GOVERNANCE AT NASMS
Stewardship Before Authority
Governance at the North American Sleep Medicine Society is understood first as stewardship. Those entrusted with leadership are responsible not simply for administering the Society, but for protecting its mission, scientific integrity, institutional independence, and continuity for future generations.
NASMS is governed through a constitutional framework designed to balance responsible leadership with accountability, transparency, and scientific independence. Authority exists to serve the institution and its mission—not the interests of any individual.
This philosophy extends beyond the present generation of leadership. Each person entrusted with the Society has a responsibility to preserve what has been built, strengthen it through service and sound judgment, and ultimately pass it forward prepared for those who will follow.
THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE US
The standards through which stewardship becomes institutional practice.
01 — MISSION FIDELITY
Decisions and actions should remain aligned with the scientific, educational, and public-purpose mission of NASMS.
02 — SCIENTIFIC INDEPENDENCE
Scientific inquiry must remain free to follow evidence, question assumptions, and develop across disciplinary boundaries.
03 — ACCOUNTABILITY
Those entrusted with authority are responsible for exercising it carefully, ethically, and in the interests of the Society.
04 — TRANSPARENCY
Governance should be understandable, documented, and conducted with appropriate openness to the NASMS community.
05 — INSTITUTIONAL CONTINUITY
Leadership must protect the knowledge, structure, and resources of NASMS so the institution can endure beyond any individual.
06 — RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP
Each generation of leadership receives something it did not create alone—and carries a responsibility to strengthen it for those who follow.
HOW NASMS IS GOVERNED
An institutional framework designed for accountability, continuity, and scientific independence.
01 — FOUNDATIONAL AUTHORITY
Constitution & Bylaws
The Constitution and Bylaws establish the Society’s fundamental governance framework, defining its institutional purpose, authority, organizational structure, and the principles under which NASMS operates.
PURPOSE · AUTHORITY · STRUCTURE
02 — GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP
Board and Institutional Leadership
Governance responsibilities are exercised through the Society’s established leadership structure, with defined responsibilities intended to preserve accountability, appropriate oversight, and continuity of the institution.
LEADERSHIP · OVERSIGHT · ACCOUNTABILITY
03 — POLICIES & PROCEDURES
From Principles to Practice
Governance policies and procedures translate the Society’s constitutional principles into consistent institutional practice, providing guidance for decision-making, administration, scientific activities, and organizational responsibilities.
POLICY · PROCEDURE · CONTINUITY
THE GOVERNANCE LIBRARY
Foundational, operational, ceremonial, and institutional documents of the North American Sleep Medicine Society.
FOUNDATIONAL AUTHORITY
NASMS-GOV-001
CONSTITUTION
Foundational Authority
Defines the Society’s identity, mission,
foundational principles, and the constitutional
authority under which NASMS operates.
NASMS-GOV-002
BYLAWS
Institutional Structure
Defines the governance structure, offices, responsibilities, membership, committees, and institutional procedures.
NASMS-GOV-003
GOVERNANCE MANUAL
Stewardship in Practice
Defines how governance authority is exercised
through responsible leadership, accountability,
institutional stewardship, and continuity.