Preamble
The role
of the firearm and/or toolmark 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 toolmark 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 toolmark
examiners met together regularly prior to 1969. In that year
they formed the Association of Firearm and Tool
Mark Examiners, recognizing
that firearm and toolmark 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
toolmark 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 toolmark identification and techniques.
C.
To publish and issue
to members a journal covering the latest developments in firearm
and toolmark 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 toolmark 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 procure insurance which includes as insureds
the Association and its past and present officers, directors,
and any committee members acting on its behalf. The Association
shall also defend, through counsel chosen by the Association or
its insurance carrier, any past or present officer, director or
committee member from and against any claims growing out of the
incorporating, chartering, forming, or day-to-day operation of
this Association, and shall indemnify any such persons for
liability resulting from such claims. Said defense and indemnity
shall apply only to alleged acts or omissions performed while
acting in an authorized capacity on behalf of the Association.
(Amended 6/1/2009)
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 toolmarks.
B.
For purposes of
membership, a practicing firearm and/or toolmark 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 toolmarks;
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 toolmarks.
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
(3) 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
(3) 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 “Certificate of
Applicant Qualification” forms from three (3) Regular Members
of the Association, and a dated and signed letter to the
following effect: "I have completed three (3) 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 (1 point)*
b.
Association Officer (2 points)
c. Committee
Member (2 points)*
d. Presentation at
Annual Meeting (amended 5/30/2011) **
1. Paper Presentation (2 points)
2. Poster Presentation (1 point)
3. Workshop Presentation (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 defined and published by the
Journal Editorial Committee (1 point)**
* Maximum of two (2) points toward total of ten (10).
** Points will only be
awarded once for each different presentation (paper, poster, or
workshop) given at annual meeting and contribution (article,
case report, or technical report) to the Journal. (amended
5/30/2011)
***
Points for a workshop will only be awarded to members who are
not compensated in any way by AFTE for presenting the workshop.
(added 5/30/2011)
3.
A Provisional Member who accumulates the necessary ten (10)
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. are
recognized as having served the interests of the Association or
scientific discipline of firearms and toolmark examination in an
exceptional manner, and
b.
have served as a member of the Association for a minimum of
twenty-five (25) years, or
c. have
reached the age of sixty-five (65) and who are retired from
their usual place of employment and are no longer actively
engaged in the field of firearm and/or toolmark 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. The recommendation must
cite the manner of exceptional service to the Association or
discipline. Only Distinguished Members may recommend individuals
for Emeritus Membership. The names of individuals qualified to
receive Emeritus Membership shall be approved by a majority of
the Board of Directors and 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. (Amended 6/1/2009)
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 toolmark examination.
2.
Individuals may be nominated for Honorary Membership by any
Regular Member of the Association. Such nominations must be in
writing, 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 toolmark
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.
(Amended 6/1/2009)
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 five (5) year increments. At
the end of each five (5) year segment, Technical Advisors must
renew their status through the application process. Any Advisor
who does not reapply by their five (5) 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 (1) training
seminar per year at a time and location to be determined 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 Treasurer to be used in the initial planning
stages (“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 every 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 requests 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
(1) 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.
In the event the President is unable
to act in his or her official capacity on a particular matter,
the First Vice-President shall assume the role of Interim
President for that matter. (Amended 6/1/2009)
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.
E.
In the
event a vacancy occurs in the position of Secretary, Membership
Secretary, Treasurer, or Member at Large by reason 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.
(Amended 6/1/2009)
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 (1)
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 (2)
Members at Large of the Board of Directors shall be elected one
(1) each year so as to provide staggered terms.
E.
One (1)
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.
Elected Officers shall
take office at the annual banquet; or if there is no banquet, at
the close of the annual business meeting.
(Amended 6/1/2009)
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 (Steve Molnar
Award) 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 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 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 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 (1) 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 (3) 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 –
-
The Ethics Committee
shall be constituted of three (3) Regular members, each
appointed by the President, and shall function as
described in the AFTE PROCEDURES FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF
THE CODE OF ETHICS, Section B – “The Ethics Committee.”
The person serving their third year on the Committee
shall serve as Committee Chair. (Adopted 6/1/2009)
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
(Steve Molnar Award)
b.
Member of the Year
c.
Sickness and Distress/Family
Assistance
d.
Standardization/Training
e.
Bylaws
f.
Technical Advisors
g.
Certification
h.
Scholarship
i.
Historical
j.
Referee Lab Selection
k.
Web
l.
Research and
Development
m. The Advancement of the
Science of Firearm and Toolmark Identification (added 5/30/2011)
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 (2)
years; the committee Chair may request a one (1) 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 (3) 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 (3)
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, Code of Ethics and the AFTE
procedures for the Enforcement of the Code of Ethics:
These
documents shall become effective at the close of the meeting at
which they are approved by the Regular Members and the previous
constitution, bylaws and/or other documents 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.
(Amended 6/1/2009)
Section 2
Amendment Procedure:
A.
Amendments to these
documents 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 documents shall be mailed
to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual
business meeting, either directly or through the official
AFTE publication.
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 documents.
There shall be no proxy voting and/or mail balloting.
D.
All amendments to
these documents 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.
Section 4
Documentation Tracking:
-
The Bylaws, Code of
Ethics and the AFTE Procedures for the Code of Ethics
documents will be dated by the Secretary so as to track the
version in place at any given time.
-
When these documents are
modified in any way, they shall be dated with the
modification date, and the previous version of that document
will be preserved as an archival copy by the AFTE Secretary.
(Adopted 6/1/2009).
Effective June 2, 2011
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