Preamble
The role of the firearm
and/or tool mark examiner in formulating opinions relative to
evidence which otherwise stands mute before the bar of justice
significantly affects the administration of justice. Fully
qualified firearm and/or tool mark examiners, based on their
training, research, and acquired knowledge, stand prepared to
give voice to this otherwise mute evidence.
In recognition of the need
for the interchange of information, methods, development of
standards, and the furtherance of research, a group of skilled
and ethical firearm and/or tool mark examiners met together
regularly prior to 1969. In that year they formed the
Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners, recognizing that
firearm and tool mark identification, though involving similar
disciplines, requires separate and distinct basic knowledge.
ARTICLE I - Name, Objectives, and Purposes
Section 1
Name:
The name of this organization shall be ASSOCIATION OF FIREARM
AND TOOL MARK EXAMINERS.
Section 2
Objectives and Purposes:
The organization is formed exclusively for charitable,
scientific, educational, and testing for public safety purposes;
and to improve and elevate the quality, integrity, and public
image of the scientific crime laboratories within the meaning of
Section 501(c)3, Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
To accomplish these purposes, the members of this Association
pledge themselves to the following objectives:
A.
To conduct and sponsor seminars involving the theory and
practice of firearm and tool mark examination and its related
subjects.
B.
To foster the exchange of information between scientific crime
laboratories on the improvement and standardization of the
development of firearm and tool mark identification and
techniques.
C.
To publish and issue to members a journal covering the latest
developments in firearm and tool mark examination.
D.
To make unrestricted gifts to universities and those who are
listed in the United States Internal Revenue Service Cumulative
List.
E.
To engage in the testing of firearms, components, ammunition and
examiners for the benefit of public safety.
F.
To respond to requests from courts, judicial tribunals,
executive and legislative branches of the government for the
names of qualified expert witnesses in the field of firearm and
tool mark identification.
ARTICLE II - Offices and Legal Organization
Section 1
Offices:
The Association shall be operated as a "not for profit"
organization with its registered corporate office of business in
the City of Chicago, State of Illinois. Executive headquarters
and business offices may be established in such city and cities
of the United States and elsewhere as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine.
Section 2
Legal Organization:
A.
None of the receipts or assets of the Association shall inure to
the benefit of any individual member. In the event the
Association terminates its activities, any remaining assets are
to be transferred by the last elected officials to a scientific
and/or educational police organization or institution having
similar objectives.
B.
All Officers, members of the Board of Directors, and others,
when so authorized by the Board of Directors when acting
pursuant to their authority in this Association, shall be
reimbursed by the Association for all costs and expenses
incurred on its behalf.
C.
Funds for meeting the expenses of the Association shall be
raised by annual dues, assessments, voluntary contributions, and
such income as may come to the Association through the
collective efforts of its members. No financial obligations of
the Association may be incurred by anyone or any group of
members, except upon the prior authorization of or allocation of
funds by the Board of Directors. All disbursements shall be made
by the Treasurer.
D.
The Association shall defend and represent any member, Officer,
past or present, charter member or incorporating officer for any
liability whatsoever growing out of the incorporating,
chartering, forming, or day-to-day operation of this
Association.
E.
The amount of compensation, if any, deemed by the Internal
Revenue Service or a Court of Law to be excessive shall be
repaid.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Section 1
Eligibility for Membership:
A.
Membership in the Association shall be limited to those persons
of integrity with suitable education, training, and experience
in the examination of firearms and/or tool marks.
B.
For purposes of membership, a practicing firearm and/or tool
mark examiner shall be defined as an individual who derives a
substantial portion of their livelihood from the examination,
identification, and evaluation of firearms and related materials
and/or tool marks; or an individual whose present livelihood is
a direct result of the knowledge and experience gained from the
examination, identification, and evaluation of firearms and
related materials and/or tool marks.
Section 2
Qualifications for Membership Classes:
A.
Provisional Member -
1.
Practicing firearm and/or toolmark examiners and
student/trainees in the profession of firearm and/or toolmark
identification may be accepted as Provisional Members, provided
that they:
a.
conform to Association requirements for candidacy and are
respected members of the community,
b.
derive a substantial majority of their income from actively
examining, identifying and evaluating firearms and related
materials and/or toolmarks,
c.
fully and thoroughly complete the application form,
d.
submit letters of recommendation from three (3) Regular Members
of the Association. In the event the applicant for membership is
unable to obtain letters of recommendation from three (3)
Regular Members, a letter of explanation shall be attached to
the application indicating the reason(s) the recommendations are
not available to the applicant. In the absence of three regular
members who are knowledgeable enough to comment on the merits of
the applicant, the Board of Admissions may consider
recommendations from Provisional Members of the Association,
judges, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, and/or the
equivalent.
e.
At the discretion of the Board of Admissions, the applicant may
also be required to participate in an oral interview or other
form of investigation.
2.
Except by special approval of the Board of Directors,
Provisional Member status shall be held for no more than five
(5) years. In the absence of special approval, Provisional
Members who have not been promoted to the status of Regular
Member after five (5) years will lose all membership rights. Any
excess dues payments remaining shall be converted into a
subscription to the Association's Journal. Extension of
Provisional Membership may also be obtained by direct appeal to
the voting membership at the first regularly scheduled business
meeting of the Association after denial by the Board of
Directors. In such cases, a favorable vote of at least
seventy-five per cent (75%) of the voting members present and
voting shall be required to overturn the action of the Board of
Directors.
3.
Provisional Members enjoy all rights and privileges of Regular
Membership, except that they may not vote or hold office.
B.
Regular Member -
1.
Any Provisional Member in good standing may apply to the Board
of Admissions for promotion to the status of Regular Member
provided that they:
a.
have been a Provisional Member in good standing for at least
three years,
b.
derive a majority of their income from actively examining,
identifying, and evaluating firearms and related materials
and/or toolmarks,
c.
submit a completed application for regular membership form,
letters of recommendation and A Certificate of Application
Qualification@ forms from three Regular Members of the
Association, and a dated and signed letter to the following
effect: "I have completed three or more years of training in the
field of firearm and/or toolmark identification. I am still
actively engaged in the field. I hereby request advancement to
the status of Regular Member. I know of no valid reason why my
request should not be affirmed." The application, letters and
statement should be forwarded directly to the Membership
Secretary.
d.
At the discretion of the Board of Admissions, the applicant may
also be required to participate in an oral interview or other
form of investigation.
C.
Distinguished Member -
1.
To reward a member's superior effort in furthering the work and
purposes of the Association, the class of Distinguished Member
is established. Any Regular Member of the Association who
accumulates ten (10) points by the manner described herein and
who has not been censured or disciplined during the period of
membership shall be advanced to Distinguished Member.
Distinguished Members retain all of the rights and privileges of
Regular Members.
2.
Points toward Distinguished Membership are accumulated in the
following manner:
a.
Attendance at Annual Meeting (one point)*
b.
Association Officer (2 points)
c.
Committee Member (2 points)*
d.
Presentation of Paper at Annual Meeting (2 points)**
e.
Contributions to Journal
1.
Full article, as defined and published by the Journal Editorial
Committee (2 points)**
2.
Case report or technical report as to find and published by the
Journal Editorial Committee (1 point)**
* Maximum of two (2) points toward total of ten.
** Either/or for the same article.
3.
A Provisional Member who accumulates the necessary ten points
prior to becoming a Regular Member shall automatically become a
Distinguished Member upon promotion to Regular Member status.
D.
Emeritus Member -
1.
Emeritus Membership may be conferred upon Distinguished Members
who:
a.
have served as a member of the Association for a minimum of
twenty-five (25) years, or
b.
have reached the age of 65, or
c.
who are retired from their usual place of employment and are no
longer actively engaged in the field of firearm and/or tool mark
examination.
2.
A candidate for this status must be recommended in writing to
the Advisory Committee, who shall determine if the individual
meets the criteria as set forth above. Only Distinguished
Members may recommend individuals for Emeritus Membership. The
names of individuals qualified to receive Emeritus Membership
shall be presented by the Advisory Committee to the membership
at the annual business meeting of the Association. A majority of
the voting members present at the meeting must vote in favor of
Emeritus Membership in order for it to be conferred.
3.
Emeritus Members shall enjoy all rights and benefits of Regular
Membership but shall pay no dues.
E.
Honorary Member -
1.
Honorary Membership may be conferred upon individuals in
recognition of distinguished service to the Association or to
the field of firearm and/or tool mark examination.
2.
Individuals may be nominated for Honorary Membership by any
Regular Member of the Association. Such nominations must be in
writing, be accompanied by the signatures of at least ten (10)
other Regular Members acting as seconds, and must fully describe
the actions or activities that warrant consideration. The
completed documents must be submitted to the Board of Directors
of the Association at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual
business meeting of the Association. The Board of Directors must
present, with their recommendation, the submitted nominations to
the general membership at the Annual Meeting. A majority of
voting members present must vote in favor of Honorary Membership
in order for it to be conferred.
3.
Honorary Members may attend all meetings of the Association but
shall have no other membership rights, nor shall they pay dues.
F.
Technical Advisor -
1.
Designated employees of manufacturers of products used or
encountered in the investigation of firearm or tool mark
evidence, or specialists in closely related fields, whose area
of expertise would be beneficial to the Association, may apply
for membership as Technical Advisors, provided they fully and
thoroughly complete the application form. Except by special
approval of the Board of Directors, Technical Advisor status
shall be conveyed in 5-year increments. At the end of each
5-year segment, Technical Advisors must renew their status
through the application process. Any Advisor who does not
reapply by their 5- year anniversary date will have their
Technical Advisor status terminated.
2.
Technical Advisors may attend all meetings and may subscribe to
the Journal at a reduced rate to be set by the Board of
Directors, but shall have no other membership rights, nor shall
they pay dues.
3.
Change in membership status from Technical Advisor to Regular
Member shall be by submission of a new membership application as
provided under the membership class of Regular Member.
4.
Except by special approval of the Board of Directors, Technical
Advisor status shall be conveyed in 5-year increments. At the
end of each (5) year segment, Technical Advisors must renew
their status through the application process. Any Advisor who
does not reapply by their five-year anniversary date will have
their Technical Advisor status terminated.
Section 3
Termination of Membership - Membership shall be terminated for
the following reasons:
A.
Termination upon request of member. Any member may resign from
membership in the Association by giving written notice to either
the President, Secretary, Membership Secretary, or Treasurer.
B.
Termination for failure to pay dues. Any member who shall fail
to pay annual dues and/or other assessments by July 1 of the
current fiscal year shall not receive the publications of the
Association and may be dropped by the Treasurer from the roll of
members. Members so dropped may be readmitted only upon the
filing of a new application, which shall receive the same
consideration as is given other applications.
C.
Termination for cause. A member may be removed from membership
for cause by action as described in the AFTE Code of Ethics as
adopted by the Association.
Section 4
Voting:
A.
Only Regular Members in good standing shall be entitled to vote
on Association matters.
B.
Proxy voting shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE IV - Meetings
Section 1
Annual Training Seminar
A.
The Association will sponsor at least one training seminar per
year at a time and location to be determined to by the Board of
Directors.
1.
All training seminars shall be designed to be financially self
sufficient. Final fiscal responsibility for all training
seminars shall rest with the Board of Directors. At the time a
meeting location is determined by the Board of Directors, they
shall also determine the following:
a.
The amount of money that shall be made available to the Host
Committee from the Treasury to be used in the initial planning
stages (A seed money@ ),
b.
the maximum amount that may be spent on a single item or event
without express prior approval,
c.
any other restraints or limitations that the Board of Directors
deems necessary.
2.
In all financial matters, the Host Committee shall operate as a
subcommittee of the Office of The Treasurer.
a.
The Host Committee shall maintain all financial records using
the same accounting methods as the Treasurer. The Treasurer
shall supply any necessary computer software and instruction to
the Host Committee, who shall be required to submit regular
financial reports to the Treasurer.
b.
The Treasurer and Host Committee shall establish a meeting
budget which will include line item categories necessary to
monitor income received and expenditures made throughout the
planning and execution of the seminar. This information shall be
used to generate a detailed financial summary of the training
seminar, which will be published in the first AFTE Journal
following the last financial transaction of the training
seminar. A summary of this report shall also be included in the
Treasurer= s Annual Report to the membership.
B.
The purpose of the Training Seminar will be for the
dissemination of information, methods research and other
educational material relating to firearms, toolmarks and
associated areas.
C.
The seminar platform is to be utilized for educational purposes
to discuss topics and information which will further the field
of firearm and toolmark identification. Presentations will be in
accordance with AFTE seminar guidelines.
Section 2
Annual Business Meeting:
The Association will hold a business meeting in conjunction with
each Annual Training Seminar held.
Section 3
Quorum:
At the annual business meeting the presence of ten percent (10%)
or more of the total voting membership shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
Section 4
Voting
Member:
For purposes of these bylaws, the term voting member shall mean
any Regular Member of the Association, or anyone having all
rights and privileges of a Regular Member.
Section 5
Mid-Year Board of Directors Meeting:
As funding allows, the Board of Directors will meet between the
annual Training Seminars to conduct Association business. Such
meetings will normally be held at the site of the upcoming
annual Training Seminar.
ARTICLE V – Dues
Section 1
Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year of this Association shall be from January 1
through December 31.
Section 2
Dues:
A.
Annual dues shall be assessed against the members of the
Association in an amount to be determined by the Board of
Directors. Dues must be paid in United States currency.
B.
Dues Relief for a five (5) year period may be granted to members
who have been diagnosed with a serious medical condition or who
have been activated for military duties that has required them
to discontinue working within the discipline. Members may
reapply for continued relief evary five (5) years if they
qualify.
To qualify for this relief the member must:
1.
Be a regular member or distinguished member of the Association
in good standing;
2.
Not working within the discipline during the period of relief;
3.
Provide a written copy of a medical doctor’s report of the
specific condition or military activation documentation;
4.
Provide a written request for this relief to the association
Membership Secretary;
5.
Agree to notify the Association Membership Secretary of any
changes to the above qualification requirements.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to grant
approval and all request will remain confidential.
Section 3
Life Dues Payment:
A.
The Board of Directors may allow for the lump sum prepayment of
all dues obligations in the form of a Life Dues Payment. The
amount and schedule of such prepayment shall be set by the Board
of Directors but shall not be less than ten (10) times the
annual dues obligation, and shall be available to Regular
Members of the association. Life Dues Payment shall exist for
the purpose of dues prepayment only and shall in no way affect
the membership status of the participant.
B.
All money collected for Life Dues Payment, and all interest or
dividends earned from the investment of such money shall be
invested in interest bearing accounts or funds, and shall be
used only for the purpose of relieving any deficit in the normal
operating budget , other than excluded items, of the
Association. Money from these funds shall specifically not be
used to fund travel of any kind or for "one time" or "special"
projects.
C.
Use of Life Dues Payment funds for the purposes listed in part
(B) of this section must be approved by a unanimous vote of the
Board of Directors. Continued use of these funds beyond one year
must be ratified by a majority of the Regular Members present
and voting at the annual business meeting of the Association.
D.
The Board of Directors of the Association shall create an
investment policy statement to insure proper investment of the
funds generated. This policy statement shall be reviewed and
updated at least yearly.
ARTICLE VI - Officers and Management
Section 1
Management:
A.
Except for those matters expressly reserved to the members by
statute, the Articles of Incorporation, or these bylaws, the
business affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Board
of Directors, consisting of the President, First Vice-President,
Second Vice-President, Secretary, Membership Secretary,
Treasurer, the most immediate living Past President, and two (2)
members at Large.
B.
The Board of Directors shall meet when called by the President.
C.
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of at least six
(6) of its members.
Section 2
Officers:
A.
Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, First
Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Membership
Secretary, Treasurer, and two (2) Members at Large of the Board
of Directors.
B.
In the event of the death, incapacitation, or resignation of the
President, the First Vice-President shall automatically be
elevated to the office of President for the remainder of the
term.
C.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of First Vice-President,
the Second Vice-President shall automatically be elevated to the
office of First Vice-President for the remainder of the term.
D.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Second
Vice-President, the most immediate living Past President shall
become Second Vice-President for the remainder of the term.
Section 3
Election of Officers:
A.
Only Regular Members of the Association may hold elective
office.
B.
In order to be elected, the nominated individual must receive a
majority of the votes cast for all persons running for that
particular office.
C.
The Nominating Committee shall place in nomination the name of
no more than one (1) individual for each office. Nominations may
also be made from the floor.
D.
Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting of the
Association and shall serve until their successors are elected
and qualified. The President, First Vice-President, and Second
Vice-President shall hold office for one year, and may serve no
more than two (2) complete consecutive terms. The Membership
Secretary, Secretary, and Treasurer shall hold office for three
(3) years, and may serve no more than two (2) complete
consecutive terms. Election of the Membership Secretary,
Secretary, and Treasurer shall be staggered so as to provide
continuity. The Members at Large of the Board of Directors shall
hold office for two (2) years, and may not succeed themselves.
The two Members at Large of the Board of Directors shall be
elected one each year so as to provide staggered terms.
E.
One year prior to the conclusion of second full terms for the
offices of Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer, the
Nominating Committee shall, in order to ensure a smooth and
orderly transition of job responsibilities, nominate a
Membership Secretary-elect, a Secretary-elect and a
Treasurer-elect, respectively. Nominations may be made from the
floor with the candidate(s) voted on at the annual business
meeting.
F.
In the event that a vacancy occurs in the position of Secretary,
Membership Secretary, Treasurer, or Member at Large of the Board
of Directors by reasons of death, resignation, or otherwise, the
President shall appoint a replacement who shall serve until the
next annual election. At that time an election shall be held to
fill any remaining term.
G.
Elected Officers shall take office at the annual banquet; or if
there is no banquet, at the close of the annual business
meeting.
Section 4
Removal of Officers:
The Board of Directors may remove an official from office
provided three-quarters (3/4) of the Board Members vote to do
so. The Official concerned shall be notified in writing of the
grievance(s) at least thirty (30) days in advance of the
scheduled hearing by the Board of Directors. The Official shall
have the right to question those asking for their removal and
shall have the right to present witnesses and evidence in their
own behalf.
Section 5
Duties of Officers:
A.
President - The President shall have the final responsibility of
running the Association. The President serves as Chair of the
Board of Directors and shall preside over all meetings of the
Association. Unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws,
shall appoint all committee chairs, create committees, and make
other appointments as necessary. The President shall keep the
Board of Directors and general membership informed of all
matters of interest to the Association.
B.
First Vice-President - the First Vice-President shall serve in
the place of the President in the event of the President's
temporary absence. The First Vice-President shall serve as Chair
of the Board of Admissions; and shall be responsible for the
operation of the Nominating Committee, and any other committee
that might be assigned. The First Vice-President shall also
perform any other duties as may from time to time be assigned by
the President or the Board of Directors.
C.
Second Vice-President - The Second Vice-President shall serve in
the place of the President in the event that the President and
First Vice-President are temporarily unable to serve. The Second
Vice-President shall serve as a member of the Board of
Admissions and shall be responsible for the operation of the Key
Person of the Year Committee, and any other committee that might
be assigned. The Second Vice-President shall also perform any
other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the
President or the Board of Directors.
D.
Secretary - The Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of
the meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors, and
shall be responsible for maintaining all other records of the
Association. The Secretary shall, in conjunction with the
Membership Secretary, handle and process membership applications
received and forward same to the Board of Admissions within a
reasonable length of time. The Secretary shall be responsible
for handling and forwarding to the President any correspondence
that concerns the running of the Association, and shall be
responsible for keeping the membership informed regarding the
activities that take place at each annual business meeting. The
Secretary shall also perform such other duties as may from time
to time be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.
E.
Membership Secretary - The Membership Secretary shall be
responsible for the handling and processing of new applications,
and forwarding them to the Secretary in a timely manner. The
Membership Secretary shall also perform such other duties as may
from time to time be assigned by the President, Secretary, or
Board of Directors.
F.
Treasurer - The Treasurer shall bill, collect and keep account
of, and properly safeguard all funds of the Association; and
present a financial statement at the meetings of the Board of
Directors and the general membership. The Treasurer shall also
perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned
by the President or the Board of Directors.
G.
Members at Large of the Board of Directors - Members at Large
shall perform those duties that may from time to time be
assigned them by the President or the Board of Directors.
H.
All Officers - It shall be the responsibility of all Officers
and Committee Chairs to maintain a set of guidelines listing the
duties and procedures of their respective office and/or
committee. These guidelines are to be approved by the Board of
Directors and are to be passed to each successive Officer or
Committee Chair.
ARTICLE VII - Committees
Section 1
Designation:
The Association shall have the following standing committees,
whose functions, composition, and tenure are:
A.
Nominating Committee -
1.
The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) Regular
Members, each appointed by the President for a three (3) year
term. These terms are to be staggered so as to provide
continuity; in the case of a vacancy, the President shall
appoint a Regular Member to fill the unexpired term.
2.
The Nominating Committee shall meet on call of the Committee
Chair at least four (4) weeks prior to the annual business
meeting. The Committee shall consider individuals eligible for
election to various offices, as well as recommendations it may
receive, and present one nomination for each position that is
subject to election.
3.
The Committee shall obtain biographical information on the
nominees it selects and shall have this information published in
the official journal of the Association prior to the election.
4.
The Committee shall administer all elections.
5.
The Nominating Committee works as an independent body and its
deliberations are privileged.
6.
The slate of officers proposed to the membership by the
Nominating Committee is not subject to approval by the Board of
Directors.
B.
Advisory Committee -
1.
The Advisory Committee shall consist of the five (5) most
immediate Past Presidents who are willing to serve; the most
immediate Past President shall be the Chair.
2.
The Advisory Committee shall receive and process applications
for Emeritus Member status in the manner described elsewhere in
these bylaws. They may also assist the Board of Directors in
implementing the objectives of the Association by offering
advice and counsel, and by performing those duties that may from
time to time be assigned them by the President or the Board of
Directors.
C.
Editorial Committee -
1.
The Editorial Committee shall be responsible for the official
publication of the Association, the AFTE Journal. It shall also
be responsible for any additional publications that may be
directed by the Board of Directors.
2.
The Editorial Committee shall be composed of three assistant
editors and twelve (12) members of the Association who have been
recommended by the Journal Editor and approved by the Board of
Directors. They shall be subject to yearly reappointment.
3.
The Journal Editor shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The
Journal Editor shall serve as Chair of the Editorial Committee.
4.
The Editorial Committee shall be authorized to offer
subscriptions for the AFTE Journal to the general public at a
cost to be set by the Board of Directors. Subscription to the
Journal in no way confers or implies to confer any membership
privileges.
D.
Ethics Committee - An Ethics Committee shall be constituted and
appointed as described in the AFTE Code of Ethics as adopted by
the Association. The person serving their third year on the
Committee shall serve as Committee Chair.
E.
Other Standing Committees -
1.
In addition to the above-listed standing committees, the
President shall appoint the following committees:
a.
Key Person of the Year
b.
Member of the Year
c.
Sickness and Distress
d.
Standardization/Training
e.
Bylaws
f.
Technical Advisors
g.
Certification
h.
Scholarship
i.
Historical
j.
Referee Lab Selection
k.
Web
l.
Research & Development
2.
These committees shall operate according to guidelines
formulated by the individual committee and approved by the Board
of Directors.
Section 2
Special, Ad Hoc, or Temporary Committees:
Special, ad hoc, or temporary committees may be
established by the President, with the approval of the Board of
Directors, in order to carry out tasks which must be specified
at the time of creation. The length of service of such
committees shall be determined at the time of creation, and is
not to exceed two years, except that the committee Chair may
request a one year extension, to be approved by the Board of
Directors, if necessary to complete the assigned tasks.
Committees whose assigned tasks are found to require more than a
total of three years must become Standing Committees by specific
amendment of Article VII, Section 1.(E).1 of these bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII - Board of Admissions
Section 1
The Board of Admissions shall consist of five (5) members:
the first Vice-President of the Association, who shall serve as
Chair of the Committee; the Second Vice-President of the
Association; and three (3) Regular Members of the Association,
who shall be elected by the voting membership of the
Association, and who shall serve for three (3) year terms,
staggered so as to provide continuity.
Section 2
If any vacancy should occur in the term of any of the three
Regular Member positions, the President of the Association shall
appoint a Regular Member to fill the unexpired portion of that
term.
Section 3
The Board of Admissions shall be responsible for conducting
interviews, examinations, and investigations of individuals
seeking Regular Member, Provisional Member, or Technical Advisor
status within the Association.
A.
Where applicants for Regular Member, Provisional Member, or
Technical Advisor status are situated outside the continental
United States, the Board of Admissions shall have the authority
to appoint an investigator from within the Regular Membership in
the locale of the applicant to act as an extension of the Board.
B.
Member status shall be awarded by a simple majority vote of the
Board of Admissions; except that any Board member may offer a
rejection for cause, which shall be information which indicates
that the applicant does not meet the basic requirements for
membership as outlined in Article III of these bylaws. In such a
case, no membership status shall be awarded until a thorough
inquiry has been conducted.
C.
Where a delay in membership status occurs due to a specific
inquiry or otherwise, a letter notifying the applicant of such
delay shall be sent by the Chair, and shall be made a part of
the applicant's file.
Section 4
The Chair of the Board of Admissions shall notify the President
of the Association of the decisions of the Board relative to
applications for participation in the Association. The President
shall make official notification to the applicant of the Board's
decision. The applicant shall not be furnished with a reason for
rejection, nor shall any application be returned.
Section 5
All meetings of the Board of Admissions shall be confidential,
and all deliberations of the Committee shall be confidential.
Section 6
A maximum of one hundred and eighty (180) days shall be allowed
to adequately process applications for membership. An exception
to this shall be when the Board of Admissions, by a majority
vote, decides to interview and/or examine the applicant. In this
case, there shall be no time limit; however, it shall be done as
soon as practicable.
Section 7
Applicants who are rejected for membership may ask for
reconsideration by the Board of Admissions. Such reconsideration
shall be made at the annual Training Seminar following the
initial action, and may include a personal appearance by the
applicant if requested either by the applicant or the Board of
Admissions.
ARTICLE IX - Amendments
Section 1
Repeal or Amendment of Previous Bylaws:
These bylaws shall become effective at the close of the meeting
at which they are approved by the Regular Members and the
previous constitution and bylaws heretofore adopted or passed by
the Board of Directors, or by Regular Members of the
Association, as well as previous resolutions, rules, and
regulations which are in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 2
Amendment Procedure:
A.
Amendments to these bylaws may be made only at the annual
business meeting of the Association. Copies of the proposed
amendments must be submitted in writing to the Board of
Directors at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual business
meeting.
B.
Proposed amendments received by the Board of Directors within
the provisions of these bylaws shall be mailed to the membership
at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting,
either directly or through the official journal.
C.
It shall require a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Regular
Members present and voting at the annual business meeting in
order to amend, repeal, or otherwise alter these bylaws. There
shall be no proxy voting and/or mail balloting.
D.
All amendments to these bylaws will take effect at the close of
the meeting at which they are passed.
ARTICLE X - Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1
Rules of Order:
"Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall determine parliamentary
practice and procedure in all cases to which they apply except
when inconsistent with these bylaws or the laws of the state of
incorporation.
Section 2
Parliamentarian and Sergeant-at-Arms:
A Parliamentarian and Sergeant-at-Arms shall be appointed by the
President at each meeting of the Association.
Section 3
Contradictory Bylaws:
Any of these bylaws which are at variance with the Articles of
Incorporation of the Association or the laws of the state of
incorporation are hereby repealed.
Revised June, 2007
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