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IHS Bylaws

As amended September 2022

ARTICLE I - NAME AND NATURE OF ORGANIZATION 

Sec. 1. The name of this organization shall be the International Hearing Society, hereinafter  referred to as the Society or IHS. 

Sec. 2. The nature of this organization is that of an association of professional persons involved  in the science of hearing. 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE 

The purpose of the Society shall be and is: 

1. To promote the welfare, insofar as hearing is concerned, of the hearing impaired. 2. To promote and advance the programs of this Society and coordinate them with the  programs of similar organizations. 

3. To provide a unified voice for those engaged in the practice of testing human hearing  and selecting, fitting, counseling and dispensing hearing instruments. 

4. To seek and maintain communication and cooperation with other professions involved  in hearing healthcare. 

5. To improve the methods of marketing, selecting, fitting, counseling, dispensing and  using hearing instruments and to improve the effectiveness of such instruments. 6. To establish standards of education, educational assessment, and techniques in aural  rehabilitation by means of amplification. 

7. To examine and pass upon the qualifications of all persons who wish to have their  competency in the field of fitting hearing instruments accredited by the Society. 8. To sponsor and enforce among its members a code of ethical practices. 9. To promote and encourage an effective program of public education as to the benefits  of the use of amplification. 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP  

Sec. 1. IHS will be comprised of the following categories of members. All categories involving  the practice of testing human hearing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing  instruments and counseling patients shall abide by the Society’s Code of Ethics. The  Membership Qualifications Committee (Article XII) will evaluate and pass on the  qualifications in each category of membership.  

a. Professional Members – Those individuals who are engaged in the practice of  testing human hearing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and  counseling patients. Professional Members shall have full voting privileges. (Past  Presidents of the Society shall be considered lifetime Professional Members. As  such they shall pay no dues or assessments and shall have full voting privileges.) 

b. Associate/Affiliate Members – Those who support the purposes of the Society as  defined in Article II. Such individuals may include office staff, receptionists or any  other support staff, educators, physicians, counselors or those employed by a  hearing industry manufacturer or supplier. Associate/Affiliate Members shall have  no voting privileges. 

c. Student Members – Those who are pursuing an academic or vocationally-based  program of study in the practice of hearing instrument sciences or other related  professions. Student Members shall have no voting privileges.

d. Inactive Members – Those who have been active IHS Members, who no longer are  active in their respective fields, and who apply for Inactive Membership. Inactive  Members shall have no voting privileges. 

(1) Upon approval by the Board of Governors, applicants shall thereupon become  Inactive Members and shall be required to pay an annual fee beginning with  the next fiscal year. 

(2) If such Inactive Member shall become actively engaged in the practice of  testing human hearing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments  and counseling patients, he/she shall so notify the Board and apply for  reinstatement as an active IHS Member. The Board shall pass on such  application at its next meeting and, if approved, such member shall again  become an active IHS Member and shall be required to pay full dues as  imposed on each member, such payment to be due at once and to be pro-rated  from the date of the granting of such an active membership to the end of the  current fiscal year. Failure to apply for reinstatement as an active member  within 90 days of the date of again becoming active shall be reason for  revocation of membership. 

Sec. 2. Honors. 

a. Honorary Fellows - Those persons whom the Board of Governors may from time to  time deem suitable to receive the honor of membership shall be designated  Honorary Fellows of the Society. Such members shall pay no dues or assessments  and shall have no voting privileges. 

b. Honorary Life Members - Those members or previous members whom the Board of  Governors shall from time to time deem suitable to receive the honor of  membership shall be designated as Honorary Life Members of the Society. Such  members shall pay no dues or assessments and shall have no voting privileges. 

c. Honors of the Society shall be awarded as follows: The President shall appoint a  special committee to nominate and study the worthiness of such nominees for  honors and special awards. Such selections shall be presented to the Executive  Committee. Final selection shall be made by the Executive Committee and  submitted to the Board of Governors for final approval. 

Sec. 3. Dues. 

a. All members (with the exceptions stated above) shall be required to pay all dues or  assessments as established by the Board of Governors. 

Sec. 4. Delinquent Dues and Assessments. 

Any active member who shall become delinquent more than three months in the  payment of regular dues or assessments shall cease to be a member of the Society. The  Board may fix such other penalty schedules for late payments of dues and assessments  as it sees fit. Such member may be reinstated by making application as in the case of  the original application, including the initial fees, to the Executive Director, accompanied  by a sum equal to all past and current dues and assessments and upon approval of such  application by the Board of Governors, such person shall again become a member in  good standing. The Board may remit such portion of past unpaid dues and assessments  as it may deem equitable.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND BOARD OF GOVERNORS 

Sec. 1. No person shall hold any office in the Society or act as a member of the Board of  Governors unless he/she shall be a Professional Member who is engaged in the practice  of testing human hearing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and  counseling patients for a period of not less than three (3) years immediately preceding  his/her election. The above prohibition shall not apply to the Office of Executive  Director. 

Sec. 2. The Officers shall consist of a President, Immediate Past President, President-Elect,  Secretary and Treasurer. 

Sec. 3. The Board of Governors shall consist of the Officers and nine (9) Territorial Governors  and two (2) Governors-at-Large, one of whom shall be the Immediate Past President  and the other the President-Elect. 

Sec. 4. The President and President-Elect. 

The President-Elect shall be elected by the voting membership. The President shall serve  a term of two (2) years. The President-Elect shall serve one (1) two (2) year term as a  Governor-at-Large and may not succeed himself/herself. Upon completing one (1) two  (2) year term as President-Elect, he/she will automatically become President for one (1)  two (2) year term. At the completion of one (1) two (2) year term as President, he/she  shall automatically become a Governor-at-Large for the succeeding two (2) year term. 

a. If the office of President becomes vacant, the President-Elect shall assume the  Presidency and serve out the balance of the President’s term. 

b. If the office of President-Elect becomes vacant, the Board of Governors shall appoint  an interim replacement to serve until the next annual meeting. A permanent  replacement shall be elected by the voting membership at the next annual meeting  to serve out the unexpired term of the President-Elect.  

c. If the offices of President and President-Elect both become vacant, the Board of  Governors will elect an interim President and President-Elect from among the  members of the Board of Governors, who will serve in an interim capacity until the  next annual meeting of the membership of the Society. Permanent replacements  shall be elected by the voting membership at the next annual meeting to serve out  the unexpired terms of the President and President-Elect. 

Sec. 5. Secretary. 

The Secretary shall be elected annually by and from the Board of Governors for a one (1)  year term, excepting that such term will automatically terminate at the time the  member ceases to be a Territorial Governor. No Governor may hold this position more  than a total of three (3) full one (1) year terms. 

Sec. 6. Treasurer. 

The Treasurer shall be elected annually by and from the Board of Governors for a one  (1) year term, excepting that such term will automatically terminate at the time the  member ceases to be a Territorial Governor. No Governor may hold this position more  than a total of three (3) full one (1) year terms. The Board may appoint an Assistant  Treasurer, who need not be a member of the Society, to serve for a period of one (1)  year from date of such appointment, or any shorter period as determined by the Board. 

Sec. 7. Territorial Governors  

a. Nine (9) Governors shall be elected, one from each of the following territories:  (1) CANADIAN, composed of the country of Canada.  

(2) PACIFIC, composed of the States of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada,  Oregon and Washington. 

(3) NORTHWEST, composed of the States of Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska,  North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.  

(4) SOUTHWEST, composed of the States of Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New  Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.  

(5) CENTRAL, composed of the States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and  Wisconsin.  

(6) CENTRAL EAST, composed of the States of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.  (7) NORTHEAST COAST, composed of the States of Connecticut, Maine,  Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.  

(8) CENTRAL EAST COAST, composed of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New  Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia and the District of Columbia.  (9) SOUTHEAST, composed of the States of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi,  North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  

b. The term of office for Governor shall be three (3) years, except as otherwise provided  in Article IV, Section 7b. After a person has served three (3) full terms as Territorial  Governor, he/she may not be elected or appointed to the position of Territorial  Governor until a period of four (4) years has passed since he/she has held any  position on the Board of Governors, excepting that a member may be nominated by  petition after a period of two and one-half (2-1/2) years has passed since he/she has  been on the Board of Governors. The Governor may also be considered eligible to  serve on the Executive Committee.  

c. In the event the office of any Territorial Governor becomes vacant during any term, a  new Governor will be appointed by the President, with the approval of a majority of  the Board of Governors. Prior to making the appointment, the President will first  solicit recommendations for that office from the President of the Chapters in that  territory. Such appointee will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.  

Sec. 8. Recall from Office.  

If it should ever be deemed necessary to recall an Officer from office for neglect of duty,  malfeasance of office or physical inability to serve, the following procedures shall be  followed:  

a. A petition requesting recall of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past  President, Secretary or Treasurer from his/her office, together with the reasons for  desiring the recall, must be signed by at least 50% of the voting members of the  Society, and such petition shall be filed with the Executive Director.  

b. A petition requesting recall of a Governor from his/her office, together with the  reason for desiring the recall, must be signed by at least 50% of all voting members in  the territory involved and such petition shall be filed with the Executive Director  

c. As soon as possible, and no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of proper petition  for recall from office, the Executive Director shall conduct a canvass for the votes of  members entitled to vote on said petition. A majority of 75% of all qualified voters,  whether or not they cast a vote, shall be required to recall the President, President 

Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary or Treasurer. A majority of 75% of all  qualified voters within the territory involved, whether or not they cast a vote, shall  be required to recall a Governor. Any territory shall have the right to recall its  Governor from the Board of Governors even though he/she may be acting as an  Officer of the Society. 

 

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND BOARD OF GOVERNORS 

Sec. 1. The President shall be the Chief Executive of the Society. He/she shall preside at all  general meetings of the Society, the Executive Committee and the Board of Governors.  He/she shall appoint all committees with the approval of a majority of the Board of  Governors. The President will have the right to remove any committee member for  cause. The President shall see that all rules and regulations of the Society are enforced.  The President shall vote at all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of  Governors. Whenever a tie vote occurs, the issue will be decided by the President.  

Sec. 2. The President-Elect shall attend and observe the general meetings of the Society, the  Executive Committee, the Board of Governors and other meetings which the President  shall suggest, and shall undertake such activities as the President might request for the  purpose of familiarizing himself/herself with the operations and activities of the Society.  The President-Elect shall function as a Governor-at-Large during his/her term and  preside at all meetings of the Society, Board of Governors or Executive Committee when  the President is absent.  

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall have charge of the official minutes of each meeting and keep  accurate account thereof. He/she shall keep a complete and accurate roster of the  membership and utilize the services of the Executive Director and the IHS staff in  fulfilling his/her duties.  

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall collect and keep in a depository designated by the Board of  Governors all dues and other monies received by the Society, approve and pay all  obligations of the Society and make reports of the affairs of the Society to the Board of  Governors and the Society, as often as shall be required by the Board of Governors, but  not less than once a year. The Treasurer shall utilize the services of the Executive  Director and the IHS staff in fulfilling his/her duties.  

a. All persons handling funds of the Society shall be bonded. All annual reports made by  the Treasurer shall be audited by a Certified Public Accountant.  

Sec. 5. The Board of Governors shall transact the business of the Society and perform the  duties as heretofore and hereafter defined in these Bylaws. The Board will meet on the  days preceding and/or following each annual meeting and as often during the year as it  shall be called into session by the President provided, however, that if any five (5)  members of the Board shall desire a meeting of the Board, they shall notify the  President of that fact together with their reasons for desiring such meeting. The  President shall issue a call for such meeting within fourteen (14) days from the date such notice addressed to him/her is received at the headquarters of the Society, such  meeting to be held no more than twenty-one (21) days from the date the request is received. A  quorum of the Board of Governors shall consist of a majority of the Board members. A  semiannual Board of Governors meeting will be held at a place to be recommended by  staff and approved by the President.  

a. The Board will maintain an official register of all members and from time to time  cause to be published a list of all members of this organization.  

b. Each year the Territorial Governors will convene a meeting of Chapter President or  their delegates. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a forum for mutual  exchange of information and discussion of any other matters which the Chapter  leaders wish the Governor to bring to the attention of the Board of Governors.  

c. In addition to the two (2) meetings a year proscribed in these Bylaws, the Board may  meet, when necessary, by electronic means.  

d. The Board of Governors shall approve the annual budget. 

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE  

Sec. 1. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the President, President-Elect,  Immediate Past President, Secretary and Treasurer.  

a. The Executive Committee shall annually prepare a budget for the approval of the  Board of Governors and guidance of the Society as a whole.  

b. They shall make recommendations as to changes and amendments to these Bylaws,  perform such other duties as the Board of Governors shall, from time to time,  delegate to them, provided that such delegation of powers shall not conflict with any  of the provisions of these Bylaws. For the purpose of conducting the business of the  Society, the Executive Committee shall be authorized to enter into verbal or written  agreements and contracts, each not exceeding amounts specified by the Board of  Governors.  

c. They shall be responsible for hiring such consultants as they shall deem necessary to  serve the Society.  

d. The Board of Governors shall be notified as to the time and place of any meeting of  the Executive Committee, as soon as such time and place are determined and prior  to the meeting of the Executive Committee.  

e. A quorum will be 80% of members of the Executive Committee.  

f. All members of the Board of Governors have the right to attend meetings of the  Executive Committee. Such attendance will be at the Governor’s own expense. Such  attendance will be as an observer only.  

ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Sec. 1. An Executive Director shall be employed by the Executive Committee for such term and  at such salary and under such contract provisions as the Executive Committee may set.  Sec. 2. The Executive Director shall carry out the day to day operation of the Society and may  establish such policy as is necessary to do so, all subject to the approval of the Executive  Committee. He/she shall assist the President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer in  their duties. He/she shall collect all dues and assessments and deliver the same to the  Treasurer, prepare all necessary forms, shall annually make recommendations to the  Board of Governors, investigate and render written reports to the Grievance Committee  or the Board of Governors concerning all complaints made against any member, and to  that end, may require any member to appear before him/her in person, or in writing,  and answer such complaint or give evidence under oath or affirmation concerning the  same. He/she shall maintain liaison with other professional groups interested in hearing  healthcare and shall attend any meetings of such groups which he/she shall be directed  to attend by the President, the Executive Committee or the Board of Governors. He/she  shall perform such other duties or requirements as are usual or customary for the office.  

ARTICLE VIII - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS  

Sec. 1. Dates.  

The Annual Meeting of this organization will be held each year at a time and place to be  approved by the Board of Governors.  

Sec. 2. Special meetings of the membership may be called by a majority of the Board of  Governors, which call shall fix the time and place of such meetings, together with the purpose or purposes of such meetings (only such business as conforms with the  announced purpose or purposes of the special meeting may be transacted at such  meeting). Notice of any special meeting shall be mailed, electronically or via postal mail, to the membership not less than  thirty (30) days preceding the date fixed for such meetings.  

Sec. 3. The presence of ten percent (10%) of the advanced voting registrants to any annual or  special general meeting shall be necessary to constitute a quorum at any such meeting.  Sec. 4. Notice of Annual Meetings shall be given to all members not less than sixty (60) days  preceding the date of such meetings. Said notice can be provided electronically or via postal mail.  

ARTICLE IX - NOMINATION PROCEDURE  

Sec. 1. For President-Elect.  

a. At the close of the Annual Meeting held one (1) year prior to the expiration of the  President’s term of office, the Executive Committee will appoint a Nominating  Committee of nine (9) members, one from each Territory. Not more than three (3)  will be officers or members of the Board of Governors. It will be the duty of the  Nominating Committee to seek, screen and select the person to be nominated for  the office of President-Elect which will be vacated at the end of the calendar year and to present such name to the Executive Director not less than one hundred and  fifty (150) days prior to the end of the year.  

b. Any individual eligible to vote in the election may forward to the Executive Director  the name of any nominee eligible to serve, along with the endorsement signature of  at least five percent (5%) of the membership eligible to vote in said election. To be  valid, said nomination must be received in the office of the Executive Director at least  ninety (90) days prior to the end of the calendar year, at which time the office of  President-Elect becomes vacant.  

Sec. 2. For Governors.  

The President will solicit from each Chapter President a recommendation of an IHS  member from his or her Chapter for membership on the Nominating Committee.  a. A Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members from within the Territory  

involved who are Chapter Officers or their designated representatives who are IHS  members, appointed by the President of the Society, with the approval of the Board  of Governors, who shall seek, screen and select nominees for said office and  promptly notify the Executive Director thereof. The chairperson of the Nominating  Committee shall be appointed from the committee by the President. Each member of  the Nominating Committee shall have one (1) vote. In the event of a tie vote by the  Nominating Committee, the President of the Society shall be called upon to cast the  tie-breaking vote.  

b. Any individual eligible to vote within the Territory involved may forward to the  Executive Director the name of any nominee, along with the signatures of at least ten  (10) individuals eligible to vote from said Territory endorsing said nomination. To be  valid, said nominations must be received in the office of the Executive Director at  least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the term of office in question.  

ARTICLE X - VOTING  

Sec. 1. Each member of the Society who is a Professional Member in good standing shall have  voting rights. No member shall have more than one vote on any given issue. Members  may exercise their voting rights in person or by proxy in all general meetings of the  Society, except as otherwise provided herein. 

Sec. 2. Proxy forms shall be approved by the Board of Governors and furnished by the  Executive Director to each voting member at least  thirty (30) days before the date of any general meeting by electronic or postal mail. Only such proxies shall be valid.  The proxy form shall be properly filled out and returned to the Executive Director for review,  filing and recording, on or before twelve (12) o’clock noon of the third day immediately  preceding the day fixed for any general meeting. However, proxies and/or packets  containing proxies bearing a postmark seven (7) days prior to the meeting shall be  accepted up to twelve (12) o’clock noon of the day preceding the general meeting. Notice of one's selection as proxy shall be sent to said person by electronic or postal mail.  Proxies may only be addressed to voting members in good standing of the Society.  Failure to comply with the requirements contained herein shall render a proxy invalid.  

Sec. 3. Voting for the office of President-Elect and for members of the Board of Governors will  be conducted by electronic or mail-in ballot.  

a. The President-Elect will be elected by the voting members in good standing of this  Society. Such voting membership classification is provided for in Article III, Section 1  of these Bylaws. The Executive Director will, at least forty-five (45) days prior to the  election of President-Elect, forward official ballots to voting members (voting  membership classifications as provided for in Article III, Section 1 (a) of these  Bylaws), who are reflected in the Society’s records as eligible to vote in said election.  The ballot will include complete instructions. Said ballots will be returned by the  member using a secure voting method, approved by the Board of Governors and made available to the membership, to officially tabulate the ballots. A candidate receiving the greatest  number of votes will be deemed elected. The results of said election will be officially  announced at the next Annual Meeting of the membership of the Society.  

b. Each Governor will be elected by the voting members in good standing of this Society  within the Territory to be represented. Such voting membership classification is provided for in Article III, Section 1 of these Bylaws. The Executive Director will, at  least fourteen (14) days prior to the expiration of the term of office of a Governor,  forward official ballots to voting members within the Territory involved (such voting  membership classifications are provided for in Article III, Section 1 of these Bylaws)  who are reflected in the Society’s records as eligible to vote in said election. The  ballot will include complete instructions. Said ballots will be returned by the member  using the secure voting method approved by the Board of Governors to  officially tabulate the ballots. Ballots returned not using the designated secure method will not be counted. A candidate receiving the greatest number of votes will  be deemed elected. The results of said elections will be officially announced by the  Executive Director no later than thirty (30) days following the completion of the  official tabulation.  

ARTICLE XI - CHAPTERS  

Sec. 1. Chapters may be organized within various countries, states and provinces. These  Chapters shall consist of individuals engaged in the practice of testing human hearing  and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and counseling patients. If any  Territory shall not have a Chapter within the Territory, the Governor of such Territory  shall encourage the formation of such Chapter.  

Sec. 2. Any group whose members are engaged in the practice of testing human hearing and  selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and counseling patients, located  within a country, state or province having no Chapter, may petition for a charter as  Chapter to the Board of Governors. If meeting by Constitution, Bylaws and organization qualifications for such, the petitioning group may upon a majority vote of the Board of  Governors be recognized as a local Chapter for the particular country, state or province  in which the Chapter is located. Such petition shall include the name of the proposed  Chapter (according to geographical location), list of its members, the names of its  officers, a copy of the proposed activities, and a statement of agreement to submit,  before March 31st of each year, a report of its membership and its activities for the past  year.  

Sec. 3. A Chapter of the Society shall continue in good standing upon fulfillment of the  following conditions:  

a. The number of its members shall remain three (3) or more.  

b. The Chapter shall submit on or before March 31st of each year a summary report of  its members and its activities for the past year and a report of its proposed activities  for the next year.  

c. The Chapter shall notify the Society’s Executive Director of any changes of  amendments in its Constitution and/or Bylaws, such notice to be in writing, electronically or via postal mail, and to be  submitted within thirty (30) days of the approval of such changes of amendments by  the Chapter.  

d. Every Chapter Officer and 50% of the members of the Governing Board must be a  Professional Member of IHS. If any officer or member of the Governing Board is not a  Professional Member of IHS, they will have thirty (30) days to become a Professional  Member of IHS.  

e. Each Chapter shall pay dues and fees as established by the Board of Governors.  Sec. 4. The Bylaws of IHS shall supersede the Bylaws of a Chapter in any point where such  would conflict.  

Sec. 5. The Society’s Board of Governors may, at any time and upon two-thirds (2/3) vote,  withdraw recognition of any Chapter of the Society.  

ARTICLE XII – MEMBERSHIP AND QUALIFICATIONS COMMITTEE  

Sec. 1. At the beginning of his/her term, the President shall appoint, subject to approval by the  Board of Governors, a Membership Qualifications Committee, whose membership shall  be comprised of five (5) active members, with one (1) alternate. Members of the  Membership Qualifications Committee, including the alternate member, must be full  voting members of the Society, and at least three (3) of the active members shall be  members of the Board of Governors.  

Sec. 2. Duties of this Committee will be to evaluate and pass on the criterion of qualifications in  each category of membership as set forth by the Board of Governors and approved by  the membership.  

Sec. 3. All members of the Society shall be furnished with an appropriate certificate evidencing  membership qualifications. The certificate shall remain the property of the Society and  shall be subject to return upon demand by the Society.  

Sec.4. An individual convicted of a crime of Moral Turpitude shall not be eligible for  membership in the Society. The Society defines Moral Turpitude as an act or behavior  that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community; a quality of  dishonesty or other immorality that is present in the commission of a criminal offense.  By way of example, and not in any way intended to limit the type of crime that would  fall within this definition, a crime involving Moral Turpitude would include such crimes  as theft, perjury, and/or vice crimes.

ARTICLE XIII - ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Sec. 1. The Board of Governors shall, from time to time, appoint an Advisory Committee to sit  with the Board of Governors whenever the Board of Governors shall deem it advisable.  Sec. 2. The members of the Advisory Committee shall not have a vote on any matter  considered by the Board of Governors.  

ARTICLE XIV - ETHICS COMMITTEE  

Sec. 1. The President, with the approval of the Board of Governors, shall appoint an Ethics  Committee consisting of nine (9) voting members, one (1) from each Governor’s  Territory as such Territories are defined in Article IV, Sec. 7.  

Sec. 2. It shall be the purpose of said Committee to review all questions arising under the  Society’s Code of Ethics, to render interpretations of said Code and to recommend any  changes to said Code that it feels warranted. It will not be the function of the Ethics  Committee to receive and/or hear any complaints against a member of the Society.  Such complaints are to be directed to the Grievance Committee (see Article XV).  

Sec. 3. The Committee will not be required to review any questions arising under the Society’s  Code or render any interpretations to the Society’s Code unless it is presented with a  formal written request from the Executive Director specifically outlining the issue or  issues involved or the matter or matters upon which review is sought.  

Sec. 4. The Committee, after due notice to the membership as to the matters that it has under  consideration, will review those requests properly before it and render its interpretation  thereof. The formal interpretations rendered by the Committee will be made available  for examination by all members of the Society and such other persons having legitimate  interest therein.  

Sec. 5. All interpretations rendered by the Ethics Committee will be binding on all members of  the Society and all persons who have pledged themselves to be bound by the Code of  Ethics of the Society. No persons or bodies of this Society or any persons who have  pledged themselves to be bound by the Code of Ethics of the Society shall have the right  to disregard or overrule the interpretations rendered by the Ethics Committee.  

ARTICLE XV - GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE  

Sec. 1. The President shall, with the approval of the majority of the Board of Governors, appoint a Grievance Committee consisting of three (3) voting members of the Society.  Such committee shall hear all complaints concerning members of the Society referred to  it.  

a. The Grievance Committee shall promulgate and publish a Procedure Manual  outlining the manner in which complaints shall be addressed, as well as the hearing  and appeal process.  

ARTICLE XVI - INVESTMENT COMMITTEE 

Sec. 1. The President shall, with the approval of a majority of the Board of Governors, appoint an Investment Committee consisting of three (3) to five (5) individuals selected from the Board of Governors. Such committee shall oversee the investment of surplus funds.

Sec. 2. Investment Committee members shall serve for a term of (1) year. No member shall be  eligible to serve more than four (4) full consecutive terms. A period of two (2) years  must elapse following the end of the fourth full term before such a person is eligible to  again serve on the Investment Committee. 

Sec. 3. The Investment Committee shall promulgate and publish an Investment Policy outlining  the manner in which surplus funds shall be managed, and how an Investment/Financial  Advisor shall be selected. 

Sec. 4. The Investment Committee will annually select one of its members to be the Committee  Chair. 

ARTICLE XVII – INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEARING INSTRUMENT STUDIES (IIHIS)  COMMITTEE 

Sec. 1. The committee is called the International Institute for Hearing Instruments Studies  (IIHIS) It is authorized by the International Hearing Society’s (IHS) President and the  Board of Governors. 

Sec. 2. The IIHIS is created for the purpose of overseeing the society’s educational activities and  programs. The IIHIS activities include advising on matters that directly concern the  society’s instructional programs and its assessments. The specific purposes of the  Education Committee may include the following responsibilities: 

a. Provide the Society’s education and continuing education course approval programs  with subject matter expertise for programmatic accreditation. 

b. Evaluate knowledge and performance levels for educational programs and  assessments.  

c. Recommending, granting, revalidating, suspending, and revocation of certificates  awarded by the society.  

d. Oversees educational programs in setting priorities, including participating in  ongoing planning activities of the program, quality measures and continual  improvements.  

e. Liaison to all education sub-committees to assist as needed with candidate appeals.  Sec. 3. The IIHIS is expected to offer recommendations for all educational programs and  assessments to the IHS Board of Governors.  

Sec. 4. The IIHIS consist of at least (7) IHS members in good standing. Members will be selected  and appointed by the IHS President with the approval of the majority of the Board. IIHIS  members will be comprised of practitioners from industry, academia and with various  levels of education and clinical practice experience. Duration of appointment to the IIHIS  is at the discretion of the IHS President with consultation of the IHS Executive  Committee and staff. Appointments may be extended at the discretion of the IHS  President or the committee chair as directed by the President. Committee members  must acknowledge and agree to: 

a. Abide by the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Policies, Procedures, and relevant competitive  or other non-disclosure agreements of the IHS. 

b. Not redact, modify or utilize established IHS proprietary materials for their own  proprietary benefit or personal or professional inurement without the written  permission of the Society. 

c. Protect the confidentiality of the IIHIS projects.  

d. Resign from the IIHIS in the event of seeking employment with the International  Hearing Society. 

Sec. 5. Procedural rules: 

a. Regular meetings face to face or virtual of the IIHIS committee shall be held no less  than once per year. In addition to the one (1) meeting, the IIHIS may meet, when  necessary. It is the policy of the IHS Board of Governors that IIHIS members attend  all meetings of the Committee, whether in person or virtually. Any IIHIS member  who is unable to attend a meeting must notify the IHS staff as soon as possible  before the stated time of the meeting. Airfare, hotel (room and tax), and/or other  travel expenses are reimbursed to the IIHIS Committee members by IHS. 

b. IHS staff will assemble and maintain meeting notes.  

c. Committee recommendations and reports will be submitted in writing to the IHS  Executive Director. Documents will include both suggested action and justification  for suggestions. The board will respond/react to such recommendations/reports in  writing through the Executive Director. 

d. Members who are absent without reasonable cause from three successive  meetings will be considered to have resigned their seat.  

e. While members are expected and encouraged to discuss the IIHIS within the hearing  healthcare community, members shall not report opinions expressed in meetings,  nor shall they report independently on committee action. 

f. The committee agrees to follow the consensus decision-making. This is defined as a  group decision-making process that seeks the consent of all participants. Consensus  may be defined professionally as an acceptable resolution, one that can be  supported, even if not the "favorite" of each individual. 

g. Committee members are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of all IHS  confidential information and to treat all organizational matters and information  specific to the business of the IHS with proper care and discretion. Unauthorized  disclosure or use of information, whether provided verbally or in writing, is  considered a serious breach of care and can result in disciplinary action and possible  discharge from a Committee member’s position. IIHIS members are to agree and  sign an annual confidentiality agreement during their appointment.

 

ARTICLE XVIII – INTERNATIONAL LICENSING EXAMINATION (ILE) COMMITTEE

Sec. 1. The committee is called the International Licensing Committee. It is authorized by the  International Hearing Society’s (IHS) President and the Board of Governors.  Sec. 2. The ILE Committee is created for the purpose of overseeing the society’s licensing  examination. The ILE activities include advising on matters that directly concern exam.  The specific purposes of the ILE Committee may include the following responsibilities: a. Determine necessary knowledge, skills and abilities a candidate should know as an  output of the role delineation study and the ILE assessment 

b. Performance levels for assessment 

c. Assist in item writing and review for the assessment 

d. Assist in assessment evaluation and improvement following psychometric annual  data  

e. Act as spokesperson for the ILE 

f. Assist the assessment in setting priorities, including participating in ongoing work  activities with the assessment 

g. Assist with candidate appeals 

Sec. 3. The ILE committee is expected to offer recommendations to the IIHIS for the  International Licensing Examination.  

Sec. 4. The ILE consist of at least (7) IHS members in good standing. Members will be selected  and appointed by the IHS President with the approval of the majority of the Board of  Governors. ILE members will be comprised of practitioners from industry, academia and  with various levels of education and clinical practice experience. Duration of  appointment to the ILE is at the discretion of the IHS President with consultation of the  IHS Executive Committee and staff. Appointment may be extended at the discretion of  the IHS President or the committee chair as directed by the President. Committee  members must acknowledge and agree to: 

a. Abide by the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Policies, Procedures, and relevant competitive  or other non-disclosure agreements of the IHS. 

b. Not redact, modify or utilize established IHS proprietary materials for their own  proprietary benefit or personal or professional inurement without the written  permission of the Society.  

c. Protect the confidentiality of the ILE projects. 

d. Resign from the ILE committee in the event of seeking employment with the  International Hearing Society. 

Sec. 4. Procedural rules: 

a. Regular meetings face to face or virtual of the ILE committee shall be held no less  than once per year. In addition to the one (1) meeting, the ILE may meet, when  necessary. It is the policy of the IHS Board of Governors that ILE members attend all  meetings of the Committee, whether in person or virtually. Any ILE member who is  unable to attend a meeting must notify the IHS staff as soon as possible before the  stated time of the meeting. Airfare, hotel (room and tax), and/or other travel  expenses are reimbursed to the ILE members by IHS. 

b. IHS staff will assemble and maintain meeting notes.  

c. Committee recommendations and reports will be submitted in writing to the IIHIS  committee. Documents will include both suggested action and justification for  suggestions. The board will respond/react to such recommendations/reports in  writing through the Executive Director. 

d. Members who are absent without reasonable cause from three successive  meetings will be considered to have resigned their seat.  

e. While members are expected and encouraged to discuss the IHS International  Licensing Examination within the hearing healthcare community, members shall not  report opinions expressed in meetings, nor shall they report independently on  committee action. 

f. The committee agrees to follow the consensus decision-making. This is defined as a  group decision-making process that seeks the consent of all participants. Consensus  may be defined professionally as an acceptable resolution, one that can be  supported, even if not the "favorite" of each individual. 

g. Committee members are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of all IHS  confidential information and to treat all organizational matters and information  specific to the business of the IHS with proper care and discretion. Unauthorized  disclosure or use of information, whether provided verbally or in writing, is considered a serious breach of care and can result in disciplinary action and possible  discharge from a Committee member’s position. ILE members are to agree and sign  an annual confidentiality agreement during their appointment. 

ARTICLE XIX – TINNITUS CARE PROVIDER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE 

Sec. 1. The committee will be called the Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight Committee. It is  authorized by the International Hearing Society’s (IHS) President and the Board of  Governors. 

Sec. 2. The Committee is created for the purpose of working with the Tinnitus Care Provider  Certificate program and shall limit its activities to advising on matters that directly  concern the instructional program and its assessment. The specific purposes of the  Committee may include the following responsibilities: 

a. Determine necessary knowledge, skills and abilities a candidate should know as an  output of the certificate program  

b. Performance levels for certificate program and assessment 

c. Assist in item writing and review for the assessment 

d. Assist in program evaluation and improvement following the accreditation  standards 

e. Act as spokesperson for the program to help recruit candidates into the program f. Assist the program in setting priorities, including participating in ongoing planning  activities of the program 

g. Co-facilitate as desired to become an authorized facilitator  

h. Assist with candidate appeals 

Sec. 3. The Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight committee is expected to offer recommendations  to the IIHIS for the Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate program.  

Sec. 4. The Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight committee shall consist of at least (7) IHS members  in good standing. Members will be selected and appointed by the IHS President with  the approval of the majority of the Board of Governors. Oversight of the committee will  be the responsibility of the IIHIS Committee. The Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight  Committee members will be comprised of practitioners from industry, academia and  with various levels of education and clinical practice experience. Duration of  appointment to the Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate Program Committee is at the  discretion of the IHS President with consultation of the IHS Executive Committee and  staff. Appointment may be extended at the discretion of the IHS President or the  committee chair as directed by the President. Committee members must acknowledge  and agree to: 

a. Abide by the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Policies, Procedures, and relevant competitive  or other non-disclosure agreements of the IHS. 

b. Not redact, modify or utilize established IHS proprietary materials for their own  proprietary benefit or personal or professional inurement without the written  permission of the Society. 

c. Protect the confidentiality of the Tinnitus Care Provider certificate program projects. d. Resign from the Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight Committee in the event of seeking  employment with the International Hearing Society. 

Sec. 5. Procedural rules: 

a. Regular meetings face to face or virtual of the Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight  Committee shall be held no less than once per year. In addition to the one (1)  meeting, the Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight Committee may meet, when necessary. It is the policy of the IHS Board of Directors that Committee members  attend all meetings of the Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight Committee, whether in  person or by conference call. Any committee member who is unable to attend a  meeting must notify the IHS staff lead as soon as possible before the stated time of  the meeting. Airfare, hotel (room and tax), and/or other travel expenses are  reimbursed to the Tinnitus Care Provider Oversight Committee members by IHS. 

b. IHS staff will assemble and maintain meeting notes.  

c. Committee recommendations and reports will be submitted in writing to the IIHIS  committee. Documents will include both suggested action and justification for  suggestions. The board will respond/react to such recommendations/reports in  writing through the Executive Director. 

d. Members who are absent without reasonable cause from three successive  meetings will be considered to have resigned their seat.  

e. While members are expected and encouraged to discuss the Tinnitus Care Provider  Certificate Program within the hearing healthcare community, members shall not  report opinions expressed in meetings, nor shall they report independently on  committee action. 

f. The committee agrees to follow the consensus decision-making. This is defined as a  group decision-making process that seeks the consent of all participants. Consensus  may be defined professionally as an acceptable resolution, one that can be  supported, even if not the "favorite" of each individual. 

g. Committee members are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of all IHS  confidential information and to treat all organizational matters and information  specific to the business of the IHS with proper care and discretion. Unauthorized  disclosure or use of information, whether provided verbally or in writing, is  considered a serious breach of care and can result in disciplinary action and possible  discharge from a Committee member’s position. Tinnitus Care Provider Certificate  Program Oversight members are to agree and sign an annual confidentiality  agreement during their appointment. 

ARTICLE XX - AMENDMENTS  

Sec. 1. Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by:  

a. Petition signed by fifty (50) voting members.  

b. The Board of Governors.  

Sec. 2. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes, validly available to be cast at any annual or  special general meeting, shall be necessary to amend these Bylaws. Once motion to  amend the Bylaws has been brought before the membership for consideration, motions  may be put forth to amend the proposed amendment providing they do not change the  essence of the main amendment, and shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes  validly available to be cast for passage.  

Sec. 3. All amendments to be proposed shall be sent to the Executive Director ninety (90) days  before the time for the next Annual Meeting of the Society. The Executive Director shall  notify the members of the proposed amendments at least thirty (30) days before the  meeting.  

ARTICLE XXI - MISCELLANEOUS  

Sec. 1. The fiscal year of the Society shall be the calendar year. 

Sec. 2. All files of the Society shall be confidential, and shall be available only to the Board of  Governors and persons authorized by them in writing to examine the same.  Sec. 3. No member of this Society, other than the President, shall suggest or indicate to anyone  that he or she is representing or may speak or act in an official capacity for and on  behalf of this Society without written authority from the President or the Executive  Committee, provided however that officers of this Society may represent the Society to  the extent that these Bylaws so empower them.  

Sec. 4. These Bylaws will be printed and available to all members of the Society.  Sec. 5. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised)  shall govern, to the extent practical, the Society at any annual or special meeting of the  general membership to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent  with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.