A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

As I sit here and look at the first rays of sunshine I have seen in a few weeks I can’t help but reflect on how quickly the year has gone and all that has been accomplished. The journey I have taken this year as President of ASCLS-Ohio has been one of great learning and privilege. The privilege of working with the membership of ASCLS-Ohio; a membership that continues to remain determined, active, outspoken and committed to the organization and its mission. A membership that has been tremendous in its service and is an invaluable resource for guiding this organization into the future.

A quick look back at the year:

  • A Gmail email account was set up to improve communication to our membership. Any questions or concerns can be immediately forwarded to the appropriate committee member and addressed.
  • The bylaws committee reviewed the bylaws and made several recommendations for change to align our state society with the recommendations from the national level
  • Two $1000 scholarships and two $750 scholarships were awarded and each recipient will also receive an ASCLS membership

A look to the future:

  • The Collaborative Laboratory Conference, our yearly educational conference, is set for May 7-May 9 at the Crowne Plaza North, Columbus, Ohio.
  • Legislative Symposium will be held on Capitol Hill March 17-March 18.
  • The annual member business meeting will be held Friday, May 9 at 7:30 at the Crowne Plaza North in Columbus, Ohio.
  • The proposed bylaw amendments, posted in the newsletter and on the webpage will be voted on for approval.
  • Elections for treasurer and two senior director positions for the board will take place. Position and nomination information can be found in the newsletter and on the webpage.

These brief highlights in no way encompass everything for the past year. As with all years past and those to come the membership and board continue to serve the organization in a way that staggers the mind. It has been an honor to serve as President. I hope to see you all at the meeting!

Shannon Kern

ASCLS-Ohio President

ASCLS-OHIO suggested bylaws changes approved by the ASCLS-OHIO Board of Directors

Present Bylaws / Proposed Change / Rational for Revision
Article XI – Official Representation A. Representatives to ASCLS House of Delegates. The president, president elect or immediate past president, and the highest ranking student official of this Society shall serve as entitled delegates to the ASCLS House of Delegates. Designated delegates/alternates to fill the specified quota for the ASCLS House shall be elected by the voting members as established by the Board of Directors. / Article XI Official Representation A. by inserting between “…past president,” and “and highest ranking student” the words “New Professional” so that the article will read “A. Representatives to the ASCLS House of Delegates. The president, president-elect, or immediate past president, New Professional, and the highest ranking student official of this Society shall serve as entitled delegates to the ASCLS House of Delegates…” / ASCLS requires that the delegate entitlement of each constituent society be increased by a total of 1; this additional delegate is designated as a member belonging to the New Professional designation.
Article VI – Board of Directors. E. Quorum. Two thirds of the board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board; …. / Article VI Board of Directors. E Quorum Strike “two thirds” and insert “one half” so that the sentence would read: “One half of the Board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board…” / So that it will be easier to obtain quorum for a meeting.
Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition The number of voting members of the Board of Directors shall be eleven (11) – the President, President-elect or Immediate Past President (varies with president’s year in office), Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) senior directors, three (3) junior directors and a student director. / Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition Strike “three (3) junior directors” and insert “two (2) junior directors” so that the sentence will read “the President, President-elect or Immediate Past President (varies with president’s year in office), Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) senior directors, two (2) junior directors…” / To prepare to add a new professional to board but keep the number of board members the same, this will reduce the number of junior directors.
Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition The number of voting members of the Board of Directors shall be eleven (11) – the President, President-elect or Immediate Past President (varies with president’s year in office), Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) senior directors, three (3) junior directors and a student director. / Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition Insert between “three (3) junior directors and a student director.” the words “a new professional” so that the sentence will read “three (3) junior directors, a new professional and a student director. / Adding new professional as a board member. If item two of the suggested changes is adopted then the article will be changed to “two (2) junior directors, a new professional and a student director.”
Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition The number of voting members of the Board of Directors shall be eleven (11) – the President, President-elect or Immediate Past President (varies with president’s year in office), Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) senior directors, three (3) junior directors and a student director. Each director, except the student director, shall serve a term of two (2) years. / Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition
Insert between “except the student director” and the words “and new professional” so that the sentence reads “Each director, except the student director and the new professional, shall serve a term of two (2) years.” / Amending to indicate length of term of office for the new professional.
Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition The number of voting members of the Board of Directors shall be eleven (11) – the President, President-elect or Immediate Past President (varies with president’s year in office), Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) senior directors, three (3) junior directors and a student director. Each director, except the student director, shall serve a term of two (2) years. A senior director may be eligible for re-election but may not serve more than two consecutive terms as senior director (or a total of three terms). The position of junior director is limited to one two-year term (unless elected to an initial one-year term, then is eligible for an additional full two-year term). A senior director, at the time of election, must have been a professional or emeritus member of the Society for two (2) years immediately prior to election or previously held an elected position as an officer or board members. A junior director, at the time of election, must have been a professional or emeritus member of the Society for one ((1) year immediately prior to election and must not have previously held an elected position on the Board of Directors. The term each newly elected director, except those filling vacancies, shall be in accordance with the sine die adjournment of the ASCLS House of Delegates. In a manner prescribed by the Board of Directors and in accordance with the Bylaws of this Society, the voting members shall elect by majority vote the appropriate number of directors each year at its annual session.
One (1) student member may be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors to serve as a voting director for a term of one (1) year. The student director may be reappointed for an additional one-year term. Qualifications for the student director shall be determined by the Board of Directors. / Article VI Board of Directors B. Composition Add a new paragraph: “A new professional may be appointed by the President, with approval of the Board of Directors, to serve as a voting director for a term of one (1) year. The new professional is defined by ASCLS as ‘FYP member and all professional I or II members with less than 5 years experience in the practice’” / Defining the new professional, who appoints and term of office.
Article V – Meeting C. Procedure
Each duly certified voting member of this Society in attendance at the annual Business meeting shall be entitled to one (1) vote. The quorum of the ASCLS-Ohio business meeting shall be the physical presence of a majority of the certified voting members registered for the meeting and at least two (2) officers. / Article V – Meeting C. Procedure
Strike “majority of the certified voting members registered for the meeting” So that the sentence shall read “The quorum of the ASCLS-Ohio business meeting shall be the number of voting members in good standing present at the meeting, and one officer and one additional Board Member.” / To clarify how the voting membership quorum is determined for the annual meeting.

These bylaw changes will be voted on by the membership and the ASCLS-Ohio Membership meeting taking place at this year’s Ohio Collaborative Laboratory Conference. The Member Business meeting is schedule for

Friday, May 9, 2014, at 7:30 am. It will be held in the Buckeye Room of the Crowne Plaza North, Columbus, OH. If you are interested in attending the meeting please email Shannon Kern at

2014 CLC IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

AN IMPORTANT CALL TO SERVE

SEEKING NOMINEES FOR

ASCLS-OHIO ELECTED POSITIONS

ASCLS-Ohio needs YOU! Please consider nominating yourself or one of your ASCLS-Ohio member colleague(s) for one of the elected positions listed on the “Nominations Form,” printed on the adjacent page. Active participation provides the opportunity to directly influence the goals and activities of the organization. The benefits to volunteering for an organization such as ASCLS-Ohio are two-fold. On a personal level, volunteering for this organization can help impact the future of the profession and the society as a whole. On a professional level, volunteering provides many social networking opportunities with laboratory professionals throughout the state of Ohio and nationwide, can create invaluable connections to aid in your professional development, and develop/enhance both personal and career leadership skills. The qualifications for each position for which nominees are being sought can be found on the nominations form. Nominate yourself or someone you know today so new ideas and enthusiasm can start to flow!

ASCLS-Ohio is a volunteer state society. We depend on you, the members, for setting the tone of organization and you are the very reason we exist! If you agree that this society is an important facet of our profession, then come and participate. The board knows that laboratory professionals are very busy both in and out of the laboratory, so we ask each member to share a minimum of their time and talents for the betterment of the profession.

Interested, but unsure as to what the expectations, requirements and time commitments are for one of the elected positions on the ASCLS-Ohio Board of Directors? Email Shannon Kern () to request a copy of the position descriptions with the basic functions and a detailed listing of responsibilities for each position.

Briefly, the duties for each position being elected this year include:

  • Treasurer – maintains the financial books of the Society; assures the receipt and expenditure of funds in accordance with the directives established by the board; prepares audits, tax forms, and a budget with the President; serves as the financial committee chair; serves as a voting member of the Executive Board
  • Junior/Senior Director – the affairs of the Society are governed by the Board of Directors; develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures as required in the establishment of an organization; attends all meetings of the Board of Directors, annual Member Business Meeting, and Leadership Conference; may be appointed by the President to serve as member or chair of task forces or any standing, special or ad hoc committee.

The entire Board of Directors meets 3-4 times during the society year (August 1 – July 31) either face-to-face or via conference call. Email is used extensively to facilitate the timely communication of all information and to seek input on issues that arise throughout the year.

The best way to find answers to any questions you have is to talk with a member of the ASCLS-Ohio Leadership who currently holds the position that is of interest to you. Contact information for officers and board members is posted on the ASCLS-Ohio web site ( or can be found by emailing Shannon Kern () ,current ASCLS-Ohio President or Marcia Lee (), nominations chair.

Elections for these positions will be held at the ASCLS-Ohio Member Business Meeting at the 2014Collaborative Laboratory Conference, on Friday, May 9th from 7:30-8:30 am. All ASCLS-Ohio members are encouraged to attend.

NOMINATIONS FORM

ASCLS-Ohio 2014 Elected Positions

Complete one form for each nominee and send as email file attachment by May 1, 2014 to:

Marcia Lee

NOMINEE: (Full name as it appears on membership card) / ASCLS #
is presented as a nominee for the position of (check one position):
Treasurer [2 year term]–at the time of election, must have been professional or emeritus member of the Society for one (1) year immediately prior to election
Senior Director [2 year term](two positions available) – at the time of election, must have been a professional or emeritus member of the Society for two (2) years immediately prior to election or previously held an elected position as an officer or board member; may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms or a total of three (3) terms.
Nominee's Contact Information:
Address:
City: / State: / Zip:
Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone:
E-mail address:
This nominee understands the duties and knows the terms of office of the position for which he/she is being presented for nomination and consents to this nomination. To my knowledge, the above named individual is qualified to serve in this position and satisfies the requirements as stated in the ASCLS-Ohio Bylaws.
Nominated by: /
ASCLS #
Address:
City: / Zip:
Home Phone: ( )Work Phone: (
E-mail address:
Nominator – please provide brief statement indicating why you nominated this member and why you think he/she is qualified for the position. Continue on another sheet/page if necessary.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

This year the ASCLS-Ohio Scholarship Committee received 19 applications. Due to the number of applicants the ASCLS-Ohio leadership decided to award two additional scholarships; thus awarding 4 total scholarships. The scholarship winners for 2013-2014 are:

  • Rachel Lynne Goldsberry, Canal Fulton, OH
  • Rachel Noble, Steubenville, OH
  • Emily Meece, Pemberville, OH
  • Bethany Fenske, Columbus, OH

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Ohio Collaborative Laboratory Conference “An Exploration of Medical Laboratory Science”
  • WHEN: May 7-9th
  • Where: Crown Plaza North, Columbus Ohio
  • INFO: The first save the date has already been distributed to the membership. It has link to this year’s online registration page as well as more information about the conference itself. Further promotional information about the conference will be coming. Please plan on joining us for this year’s conference.
  • ASCLS Annual Meeting and Exposition
  • WHEN: July 29-August 2
  • Where: Marriott Hotel Downtown, Chicago, IL
  • INFO: Information for the 82nd ASCLS Annual Meeting can be found on the webpage Registration begins April 1st.

Be sure to visit our webpage: to keep up with the latest developments.

If you have any questions or concerns the ASCLS-Ohio Board of Directors can be reached via email at: