By-Laws

The name of this organization is the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society.

The Society is an open forum for the exchange of ideas, methods, research, clinical experience and the results of biofeedback and related techniques. Specifically, the goals are to:
1. Provide a forum for the exchange of clinical information and scientific knowledge in the area of biofeedback and related disciplines and offer the opportunity for networking.
2. Educate professionals and the public in the uses and implications of self-regulation techniques.
3. Provide assistance to other health professionals and the public in obtaining referrals to appropriate biofeedback therapists through our website presence and Board.

1. Member: Members of the Society are members of recognized professions who are involved in biofeedback through clinical practice, education, or research. Members of the Society may vote on the affairs of the Society, hold office within the Society, serve on the Executive board, and chair committees. Applicants for Member status must either be a member of the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback or a licensed or certified member of a state health profession or the recipient of a doctorate or masters degree in a behavioral science.
2. Associate Members: Associate Members are those who have an interest in biofeedback and related disciplines but who have not fulfilled the professional or academic requirements for Members, or who are retired. Associate Members may participate in the society, attend meetings but may not vote in affairs of the Society or hold office. Associate Membership shall be granted upon application and recommendation by the Executive Board.
3. Student Member: Student Members are those who are interested in biofeedback and related disciplines and who are enrolled in an accredited institute, college or university. Student Members may not hold office or vote in the affairs of the Society. Student ID photocopy is required upon application.
4. Expulsion from Society: Any person may be expelled form the Society for cause by two-thirds vote by secret ballot of the Members present at a meeting of the Society providing a quorum (20% of the members) is present. Such votes may be taken only after a thorough investigation and recommendation of a special committee, appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. The Committee’s recommendation is to be submitted to the Executive Board for approval by secret ballot only after the Committee has accumulated relevant facts and given the member in question an opportunity to answer charges against him or her in writing Cause shall be defined as violation of the by-laws or violation of the guidelines as set by the ethical and professional practices committee of the society as guided by the AAPB ethical guidelines.
5. Membership may also be revoked for non-payment of dues upon recommendation of the Treasurer and with the approval of the Executive Board. Reinstatement shall be through the payment of current dues.
6. The executive board may reject any applicant for membership for any reason with cause and explanation.

The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, a President-elect/Vice President, and a Treasurer, each serving terms of length to be determined by their interest, their availability and a majority vote by the Board. Only members may serve as officers. The President shall preside at all meets of the Executive Board and exercise supervision over the affairs of the Society. The President-elect shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of thePresident. In the absence of the President-elect, the Treasurer shall assume the duties of the President. Nominations for officers shall be submitted by Board Members, with a majority vote by the Board determining who shall hold the office in question.

The Executive Board of the Society shall consist of the officers and four Members-at-large.
1. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the Board

2. To be considered to be a Board member the individual must be a member in good standing in NRBS

3. The name of a potential candidate shall be submitted by a Board Member to The Board President.  The reason(s) for consideration shall accompany the submission.  If it is the President doing the submission, it shall be reviewed by The Board Treasurer.

4. If/when the reviewer (i.e. President or Treasurer) agrees that the individual in question bears consideration, the name will be brought before The Board members to see if anyone is aware of any reasons why the individual should not be given further consideration.

5. If/when The Board agrees to pursue the potential candidate, The Board President, or their designee, shall contact the individual to assess their interest.

6. If the candidate expresses an interest in becoming a Board member, further discussion can be held. That discussion will involve an assessment of the candidate’s interests, a review of the expectations for a Board member, and any other subject(s) that the Board has deemed relevant.

7. The information from that meeting shall be brought back to The Board for review, and a vote held.

8. A simple majority of Board Members in attendance at the meeting will decide whether or not to extend a formal invitation to join The Board.

9. Members-at-large terms of office shall be determined by their interest, their availability and a majority vote by the Board.

The President and the Board may appoint an Executive Director who shall handle business of the Society as directed by the Executive Board. The President and the board shall appoint an Executive Secretary who shall keep the records of all the meetings of the society, coordinate correspondence, have custody of the records of the society and handle other matters of the society as directed by the Executive Board.

The Executive Board shall meet at the request of the President.

No individual shall be liable for the collective debts and obligations of the Society. The Society shall not be liable for the collective debts and obligations of a Member.

1. The amount of annual dues shall be set by the Executive Board of Directors. Members, Associate Members and Students in arrears by more than 4 months shall be removed from the Membership list. They may be reinstated during the fiscal year by making the appropriate payment of dues, for that year. After the end of the fiscal year, they must reapply for admission to the Society.
2. Notice of dues and their collecting shall be the duty of the Treasurer

Committees may be appointed with the approval of the Executive Board for specific purposes. The chairpersons of such committees shall report to the Executive Board.

Amendments to these by-laws shall be submitted in writing by Members of the Executive Board. Amendments must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Procedures of the Society in the conduct of all meetings shall be determined by the current revision of Robert’s Rules of Order unless otherwise specified herein.

The President and the Executive Board may grant Member Emeritus standing to an individual of unusual accomplishment in the field of biofeedback.

Any plan of dissolution and distribution of assets to be adopted by the Board shall provide that, after paying, or providing for the payment of its liabilities, and to do all other acts appropriate to liquidate its business, the remaining assets of the corporation shall be distributed in the following manner: All remaining cash shall be distributed to another non-profit Biofeedback organization, to be determined at the time of dissolution.