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NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION, INC. CONSTITUTIONARTICLE 1 PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY Section 1. Name and General Membership Requirement This organization shall be known as the LOUISIANA CHAPTER NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION (NENA). Section 2. Purpose The purpose of the LOUISIANA CHAPTER, NENA shall be to: A. Foster the development, availability and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number common to all jurisdictions through research, planning, training, and education; represent its members before communication regulatory agencies and policy making bodies as appropriate; and strive toward citizens having immediate access to emergency public safety services so that safety of human life, protection of property, and civic welfare are benefited to the utmost degree; B. Aid and assist in the timely collection and dissemination of information relating to a universal emergency telephone number; C. Prepare, public and distribute or cause to be prepared, published and distributed a publication at regular intervals. This publication shall contain technical, administrative, operational, training, and educational information considered of interest to the membership of this Association and to other people interested in public safety communications; D. Provide for membership in this Association in accordance with the language and intent of its Constitution and Bylaws which are now, and may later be, in effect. Membership shall not be limited other than by classification and good character, and shall have such rights and privileges as may be provided from time to time. ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership Designations The membership of this Association shall be divided into the classes of ACTIVE MEMBER, COMMERCIAL MEMBER, ASSOCIATE MEMBER, and LIFETIME MEMBER. Lifetime Member requires no annual member fee. Members shall be admitted in accord with the classification requirements set forth in this Article. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age or numerical limitation. All members are eligible to serve on committee if appointed. 1.1 Active Member The following shall be eligible for ACTIVE membership in the Association: any administrative, supervisory and telecommunication personnel responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling and operating functions required in the design, promotion, construction, installation, maintenance, command and/or operation of local ~9-1-1/public safety communications systems who are employed or salaried by federal, state or local government agency, or an agency substantially supported by government funds. 1.2 Commercial Member The following shall be eligible for COMMERCIAL membership in this Association: those persons in the business sector who receive the majority of their compensation from the design, manufacture, sale, service, maintenance, lease, rental or promotion of equipment or systems which are used or can be used in public safety emergency systems; and those persons who are engaged in writing, publishing, advising and consulting in the public safety emergency communications field or who distribute goods and represent companies, firms or persons including themselves and others who profit materially from such activities. 1.3 Associate Member Those persons not eligible for, or restricted from, the ACTIVE or COMMERCIAL class of membership shall be eligible for Associate membership. 1.4 Life Member Life membership is an honorary term, determined by a member’s regular classification and shall be bestowed by majority vote of the general membership and such member shall not pay dues but have all privileges held during regular membership. Section 2. Dues The dues rate for each class of membership in this Association is set forth in Article V of the Bylaws of the National Constitution and Bylaws, and specifies the rate of dues returned to the state chapter. Section 3. Voting and Officer Restrictions All members of this Association have the right to vote and the right to hold elected office. Only ACTIVE or LIFETIME ACTIVE members may hold the elected positions of President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. Members may only hold one position/office. ARTICLE III – OFFICERS Section 1. Designation The officers of the Association shall consist of the following: President; Vice President; and Secretary-Treasurer. All offices will be filled by election at the Annual Conference of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association. Section 2. Election Procedure 2.1 The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall request nominations for particular offices from the membership through the Chapter Publication at least 120 days before the Annual Conference. Nominees must be eligible to hold the office for which nominated in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws. 2.2 After receipt of nominations from the membership, the Nominating Committee will report a final slate of candidates at least forty days before the date of the Annual Conference, together with ballots. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot from this final slate, prepared as required by Bylaws. Article IV (Nominating Committee), and this section. 2.3 Election ballots shall be returned no later than 2:00 o’clock p.m. on the first day of the Annual Conference. All ballots shall be returned unopened to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The full Nominating Committee will then open and count each ballot. Challenges as to the validity of any ballot shall be settled by the Executive Board of Officers. Upon completion and certification of the ballot count, the results shall be forwarded to the President. 2.4 Election to office shall be determined by receiving a simple majority (50% plus 1) of the votes cast. If more than two candidates compete for the same office and a simple majority of one candidate is not achieved, the candidate receiving the most votes shall be declared the winner. 2.5 In the event that nominations are not received prior to the Annual Conference, nominations may be taken from the floor of the business meeting. The President shall also have the authority to waive the provisions of ARTICLE III Section 2.3. These nominations will be received and elections will be determined in accordance with ARTICLE III Section 2.4. ARTICLE IV – ANNUAL CONFERENCE Section 1. Definition The regular meeting held in January of this Association shall be known as the Annual Conference. Site and date for the ANNUAL CONFERENCES of the Association shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board of Officers. Announcement of future conference sites shall be made at the close of the ANNUAL CONFERENCE by the Incoming President. ARTICLE V – TRADEMARK PROTECTION Section 1. Statement of Policy The NENA logo is a registered trademark and its use, except as specifically provided for in this Article, shall be strictly controlled by the Executive Board of the National organization. 1.1 Chapters are specifically authorized to use the logo for stationery purposes in the pursuit of their normal business activities. 1.2 The use of the logo in the manufacture of jewelry and hardware and in conjunction with the identification and/or commercial activities is expressly prohibited except as provided for in Section 1.3 herein. 1.3 Any deviation from the restrictions of Section 1.2 above shall require the express written authority of the Executive Board of the National Association in each particular instance.
BYLAWSARTICLE I – ELECTION OF MEMBERS Section 1. Membership Applications Applications for membership, and the reporting thereof, shall be executed upon standard forms as approved and directed by the Executive Board of the National Association. 1.1 Applications from the State of Louisiana A. Persons residing and/or employed within the state of Louisiana shall submit completed standard application forms through the Louisiana Chapter, NENA, which holds the charter for its particular geographical area. B. After determining the eligibility and classification of the applicant, the chapter secretary shall report such memberships, along with proper dues, to the National Office. C. If the application is submitted directly to the National Office, the Executive Director shall forward it to the local chapter secretary for processing in order to verify eligibility and classification and to assure membership at both the local chapter and national levels. ARTICLE II – OFFICERS – GENERAL Section 1. Terms of Office Elected officers shall assume their duties and authorities on the last day of the Annual Conference at which they were elected. Officers shall remain in office until the installation of their elected successor.
Section 3. Vacancies in Office 3.1 Vacancies in the office of President shall be filled by an advancement in rank, provided that such fulfillment shall be in acting capacities until the next Annual Conference where the acting officer shall be eligible for regular election to office. Such acting capacities shall have no otherwise effect upon their normal terms of office or eligibility’s thereto. 3.2 Vacancies in the office of Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer shall be filled by Presidential appointment as confirmed by the Executive Board of Officers; and such approved appointee shall perform his duties in the acting capacity until the next Annual Conference where the person so acting shall be eligible for regular nomination to office. ARTICLE III. – OFFICERS (DUTIES AND AUTHORITY) Section 1. President 1.1 Authority The President’s power shall include authority to: A. Carry out duties as delegated in this Article, and those policies duly adopted by the Executive Board; B. Appoint special committees to perform tasks deemed necessary; C. Authorize reasonable and proper expenses, up to $250.00 to any Board member for the purpose of specific Association duties. Such authorization shall be reported to the full Board, by mail, within 72 hours; D. Call any committee into session at any time; E. Engage legal counsel in accordance with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Chapter. 1.2 In addition to such other authority, the President’s duties shall include the following: A. Preside at all meetings of this Association and/or the Executive Board and serve as Chair of the Executive Board; B. Appoint committees in accordance with Article IV of these Bylaws; C. Report on the State of the Association to the membership at its Annual Conference; D. Carry out the purposes of this Association as set forth in its Constitution and Bylaws; E. Keep the Executive Board informed of Association matters; and F. Make appointments to fill vacancies in office. Section 2. Vice Presidents 2.1 Vice President It shall be the duty of the Vice President to perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence. When so acting, the Vice President shall have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall have such other duties and exercise such other authority as from time to time may be delegated by the President or the Executive Board. 2.2 Secretary-Treasurer The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as Secretary to the Board of Officers, the Executive Committee, and the chapter meeting business sessions. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a complete membership roll of the chapter. The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all funds belonging to the chapter, and shall maintain bank account(s) for the orderly processing of all chapter obligations as prescribed by the chapter, or upon orders from the Executive Board during intervals between chapter meetings. The Secretary-Treasurer shall promptly deliver all monies and records as described in the following section to the Secretary-Treasurer’s successor or to whomever the chapter Executive Board may designate to receive them. The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain all the financial records and minutes of all meetings of the chapter in their original form for two years. Section 3. Executive Board 3.1 Designation The Executive Board membership shall include the President, all past Presidents, Vice President, and the Chairs of all Special Committees. The Past Presidents and Chairs of all Special Committees shall meet with and serve the Executive Board in an advisory capacity, without vote. 3.2 Authority Authority is hereby provided for the Executive Board, between Annual Conferences, to perform all functions and do all acts which this Association might do or perform except it shall not have the power to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws. Its decisions shall be final in matters determined “reasonable and proper”. It has the power to convene or poll itself by a majority vote. 3.3 Duties The duties of the Executive Board are as follows: A. Make appropriate recommendations to the membership at the Annual Conference on matters considered by the Board since the last Annual Conference; B. Supervise all accounts and expenses of the Association, and review the audit of the accounts of Association; C. Review, modify as necessary, and approve the proposed budget of the Louisiana Chapter, such budget to show anticipated revenue, expenses and the desired objective, and anticipated expenses of any projects that are not a part of the regular activities of the Association. 3.4 Meetings The Executive Board shall meet at such times and places as the President shall designate, or as the Board itself may otherwise deem necessary to be a majority vote of its members. 3.5 Quorum A meeting of the Executive Board shall not be official unless attended by a majority of its members. ARTICLE IV – COMMITTEES Section 1. Standing Committees 1.1 Nominating Committee The members of this committee are the Immediate Past President and four other members elected by the general membership Conference preceding the Annual Conference by at least 90 days. The Committee shall report a slate of nominees for all offices. The slate of nominees shall be presented to the membership in accord with the election procedure stated in the Constitution, Article 3, Section 2. Section 2. Special Committees Special committees may be appointed by the President as necessary. Members of these committees shall serve at the pleasure of the President, and their terms otherwise shall expire concurrently with that of the President. Section 3. Duties of Committees Where not otherwise specified, duties of committees shall be designated by the President. ARTICLE V – DUES Section 1. Dues Rates Annual dues rates for the National Association are $60.00 per year for each membership classification, and a designated portion of those dues shall be returned to the Louisiana Chapter. Section 2. Dues Payment Schedule Membership dues are payable on the anniversary date of joining. Members who are delinquent over 90 days from their anniversary date shall be dropped from the membership roll. ARTICLE VI – OFFICIAL PUBLICATION There shall be an official publication of this Association, which shall be governed by the Executive Board. Operation of this publication shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board. ARTICLE VII – PROCEDURES Section 1. Amendment Procedure 1.1 Statement of Restrictions The constitution and/or Bylaws of this Association may be amended only by a majority vote of the voting membership, as specified herein. 1.2 Requirements The proposal to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws of the Association shall be honored from any chapter member. Errors in the format of such proposal shall not be sufficient cause for rejection. An amending proposal shall be submitted by the maker in written form to the Executive Board and its format shall in order be: A. Indication of the name of the maker of the proposal; B. Indication of the intent of the proposal; C. Indication of the Annual Conference where consideration is desired; D. Indication of the Article(s), Section(s), and Paragraph(s) of the Constitution and/or Bylaws proposed to be amended; E. Proposed amending language. 1.3 Drafting of Resolutions to Amend A resolution to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws of this Association shall be based upon the required amending proposal and with the guidance of the Executive Board, it shall be so devised and drafted by the President. A copy of the draft resolution shall be provided to the maker prior to publication for his/her concurrence. Participation by the Executive Board in these matters shall not be construed to imply their support of the measures considered therein except when the Executive Board initiates an amending resolution. 1.4 Required Publication An amending resolution which has been processed with the requirements of Section 1.2 and 1.3 of this Article shall be published and distributed to all members of this Association no less than thirty days before the Annual Conference for consideration. 1.5 Quorum Revision of Resolutions A conference quorum may make amendments to a resolution to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws by means of a majority vote on each proposed resolution amendment. 1.6 Effective Date of Amendments Resolutions passed and adopted by this Association in accord with other provisions of the Constitution and/or Bylaws shall be in force and effect upon the adjournment of the Annual Conference where considered and adopted, provided an exception to this effect is not otherwise contained in the language of the resolution adopted. Section 2. Impeachment A two-thirds majority vote of the total membership shall be required for the removal from office of an officer of this Association. Section 3. Parliamentary Procedure Upon any question coming before this Association not otherwise specifically provided for in the Constitution and/or Bylaws, the presiding officer shall be governed to the extent practicable by Roberts Rules of Order. ARTICLE VIII – DISBURSEMENT OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION Section 1. Statement of Intent Should NENA, Inc. be dissolved, all assets shall be distributed to an organization, or organizations, of similar purpose as selected by a two-thirds majority vote of an annual conference quorum, or by the Executive Board if between annual conferences. ARTICLE IX – ANNUAL CONFERENCE Section 1. Conference Quorum The members attending a business session of an Annual Conference shall constitute a Conference Quorum. Section 2. Conference Rules Conference rules may be established by a majority vote of the Annual Conference Quorum. The conference rules shall be part and parcel of these Bylaws provided the provisions of Bylaws Article VII, Section 1.5 are waived with respect to the conference rules only. ARTICLE X – GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Section 1. Application for Funds The President of this Association or any member designated by him/her may make application to philanthropic organizations, corporations, agencies, groups,, or persons for grants or contributions of funds or property for carrying out general or specific purposes of this Association. No application shall be made to, or contribution received from, any person or agency except after a determination by the Executive Board that a grant or contribution to the Association would be motivated by the desire to further the purposes of the Association and not to derive personal benefit or privilege to the donor. Section 2. Acceptance of Grant or Contribution Any member who may be offered a grant, or contribution, or contract for this Association shall immediately notify the President and no grant or contribution shall be finally accepted by the Association except upon approval of the Executive Board. The terms of any such grant or contribution shall be set forth in writing and signed on behalf of the Association and the donor. Section 3. Administration of Funds Any grant or contribution of the Association shall be credited to its general fund unless, under the terms thereof, a special fund is of such grant or contribution shall follow the procedure defined for general funds of the Association, unless provided for otherwise in the terms of the grant or contribution and agreed upon by the Executive Board. ARTICLE XI – RETENTION OF PROPERTY INTEREST Section 1. Retention of Title All rights, title, and interest, both legal and equitable, in and to property of this Association shall remain in the Association. Section 2. Requirements for Return of Property All property of the Association in the possession or trust of a member or employee shall be returned immediately to the Association in the event of his/her death, resignation, suspension, or expulsion.
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