Organization > Chapters > Upstate New York > Bylaws
Bylaws
Article I. NAME. The name of this organization shall be the Visual Resources Association Upstate New York 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 Upstate New York, Northern Pennsylvania and western Massachusetts. The Chapter will also promote and support the Visual Resources Association as an international professional organization.
Article III. MEMBERSHIP.
A. Eligibility. Membership is open to all current members in good standing of the Visual Resources Association.
B. Membership Categories. Member
C. Membership year. The Chapter membership year shall be concurrent with the Association membership year.
D. Dues.
1. Determining dues amounts. 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. Payment of dues. Eligible individuals may enroll in the Upstate New York Chapter at any time by using any one of the following options:
a. 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.
b. Sending membership application and dues to the Chapter Secretary/Treasurer.
c. Registering in person and paying dues directly to the Secretary/Treasurer at a Chapter meeting.
E. 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.
F. 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
interest to the membership.
Article IV. OFFICERS.
A. Chapter officers shall consist of three, those being a Chairperson, Chairperson Elect/Vice Chair, Secretary/ Treasurer.
B. Qualifications for office. Officers must be VRA and Chapter members in good standing.
C. Terms of office. The terms for office shall be two calendar years, staggered, with the Chair and Secretary/Treasurer elected the first year, and the Chairperson/Vice Chair elected the second year. The term of office shall be two calendar years.
D. Duties of officers.
1. The Chapter Chairperson shall:
a. act as the representative of the Chapter in its official
business.
b. Conduct business and serve as program chair at
Chapter meetings.
c. Make arrangements with host site for meetings.
d. Develop programs and agendas with other officers.
e. Write and submit the Chapter’s annual report to the
VRA Executive Board.
2. The Chapter Secretary/Treasurer shall:
a. Keep minutes of Chapter meetings and be responsible
for Chapter correspondence.
b. Produce and distribute notices of meetings and
announcements.
c. Keep Chapter financial records and report to the
Chapter on a regular basis.
d. Collect and process 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.
e. Authorize payments from Chapter funds held in the
Chapter Bursary.
f. Receive and review periodic disbursement reports of
payments made from Chapter funds held in the
Chapter Bursary.
g. Conduct meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
E. 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 (or Secretary/ Treasurer). The designated recipient will inform the Chapter membership of the resignation and its effective date.
2. If an officer is unable or unwilling to continue serving, a special election to fill the vacant position and complete the term of office will be held at the next meeting.
Article V. ELECTIONS.
A. Officers shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast by the members electronically.
B. Nominations. Officers may be elected from nominations received from members participating in a designated Chapter meeting.
C. Elections should be staggered to provide for continuity of leadership; officers should alternate their two-year terms.
Article VI. MEETINGS.
A. Chapter meetings shall be called by the Chairperson.
B. The Chapter must hold a minimum of one general meeting per year, and is strongly encouraged to hold at least two meetings. A Chapter meeting may be held as part of the annual VRA conference. A Chapter may provide for various forms of remote participation for members who are unable to be physically present at a meeting.
C. The Chapter may adopt its own Guest Policy, allowing non-members to attend meetings and participate in other Chapter events as a way of introducing them to the organization and encouraging them to become members; however, such Guests may not vote on Chapter business or hold office.
Article VII. AMENDMENTS.
A. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Chapter in writing or electronic communication by any voting member.
B. Approval by a two-thirds majority of voting members (in person, written, or electronic) shall be necessary to amend the Bylaws.
C. The Bylaws shall be submitted to the Visual Resources Association Executive Board for approval.
D. The Bylaws shall be reviewed at least once in every five years.
Article VIII. DISSOLUTION OF THE CHAPTER.
A. 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.
B. All just liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid, satisfied, and discharged, or adequate provision shall be made therefore.
C. All other assets shall be transferred or conveyed to the Visual Resources Association.
Article IX. IMPLEMENTATION.
A. These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon approval by the Chapter membership and the Visual Resources Association Executive Board.
B. Officers elected under any previous Bylaws shall remain in office until the conclusion of their terms.
Last Revised 6/10 mfocht@binghamton.edu
