Recognizing Scientific Excellence, Since 1955
Bylaws


1.    The American Academy of Microbiology

The American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) is a component of the American Society for Microbiology (Society), as defined in Article VII of the Constitution of the Society.  The mission of the AAM is to recognize scientific excellence and foster knowledge and understanding in the microbiological sciences.

2.    Membership

Members of the AAM are called “Fellows.”  The criteria for election to Fellowship are scientific excellence, originality, and leadership; high ethical standards; and scholarly and creative achievement.  Membership in the AAM includes individuals representing the varied facets of microbiology, including basic, clinical, and applied research, teaching, public health, industry, and government service.  Qualifications are:

(a)    An earned doctoral degree.

(b)    Senior professional standing in microbiology recognized at the national or international level.

(c)    Distinguished achievement in microbiology.  Achievement may be evidenced by an outstanding publication record; strong editorial board service; honorary, scientific, educational, clinical, and professional achievement awards; significant professional service record; inventions; patents; and board certification.

Nomination to Fellowship is made through the sponsorship of three (3) Fellows in good standing.  The sponsors shall provide such information as is required for election to Fellowship.  Exceptions to any of the above requirements will be considered by the Committee on Elections upon petition of five (5) AAM Fellows in the area of specialization of the nominee.

A minimum of two-thirds (2/3) affirmative votes of the members of the Committee on Elections present during the annual meeting of the Committee is required to recommend election to the Board of Governors (BOG).  A minimum of two-thirds (2/3) affirmative votes of the full voting members of the BOG present during the annual meeting of the Board is required to elect nominees to membership in the Academy.

3.    Responsibilities of the American Academy of Microbiology

The AAM is responsible for:

(a)    Developing and administering programs that recognize outstanding achievement, distinction, and promise in designated areas of microbiology;

(b)    Sponsoring, organizing, and convening colloquia, round tables, newsletters, and meetings in order to develop consensus-building papers that provide expert scientific opinion and advice on current and emerging issues in microbiology for scientists, government agencies, scientific decision makers, and the general public;

(c)    Assessing the quality of and accrediting postdoctoral training programs in clinical microbiology, medical and public health microbiology, and medical and laboratory immunology;

(d)    Assessing the professional competence and proficiency of individuals through sponsorship of certification programs; and

(e)    Developing other programs consistent with the mission of the Academy.

4.    Board of Governors

Academy business is conducted by a BOG, acting for the Fellowship.  The BOG consists of:

(a)    Chair.  The Chair of the BOG must be a full member of the Society and a Fellow of the AAM.  The chair serves a three-year term, beginning on July 1, and is eligible for one additional three-year term.  The BOG Nominating Committee, in consultation with members of the BOG, will review the performance of the BOG Chair during the first term of office and determine whether the BOG Chair may run unopposed for a second term.  The Chair is elected by the Fellowship of the AAM by majority vote of those Fellows casting ballots.  As provided in the Constitution of the Society, the Chair of the BOG serves on the Council Policy Committee of the Society.

(b)    Nine Governors.  Each Governor must be an AAM Fellow and serves a three-year term, beginning on July 1.  The Governors shall be elected by the Fellowship of the AAM.  The BOG Nominating Committee, in consultation with members of the BOG, will review the performance of each Governor during the first term of office and determine whether that Governor may run unopposed for a second term.  Governors may not serve more than two elected terms, but may serve additional terms as Chair of the BOG.  Any vacancy prior to completion of a term shall be filled through appointment by the Chair of the BOG and ratified by the Board.

(c)    The Dean of the American College of Microbiology.

(d)    Elected Officers of the Society, including President-Elect, President, Secretary, and Treasurer, ex officio without vote.

(e)    The Executive Director of the Society and the Director, AAM, ex officio without vote.

The BOG shall:

•    Set strategic direction for the Academy programs;
•    Establish new programs consistent with the Academy’s mission and strategic plan;
•    Develop and approve all colloquia topics;
•    Establish and oversee the Fellowship nomination and election process;
•    Develop the slate of candidates for the Committee on Elections;
•    Ratify all election recommendations of the Committee on Elections;
•    Approve all new awards recommended by the Committee on Awards;
•    Receive annual reports of all committees and the American College of Microbiology; and
•    Serve as a review panel and decision-making body for all AAM termination of membership actions.

The BOG shall meet at least once annually.  Meetings may be called by the Chair at others times when necessary.

5.    Standing Committees

The standing committees are:

(a)    BOG Nominating Committee. The BOG Nominating Committee is responsible for developing and vetting the slate of candidates for the BOG for submission to the Fellows of the AAM at the annual election.  The committee shall be composed of a minimum of five (5) Fellows, all of whom, except the Chair, shall not be members of the BOG.  The committee shall be appointed by the Chair of the BOG.  A member of the BOG shall be appointed Chair of the Committee by the Chair of the BOG.    Each member of the BOG Nominating Committee shall serve a single three-year term.

(b)    Committee on Elections. This committee examines the credentials of nominees to Fellowship and makes election recommendations to the BOG.  The Committee on Elections consists of a minimum of ten (10) AAM Fellows who are elected by the Fellows of the AAM.  One member, appointed by the Chair of the BOG, serves as Chair.  The Chair must have served on the Committee on Elections for a minimum of one (1) year to be eligible as Chair.  Candidates for the Committee on Elections are nominated by the BOG and should represent the diverse facets of microbiology.  Committee members serve for one five-year term.  Should a member of the Committee on Elections resign prior to completing a full term, the Chair of the BOG will appoint a replacement committee member to complete the term of the individual who has resigned.

(c)    Committee on Awards. The Committee on Awards oversees all awards on behalf of the Society.  Each Committee member, including the Chair, shall serve a three-year term and be eligible for one additional three-year term.  Committee members are appointed by the Chair of the BOG.  The Committee on Awards consists of at least eight (8) Fellows of the AAM, of whom one shall be appointed Chair of the Committee by the Chair of the BOG.  The Vice Chairs of the General Meeting Program Committee (GMPC) and the ICAAC Program Committee shall be invited to serve on the Committee on Awards as representatives from the Meetings Board, ex officio.

(d)    AAM Nominations Committee. This committee develops a list of potential nominees for Fellowship, ensuring that underrepresented minority and international scientists are considered.  The AAM Nominations Committee consists of at least five (5) Fellows of the AAM and all members, including the Chair, are appointed by the Chair of the BOG for a three-year term and are eligible for a second three-year term.  The Chair of the AAM Committee on Diversity serves as a member of the AAM Nominations Committee.

(e)    Committee on Diversity. The Committee on Diversity identifies issues facing underrepresented minority members of the AAM and consistent with the AAM’s mission.  The Committee on Diversity consists of at least five (5) Fellows of the AAM, one of whom is appointed Chair of the Committee by the Chair of the BOG.  Committee members are appointed by the Chair of the BOG for a three-year term and are eligible for a second three-year term.

The BOG shall establish or terminate committees as deemed necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the AAM.

6.    Election to the Board of Governors

(a)    The BOG Nominating Committee shall present the names of at least two (2) Fellows for each vacant position to be filled on the BOG, including Chair, and submit the list of nominees to AAM headquarters by the first day of October.  At the discretion of the Chair, current BOG members may run unopposed for their second term.  Additional nominations for office may be made by petition over the signatures of 25 Fellows in good standing, if the petition is received on or before the 15th day of December.  However, a petition bearing the names of any given 25 Fellows may nominate only one candidate to office, and nominations of other candidates will each require a similar petition bearing the names of 25 Fellows.

(b)    Ballots of all candidates for election shall be conveyed to Fellows in good standing no later than January 15.

(c)    Each Fellow shall return his or her completed ballot no later than March 1.

(d)    Candidates receiving the most affirmative votes are deemed elected.  Election results shall be announced to AAM Fellows no later than March 15.

7.    Meetings of Fellows

(a)    Once each year there shall be a general meeting of the Fellows of the AAM.

(b)    Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the BOG.

8.    American College of Microbiology

The American College of Microbiology (College), governed by a Board, is the unit responsible for accreditation of postdoctoral training programs, certification of microbiologists and immunologists, and other programs consistent with its mission of promoting the high quality and ethical practice of the microbiology and immunology professions for the benefit of human, animal, and environmental well-being.

Consistent with the mission and responsibilities of the College, the Board of the College shall be responsible for the following:

  • Reviewing and establishing policies,
  • Approving budgets for submission and exercising budgetary oversight,
  • Receiving annual reports of programs,
  • Serving as a review panel in case of challenge to the certification or accreditation programs,
  • Developing strategic direction for its programs, and
  • Developing new programs, consistent with the College’s strategic mission and goals.
The governance unit of the College, called the Board of the American College of Microbiology, and conducting business as outlined in a fully-executed charter,  consists of the following:

(a)    Dean, who must be an AAM Fellow in good standing.  The Dean will serve a single four-year term, following one year as Dean-Elect.

(b)    Dean-Elect, who must be an AAM Fellow in good standing.  Two candidates for Dean-Elect, identified and approved by the Board of the College, shall be presented to AAM headquarters prior to December 1 of the third year of the Dean’s term, for election by the Fellows of the AAM.  The Dean-Elect serves a single one-year term, thereby succeeding the Dean at the end of the Dean’s fourth year of his or her term.  If the Dean is unable to complete his or her term prior to election of a Dean-Elect, the Board of the College will identify two candidates as interim Dean for appointment by the Chair of the BOG.  Two candidates for Dean-Elect will be identified and approved in the next available election.

(c)    Chair, American Board of Medical Microbiology.

(d)    Chair, American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology.

(e)    Chair, National Registry of Microbiologists.

(f)     Chair, Committee on Postgraduate Educational Programs.

(g)    Lay members, as needed for public representation.

(h)    At-large members, as needed for scientific representation of the College’s constituencies.

The certification board chairs are selected in accordance with each board’s rules and regulations.  All other members of the Board of the College are appointed by the Dean, in consultation with and approval of the Board of the College.

The College’s Board shall meet at least once annually.  Meetings may be called by the Dean at other times when necessary.

9.    Amendments to Bylaws

Changes in the bylaws may be initiated by the BOG or by written petition signed by 50 Fellows of the AAM and sent to the BOG.  These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Fellows casting ballots, subject to approval by the Society’s Council.  

10.    Emeritus/Emerita Membership

On retirement from remunerative professional employment, a Fellow in good standing may be granted Emeritus/Emerita status.  Such Fellows are exempt from the payment of annual dues, special fees, or assessments.  All rights and privileges of membership are retained.

11.    Termination of Membership

Any Fellow against whom charges in writing have been proffered by another Fellow may be dropped from Fellowship in the AAM by an affirmative vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the BOG, provided that the accused Fellow has been advised in writing of the charges against him or her and given a reasonable opportunity to present, either in person or in writing, the reasons why he or she should be allowed to retain his or her Fellowship.


Rev. January 23, 2010