Texas Association of Addiction Professionals
Austin Chapter Bylaws
ARTICLE I - NAME AND AFFILIATION
The name of this chapter shall be the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Austin Chapter, herein referred to as “the Chapter.” Duration of the Chapter is to be determined by Charter granted by the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, herein referred to as “the Association.” The Chapter is affiliated with the Association and with such organizations as the Association maintains affiliation.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
The Chapter shall endeavor to accomplish the mission of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals by meeting the following objectives:
A. to unite the addiction professionals in the geographic area the Chapter serves;
B. to maintain current chapter membership rolls and to increase membership, and;
C. to abide by the bylaws of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Classes of Membership
Membership in the Chapter shall consist of individuals classified as Active, Student, or Honorary Members in accordance with the bylaws of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.
Section 2 - Transfer of Membership
TAAP members who transfer into the Chapter shall be considered fully paid members of the Chapter until the next assessment of dues is made by the Association and the Chapter portion thereof remitted to the Chapter by Association Headquarters.
Section 3 - Dues
Dues are payable to the Association by the Member on the anniversary of the month joined. The Association shall remit to the Chapter Treasurer that portion of the membership dues allocated to the Chapter on a monthly basis.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
The Executive authority of the Chapter shall be vested in the elected officers herein referred to as “the Executive Committee.” Executive Committee members shall:
1) be an Active Chapter Member in good standing
2) not hold office in any other Chapter, but may hold office at the State and/or National level.
Section 1 - Elected Officers
The elected officers of the Chapter shall be: President; Vice-President; Secretary; Treasurer.
Section 2 - Appointed Officers
The appointed officers of the Chapter shall be such officers as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the Chapter. Appointments shall be made by the Chapter President and approved by the Executive Committee. Austin AMFT Bylaws Approved 11/9/11
Section 3 - Terms of Office
The elected officers shall assume office on July 1 for a term of one year.
Section 4 - Vacancies/Removal
A. A vacancy in the office of Chapter President shall be filled by the Vice-President for the remainder of the term. Any other vacancy in elected or appointed office shall be filled by appointment by the Chapter President subject to approval by the Chapter Membership at its next regular meeting.
B. Any officer may be removed from office for cause by two-thirds (2/3) vote of Chapter Members present and voting at any Chapter meeting. Causes for removal are:
1) breach of the Code of Ethics;
2) conflicts which are deemed by the Chapter Membership to be detrimental to the Chapter, and:
3) failure to carry out the duties of office by reason of non-participation.
Section 5 - Absence of Officers
A. If any person holding office in the Chapter is absent from regular meetings of the Executive Committee or of the Chapter after being duly notified on two consecutive occasions, or fails to perform the duties of office as prescribed by these bylaws, said person’s office shall be deemed vacant by recommendation of the Executive Committee and shall be filled as provided in Section 4A of this Article. A person whose office is vacated shall have the right to appeal this recommendation at the next regular Chapter meeting for final determination.
B. In the event an officer is unable to attend a regular meeting of the Executive Committee or of the Chapter, said officer shall notify the Chapter President or Secretary. The body from which the officer is absent, i.e., the Executive Committee or the Chapter, shall determine if said officer's absence is for cause. Any officer who fails to notify the President or Secretary as prescribed herein shall be deemed to be absent without cause.
Section 6 - Compensation and Expenses
No officer of the Chapter may receive any salary or compensation from the Chapter, but may be allowed reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties.
Section 7 - Duties of Officers
A. President
The President shall:
1) preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Committee;
2) be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations and Elections Committee;
3) subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, make all appointments of officers and committee chairs necessary to execute the business of the Chapter;
4) perform such other duties as may be directed by the Chapter Membership or the Executive Committee; and
5) act, or appoint another Officer or Chapter member, as the liaison with the Association legislative committee/Chair.
B. Vice President
The Vice President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Committee in the absence of the President, and shall assume the duties of that office in the event the President is unable to act. He/she shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the President or the Executive Committee. Austin AMFT Bylaws Approved 11/9/11
The Vice President shall:
1) act as the primary point of contact for member complaints;
2) serve as the Membership Liaison;
3) act as the Chapter liaison with the Association to help facilitate problem resolution within the Chapter and Association.
4) coordinate monthly AustiNet networking meetings, including:
a. attending meetings
b. obtaining a copy of the sign-in sheet, creating a list of attendees, updating the master list,
c. arranging next month’s meeting with hosts
d. post next month’s meeting on SoberAustin, LinkedIn, and through Constant Contact e-blast
e. solicit and schedule sponsorship for the following year
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall:
1) be responsible for taking minutes of all meetings of the Chapter and of the Executive Committee;
2) supply written minutes thereof at the next Chapter meeting;
3) maintain current rosters of the officers and members of the Chapter, standing committees, ad hoc committees, and committee chairs;
4) oversee distribution of all meeting notices;
5) serve on the Events Committee and Awards Nominations Committee; and
6) perform such other duties as may be directed by the President or the Executive Committee.
D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
1) have charge of funds and disbursements of the Chapter, under the supervision of the Executive Committee and subject to approval of the Chapter Membership. All checks drawn from Chapter funds shall be signed by either the Treasurer or the Chapter President;
2) keep an itemized account of all moneys received and disbursed, including per capita dues or assessments from members, and make a report thereof with budget comparison at each Chapter meeting; and
3) serve on the Chapter Events Committee
4) perform such other duties as may be directed by the President or the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
The governing authority of the Chapter and election of officers shall be vested in the Chapter Membership.
Section 1 - Regular Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held bi-monthly on odd numbered months beginning with January of each year on the second Wednesday. Austin AMFT Bylaws Approved 11/9/11 Page 3 Section 2 - Special Meetings The Chapter President, with Chapter Executive Committee approval, may call a meeting of the Chapter Membership when time is of the essence with ten (10) days notice to all members. Any Chapter business may be conducted at such a called meeting except elections. Section 3 - Quorum A quorum for any Chapter meeting shall be the Chapter members in good standing who are present.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Section 1 - Standing Committees
The Standing Committees of the Chapter shall be Executive; Finance; Membership, and; Nominations and Elections.
A. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall:
1) coordinate day-to-day affairs of the Chapter and make recommendations and suggestions to the Chapter Membership;
2) be constituted of the elected and appointed officers of the Chapter, and;
3) shall meet separately and apart from all other Chapter meetings and committee meetings. Such meetings shall be open to observers.
B. Finance Committee
The Chapter Treasurer, with approval of the Executive Committee, will fulfill the duties of the Finance Committee. As such he/she shall:
1) recommend the policies governing the fiscal operation of the Chapter throughout the fiscal year, which shall commence on July 1 and end on June 30, both dates inclusive, and;
2) prepare and present an annual budget for the ensuing fiscal year subject to approval of the Chapter members.
C. Membership Committee/Liaison
The Membership Committee/Liaison shall be responsible for developing and implementing programs for the benefit of the Chapter members. The Membership Committee/Liaison shall promote programs to attract new members and maintain current membership. The Membership Liaison/Committee Chair shall act as a liaison between the Chapter and the Membership/Public Relations Committee of the Association.
D. Nominations and Election Committee
The Nominations and Election Committee shall:
1) consist of three (3) Chapter members appointed by the Chapter President and subject to approval by the Chapter Membership, and;
2) be chaired by an Active Member of the chapter and shall be presented first for approval by the Chapter Membership at the first meeting of the calendar year. The Chapter President will then present the remaining appointees for approval.
The duties of this committee shall be:
1) to prepare a slate of officer candidates and to present this slate to the Chapter Membership at least sixty (60) days prior to the last meeting of the fiscal year ending June 30;
2) to serve as tellers of the election of Chapter officers; and
3) to prepare a slate of nominees for the State awards, and upon approval of the Chapter Membership, to be forwarded to the Association no later than May 1st of each year, or as required by the Association. Austin AMFT Bylaws Approved 11/9/11 Page 4 4) Section 2 - Ad Hoc Committees Ad hoc committees may be established and appointed by the President subject to the approval by the Chapter Membership at its next regular meeting. Ad hoc committees shall have a term of no more than one (1) year. Any ad hoc committee that needs to continue more than one year must be re-authorized by the Chapter Membership and the Chair must be re-appointed by the Chapter President.
ARTICLE VII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of the Chapter in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these bylaws shall be made by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those members present and voting at any Chapter meeting. Proposed amendments shall be mailed to the Chapter members at least thirty (30) days prior to any vote of adoption for amendments.
ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION CLAUSE
The assets of the Chapter in the process of dissolution shall be applied and distributed as follows:
A. All liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid and discharged; in case its property and assets are not sufficient to satisfy or discharge all the Chapter’s liabilities and obligations, the Chapter shall apply them so far as they will go to the just and equitable payment of the liabilities and obligations.
B. Assets held by the Chapter upon condition requiring return, transfer or conveyance, which occurs by reason of a dissolution, shall be returned, transferred or conveyed in accordance with the individual requirement of these assets. Reviewed and approved by general membership, November 9, 2011 Austin AMFT Bylaws Approved 11/9/11.