the President. One of these positions shall be a clinical researcher and the other a basic scientist.
  • The Secretary shall keep a record of the transactions of the College and its committees, and be responsible for the correspondence of the College, as well as of the record and seal of the Association. The Secretary shall also serve as Secretary to the Executive Committee.
  • The Treasurer shall enter into all necessary transactions to carry out the functions of the College. The Treasurer should collect all the monies due the College including membership annual dues, disburse the same as directed by the Council, keep a proper account of all such transactions and render an Annual Statement of the College. The Treasurer shall have charge of all property belonging to the College not otherwise provided for. The Treasurer shall be bonded in a sum designated by the Executive Committee, the premium to be paid by the College. The Treasurer shall follow the budget recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by the Council.

These five officers, together with the Past President, shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet at such times and places as designated by the President and conduct the business of the College in the interim between meetings of Council and the general membership meetings.

If a position within the Executive Committee is vacated as a result of the death, resignation or removal of such member, then the position vacated may be filled by a member of the Executive Committee on an interim basis and until such time as the CCNP shall appoint a candidate for the position. While serving in such interim capacity, the stand-in shall have the powers and duties assigned to that position. If a position in one of the other Committees is vacated, the President shall appoint an interim member, if required.

In addition to the Executive Committee, there shall be eight Councillors, elected also for two-year terms to provide broad geographic, language, discipline and points-of-view representation. Council shall also include one junior member with voting rights on council matters and who shall be elected by junior CCNP members only. There shall be staggered elections for these positions. These 15 shall constitute the Council.

Article V: Meetings

The CCNP shall ordinarily meet once a year.

Article VI: Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a two-third vote of Council or by petition of 5% of the active members without approval of Council. Both must be submitted in writing to the members thirty days in advance of the meeting of the CCNP. Alternately the amendments may be submitted for mail vote with response required within sixty days. Approval requires a favorable response from two-third of all members voting. The vote shall be null and void if less than 30% of members participate.