Preamble to the Constitution of the NSSA

Over the past 40 years the unique characteristics of the neutron as a probe of condensed matter has transformed much of our fundamental understanding of the physics and chemistry of materials. During the last two decades new generations of cold, thermal and epithermal neutron instruments have been developed that have extended the wave vector range and energy resolution of neutron scattering experiments by orders of magnitude. These developments, along with more powerful research reactors and pulsed spallation sources, have opened up new research possibilities in physics and chemistry, and greatly expanded the applications of neutron scattering into other areas, especially materials science, polymer science, and biology.

Concomitant with these exciting developments, the Neutron Scattering Society of America is formed to provide a forum to discuss scientific issues, major facilities and instrumentation needed for world-class research in neutron scattering. The main goal of the Society is to stimulate, promote and broaden the use of neutron scattering in science, engineering and technology.

Revisions were approved by vote of the membership, November 2020.

Description of the Executive Committee positions

For convenience, the following descriptions are reproduced here directly from the bylaws.

The President

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society and, subject to the direction and under the supervision of the Executive Committee, shall have general charge of the business, affairs and property of the Society and control over its Officers, agents and employees; shall represent the Society; shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and the members at which they are present; and shall do and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by these Bylaws or by the Executive Committee. The President shall not be an employee of a major neutron facility.

The Vice President

At the request of the President or in the event of their absence, disability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall also have such powers and discharge such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the President or the Executive Director. The Vice President should not be a director of a major neutron facility.

The Secretary

The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Society; act as custodian of the records of the Society and of the Executive Committee; see that all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept and filed; and, in general, perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of Secretary and perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be assigned to them by these Bylaws, the President or the Executive Committee. Any member of the Society, regardless of affiliation with a major neutron facility, may hold this office.

The Membership Secretary

The Membership Secretary shall monitor membership of the Society; maintain and update the membership list of the Society; have charge over the recruitment of new members; oversee the balloting process for the Officers of the Society; and perform such other duties as the President or the Executive Committee shall prescribe. Any member of the Corporation, regardless of affiliation with a major neutron facility, may hold this office.

The Communications Secretary

The Communications Secretary shall maintain the Society’s website; prepare brochures and posters advertising the Society’s activities and programs; write articles on the Society’s activities and programs; coordinate and arrange for publication of such articles in various media; and perform such other duties as the President or the Executive Committee shall prescribe. Any member of the Society, regardless of affiliation with a major neutron facility, may hold this office.

The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have supervision of the funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Society; cause all monies and other valuable effects of the Society to be deposited in its name and to its credit in such depositories as shall be selected by the Executive Committee, if pursuant to authority conferred by the Executive Committee; cause to be kept at the accounting office of the Society correct books of account, proper vouchers and other papers pertaining to the Society’s business; render to the President or the Executive Committee, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Society and of their transactions as Treasurer; and, in general, perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of the Treasurer and perform such other duties and have such other powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by these Bylaws, the President or the Executive Committee. Any member of the Society, regardless of affiliation with a major neutron facility, may hold this office.