TEXAS STATE ASSEMBLY BYLAWS

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ARTICLE I: Name

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Section 1. The name of this State Assembly is the Texas State Assembly of the Association of 
Surgical Technologists, hereinafter referred to as the Texas State Assembly, a State Assembly of the 
Association of Surgical Technologists, Inc, hereinafter referred to as AST. 

 

ARTICLE II: Purposes

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Section 1. The purposes of the State Assembly are the following:
A. To study, discuss, and exchange professional knowledge, expertise, and ideas in the field of 
surgical technology.
B. To promote a high standard of surgical technology performance for quality patient care.
C. To stimulate interest in continuing education for surgical technologists.
D. To encourage employment of certified surgical technologists through cooperative efforts with 
other professional health care organizations and individuals.
E. To promote and maintain communication and cooperative relationships with other 
professional health care organizations.
F. To explore and encourage the diversified roles of the Certified Surgical Technologist, 
hereinafter referred to as the CST.

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ARTICLE III: Membership

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Section 1. Definition.
A. A surgical technologist is an allied health professional who possesses expertise in the theory 
and application of sterile and aseptic techniques and who combines knowledge of human 
anatomy, surgical procedures, and the implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a 
physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.
B. A member of the Texas State Assembly must be a member of AST.
C. A member of the Texas State Assembly may be a member residing in the state or a member who 
does not reside in the state but has indicated to AST that the member chooses to be a member of 
the Texas State Assembly.
Section 2. Classification
A. Active Member
l. One who has passed the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting 
(hereinafter referred to as the NBSTSA) national certifying examination in surgical technology 
and maintains certification currency as defined by the NBSTSA.
2. One who has passed the national certification examination and not maintained certification 
currency as defined by the NBSTSA but who is retired or disabled. However, eligibility for 
elected office and delegate status will continue to require certification currency.

3. Active members have voice and vote.
B. Associate Member
1. One who has passed the national certifying examination and not maintained certification 
currency as defined by the NBSTSA.
2. One who has proof of either having completed or being currently enrolled as a student in a 
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (hereinafter referred to as 
CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program or its equivalent.
3. One who can provide notarized documentation from her/his employer that she/he is employed 
as a surgical technologist.
4. One whose primary source of employment is teaching in a CAAHEP-accredited surgical 
technology program or its equivalent.
5. Associate members (numbers 1 through 4) have voice but no vote.
C. Affiliate Member
l. Any individual or organization that wishes to affiliate with AST and is approved by the Board 
of Directors as defined in the AST Policy Manual.
2. Affiliate members have voice but no vote.
D. Retired Member
1. One who provides proof of reaching the social security retirement age or provides proof of 
permanent disability resulting in an inability to work.
2.Voice and/or vote for a retired member will be based on the criteria in subsections A, 
B, or C of this section.
E. Honorary Member
1. One who has served as a President of AST.
2. One who has rendered notable service to AST and is approved by the House of Delegates 
upon recommendation of the Board of Directors.
3. Voice and/or vote for an honorary member shall be based on the criteria in subsections A, B, 
or C of this section.
Section 3. Dues
A. A combined dues amount for National and State Assembly dues (unified dues) shall be 
established by the House of Delegates, paid according to established procedure, and maintained 
by AST.
B. National and State Assembly dues may not be collected by any other entity other than AST.
C. Membership benefits shall begin upon receipt of national and State Assembly dues at AST.
D. A member whose national and State Assembly dues are not received at AST within 30 days 
from the renewal date shall be delinquent and forfeit all membership privileges. Reinstatement 
shall be effective upon payment of dues.

E. Dues for student members and retired members shall be fifty percent of the established annual 
dues.
F. Annual dues shall be waived for honorary members.

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ARTICLE IV: Finance

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Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Budget. The state assembly shall adopt an annual budget. The budget shall be filed 
with AST by January 31 of each year.
Section 3. Financial disclosure. The state assembly shall prepare a minimum of 2 sets of 
financial statements each year. The minimum 2 sets of statements will report year to date activity 
for January 1?June 30 and January 1?December 31. The statements will be filed with AST and 
be available to all members of the state assembly.
Section 4. Examination of financial statements. The year-end financial statements of the state 
assembly shall be examined by an independent auditor or a third party otherwise acceptable to 
AST. The level of examination (compilation, review, or audit) shall be determined by the AST 
Policy Manual.
Section 5. Insurance. The officers and directors of the state assembly may have (optional)
adequate directors and officers liability insurance coverage as determined by AST.
Section 6. Check Signing. Authorization for signing checks and the amount shall be defined in 
the State Assembly Policy Manual.

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ARTICLE V: Nominations and Elections

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Section 1. Nominations
A. No less than 30 days prior to the elections, each potential candidate will be required to present 
to the Credentials Committee a written curriculum vitae and a consent to serve. All nominees 
who meet the qualifications for office shall be eligible for election.
B. No less than 30 days prior to the elections, the Credentials Committee shall present a list of 
candidates for each office to be filled at the elections via a State Assembly 
mailing/publication/Web site distributed to the entire State Assembly membership.
C. Nominations may also be made from the floor provided written consent of the nominees has 
been obtained in advance and their credentials have been verified by the Credentials Committee.
The Credentials Committee will meet the morning of, or immediately before the start of the State 
Assembly business meeting to accept curriculum vitae and consent to serves and determine the 
eligibility of candidates who will be nominated from the floor.
D. A member holding an elective position may not be nominated for another position for which 
the term would begin before expiration of the term of the current position unless the member 
resigns from her/his current elective position.
E. A member employed by AST shall not be nominated for a State Assembly elected position.
Section 2. Elections
A. Elections shall be held in the state by ballot at the Annual Meeting.B. Election of officers shall be by a majority vote. In the event a second ballot is needed to 
establish a majority, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed on 
the second ballot.
C. Election of Directors shall be by plurality vote. In the case of a tie, a decision shall be by 
ballot between the tied candidates and plurality shall elect. In the event of a second tie, a decision 
shall be by lot.
D. A Tellers Committee shall be appointed by the President with due regard to geographic 
distribution.
E. The President, Vice President, Treasurer and two Directors shall be elected in odd-numbered 
years. The Secretary and three Directors shall be elected in even-numbered years.

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ARTICLE VI: Officers

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Section 1. The officers of the State Assembly shall be the following: President, Vice President, 
Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. Eligibility of Officers
A. A candidate shall have been an active member for one year immediately preceding 
nomination and, if elected, shall maintain that active status.
B. The required curriculum vita and consent to serve and one year of active membership in the 
state assembly are the only eligibility criteria that will be considered by the Credentials 
Committee.
[Proviso: The following bylaw is required for all states that have been formed for at least five 
years.]
C. A candidate for the office of president shall have served at least one full term as a director or 
officer during the previous six years on the Board of Directors. 
Section 3. Term of Office of Officers
A. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve for a term of two years or 
until a successor is elected.
B. All newly elected officers shall assume office at the close of the elections.
C. No officer may serve more than two full terms in the same office.
D. Any amount of time served that equals more than half a term shall be considered a full term of 
office.
Section 4. Duties of Officers
A. The President or her/his designee selected from the remaining officers and directors shall be 
the official representative of the State Assembly at all times and places.
B. The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws, the State Assembly Policy 
Manual, and Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Section 5. Vacancies of Officers
A. A vacancy occurring in the office of President shall be automatically filled by the Vice 
President.
B. A vacancy occurring in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the State Assembly 
Board of Directors from among the Board members.
C. In the event there is a vacancy in both the offices of President and Vice President, both offices 
shall be filled by the State Assembly Board of Directors from among the Board members. Both 
offices shall then be elected at the next Annual Meeting.
D. A vacancy occurring in the office of Secretary or Treasurer between Annual Meetings shall be 
filled for the unexpired term by the State Assembly Board of Directors.
Section 6. Within ten days following the completion of a term or a resignation, the respective 
officer shall transmit to the successor all State Assembly records and property of that officer.

 

ARTICLE VII: Meetings

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Section 1. The State Assembly shall meet annually and that meeting shall be known as the 
Annual Meeting, the date and place of which shall be determined by the State Assembly Board 
of Directors.
Section 2. The voting body for the Annual Meeting shall be the active members of the State 
Assembly. Voting by active members shall be in person and each active member will be entitled 
to one vote.
Section 3. Business Meetings
A. There shall be a minimum of one business meeting at each Annual Meeting.
B. Sixty days written notice shall be given via a State Assembly mailing/publication distributed 
to the entire State Assembly membership of the time, place, and business to be considered at the 
meeting.
C. Business meetings shall be open to AST members in the State Assembly. Every member shall 
have voice, but only active members may make motions and vote.
D. The quorum requirement for states with less than 50 active members is 3 active members, 
states with 50-100 active members is 5 members, states with 101-150 active members is 10 
members, states with 151-200 active members is 15 members, and states with over 200 active 
members, a minimum of 20 members or three percent of the total active members (which ever is 
greater) shall constitute a quorum.
E. Special Meetings
1. Special meetings of the active members may be called by two-thirds of the State Assembly 
Board of Directors or by two-thirds of the active members. Ninety days written notice shall be 
given via a State Assembly mailing/publication distributed to the entire State Assembly active 
membership of the time, place, and business to be considered at the special meeting.
Section 4. Delegate representation to the AST Annual National Conference
A. The state assembly shall be entitled to six delegates and alternates, provided the assembly is 
in good standing as defined in the AST Policy Manual.
B. Delegates and alternates shall be active members elected by the state assembly.C. The names shall be submitted to national headquarters at least sixty days prior to the 
national conference. Any forms received after that deadline must be presented during designated 
hours at the national conference.

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ARTICLE VIII: State Assembly Board of Directors

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Section 1. The State Assembly Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and five other 
elected Directors.
Section 2. Eligibility of Directors
A. A candidate for the State Assembly Board of Directors shall have been a member for one year 
immediately preceding nomination and if elected, shall maintain active status. 
B. The required curriculum vitae and consent to serve and one year of membership in the state 
assembly are the only eligibility criteria that will be considered by the Credentials Committee.
Section 3. Term of Office of Directors
A. Directors shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors have been elected.
B. All newly elected Directors shall assume office at the close of the business meeting at the 
Annual Meeting.
C. No Director may serve more than two full terms in the same office.
D. Any amount of time served that equals more than half a term shall be considered a full term of 
office.
Section 4. Vacancies of Directors
A. Vacancies for Directors occurring between Annual Meetings shall be filled for the unexpired 
term by the State Assembly Board of Directors.
Section 5. Duties of the Board of Directors
Directors shall have the following duties:
A. Read and review the State Assembly’s Bylaws annually and any other materials as directed by 
AST.
B. Have the authority to transact business between meetings of the active members.
C. Formulate policies and procedures to be included in the State Assembly Policy Manual. No 
state assembly policy or procedure may supersede or take precedence over the State Assembly 
Bylaws.
D. Foster the growth and development of the State Assembly.
E. Have the authority to establish State Assembly Board of Directors standing committees, the 
composition and duties of which shall be stated in the State Assembly Policy Manual.
F. Review all committee reports and determine action to be taken.
G. Submit a written report to the active members for all State Assembly Board of Directors’ 
activities.
H. Authorize the awarding of all contracts.I. Authorize the exclusive use of the official insignia of the State Assembly.
J. Fulfill any other duties as specified in these Bylaws.
Section 6. Meetings of the State Assembly Board of Directors
A. The State Assembly Board of Directors shall hold at least two meetings per year.
B. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon written request of three members of 
the State Assembly Board of Directors. Written or electronic notice of such a special meeting 
shall be sent at least thirty days prior to the meeting unless waived by a majority vote of the State 
Assembly Board of Directors.
C. Five members of the State Assembly Board of Directors, at least two of whom are officers, 
shall constitute a quorum of the State Assembly Board of Directors.
D. Minutes of all State Assembly Board of Directors’ meetings shall be maintained and available 
for inspection upon request.
Section 7. Voting by the State Assembly Board of Directors shall be by either voice, mail ballot, 
telephone conference call, fax, or any other form of electronic transmission which complies with 
state law.

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ARTICLE IX: Committees

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Section 1. Standing Committees
A. The standing committees shall be Bylaws, Resolutions, and Parliamentary Procedure; 
Education and Professional Standards; and Government and Public Affairs and shall be 
appointed by the President with the approval of the State Assembly Board of Directors.
B. Committee term
1. Committee members may serve for a term of two years, with a maximum of three terms on the 
same committee.
2. All newly appointed committee members shall assume their appointed positions at the close of 
the final business session at the annual meeting.
3.Any amount of time served that equals more than half a term shall be considered a full 
committee term.
C. Duties. The duties and composition of these committees shall be as stated in the State 
Assembly Policy Manual.
Section 2. Special Committees
A. A special committee may be appointed by the President, as the need arises, to carry out a 
specified task, at the completion of which it ceases to exist.
B. Guidelines for such committees shall be as stated in the State Assembly Policy Manual.
Section 3. Eligibility of Committee Members
A. Members of the Bylaws, Resolutions, and Parliamentary Procedure Committee, Education 
and Professional Standards Committee, and Government and Public Affairs Committee shall 
have active membership status in AST.B. Committee members may be removed by the State Assembly Board of Directors based on 
failure to perform, as defined in the AST Policy Manual.
Section 4. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

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ARTICLE X: Official Publication

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Section 1. The official publication of the State Assembly shall be the Texas State Assembly Newsletter (or its published title), and it shall be mailed to each member of the 
State Assembly and the national office.

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ARTICLE XI: Parliamentary Authority

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Section 1. The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the State 
Assembly in all cases not covered by these Bylaws.

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ARTICLE XII: Amendments

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Section 1. Amendments to the national AST Bylaws which are applicable to the State Assembly 
shall be incorporated into the State Assembly’s Bylaws immediately upon adoption by National.

 

ARTICLE XIII: Dissolution

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Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of the State Assembly, all State Assembly assets shall 
be assigned to the AST National Treasury. None of the funds shall inure to the benefit of 
individual members.
Section 2. In the event of the dissolution of the State Assembly, the State Assembly Charter 
document must be returned to AST.
Revised by the AST Board of Directors on April 8, 2011.