Our Chapter



		Our Chapter: IABC/TRIANGLE CHAPTER BYLAWS May 12, 2004 ARTICLE 1 - NAME AND LOCATION Section 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be IABC/Triangle, a not-for-profit organization. IABC/Triangle shall be affiliated with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Section 2. Location. The geographical area served by IABC/Triangle shall include Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas. ARTICLE 2 - MISSION Section 1. IABC/Triangle is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of internal and external communication of businesses, organizations, and institutions. To this end, IABC/Triangle will seek to enhance the professional competence of those engaged in communication capacities, to arm them with tools and techniques, and to provide them with comprehensive resources so that they may be more effective in their service to their organizations and in their individual pursuits. Fully recognizing that communication in business, organizations and institutions is undergoing vast and rapid change, IABC/Triangle will support the International Association of Business Communicators in seeking to educate those charged with the management of such enterprises on how to use professional communicators to meet vital needs in a world that demands dynamic communication. ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Qualification. Membership in this organization shall be composed primarily of professional organizational communicators engaged in internal and/or external communication at all levels of their respective organizations. Section 2. Regular membership. This membership is open to professional communicators in business, industry, not-for-profit organizations, education, government, and other organizations, educators, consultants, and freelancers in the communication field. Regular members of IABC/Triangle shall be members in good-standing of the Internal Association of Business Communicators. Section 3. Student membership. This membership is open to students, as defined by the International Association of Business Communicators, of educational institutions. Section 4. Honorary membership. This membership shall be conferred on persons who are not members of IABC/Triangle as determined by the executive board. Section 5. 500 Club membership. This membership is open to regular IABC members who have paid $1,000 for a lifetime membership on the international and district level. They must pay chapter dues annually. Section 6. Service and participation. Policies governing service and participation for all members shall be determined by the executive board of IABC/Triangle, unless otherwise set forth in these bylaws. Section 7. Duration of membership, resignation, and removal. Membership shall be for the period for which dues are paid. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the president. All rights, privileges, and interests of a member in or to IABC/Triangle shall cease on termination of membership. Any member shall be removed from membership by the executive board for cause by a two-thirds vote. For any cause other than nonpayment of dues, removal shall occur only after the member in question has been given at least 30 days' notice of the proposed termination and reasons for it. The member will have at least 15 days to respond in writing to the executive board for forwarding to the executive committee of the International Association of Business Communicators, which then shall make a final determination. ARTICLE 4 - DUES Section 1. Establishment of dues. Chapter dues and other chapter fees shall be set by a two-thirds vote of the executive board of IABC/Triangle. Section 2. Cancellation. Members who fail to pay their full dues within 30 days after they are due shall be notified and dropped from the rolls and thereupon forfeit all rights and privileges of membership. Section 3. Refunds. No dues shall be refunded to any member whose membership terminates for any reason. ARTICLE 5 - ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Section 1. The executive board, at its discretion, may establish units within IABC/Triangle to serve specific geographical, functional, or other interests. ARTICLE 6 - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS AND VOTING Section 1. Regular meetings. Regular meetings of IABC/Triangle shall be held monthly from September through June. Section 2. Notice of meetings. All members shall be sent written notice of meetings, including time, location, and purpose of the meeting, at least one week prior to said meeting. Section 3. Special meetings. The executive board may call special meetings of the membership at any time by sending written notice as specified above. Section 4. Voting. Those eligible to vote shall be members meeting the requirements of membership as set forth in these bylaws, with the exceptions that student and honorary members shall not be eligible to vote. Section 5. Quorum. A quorum of the executive board shall consist of a majority of the total number of executive board members, as defined in these bylaws. A quorum necessary to act on official business of the entire chapter shall consist of at least 40 percent of the total voting membership. Section 6. Cancellation. The executive board, by a majority vote, may cancel or postpone any meeting of the chapter for cause, except those called by a quorum of the membership. Such meetings shall be held no fewer than 30 days after presentation of a request for meeting signed by at least 40 percent of the total voting membership. Section 7. Rules of order. Meetings and procedures of IABC/Triangle shall be regulated and controlled according to Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) for parliamentary procedure, except as otherwise provided by these bylaws. ARTICLE 7 - OFFICERS Section 1. Governing body. The governing body of IABC/Triangle shall be known as the executive board. Section 2. Officers. The officers of IABC/Triangle, and the members of the executive board, shall be a president, past president, secretary, vice president of finance, vice president of membership, vice president of professional development, and vice president of marketing Section 3. Qualifications for office. Any regular member in good standing shall be eligible for nomination and election to office in IABC/Triangle. Section 4. Nomination of officers. Candidates for office shall be selected by a nominating committee, consisting of the past president, who will serve as chair, the president, and three members appointed by the president. Nominees will be drawn from submission by members of IABC/Triangle. The nominating committee shall present its slate to the executive board for approval, and copies of the slate shall be sent to all voting members at least 30 days in advance of the final meeting of the chapter year. The outgoing president shall automatically succeed to the office of past president. Section 5. Election of officers. Accompanying the slate of officers sent to all voting members shall be an official ballot, which shall be returned no later than seven days prior to the final meeting of the chapter year. The nominating committee shall be responsible for tabulating all official ballots and announcing the winning officers at the final meeting of the year. Section 6. Terms of office. All officers shall serve two-year terms or until a successor is duly elected. Section 7. Vacancies or removal. Vacancies in any office on the executive board shall be filled for the balance of the term by the executive board at any regular or special meeting in accordance with these bylaws. If the past president is unable to serve, the executive board shall appoint a past president from former presidents of the chapter. The executive board, at its discretion and following IABC policy, may remove by two-thirds vote any officer from office for cause. ARTICLE 8 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. President. The president shall serve as the chief executive officer of IABC/Triangle; exercise general supervision over executive affairs of IABC/Triangle; preside at all regular and special meetings; appoint and be an ex officio member of all committees; and represent IABC/Triangle in civic, professional, and educational activities. The president shall perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the executive board. Section 2. Vice President of Professional Development. The vice president of professional development shall develop and facilitate dynamic programs to meet membership needs for professional development and networking. Specific duties may include the following: facilitate professional development committee meetings; facilitate communication and planning of all programs; identify member programming needs, relevant speakers, and appropriate locations; schedule programs and oversee logistical arrangements; develop program description for publicity purposes; manage reservations; provide on-site oversight, including greeting attendees, managing registration, introducing speakers, and collecting survey responses; send thank-you notes to speakers; and manage budget for each program. It is expected that the vice president of professional development, like all members of the executive board, will participate in overall chapter development by attending chapter programs and board meetings. The vice president of professional development shall perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the executive board. Section 3. Vice President of Membership. The vice president of membership shall promote the value of IABC membership to members and prospects. Specific duties may include the following: facilitate membership committee meetings, promote membership at chapter programs by assisting with program registration and greeting attendees; verify membership status by confirming monthly membership reports from the International Association of Business Communicators; assist members in updating their contact information on the IABC Web site; correspond with prospects to provide membership information; and notify chapter members whose membership is about to expire. It is expected that the vice president of membership, like all members of the executive board, will participate in overall chapter development by attending chapter programs and board meetings. The vice president of membership shall perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the executive board. Section 4. Vice President of Marketing. The vice president of marketing shall create and facilitate successful marketing strategies for IABC/Triangle; promote chapter events and special news to members, prospects, and the media; develop communication materials to support and promote the chapter's professional development opportunities; and work closely with the executive board as marketing and design needs arise. Specific duties may include the following: oversee development, production, and inventory of identity materials; facilitate marketing committee meetings; format and distribute e-mail notices of chapter events; and send meeting notices to local media. It is expected that the vice president of marketing, like all members of the executive board, will participate in overall chapter development by attending chapter programs and board meetings. The vice president of marketing shall perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the executive board. Section 5. Vice President of Finance. The vice president of finance shall oversee all financial matters related to the chapter and ensure fiscal responsibility in regard to income and expenses. Specific duties may include the following: maintain and reconcile the chapter's bank account(s); provide a financial report at each board meeting; pay approved chapter expenses; reimburse members for approved expenses; collect fees at chapter meetings and provide receipts as needed; maintain receipt and bank statement files; and prepare end-of-year report and tax forms for the International Association of Business Communicators. It is expected that the vice president of finance, like all members of the executive board, will participate in overall chapter development by attending chapter programs and board meetings. The vice president of finance shall perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the executive board. Section 6. Secretary. The secretary shall attend each executive board meeting, or appoint a substitute, in order to record the meeting minutes, which should be distributed to board members within 72 hours and which may be amended as needed, following a review by the executive board. It is expected that the secretary, like all members of the executive board, will participate in overall chapter development by attending chapter meetings. The secretary shall perform other duties necessary to the office or as prescribed by the executive board. Section 7. Past President. The past president shall advise and assist the chapter president and the executive board, and serve as chair of the nominating committee. In addition, the past president shall serve as the delegate of IABC/Triangle to the International Association of Business Communicators and the district board, unless otherwise prescribed by the executive board. ARTICLE 9 - EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1. Composition. The executive board of IABC/Triangle shall consist of the officers of IABC/Triangle, as defined in Article 7. Assistant leaders of committees shall be ex officio, nonvoting members of the executive board. Section 2. Authority and responsibility. The executive board shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of IABC/Triangle, shall determine its policy or changes therein within the limits of these bylaws, shall actively pursue its mission, and shall supervise disbursements of its funds. The executive board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it deems advisable, and may delegate certain of its authority and responsibility to a board of directors, executive committee, or other committees or persons. Section 3. Quorum. A quorum of the executive board shall consist of a majority of the voting members. If a quorum cannot be mustered, a meeting may proceed and any action taken shall become valid if subsequently confirmed by unanimous approval in writing of the members of the executive board. ARTICLE 10 - STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES Section 1. The president shall appoint and administer standing and special committees as necessary to conduct the affairs of IABC/Triangle. ARTICLE 11 - FINANCE Section 1. Authority. The executive board shall have authority over the receipts, expenditures, and assets of IABC/Triangle. Section 2. Fiscal year. The fiscal year of IABC/Triangle shall be the same as that of the International Association of Business Communicators (January 1 - December 31). Section 3. Budget. The executive board shall adopt in advance of each fiscal year and/or administrative year an operating budget covering all activities of IABC/Triangle. Section 4. Reserves. Financial reserves as deemed appropriate by the executive board shall be retained from chapter funds or developed to provide reasonable stability of finances. Section 5. Compensation. Officers shall not receive any compensation from IABC/Triangle for their services as officers. Section 6. Audits. The accounts of IABC/Triangle shall be audited by a Certified Public Accountant selected by the executive board not less than once every three years. The accountant shall provide a written report to the executive board. ARTICLE 12 - NONDISCRIMINATION Section 1. IABC/Triangle shall not accept any organizational unit that denies membership or membership privileges, nor shall it deny membership or membership privileges itself, on the basis of race, creed, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, age, color, or national origin. ARTICLE 13 - DISSOLUTION Section 1. IABC/Triangle shall use its funds only to pursue the mission specified in these bylaws, and no part of said funds shall be distributed to members of IABC/Triangle. On dissolution of IABC/Triangle, any funds remaining shall be distributed to the International Association of Business Communicators. ARTICLE 14 - AMENDMENTS Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at a regular or special meeting of IABC/Triangle by a two-thirds vote of a quorum necessary to conduct business, as defined in Article 6, Section 5. Proposed amendments to these bylaws must be submitted to the executive board. Amendments must receive approval of either the executive board or be petitioned by at least 10 percent of the voting members of the chapter to be eligible for consideration by the entire voting membership. Proposed amendments which meet such qualifications must be submitted to the membership at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which said amendments are to be considered for adoption. Written notice of the meeting must accompany the proposed amendments.