Constitution & Bylaws

Article I — Name

Section 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Genome Maintenance Investigators Association, hereinafter referred to as GMIA or the Association.

Section 2. Organizational Status

GMIA shall be organized and operated as a nonprofit scientific and educational organization. The Association intends to qualify as an organization exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax law.

GMIA shall operate independently while maintaining collaborative relationships with scientific organizations and communities sharing similar goals, including the Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA) and the Chinese Biological Investigators Society (CBIS).

Article II — Mission and Purpose

Section 1. Mission

The mission of GMIA is: to connect and support investigators in genome maintenance, advance scientific discovery and collaboration, foster the next generation of scientists, and promote the translation of genome biology discoveries toward improving human health.

Section 2. Scientific and Educational Purposes

GMIA is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The purposes of the Association include:

1. Advancing scientific research and knowledge related to genome maintenance and genome stability.
2. Promoting communication and collaboration among scientists working in genome maintenance and related disciplines.
3. Organizing scientific conferences, symposia, workshops, seminars, lectures, and educational activities.
4. Providing opportunities for investigators to present and discuss scientific discoveries.
5. Supporting the professional development of junior investigators, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, and other trainees.
6. Encouraging scientific education and participation by undergraduate and high school students.
7. Supporting mentorship and career development for emerging scientists.
8. Promoting interdisciplinary interactions among basic scientists, physician-scientists, clinicians, biotechnology researchers, pharmaceutical scientists, and other professionals.
9. Encouraging the translation of fundamental discoveries in genome biology into approaches for understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and treating human disease.
10. Providing awards, travel support, educational opportunities, and other forms of support consistent with the scientific and educational mission of GMIA.

Article III — Scientific Scope

The scientific interests of GMIA include, but are not limited to:

• DNA repair pathways
• DNA damage response
• DNA replication and replication stress
• Chromatin and chromosome biology
• Telomere biology
• Epigenetic regulation
• DNA, RNA and histone modifications
• RNA biology and genome maintenance
• Mutagenesis and genome evolution
• Genome editing and engineering
• Cancer biology
• Genetic disorders associated with genome instability
• Aging and cellular senescence
• Therapeutic targeting of genome maintenance pathways
• Drug discovery
• Translational medicine
• Other emerging areas relevant to genome integrity and human health

Article IV — Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

Membership in GMIA shall be open to individuals who support the mission and purposes of the Association and have an interest in genome maintenance, genome stability, biomedical research, or related scientific fields. Membership shall not be restricted on the basis of institutional affiliation, geographic location, nationality, career stage, or scientific discipline.

Section 2. Membership Categories

GMIA may establish the following categories of membership:

A. Regular Members — Faculty members, principal investigators, physicians, research scientists, and other professionals actively engaged in scientific or biomedical research.

B. Early-Career Members — Junior faculty members and investigators at early stages of independent scientific careers.

C. Trainee Members — Postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, research fellows, and other individuals engaged in scientific training.

D. Student Members — Undergraduate and high school students interested in biomedical science and genome maintenance research.

E. Associate Members — Individuals from biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, or other organizations whose professional interests align with the GMIA mission.

F. Honorary Members — Individuals recognized for exceptional scientific accomplishments or distinguished service to the genome maintenance community. Honorary membership may be granted by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Membership Dues

The Board of Directors may establish annual membership dues. Different membership categories may have different dues. The Board may reduce or waive dues for trainees, students, retired scientists, individuals experiencing financial hardship, or other categories when doing so advances the mission of GMIA.

Section 4. Voting Rights

Regular Members and Early-Career Members in good standing shall have voting rights. The Board may extend voting rights to additional membership categories through amendments to these Bylaws. Each voting member shall have one vote.

Article V — Membership Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting

GMIA shall hold an annual membership meeting, which may occur in conjunction with the GMIA Scientific Symposium. The meeting may be conducted in person, virtually, or in hybrid format.

Section 2. Business Meeting

A business meeting should be conducted at least once each year to provide members with updates regarding: Association activities, financial status, membership, scientific programs, elections, future meetings, and major organizational initiatives.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President, a majority of the Board of Directors, or upon written request of a number or percentage of voting members established by Board policy.

Articles VI–XX — Summary

The remaining articles are summarized below; the complete text is in the full document (PDF, mock link).

Article VI — Board of Directors

The Board (approximately 7–15 Directors, three-year staggered terms) governs GMIA: strategy, finances, budgets, membership policies and dues, committees, officer elections, and legal compliance. It meets at least annually; a majority is a quorum.

Article VII — Officers

President, President-Elect / Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, ordinarily serving two-year terms; duties for each office are enumerated.

Article VIII — Founding Board and Transitional Governance

The Founding Board (initiated by Li Lan, Bing Xia, and colleagues) oversees incorporation, policies, finances, membership development, and a transition to regular elected governance.

Article IX — Elections and Leadership Succession

Nominations via a Nominating Committee, members, or self-nomination; elections electronically, by written ballot, or at meetings; the Board may fill vacancies.

Article X — Committees

Seven standing committees: Scientific Program; Membership and Outreach; Trainee and Early-Career; Education and Mentorship; Awards; Finance and Development; Nominating and Governance.

Article XI — Scientific Meetings

The GMIA Scientific Symposium is the principal gathering, with trainee talks, poster sessions, mentoring, dedicated student presentation opportunities, and family-friendly policies when practical.

Article XII — Finances

Support from dues, registration, donations, grants, and sponsorships; funds used exclusively for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes; no private inurement.

Article XIII — Conflict of Interest

Disclosure of conflicts; a written Conflict of Interest Policy; conflicted individuals abstain from related decisions.

Article XIV — Scientific Integrity and Professional Conduct

Responsible conduct, confidentiality for unpublished work, professional respect; participants are expected to avoid harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and retaliation; a formal Code of Conduct may be established.

Article XV — Political and Legislative Activities

GMIA is nonpartisan and observes 501(c)(3) limits on legislative activity; no political campaign participation.

Article XVI — Records and Transparency

Maintenance of incorporation documents, bylaws, minutes, financial statements, tax filings, and policies, with reasonable member access.

Article XVII — Indemnification

Directors, officers, and agents may be indemnified for good-faith service; the Association may purchase liability insurance.

Article XVIII — Amendments

Bylaws may be amended by the Board and/or voting membership; major amendments receive advance distribution and appropriate review.

Article XIX — Dissolution

Upon dissolution, remaining assets go exclusively to 501(c)(3) purposes consistent with the GMIA mission; nothing to private individuals.

Article XX — Adoption

The Bylaws take effect upon adoption by the Founding Board of Directors. (Adoption date and signatures pending.)