By Laws of the American College of Clinical Thermology

Adopted March 3, 2002


Article I - Name

The name of this not for profit corporation shall be the American College of Clinical Thermology.

Article II - Statement of Purpose

The American College of Clinical Thermology is organized exclusively for scientific and educational purposes. These include:

  1. Raising the awareness and utilization of thermology and thermographic imaging;
  2. Promoting research and case study in thermography;
  3. Encouraging the highest standard of professionalism by members of the American College of Clinical Thermology;
  4. Providing educational programs and support for professional
    development to its members;
  5. Providing members access to the resources of the American College of Clinical Thermology, including certification; and
  6. Maintaining an organization with high standards to fulfill the above purposes and represent the needs of its members.


Article III - Membership

Any professional, practitioner, educator, research worker, or technician who demonstrates interest in thermography and/or thermology and is of good moral professional character is eligible for membership.

  1. Classes of members:
    1. Active
      1. Professional - persons who have professional degrees, i.e. MD, DO, DC, or PhD
      2. Associate - persons other than the above who are active professionally in the field of thermographic imaging
      3. Affiliate - persons otherwise associated or with an academic interest in the field of thermographic imaging
      4. Resident/student - individuals in accredited training programs working toward professional degrees or qualification in a clinical specialty
    2. International
      1. Persons with professional degrees as above, or their international equivalents, who reside and/or work outside the United States of America
    3. Inactive
      1. Members who are incapacitated by reason of illness, accident, or infirmity, or who are totally retired from professional activities. No person shall hold inactive membership who has ceased professional activity as a result of a disciplinary action. Election to inactive membership shall be for a maximum of one year, unless the member is totally retired. An inactive member may be re-elected to this classification annually by the Board of Directors. Totally retired members need not be reelected annually.
  2. Obligations of Membership:
    1. All members are bound by the American College of Clinical Thermology's Bylaws, Code of Ethics, and any and all other policy statements or standards extant or promulgated by the Board.
  3. Rights and Privileges of Membership:
    1. All members whose applications have been certified by the Executive Director or Secretary of the Board of Directors and whose dues and assessments to this College have been paid in full are entitled to the following rights and privileges, with exceptions as noted:
    2. Certificate of Membership
    3. Newsletter
    4. Notice of Continuing Medical Education and other associated meetings
    5. Listing on the American College of Clinical Thermology Directory
    6. Opportunity to participate in Committees and other College activities (excluding student members)
    7. Eligibility for Fellowship (limited to Active Professional members)
    8. Voting rights (limited to Active Professional members)

Article IV - Meetings

  1. Annual meeting

    The date, time and location of the regular annual meeting shall be set by the Board of Directors.

  2. Special meetings

    Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive Committee.

  3. Notice

    Notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, not less than ten business days before the meeting.

Article V - Board of Directors

  1. Membership

    The Board of Directors is responsible for overall policy and direction of the College, and delegates responsibility for daily operations to the Executive Director and committees. The Board shall have no fewer than four (4) and no more than eighteen (18) members. The Board members receive no compensation other than reasonable expenses.

  2. Meetings

    The Board shall meet at least annually at an agreed upon time and place. Each Board member shall receive two (2) weeks notice of any scheduled meeting.

  3. Board Elections

    Election of new Directors and/or re-election of current Directors will be designated as the first item of business at the annual meeting of the corporation. Directors will be elected by a majority of the current active members present.

  4. Terms

    All Board members shall serve two (2) year terms, and are eligible for reelection. Terms are staggered, such that approximately one half of the membership will be elected at each annual meeting.

  5. Quorum

    A minimum of three (3) members of the Board of Directors must be present at any meeting of the Board in order for business to be transacted.

  6. Officers

    Officers of the Board of Directors will be elected annually at the first meeting of the Board. Nominees will be limited to members of the Board and elected by the assembled Board members. No proxy votes will be permitted for this election.

There shall be four officers of the Board of Directors, and they shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Board:

  1. President

    2. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the College and convene and preside over all scheduled meetings of the College and of the Executive Board.
    The President shall appoint all committees and committee chairmen, and be an ex officio member of those committees, except the Executive Committee.

  2. Vice President

    3. The Vice President shall serve in lieu of the President whenever the President is incapacitated, absent or otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office. The Vice President shall perform such functions as the President may designate, and become familiar with the duties of the President.

  3. Secretary

    4. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining or causing to be maintained records of all Board and Executive Committee meetings and actions, notifying members of meetings, distributing copies of minutes and other pertinent documents, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.

  4. Treasurer

    5. The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee, assist in the preparation of the annual budget, and provide a financial report at each Board meeting.

  5. Vacancies

    6. In the event a vacancy on the Board exists, the Executive Committee, under the direction of the President, may elect to appoint a replacement member to complete the term of the seat vacated. Should such vacancy occur as to reduce the number of Board members below the minimum established by these Bylaws, such replacement selection will be mandatory upon the Executive Committee.

  6. Resignation and Termination

    7. Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A Board member my be removed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the remaining Directors.

  7. Executive Director

    The Board may engage the services of an Executive Director to perform administrative duties and functions.


Article VI - Committees

  1. Finance Committee

    2. Chaired by the Treasurer, the Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal policy and procedures, reviewing expenditures, and preparing a budget annually, for presentation and approval by the Board. This Committee will have a minimum of three members, at least two of whom are members of the Board. The fiscal year will be the calendar year. An annual report will delineate income, expenditures, and financial projections. The financial records of the organization are available to the membership and Board members upon request.

  2. Education Committee

    3. Responsible for monitoring and reviewing all professional educational literature and programs presented or endorsed by The American College of Clinical Thermology. This includes professional training, Continuing Medical Education, and publications, and other associated materials.

  3. Committee on Certification

    4. Comprised of a minimum of three members of the Board of Directors, develops, administers and supervises a program of professional certification in thermology, with the approval of the Board of Directors.

  4. Nomination Committee

    5. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall serve as the Nomination Committee for the purposes of recommending candidates to serve on the Board and for positions as Officers.

  5. Ad Hoc Committees

    The Board may create committees as needed to carry out activities of the College.

Article VII - Fellowship

Fellowship is a special earned status, not to be considered a separate membership category. The degree of Fellow is bestowed upon those deserving members of the American College of Clinical Thermology who best characterize the qualities of ethics, scholarship, clinical skill, and professionalism that warrant the admiration and respect of their peers. Fellows shall continue to hold membership in the appropriate category as stipulated in Article III of these Bylaws.

The designation of Fellow of the American College of Clinical Thermology may be conferred upon any Active or Inactive member in good standing, upon application to the Board of Directors, payment of any associated fees, and having fulfilled at least any four (4) of the following criteria, and having earned the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors:

  1. Continuous membership in good standing in the American College of Clinical Thermology for a minimum of three (3) years;
  2. Certification by the American College of Clinical Thermology or the equivalent designation from a similar certifying organization;
  3. Attendance at three (3) or more Annual Meetings of the American College of Clinical Thermology;
  4. A minimum of three (3) years full or part-time professional involvement in thermology;
  5. Exemplary service of a full two year term on the Board of Directors of the American College of Clinical Thermology;
  6. Professional contribution to the advancement of thermology by virtue of publication, teaching or other service.

The degree of Fellow shall be conferred at an Annual Meeting of the American College of Clinical Thermology. Members earning this designation may thereafter use the title "Fellow of the American College of Clinical Thermology," or F.A.C.C.T.

Article VIII - Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary and distributed to the Board at least two (2) weeks prior to any scheduled meeting where said amendment(s) are to be considered.


Amended and adopted by action of the Board of Directors

On March 3, 2002.
  Copyright © 2002-2007, American College of Clinical Thermography