ACAV Governance

The Formation of ACAV

During the 1987 executive council meeting of the American Committee on Arthropod-borne Viruses (ACAV) in Los Angeles, it was agreed that guidelines for the committee need to be established and recorded in a single document. The ACAV currently operates under procedures that are stated in various reports

The information that follows is intended only as a guide for the ACAV organization; goals of the ACAV are stated in other publications. During the formation of ACAV it was agreed that the group would not be a formal organization with bylaws. Rather, it would provide a forum for exchange of information among people interested in arbovirus research.

ACAV Governance Structure

The council is chaired by a person who directs council and committee meetings and retains the ACAV files. Other ACAV positions include a secretary, treasurer, historian and international advisors.

The secretary is the newest member of the council and records minutes of the council meeting.

The treasurer is appointed to a four-year renewable term by the executive council and maintains the ACAV funds in a subaccount of the ASTMH. Withdrawals and deposits from the ACAV account are arranged with the treasurer. The council chairperson must approve all withdrawals, and the council must be consulted for withdrawals of $100 or more.

The historian is designated by the council and provides historical information on the operation of the ACAV.

The council selects international advisors, determines the number of advisors, and defines the length of the advisor's terms.

Elections to the ACAV Council

The chairperson of the executive committee serves a 4-year renewable term and is elected by the executive council at the annual council meeting. The council consists of six people who each serve a 4-year term.

New council members are elected by members of the ACAV. Council members who are rotating off form a search committee that nominates council candidates; the slate of candidates must be approved by the existing council.

The chairperson of the council sends ballots to the ACAV membership. The candidates who receive the most votes are notified and take office at the next annual meeting of the ACAV.

There is no quorum for the election of officers or for other council and committee votes. Should a member of the executive council resign or leave the ACAV, a new council member is appointed by the executive council to complete the original member's term.

Selection of ACAV Awardees

Ad hoc committees comprised of the 5 most recent awardees who are available, with the ACAV chair serving ex officio and appointing the chair, will be convened by July of the year each award is made (up to annually for Scherer/Hardy, every three years for Dalrymple/Young and Taylor) to consider nominees. The ASTMH will solicit nominations on May 1 with a deadline of June 30. Nominations must include a CV for the nominee along with a letter from the nominator indicating why the nominee is qualified (outstanding contributions to arbovirology). The selection committee will then review the nominees, and also will consider other qualified individuals who may not have been nominated if the nomination pool is considered to be inadequate. After a selection(s) is made, the committee’s recommendation will be approved by a majority vote of the ACAV Executive Council. Normally the identity of the awardee will remain confidential prior to the ASTMH meeting, and the nominator will be asked to introduce the awardee at the ASTMH awards session and at the AVAC business meeting.

How to Join ACAV

All people interested in joining the ACAV may do so by attending a meeting and signing their name to the attendance sheet or by contacting the Executive Council Chair at the address listed below. Membership in the ASTMH is not a requirement for membership in the ACAV.

People missing three consecutive meetings will lose their membership in the ACAV unless they contact the Executive Council Chair at the address listed below. Exceptions to this attendance rule are made for people with emeritus status and for some overseas participants. Emeritus status is automatic upon retirement. The executive council must approve an attendance exemption for people living overseas.

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