Charter 2024-2026
MISSION:
VISION:
STRATEGIC PILLARS AND GOALS:
The Initiative is organized into three organizational working groups or teams, known as pillars.
The focus of Pillar 1 is to advance and inspire women transplant professionals. Through its activities, the goals of this pillar are to provide networking to support and ensure equity in transplant professional society leadership, promote women as subject matter experts in transplantation, ensure that women are considered for research funding and leadership awards from professional societies, and provide connections both informal and formal for women in transplant careers.
The focus of Pillar 2 is to champion issues of sex and gender in transplantation and donation. The goals of this pillar are to increase sustainable funding to support research projects that address issues of sex and gender in transplantation and donation, to organize and suggest designated sessions on issues of sex and gender at all major national and international transplant meetings, and to develop an internal network of thought leaders with expertise in sex and gender issues worldwide that may be leveraged for educational programs and research networks.
Pillar 3 focuses on advocacy for sex and gender equity in access to transplantation and for organ donation. The goals of this pillar are to promote parity in access to and outcomes after solid organ transplantation across all genders, (especially in countries with disparities) and to decrease gender disparities living donation and transplantation worldwide.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
CHARTER ARTICLES:
SECTION 1. Principal Office
The principal office of Women in Transplantation shall be that of The Transplantation Society (the "Society"), located in the City of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
SECTION 1. Categories of Membership
There shall be one category of membership – full. Membership is free to all full members.
Full Members shall be scientists, surgeons, physicians, trainees and allied health professionals in the broad field of transplantation who have contributed by their work to the advancement of knowledge in the field. Full Members shall be eligible to nominate members for pillar activities and to make recommendations for participation on Advisory Committee and/or Executive and to be an Officer or Committee Member of the Committee and/or Executive.
SECTION 2. Selection of Members
Any person may apply to become a Full Member of Women in Transplantation by submitting a written application to the TTS-WIT Manager. Applicants should indicate to which Pillar they would like to belong and, briefly, what they bring to the Pillar. The TTS-WIT Manager shall transmit the application to the Pillar Chair, the Executive Chair and Co-Chair for approval.
SECTION 3. Privileges and Obligations of Members
Every Member shall have the right to attend and participate in meetings and events of Women in Transplantation. As a condition of membership, all Members shall adhere to the published ethical guidelines of TTS.
SECTION 4. Termination of Membership
Any Membership can be terminated by the Committee and/or Executive for conduct which in the sole judgment of the Committee and/or Executive is injurious to the interests and welfare of Women in Transplantation.
SECTION 1. Management of Women in Transplantation
The business and property of Women in Transplantation shall be conducted and managed by the Executive of Women in Transplantation, assisted by the TTS-WIT Manager.
SECTION 2. Members of the Advisory Committee
The Executive of Women in Transplantation shall comprise of the Chair, Co-Chair and Past-Chair, who shall also be referred to as Officers. Each shall be a Full Member at the time of their appointment and during their term of office and shall be a member in good standing of The Transplantation Society. The Co-Chair shall succeed to the office of Chair upon completion by the Chair of their term in office or upon any earlier vacancy in the office of the Chair. New Officers and shall be appointed by the Executive of Women in Transplantation at their discretion.
SECTION 3. Members of the Advisory Committee
The WIT Advisory Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the Executive (Chair, a Co-Chair and a Past-Chair), and up to a maximum of 12 Advisory Committee members. The Advisory Committee shall contain at least one member from each of six geographic regions as designated by the Society. Each shall be a Full Member at the time of their nomination and during their term of office and shall be a member in good standing of The Transplantation Society. Past Chairs of WIT are invited to serve on the WIT Advisory Committee.
SECTION 4. The Strategic Pillars of Women in Transplantation
The Women in Transplantation Initiative is split into 3 distinct groups: the mandate of Pillar 1 is to advance and inspire women transplant professionals as detailed on page one of this document. The mandate of Pillar 2 is to champion issues of sex and gender in transplantation as detailed on page one of this document. The mandate of Pillar 3 is to promote gender equity in organ donation, allocation and transplantation. The Pillars are instrumental in helping Women in Transplantation achieve its Mission and Vision.
Each Pillar is led by a Pillar Chair, who will be invited to fulfill this role by a member of the Executive of Women in Transplantation. Pillar Chairs report to the WIT Executive, who will discuss and approve significant recommendations and strategic plans.
Membership of the Pillars is typically by invitation from the Pillar Chair; however, interested full members of WIT can apply to the TTS-WIT Manager who will send applicant CVs to the Pillar Chair for approval. Ideally, Pillar membership should demonstrate geographical representation with at least 3 regions represented per Pillar.
Pillar members should be members of The Transplantation Society in good standing. Pillars should comprise a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 members (inclusive of the Chair). Pillar members are expected to join for a 4-year term but may leave the Pillar at any time by giving notice to the Pillar Chair and TTS-WIT Manager. Interested Pillar members may be renewed for another term at the discretion of the Pillar Chair.
Pillar members should be members of The Transplantation Society in good standing. Pillars should comprise a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 members (inclusive of the Chair). Pillar members are expected to join for a 4-year term but may leave the Pillar at any time by giving notice to the Pillar Chair and TTS-WIT Manager. Interested Pillar members may be renewed for another term at the discretion of the Pillar Chair.
It is expected that Pillar members attend at least 50% of conference calls on an annual basis. It is also expected that Pillar members actively participate in discussed activities, as decided and agreed upon during conference calls and outlined in the minutes. This may or may not involve contributing to written reports or manuscripts, contributing to projects undertaken by the Pillar, serving on WIT Fellowship Grant Review Committees (Pillar 2) and developing and populating symposia and events for TTS and other society congresses.
SECTION 5. Terms of Office
The WIT Chair and Co-Chair shall serve for 2 years in each role and until their successors are installed in office. They may not succeed themselves in a consecutive term in the same role. The Co-Chair will move to the Chair role after 2 years as Co-Chair. The Chair will move to Past-Chair role on completion of their term for an additional 2 years.
Advisory Committee Members shall serve indefinitely and recommendations for participation will be solicited annually by the Executive committee. Advisory Committee Members are invited Women in Transplantation Committee members who wish to continue to provide counsel on future actions. Examples of these strategic individuals include past Chairs from previous terms, past society presidents, the founder of Women in Transplantation and previously active members in a specific geographical region
Pillar Chairs shall serve a 3-year term, changing over on January 1. Having fulfilled their 3-year term, pillar chairs who do not take an Executive position will stay on the pillar for an additional year as past chair.
SECTION 6. Vacancies
A vacancy in the Advisory Committee and / or Executive may be filled at the discretion of the remaining members of the Advisory Committee and/or Executive for the balance of the original term. The person appointed in these circumstances would be eligible as a candidate to the same or any other office at the next nomination cycles of Officers and Committee Members.
SECTION 7. Position Descriptions
Chair. The Chair shall be the leader of Women in Transplantation. Subject to the directions of the Executive and Advisory Committees, they shall have and exercise direct charge of and general supervision over the business and affairs of Women in Transplantation and shall perform all duties incident to the office of a president of a corporation, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the Executive and Steering Committee.
Co-Chair. The Co-Chair shall have and exercise such powers and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to her by the Executive and / or Committee, or as may be delegated to them by the Chair.
TTS-WIT Manager. The TTS-WIT Manager shall keep the minutes (or action points where appropriate) of all meetings of the Executive and Advisory Committees and Pillars. They shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions this charter. They shall keep the membership records of Women in Transplantation and shall make and keep lists of the membership of the WIT Executive, Advisory Committee and Pillars, which lists they shall make available on request to the Members. They shall render to the Chair and to the Executive and Advisory Committee, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of Women in Transplantation; and shall in any event report annually to the Executive.
SECTION 8. Compensation
Executive, Advisory Committee and Pillar Members and nominated Officers of WIT shall not receive compensation for their services.
SECTION 9. Resignation and Removal.
Any Officer or Committee Member may resign his/her office by giving written notice to the Chair. Resignations shall be effective at the time specified upon receipt by the Chair. Any Officer or Committee Member may be removed for cause by a vote of two-thirds of the Committee members then in office or by vote of a majority of Full Members.
SECTION 10. Meetings
Advisory Committee Meetings.Meetings of the Advisory Committee shall be held at such times and places as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Committee. In general, it is anticipated that the Committee will meet at least once every 2 years at the TTS Congress and more frequently as needed. Special meetings of the Committee may be held at any time or place upon the call of the Chair or of any four Committee members. Notice of meetings shall be given in writing and emailed to each member of the Committee not less than 14 days before such meeting. Meetings may be held at any time and place without notice if all members of the Committee are present or if those not present shall, before or after the meeting, waive notice thereof. The Committee may meet by video call or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. The presence of the Chair (or, in their absence, a deputy designated by the Chair) and five other members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Executive Meetings. Regular meetings of the Executive shall be held at such times and places as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Executive. In general, it is anticipated that the Executive will meet monthly. Special meetings of the Executive may be held at any time or place upon the call of the Chair. Notice of meetings shall be given in writing and emailed to each member of the Committee not less than 7 days before such meeting. Meetings may be held at any time and place without notice if all members of the Executive are present or if those not present shall, before or after the meeting, waive notice thereof. The Executive may meet by video call or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. The presence of the Chair and one other member of the Executive shall constitute a quorum.
Pillar Meetings. Regular meetings of the Pillars shall be held at such times and places as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Pillar. In general, it is anticipated that each Pillar will meet monthly where possible, and quarterly at minimum. Special meetings of the Pillar may be held at any time or place upon the call of the Pillar Chair. Notice of meetings shall be given in writing and emailed to each member of the Pillar not less than 7 days before such meeting. Meetings may be held at any time and place without notice if all members of the Pillar are present or if those not present shall, before or after the meeting, waive notice thereof. The Pillar may meet by video call or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. The presence of the Chair and two other members of the Pillar shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 11. Action by Consent
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Committee, Executive, and/or Pillar thereof may be taken without a meeting if a majority of the members of the Committee, Executive, and/or Pillar consent thereto in writing following written notice of the proposed action to all members of the Committee, Executive, and/or Pillar. All written consents and any dissenting views shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Committee, Executive, and/or Pillar as the case may be.
SECTION 12. Quorum
A majority of the Committee, Executive, and/or Pillar shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SECTION 1. Nominations of Chairs
At least 6 months but not greater than 12 months before the TTS International Congress, the designate shall send to each Member a notice stating the offices among the Officers and the Committee Members are open for consideration and requesting submission of nominations in writing to fill such vacancies. The deadline for receipt of nominations shall not be less than one month from the date of the request for nominations. Efforts will be made to be transparent and to support development of individuals from the general membership through Pillar participation. A person shall be nominated if their name is submitted by writing signed by one Full Member and include the nominee’s written acceptance to participate in the position. Within 2 months of the deadline for receiving nominations, the designate shall create a review period for the Executive, Pillar chairs and Advisory Committee to complete enrollment of open positions.
SECTION 2. Nomination Approval
Each member of the executive and advisory committees as well as pillar chairs will be consulted regarding the nominated candidates. A simple majority for each individual will support that nomination. The results of the nominations shall be announced following the conclusion of the TTS International Congress.
A majority of those voting by electronic ballot of all Full Members may alter, amend or repeal this charter and adopt a new charter. An amendment must be proposed in writing by five Full Members and submitted to the Chair. The Chair shall submit the proposed amendment to the Executive. A statement of the Executive’s recommendations and a reasonably short statement setting forward the substance of, and the reasons for, the proposed change by those proposing the amendment shall be included in the electronic ballot of all Full Members.
The Transplantation Society
740 Notre-Dame St. West, Suite 1245
Montréal, QC, QC, H3C 3X6 Canada
Phone: 514-874-1717
Fax: 514-874-1716
E-Mail : katie.tait@tts.org
E-Mail : wit@tts.org