By-Laws

BYLAW I - Identification and Seal 

A.   The Chapter is a non-profit, scientific, and educational body, made up of professionals working in the field and developmental disabilities. It was organized in September, 1970.

BYLAW II - Purpose

The purpose (outlined in the Operations Manual) of the Chapter shall be accomplished by conducting meetings and conferences; by cooperating with other organizations having similar interest; and by engaging in such other activities as authorized by the Board.

BYLAW III - Membership

A.    Each member shall hold the same class of membership and voting privileges in the Chapter as he or she holds in the Association. Only Active or Fellow Members may hold office.

B.    The Chapter may not assess membership dues but may charge registration fees for training events, subscription fees for publications, etc.

C.    Membership shall be limited to members of the Association.

BYLAW IV - Administration

A.   The officers of the Chapter shall be the Chairperson, the Chairperson-Elect, the Secretary/Treasurer, and the Immediate Past Chairperson. The duties of the officers shall be those customary to their respective offices and as further defined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter. Each position will serve a two year term.

1. Upon completion of a two-year term, the Chairperson­Elect shall succeed to the office of Chairperson. At the time of being nominated for Chairperson-Elect, the person shall not be a resident of the same county as the incumbent Chairperson-Elect.

2. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have a two-year term.

a.  No person shall be elected to this office for more than two consecutive terms.

b.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain records of election, succession to office, and expiration of terms of office.

c.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall send copies of the minutes of the most recent Executive Board meetings to all Board members at least ten days before subsequent Board meetings.

d. The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a record of financial status of the Chapter, report at Board meetings and at the annual meeting, and collect registration fees.

e.  The Chapter Chairperson as well as the Secretary/ Treasurer shall be authorized to write checks.

f.  There shall be an annual audit.

g.  The fiscal year shall be January 1 to December 31.

3.   Should the office of Chairperson become vacant between business meetings, it shall be filled by the Chairperson­Elect.

4.   Should a vacancy occur in the office of the Secretary/Treasurer, the Executive Board shall appoint a member to finish the remainder of the unexpired term.

B. The Chairperson of the State Chapter, with the approval of the Board, shall appoint chairpersons of the following standing committees: Membership, Publications, Training, and Legislative. Other committees may be formed and Chairpersons appointed as may be needed or created pursuant to action of the annual business meeting.

1. No committee appointment shall be for more than three years and all appointments to newly formed committees shall be a nearly as possible divided by lot into equal numbers of appointments for one, two, and three year terms. Terms of Committee Chairpersons shall be:

a.   Membership Committee - 1 yea

b.   Publications Committee - 1 year

c.   Training Committee - 1 year

d.   Legislative Committee - 1 year

2.   Appointments may be rescinded by a two-thirds vote of the Board.

3.   Each committee chairperson shall be responsible for keeping accurate records and for fully reporting the activities of his/her committee.

4.   Each committee shall consist of a chairperson and not less than two other members.

C.   The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers of the Chapter, three at-large members, and the chairpersons of each standing committee. Committee chairpersons shall be voting members of the Executive Board. The terms of the members-at­large will each be three year terms, staggered so that one is elected each year.

1.     A quorum of the Board shall consist of six of its voting members.

2.     The Board shall direct the business of the Chapter between business meetings and shall approve all expenditures of the Chapter.

3.     Each member of the Board shall be entitled to only one vote.

 

D.   Elections to office shall be conducted through mail or electronic ballot just prior to the National AAIDD Annual Meeting.

1.   The Chairperson of the Nominations Committee shall form a committee of Chapter members. The immediate Past­Chair of the Chapter will serve as the chair of this committee.

a.      This committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for each office.

b.      The committee shall secure written approval of each candidate before placing the name on the ballot.

c.      Provision shall be made for a write-in candidate for each office to be filled.

d.   Ballots shall be mailed or emailed no later than April 15. Ballots shall be returned to the Nominations Committee no later than May 15.

1.     The Chairperson of the Nominations Committee shall appoint a tally committee.

2.     Results will be tallied prior to the National annual meeting.

3.     In case of a tie vote when the mailed ballots are returned, the Board will resolve the tie by voting.

e.   The chairperson of the Nominations Committee shall notify the Chairperson of the Chapter of the results of the ballot. The Chairperson o the Chapter shall notify the elected officers. The official announcement of the election results shall be made by newsletter and/or email.

2.     No person shall hold two elective offices except to fill vacancies ass provided in these Bylaws.

3.     Terms of office shall begin June 1 of the year of election. A year for purposes of tenure in office shall be June 1-May 31.

 BYLAW V - Meetings

A.      The annual meeting shall be held in Wisconsin at a time and place determined by the Executive Board.

B.     All members shall be notified of the time and place of the annual meeting at least thirty days n advance of the meeting. Notification, if by mail, shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the member at his/her last known address or emailed to the last known address.

C.      A quorum consists of those voting members who attend the meeting.

D.      Registration fees may be charged to permit attendance at any meeting except business sessions. At the discretion of the Board, non-members may attend meetings, except business sessions, upon payment of special registration fees.

E.      the Board shall meet as soon as possible after the closing of each annual business meeting and shall then determine the time and place of their next meeting.