ARTICLE I
NAME
This organization shall be known as the Southern Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (hereinafter referred to as “SACPR”), a nonprofit public benefit organization. The Southern Association area includes the states of Alabama and Mississippi. SACPR is affiliated with the national organization, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Section 1:
Statement of purpose:
SACPR is dedicated to the professional development of its members through networking, educational opportunities, and advocacy designed to:
- enhance clinical effectiveness of services;
- promote scientific inquiry;
- advance the knowledge of health professionals and the community at large; and
- advocate for patients and services related to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
Central to the mission is the goal of improving the quality of life for patients and their families.
Section 2:
The purposes for which SACPR is organized are exclusively scientific and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Section 3:
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, this organization shall carry on any activities permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Section 4:
Objectives:
1) Enhance Clinical Effectiveness: Develop a supportive learning environment that facilitates members and programs in implementing evidence-based guidelines and/or recommendations from our parent association, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
2) Promote Scientific Inquiry: Create a supportive environment for ongoing and new research to advance the professional scope of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and provide a forum for sharing results of individual and/or group projects and new research findings relevant to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (e.g., publications and presentations).
3) Advance Knowledge for:
Health Professionals:
- Conduct regularly scheduled workshops and/or meetings to keep members and other interested professionals abreast of current trends in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
- Provide the infrastructure to encourage networking and communication among cardiopulmonary rehabilitation professionals (e.g. association websites, communication trees, newsletters, e-mail or Internet discussion groups, social events, etc.).
And Community at Large:
- Promote and increase public awareness of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation by developing informational resources and seeking opportunities to share with the media, community organizations, reimbursement agencies and other interested individuals or groups.
- Facilitate collaborative, professional relationships with individuals and/or groups connected with agencies and/or groups involved in decision-making policies.
4) Advocacy:
- Advocate for crucial legislation impacting program viability and patient access to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Communicate health policy and reimbursement updates to the membership.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION
Section 1:
The Southern Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, hereinafter referred to as the Association and officially abbreviated as SACPR, is a nonprofit public benefit organization established in 1989 among the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In 1992, Louisiana officially affiliated with the national organization, and in 1994, Arkansas officially affiliated with the national organization. The current Southern Association consists of Alabama and Mississippi and is an affiliate organization of the national organization, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
Section 2:
The principal office of the Association shall be located at the residence of the Treasurer.
Section 3:
The Association shall have within its structure provisions for individual regions. The purpose of the regions is to enhance communication and educational opportunities, with a goal of encouraging local involvement in SACPR and promoting the development of future leaders within the Association.
Section 4:
A Board of Directors shall administer the Association, consisting of the Executive Committee, Chairpersons of standing committees, Medical Advisors, and other members who may be elected or appointed by the President.
Section 5:
SACPR shall pursue formal affiliation with any existing organization whose purposes and activities are consistent with those of the Association. Affiliations shall be established by the SACPR Board of Directors and the governing body of the affiliating organization. The affiliation may be dissolved by action of either organization. SACPR is an affiliate of the national organization, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
Membership in the Association shall consist of the following classes: Standard Member, Emerging Professional Member, and Retired Member, as defined by AACVPR Affiliate Membership. Membership shall be individual and not organizational. Membership shall not be transferable.
Section 2:
The Treasurer shall keep a roll of all current members as provided by AACVPR.
Section 3:
Membership shall not be denied to anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, or medical condition. Every applicant for membership shall meet the minimum requirements for one of the following membership classes:
Standard Member:
A Standard Member shall be any interested person who is a physician, medical scientist, healthcare practitioner, including, but not limited to, a nurse, exercise physiologist, physical therapist, social worker, psychologist, dietitian, respiratory therapist, or other healthcare professional, who, in his or her professional endeavors, is actively involved in some aspect of cardiovascular (CR) and/or pulmonary (PR) rehabilitation. All SACPR Standard Members shall be Joint Affiliate Members of AACVPR and shall receive all the benefits of a standard AACVPR membership.
Emerging Professional Member:
An Emerging Professional Member shall be:
- Any interested individual currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a professional interest in cardiac and/or pulmonary rehabilitation who has not previously worked in a CR or PR setting;
- An individual currently participating in a postdoctoral residency or fellowship program; or
- An individual with no more than two years of experience in any healthcare role.
Emerging Professionals shall be required to provide confirmation that they qualify under one of the aforementioned categories via a copy of a transcript or written affirmation from a faculty member or supervisor.
Retired Member:
A Retired Member shall be a SACPR/AACVPR member who is retiring from the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation profession and wishes to remain involved in the professional community. A Retired Member may renew their membership at a discounted rate and shall receive the benefits of membership as determined by the Association.
Section 4:
Privileges and Benefits:
Standard and Emerging Professional Members shall be entitled to all privileges of the Association, including all association services, communications, publications, and other member benefits as the Board of Directors may specify from time to time.
ARTICLE V
The Board of Directors
Section 1:
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Committee, Medical Advisors, Chairpersons of standing committees, and other members who may be elected or appointed by the President.
Section 2:
Members of the Board of Directors shall be Standard Members of the Association.
Section 3:
The Treasurer and State Representatives shall be elected according to the schedules specified in the Bylaws of the Association. Unexpired terms of office or vacancies therein, with the exception of President, may be filled for the remainder of the term by appointment of the President. Board Members shall assume their official duties on July 1.
Section 4:
Any vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled for the unexpired term by the President-Elect.
Section 5:
During the temporary absence of the President, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE and BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1:
Executive Committee
1.1 The Executive Committee shall consist of the Board Members of the Association, including the President, President-Elect, Member(s)-at-Large, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, and State Representatives.
1.2 The President of the Association shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee.
1.3 The Executive Committee shall perform routine administrative and corporate functions related to the affairs of the Association.
1.4 The Executive Committee shall meet at the calling of the President or upon the written request of two other members of the Committee. Decisions of this Committee shall be subject to the review of the full Board of Directors.
1.5 A quorum for the transaction of business by the Executive Committee shall consist of a majority of the body. In the absence of a quorum, business may be transacted for either body by email or phone vote.
Section 2:
Board of Directors
2.1 The Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall include the Executive Committee (President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Member(s)-at-Large, Treasurer, and State Representatives), Chairpersons of standing committees, Medical Advisors, and other members who may be elected or appointed by the President.
2.2 The President of the Association shall serve as the Chairperson of the Board.
2.3 The Board shall be solely responsible for matters of policy, contractual obligations, and approval of the annual budget.
2.4 The Board, in any given year, shall consist of no fewer than three members.
2.5 Elected Board Members shall be active members of the Association and represent the specialty professional fields of the membership.
2.6 The Board shall implement its policies and conduct the business of the Association through the President. The President may delegate certain business activities to other Board members as appropriate.
2.7 Elections shall be held annually. The primary professional experience of each nominee shall be listed for the information of the voters.
2.8 The Board shall meet at least twice per year. One of these meetings shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Conference of the Association. Additional special meetings of either the Board or the Executive Committee may be called by the President or upon request of at least two additional Board Members.
2.9 In the event of a death, resignation, or other action resulting in a vacancy on the Board, the vacancy shall be filled on an interim basis by a Member of the Association appointed by the President. The appointee shall serve until a new, duly elected Director is certified as elected. Elections to fill vacancies shall occur during the general election period.
2.10 A Member of the Board or Executive Committee who is absent from a meeting of the Board or Committee may designate another member to cast a proxy vote on their behalf. The proxy designation must be submitted in writing by the absent Member and provided to the President or the President's designee before the vote is taken.
Section 3:
Conflict of Interest
A Member of the Board may not take any action in their official capacity with the Association in any matter in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including, but not limited to, instances in which they have a personal interest in the matter, whether direct or indirect and whether financial or otherwise. However, a Board Member may participate in such a matter if the majority of the Board of Directors approves the action after the Board Member has fully disclosed the conflict of interest.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Section 1:
The standing committees of the Association shall be the Membership & Communications Committee, Program & Professional Education Committee, and Health Policy & Reimbursement Committee.
Section 2:
The President may appoint or dissolve ad hoc committees as necessary. Ad hoc Committee Chairpersons shall not have voting rights.
Section 3:
The Chairpersons of standing committees shall hold office until their successors have been duly appointed by the President at the end of their term or until their resignation.
Section 4:
The Committee Chairperson, in consultation with the President and the Executive Committee, shall appoint all committee members. Committees should consist of at least three active Members.
Section 5:
Committee Chairpersons shall report, when requested, at meetings of the Board and of the Executive Committee.
Section 6:
The Chairperson or a member of the Committee designated by the Chairperson shall represent the Committee at the meetings of the Board. Only Chairpersons who are members of the Board shall have voting rights.
ARTICLE VIII
FUNDS
Section 1:
The funds of the Association shall be derived from membership dues, organizational events, endowments, gifts, grants, bequests, and such other sources as the Board sanctions.
Section 2:
Funds shall be disbursed upon approval of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for authorized expenses, including, but not limited to, travel expenses, supplies, and mileage. Mileage shall be reimbursed at the current rate allowed by law.
Section 3:
The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of each year.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
Section 1:
Regularly scheduled business meetings of the Association shall be held to conduct corporate business, certify the election of Board Members, and conduct such other business as the Board of Directors may designate.
Section 2:
The Association shall conduct an Annual Conference that shall include continuing education and sessions on scientific, clinical, and professional topics pertinent to the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. Attendance at the Annual Conference shall be open to all, whether members of the Association or not.
Section 3:
The Program and Professional Education Committee shall make arrangements for the Annual Conference, including the selection and approval of the date and location, speakers, and all relevant content.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution may be initiated by a proposal signed by at least five members in good standing. The proposal shall be delivered to the President in writing at least four months prior to the Annual Conference. Within thirty days thereafter, the President shall notify Members of the Association of the proposed amendment. Amendments may also be initiated by a majority vote of the Board at least thirty days prior to the Annual Conference. In such cases, the President shall notify members of the proposed amendment with the information routinely distributed to them concerning candidates for election to the Board. The President shall present the proposed amendment to the Members for a vote. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the Members attending the Annual Conference shall be required to adopt any amendment.
ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
Section 1:
The Association shall not be dissolved if twenty or more Members in good standing vote against dissolution. No proposal for dissolution shall be considered unless at least four weeks’ written notice has been provided to each member of the Board of Directors.
Section 2:
In the event of the dissolution of the Association, its assets shall be distributed to one or more organizations engaged in activities similar to those for which this Association was established, provided that such organization or organizations are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, or to the federal, state, or local government for exclusive public purposes. The Board shall be responsible for selecting the organization or organizations in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
Section 3:
Upon dissolution, the Association shall file the appropriate Articles of Dissolution and any required documentation with the Internal Revenue Service and other applicable governmental authorities in accordance with federal and state law.
This Constitution of the Southern Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation has been duly reviewed, revised, and adopted by a vote of the Board of Directors.
Original Date of adoption: November 11, 1989
Revision: April 7, 1990
Revision: September 1998
Revision: June 3, 2000, with effective date: May 21, 2002
Revision: June 18, 2004
Revision: April 15, 2010
Revision: March 25, 2011
Revised Date of adoption: July 25, 2026
Effective Date of this adoption is: August 20, 2026
Signed: 2026 SACPR Board of Directors
President, Kathleen Drew
Interim President-Elect, Lori Walters
Immediate Past President, William Langston
Members-at-Large, Joshua Wood and Cole Burton
Treasurer, Julianne Tutor
Alabama State Representative, Kathe Briggs
Mississippi State Representative, Jeanne Carlson
Appointed Board Members, Jordan Howe and Jason Hitchcock