Revision of the Constitution and Bylaws

For its first 12 years, the major focus of the Society was on its conference, held roughly every 18 months, and on its publication, Cytometry.

The major effort of the president was to chair the conference, and the council met only at the conference.

Under some pressure from the membership, the council decided that the Society should accept a broader role in regulatory affairs, certification, and education, including the sponsoring of workshops, meetings, and consensus groups. However, the original version of the constitution and bylaws did not lend itself to these kinds of activities.

In 1989, a constitutional revision committee was convened to examine the constitution and bylaws and to recommend any changes that might be needed. At the Asheville, North Carolina, conference in March 1990, the committee and council together recommended a number of changes to the documents.

These changes were discussed with Society members at the business meeting and then proposed to the general membership by mail. The changes were approved overwhelmingly by late spring 1990 and immediately became effective.

The major changes included adding International to the name of the Society, separating the secretary/treasurer office into two offices and setting their periods of service to three terms (staggered).

Other major changes included requiring a mail ballot to change the constitution and bylaws, and the formation of four standing committees to assist the officers in managing the Society.