Plant Cell Atlas Bylaws
ARTICLE I
Purposes, Objectives, and Governing Instruments
Section 1.01 Purposes. The specific purposes of the Plant Cell Atlas are to build a diverse community of scientists who are committed to developing an open-access map of the location, distribution, and dynamics of nucleic acids, proteins, complexes, compartments, organelles, and metabolites within various plant cell types.
Section 1.02 Governing Instruments. These bylaws serve as nonbinding guidelines. Nothing herein shall be construed as binding or confer any rights upon any individual or institution.
Section 1.03 Non-discrimination Policy. The Plant Cell Atlas will not practice or permit any discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, physical handicap or disability, or any other bias.
Section 1.02 Governing Instruments. These bylaws serve as nonbinding guidelines. Nothing herein shall be construed as binding or confer any rights upon any individual or institution.
Section 1.03 Non-discrimination Policy. The Plant Cell Atlas will not practice or permit any discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, physical handicap or disability, or any other bias.
ARTICLE II
Steering Committee
Section 2.01 Meetings. The Steering Committee shall meet virtually at least once per quarter and additionally as needed to address time sensitive matters.
Section 2.02 Number. The number of Steering Committee members will be flexible depending on the needs of the committee, but will be no less than three (3).
Section 2.03 Election and Term of Office. Steering Committee members shall serve for at least one year and no more than five years. New Steering Committee members can be suggested by any member of the Steering Committee and will be agreed upon by majority vote by current members. The Steering Committee shall also appoint, by majority vote, a Scientific Coordinator (see Section 2.05 of this Article II) to manage the communications and organization of the Plant Cell Atlas.
Section 2.04 Powers and Duties of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall oversee the progress and future directions of the Plant Cell Atlas, discuss and vet major decisions, and foster a culture that promotes openness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Steering Committee will provide support for committee-led activities, organization and themes of workshops and conferences, and cooperation with external groups of researchers. The Steering Committee shall review the Bylaws annually to determine if revisions are needed. Amendments must be approved by a majority vote of the Steering Committee and the Core Network Participant group (see Section 4.03, Article IV).
Section 2.05 Powers and Duties of the Scientific Coordinator. The Scientific Coordinator is responsible for the scheduling and notification of Steering Committee meetings, communication between the Steering Committee and the Plant Cell Atlas community, and organizing the logistics of Plant Cell Atlas activities. Committee Chairs (see Article III) report to the Scientific Coordinator when planning activities for the fiscal year. If a budget is required for an activity the Scientific Coordinator must inform the Steering Committee to get approval for budget allocation. Any committee member (see Article V) can report to the Scientific Coordinator if an activity is deemed out of scope for the PCA or if there is a violation of the bylaws. The Scientific Coordinator shall report directly to the Steering Committee.
Section 2.06 Notice of Meetings. Notice of a Steering Committee meeting shall be given to each committee member via email at least five business days (Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays not being considered business days for the purpose of these bylaws) before the date designated for such meeting specifying the virtual meeting link, date, and hour of the meeting. A summary of meeting minutes will be provided to the Core Network Participant group (see Article IV) within one month of each meeting.
Section 2.07 Quorum. At any meeting of the Steering Committee, a majority of the committee members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 2.08 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Steering Committee or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a majority of members of the Steering Committee or any such committee consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the written consents by the members of the Steering Committee or any such committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Steering Committee or such committee.
Section 2.09 Removal. Any Steering Committee member may be removed for cause by vote of the Steering Committee provided there is a quorum of a majority present at the meeting at which such action is taken.
Section 2.10 Resignation. Any Steering Committee member may resign from office at any time by delivering a resignation in writing to the Steering Committee, and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make the resignation effective.
Section 2.02 Number. The number of Steering Committee members will be flexible depending on the needs of the committee, but will be no less than three (3).
Section 2.03 Election and Term of Office. Steering Committee members shall serve for at least one year and no more than five years. New Steering Committee members can be suggested by any member of the Steering Committee and will be agreed upon by majority vote by current members. The Steering Committee shall also appoint, by majority vote, a Scientific Coordinator (see Section 2.05 of this Article II) to manage the communications and organization of the Plant Cell Atlas.
Section 2.04 Powers and Duties of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall oversee the progress and future directions of the Plant Cell Atlas, discuss and vet major decisions, and foster a culture that promotes openness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Steering Committee will provide support for committee-led activities, organization and themes of workshops and conferences, and cooperation with external groups of researchers. The Steering Committee shall review the Bylaws annually to determine if revisions are needed. Amendments must be approved by a majority vote of the Steering Committee and the Core Network Participant group (see Section 4.03, Article IV).
Section 2.05 Powers and Duties of the Scientific Coordinator. The Scientific Coordinator is responsible for the scheduling and notification of Steering Committee meetings, communication between the Steering Committee and the Plant Cell Atlas community, and organizing the logistics of Plant Cell Atlas activities. Committee Chairs (see Article III) report to the Scientific Coordinator when planning activities for the fiscal year. If a budget is required for an activity the Scientific Coordinator must inform the Steering Committee to get approval for budget allocation. Any committee member (see Article V) can report to the Scientific Coordinator if an activity is deemed out of scope for the PCA or if there is a violation of the bylaws. The Scientific Coordinator shall report directly to the Steering Committee.
Section 2.06 Notice of Meetings. Notice of a Steering Committee meeting shall be given to each committee member via email at least five business days (Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays not being considered business days for the purpose of these bylaws) before the date designated for such meeting specifying the virtual meeting link, date, and hour of the meeting. A summary of meeting minutes will be provided to the Core Network Participant group (see Article IV) within one month of each meeting.
Section 2.07 Quorum. At any meeting of the Steering Committee, a majority of the committee members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 2.08 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Steering Committee or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a majority of members of the Steering Committee or any such committee consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the written consents by the members of the Steering Committee or any such committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Steering Committee or such committee.
Section 2.09 Removal. Any Steering Committee member may be removed for cause by vote of the Steering Committee provided there is a quorum of a majority present at the meeting at which such action is taken.
Section 2.10 Resignation. Any Steering Committee member may resign from office at any time by delivering a resignation in writing to the Steering Committee, and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make the resignation effective.
ARTICLE III
Organizational Committee Chairs
Section 3.01 Election and Qualifications; Terms of Office. Initial Plant Cell Atlas Organizational Committee Chairs shall be elected by the Steering Committee as needed. Each Committee Chair will serve for a one (1) year term until a new Chair is elected, unless such Chair shall have resigned or shall have been removed as provided in Sections 4 and 5 of this Article III. After annual review, and by mutual agreement, a Chair’s term may be renewed or a new Chair elected by simple majority by the respective organizational committee. The same person may chair up to two committees.
Section 3.02 Meetings. Organizational Committees shall meet virtually at least once per quarter and additionally as needed to address time sensitive matters.
Section 3.03 Powers and Duties of Chairs. Chairs are responsible for managing their committees to identify committee goals and a plan to achieve those goals. These goals should be recorded, stored online, and available to the entire committee. Chairs should assure that minutes, either a written record or a recording of the meeting, are kept and available to all committee members and the Steering Committee (i.e. via online cloud servers). These records should be updated and available, within one week, after each committee meeting. Chairs are expected to participate in the annual virtual PCA symposium, annual In-Person meeting, and the PCA Gordon Research Conference. Chairs will also contribute a report of their committee’s activities to the PCA annual report. Chairs will report all planned activities to the Scientific Coordinator (see Section 2.05, Article II). The performance of committees will be reviewed annually by the Steering Committee.
Section 3.04 Removal. Any Chair may be removed from office at any time, with cause, by a vote of a majority of Steering Committee members then in office at any meeting of the Steering Committee.
Section 3.05 Resignation. Any Chair may resign his or her office at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and delivered to the Steering Committee.
Section 3.02 Meetings. Organizational Committees shall meet virtually at least once per quarter and additionally as needed to address time sensitive matters.
Section 3.03 Powers and Duties of Chairs. Chairs are responsible for managing their committees to identify committee goals and a plan to achieve those goals. These goals should be recorded, stored online, and available to the entire committee. Chairs should assure that minutes, either a written record or a recording of the meeting, are kept and available to all committee members and the Steering Committee (i.e. via online cloud servers). These records should be updated and available, within one week, after each committee meeting. Chairs are expected to participate in the annual virtual PCA symposium, annual In-Person meeting, and the PCA Gordon Research Conference. Chairs will also contribute a report of their committee’s activities to the PCA annual report. Chairs will report all planned activities to the Scientific Coordinator (see Section 2.05, Article II). The performance of committees will be reviewed annually by the Steering Committee.
Section 3.04 Removal. Any Chair may be removed from office at any time, with cause, by a vote of a majority of Steering Committee members then in office at any meeting of the Steering Committee.
Section 3.05 Resignation. Any Chair may resign his or her office at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and delivered to the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE IV
Core Network Participant Group
Section 4.01 Election. Any person may be nominated to the Core Network Participant Group (CNP) by another member of the CNP or may nominate themselves by contacting the Scientific Coordinator. The final decision for election to the CNP shall be made by the respective Organizing Committee by majority vote.
Section 4.02 Funding. Funds may be available for early career (here defined as undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, research assistant, assistant professor, or equivalent for the purposes of these bylaws) CNP members to attend the annual hybrid (in-person and virtual) Plant Cell Atlas meeting. Any new early career CNP members must be made aware that travel funds may not be available, but can attend the virtual aspects of the meeting. Travel funds will be prioritized to support diversity in science and scientists (both culturally and scientifically), exceptional contributions to the PCA mission, and opportunities for developing leadership within the PCA.
Section 4.03 Duties. CNP members shall be actively involved in Plant Cell Atlas activities (i.e. approving Bylaws revisions, see Section 2.04, Article II) either as members of one or more Organizational Committees (see Articles III and V) or through other PCA related activities recognized at the discretion of the Steering Committee. Failure to remain active in the CNP may elicit removal as provided in Section 4.04 of this Article IV.
Section 4.04 Removal. Any CNP member may be removed for cause by vote of the Steering Committee provided there is a quorum of a majority present at the meeting at which such action is taken.
Section 4.05 Resignation. Any CNP member may resign from the Core Network Participant group at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and delivered to the Steering Committee.
Section 4.02 Funding. Funds may be available for early career (here defined as undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, research assistant, assistant professor, or equivalent for the purposes of these bylaws) CNP members to attend the annual hybrid (in-person and virtual) Plant Cell Atlas meeting. Any new early career CNP members must be made aware that travel funds may not be available, but can attend the virtual aspects of the meeting. Travel funds will be prioritized to support diversity in science and scientists (both culturally and scientifically), exceptional contributions to the PCA mission, and opportunities for developing leadership within the PCA.
Section 4.03 Duties. CNP members shall be actively involved in Plant Cell Atlas activities (i.e. approving Bylaws revisions, see Section 2.04, Article II) either as members of one or more Organizational Committees (see Articles III and V) or through other PCA related activities recognized at the discretion of the Steering Committee. Failure to remain active in the CNP may elicit removal as provided in Section 4.04 of this Article IV.
Section 4.04 Removal. Any CNP member may be removed for cause by vote of the Steering Committee provided there is a quorum of a majority present at the meeting at which such action is taken.
Section 4.05 Resignation. Any CNP member may resign from the Core Network Participant group at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and delivered to the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE V
Committee Membership
Section 5.01 Election. Initial Committee Members will be chosen on a volunteer basis from the Core Network Participant group. Any CNP member may be elected to a new committee by a simple majority vote of current committee members. A person outside of the CNP may be elected to a Plant Cell Atlas committee after review and majority vote by the respective organizational committee (see Section 4.01, Article IV), with the understanding that there may not be funds for them to attend the in-person Plant Cell Atlas meeting as provided in Section 4.02, Article IV.
Section 5.02 Duties. Committee Members shall be expected to attend and participate in committee meetings and contribute to committee activities as time allows. Committee Members are invited to attend the annual in-person Plant Cell Atlas meeting.
Section 5.03 Removal. Any Committee Member may be removed from their committee at any time, with cause, by a vote of a majority of Committee Members within said committee at any meeting.
Section 5.04 Resignation. Any Committee Member may resign from their committee at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and delivered to the Committee Chair.
Section 5.02 Duties. Committee Members shall be expected to attend and participate in committee meetings and contribute to committee activities as time allows. Committee Members are invited to attend the annual in-person Plant Cell Atlas meeting.
Section 5.03 Removal. Any Committee Member may be removed from their committee at any time, with cause, by a vote of a majority of Committee Members within said committee at any meeting.
Section 5.04 Resignation. Any Committee Member may resign from their committee at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and delivered to the Committee Chair.
