ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME

 

The official name of this organization shall be: Answers and Alternatives for Families of the Developmentally Disabled and hereinafter referred to as the “Association.”

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

 

SECTION 1

a) Provide opportunities for parents of the developmentally disabled to network with other families and professionals in order to make informed decisions on quality of life issues that affect their children.

b) The Association was created for educational purposes only and intended to benefit families of the developmentally disabled.

 

SECTION 2

This Association is a not for profit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization.  No part of any earnings shall benefit any member. No officer or director of the Association shall receive any compensation for his or her services as an officer or director, and no part of the activities of the Association shall be directed at attempts to influence legislation or to support any party or political candidate for public office.  

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to all people interested in the purposes and mission of this Association.

 

SECTION 1
Membership may be obtained by submitting the prescribed amount of dues, unless waived by the Executive Committee, and a complete name, phone number, email and mailing address to the Membership Committee.

 

SECTION 2
All memberships shall be on an individual basis.

 

SECTION 3
A member is one whose annual dues are current.

 

SECTION 4
All members shall be eligible to hold office and to vote in person at all membership meetings.

 

SECTION 5
The Executive Committee may suggest an honorary membership.  Such members shall be approved by a vote of the membership.

 

SECTION 6
Control of this Association shall rest with the membership.  Any action of the Executive Committee shall be subject to review by the Association membership.

 

SECTION 7
The President or President’s designee shall be the official volunteer spokesperson (s) for the Association and no other member may speak in the name of the Association without the President’s approval.

 

SECTION 8
Membership lists shall not be published or made available outside the Association.

 

ARTICLE IV - DUES

 

SECTION 1
Members shall pay yearly dues, on an individual basis, as set by the Executive Committee 

 

SECTION 2
Dues are payable at the first meeting of the calendar year.

 

SECTION 3
The Executive Committee may waive dues in specific cases, when the payment of dues would constitute a hardship.

 

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

 

SECTION 1
Regular meetings of the membership shall be held at least eight (8) times per year. (January, February, March, April, May, September, October and November)  All members shall be notified at least one week prior to all membership meetings.

 

SECTION 2
The regular membership meeting in January shall be designated as the Annual Meeting for the election of officers and directors.  The Annual Meeting may not be omitted.

 

SECTION 3
Special meetings may be called by the President or on written application of five (5) members made to the Secretary who shall email notices to all members not less than one week prior to the meeting stating the purpose of the meeting. 

 

SECTION 4
A quorum shall consist of at least 5 members.

 

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

SECTION 1
The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Association, the Immediate Past President, and Co-Chairs of the Membership and Program Committees.

 

SECTION 2
The Executive Committee shall meet at least two (2) times annually.  These meetings are in addition to the general membership meetings, although they may occur on the same date.

 

SECTION 3
A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee.  Executive Committee members must be present in person for the purposes of determining a quorum. Executive Committee actions may be taken on specific issues by a telephone and/or by email poll.

 

SECTION 4
The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Association and shall be empowered to employ and prescribe the duties of professional personnel, as required, to administer the affairs of the Association.  The Executive Committee shall exercise all powers inherent in the Association except those expressly reserved to the membership.

 

ARTICLE VII - TERMS OF OFFICE

 

SECTION 1
The officers of the Association shall serve for a term of two (2) years, beginning immediately following their election.

 

SECTION 2
Co-Chairs for Membership and Program Committees shall serve staggered terms of two (2) years, beginning immediately following their election.

 

SECTION 3
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice-President shall succeed to the presidency.  The Executive Committee shall fill all other unexpired officer vacancies.

 

SECTION 4
If the position of vice president and president are simultaneously vacant, a special general membership meeting shall be called to elect persons for the unexpired term.

 

ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee and shall perform all the duties usually associated with the office of President.  With the advice of the Executive Committee, the President shall appoint the chairpersons and members of all standing and special committees, and supervise their work by serving as an ex-officio member of each committee.  The President shall present an annual report to the membership in January.

 

SECTION 2
The Vice President shall succeed to the presidency in case of a vacancy in that office and shall perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence or inability to serve.  The Vice President shall undertake such other responsibilities as the President may assign.

 

SECTION 3
The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the proceedings of all meetings of the membership and of the Executive Committee.  The Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the members of all meetings and newsworthy updates by email. 

 

SECTION 4
The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each Executive Committee meeting, and at the Membership meeting in January.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt, recording, deposit and disbursement of all Association funds.  The past Treasurer shall deliver to the new Treasurer all funds, records, papers and financial documents in his or her possession. 

 

ARTICLE IX - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

 

SECTION 1

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

It shall be the responsibility of the President to appoint a Nominating Committee to secure candidates for the annual election ballot and to present a slate of qualified, willing and acceptable candidates to the President for approval, and to the membership for a final vote.

 

Nominations shall be presented from the floor. All nominees shall be members in good standing prior to the start of the annual meeting and throughout their term of office. They will also have given their consent to be nominated.  Consent must be in writing if the individual is unable to be present during the election.

 

SECTION 2
Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in January and shall take office immediately following their election.

 

ARTICLE X - STANDING COMMITTEES

 

SECTION 1
Standing committees shall be: Membership, Program, and Finance

 

SECTION 2
The President may appoint Special Committees.

 

ARTICLE XI - DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES

 

SECTION 1
The Membership Committee shall be responsible for securing new members and for the timely renewal of memberships.  It shall keep an up-to-date membership list, including email, street address and telephone numbers.

 

SECTION 2
The Program Committee shall arrange speakers, programs, and topics that contribute to and fulfill the mission statement, and are responsive to the needs and wants of Association members.

 

SECTION 3
The Finance Committee shall discuss a budget for approval by the Executive Committee for the forthcoming fiscal year and assist the Executive Committee in adjusting the budget whenever necessary.  The Treasurer shall serve as Chair of this committee.

 

ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION

 

In the event the Association is dissolved, all property and assets shall be distributed to another charitable organization as determined by the membership.

 

ARTICLE XIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert’s Rules of Order – Newly Revised shall govern the conduct of business in all cases in which they are applicable and not in conflict with the Bylaws of the Association.

 

ARTICLE IV - AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended with an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those members present at a regular membership meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.  Any proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing to each member at least three (3) weeks in advance of the meeting at which the vote is to be taken.

 

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