Organization > Chapters > Mid-Atlantic > Bylaws

Bylaws

Article I. Name.

The name of this organization shall be the Visual Resources Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

Article II. Purpose.

The purpose of the Chapter shall be to support professional development and communication among members of the Visual Resources Association in the specified geographic area.

Article III. Membership.

  1. Eligibility. All Members of the national Visual Resources Association shall be eligible to join the Chapter. Institutional members of the VRA may designate one representative who shall have the same rights and privileges as an individual member.
  2. Dues.
    1. Membership dues shall be proposed by the members and ratified by majority vote of the members present at a Chapter meeting.
    2. Dues shall be paid annually to the Secretary/Treasurer. The membership year is the calendar year (January 1st – December 31st). If membership renewals are not paid by the Spring meeting each year, the membership shall be dropped.
    3. Reduced membership dues for student members shall be determined by a vote of members in attendance at the fall meeting.
    4. Additional fees may be charged for specific projects or programs to cover costs of such programs, subject to membership approval.
  3. Privileges.
    1. Only Chapter members may vote, hold elective office, and participate in Chapter activities.
    2. All Chapter members shall be entitled to receive minutes, announcements of meetings, and other notices of general interest to membership.

Article IV. Officers.

  1. Chapter officers shall consist of two, those being the Chair and the Secretary/Treasurer.
  2. Qualifications for offices. Officers must be VRA National and Chapter members in good standing.
  3. Terms of office.
    1. The Terms of office shall be two years with the Secretary and the Chairperson alternating election years.
    2. The terms shall begin on January 1st.
    3. If due to unforeseen circumstances, an officer is unable to complete his/her term, an interim officer will be appointed by a committee. This committee will consist of the remaining officer and one volunteer Chapter member.
  4. Duties of Officers.
    1. Chairperson.
      1. The Chairperson shall be the representative of the Chapter on its official business.
      2. Make arrangements with host for meetings.
      3. Develop programs and agendas with other officers.
      4. The Chairperson shall serve as program chair at Chapter meetings.
      5. The Chairperson shall write and submit mid-year and annual reports to the Chapter membership and the VRA Executive Board.
      6. The Chairperson shall appoint standing and special advisory committees as needed and shall appoint the chairs and members of those committees with the approval of the membership.
    2. Secretary/Treasurer
      1. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of Chapter meetings and be responsible for Chapter correspondence.
        The Secretary/Treasurer shall act as teller for balloting for amendments to the Bylaws and other voting activities (excluding officer elections).
        The Secretary/Treasurer shall serve as chairperson at meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
        The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial accounts of the Chapter, including sales, income, and expenditures.
        The Secretary/Treasurer shall collect dues and maintain Chapter membership rolls.
        The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep financial records and provide annual financial reports to the membership.

Article V. Elections.

  1. Elections for the offices shall be staggered to provide continuity of leadership.
  2. Elections shall be held every year for whichever office becomes vacant.
  3. Nominations shall be received from the floor at the fall Chapter meeting.
  4. Officers shall be elected by ballot. Ballots shall be e-mailed to each Chapter member eligible to vote. Ballots shall be distributed no later than 30 days after the Fall meeting. Members shall be given a maximum of 30 days to return the e-mail ballots from the date on which they are distributed to the membership. One member of the Chapter shall serve as teller to count ballots and report the results to the Chairperson.
  5. Officers shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast by members. In the event of a tie, a re-vote will be conducted. All candidates shall be informed of the election results by the Chairperson in a timely fashion. Election results shall be announced to the membership via e-mail no later than 30 days after the ballots have been counted.

Article VI. Meetings.

  1. Chapter meetings shall be held at least twice a year.
  2. Chapter meetings shall be called by the Chair.
  3. The location of consecutive meetings shall vary as much as possible.
  4. Guests of members are welcome at Chapter meetings.
  5. One meeting per year shall be a joint meeting with ARLIS/D.C.-Maryland-Virginia, as long as both organizations consider this to be beneficial

Article VII. Amendments.

  1. Amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Chapter officers by any member.
  2. Approval by a two-thirds majority of voting members shall be necessary to amend the Bylaws.
  3. After approval by the chapter, the amendment shall be submitted to the Visual Resources Associan Executive Board for approval.
  4. The Bylaws shall be reviewed at least every five years.

Article VIII. Dissolution of the Chapter.

  1. The Visual Resources Association Executive Board shall authorize the dissolution of the Chapter when in the opinion of the Executive Board [determines] its usefulness has ceased.
  2. All just liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid, satisfied, and discharged or adequate provisions shall be made therefore.
  3. All other assets shall be transferred or conveyed to the Visual Resources Association.

Article IX. Effective Date.

The Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon approval by the membership.

Revision ratified by the membership February 10th, 2005.
Accepted by the VRA Board March 2005.

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