Revised December 31, 2008

Preamble

Whereas, we are deeply interested in the welfare of persons with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies; and

whereas, we desire to extend and improve our understanding of the scientific and clinical problems involved in the rehabilitation of such persons and to develop the most effective solutions to their problems; and

whereas, we wish to encourage by every appropriate method and device the improvement of scientific clinical services to persons with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies in order that they may achieve a more adequate physical, emotional, social, educational, and vocational adjustment; and

whereas, we believe that these interests and desires may be satisfied by a closer and more purposeful association of persons now interested in and serving these patients in a variety of ways...

therefore, we propose to form a non-profit corporate organization, the intent of which shall be to stimulate specialist and public interest in, and a more exact knowledge and improved practice of, the science and art of the rehabilitation of persons with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies.

The Constitution

ARTICLE I - The Name

This organization shall be known as the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.

ARTICLE II - The Mission

The mission of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association is to optimize interdisciplinary care of persons affected by cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies.

ARTICLE III - The Membership

Section 1. Membership Categories

See Policy Manual for specific details of membership.

1. Active Member. To be qualified as an Active Member of the Association, the applicant must have completed a formal training program in his/her field, or practice in the U.S. or Canada, and display a professional interest in the study or treatment of cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial anomalies. Where the applicant's field of professional endeavor does not have a formal training program, the Membership Committee will review the applicant's field of professional qualifications to determine if they are consistent with the purposes of the Association.
    
2. International member. International membership may be granted to an applicant whose professional interests are consistent with the goals of the Association, and who would otherwise qualify for Active Member status except his/her formal training was completed outside of the U.S. or Canada and he/she practices outside of the U.S. or Canada.
    
3. Associate Member. Associate membership may be granted to an applicant whose interests are consistent with the goals of the Association, who has displayed an interest in the study or treatment of cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial anomalies, who works in the field of cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial anomalies, but who cannot qualify for Active Member status.
    
4. Student Member. Student membership may be granted upon initial application to an applicant whose professional interests are consistent with the goals of the Association, who has displayed an interest in the study or treatment of cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial anomalies and who is a full-time student in good standing in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate training program.
    
5. Honorary Member. Honorary membership may be conferred on persons who have distinguished themselves by scientific contributions or by benefactions to the advancement of understanding and treatment of cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial anomalies and who are otherwise not eligible for membership in the Association.
    
6. Life Member. Life membership may be conferred on request to any Active Member of the Association at the time of professional retirement if he/she has been a member of the Association for at least 20 years. Professional retirement is defined as full cessation of remuneration for all professional activities.

Section 2. Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership

All members are eligible to serve on committees and will receive the Association's Newsletter. All dues paying members receive the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal as a privilege of membership. Active Members and Life Members shall be eligible to vote. Only Active Members shall be eligible to hold office or to hold committee chair positions.

Membership in the Association is a privilege and requires support of the purposes and goals of the Association. Every member of the Association is expected to behave in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Association. Membership in the Association does not imply, directly or indirectly, certification in the treatment of patients with cleft palate or other craniofacial anomalies

It is the responsibility of each member to keep on file with the National Office a current official address to which correspondence can be sent.

ARTICLE IV - The Officers

The officers of the Association shall consist of a president, a president-elect, a vice president, a vice president-elect, a treasurer, and a communications officer.

ARTICLE V - The President

The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Association, ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee, and Chair of the Executive Council.

The President shall not vote except when necessary to resolve a tie. The President shall appoint such committees as may be defined in the Constitution and Bylaws or determined by Executive Council

The President, with authority of the Executive Council, formally represents the Association in all official relationships with other professional or scientific agencies and bodies.

In case of an unanticipated vacancy by an Executive Council member of the Association, the President shall make appointments, with the concurrence of the Executive Council, to fill the vacated positions until the next annual election.

ARTICLE VI - The President-Elect

The President-elect shall serve as president in the event of incapacity of the President.

The President-elect shall assume office immediately upon the close of the tenure of the President of the Association.

The President-Elect reviews the Policy Manual annually and recommends revisions for consideration by Executive Council.

The President-Elect appoints the Program Committee as proposed by the Vice-President Elect for the year in which the two will preside.

ARTICLE VII - The Immediate Past President

The Immediate Past President serves on the Executive Council and performs those duties as assigned by the Executive Council or the President. The Immediate Past President serves ex-officio as a member of the Honors and Awards Committee and Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE VIII - The Vice President

The Vice President shall be responsible for the program of the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE IX - The Vice President-Elect

The Vice President-elect shall assist the Vice President in the preparation of the program of the Annual Meeting. The Vice President-elect shall serve as Vice President in the event of incapacity of the Vice President. The Vice President-elect shall assume office immediately upon the close of the tenure of the Vice President of the Association.

ARTICLE X - The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall chair the Management and Finance Committee and perform such other duties as are generally assumed to be characteristic of that office. This individual shall assume responsibility for the financial affairs of the Association. The Treasurer will report annually on the financial status of the Association at the annual business meeting. The Treasurer shall review an annual audit of all accounts conducted by an independent firm of certified public accountants selected by the Executive Council. The Treasurer shall transmit to his/her successor such records and funds as are the property of the Association.

ARTICLE XI - Communications Officer

The Communications Officer of the Association shall assume responsibility for preparation and editing of all minutes. He/she shall be responsible for the historical archives of the Association and shall keep a continuous account of the history of the Association for the use of the membership. This individual shall be responsible for communication with the membership, serving as editor of the ACPA/CPF Newsletter and overseeing the systems for electronic communication of the Association.

ARTICLE XII - The Executive Council

The Executive Council shall be constituted as follows: the President; the immediate Past President; the President-elect; the Vice President; the Vice President-elect; the Treasurer; the Communications Officer; one representative of each of the following professions: medicine, dentistry, and speech-language pathology or audiology; and three members-at-large. The Editor of Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, the Executive Director, and the President of the Cleft Palate Foundation shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Council without vote.

The Executive Council is empowered to develop, implement, and reevaluate the strategic plan of the Association and to formulate organizational policy to foster growth and development of the Association. The Executive Council also oversees the operational function of the Association, establishes principles of conduct for teams and members, and interfaces with other organizations and the general public regarding issues central to the mission of the Association.

ARTICLE XIII - Powers of the Association

The Association shall have the power and authority to pass rules, by-laws and ordinances for its regulation and the conduct of its affairs, provided that these rules, by-laws, and ordinances are not contrary to the Constitution of the Association or the Constitution of the United States.

No misnomer of the name of the Association shall nullify any bequest to or from the Association, provided the intent of such transmission shall be sufficiently clear on the face of the gift, grant, or other writing whereby an estate or other interest is intended to pass to or from the Association.