Chapter Bylaws
Bylaws approved by membership on 6/12/2007.
The South Carolina Midlands Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development
(Bylaws approved by membership on 6/12/2007)
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Article I Name and Purpose
Section A: Chapter Name
The name of this organization is the South Carolina Midlands Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. The registered office of the Chapter shall be located in the State of South Carolina.
Section B: Affiliation with the National Society
The Chapter is an affiliate of the American Society for Training and Development, a non-profit educational society under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Society and its Chapters are not organized for profit, and no part of their net earnings shall benefit any member or private individual, except for payment or reasonable compensation for services rendered.
Section C: Governance and Management of Chapter
The Chapter shall be governed and managed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. The Board of Directors shall set policies within the limits prescribed by these bylaws.
Section D: Purpose
The Chapter is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as amended, and may make expenditures for one or more of these purposes. Without limiting or expanding the foregoing, the Chapter’s specific purpose is to be the leading organization for training and human development professionals in the Midlands region of South Carolina. Our goals are to:
· Provide consistently valuable learning opportunities for our members and guests through exposure to new information, methods and approaches.
· Create deliberate opportunities for our members to grow professionally by sharing ideas and experiences, learning from each other, and providing mutual support.
· Work diligently in our community to increase awareness of the value of human performance improvement.
Section E. Equal Opportunity
The Chapter offers equal opportunity to all eligible members, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, veteran status, physical or mental impairment.
Section F. Political Activities
The Chapter shall not devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise, and shall not advocate or campaign for legislation or a defeat of proposed legislation. The Chapter shall not directly or indirectly participate in, including the publishing or distribution of statements, any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
Article II. Membership
Section A. Eligibility
Membership in the Chapter is open to those who have interests or responsibilities in training, human resource development, workplace learning and performance; are interested in advancing the objectives of the Chapter and the Society; and subscribe to and are qualified under these bylaws. A Chapter member in good standing is one who meets the requirements for membership, and whose dues are paid for the membership year.
Section B Dues
Dues, fees, and terms of Chapter membership will be set by the Board of Directors. Chapter memberships are not transferable.
Section C. Suspension or Termination of Membership
The Board of Directors may, by a two-thirds vote of those present, suspend or terminate the membership of any individual for actions or behavior in violation of these bylaws or deemed detrimental to the best interests of the Chapter.
1. Suspension or termination of membership will be considered at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. Written or electronic notice of, and rationale for, proposed suspension or termination shall be mailed to board members and the member concerned at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting.
2. Any motion for suspension or termination must be made by an elected board member, based on personal knowledge, official Chapter records, or a statement signed by no fewer than five (5) Chapter members in good standing.
3. Before an action of suspension or termination, the member will have an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors.
Article III Board of Directors
Section A. Duties and Responsibilities
The management of the affairs of the Chapter shall be vested in the Board of Directors. It shall be the duty of the Board to carry out the objectives and purposes of the Chapter, and to this end it may exercise all powers of the Chapter. The duties of the Board shall include: establishing policy for the operation of the Chapter; approving the strategic plan, the annual plan, and the budget; approving categories of membership; authorizing new committees of the Chapter; and performing other functions as appropriate for the Board of Directors.
Section B. Membership
The Board of Directors will consist of not less than five (5) and not more than eleven (11) individuals elected from among Chapter members in good standing as specified in Article II of these bylaws. The Board of Directors shall continue in office until successors are duly installed.
Members of the Board of Directors shall be President, President-Elect, Past President, Treasurer (VP of Finance) and Directors as determined by the Board of Directors and these bylaws.
1. President
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Chapter, the President is responsible for managing the Chapter in accordance with these bylaws and the laws of South Carolina. The President presides at, and sets the agenda for, meetings of the Board of Directors and membership meetings, except as noted in Article VII of these bylaws; and oversees the management of the Chapter.
2. President-Elect
The President-Elect acts for the President in the President’s absence. The President-Elect serves as the chair of the Nominating Committee and facilitates planning in preparation for term as President. The President-Elect performs other duties as requested by the President.
3. Treasurer (Vice President of Finance)
The Treasurer shall report on the financial condition of the Chapter at meetings of the Board and at other times when called upon by the president.
4. Directors
Other Directors shall include:
Secretary
Membership
Programs
Communications
All Directors will have position descriptions approved by the Board, listing the duties and responsibilities of each position. Position descriptions will be made available to Chapter members and potential Board members at least 30 days prior to scheduled elections.
Non-elected “At-Large” representatives may assist with Chapter and Board business. However, they may not vote on Board issues.
Section C. Qualifications
Persons seeking to serve on the Board of Directors must be Chapter members in good standing as specified in these bylaws. Board members are required to maintain membership in the national Society.
Section D. Terms
Board members shall be elected to serve terms of one (1) year. Board members may stand for re-election to the same board position, but may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms for any one position
Section E. Conduct of Chapter Business
1. A majority of members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board. When a specific Board position (such as Programs or Membership) has two or more Co-Directors, only one Co-Director is counted for attendance/quorum purposes, and only one vote is cast by all the Co-Directors present representing that position. Should a quorum not be present, those members present may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is present. A Board member may appoint a designee to attend a called Board meeting in his/her absence. This designee shall be counted for a quorum and may vote in the place of the Board member. The Board member should notify the President before the meeting if a designee will be present.
2. The act of the majority of Board members present at a meeting where a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board unless a greater proportion is required by law or by these bylaws. Each position represented (excluding “At-Large”) casts only one vote. Positions represented by two or more Co-Directors must come to consensus prior to casting a vote. Any ties will be broken by the President.
3. Board members may not cast proxy votes for absent Board members.
Section F. Meetings
The Board of Directors will meet at least quarterly. The date of scheduled Board meetings will be announced at least thirty (30) days in advance, and the exact time and place of all Board meetings will be announced to all Board members at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the meeting. Additional meetings of the Board may be called to conduct Chapter business outside of scheduled meetings. Board business specifically addressed in these Bylaws (such as removal of members or Board members) shall not be covered in these “called” meetings. Date and location of “called” meetings should be provided to Board members as soon as possible.
Section G. Attendance
Failure to attend two (2) consecutive and duly called meetings of the Board of Directors will be sufficient cause for the Board to consider replacing a Board member under the provisions of these Bylaws. Board member attendance at “called” Board meetings is strongly encouraged, but is excluded from this provision.
Section H. Removal
1. The Board of Directors may, by thee-fourths vote of the full Board, suspend or terminate a member of the Board for actions or behavior in violation of these bylaws, or which are deemed detrimental to the best interests of the Chapter.
2. Suspension or termination of Board members will be considered at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. Written or electronic notice of, and rationale for, proposed suspension or termination shall be mailed to Board members and the individual concerned at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting.
3. Any motion for suspension or termination must be made by a Board member, based on personal knowledge, official Chapter records, or statement signed by no fewer than five (5) Chapter members in good standing.
4. Before action of suspension or termination, the board member will have an opportunity to be heard by the Board.
5. Any Board member may resign by submitting a written or electronic notice to the President.
Section I. Vacancies
1. When a vacancy occurs for a board position, the President may, with the approval of the majority of the Board of Directors, appoint a replacement from among Chapter members in good standing to serve the balance of the term.
2. Should the office of President be vacated, the President-Elect will assume the position and its responsibilities. If both the offices of President and President-Elect become vacant simultaneously, the Treasurer (Vice President of Finance) will convene the Board of Directors to select a member of that body to assume the duties and responsibilities of the President until a special election by the membership can be held. Approval of an interim President will require a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Article IV. Election of Board Members
Section A. Nominating Committee
The President-Elect will form a Nominating Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will have no fewer than five (5) members, and will include the President-Elect, the Past President, and three (3) Chapter members in good standing not currently serving in elected positions.
Section B. The Nominating Committee will seek the input of the Board of Directors and will present a slate of qualified candidates to the membership at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the end of the current Board terms.
Section C. Board members will be elected by a majority of Chapter members voting.
Article V. Financial Review
Section A. A financial review will be conducted annually and more frequently if circumstances dictate, by the Financial Review Committee, with findings reported to the Board of Directors.
Section B. An external review or audit (conducted by a CPA, bookkeeper, MBA or a VP Finance from another chapter), is mandated every five (5) years, and may be undertaken more frequently if circumstances dictate.
Section C. Results of the financial reviews and audits will be published and made available to the Chapter membership as soon as is practicable, but no later than (90 days into the following fiscal year).
Section D. The committee shall consist of the President-Elect, the Past President, and no fewer than three Chapter members in good standing who have not served as a Board member for at least two years. The Treasurer shall not be eligible to serve on the Financial Review Committee, but will provide, or direct the Chapter administrator to provide, the committee or independent auditor, any and all records necessary to complete a review of Chapter finances.
Article VI. Committees
In addition to committees specified in these bylaws, committees may be established or disbanded by the Board of Directors. Committees are subject to the oversight and direction of the Board or those authorized by that body.
Article VII. Special Meetings of the Chapter
Special meetings of the Chapter may be called by the President, the Board of Directors, or upon the receipt of a petition signed by at least 10% of Chapter members in good standing.
1. The call for a special meeting must specify the reason for the meeting. Business at the special meeting will be limited solely to the topic specified. Notification will be made to all Chapter members at least (10) business days prior to the meeting. Notification may be made electronically by e-mail.
2. Twenty-five percent (25%) of Chapter members in good standing will constitute a quorum required for the conduct of business at a special meeting.
3. The President shall preside at a Special Meeting of the Chapter; unless the President has a conflict of interest regarding the reason such a meeting has been called. In that case, the body calling the Special Meeting (the Board or Chapter members) shall select an individual to preside at the meeting by majority vote.
4. A majority vote of Chapter members present will be sufficient to carry a motion, provided that such a motion complies with these bylaws.
5. The minutes of a special meeting will be published or made available to all Chapter members.
Article VIII. Indemnification
The Board of Directors may seek and maintain such indemnification to the fullest extent available under the laws of the State of South Carolina to protect the Chapter, Chapter members, Board members, officers, employees, and agents.
Article IX. Amendment and Modification of Bylaws
Section A. Amendments to these bylaws may only be initiated by the Board of Directors or by a petition signed by at least twenty five (25%) of Chapter members in good standing.
Section B. Notice of any potential change must be published and distributed to the membership at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to voting on such measures. Electronic distribution is acceptable.
Section C. Amendments must be approved by a majority of Chapter members in good standing voting by mail ballot or at a duly called special meeting. Voting electronically (by e-mail) is an acceptable alternative.
Section D. Notice of approved changes to these Bylaws shall be published or distributed to all Chapter members ((no later than sixty (60) days)) following adoption.
Article X. Dissolution of Chapter & Liquidation of Assets
The Chapter may be dissolved by a vote of two-thirds of Chapter members in good standing. Upon dissolution of the Chapter, and after all of its liabilities and obligations have been paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provisions made therefore, all of the Chapter’s remaining assets shall be distributed to the American Society of Training and Development, the Chapter’s national organization.
