FORMER INTERPOL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Post Office Box 1971
Buford, Georgia 30515
BY-LAWS
OF
THE FORMER INTERPOL
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
FIOA
Post Office Box 1971
Buford, Georgia 30515
U.S.A.
(Revised 03/03)
BY-LAWSOF
THE FORMER INTERPOL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
PART I - ASSOCIATION SEAL
Article
I
The seal of the Former INTERPOL Officers Association, (hereafter referred to as the Association), shall consist of a representation
of the globe with a representation of the scales of justice appearing above the globe. The name of the Association appears
in umbrella fashion over the scales of justice. In one pan of the scales the word FIDELITE' appears and in the other pan the word FRATERNITE' appears. On an unfurled ribbon,
under the figure described above, appears the Latin phrase, "Aut viam inveniam aut faciam”,
(literally translated, "I'll either find a way or make one"). This phrase is the motto of the person who carries on, unwilling
ever to admit defeat. Such a person is determined not obstinate. This phrase exemplifies the determination to get the
job done that is the hallmark of the INTERPOL Officer. The colours of white and light blue, (The shade of blue used by international
organizations such as INTERPOL, The United Nations, etc.), shall be used for the seal when in full colour.
PART 11 - OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Article 2
The official languages of the Association shall be (a) For National Chapters
- the language of the country or countries wherein the Chapter is located, and (b) For Regional and International offices
- the official languages shall be the same as that of INTERPOL, (currently-. French, English, Spanish and Arabic).
PART III - OFFICIAL CURRENCY
Article 3
The official currency for conducting financial business within the Association shall be (a) For National
Chapters - the currency of the country wherein the Chapter is located, and (b) For Regional and International offices - the
official currency shall be United States currency.
PART IV - MEMBERSHIP
Article 4
ACTIVE membership shall be open
to anyone who served for a period of six full months or longer at the INTERPOL General Secretariat in either Lyon, France
or St. Cloud, France or anyone who is currently serving or who previously served for six full months or longer at the National
Central Bureau of any member country of INTERPOL. Prospective members must have served with loyalty to their own nation and
service, to INTERPOL, and to the law enforcement profession. (Prospective members who are currently serving at the Interpol
General Secretariat are not eligible to join the FIOA until the day after their final day of service at the General Secretariat).
Article 5
ASSOCIATE membership shall be open to men and women
who wish to meet and associate with members of law enforcement from all over the world and who wish to demonstrate their support
of the goals and mission of the international law enforcement community, INTERPOL, and the FIOA.
Article
6
Applications for ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE membership shall be made in writing on the form provided by the Association and
sent to the FIOA. Applications for membership in the Association shall bear the names of at least two ACTIVE members in good standing who endorse the applicant’s membership application.
The application shall be accompanied by membership dues as set forth in PART XI of these by-laws. Upon unanimous approval of the FIOA Membership Committee
the applicant shall be declared admitted to membership. The requirements of length of service and/or the recommendation of
two ACTIVE members may be waived by a majority vote of the
Membership Committee if the application is otherwise approved by the Membership Committee.
Article 7
In the event the vote of the Membership Committee
is not unanimous, or should adverse information about the applicant be communicated to the Membership Committee by any member
in good standing of the Association; the Membership Committee shall obtain a report from the Chairman of the National Chapter
of the country wherein the applicant resides and a report from the Chapter Chairman of the National Chapter of the country
wherein the applicant's LAST duty assignment with INTERPOL
is located (If different from the country of residence), and then shall refer its file on the application, with its recommendation,
to the Board of Directors of the Association. Approval of the application by a majority of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee present at any regular or special meeting shall constitute admission to membership.
Article 8
If an application for membership
is rejected, a renewal of such application shall not be accepted for consideration by the Membership Committee for a period
of one year from the date of rejection, and upon a second rejection by the Association, the applicant shall not thereafter
be eligible for membership unless approved by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee for further consideration
by the Membership Committee. Approval of such applications shall be by majority vote of the Board of Directors or of the
Executive Committee present at any regular or special meeting.
Article 9
(a) Resignation. A resignation shall be in
writing, signed by the member, addressed to the Secretary, and upon its receipt shall be presented at the next meeting of
the Board of Directors or Executive Committee for acceptance. After considering the status of the dues or assessments owed
by such member at the time of receipt of his/her resignation by the Secretary, the effective date of resignation shall be
determined by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee.
(b) Nonpayment of Dues or Assessments. Failure to pay timely
any dues or assessments provided by PART XI of these By-laws
shall be reason for termination of a membership in the Association by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
No membership shall be terminated for this reason unless, (1) such dues or assessments are delinquent for at least 90 days,
and (2) after a 60 day period has elapsed following written notification to be forwarded by mail to the member involved at
the last mailing address shown on the records of the Association. After complying with the requirements of (1) and (2) above,
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may terminate a member for nonpayment of dues or assessments and in its
action shall determine the effective date of such termination and instruct the Secretary to notify the delinquent member of
such action in writing. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may reinstate such member and, in hardship cases,
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may waive dues or assessments owed by a member.
(c) Expulsion. The
Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of eight or more of its members, may terminate a membership and expel from the
Association any member whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the good name or best interests of the Association or its members.
Such action shall not be taken until after a hearing before a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which
the member charged with such conduct has been afforded an opportunity to be present, answer the charges and present a defense,
either in person or through a fellow member on his/her behalf. Sixty days prior to the hearing date set by the Board of Directors,
written notice of the hearing and proposed action shall be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to such member
at his/her last mailing address shown on the records of the Association.
(d) Suspension. The Board of Directors or
the Executive Committee shall have the authority to suspend any member at the time the written notice in (c) above is sent
notifying the member of the hearing for termination of membership. Any member, who is convicted of a felony or other SERIOUS crime in the country where the crime is committed, shall
have his/her membership terminated on the date of conviction without the necessity of any action by the Board of Directors
or the Executive Committee. Should the member later be exonerated of this crime by an appeals court, he/she would likewise
be eligible for immediate reinstatement by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. In this instance the member
would not owe any dues or assessments for the period when he/she was not a member in good standing of the Association.
Article 10
Life Membership
in the Association may be awarded to and bestowed upon any deserving ACTIVE
member by an affirmative vote of eight or more members of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. The criteria
for being awarded a Life Membership shall be established by the Board of Directors. Upon the unanimous affirmative vote of
the Board of Directors, a Life Membership may be awarded regardless of the member's age or length of membership in the Association.
The Board of Directors may award no more than one (1) Life Membership in any one-year period. The honoree must be an ACTIVE member in good standing prior to his/her being considered
for a Life Membership Award. Upon being awarded a Life Membership, a member shall be exempt from any further payment of dues
or assessments to the Association as provided in PART XI
of these By-laws.
PART V - INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
Article
11
The International Officers of the Association shall
be the President, International Vice-President, Vice-President Europe, Vice-President Middle East, Vice-President Asia, Vice-President
North America, Vice-President South America, Vice-President Africa, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President, International
Vice-President, Regional Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of five (5) years or until their
successor takes office. International Officers are elected for a five-year term and may stand for re-election for one additional
five-year term only to the same office. If nominated, they may stand for election to another International Office at the
end of their first or second elected term. International officers cannot concurrently hold an elective office in their National
Chapters but may do so at the end of their elected years of service as an International Officer.
Article 12
All International Officers
shall be ACTIVE members of the Association and shall be elected
by the ACTIVE members of the Association. The International
Vice-President, Regional Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected in the manner and form set forth in PART VIII of these By-Laws and shall take office immediately upon
adjournment of the annual meeting following their election. The International Vice-President shall automatically become President
at the conclusion of his/her term as International Vice-President unless the President stands for re-election and is re-elected.
Should that be the case, the International Vice-President must have been standing for re-election or he/she would then be
replaced by the newly elected International Vice-President.
Article 13
Each of
the Regional Vice-Presidents shall reside in the geographical region he/she represents. The regions are set forth as follows:
Vice-President North America - Canada, Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica,
Honduras, Guatemala, Cuba,
Belize, Aruba,
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados,
Dominican Republic, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti,
St. Lucia, St. Vincent and
the Grenadines,
St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Netherlands
Antilles, and the United States of America.
Vice-President South America - Colombia, Argentina,
Uruguay, Peru, Chile,
Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Ecuador,
Guyana, Surinam, El Salvador, and Trinidad
and Tobago.
Vice-President Middle East - Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman,
Turkey, Jordan,
Syria, Afghanistan, Qatar, Pakistan,
Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Vice-President Africa - Egypt, Ethiopia,
Sudan. Libya, Niger, Chad, Mali,
Tanzania, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda,
Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina-Faso, Ivory Coast,
Rwanda, Swaziland, Togo, Sierra Leone,
Liberia, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
Somalia, Kenya, Congo, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sao Tome
and Principe, and Mauritius.
Vice-President Europe - Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland,
Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Estonia,
Latvia, Lithuania,
France, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Moldavia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Switzerland, Luxembourg,
Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Netherlands, Portugal, Azerbaijan, Andorra, Georgia, Belarus, Cyprus,
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Uzbekistan, The Netherlands, and Russia.
Vice-President Asia - Japan, China,
India, Australia, Indonesia, Republic of
Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Nepal,
Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Marshall Islands, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Tonga.
Article
14
Election to one of the International Officer positions shall be deemed to have also been elected as a member of the Board
of Directors for a term coincidental with the term of the International Office to which elected.
Article 15
There shall be three members-at-large of the Board of Directors elected from
the ACTIVE members of the Association. They shall be elected
for terms of five years each and shall take their place as Members-at-Large immediately upon adjournment of the annual meeting
after his/her election. The immediate Past President shall continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for a
five-year period following his/her term of office as President.
Article 16
To be considered a "qualified candidate" as that term is used in these By-Laws, a candidate for nomination
or election to any of the International Offices in the Association shall have been an ACTIVE member for a period of at least three years and shall be an ACTIVE member in good standing at the time of nomination and election.
Article 17
Candidates for any international office shall be
nominated in the manner set forth in PART VIII of these by-laws.
Article 18
The President
shall preside at all meetings of the Association and perform the other duties usually pertaining to the office of President.
In the President's absence; in case of the President's inability to act; or at the request of the President; the International
Vice-President shall preside and perform the duties of President.
Article 19
Each Regional Vice-President shall preside at all regional meetings
held within his/her respective region, and shall perform such other duties as usually belong to his/her office and/or as may
be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Article 20
It shall
be the duty of the Secretary to attend meetings, keep minutes, receive and carry on correspondence, keep and preserve records
and documents pertaining to the Association, give due notice of meetings of the Association and of such committees as may
be appointed by the Board of Directors, and do the other things which are usually associated with the office of Secretary
and to perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
Article 21
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer:
- To
receive and deposit all monies, funds, and credits of the Association to the account of the Association in a banking institution approved by the Board of Directors.
(b) To keep regular accounts of all receipts and disbursements, and to make them available for
inspection by officers and members of the Association.
(c) To
obtain and keep receipts for all disbursements, and to make
them available for inspection by officers and members of the Association.
(d) To
make presentations of the financial status of the Association at meetings of the Association; to prepare and present at each
annual meeting of the Association, a detailed report of the financial affairs of the Association since the last annual meeting;
and to distribute a copy of the annual report to the membership of the Association within thirty days following adjournment
of the annual meeting.
(e) To draw and deliver or to arrange for and supervise the drawing and delivery of checks for every
expenditure on behalf of the Association as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, with all such checks to be signed
by the Treasurer or by such other officers or persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
(f) To
provide a suitable bond, approved by the Board of Directors,
the cost of which is to be borne by the Association.
(g) To perform such other duties and have such other authority and powers as the Board of Directors
may from time to time prescribe or as the President may from time to time delegate.
Article- 22
Should the President resign
or his/her office otherwise become vacant during the term, the International vice-president shall immediately succeed to that
office and the Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members as Acting International Vice-President only for the remainder
of the year of such appointment and until such office of International Vice-President is filled by a special election to be
held in conjunction with the next annual meeting of the Association.
Article 23
Should a Regional Vice-President resign or his/her office otherwise
become vacant during his/her term, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor who shall be a resident of the same geographical
region in which the vacancy occurred only for the remainder of the year of such appointment and until such office of Regional
Vice-President for that region is filled by a special election to be held in conjunction with the next annual meeting of the
Association.
Article 24
Should any other International Officer resign or should his/her office otherwise
become vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor only for the remainder of the year of such appointment and
until such office is filled by a special election to be held in conjunction with the next annual meeting of the Association.
PART VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Article 25
The Board
of Directors shall be composed of the President, the Immediate Past President, the International vice-president, the Regional
Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the three Members-at-Large.
Article 26
The Board of Directors shall have all the powers
and perform all the duties necessary and appropriate to such a board in the general management of the affairs and interests
of the Association. It shall direct the manner and purposes for which all funds of the Association shall be disbursed and
approve all expenditures and disbursements, but it shall have no power to make the Association liable for any debt in excess
of the amount of money in the treasury of the Association at any one time not subject to liabilities already existent. The
Board of Directors may delegate authority to any International Officer or committee of the Association, prescribe additional
duties for International Officers, members, and employees of the Association and may authorize any International Officer,
member, employee or committee to contract for the Association provided such contract is approved by a majority of the Board
of Directors. The Board of Directors shall perform all other duties required of it under these By-Laws; and, as it may deem
advisable, it shall have power to make such rules and regulations, prescribe procedures, and take action in the best interests
of the Association not inconsistent with these By-Laws.
Article 27
The President of the Association
shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Secretary of the Association shall be the Secretary of the Board
of Directors.
Article 28
The Board of Directors shall keep minutes of its meetings, supervise the activities
of National Chapters, direct and supervise publications of the Association and otherwise direct and manage the affairs of
the Association to further its purposes and best interests.
Article
29
There shall be
at least one regular meeting of the Board of Directors, which shall be immediately prior to the Annual International Convention
of the Association. Additional meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President, or at the request of eight
or more members of the Board of Directors. Notice of meetings shall specify the time, date and place of the meeting and will
contain an agenda of the business of the meeting, to the extent practicable. Notice of a special meeting shall state the
purpose for which it is called. Committee Chairmen shall not be required to attend meetings of the Board of Directors unless
their presence is deemed necessary by the President.
Article 30
Eight (8) members shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
PART VII - EXECUTIVE COMMTITEE
Article
31
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, the International Vice-President, the Immediate Past President,
the Secretary, the Treasurer, and one of the three Members-at-Large on the Board of Directors to be selected by a majority
vote of the Regional Vice-Presidents. The term of a member of the Executive Committee shall coincide with that of the President
or for as long as a member of the Executive Committee shall hold the International Office to which he/she was elected should
he/she leave office prior to the end of the President' s term
Article 32
The Executive Committee shall have such powers as may be delegated
to it by the Board of Directors, and in addition shall have such powers as may be delegated to it by these By-Laws. The minutes
of all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be kept in the same book as are kept the minutes of all meetings of the Board
of Directors.
Article 33
The Secretary of the Association shall be the Secretary of the Executive Committee.
In the absence of the President and International Vice-President, the Immediate Past-President shall serve as Chairman of
the Executive Committee.
PART VIII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Article 34
The Nominating
Committee shall make nominations of candidates for election to the International Offices of the Association. Such committee
shall nominate not less than two, nor more than three, qualified
candidates for each International office and shall submit the names of such candidates to the Secretary of the Association
at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of the Annual International Convention of the Association. The Secretary shall
submit a proposed slate of candidates to each member of the Board of Directors at least 75 days prior to the scheduled date
of the Annual International Convention of the Association. Each member of the Board of Directors must respond, in writing,
to the Secretary of the Association with his/her approval or non-approval of the proposed slate of candidates and his/her
response must be received by the Secretary not less than 60 days prior to the scheduled date of the Annual International Convention
of the Association. The proposed slate of candidates shall be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors prior
to the placing of such candidates on the official ballot and the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall be notified of
the results of the Board of Directors’ action.
Article 35
The election of International Officers shall be by vote of ACTIVE members of the Association only and shall be by secret ballot. The Secretary shall cause the official
ballot to be printed and mailed to all ACTIVE members at
least 45 days prior to the scheduled date of the Annual International Convention of the Association. The nomination of a candidate by the Nominating Committee shall not be a prerequisite
to valid election, and any ACTIVE member may write in his/her
vote for any qualified candidate of his/her own choice for any International Office. The date for the return of ballots and
the manner and means of counting and recording the votes shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors.
Article 36
The Board of Directors shall determine the manner and means of the custodial
care of the ballots until they are counted and recorded. Qualified candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each
office on the ballot shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie vote, the election for such office shall be presented
to the incumbent Board of Directors for its determination. Members of the Board of Directors who are standing for re-election
shall exempt themselves from participation in these actions by the remaining members of the Board of Directors. The Secretary
shall certify the results of the election to the President and a notice of the election results shall be sent to all candidates
promptly and to all members of the Association not later than 10 days following the adjournment of the Annual International
Convention of the Association.
Article 37
No candidate shall campaign
for any office in the Association, and no member or National Chapter of the Association, directly or indirectly, shall electioneer
or conduct any campaign for the election of any candidate or member to an International Office of the Association,
PART IX - COMMITEES
Article 38
With the exceptions of the
Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee, and the Membership Committee; the President shall have
the power and the responsibility to appoint additional committees as he/she determines necessary or prudent from within the
ACTIVE membership for the more efficient conduct of the business of the Association. Appointments to such committees shall
be for a period of time specified by the President or until the President's term of office expires.
Article 39
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee at its first regular or special meeting, which shall serve until
its successor is appointed. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of seven ACTIVE members, (one from the membership at large and one from each of the six Regions of the Association set
forth in PART V, Article 13, of these By-Laws). It shall
thereafter be the duty of the Nominating Committee to nominate the candidates for International Office in the manner provided
in PART VIII of these By-Laws. Each member of the Nominating
Committee from a particular Region, after consulting with the Chairmen of the National Chapters and other ACTIVE members within his/her Region, shall designate from qualified ACTIVE members residing in his/her Region, the nominees for the office of Regional Vice-President
for his/her respective Region and he/she shall suggest candidates for the other International Offices (International Vice-President,
Secretary, Treasurer, and candidates for the positions of member-at-Large of the Board of Directors). Upon receipt by the
Chairman of the Nominating Committee of approval by the Board of Directors of the slate of candidates, the Chairman of the
Nominating Committee shall obtain from each candidate the appropriate biographical data and furnish the data to the Editor
of the Association newsletter for publication and distribution to the membership of the Association. The Chairman of the
nominating committee shall also remind each candidate of the prohibition in these By-Laws concerning electioneering and campaigning.
Article 40
The Board
of Directors shall appoint a Membership Committee at its first regular or special meeting, which shall serve until its successor
is appointed. The Membership Committee shall be composed of at least five but not more than seven ACTIVE members. It shall thereafter be the duty of the Membership Committee to receive
and investigate applications for membership in the Association, communicate with the Chairmen of the National Chapters when
they deem it necessary, and to cause the names of potential members to be distributed to the membership of the Association
for their comments should they feel the situation demands it. The Chairman of the membership committee shall certify or report
the actions and the recommendations of the Membership Committee to the Board of Directors, as provided in PART IV of these By-Laws.
Article
41
Each Committee
of the Association shall elect, (from among the members of their Committee), a Chairman and a Secretary. Each Committee shall
also keep minutes of its meetings and furnish copies of the minutes to the Board of Directors not more than 30 days after
the close of each such committee meeting.
PART
X - ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND REGIONAL MEETINGS
Article 42
The Annual International Convention of the Association shall be held at a date and place selected by the Board of Directors.
Whenever possible, the Annual International Convention shall be held on the same dates and in the same city as the Annual
General Assembly Session of the International Criminal Police Organization, (INTERPOL).
Article 43
Each member of the Board of Directors shall be a DELEGATE to the Annual International Convention. Each National Chapter of the Association
shall be entitled to select and send two DELEGATES to the
Annual International Convention. DELEGATES from each National
Chapter shall be appointed by the Chairman of the National Chapter as provided in these By-Laws and such DELEGATES shall be ACTIVE members
in good standing on the records of their respective National Chapters and of the Association.
Article 44
The President
on his/her own volition may call a special meeting of the Association at any time. Upon receipt of a written application
signed by the lesser of 50 ACTIVE members or 25% of the ACTIVE membership of the Association, setting forth the reason
or purpose of a proposed meeting; the President shall call a special meeting of the Association, Except in an emergency situation,
a sixty (60) day written notice of any special meeting and its purpose shall be sent to all ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members.
The President shall decide if a legitimate situation exists which precludes the sixty-day notification only after consultation
with, and agreement by, a minimum of eight members of the Board of Directors.
Article 45
The lesser
of fifty (50) ACTIVE members or 25% of the ACTIVE membership
of the Association shall constitute a quorum at any meeting
of the Association. (This figure shall be reevaluated every year during the Annual International Convention as the number
of ACTIVE memberships increase).
Article 46
Only ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members shall be permitted to attend meetings of the Association or meetings of any National Chapter,
provided, however, that the President or any National Chapter Chairman may permit attendance by non-members.
Article 47
Resolutions which are proposed
to be presented to the general membership of the Association at the Annual International Convention or at any special meeting
of the Association shall first be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for its consideration at least sixty (60)
days prior to the next scheduled meeting or the next Annual International Convention of the Association.
Article 48
Regional meetings of the Chairmen of the National Chapters in all six Regions set forth in PART V of these By-Laws shall be held as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the
Annual International Convention. The date and place of each Regional meeting of the Association shall be fixed by the respective
Regional Vice-President for that Region. The Regional Vice-President shall cause the preparation of a written summary of
each meeting that shall be furnished to the President not later than thirty (30) days following the adjournment of such Regional
meeting.
Article
49
The parliamentary
authority for the conduct of all meetings of the Association and of the National Chapters shall be "Roberts' Rules of Order" (Revised).
PART XI - FISCAL YEAR, MEMBERSHIP
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
Article
50
The Fiscal Year (FY) of the Association shall commence at 0001 hours on January I of each year and shall extend through
2400 hours on December 31 of the same year.
Article 51
The annual membership dues
for all ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members of the Association shall be $30.00 United States Currency (USC), and membership dues must
be paid to the Treasurer on or before December 31 of each year for the next year of membership. The annual membership dues
of $30.00 USC includes payment for the Association newsletter and for the Association Membership Directory. Payment for membership
dues shall be officially declared "DELINQUENT" if not received
by the Treasurer as of 0001 hours, April I of each year. Payment of membership dues after they have been declared "DELINQUENT" shall be accompanied by an additional payment of $I 0.00 USC as a penalty fee
for "DELINQUENT DUES".
Article 52
(a) All applicants for a full year of membership
in the Association as either ACTIVE or ASSOCIATE members shall complete the membership application form and send it along with
payment of the first year of membership dues of $30.00 USC, to the Treasurer of the Association.
(b) All applicants for partial year membership in the Association who apply for membership on
or after July I of the year shall complete the membership application form and send it and the payment of six (6) months membership
dues in the amount of $15.00 USC, to the Treasurer of the Association.
Article
53
Assessments for
any reason shall be proposed only by the Board of Directors, and shall be binding and collectable on members only after the
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Association, taken by mail ballot, returned and counted on the 60th day
following the mailing of the ballot to the membership. If the assessment will impact only ACTIVE members then only votes by ACTIVE
members will be solicited. If the assessment effects only ASSOCIATE
members then only votes by ASSOCIATE members will be solicited.
If the assessment impacts the entire membership of the Association, then votes shall be solicited from all ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members.
PART XII - NATIONAL CHAPTERS
Article 54
Upon receipt of a written petition signed by ten (10) ACTIVE members in good standing, the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may authorize
the formation of a National Chapter of the Association, (hereafter referred to as a Chapter). Petitioners must reside, be
employed, or have a business office within the country for which the Chapter is proposed. Each Chapter shall be named in
a manner that indicates only in which country it is located, (e.g., The United States of America Chapter, The United Kingdom
Chapter, The France Chapter, etc.). Under exceptional circumstances, applicants for a National Chapter may be from two or
more countries. This may be occasioned, for example, by there being insufficient membership of the Association in any one
country to form a viable National Chapter. Written justification for such a multi-country National Chapter must be submitted
to the Board of Directors who will approve or disapprove the request. The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.
Article 55
Upon the issuance of a Chapter charter by the Board of Directors, the petitioners
shall issue an invitation to all known ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members of the Association and all persons eligible for membership in the Association
who the petitioners know reside, are employed, or have a business office in the country or countries covered by the Chapter,
to attend an organizational meeting. At least six of the petitioners must be present at the organizational meeting to constitute
a quorum.
Article 56
The Chapters shall be subject to these By-Laws
and to the rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of Directors for the conduct of the Association and its Chapters.
Article 57
Membership in a Chapter shall be based upon residence, employment, or business
office within the country or countries where the Chapter is located and is limited to ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members in good standing
of the Association. No chapter shall accept a person to membership in that Chapter who has not first applied for and received
either ACTIVE or ASSOCIATE membership in the Association.
Article 58
By a majority vote of the ACTIVE members present at any
regularly called meeting, a Chapter may recommend to the Regional Vice-President of the Association in whose Region the Chapter
is located, the suspension of a member from good standing in the Chapter. The Regional Vice-President shall have authority
to suspend such member from good standing in the Chapter until the next meeting of the Board of Directors where appropriate
action on such membership shall be considered.
Article 59
Chapter meetings shall be held as often as the
membership of the Chapter decides but all Chapters must meet at least two times each year. The Chairman of the Chapter shall
designate the date, place, and agenda for all meetings of the Chapter. The annual meeting of each Chapter shall be held no
later than 45 days prior to the Annual International Convention of the Association.
Article 60
Notice of Chapter meetings shall be given to all
ACTIVE and ASSOCIATE members of the Chapter personally or by mail, at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.
The notice shall set forth the date and place of the meeting, the agenda of the meeting, and such other information about
the meeting as might be of interest to the members.
Article 61
The Chapter Chairman on his own volition may call a special meeting of the Chapter at any time. A
special meeting must be called by the Chapter Chairman Upon the written application of 25% of the ACTIVE members of the Chapter, (but not less than three ACTIVE members of the Chapter), setting forth the purposes and reasons of the proposed special meeting. Notice
of the special meeting shall be sent to all Chapter members at least 30 days before the date of the meeting and shall indicate
the purpose for which the special meeting is being called.
Article 62
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the ACTIVE members of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
at any regular or special meeting of the Chapter, provided that the minimum quorum shall be three ACTIVE members of the Chapter.
Article
63
The officers
of a Chapter shall be a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary,
and a Treasurer, each to be elected at the annual meeting of the Chapter or by mail ballot as determined and prescribed by
the Chapter members.
Article 64
The officers of a Chapter shall serve for a five-year period beginning on the date of their election.
Article 65
The resignation of a Chapter Officer shall be tendered in writing to the Board
of Directors of the Association and the Board of Directors may remove any officer for cause. If a vacancy occurs in the office
of Chapter Chairman, it shall be filled immediately by the Vice-Chairman who shall appoint an ACTIVE member of the Chapter to complete the un expired portion of the term of office of
Vice-Chairman. If a vacancy occurs in any other office of the Chapter, it shall be filled by appointment of an ACTIVE member of the Chapter by the Chapter Chairman for the un expired portion of that term.
Article 66
It shall be the duty of the Chapter Chairman to perform the duties of the Chief
Executive Officer of the Chapter, preside at Chapter meetings, and maintain close liaison with the Regional Vice-President
for his/her Region and the Association.
It shall be the duty of the Vice-Chairman of the Chapter, in the absence of the Chapter Chairman, to perform the duties
of the Chapter Chairman.
Article 67
It shall be the duty of the Chapter Secretary:
(a) To
attend meetings of the Chapter and to keep the minutes of all proceedings of such meetings. The Secretary shall send a copy of all meeting minutes to the President of the Association and
a copy of all meeting minutes to the Regional Vice-President
of the Region in which the Chapter is located.
(b) Maintain
a current roster of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all members of the Chapter.
(c) To hold safely as custodian for the Chapter, all books and records which he/she is required
to keep or which come into his/her possession, custody, or control by virtue of his/her office and upon completion of his/her
term of office, to turn over to his/her successor all such books and records.
(d) To give due notice of Chapter meetings to all Chapter members.
- To promptly solicit for membership
into the Chapter, all newly admitted members of the Association
who reside, work, or have a business office in the country or countries wherein the Chapter is located upon receiving notification
of such admission to membership in the Association.
- To promptly notify newly elected Chapter Officers of their election.
- To appropriately
notify all Chapter members of the amounts and the due dates of Chapter dues and assessments.
(h) To perform such other duties as his/her office may require.
Article 68
It shall be the duty of the
Chapter Treasurer:
(a) To receive and to deposit
into an account in the name of the Chapter in a banking institution, all the monies, securities, funds, and monetary credits
of or on behalf of the Chapter.
(b) To take, receive, hold, and
to safely keep, as custodian for the Chapter, all property and other physical assets which may come into the ownership, possession
or control of the Chapter.
(c) To keep regular accounts of
all receipts and disbursements in suitable books provided for that purpose, and to make such books and records available at
all reasonable times for inspection by all officers and members in good standing of the Chapter and by authorized representatives
of the Board of Directors-
(d) To obtain, keep, and produce,
if called upon to do so by any Chapter member in good standing, receipts covering all disbursements where ever it is possible
and practicable to obtain them.
(e) To prepare and to submit at
the Chapter's annual meeting, an annual report of all receipts, disbursements, and balances of the assets of the Chapter.
(f) To draw, sign, and deliver checks for every expenditure of the Chapter,
which has been authorized by the Chapter Chairman.
(g) To perform such other duties as his/her office may require.
Article 69
Subject to such additional conditions as may be determined by the Chapter, any member of the Chapter
who is an ACTIVE member in good standing with the Association
and the Chapter, shall be eligible to be elected to any office of the Chapter.
Article 70
The Nominating Committee of a Chapter shall consist
of three (3) ACTIVE members of that Chapter, none of which
shall be an International or Chapter Officer of the Association. The members of the Chapter Nominating Committee shall serve
for five years or until their successors are appointed and assume office.
Article 71
The members of the Chapter Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Chapter
Chairman, at least three (3) months prior to the annual meeting of the Chapter held in the year that an election of Chapter
Officers is to take place.
Article 72
It shall be the duty of the Chapter Nominating Committee:
(a) To
elect a Chairman of the Nominating Committee from among themselves and to otherwise provide for the operation of the Committee.
- To nominate, from among the ACTIVE members of the Chapter
in good standing, candidates for election to the offices of Chairman,
Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer.
(c) To submit in writing the names
of its nominees to the Chapter Secretary not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting of the Chapter held in the year that election of Chapter Officers is to take place.
Article 73
The election of Chapter Officers shall be held at the annual meeting of the
Chapter or by mail ballot, as determined and prescribed by the Chapter members.
Article 74
If such
election is held at the annual meeting of the Chapter, nominations of ACTIVE
members for the elective offices may be made from the floor by any ACTIVE member of the Chapter and in the event nominations are made from the floor for any of the elective offices
of the Chapter, the election in respect to such office, shall be conducted by a written and secret ballot. The presiding
officer shall appoint one or more election inspectors, none of whom shall be an officer or a nominee, to receive and count
the ballots and to make a report to the presiding officer of the number of votes cast for each nominee. The nominee for each
office receiving the highest number of votes for that respective office shall be declared elected by the presiding officer.
Article 75
If such election is conducted by mail ballot, such ballot shall be prepared, mailed, returned, counted,
and votes recorded at the times and in the manner prescribed by Chapter action or in the Chapter By-Laws. Any such procedure
shall provide that an ACTIVE Chapter member may write in
his/her vote for any qualified ACTIVE member for any office.
Article 76
At, or prior to, the annual meeting of the Chapter, the Chapter Chairman shall
appoint two DELEGATES to the Annual International Convention
of the Association. The Chapter Chairman shall be one of these two DELEGATES
if he/she will be attending the Annual International Convention.
Article 77
At least
30 days prior to the Annual International Convention of the Association, each Chapter Secretary shall advise the Board of
Directors of the Association of the date and results of the most recent Chapter election results, giving the name and address
of each of the elected Chapter Officers and furnishing the names of the Chapter's DELEGATES to the Annual International Convention.
Article
78
Each Chapter
Chairman shall designate such committees as are deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the Chapter. The Chapter Chairman shall, at a minimum, appoint a Nominating Committee, a Family
Affairs Committee, and a Chapter Historian.
Article 79
By a majority of its ACTIVE members voting, a Chapter may prepare, adopt, or amend the Chapter By-Laws provided, however, that they are in conformity with the By-Laws of the Association, and
any applicable rules or regulations made by the Board of Directors. A copy of each Chapter's By-Laws shall be filed with
the Secretary of the Association.
Article 80
The Board of Directors of the Association may amend, cancel, suspend, or revoke
the charter of a National Chapter for cause. Such action of the Board of Directors shall be final and conclusive. Upon cancellation,
suspension, or revocation of the charter of any Chapter, the Board of Directors shall have the right and power through its
designated agents to take possession, custody and control of all the records, property and assets of said Chapter and to make
disposition of them as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable.
PART XIII - PUBLICATIONS
Article 8I
The
Association shall officially publish and distribute to the membership, two publications, and they shall be the Association
newsletter and the Association Membership Directory.
Article
82
The Board of Directors of the Association shall govern the content, policies, distribution, and use of the Association newsletter
and the Association Membership Directory.
Article 83
A copy of the Association Membership Directory
shall be furnished to each new member at the time they are notified of their admittance into membership in the Association.
The Association Membership Directory shall be updated each year and a
new Directory furnished to each member in good standing in June or July of each year.
Article 84
It is the
policy of the Association that the Association Membership Directory shall only be used by members of the Association for personal
reasons. The Directory shall not be used by members of the Association for mass mailings of a commercial nature and shall
not be furnished to or used by non-members of the Association for any reason whatsoever. Any violation of this policy will
result in action by the Board of Directors of the Association.
PART XIV - AMENDMENTS
Article 85
An amendment or amendments to these By-Laws may
be proposed for submission to the total membership of the Association for their consideration only by-.
(a) An
affirmative vote of eight members of the Board of Directors-, or
(b) The
filing, with the Secretary of the Association, a written petition signed by the lesser of fifty (50) ACTIVE members in good standing or 25% of the ACTIVE members in good standing of
the Association, or
(c) A petition in writing that
has been:
(1) First executed by ten Chapter DELEGATES at the Annual International Convention proposing an amendment or amendments; AND
(2) Approved
by a two-thirds affirmative vote of all Chapter DELEGATES present
at the Annual International Convention authorizing its submission to the total membership of the Association; AND
(3) Filed with the Secretary of the Association.
Article 86
These By-Laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes
validly cast for each proposed amendment by ACTIVE members
in good standing. For this purpose a printed, secret ballot shall be mailed to all ACTIVE members in good standing by the Secretary of the Association within a reasonable time after the receipt
by the Secretary of the Association of the amendment proposed in accordance with these By-Laws. Such ballot should be prepared
and mailed to the ACTIVE members at the same time and with
the regular election ballot. The ballots shall be returned and received by the Secretary of the Association within 45 days
from the date of mailing the ballots to the members, and shall be counted and recorded in the manner fixed and determined
by the Board of Directors of the Association.
(Revised 3/03)
