PRAL BYLAWS
Article I—Rules of Order
Section 1
In all cases in which they are applicable and not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association, the Rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern deliberations of the Association and the Board of Directors.
Article II—Duties of Officers
Section 1
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and with the Secretary, shall sign as legal representatives of the Association, ail documents approved by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside at meetings of the Association.
Section 2
The Vice President will be responsible for handling all meetings and for making the arrangements concerning the meeting. He will be responsible also for the program content.
Section 3
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the official records of the Association, including the files and rosters of members and for the preparation, publication, and distribution of the annual roster of members.
Section 4
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Association and shall have responsibility for billing and collecting annual dues and preparing and presenting quarterly and annual financial statements to the Board, such documents shall be prepared in a format consistent with standard accounting procedures. The Treasurer shall countersign all checks.
Section 5
Officers and board members are expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors. If unable to attend, the board member shall notify the president or secretary in advance of the scheduled meeting. Two consecutive unexcused absences from in-state Board meetings shall constitute grounds for dismissal from office, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Article III—Committees
Section 1
Sixty days prior to the election of officers, the President, with the approval of the Board, shall appoint a nominating committee.
Section 2
The President shall appoint such special and temporary committees as he deems necessary.
Section 3
All committees shall make report at the annual meeting of the Association, or as specified by the President.
Article IV—Meetings and Conferences
Section 1
There shall be at least one annual meeting of the Association and quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 2
Special meetings of the Association may be called at any time at the direction of the Board or by the President, or upon written request to the President by thirty (30) members in good standing. The notice of such meetings shall state the business for which they are called and no other business may be transacted at such meetings.
Article V—Duties and Privileges
Section 1
Each member shall be entitled, subject to such rules as the Board of Directors may establish, to a Certificate of Membership, signed by the President.
Section 2
All active members who have paid current dues and against whom no charges are pending, shall be eligible to vote and to hold office in the Association.
Section 3
If the fight of a member to vote or hold office is questioned, the records of the Association shall be considered conclusive evidence.
Section 4
Upon a written request of ten or more members in good standing, in which the cause has been stated, the Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote may expel any member provided such member shall have been informed in writing of the charges, and provided he has been given the opportunity for a fair hearing.
Article VI—Elections
Section 1
Procedure for conduct of a written ballot for officers and directors shall be as follows:
A. The Nominating Committee, after soliciting suggestions for officers, shall nominate a slate of officers consisting of at least one name for each office to be filled. This slate must be presented to the Board of Directors for approval prior to notification of the membership.
B. The Secretary shall submit the slate in ballot form to each qualified member at least thirty (30) days before the annual business meeting. Members may add or delete names for office on this ballot.
C. Each eligible ballot must be returned bearing a postmark not later than midnight five (5) days prior to the annual business meeting.
D. The Secretary shall count the ballots. The president will in turn appoint an audit committee of no less than three (3) active members to audit the ballots. A simple majority of those voting will be required for election.
E. Officers and directors shall be installed at the annual business meeting and shall serve until successors are duly elected and installed.
Article VII—Vacancies
Section 1
Vacancies occurring among the offices of the Association shall be filled for the unexpired portion of that term by the board of directors with two-thirds of the members concurring. Such vote may be taken by mail ballot.
Section 2
Vacancies arising on the Board of Directors may be filled by a two-thirds vote of the Board if the vacancy occurs between the annual meeting and election time. Such vote may be taken by mail ballot.
Article VIII—Official Roster
Section 1
The Secretary shall prepare a current membership roster and distribute it and a copy of the current Constitution and Bylaws to all members of the Association.
Article IX—Fiscal and Administration Year
Section 1
The administration and fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Article X—Dues
Section 1
Annual dues in the Association shall be $40 per year. The dues will be paid to the state association by each chapter.
Section 2
SPRF dues will be paid from the $40 annual membership dues.
Article Xl—Area Chapters
Section 1
Area chapters, duly chartered by the Board of Directors shall be designated according to locale.
Section 2
Area chapters shall be structured along the same organizational lines as the state organization, shall adhere to the PRAL Constitution, and shall adopt operating procedures in keeping with those of the Association.
Section 3
An area chapter may engage in any activity sanctioned by its board of directors, so long as the activity does not in any way obligate PRAL financially or otherwise, nor in any manner harm or create difficulty for the state organization.
Article XII—Amendments
SECTION 1: These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.