Organization > Chapters > Midwest > Bylaws

VRA Midwest Regional Chapter Bylaws

The Bylaws were approved at the 1999 conference of the Visual Resources Association (Los Angeles, February 9-13, 1999)

They were revised September 2009 and approved by the Chapter Membership.

ARTICLE I: NAME.

The name of this organization shall be the Visual Resources Association Midwest Regional 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 professional enrichment opportunities for, members of the Visual Resources Association residing or professionally active in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Chapter will also promote and support the Visual Resources Association as an international professional organization.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP.

  1. Eligibility. Membership is open to all current members in good standing of the Visual Resources Association.
  2. Membership Categories. The Chapter recognizes a single category of individual membership at a uniform dues rate.
  3. Membership year. The Chapter membership year shall be concurrent with the Association membership year: January – December.
  4. Dues:
    1. 1. Dues amounts 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. Eligible individuals may enroll in the Midwest 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 Secretary/Treasurer.
      3. Registering in person and paying dues directly to the Secretary/Treasurer at a Chapter meeting.
  5. Special assessments and fees. 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 Secretary/Treasurer.
  6. Privileges.
    1. Only Chapter members may vote in Chapter elections or hold elective Chapter office.
    2. All members shall be entitled to receive minutes, announcements of meetings, and other notices of general

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS.

  1. Chapter officers shall consist of a Chair and Secretary/Treasurer.
  2. Officers must be VRA and Chapter members in good standing.
  3. The terms for office shall be two calendar years.
  4. Duties of Officers.
    1. The Chapter Chair shall:
      1. Act as representative of the Chapter on its official business.
      2. Develop programs and agendas for meetings.
      3. Conduct business and serve as program chair at Chapter meetings.
      4. Make arrangements with host site for meetings.
      5. Write and submit the Chapter’s mid-year and annual reports to the VRA Executive Board.
    2. The Chapter Secretary shall:
      1. Keep minutes of Chapter meetings and be responsible for Chapter correspondence.
      2. Produce and distribute notices of meetings and announcements.
      3. Maintain a Chapter mailing list.
      4. Conduct meetings in the absence of the Chair.
      5. Keep Chapter financial records and report to the Chapter on a regular basis.
      6. Collect and process Chapter dues paid in person or by mail, and receive and review periodic reports of Chapter dues paid to the Association through bundled membership transactions.
      7. Authorize payments from Chapter funds held in the Chapter Bursary.
      8. Receive and review periodic disbursement reports of payments made from Chapter funds held in the Chapter Bursary.
  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.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS.

  1. Chapter meetings shall be called by the Chair.
  2. The Chapter will hold a minimum of one general meeting per year. Whenever possible, an additional meeting or meetings should be held such as at the annual VRA conference.
  3. In-person meetings are preferable, but electronic methods or meetings are allowable as long as all members who want to participate can participate equally.
  4. Members may invite guests to meetings and encourage them to become members. Members of associated professional organizations shall be encouraged to attend. If a supplemental fee is assessed to cover the cost of participation in a specific Chapter event, non-member Guests should be assessed a proportionately higher amount than that paid by members.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS.

  1. Amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Chapter in writing by voting members.
  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 Visual Resources Association shall authorize the dissolution of the Chapter upon the request of its members or when in the opinion of the Executive Board the Chapter’s effectiveness and viability have ceased.
  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, or until legally replaced.

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