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CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
ARTICLE
1-
PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY
Section 1.
Name and General Membership Requirement This
organization shall be known as the
Section 2. Purpose
A. The purpose of the ARKANSAS CHAPTER,
NENA shall be to:
Foster the development, availability and implementation of a universal emergency
telephone number common to all jurisdictions through research, planning,
training, and education; represent its members before communication regulatory
agencies and policy making bodies as appropriate; and strive toward citizens
having immediate access to emergency public safety services so that safety of
human life, protection of property, and civic welfare are benefitted to the
utmost degree;
.D.
Provide for
membership in this Association in accordance with the language and intent of its
Constitution and Bylaws which are now, and may later be, in effect. Membership
shall not be limited other than by classification and good character, and shall
have such rights and privileges as may be provided from time to time.
Section 1. Membership Designations
The membership of this
Association shall be divided into the classes of ACTIVE MEMBER, COMMERCIAL
MEMBER, ASSOCIATE MEMBER, and LIFETIME MEMBER. Lifetime Member requires no
annual member fee.
Members shall be admitted in
accord with the classification requirements set forth in this Article.
Membership shall not be denied' on the basis of race, color, creed, national
origin, sex, age or numerical limitation. All members are eligible to serve on
committees if appointed. 1.1 Active Member
The following shall be
eligible for ACTIVE membership in this Association: any administrative,
supervisory and telecommunication personnel responsible for planning,
organizing, staffing, directing, controlling and operating functions required
in the design, promotion, construction, installation, maintenance, command
and/or operation of local 9-1-1/public safety communications systems who are
employed or salaried by federal, state, or local government agency, or an agency
substantially supported by government funds. 1.2 Commercial Member
The following shall be
eligible for COMMERCIAL Membership in this Association: those persons in the
business sector who receive the majority of their compensation from the design,
manufacture, sale, service, maintenance, lease, rental or promotion of equipment
or systems which are used or can be used in public safety emergency systems; and
those persons who are engaged in writing, publishing, advising and consulting in
the public safety emergency communications field or who distribute goods and
represent companies, firms or persons including themselves and others who profit
materially from such activities.
1.3
Associate Member
Those persons not eligible
for, or restricted from, the ACTIVE or COMMERCIAL class of membership shall be
eligible for Associate membership. 1.4 Life Member
Life Membership is an honorary
term, determined by a member's regular classification and shall be bestowed by
majority vote of the general membership and such member shall not pay dues but
have all privileges held during regular membership.
Section 2 Dues
The dues rate for each class
of membership in this Association is set forth in Article V of the Bylaws of the
National Constitution and Bylaws, and specifies the rate of dues returned to the
state chapter.
Section 3. Voting and
Officer Restrictions All
members of this association have the right to vote and the right to hold elected
office. Only ACTIVE/or LIFETIME ACTIVE members may hold the elected positions of
President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President. Members may only run
for one position/office.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
Section 1. Designation The
offices of the Association shall consist of the following: President; First Vice
President and Treasurer; Second Vice President and Secretary. All
offices will be filled by election at the Annual Conference of the
Section 2. Election
Procedure
2.1 The
Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall request nominations for particular
offices from the membership
through the Chapter
Publication at least 120 days before the Annual Conference. Nominees must be
eligible to hold the office for which nominated in accord with the Constitution
and Bylaws.
2.2 After
receipt of nominations from the membership, the Nominating Committee will report
a final slate of candidates at least forty days before the date of the Annual
Conference, together with ballots. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot
from this final slate, prepared as required by Bylaws. Article IV
(Nominating Committee), and
this section.
2.3 Election
ballots shall be returned no later than
2.4 Election
to office shall be determined by receiving a simple majority (50% plus 1) of the
votes cast. If more than two candidates compete for the same office and a simple
majority of one candidate is not achieved, the candidate receiving the most
votes shall be declared the winner. ARTICLE
IV - ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Section 1. Definition
The annual meeting of this
Association shall be known as the Annual Conference.
Site and date for the ANNUAL
CONFERENCES of the Association shall be the responsibility of the Executive
Board of Officers. Announcement of future conference sites shall be made at the
close of the ANNUAL CONFERENCE by the Incoming President.
ARTICLE V - TRADEMARK PROTECTION
Section 1.
Statement of Policy
The NENA logo is a registered
trademark and its use, except as specifically provided for in this Article,
shall be strictly controlled by the Executive Board of the National
organization.
1.1 Chapters
are specifically authorized to use the logo for stationery purposes in the
pursuit of their normal business activities.
1.2 The use
of the logo in the manufacture of jewelry and hardware and in conjunction with
the identification and/or commercial activities is expressly prohibited except
as provided for in Section 1.3 herein.
1.3 Any
deviation from the restrictions of Section 1.2 above shall require the express
written authority of the Executive Board of the National Association in each
particular instance.
ARTICLE I - ELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Membership Applications
Applications for membership, and the reporting thereof, shall be executed upon
standard forms as approved and directed by the Executive Board of the National
Association. 1.1 Applications from the State of
A. Persons
residing and/or employed within the state of Arkansas shall submit completed
standard application forms through the Arkansas Chapter, NENA, which holds the
charter for its particular geographical area.
B.
After determining the eligibility and classification of the applicant, the
chapter secretary shall report such membership(s), along with proper dues, to
the National Office.
C. If
the application is submitted directly to the National Office, the Executive
Director shall forward it to the local chapter secretary for processing in order
to verify eligibility and classification and to assure membership at both the
local chapter and national levels.
D.
Reserve the right to elect a commercial member to the position of President,
Vice President Elect in the
ARTICLE II - OFFICERS - GENERAL
Section 1. Terms of Office
Elected officers shall assume
their duties and authorities on the last day of the Annual Conference at which
they were elected. Officers shall remain in office until the installation of
their elected successor or the investiture of their successor, as provided in
section 2 herein.
Section 2. Succession of Office
At the Annual Conference, an
investiture will be held wherein the person holding the office of President, and
the person holding the office of Second Vice President and Secretary shall
succeed to the office of First Vice President and Treasurer.
Section 3. Vacancies in Office
3.1
Vacancies in the offices of President and First Vice President and Treasurer
shall be filled by an advancement in rank, provided that such fulfillment shall
be in acting capacities until the next Annual Conference where the acting
officer shall be eligible for regular investiture to office. Such acting
capacities shall have no otherwise effect upon their normal terms of office or
eligibilities thereto.
3.2
Vacancies in the office of Second Vice President and Secretary shall be filled
by Presidential appointment as confirmed by the Executive Board of Officers, and
such approved appointee shall perform his duties in the acting capacity until
the next Annual Conference where the person so acting shall be eligible for
regular nomination to office.
ARTICLE III. - OFFICERS (DUTIES AND AUTHORITY)
Section 1. President 1.1
Authority
A. Carry out
duties as delegated in this Article, and those policies duly adopted by the
Executive Board;
C.
Authorize reasonable and
proper expenses, up to $250.00 to any Board member for the purpose of specific
Association duties. Such authorization shall be reported to the full Board, by
mail, within 72 hours; 1.2
Duties
In addition to such other
authority, the President's duties shall include the following:
A.
Preside at all meetings of this Association and/or the Executive Board and serve
as Chair of the Executive Board;
B.
Appoint committees in accordance with Article IV of these Bylaws;
C.
Report on the State of the Association to the membership at its Annual
Conference;
D.
Carry out the purposes of this Association as set forth in its Constitution and
Bylaws;
E.
Keep the Executive Board informed of Association matters; and
F.
Make appointments to fill vacancies in office.
1.3 Parliamentary Authority
The President's parliamentary
decision upon the Conference floor shall be final, provided it not be in
conflict with the Conference Rules of this Association and for other matters by
Roberts Rules of Order to the extent practicable.
Section 2. Vice Presidents
2.1 First Vice President and
Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the
First Vice President and Treasurer to perform all the duties of the President in
his/ her absence. When so acting, the First Vice President .and Treasurer shall
have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President and
each officer must cosign all checks in the absence of the President. The First
Vice President and Treasurer shall have such other duties and exercise such
other authority as from time to time may be delegated by the President or the
Executive Board.
2.2 Second Vice President and
Secretary
It shall be the duty of the
Second Vice President and Secretary to perform all the duties of the First Vice
President and Treasurer in his/her absence. When so acting, the Second Vice
President and Secretary shall have all the powers and be subject to all
restrictions upon the First Vice President and Treasurer.
The Second Vice President and
Secretary shall provide for the notice and keeping of minutes and records of the
Annual Conference of this Association, and serve as the Secretary for all
meetings of the Executive Board.
The Second Vice President and
Secretary shall have such other duties and exercise such authority as from time
to time may be delegated or assigned by the President or Executive Board.
Section 3. Executive Board
3.1 Designation
The Executive Board membership
shall include the President, all past Presidents, First and Second Vice
Presidents, and the Chairs of all Special Committees. The Past Presidents and
Chairs of all Special Committees shall meet with and serve the Executive Board
in an advisory capacity, without vote.
3.2 Authority
Authority is hereby provided
for the Executive Board, between Annual Conferences, to perform all functions
and do all acts which this Association might do or perform except it shall not
have the power to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws. Its decisions shall be
final in matters determined "reasonable and proper". It has the power to convene
or poll itself by a majority vote.
3.3 Duties
The duties of the Executive
Board are as follows:
A.
Make appropriate recommendations to the membership at the Annual Conference on
matters considered by the Board since the last Annual Conference;
B.
Supervise all accounts and expenses of the Association, and review the audit of
the accounts of Association;
C.
Review, modify as necessary, and approve the proposed budget of the Arkansas
Association, such budget to show anticipated revenue, expenses and the desired
objective, and anticipated expenses of any projects that are not a part of the
regular activities of the Association. 3.4 Meetings
The Executive Board shall meet
at such times and places as the President shall designate, or as the Board
itself may otherwise deem necessary to be a majority vote of its members. 3.5
Quorum
A meeting of the Executive
Board shall not be official unless attended by a majority of its members.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees
1.1 Nominating Committee
The members of this committee
are the Immediate past President and four other members elected by the general
membership Conference preceding the Annual Conference by at least 90 days.
The Committee shall report a
slate of nominees for Second Vice President and Secretary. The slate of nominees
shall be presented to the membership in accord with the election procedure
stated in the Constitution, Article 3, Section 2.
Section 2. Special Committees
Special committees may be
appointed by the President as necessary. Members of these committees shall serve
at the pleasure of the President, and their terms otherwise shall expire
concurrently with that of the President.
Section 3. Duties of
Committees
Where not otherwise specified,
duties of committees shall be designated by the President.
ARTICLE V - DUES
Section 1. Dues Rates
Annual dues rates for the
National Association are $60.00 per year for each membership classification, and
a designated portion of those dues shall be returned to the
Section 2. Dues Payment Schedule
Membership dues are payable on
the anniversary date of joining. Members who are delinquent over 90 days from
their anniversary date shall be dropped from the membership roll.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
There shall be an official
publication of this Association, which shall be governed by the Executive Board.
Operation of this publication shall be the responsibility of the Executive
Board.
ARTICLE VII - PROCEDURES
Section 1. Amendment Procedure
1.1 Statement of Restrictions
The constitution and/or Bylaws
of this Association may be amended only by a majority vote of the voting
membership, as specified herein.
1.2 Requirements
The proposal to amend the
Constitution and/or Bylaws of the Association shall be honored from any
chapter member. Errors in the format of such proposal shall not be sufficient
cause for rejection.
An amending proposal shall be
submitted by the maker in written form to the Executive Board and its
format shall in order be:
A.
Indication of the name of the maker of the proposal;
B.
Indication of the intent of
the proposal;
C.
Indication of the Annual
Conference where consideration is desired;
D. Indication of the Article(s),
Section(s), and Paragraph(s) of the Constitution and/or Bylaws proposed to be
amended;
E. Proposed amending language.
1.3 Drafting of Resolutions to
Amend
A resolution to amend the
Constitution and/or Bylaws of this Association shall be based upon the required
amending proposal and with the guidance of the Executive Board, it shall be so
devised and drafted by the President. A copy of the draft resolution shall be
provided to the maker prior to publication for his/her concurrence.
Participation by the Executive
Board in these matters shall not be construed to imply their support of the
measures considered therein except when the Executive Board initiates an
amending resolution.
1.4 Required Publication
An amending resolution which
has been processed with the requirements of Section 1.2 and 1.3 of this Article
shall be published and distributed to all members of this Association no less
than thirty days before the Annual Conference for consideration.
1.5 Quorum Revision of
Resolutions
A conference quorum may make
amendments to a resolution to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws by means of a
majority vote on each proposed resolution amendment.
1.6 Effective Date of
Amendments
Resolutions passed and adopted
by this Constitution and/or Bylaws
shall be in force and effect upon the adjournment of the Annual Conference where
considered and adopted, provided an exception to this effect is not otherwise
contained in the language of the resolution adopted.
Section 2. Impeachment
A two-thirds majority vote of
the total membership shall be required for the removal from office of an officer
of this Association.
Section 3. Parliamentary
Procedure
Upon any question coming
before this Association not otherwise specifically provided for in the
Constitution and/or Bylaws, the presiding officer shall be governed to the
extent practicable by Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VIII - DISBURSEMENT OF
ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION
Section 1. Statement of Intent
Should NENA, Inc. be
dissolved, all assets shall be distributed to an organization, or organizations,
of similar purpose as selected by a two-thirds majority vote of an annual
conference quorum, or by the Executive Board if between annual conferences.
ARTICLE IX - ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Section 1. Conference Quorum
Section 2. Conference Rules
Conference rules may be
established by a majority vote of the Annual Conference Quorum. The conference
rules shall be part and parcel of these Bylaws provided the provisions of Bylaws
Article VII, Section 1.5 are waived with respect to the conference rules only.
ARTICLE X - GRANTS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 1. Application for
Funds
The President of this
Association or any member designated by him/her may make application to
philanthropic organizations, corporations, agencies, groups, or persons for
grants or contributions of funds or property for carrying out general or
specific purposes of this Association.
No application shall be made
to, or contribution received from, any person or agency except after a
determination by the Executive Board that a grant or contribution to the
Association would be motivated by the desire to further the purposes of the
Association and not to derive personal benefit or privilege to the donor.
Section 2. Acceptance of Grant
or Contribution
Any member who may be offered
a grant, or contribution, or contract for this Association shall
immediately notify the President and no grant or contribution shall be finally
accepted by the Association except upon approval of the Executive Board. The
terms of any such grant or contribution shall be set forth in writing and signed
on behalf of the Association and the donor.
Section 3. Administration of
Funds
Any grant or contribution of
the Association shall be credited to its general fund unless, under the terms
thereof, a special fund is of such grant or contribution shall follow the
procedure defined for general funds of the Association, unless provided
for otherwise in the terms of the grant or contribution and agreed upon
by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE XI - RETENTION OF
PROPERTY INTEREST
Section 1. Retention of Title
All rights, title, and
interest, both legal and equitable, in and to property of this Association shall
remain in the Association.
Section 2. Requirements for
Return of Property
All property of the
Association in the possession or trust of a member or employee shall be returned
immediately to the Association in the event of his/her death, resignation,
suspension, or expulsion.
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