Bylaws

Bylaws of The Institute to Advance Health Equity (ADVANCE)

These bylaws serve as the regulations and rules established by ADVANCE team for internal management.

Article 1 – Name and Objective
  1. Name: The Institute to Advance Health Equity (ADVANCE)
  2. MISSION: ADVANCE fosters social science and health services research to reduce health disparities based on a wide range of social factors and supports collaboration across Ohio University and with our external partners.
  3. VISION: ADVANCE researchers conduct cutting-edge work to reduce health disparities across communities and transform health equity research.
  4. Structure: The institute is a part of the College of Health Sciences and Professions and works as the research partner to the Alliance for Population Health and the Office of Community Relations.

Article 2 – Affiliation and Membership
  1. Who: Ohio University faculty, staff, students and trainees whose research and interests focus on health equity
  2. Benefits of Membership:
    1. Learning and collaborative opportunities
    2. Participation in a research community focused on health equity
    3. Clinical, community and government research partnerships
    4. Shared resources:
      1. Data
      2. Internal funding opportunities
      3. Knowledge and experience (e.g., grant proposals)
      4. Support for faculty research, development and training
    5. Mentorship from Ohio University and external faculty
    6. Visibility for research activity related to health equity

    7. Communication regarding funding and partnership opportunities

      3. Membership types:

      1. Affiliate – Affiliate members will:
        1. Maintain an active research agenda related to health equity and identify ADVANCE affiliation in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
        2. Attend research seminars as available and participate actively in a scholarly community focused on health equity.
      2. Core investigators – In addition to meeting the expectations of affiliate membership, core investigators will:
        1. Maintain research activity in the form of peer-reviewed publications related to health equity each year, actively seek out health equity focused funding opportunities and/or contribute to funded work.
        2. Participate in at least one mentorship activity each year.
        3. Serve on the executive committee of ADVANCE and attend strategic planning meetings as requested by the Co-Directors.
    8. Application for membership
      1. Those interested in membership should submit a CV and membership application, which will be reviewed by the Co-Directors. Faculty, students, and trainees working on health equity-related research are all welcome to apply.
      2. Membership lasts for five years, at which time members will have the opportunity to renew. Renewal considerations will be made by the Director and Associate Director. Insufficient activity during membership term may be cause for nonrenewal.
    9. Student involvement
      1. The institute encourages student and trainee involvement, including current Ohio University undergraduate or graduate students or postdoctoral trainees seeking mentorship and research support.

Article 3 – Organizational Structure
  1. CO-DIRECTORS: The Co-Directors will be appointed by the Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP) with consultation of deans outside of CHSP as appropriate. The term of service is five years with an opportunity for reappointment. The Co-Directors will provide administrative and financial oversight to the institute to support its mission; facilitate interactions among members and outside constituents; build infrastructure that supports health equity research, collaboration, and community outreach; and seek funds to sustain and expand the obligations of the institute.
  2. Executive Committee: The Executive Committee, comprised of core members, will provide guidance to the Co-Directors on relevant ADVANCE strategic initiatives and allocation of resources. Members will contribute to strategic planning based on their expertise and its intersection with health equity. The Executive Committee will work with ADVANCE administration to implement institute initiatives, review proposed changes, and provide feedback on the direction of the institute.
    1. Membership: The executive committee will consist of all active core investigators unless the number of core investigators exceeds seven members (not counting Co-Directors). If core membership exceeds seven members, a nomination and election process will be instituted via bylaw amendment.
    2. Meetings: The Executive Committee shall meet once each academic semester (fall and spring). Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed by the ADVANCE Executive Director.
  3. Advisory Board: The Advisory Board will provide external guidance to support ADVANCE strategic goals.
    1. Membership: The Advisory Board shall consist of individuals external to Ohio University not to exceed five members representing the healthcare, government, community, industry and/or education/academia sectors in Ohio. Potential members will be identified, invited, and voted on by the Executive Committee. Term of service is three years.
    2. Meetings: The Advisory Board will meet at least twice annually. Meetings of the board will be called by the ADVANCE Co-Directors. Members may be invited to participate in strategic working groups throughout the year; participation in these groups is voluntary.

Article 4 – Amendments
  1. Amendments: These bylaws may be amended, when necessary, by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the ADVANCE Co-Directors to be shared with the Executive Committee prior to bi-annual meetings.