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ASSOCIATION OF SELF ADVOCATES OF NORTH CAROLINA

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

Section 1.
The name of the association shall be Association of Self
Advocates of North Carolina.

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE

Section 1.
The purpose of the association is:

A. To serve as a collective voice for people with developmental


disabilities.

B. To provide a statewide network in which participants can meet


other self advocates to exchange ideas, give and receive
support, and work together on common goals.

C. To encourage persons with developmental disabilities to take


an active role in the community and to pursue their personal
goals and dreams.

D. To facilitate individualization and full integration in the


mainstream of society.

E. To increase each member’s ability to take charge of his/her


own life.

F. To help people with developmental disabilities take a stand in


society.
G. To increase community awareness of the value, rights, and
abilities of people with developmental disabilities.

H. To promote both services and laws appropriate to meet the


needs and to enhance the status of persons with
developmental disabilities.

I. To encourage the development of local self advocacy groups


across the state of North Carolina.

Section 2.

This association is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian


corporation. No part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefit of,
or be distributable to, its members, directors, or officers, except that
the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay
reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make
payments and distributions in furtherance of purposes set forth in the
articles of incorporation and the constitution and bylaws. The
corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the
publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on
behalf of any candidate for public office. Nonwithstanding, any other
provisions of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any
other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation
exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which
are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code.

Section 3.

This association is organized exclusively for charitable and


educational purposes and shall not participate in or carry on any
activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt
from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax
code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible
under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

All members must agree with the mission and purpose of the
association.

Section 2.

Membership in the Association is for a period of one calendar year


and membership in good standing requires that the individual has
completed a membership application or the convention registration
form and has paid membership dues.

Membership in the association shall consist of the following


categories:

Full voting members:

Individuals with developmental disabilities who are members in


good standing. All voting members are allowed all the benefits of the
ASANC and will be allowed one vote at official business meetings of
the association.

Associate members:

a) Individuals who do not have a disability.


b) Individuals who have disabilities other than a developmental
disability.
c) Organizations, corporations or businesses
d) Persons with developmental disabilities aged 16-18.
Associate members may participate in all activities of the association
but do not vote on actions of the association.

Self Advocacy Group Members:

Local self advocacy groups will have at least five members, an


elected leader, and will meet at least quarterly. All members will
receive all mailings of the association.
Section 3.

All full voting members must be at least 18 years of age.

Section 4.

The membership period is for one year to be renewed annually.

Section 5.

Dues for membership shall be established at the annual meeting for


the following year.

Section 6.

The membership year for all members shall be a twelve month


period. The membership year begins during the month in which
annual dues are paid. Dues shall be payable during the same month
of initial membership of an annual basis thereafter. The Association
will maintain an active membership directory.

Section 7.

No person shall be denied membership on basis of race, religion,


sex, or disability.

ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS AND THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1.

The five (5) officers of the association shall consist of President,


Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President.

Section 2.

Individuals eligible to serve as an officer must:


a) have a developmental disability
b) have been a member of the association for at least one year
c) demonstrate leadership abilities by having served or be serving
as an officer of a local self advocacy group or as chairperson of
a standing committee.
d) agree to be pre-screened by the Nominations committee.

Section 3.

The term of office shall be for two years.

Section 4.

No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same
office.

Section 5.

All elected officers shall serve on the Board of Directors.

Section 6.

The duties of the President shall be:


a) To preside at the annual meeting and board meetings of the
association
b) To receive documents and written materials of the association
c) To appoint by submitting names for chairpersons of standing
committees to the Board of Directors for approval by majority
vote.
d) To appoint temporary ad hoc committees and task forces
necessary for the conduct of the association’s business
e) To submit names for interim officers to the Board of Directors
for approval by majority vote should a vacancy occur in any
office between annual business meetings.

Section 7.
The Vice President shall, in absence of the President, perform the
duties of the President and any other duties assigned by the
association or President. The Vice President shall serve as
chairperson of the Convention committee.

Section 8.

The Secretary shall record all minutes of annual meeting and board
meetings and be responsible for the distribution of information,
notification, etc., to the membership concerning the activities of the
association through collaboration with the Executive Director. The
Secretary shall assist with the maintenance of an up to date
membership list.

Section 9.

The Treasurer shall handle fiscal matters concerning the association


and present a written quarterly financial report to the Board of
Directors and an annual financial report to the general membership.
The Treasurer will work with the person chosen as the Financial
Advisor when available.

Section 10.

The Past-President shall serve as the Chairperson for the


Nominations standing committee and the Awards ad hoc committee.

ARTICLE 5 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for conducting the


business of the association between the meetings of the general
membership to occur no less than quarterly.

Section 2.

The Board of Directors shall consist of 15 voting members.


(a) The elected officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer)
(b) 10 Directors [at-large] appointed to 2 year terms (staggered
terms 5 odd / 5 even – as best as possible) and
(c) The immediate Past-President

Section 3.

The President shall act as chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.

Any vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by


the Board through the appointment of an interim member from the
membership by a majority of the voting members of the Board.

Upon two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from Board meetings,


(no contact made) the Secretary will write a letter to the member
stating that his or her standing on the Board is in jeopardy if he or she
does not attend the next meeting. A member of the Board shall be
removed from office after 3 consecutive unexcused absences from
board meetings. A member of the Board may be removed by a 2/3
vote of the board for failure to perform the duties as required by the
Board. A Board member may request temporary inactive status due
to special circumstances such as a medical issue if approved by a
majority vote of the Board.

Section 5.

At the Board’s discretion by majority vote, the Board of Directors may


appoint ideally (4-6) non-voting advisors to the Board. The Board of
Directors shall develop guidelines for participation in Board meetings
in conjunction with the selected advisor, advisors of committees, and
advisors to local self advocacy groups. There shall be no more than
6 advisors. All must possess knowledge and interest in Self
Advocacy and must understand and support the mission and
philosophy of the ASANC. Nominations will be sought on an as
needed basis to fill vacant positions. Prospective advisors may be
nominated by any local self advocacy group or member in good
standing and must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive
Committee. Advisors serve for a two year term and may serve two
consecutive terms.
ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS

Section 1.

Business meetings shall be held annually for the general membership


normally in March.

Section 2.

Written notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed thirty (30) days
in advance by the Secretary to all paid members.

Section 3.

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly.


Notice of the meetings shall be made at least fifteen (15) days in
advance. Minutes from board meetings shall be distributed to the
Board within thirty (30) days after the Board meeting.

Section 4.

Standing committees shall meet more than once a year and as


frequently as needed.

Section 5.

A quorum at the Annual Business meeting shall consist of 1/10th of


the members in attendance at the Annual Convention. A quorum of
the Board shall be at least ½ of the Board.

ARTICLE 7 – COMMITTEES

Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members the
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate
Past President.

Section 2.

The Standing Committees shall be:


A) By-laws and Policies
B) Recruitment and Membership
C) Legislation
D) Convention
E) Nominations
F) Personnel

Section 3.

The President shall appoint chairpersons of the Standing Committees


to be approved by the Board by majority vote.

Section 4.

Standing committee chairs may appoint an advisor to the committee


and select its members.

Section 5.

The President may appoint ad hoc committees as needed with the


approval of the Executive Committee by majority vote.

ARTICLE 8 – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1.

The Nominations Committee shall consist of:


A) The Chairperson shall be the past-President.
B) Two (2) members appointed by the Board of Directors
C) Two (2) members appointed by the President.

Section 2.
The Nominations Committee shall be convened at least three (3)
months prior to the annual meeting when the elections are held. The
primary responsibilities of this committee are that it checks that all
candidates meet the eligibility requirements for office and that the
individuals that are nominated are willing to accept the actual
nomination.

Section 3.

The Nominations Committee shall notify the general membership of


the individuals nominated for office at least one (1) month prior to the
election.

Section 4.

Elections shall be held each year at the annual meeting for the offices
of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The
Nominations Committee will actively promote that there be at least
two (2) candidates for each position.

Section 5.

Voting shall be by secret ballot. And must be at least 2/3of the


membership that votes. The Nominations Committee shall record the
votes.

ARTICLE 9 – FINANCES

Section 1.

Annual membership dues shall be set by a majority vote of the


membership at the annual meeting.

Section 2.

The fiscal year for the association shall be July 1 through June 30.
Section 3.

The funds of the association shall be used by the Board of Directors


for conducting the business of the association. The Board shall not
expend in excess of the treasury.

Section 4.

The treasurer shall devise a budget for the following fiscal year to be
presented to the Board of Directors prior to March 1st. The Board of
Directors shall approve a proposed budget at the annual meeting by
majority vote.

Section 5.

The Treasurer shall present an annual budget report to the Board of


Directors within ninety (90) days following the end of the fiscal year.

Section 6.

Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after


paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities, dispose of
all the assets of the association exclusively for the purposes in Article
2 and which at that time qualify as an exempt organization or
organizations under Section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United
States Internal Revenue Law) as the Board of Directors shall
determine. If no such exempt organization(s) shall be in existence at
that time, all assets shall be distributed to an organization or
organizations which serve persons with developmental disabilities
and which at that time qualify as an exempt organization or
organizations under Section 501(c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States
Internal Revenue Law).
ARTICLE 10 – PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1.

All meetings of the association shall be governed by Robert’s Rules


of Order, revised. Agendas will have proposed time allotments for
each item. The Vice President will serve as the timekeeper. The
Secretary will be responsible for maintaining a speakers list.

ARTICLE 11 – AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Section 1.

This Constitution and By-laws may be amended at the annual


business meeting of the association by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of
what must be at least a 10% quorum for the convention.

Section 2.

Any member in good standing may propose amendments to the


Constitution and By-laws.

Section 3.

Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws shall be


distributed to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the
annual meeting.

Approved at the 2008 ASANC Convention on


March 15th, 2008 at 3:30pm

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