ARTICLE I
                                         NAME
 
This organization shall be known as the Louisiana Society of the American Association for
Respiratory Care, a chartered affiliate of the American Association for Respiratory Care,
hereinafter referred to as the "AARC", which is incorporated under the General Not For Profit
Corporation Act of the State of Illinois. The Louisiana Society is incorporated under the General
Not-For-Profit Corporation Act of the State of Louisiana.
 
The short name of this organization shall be the Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care, and
shall
hereinafter in these Bylaws be referred to as the "Society".
 
 
                                       ARTICLE II
                                      BOUNDARIES
 
 
The area included within the boundaries of this Society shall be the boundaries of the State of
Louisiana.
 
 
                                   ARTICLE III
                                        OBJECT
 
 
Section 1.Purpose
 
a.To encourage and develop on a regional basis educational programs for those persons
interested in the field of Respiratory Care. 
 
b.To advance the science, technology, ethics, and art of Respiratory Care through regional
institutes, meetings, lectures, and the preparation and distribution of newsletters up keep of
website and other materials.
 
c.To facilitate cooperation between Respiratory Care personnel and the medical profession,
hospitals, service companies, industry, and other agencies within the State interested in
Respiratory Care; except that this Society shall not commit any act which shall constitute
unauthorized practice of medicine under the laws of the State of Illinois in which the parent
Association is Incorporated, or any other state.
 
d. To provide education of the general public in pulmonary health promotion and disease
prevention.
 
Section 2.Intent
 
a.No part of the net earnings of the Society shall inure to the benefit of any private member
or individual, nor shall the corporation perform particular services for individual members
thereof.
 
b.Distribution of the funds, income, and property of the Society may be made to charitable,
educational, scientific, or religious corporations, organizations, community chests, foundations
or
other kindred institutions maintained and created for one or more of the foregoing purposes if at
the time of distribution the payees or distributees are exempt from income taxation under the
provisions of Section 501, 2055, and 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any later or other
sections of the Internal Revenue Code which amend or supersede the said sections.
 
 
                                       ARTICLE IV
                                      MEMBERSHIP
 
 
Section 1.Classes
 
The membership of this Society shall include three classes: Active Member, Associate Member,
and Special Member.
 
Section 2.Eligibility and Classification
 
 
a.Membership eligibility and classification shall be established in accordance with Article III
of the AARC Bylaws.
 
b.Only members in good standing of the AARC shall be members of this Society with the
exception that the AARC Board of Directors may confer Honorary or Life Membership.
 
Section 3.Annual Registration
 
Each Society member must annually reassert AARC membership by whatever means the AARC
Board of Directors deems appropriate.
 
 
                                       ARTICLE V
                                OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
 
Section 1.Officers
 
The officers of the Society shall consist of President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President,
Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
 
Section 2. Directors-at-Large
 
a.There shall be three (3) four (4) Directors-at-Large. One (1) Two (2) Directors-at-Large shall
be elected each year every two years and such others as necessary in order to fill existing
vacancies.
 
b.When multiple vacancies are being filled, the member with the most votes shall fill the
longest term, the member with the second highest number of votes shall fill the next longest
term, and so on according to the number of votes received.
 
Section 3.Chapter Representation
 
Each Chapter shall be represented on the Board of Directors by the Chapter President.
 
Section 4.Term of Office
 
a.The term of office for Society Officers shall be for one (1) year two (2) year term. The term
shall begin immediately following the Annual Business Meeting following their election.
 
b.The President and President-Elect shall not serve more than one (1) consecutive term in
the same office.
 
c.The Vice President, and Secretary, and the Treasurer shall not serve more than three (3)
consecutive terms in the same office.
 
d.The term of office for Directors-at-Large shall begin immediately following the Annual
Business Meeting following their election and shall be for a three (3) four year term
nonrecurring term of office.
 
Section 5.Vacancies in Office
 
a.In the event of a vacancy in the Office of President, the President-Elect shall become
acting President to serve the unexpired term and shall serve the successive term as President.
 
b.In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the Vice-President shall assume
the duties, but not the office, of President-Elect as well as the Vice-Presidency until the next
meeting of the Board of Directors at which time the Board shall elect a qualified member to fill
the vacancy. This individual shall serve the remainder of the term as President-Elect and then
accede to President for a regular term as if elected by the membership.
 
c.In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary, the
Board of Directors shall elect a qualified member to fill the vacancy until the Annual Business
Meeting following the next election.
 
d.In the event of a vacancy in the office of Immediate Past-President, that office shall remain
vacant until filled by the normal process of Presidential succession.
 
Section 6.Duties of Officers
 
a.President
 
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Society. The President shall
preside at the Annual Business Meeting and all meetings of the Board of Directors and present
an 
annual report of the Society; prepare an agenda for the Annual Business Meeting and submit it to
the membership via the LSRC website not fewer than thirty (30) days prior to such a meeting in
accordance with these Bylaws; prepare an agenda for each meeting of the Board of Directors and
submit it to the members of the Board of Directors not fewer than fifteen (15) days prior to such
meeting; appoint standing and special committees subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors, and present an annual report of the Society's activities to the Board of Directors and
the membership. The President shall automatically become and serve in the office of Immediate
Past President following the completion of their two year term and perform such duties as
assigned by the President with voting privileges.
 
b.President-Elect
 
The President-Elect shall become acting President and shall assume the duties of the
President in the event of the President's absence, resignation, or disability; and shall perform
such
other duties as shall be assigned by the President, the Board of Directors, or elsewhere by these
Bylaws. The President-Elect shall serve as Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee. 
The President-Elect shall be a one year term.
 
 
c.Vice-President
 
The Vice-President shall assume the duties but not the office of the President-Elect in the
event of the President-Elect's absence, resignation, or disability; and will also continue to carry
out the duties of the Vice-President.
 
d.Treasurer
 
The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds and securities of the Society; endorsing
checks, notes, or other orders for payment of bills; disbursing funds as authorized by the Board
of
Directors and/or in accordance with the adopted budget; depositing funds as the Board of
Directors may designate. The Treasurer shall see that full and accurate accounts are kept, submit
quarterly trial balances to the Executive Committee; make a written financial report to each
meeting of the Board of Directors. At the expense of the Society, the Treasurer and all other
signatories of Society (not Chapter) checks shall be bonded in an amount determined by the
Board of Directors. The outgoing Treasurer shall automatically become Immediate Past
Treasurer as a non-voting member of the BOD in order to insure smooth transition of all society
finances. Immediate Past Treasurer may hold another concurrent office. The Treasurer, the
President  or the President-Elect  shall be included  on  all Society’s  financial institute’s
signature cards.. All debt to accounts will require two signatures.
 
e.Secretary
 
The Secretary shall have charge of keeping the minutes of the regular meetings of the
Board of Directors, the annual business meeting, and meetings of the Executive Committee;
submitting a copy of the minutes of every meeting of the governing body and other business of
the Society to the Executive Office of the AARC within ten (10) days following the meeting;
executing the general correspondence; affixing the corporate seal on documents so requiring; and
in general, performing all duties as from time to time shall be assigned by the President or the
Board of Directors.
 
f. Immediate Past President
 
The Immediate Past President shall serve on the executive committee with voting privileges and
assist in formulation of the LSRC annual budget and also serve on the Legislative Committee.
 
 
                                      
                                                ARTICLE VI
                              NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
 
 
Section 1.Nominations 
 
a.Calendar of Nominations Process
 
i.Nominations shall open not later than May 15, and shall remain open for at
least twenty-five (25) days and not more than sixty (60) days.
 
ii.The Nominations Chairperson shall report the slate of nominees to the Board of Directors not
later than August 15 for their approval.
 
iii.On written petition of ten (10) or more Active members filed at any office of the
Society, no later than September 1, any other member or members eligible to hold office will be
added to the approved slate.
 
iv.The Nominations Committee shall present the slate of nominees to the
Elections Committee no later than September 15.
 
v.Ballots shall be mailed to the membership no later than October 10. The
membership shall have no less than twenty-five (25) calendar days to return their ballots.
 
vi.Returned ballots must be postmarked not later than November 10.
 
b.The Nominations Committee shall determine the eligibility of all nominees. Only Active or
Life members may be candidates.
 
c.The Nominations Committee shall name at least two (2) nominees for all Offices, Board of
Directors positions, and vacancies.
i.If, despite every reasonable effort, the Nominations Committee is unable to
assemble a slate with at least two (2) candidates for each position, the Board of Directors may
authorize publication of a ballot with only one (1) candidate for some or all of the positions to be
filled.
ii.If, despite every reasonable effort, the Nominations Committee is unable to solicit
any nominee for any position(s), the Board of Directors shall appoint a qualified member to
serve
the next term.
 
Section 2. Ballot
 
a.The Nominations Committee's slate and biographical sketches shall be mailed to every
Active or Life Member in good standing according to the last available membership galley at the
time of mailing at their last address on the record of the Society not later than October 10.
 
b.The Ballot shall be so designed as to be a secret mail ballot with provisions for write-in
votes for each office. Ballots, to be acceptable, must be postmarked by the stipulated deadline
date, which shall be no later than November 10. The deadline date shall be clearly indicated on
the ballot.
 
Section 3. Elections Committee
 
The President shall appoint an impartial Election(s) Committee which shall prepare the ballots,
conduct the election, check the eligibility of each returned ballot and tally the votes not later than
November 20. The results of the election shall be announced at the last regular Board of
Directors meeting of the calendar year.
 
 
                                      ARTICLE VII
                                 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
 
Section 1.Composition and Powers
 
a.The executive government of this Society shall be invested in a Board of Directors of no
fewer than twelve (12) members and no more twenty (20)  voting members consisting of the
Officers, Delegates, and Directors-at-large (as defined in Article V, Sections 1 & 2) and the
President of each chapter (as defined in Article XII, Sections 3 & 5).
 
b.The President shall be Chairperson and presiding officer of the Board of Directors and the
Executive Committee. The President shall invite in writing such individuals to the meetings of
the
Board of Directors as deemed necessary, with the privilege of voice but not vote.
 
c.The Board of Directors shall have the power to declare an office vacant by a two-thirds (2/3) 
vote, upon refusal or neglect of any member of the Board of Directors to perform the duties of
that office, or for any conduct deemed prejudicial to the Society. Written notice shall be given to
the member that the office has been declared vacant.
 
d.The Society's Medical Director and Immediate Past Treasurer shall be non-voting members of
the Board of Directors.
 
e.No Board of Directors member may hold concurrent Board of Directors-level elective
offices. This limitation does not preclude Board of Directors members from holding chapter
offices other than Chapter President.
 
Section 2.Duties
 
a.Supervise all business and activities of the Society within the limitations of these Bylaws.
 
b.Adopt and rescind standing rules of the Society.
 
c.determine remuneration, stipends, the amount of membership dues for the following year,
and other related matters, after consideration of the budget.
 
d.Receive and act upon the reports and recommendations of the special and standing
committees.
 
Section 3.Vacancies
 
a.Any vacancy that occurs on the Board of Directors, with the exception of the President,
Immediate Past President,  Immediate Past Treasurer, Delegates and the Chapter Presidents, shall
be filled by qualified members elected by the Board of Directors. Individuals so elected shall
serve until the Annual Business Meeting following the next annual election.
 
b.An elected President-Elect shall serve until the Annual Business Meeting following the
next annual election and then accede to the Presidency. Past President
 
c.In the event of a vacancy among the Chapter Presidents, the respective Chapter(s) shall fill
the vacancy through their defined ascendancy process. This individual must be eligible to be a
member of the Society's Board of Directors. In the event the chapter fails to name a replacement,
the Board of Directors shall appoint a qualified member from within the geographic boundaries
of
the respective chapter. Failure to name a replacement in this circumstance will not open the
chapter to possible dissolution.
 
Section 4.Meetings
 
a.The Board of Directors shall meet as part of the Annual Business Meeting of the Society
and shall not hold fewer than two (2) regular and separate additional meetings during the
calendar
year. The planned dates and locations of these additional meetings shall be presented at the
Annual Business Meeting. In the event of an emergency or unexpected circumstances, the date
and location of these additional meetings may be changed, provided the members of the Board of
Directors are given at least fifteen (15) days notice of the new date and location; or the business
of the scheduled meeting may be conducted by mail vote in accordance with Section 5 of this
Article.
 
b.Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President at such times as
the business of the Society shall require, or upon written request of three (3) members of the
Board of Directors filed with the President and Secretary of the Society.
 
c.A majority of the voting members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at
any meeting. If any voting member of the Board of Directors is unable to attend a meeting of the
Board of Directors, that voting member may convey to any member of the Board of Directors a
proxy granting that individual authority to for the absent voting member. Except
in the most extenuating circumstances, the proxy should be written and specify the meeting for
which it is intended. Proxies shall be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Each
member of the Board of Directors may carry only one proxy at any meeting.
 
Section 5.Mail Vote
 
Whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, it is necessary prior to the next regular or
annual business meeting, the Board of Directors may, unless otherwise required by these Bylaws,
instruct the Elections Committee to conduct a vote of the membership by  mail. The question
thus
presented shall be determined according to a majority of the valid votes received by mail within
thirty (30) days after date of such submission, except in the case of a change in the Bylaws when
a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the valid votes received is required. Any and all action approved
by
the members in accordance with the requirements of the Bylaws shall be binding upon each
member of the Society. 
 
Section 6.Executive Committee
 
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall consist of the President,
President-Elect, Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate
Past Treasurer. The Immediate Past Treasurer is a non-voting member.  The Executive
Committee shall have the power to act for the Board of Directors and such action shall be subject
to ratification by the Board at its next meeting. The Executive Committee shall also function as
the Budget and Audit Committee.
 
 
                                      ARTICLE VIII
                               ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
 
 
Section 1.Date and Place
 
a.The Society shall hold an annual business meeting within sixty (60) days following the end
of each calendar year.
 
b.The date and place of the annual business meeting shall be decided in advance by the
Board of Directors. In the event of a major emergency the Board of Directors shall cancel the
scheduled meeting, set a new date and place if feasible, or conduct the business of the meeting
by
mail provided the material is sent in the same words to the voting membership.
 
 
 
 
Section 2.Purpose
 
The Annual Business Meeting shall be for the purpose of installation of the new Board of
Directors, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for other business brought by the
President.
 
Section 3.Notification
 
Written notice of the time and place of the Annual Business Meeting shall be sent to all members
of the Society, or published in an official Society publication which is mailed to all members, or
posted on LSRC website not fewer than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting. An agenda for the
Annual Business Meeting shall be likewise distributed to the membership not fewer than thirty
(30) days prior to the meeting.
 
Section 4.Quorum
 
A majority of the voting members registered at a duly called Annual Business Meeting shall
constitute a quorum. Proxies will not be recognized at the Annual Business Meeting.
 
 
                                       ARTICLE IX
                  SOCIETY DELEGATES TO THE AARC HOUSE OF DELEGATES
 
 
Section 1.Election
 
a.Delegates of this Society to the House of Delegates of the AARC shall be elected as
specified in Article VII of the AARC Bylaws.
 
b.To be nominated for the position of Delegate from this Society the nominee must
attend a minimum of 75% of all Society Board of Directors meetings for two years prior to their
vying for said position.
 
c.The society’s delegation will consist of up to three delegates, one of whom may be the
President. If the President selects a designee, he or she must be a member elected by the entire
membership of the LSRC. For the other members of the delegation, one will be elected every
two years for a four year term. The delegates will be limited to five consecutive terms.
 
Section 2.Duties
 
The duties of the Delegates shall be as specified in the Bylaws of the AARC.
The Delegate on their 3rd or 4th year in elected office shall actually prepare all reports for the
society and act as a mentor to other society delegates and cast the LSRC’s vote while the house
is in session. In the absence of the delegate in their 3rd or 4th year the delegate in their 1st or 2nd
` year of elected office will assume the afore mentioned responsibilities. The 1st/2nd year and
3rd/4th
year Delegate shall serve as Co-Chair’s of the Fundraising Committee for the Society.
 
Section 3.Board Member
 
The Delegates shall be voting members of the Society Board of
Directors.
 
Section 4.Multiple Offices
 
Elected Delegates may not hold concurrent elective offices.
 
.
 
Section 5.Vacancy
 
 
a In the event of a vacancy in the position of Delegate, the Board of Directors
may designate a qualified member to fill the role but not the office of  Delegate until the next
annual election..
 
b.The President may be designated to attend the House of Delegates in the place of any of the
Delegates if they are unable to attend. In the event the President is seated in place of the 3rd or
4th year Delegate the1st or 2nd year delegate shall be the lead member of the delegation.
 
 
                                    ARTICLE X
                                    COMMITTEES
 
 
Section 1.Standing Committees
 
The members of the following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President, subject
to the approval of the Board of Directors, to serve for a term of one (1) two (2) years. 
 
a. Membership
b. Budget and Audit
c. Elections
d. Judicial/Advisory  Respiratory Care Advisory Committee
e. Nominations
f. Education
----1. Program
----2. Scholarship
----3. Pelican Bowl
---4. Pioneer 
g. Bylaws
h. Public Relations
----1. Publications
----2. Chapter Affairs
i. Legislative
j. Fundraising
 
Section 2. Special Committees and Other Appointments
 
Special committees may be appointed by the President to carry out specific tasks.
 
Section 3. Committee Chairperson's Duties
 
a.The Chairperson of each Committee shall confer promptly with the members of the
committee on work assignments. If a committee has written policies or procedures they will
reviewed  and approved by the BOD annually
 
b.The Chairperson of each committee may recommend prospective committee members to
the President. When possible, the Chairperson of the previous year shall serve as a member of
the
new committee. The Chairperson shall submit a written report to the President and Secretary of
the Society at least ten (10) days prior to each Board of Directors meeting.
 
c.Nonmembers or physician members may be appointed as consultants to committees.
 
d.Each committee Chairperson requiring operating expenses shall submit a budget for the
next fiscal year to the Budget and Audit Committee at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual
business meeting.
 
 
                                       ARTICLE XI
                                 DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
 
 
Section 1.Membership Committee
 
a.This committee shall consist of one (1) member of the Board of Directors and one (1)
member from each chapter.
 
 
b.This committee shall encourage recruitment and retention of applicants for membership in
the AARC and report to the Membership Committee of the AARC as required by the AARC
Bylaws.
 
Section 2.Budget and Audit Committee
 
 
a.This committee shall be composed of the Executive Committee and the Medical
Advisor(s).
 
b.The Budget and Audit Committee proposes an annual budget for approval by the Board of
Directors. The budget shall then be submitted to the Society newsletter website for publication at
least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
 
Section 3.Elections Committee
 
a.This committee shall prepare, receive, verify, and count ballots for all elections held during
the calendar year.
 
b. This committee shall consist of at least five (5) voting members of the Society. No
member of this committee is eligible to be placed on a Society ballot during their term on the
committee, although they will remain eligible to run for chapter offices other than Chapter
President. Members of the Board of Directors may be on, or chair, the Elections Committee
provided they are not in their final year of their term or are willing to decline all nominations for
the year(s) they serve on this committee. This committee shall be chaired by the President- Elect.
 
c.This committee will work in conjunction with the Nominations committee for the timely
election of officers. The ballots shall be true secret ballots, with the process completed within the
time frames defined in Article VI of these Bylaws.
 
d.It shall be the duty of the Chair of the Elections committee to notify the various candidates
of the results of the election not later than November 27. If the Chair is unable to reach any of
the
candidates by this date, the President of the Society shall be notified immediately.
 
Section 4.Judicial/Advisory Committee  Respiratory Care Advisory Committee
 
a. This committee shall consist of four (4)   six (6) members. These four  six members shall be
the Respiratory Therapists represented on the Respiratory Care Advisory Committee of the
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. 
 
b. This Committee shall receive written complaints against any individual Society member
charged with any violation of the Society or AARC Bylaws, the Respiratory Care Practice Act of
the State of Louisiana or any of its associated rules and regulations, or otherwise with any
conduct deemed detrimental to the Society, or the AARC, the profession, or patient/public
welfare. Complaints related strictly to violation of Society or AARC rules will be referred to the
AARC Judicial Committee for consideration of appropriate actions. Complaints relative to public
or patient welfare or violations of State law will be referred to the Respiratory Advisory
Committee of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners for evaluation and any
appropriate action. Any action taken by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners will be
reported to the AARC Judicial Committee.
b.  This Committee shall:
 (1) Advise the board on issues affecting applicants for licensure and
 regulation of respiratory therapy in the state.
 (2) Provide advice and recommendations to the board regarding the
 modification, amendment, and supplementation of rules, regulations, standards,
 policies, and procedures for respiratory therapy licensure and practice.
 (3) Serve as liaison between and among the board, licensed respiratory
 therapists, and professional organizations.
 (4) Review and advise the board on issues affecting requests for temporary
 licenses.
 (5) Conduct audits on applications to ensure satisfactory completion of
 continuing education and competency as specified by the board's rules.
 (6) Perform such other functions and provide such additional advice and
 recommendations as may be requested by the board.
 
Section 5.Nominations Committee
 
a.This Committee shall prepare for approval by the Board of Directors a slate of candidates
for officers, delegates, directors-at-large, and Chapter Presidents for the annual election.
 
b.The Committee shall be chaired by the President-Elect and consist of at least four (4)
Active Members, with a least one (1) Active Member from each Chapter, who shall serve for a
term of one (1) year.
 
c.It shall be the duty of this Committee to solicit nominations from the membership,
determine the eligibility to hold office of each submitted nominee, prepare a slate of those
nominees who meet the criteria for eligibility to hold office, present the slate to the Board of
Directors for review and approval, and collect the information for the biographical sketches to be
included with the Ballot. These obligations shall be accomplished in accord with the time frames
defined in Article VI of these Bylaws.
 
d.The Nominations Committee shall work closely with the Elections Committee in processing
ballot distribution.
 
Section 6.Education Committee
 
a.This Committee shall consist of at least six (6) members and be so constructed as to
provide experienced members for program and education planning.
 
b.The Medical Advisor(s) will be a consultant member of the Committee.
 
c.The Committee shall encourage and assist Chapters in the efforts to conduct educational
programs and maintain a list of educational materials for the Society.
 
d.There will be three subcommittees of the  Education Committee. These committees are
Program, Scholarship, Pioneer and Pelican Bowl.
 
1.Program Subcommittee shall plan, coordinate, budget, implement and publicize the
State Annual Meeting. Members shall be invited to join as need indicates.
 
2.Scholarship Subcommittee shall advertise, coordinate, and award the Society
scholarships.
 
3.The Pelican Bowl Subcommittee shall plan, coordinate and implement the Pelican
Bowl at the Society's annual meeting; complete all necessary correspondence with the teams, the
Society and/or the AARC.
 
4. Pioneer Committee shall honor and induct new members.
 
Section 7. Bylaws Committee
 
a.This Committee shall consist of three (3) members, one (1) of whom shall be a
Past-President, with one (1) member being appointed annually for a three (3) year term, except
as
is necessary to establish and maintain this rotation.
 
b.The Committee shall receive and prepare all amendments to the Bylaws for submission to
the Board of Directors. The Committee may also initiate such amendments for submission to the
Board of Directors.
 
Section 8.Public Relations 
 
 a. The Committee shall maintain such liaison as has been established by the Board of
Directors with other organizations whose activities may be of interest to the members of this
Society. This shall include the preparation of exhibits, programs, and other items to bring the
message of respiratory care and the AARC to medical, nursing, and hospital groups as well as
educational facilities where using such material can be expected to recruit new people to the field
of respiratory care. Such material shall be subject to the approval of the Medical Advisor(s).
 
 b. Coordinate state wide observances of the National Respiratory Care Week.
 
 c. Delegate and maintain PR mailing list for State Society.
 
 d. Establish correspondence with programs across the state and serve as a resource to
them.
 
e. There will be two subcommittees of the Public Relations Committee. These committees are
Publications and Chapter Affairs. Each subcommittee shall consists of at least three (3)
members, one (1) of whom shall be a Past President, with members being appointed annually by
the President for a one (1) year term, subject to reappointment.
 
 1. The Publications Subcommittee shall concern itself with the execution of a Society
Newsletter Website and all other publications of this Society with the public, hospitals, and other
organizations through dissemination of information concerning respiratory therapy.
 
2. The Chapter Affairs Subcommittee shall receive applications for Chapters and review the
proposed  Policies and Procedures for compliance with the objectives of  Section XII of  the
bylaws of the Society, and report its findings to the Board of Directors.
 
 i. Review amendments to existing Chapter Policies and Procedures.  
 
 ii. Review the minutes of all meetings of the Chapter and advise the Chapter
President and Secretary of any irregularities or other recommendations.
 
 iii. Coordinates the Chapter of the Year Program as well as the Affiliate of the Year
award program.
 
 iv. Collect information on Respiratory Care Departments within the state which are undergoing
any type of patient care restructuring; monitor statewide supply and demand trends and
restructuring. Report this information to the Board of Directors.
 
Section 9.Legislative Committee
 
a.This committee shall consist of the President, Past-President, President Elect, President of
Chapter VI and others as appointed by the chairperson. The chairperson shall be appointed by the
President.
 
b.This Committee shall inform the Board of Directors of all legislative activity pertinent to
the role of the respiratory care practitioners. The Committee shall communicate directly with the
lobbyist and network all information to the Board of Directors.
 
Section 10. Fundraising Committee
 
a. This committee shall be chaired by the 1st/2nd year and 3rd/4th year Delegates. Committee
members shall be appointed by the President.
 
b. The duties of this committee is to carry out fundraising activities as directed by the Executive
Committee.
 
 
 
                                      ARTICLE XII
                                CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONS
 
 
Section 1. Boundaries
 
The Society may be divided into a maximum of ten (10) chapters and no fewer than (3) chapters.
Boundaries of the chapters will be determined by the association's operating rules.
 
a.Chapter One (I) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Caddo
- Webster
- Red River
- DeSoto
- Claiborne
- Bossier
- Bienville
 
b.Chapter Two (II) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Union
- Morehouse
- Jackson
- West Carroll
- Richland
- Franklin
- East Carroll
- Madison
- Tensas
- Ouchita
- Caldwell
- Lincoln
 
c.Chapter Three (III) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Sabin
- Winn
- LaSalle
- Vernon
- Grant
- Concordia
- Avoyelles
- Natchitoches
- Rapides
- Catahoula
 
d.Chapter Four (IV) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Beauregard
- Allen
- Jefferson Davis
- Calcasieu
- Cameron
 
e.Chapter Five (V) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Evangeline
- St. Landry
- St. Martin
- Acadia
- Vermillion
- Lafayette
- Iberia
 
f.Chapter Six (VI) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Point Coupee
- Iberville
- Ascension
- East Baton Rouge
- Washington
- Livingston
- West Baton Rouge
- St. Helena
- East Feliciana 
- West Feliciana
- Tangipahoa
 
g.Chapter Seven (VII) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Assumption
- St. James
- St. John the Baptist
- St. Mary
- Terrebonne
- St. Charles
- Lafourche
 
h.Chapter Eight (VIII) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Jefferson
- St. Tammany
- St. Bernard
- Plaquemine
 
i.Chapter Nine (IX) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
- Orleans
 
Section 2.Organization
 
The rules under which the Chapter is governed shall not be in conflict with these Bylaws.
 
Section 3.Officers and Chapter Representation
 
a.The President of each active Chapter shall be a voting member of the Society's Board of
Directors.
 
b.The Active Members of this Society employed within the Chapter boundaries shall elect a
President and Secretary and other officers as circumstances may require. The Secretary shall be
the official correspondent for the Chapter to the Society.
 
c.The membership in a Chapter shall be determined by place of employment address listed with
AARC with stipulations by petition.
 
Section 4.Activities
 
Each Chapter organization shall be encouraged to expand the membership of the Chapter and to
develop educational activities and such other activities as is consistent with the Articles of
Incorporation and these Bylaws.
 
Section 5.Responsibilities of the Chapter President
 
a.Represent the Chapter from which elected.
 
b.Submit a written report with three copies at each Board of Directors meeting, relating to
the activities in the Chapter.
 
c.Carry out the duties and responsibilities as detailed in the Chapter Handbook.
 
Section 6.Chapter Admission Requirements
 
a.Ten or more Active Members of the Society meeting the requirements for affiliation may
become a Chapter of the Society upon approval of the Chapter Affairs Committee, subject to
ratification by the Board of Directors of the Society. Members of Chapters must be members of
the State Society.
 
b.The formal application shall be sent to the Society's office and shall consist of a list of
officers, membership, minutes of the organizational meeting, Chapter Bylaws, geographical
location (by parishes) and a letter requesting approval of the proposed Medical Advisor.
 
c.Active Chapters are defined geographically in Article XII, Section 1. In addition, an
active chapter must maintain no less than twenty (20) active members and must submit to the
Nominations Committee no less than two (2) candidates for Chapter President.
 
Section 7.Duties
 
a.Two copies of the minutes of the governing body and business meetings of the Chapter
shall be sent to the Society's Board of Directors within ten (10) days following the meeting: One
copy shall be forwarded to the Society Secretary, the other to the Chairperson, Chapter Affairs
Committee.
 
b.The names and addresses of Officers and Medical Advisor shall be sent to the Society's
office within ten (10) days following the meeting.
 
Section 8.Dissolution of Chapter
 
a.Any chapter which no longer wants to maintain its separate identity may petition to
dissolve by simply failing to place into nomination potential president of that chapter.
 
b.The boundaries of that chapter shall then be incorporated into a neighboring chapter as
determined by the Board of Directors and consent of the neighboring chapter.
 
 
                                    
                                         ARTICLE XIII
                               SOCIETY MEDICAL ADVISOR
 
 
The Society shall have at least one (1) Medical Advisor who shall conform to Article X, Section
3
of the AARC Bylaws. Each Chapter shall have at least one (1) Medical Advisor. Together, they
shall form a Board of Medical Advisors of which the Society Medical Advisor shall be
Chairperson.
 
 
                                      ARTICLE XIV
                                      FISCAL YEAR
 
 
The fiscal year of this Society shall be from January 1 through December 31.
 
 
                                      ARTICLE XV
                                DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
 
 
Section 1.Active, Associate Members Employed Within the Society's Boundaries
 
Society dues shall be considered paid in full upon payment of AARC dues. Compliance with
Article III, Section 7, paragraph a, of the AARC Bylaws is required for Society membership.
 
Section 2.Active, Associate Members Not Employed Within the Society's Boundaries.
a. This is considered a separate state membership, in which does not qualify these members to
vote for the AARC Delegation.
 
Annual Society dues for each category of membership other than Honorary and Life shall be
determined for the following year by the Board of Directors after consideration of the budget.
 
Section 3.Assessments
 
The Society shall retain the right to assess fees if it is necessary to carry on local activities. The
amount of this fee will be set by the Board of Directors yearly as needed.
 
 
                                      ARTICLE XVI
                                        ETHICS
 
 
If the conduct of any Society member shall appear, by report of the Society or the AARC
Judicial
Committee, to be in willful violation of the Bylaws or standing rules of this Society or the
AARC,
or prejudicial to this Society's interests as defined in the AARC Code of Ethics, the Board of
Directors may, by a two-thirds  vote of its entire membership, suspend or expel such a member. 
A motion to reconsider the suspension or expulsion of a member may be made at the next regular
meeting of the Board of Directors. All such suspension or expulsion actions shall be reported
immediately to the AARC Judicial Committee.
 
 
                                      ARTICLE XVII
                              PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
 
 
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern whenever they are not in
conflict with the Bylaws of the Society or the AARC.
 
 

 
 
                                     ARTICLE XVIII
                                     AMENDMENTS
 
 
These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or called meeting or by mail vote of the Louisiana
Society of the AARC by a two-thirds  majority of those voting, provided that the amendment
has been presented  or posted on website to the membership in writing at least sixty (60) days
prior to vote. All amendments must be approved by the AARC Bylaws Committee and shall
become effective upon ratification by the AARC Board of Directors.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOT PART OF BYLAWS
 
Intent and Summary of Changes…..before I put back in pres-elect
 
 
     Intent 
 
1. to go to a every other year election
2. to put some of the language that specify dates into rules
3.To allow chapter boundaries to change via the rules
 
Rational
 
To allow BOD members to stay in office for two years, and allow elections to take place every two years,
following the example of the AARC.
To allow the state chapters to be easliy redesigned after a shift in population such as what we
experanced after the 05 hurricane season.
To allow time frames for the nominations process to be in rules, which will allow chapters to be
redesigned bi-annually
                                
b.To advance the science, technology, ethics, and art of Respiratory Care through regional
institutes, meetings, lectures, and the preparation and distribution of newsletters up keep of
website and other materials.
 
Section 2. Directors-at-Large
 
a.There shall be three (3) four (4) Directors-at-Large. One (1) Two (2) Directors-at-Large shall
be elected each year every two years and such others as necessary in order to fill existing
vacancies. Term shall be four (4) years
 
Section 4.Term of Office
 
a.The term of office for Society Officers shall be for one (1) year two (2) year term.The term
shall begin immediately following the Annual Business Meeting following their election.
 
b.The President and President-Elect shall not serve more than one (1) consecutive term in
the same office.
 
b.In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the Vice-President shall assume
the duties, but not the office, of President-Elect as well as the Vice-Presidency until the next
meeting of the Board of Directors at which time the Board shall elect a qualified member to fill
the vacancy. This individual shall serve the remainder of the term as President-Elect and then
accede to President for a regular term as if elected by the membership.
 
.President
 
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Society. The President shall
preside at the Annual Business Meeting and all meetings of the Board of Directors and present
an
annual report of the Society; prepare an agenda for the Annual Business Meeting and submit it to
the membership via the LSRC website not fewer than thirty (30) days prior to such a meeting in
accordance with these Bylaws; prepare an agenda for each meeting of the Board of Directors and
submit it to the members of the Board of Directors not fewer than fifteen (15) days prior to such
meeting; appoint standing and special committees subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors, and present an annual report of the Society's activities to the Board of Directors and
the membership.The President shall automatically become and serve in the office of Immediate
Past President following the completion of their two year term and perform such duties as
assigned by the President with voting  privileges.
 
The Secretary shall have charge of keeping the minutes of the regular meetings of the
Board of Directors, the annual business meeting, and meetings of the Executive Committee;
submitting a copy of the minutes of every meeting of the governing body and other business of
the Society to the Executive Office of the AARC within ten (10) days following the meeting;
executing the general correspondence; affixing the corporate seal on documents so requiring; and
in general, performing all duties as from time to time shall be assigned by the President or the
Board of Directors.
 
.Nominations shall open not later than May 15, and shall remain open for at
least twenty-five (25) days and not more than sixty (60) days.
 
b.An elected President-Elect shall serve until the Annual Business Meeting following the
next annual election and then accede to the Presidency. Past President
 
c.In the event of a vacancy among the Chapter Presidents, the respective Chapter(s) shall fill
the vacancy through their defined ascendancy process. This individual must be eligible to be a
member of the Society's Board of Directors. In the event the chapter fails to name a replacement,
the Board of Directors shall appoint a qualified member from within the geographic boundaries
of
the respective chapter. Failure to name a replacement in this circumstance will not open the
chapter to possible dissolution.
 
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall consist of the President,
President-Elect, Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate
Past Treasurer. The Immediate Past Treasurer is a non-voting member.  The Executive
Committee shall have the power to act for the Board of Directors and such action shall be subject
to ratification by the Board at its next meeting. The Executive Committee shall also function as
the Budget and Audit Committee.
 
 
 
Written notice of the time and place of the Annual Business Meeting shall be sent to all members
of the Society, or published in an official Society publication which is mailed to all members, or
posted on LSRC website not fewer than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting. An agenda for the
Annual Business Meeting shall be likewise distributed to the membership not fewer than thirty
(30) days prior to the meeting.
 
Section 1.Standing Committees
 
The members of the following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President, subject
to the approval of the Board of Directors, to serve for a term of one (1) two (2) year. 
 
a. Membership
b. Budget and Audit
c. Elections
d. Judicial/Advisory Respiratory Care Advisory Committee
e. Nominations
f. Education
----1. Program
----2. Scholarship
----3. Pelican Bowl
---4. Pioneer 
 
Section 4.Judicial/Advisory Committee  Respiratory Care Advisory Committee
 
a. This committee shall consist of four (4)   six (6) members. These four  six members shall be
the Respiratory Therapists represented on the Respiratory Care Advisory Committee of the
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. 
 
b. This Committee shall receive written complaints against any individual Society member
charged with any violation of the Society or AARC Bylaws, the Respiratory Care Practice Act of
the State of Louisiana or any of its associated rules and regulations, or otherwise with any
conduct deemed detrimental to the Society, or the AARC, the profession, or patient/public
welfare. Complaints related strictly to violation of Society or AARC rules will be referred to the
AARC Judicial Committee for consideration of appropriate actions. Complaints relative to public
or patient welfare or violations of State law will be referred to the Respiratory Advisory
Committee of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners for evaluation and any
appropriate action. Any action taken by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners will be
reported to the AARC Judicial Committee.
b.  This Committee shall:
 (1) Advise the board on issues affecting applicants for licensure and
 regulation of respiratory therapy in the state.
 (2) Provide advice and recommendations to the board regarding the
 modification, amendment, and supplementation of rules, regulations, standards,
 policies, and procedures for respiratory therapy licensure and practice.
 (3) Serve as liaison between and among the board, licensed respiratory
 therapists, and professional organizations.
 (4) Review and advise the board on issues affecting requests for temporary
 licenses.
 (5) Conduct audits on applications to ensure satisfactory completion of
 continuing education and competency as specified by the board's rules.
 (6) Perform such other functions and provide such additional advice and
 recommendations as may be requested by the board.
 
 
Section 3. Committee Chairperson's Duties
 
a.The Chairperson of each Committee shall confer promptly with the members of the
committee on work assignments. If a committee has written policies or procedures they will
reviewed  and approved by the BOD annualy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
b.The Chairperson of each committee may recommend prospective committee members to
the President. When possible, the Chairperson of the previous year shall serve as a member of
the
new committee. The Chairperson shall submit a written report to the President and Secretary of
the Society at least ten (10) days prior to each Board of Directors meeting.
 
b.The Budget and Audit Committee proposes an annual budget for approval by the Board of
Directors. The budget shall then be submitted to the Society newsletter website for publication at
least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
 
d.There will be three subcommittees of the  Education Committee. These committees are
Program, Scholarship, Pioneer and Pelican Bowl.
 
 
1. The Publications Subcommittee shall concern itself with the execution of a Society Newsletter
Website and all other publications of this Society with the public, hospitals, and other
organizations through dissemination of information concerning respiratory therapy.
 
a.This committee shall consist of the President, Past-President, President Elect, President of
Chapter VI and others as appointed by the chairperson. The chairperson shall be appointed by the
President.
 
Section 1. Boundaries
 
The Society may be divided into a maximum of ten (10) chapters and no fewer than (3) chapters.
Boundaries of the chapters will be determined by the association's operating rules.
 
a.Chapter One (I) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
b.Chapter Two (II) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
c.Chapter Three (III) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
d.Chapter Four (IV) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
e.Chapter Five (V) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
f.Chapter Six (VI) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
g.Chapter Seven (VII) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
h.Chapter Eight (VIII) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
i.Chapter Nine (IX) boundaries comprise the Parishes of:
 
c.The membership in a Chapter shall be determined by place of employment address listed with
AARC with stipulations by petition.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a.Two copies of the minutes of the governing body and business meetings of the Chapter
shall be sent to the Society's Board of Directors within ten (10) days following the meeting: One
copy shall be forwarded to the Society Secretary, the other to the Chairperson, Chapter Affairs
Committee.
 
.The names and addresses of Officers and Medical Advisor shall be sent to the Society's
office within ten (10) days following the meeting.
 
Section 1.Active, Associate Members Employed Within the Society's Boundaries
 
Society dues shall be considered paid in full upon payment of AARC dues. Compliance with
Article III, Section 7, paragraph a, of the AARC Bylaws is required for Society membership.
 
Section 2.Active, Associate Members Not Employed Within the Society's Boundaries.
a. This is considered a separate state membership, in which does not qualify these members to
vote for the AARC Delegation.
 
 
These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or called meeting or by mail vote of the Louisiana
Society of the AARC by a two-thirds  majority of those voting, provided that the amendment
has been presented  or posted on website to the membership in writing at least sixty (60) days
prior to vote. All amendments must be approved by the AARC Bylaws Committee and shall
become effective upon ratification by the AARC Board of Directors.
 
b.President-Elect
 
The President-Elect shall become acting President and shall assume the duties of the
President in the event of the President's absence, resignation, or disability; and shall perform
such
other duties as shall be assigned by the President, the Board of Directors, or elsewhere by these
Bylaws. The President-Elect shall serve as Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee.