Bylaws

SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF OPIOID DEPENDENCE BY-LAWS

(Revised 7/19/2018)

ARTICLE I

Name and Location

The name of this organization shall be The South Carolina Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (SCATOD).

Its principal office shall be located in the city of residence of the Chairperson during his or her tenure.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

  1. To serve as the designated affiliate organization in the state of South Carolina for the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD).
  2. Promote good will and cooperation among its members
  3. Promote the growth and development of opioid treatment programs.
  4. Assist the general public in its understanding of opioid use disorder and evidence based treatment for opioid use disorder.
  5. Encourage collaborative relationships with other behavioral health agencies.
  6. Enhance the quality of patient care in the provision of services to persons with an opioid use disorder and their families.

ARTICLE III

Membership

  1. Any Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in South Carolina can be a member of SCATOD by agreeing to comply with the Canon of Ethics for AATOD and payment of the designated annual dues.
  2. Member in Good Standing. A Member in Good Standing is defined as a member who has paid their annual dues in full no later than the second General Membership meeting of the Fiscal Year.
    1. Members in Good Standing are entitled to:
      1. Attend General Membership meetings and bring issues of concern to the Chairperson and members in attendance.
      2. Chair or participate in Ad Hoc or Standing SCATOD Committees.
      3. Receive all SCATOD / AATOD publications and services.
      4. Refer to themselves in any public media as members of SCATOD /
  3. Member Not in Good Standing. A Member who has not paid their annual dues by the second General Membership meeting of the Fiscal Year will be considered “Not in Good Standing”. Upon payment of their annual dues, they will return to being “Members in Good Standing”.
    1. A Member Not in good Standing may not attend any General Membership Meeting or function of the organization.
    2. No employee, officer, or agent of the Member may exercise duties as an Officer of SCATOD during the period when a Member Not in Good
  4. Voting Member. A Member in Good Standing who is either a Program sponsor or the designated Proxy of the Program Sponsor is considered a Voting Member.
  5. Associate Member. Associate Members do not vote and are not counted when determining a quorum. An associate member must also agree to comply with the Canon of Ethics for AATOD, as it applies to their practice, and payment of the designated annual dues.
  6. Individual Member. Individual Members do not pay annual dues, do not vote and are not counted when determining a quorum. The State Opioid Treatment Authority is considered an Individual Member.

ARTICLE IV

Meetings

  1. General Membership Meetings. Regular meetings of SCATOD are General Membership Meetings. These meetings are open to employees, officers, agents of Members in Good Standing, Associate Members, Individual Members, and invited guests.
    1. General Membership Meetings are to be held no less than quarterly at a site designated by the chairperson of SCATOD.
    2. Unless otherwise specified, General Membership Meetings will be held within six weeks following the quarterly AATOD Board Meeting
    3. Order of Business for General Membership Meetings
1. Presentation of minutes from the preceding meeting.
2. Treasurer’s report
3. Reports of committees
4. Reports of officer
5. Old and unfinished business
6. New business
7. Schedule next meeting
8. Adjournment

 

  1. Executive Sessions. Executive Sessions are SCATOD Meetings that are restricted to Members in Good Standing and Associate Members.
    1. A motion approved by a simple majority of the voting members present authorizes an Executive Session.
  2. Special Meetings. Special Meetings are specifically called General Membership
    1. The Chairperson or any voting members may call a Special Meeting of the Association when it is determined to be in the best interest of the
    2. Notices of such meetings shall be sent to all members at least five days before the requested date for the special meeting.
    3. Special Meeting Notice will state the reasons for the meeting, and who called the meeting.
    4. No other business but that specified in the notice may be transacted without unanimous consent of all present.
  3. Cancellation of a General Meeting. For good cause, the Chairperson may cancel any general meeting by providing reasonable notice of same at any reasonable and prudent time prior to the scheduled meeting.
  4. Minutes will be typed and distributed to all members within one month after the meeting with an agenda attached.
  5. The Membership shall make such rules for the conduct of its meetings as it shall In the absence of such rules, Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) will govern the conduct of meetings.

ARTICLE V

Voting

  1. Voting Member. A Member in Good Standing who is either a Program Sponsor or the designated Proxy of the Program Sponsor, is considered a Voting Member.
  2. A simple majority of SCATOD Voting Members will constitute a Quorum.
  3. Determination of a Quorum. The Secretary/Treasurer will determine and record the number of Voting Members present at the meeting and advise the Chairperson if a quorum is present.
  4. Absence of a Quorum. If the Secretary/Treasurer determines that a quorum is not present, an informal meeting may be conducted, however, motions or official voting shall not be permitted.
  5. Changes in Proxy. If the Program Sponsor changes their Designated Proxy, they must advise the Secretary/Treasurer in advance of the Meeting.
  6. Tie Vote. In the case of a tie vote, the State Opioid Treatment Authority will be asked to break the tie at that time.
  7. Ineligibility to Vote. Associate Members and Members Not in Good Standing are ineligible to vote.
  8. Majority. Unless otherwise specified by these By-Laws, approval of a motion is determined by a simple majority of the voting Members present at the meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Finances

  1. SCATOD Annual Budget. The Secretary/Treasurer will draft and present for approval an Annual Budget to the Members at the last General Membership Meeting of the Fiscal Year.
  2. Membership Dues. Membership Dues for the Fiscal Year will be determined based on the amount of expenditures in the Annual Budget, divided by the current number of SCATOD Members.
    1. The amount of Annual Membership dues must be approved by a vote of the members.
    2. The Secretary/Treasurer will provide Membership Dues Invoices to all members no later than the first General Membership Meeting of the Fiscal
    3. To remain in good Standing, members must pay their Membership Dues prior to the second General Membership Meeting of the Fiscal Year.
  3. Non-budgeted Expenditures. Any expenditure of non-budgeted SCATOD funds must be approved by the membership. In the event of an emergency, the Chairperson can conduct an electronic vote (by telephone, fax or e-mail). If approved, the vote will be recorded in the minutes of the next meeting.
  4. Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year for the SCATOD corresponds to the calendar year, starting January 1, and ending December 31.

ARTICLE VII

Officers

  1. The Officers of the Association will be Chairperson, Alternate Chairperson, and Secretary / Treasurer.
  2. Officers will be elected at the last General Membership Meeting of the Fiscal Year.
  3. Qualifications: Any Member (voting, associate, or proxy), with the exception of the State Opioid Treatment Authority, can hold SCATOD office.
  4. Term of Office. The Chairperson will be elected to serve a minimum term of four years. The Vice Chairperson and Secretary / Treasurer will be elected to serve a term of one year.
  5. Duties and Responsibilities of Officers
    1. Chairperson. The duties of the Chairperson are:
      1. Conduct and preside over all SCATOD Meetings.
      2. Serve as the state’s representative to the Board of directors of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD).
      3. Ensure the membership is informed of the results and decisions of AATOD Board Meetings.
      4. Represent and speak on behalf of the Association to the public.
    2. Vice Chairperson. The duties of the Vice Chairperson are:
      1. In the absence of the Chairperson, conduct and preside over all SCATOD Meetings.
      2. In the absence of the Chairperson, serve as the state’s representative to the Board of Directors of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD).
      3. In the absence of the Chairperson, represent and speak on behalf of the Association to the public.
    3. Secretary / Treasurer. The duties of the Secretary/Treasurer are:
      1. Keeping the minutes of meetings.
      2. Providing meeting notices, dues invoices, and other correspondence as needed to the general membership.
      3. Ensure payment of all SCATOD financial obligations.
      4. Maintain all SCATOD financial Records.
      5. Prepare and present to the general membership the Annual Budget.
      6. Conduct and preside at SCATOD Meetings in the Chairperson’s and Alternate Chairperson’s absence.
      7. Advise the Chairperson on Rules of Order at meetings.

ARTICLE VIII

Amendment of the By-laws

These By-laws may be amended or repealed by a quorum vote, provided that Voting Members were notified of the proposed amendments in writing not less than twenty (20) days prior to the date of the meeting at which the proposed amendments are to be voted upon.