Organization > Chapters > Southern California > Bylaws

Bylaws of the Visual Resources Association
Southern California Regional Chapter
[rev. July 7, 2003]

Article I. NAME.

The name of this organization shall be the Visual Resources Association Southern California Regional Chapter, hereafter referred to as the Chapter.

Article II. PURPOSE.

The purpose of the Chapter shall be the support and professional enrichment of Chapter members. It will serve to encourage and support the professional association of the Visual Resources Association.

Article III. MEMBERSHIP.

  1. Eligibility. Membership is open to all Individual members of the Visual Resources Association who reside or work in the greater Southern California geographical area. Institutional members of the VRA may designate one representative who shall have the same rights and privileges as an Individual member.
  2. Dues.
    1. Dues shall be proposed by the members and ratified by member vote.
    2. Dues shall be paid annually to the Chapter’s Treasurer. The membership year is the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). If membership renewals are not paid by the Chapter’s spring meeting of each year, the membership shall be dropped.
    3. The Chapter shall have the right to propose additional fees for specific projects subject to the approval of the membership.
  3. C. Privileges.
    1. Only Chapter members may vote, hold elective office, and participate in Chapter activities.
    2. All 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 three, those being Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.
  2. Qualifications for office. Officers must be chapter members in good standing.
  3. Terms of office.
    1. The terms of office shall be two years.
    2. The terms of office shall begin at the close of the fall Chapter meeting.
  4. Duties of officers.
    1. Chairperson.
      1. The Chairperson shall be the representative of the Chapter on its official business.
      2. The Chairperson shall serve as program chair at chapter meetings.
      3. The Chairperson shall write and submit annual reports to Chapter membership and the VRA Executive Board.
    2. Secretary.
      1. The Secretary shall keep minutes of Chapter meetings and be responsible for chapter correspondence.
      2. The Secretary shall act as teller for balloting for amendments to the Bylaws and other voting activities (excluding officer elections).\
      3. The Secretary shall serve as chairperson at meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
    3. Treasurer.
      1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial accounts of the Chapter, including sales, income and expenditures.
      2. The Treasurer will manage the Chapter funds using an account in a banking institution.
      3. The Treasurer shall collect dues and maintain Chapter membership rolls.
      4. The Treasurer shall keep financial records and provide annual financial reports to the membership.
      5. The Treasurer shall serve as chairperson at meetings in the absence of both the Chairperson and the Secretary.

Article V. ELECTIONS.

  1. Elections for the offices shall be staggered to provide a continuity of leadership. Elections for the offices of Chairperson and Treasurer shall be conducted in odd-numbered years (e.g. 2003). Elections for the office of Secretary shall be conducted in even-numbered years (e.g. 2004).
  2. A Nominating Committee of at least three members shall be formed at the Chapter’s spring meeting. The Committee shall present a minimum of one candidate for each office and shall present them in written form to the Chairperson no later than 45 days after the spring Chapter meeting.
  3. Officers shall be elected by ballot. Ballots accompanied by statements of goals and biographies shall be distributed to all eligible members no later than 60 days after the spring Chapter meeting. Members shall be given a maximum of 30 days to return ballots from the date on which they are distributed to the membership. One member of the Nominating Committee shall serve as teller to count ballots and report the results to the Chairperson.
  4. Officers shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast by members. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall cast the tie-breaking vote. All candidates shall be informed of the election results by the Chairperson in a timely fashion. Election results shall be announced to the membership at the fall meeting.
  5. In the event of a tie, the election shall be decided by a secret ballot of the members of the Nominating Committee. Committee members shall meet in person, mark their preferences on prepared ballots, and place them into a sealed box. The chair of the Nominating Committee shall serve as teller to count ballots immediately upon conclusion of balloting and shall report the results to the Chairperson.

Article VI. MEETINGS.

  1. Chapter meetings shall be called by the Chairperson. There shall be a minimum of two Chapter meetings each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.
  2. Members may invite guests to meetings and encourage them to become members. Members of associated professional organizations shall be encouraged to attend.
  3. The Chairperson shall authorize standing and special advisory committees as needed and shall appoint the chairs and members of those committees with approval by consensus of the membership.

Article VII. AMENDMENTS.

  1. Amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Chair in writing by voting members.
  2. Approval of a 2/3 majority of voting members shall be necessary to amend the Bylaws.
  3. After approval by the Chapter, amendments must be approved by the Visual Resources Association Executive Board.
  4. The Bylaws shall be reviewed at least every five years.
  5. The Bylaws approved by the membership shall become effective immediately upon approval by the VRA Executive Board.

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 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.

Ratified by the membership March 30, 1995.
Accepted by the VRA Executive Board February 21, 1996.
Revision ratified by the membership May 10, 1996.
Accepted by the VRA Executive Board May 31, 1996.
Revision ratified by the membership July 12, 2002.
Accepted with qualifications by the VRA Executive Board September 9, 2002

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