Organization > Chapters > Great Lakes > Minutes and Reports

Bylaws

Article I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Visual Resources Association Great Lakes Area Chapter, hereafter referred to as the Chapter.

Article II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Chapter shall be to promote communication among, and to provide support and profesional enrichment opportunities for, members of the Visual Resources Association residing or professionally active in Northern Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania. The Chapter will also promote and support the Visual Resource Association as an international professional organization.

Article III. MEMBERSHIP

1. Eligibility. Membership is open to all current members in good standing of the Visual Resource Association.
2. Membership Categories
   1. Regular members: All members of the VRA are eligible to join the Chapter
   2. Institutional members: The Chapter shall allow Institutional Members of the VRA to designate one representative for Chapter membership at the Chapter's regular membership rate.
   3. Student members: The Chapter shall allow individuals with Association student memberships to apply for student membership at a reduced rate than that paid by regular members. An individual applying for student membership shall provide verification of current student status.
   4. Retired members: The Chapter shall allow individuals with Association members to apply for Chapter retired membership at a reduced rate from that paid by regular members.
   5. Unemployed members: The Chapter shall allow unemployed individuals with Association membership to apply for unemployed membership. Eligibility for unemployed membership status shall be limited to one year, under the following stipulations: the member must be currently unemployed, must have held a regular membership during the membership year, and must have suffered a job loss during the membership year.
3. Membership Year
   1. The Chapter membership year shall be concurrent with the Association membership year. Memberships are for the calendar year (January to December); membership fees received after October 15 are applied to the next calendar year. Individuals who do not renew by a designated cut-off date may be purged from the membership rosters of both the Association and the Chapter.)
4. Dues
   1. Dues for the various categories of Chapter membership shall be proposed by the Chapter officers and ratified by a plurality of the written (including electronic) vote of the Chapter membership.
   2. Payment of dues.  Eligible individuals may enroll in the Great Lakes area Regional Chapter at any time by using any one of the following options:
      1. Making a “bundled membership” transaction using the member’s online MemberClicks account (accessed through VRAWEB); registration and payment of Chapter dues can be made with the same transaction as registration and payment of Association annual membership dues. Registration and payment of Chapter dues can also be made as a separate MemberClicks transaction from registration and payment of Association membership dues.
      2. Sending membership application and dues to the Chapter Treasurer.
      3. Registering in person and paying dues directly to the Treasurer at a Chapter meeting.
5. Special assessments and fees
   1. The Chapter may propose the assessment of additional fees to recover the per capita cost of participation in a specific Chapter-sponsored event or project, subject to the approval of the membership. Participants will pay these fees directly to the Chapter Treasurer.
6. Privileges
   1. Only Chapter members may vote in Chapter elections or hold elective                    Chapter office
   2. 2. All Chapter members shall be entitled to receive minutes, announcements of meetings, and other notices of general interest to the membership.

Article IV. OFFICERS

1. Chapter officers shall consist of a minimum of three, those being Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.
2. Qualifications for office. Office must be VRA and Chapter members in good standing.
3. Terms of office. The term of office shall be two calendar years.
   
4. Duties of officers.
   1. The Chapter Chair shall:
      1. Act as the representative of the Chapter in its official business, or shall designate a substitute.
      2. Conduct business and serve as program chair at Chapter meetings.
      3. Make arrangements with the host site for meetings.
      4. Develop programs and agendas with the other officers.
      5. Write and submit the Chapter's mid-year and annual report to the VRA Executive Board.
   2. The Chapter Secretary shall:
      1. Keep minutes of the Chapter meetings and be responsible for Chapter correspondence.
      2. Produce and distribute notices of meetings and announcements.
      3. Conduct meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
   3. The Chapter Treasurer shall:
      1. Keep financial records and report to the Chapter on a regular basis.
      2. Collects and processes Chapter dues paid in person or by mail, and shall receive and review periodic reports of Chapter dues paid to the Association through bundled membership transactions.
5. Replacement of Officers
1. Any Chapter officer unable to perform the duties of his/her office should submit a written resignation in the form of a letter or electronic communication to the Chapter Chair; or, if the Chair resigns, the written resignation is tendered to the Secretary. The designated recipient will inform the Chapter membership of the resignation and its effective date.
2. Should any Chapter office be vacated mid-term, the other officer(s) may recommend a qualified successor (with that individual’s consent) from the membership to fill the remainder of the vacated term, to which action a majority of the membership must assent by a vote of affirmation (in person, written, or electronic)

Article V. ELECTIONS

1. Officers shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast by the members (in person, written, or electronic).
2. Nominations. A nominating committee of at least two members shall be responsible for nominating a slate of officers and presenting them in written or electronic form to the Chapter. Potential candidates should be informed by the committee of all duties of the position they are being asked to fill.
3. Elections should be staggered to provide for continuity of leadership; officers should alternate their two-year terms.

Article VI. MEETINGS

1. Chapter meetings shall be called by the Chairperson.
2. Members may invite guests to meetings and encourage them to become members. Guests are not eligible to vote or hold office. Attendance at meetings as a guest will be limited to one meeting. If a supplemental fee is assessed to cover the cost of participation in a specific Chapter event, non-member Guests will be assessed a proportionately higher amount than that paid by members. The Chapter will have at least two meetings per calendar year.

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

1. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Chapter in writing or electronic communication by any voting member.
2. Approval by a two-thirds majority of voting members (in person, written, or electronic) shall be necessary to amend the Bylaws.
3. The Bylaws shall be submitted to the Visual Resources Association Executive Board for approval.
4. The Bylaws shall be reviewed at least once in every five years.

Article VIII. DISSOLUTION OF THE CHAPTER

1. The Executive Board shall have the authority to suspend, or place in inactive status, any chapter at the request of its membership; or, to suspend, or place in inactive status, any chapter unable to comply with its own bylaws. An inactive chapter shall be exempt from regular meeting and reporting requirements.
2. All just liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid, satisfied, and discharged, or adequate provision shall be made therefore.
3. All other assets shall be transferred or conveyed to the Visual Resources Association.

Article IX. IMPLEMENTATION

1. These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon approval by the Chapter membership and the Visual Resources Association Executive Board.
2. Officers elected under any previous Bylaws shall remain in office until the conclusion of their terms.

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