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Article 1
Membership
Application and Categories
Section
1.01 Application Form. The Board of Directors shall approve an
official membership application form and all substantive changes to the
form. Administrative changes to the application form shall be made and
approved by the Secretary-Treasurer.
Section
1.02 Application Process. All applications for Active, Associate,
and Affiliate membership shall be made on an official Association
application form. This form and the appropriate dues shall be sent
directly to the Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall
approve or disapprove all applications that clearly indicate whether or
not the applicant is qualified for membership. If the
Secretary-Treasurer has any questions about the applicant’s
qualifications for membership, the application shall be referred to the
Board of Directors for disposition. Any application disapproved under
this process may be appealed by the applicant to the membership only at
the next General Membership meeting by making a written request to the
President at least 30 days prior to such meeting.
Section
1.03 Notification Of Action Taken On Application. If the
membership application is approved, the Secretary-Treasurer shall notify
the applicant of his or her acceptance and issue the new member a
membership card. The Secretary-Treasurer shall also provide the name,
address, telephone number, and e-mail address of all new members to the
Editor for publication in the Association’s newsletter and membership
roster.
Section
1.04 Active Membership. Active membership shall consist of
employees of government law enforcement agencies and other government
law enforcement related agencies whose job duties include one or more
tasks related to the collection, preservation, processing, analysis,
and/or utilization of forensic evidence. To be considered an employee
under this section, the person must be a bona fide employee who receives
a salary from a national government, tribal government, state
government, county government, or some subdivision thereof. Further,
any active member in good standing shall not loose his or her active
membership status because of retirement or other change in job status.
Section
1.05 Life-Active Membership. An active member in good standing
shall automatically become a life-active member as soon as one of the
following three events occurs: the completion of a term of office as
President, twenty-five (25) years of continuous active membership, or
fifteen (15) years of continuous active membership upon retirement from
law enforcement service. A life-active member shall be excused from the
payment of all dues and assessments and shall be entitled to all the
benefits and privileges of an active member.
Section
1.06 Associate Membership. All persons wholly or partially engaged
in any of the various phases of the science of identification, and who
are not qualified for active membership, are hereby eligible to become
associate members. They shall in all respects be subject to the same
rules, dues, fees, assessments, and charges, and entitled to the same
rights and privileges as active members, except that they shall not be
entitled to hold any elected office except as a Director as provided in
Section 4.01 of these by-laws.
Section
1.07 Affiliate Membership. Affiliate members shall consist of
business organizations that are interested in furthering the objectives
of this Association.
Section
1.08 Honorary Membership. Honorary members shall consist of
persons who have performed some particular service for the Association
or who have in some way done some conspicuous thing for law
enforcement. Such person, upon the motion of any member in good
standing may be approved as an honorary member for a period of one (1)
year by the Board of Directors or by a major vote at an annual general
membership meeting. Honorary members shall not be eligible to vote or
hold office.
Section 1.09
Student Membership.
Student Membership shall consist of all persons who are
full-time college students at an accredited university or college with a
major in law enforcement, criminal justice and/or forensic science
related field. To be considered a full-time student, the individual
must not be a member of this association, and must not be employed by a
law enforcement agency. Any individual who is in any type of internship
as part of their college course work shall be considered to not be
employed by a law enforcement agency for the purposes of this section.
To qualify under these provisions the individual must include with the
application for Student Membership and renewal, a letter, on college
letterhead, from a professor or instructor verifying that the individual
is qualified for student membership.
Article 2
Dues and Assessments
Section
2.01 Dues. The annual dues of the Wisconsin Association for
Identification shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) per year for active
and associate members. The annual dues shall be fifty dollars
($50.00) per year for affiliate members.
Section
2.02 New Applicants. Dues paid to the Association with any new
membership application on or after September 1 will be applied to the
next year's membership. Dues paid before September 1 will be applied to
the current year's dues.
Section
2.03 Deadline For Renewal And Suspension. The annual dues are
payable January 1. Any member not paying his dues by May 1 is
automatically suspended and will be so notified by the
Secretary-Treasurer.
Section
2.04 Reinstatement. Any member suspended for nonpayment of dues
may be reinstated with his or her original membership number upon
application to the Secretary-Treasurer and payment of the current year's
dues. For life-active membership purposes, only the continuous years
during which the reinstated member paid the annual dues and assessments
shall be counted. However, this shall not preclude the reinstated
member from paying these dues and assessments to have the suspension
period also count as continuous for life-active membership purposes.
Section
2.05 Special Assessments. The Board of Directors shall be
empowered to make a special assessment in the event of an emergency.
This special assessment shall not exceed $10.00 per member
Article 3
Officers
Section
3.01 Qualifications. To be nominated and elected to the office of
President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, or Third Vice
President, the person must be an active or life-active member in good
standing. To be nominated and elected to any other officer position,
the person must be an active, life-active, or associate member in good
standing.
Section
3.02 Limitation. No person can hold more than one officer position
at a time, except as otherwise provided for in these by-laws.
Section
3.03 Election of Officers. The Officers of the Association shall
be elected by secret ballot at the regularly scheduled annual general
membership meeting. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to
elect a candidate. If more than two (2) candidates are nominated, the
name of the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be
dropped on each succeeding ballot until two (2) candidates remain,
unless on any ballot one (1) candidate shall receive a majority of all
votes cast. However, if any nominee for an office is unopposed, the
election for that unopposed nominee may be done by a voice vote.
Section
3.04 Term of Office. The term of office for each officer shall run
for a period of approximately one year from the end of Annual
Educational Conference and General Membership Meeting at which they are
elected until the end of the next Annual Educational Conference and
General Membership Meeting.
Section
3.05 Duties of the President. The President shall be the principal
executive officer and shall supervise and control the management of the
Association in conformance with the Certification of Incorporation, the
IAI Division Charter, the Constitution and the By-Laws. The President
shall preside at all meetings of the Association and preserve order and
decorum. The President shall carefully supervise the affairs of the
Association and labor for usefulness and efficiency. The President
shall represent the Association at all functions requiring official
representation, unless the President delegates this duty to another
officer.
(a)
Limitation. The President shall not succeed himself or herself in
office, except in cases where the person serves the unexpired term of
his or her predecessor.
(b)
Appointments. Within thirty (30) days after taking office, the
President shall appoint all committees, and subcommittees as specified
in these by-laws. The President shall appoint each Vice President as a
member or chair of one (1) or more committees to prepare the Vice
Presidents for the Office of President. Unless specifically stated
otherwise, the President shall also appoint a replacement to fill any
vacancy caused by death, resignation, or other cause.
(c)
Voting Member of Board of Directors. The President shall be a
voting member of the Board of Directors. Whenever, the chairperson of
the Board of Directors is unavailable, the President shall also serve in
that capacity.
(d)
Member of Committee. The President shall be a voting member of the
AFIS and CIB Advisory Committee.
(e)
Review All Charges Against Member. All charges of unethical or
other improper conduct by a member must be made in writing to the
President. The accuser must also sign all such written allegations.
Within thirty (30) days of receiving such written allegation, the
President must review the allegation and take action. If, after
reviewing the available facts, there is no reasonable reason to believe
that those allegations are true, the President must find that the
allegation is unfounded. However, if the President does determine that
the facts support a reasonable believe that the allegation may be true,
the allegation must be immediately referred to the Board of Directors
for an administrative hearing. The President must immediately notify
the accuser, the accused, and the Board of Directors of these findings
by registered mail.
(f)
Other Duties. The President shall perform such other duties and
have such other powers as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.06 Duties of First Vice President. The First Vice President
shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties
and exercise the powers of that office.
(a)
Limitation. The First Vice President shall not succeed himself or
herself in office, except in cases where the person serves the unexpired
term of his or her predecessor.
(b) Voting
Member of Board of Directors. The First Vice President shall be a
voting member of the Board of Directors
(d)
Member of Committee. The First Vice President shall be a voting
member of the Conference Committee.
(e)
Other Duties. The First Vice President shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.07 Duties of Second Vice President. The Second Vice President
shall, in the absence or disability of the First Vice President, perform
the duties and exercise the powers of that office.
(a)
Limitation. The Second Vice President shall not succeed himself or
herself in office, except in cases where the person serves the unexpired
term of his or her predecessor.
(b)
Voting Member of Board of Directors. The Second Vice President
shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors
(d)
Member of Committee. The Second Vice President shall be a voting
member of the Science and Practice Committee.
(e)
Other Duties. The Second Vice President shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.08 Duties of Third Vice President. The Third Vice President
shall, in the absence or disability of the Second Vice President,
perform the duties and exercise the powers of that office, in addition
to his or here obligations as Third Vice President. In the event that
the office of Third Vice President is vacant, the President shall
appoint a person to fill the unexpired term of this office.
(a)
Limitation. The Third Vice President shall not succeed himself or
herself in office, except in cases where the person serves the unexpired
term of his or her predecessor.
(b)
Voting Member of Board of Directors. The Third Vice President shall
be a voting member of the Board of Directors
(d)
Member of Committee. The Third Vice President shall be a voting
member of the Resolution and Legislative Committee.
(e)
Other Duties. The Third Vice President shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.09 Duties of Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall
carry out the daily administrative and financial functions of the
Association. In the event that this office is vacant, the Board of
Directors shall appoint an interim replacement.
(a)
Records and Meeting Minutes. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep all
the official records of the association and the official minutes of the
General Membership Meeting and all Board of Directors Meetings.
(b)
Petty Cash Fund and Allowances. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be
permitted to maintain a revolving petty cash fund of fifty dollars
($50.00) to defray the usual and ordinary expenses of this office,
subject only to limitations expressly imposed by the Board of
Directors. In addition to these expenses, the Board of Directors may
approve an additional quarterly allowance of up to $50.00 per quarter to
cover other miscellaneous expenses. The Secretary-Treasurer is also
authorized to pay all other usual expenses of this office or the
Association under two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00), subject only
to limitations expressly imposed by the Board of Directors. The
Secretary-Treasurer shall receive additional allowances for expenses
over $250.00 as approved in advance by the Board of Directors or the
by-laws.
(d)
Membership Applications and Records. The Secretary-Treasurer shall
process all membership application in conformance with Article 1 of
these by-laws. The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain the official
membership roster. The Secretary-Treasurer shall either publish and
distribute a copy of the annual membership roster with the Constitution
and by-laws to all the members, or shall assist in doing so.
(e)
Board of Directors. The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as the
recording secretary for the Board of Directors, as in such capacity
shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors.
(f)
Reports. The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare and present the
following reports at each Board of Directors Meeting: the official
minutes of the previous Board of Directors meeting, a Secretary’s
report, and a Treasurer’s report. The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare
and present the following reports at each General Membership Meeting:
The official minutes of the previous General Membership Meeting, a
Secretary’s Report, and a Treasurer’s report. The Secretary’s Report
shall include the activities of the association and a summary of the
current membership. The Treasurer’s Report shall include the
Association’s income, expenses, and assets.
(g)
Warrants and Checks. The Secretary-Treasurer shall draw all
warrants and checks for the expenses of the Association and shall sign
same, except when the Board of Directors expressly states that another
officer of the Association must co-sign these documents.
(h)
Bonds. The Secretary-Treasurer shall furnish such bonds for the
faithful performance of the duties of that office as the Board of
Directors may require. The Association shall pay the premium for such
bonds.
(i)
Conference Expenses. If the Secretary-Treasurer is attending the
Annual Educational Seminar of the International Association for
Identification as the Association’s Regional Representative, the Board
of Directors may approve up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) to assist
in covering the expenses of attending this seminar.
(j)
Other Duties. The Secretary-Treasurer shall perform such other
duties and have such other powers as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.10 Duties of the Editor. The Editor shall be responsible for the
publication and distribution of the Association’s Quarterly newsletter.
In the event that this office is vacant, the Board of Directors shall
appoint an interim replacement.
(a)
Other Publications. The Editor as directed by the Board of
Directors shall publish or assist in publishing other Association
publications.
(b)
Expenses. The Secretary-Treasurer as directed by the Board of
Directors shall pay the expenses of this office upon presentation of
receipts by the Editor. In addition to these expenses, the Board of
Directors may approve an additional quarterly allowance of up to $50.00
per quarter to cover other miscellaneous expenses.
(c)
Board of Directors. The Editor shall be a voting member of the
Board of Directors.
(d)
Other Duties. The Editor shall perform such other duties and have
such other powers as directed by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.11 Duties of the Sergeant-At-Arms. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall
have command of the outer door of the conference hall, and shall permit
none to enter who is not properly qualified. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall
assist the President in preserving order. In the event that this office
is vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint an interim replacement.
(a)
Board of Directors. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall be a voting member
of the Board of Directors.
(d)
Other Duties. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as directed by the President or the Board of
Directors.
Section
3.12 Duties of the Historian. The Historian shall maintain all the
historical files and artifacts of the Association. In the event that
this office is vacant, the Board of Directors shall appoint an interim
replacement.
(a)
Board of Directors. The Historian shall be a voting member of the
Board of Directors.
(d)
Other Duties. The Historian shall perform such other duties and
have such other powers as directed by the President or the Board of
Directors.
Article 4
Board of Directors
Section
4.01 Number, Voting Rights, Term, and Qualifications. The
immediate Past President shall serve as the Chairperson. The
Chairperson shall have full voting rights. The other fourteen members
(14) shall consist of the eight (8) elected officers and six (6)
directors elected at large. The Secretary-Treasurer, who is a voting
member, shall be the recording secretary for the Board of Directors. If
the Secretary-Treasurer is not available for a specific Board of
Directors meeting, the Chairperson shall appoint someone as an interim
recording secretary. The Term of office shall run from the end of
Annual Educational Conference and General Membership Meeting at which
they are elected until the end of the next Annual Educational Conference
and General Membership Meeting. The President shall appoint a
replacement to fill any vacancy caused by death, resignation, or other
cause. Five (5) of the six (6) elected directors must be active or
life-active members. The Sixth (6th) director can be an
active, life-active, or associate member.
Section
4.02 Election. The six (6) directors shall be elected at the
annual general membership meeting by written ballot if there are more
than six (6) nominees. The six (6) nominees who receive the most votes
is considered elected. However, if two or more of the nominees are
associate members, there must be a separate written ballot for the one
(1) director position that can be filled by an associate member. In
this last situation, the associate member receiving the most votes is
elected. If there are only six (6) qualified nominees, they may be
elected by a voice vote.
Section
4.03 Policy Making Body. The Board of Directors shall be the
policy making body of the Association.
Section
4.04 Approval Authority. Except as otherwise provided in the
Constitution and By-Laws, the Board of Directors is authorized to
approve all expenditures of funds and to approve the dates and locations
for future Annual Educational Seminars.
Section
4.05 Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a minimum of eight (8)
persons.
Section
4.06 Presiding Officer. The chairperson shall serve as the
presiding officer of all meetings of the Board of Directors. If the
chairperson is not available and a quorum is present, a temporary
chairperson shall be elected by voice vote from the voting members who
are present.
Section
4.07 Administrative Hearing. Within sixty (60) days after
receiving notice from the President of written allegations against a
member that may be valid, the Board of Directors must schedule an
administrative hearing to determine if the allegations are true.
(a)
Notice. Written notice must be mailed to the accused member by
registered mail at least thirty (30) days prior to the administrative
hearing. This notice must include a detailed listing of the charges
against the member, a copy of the written allegation(s), and the
location, date and time where the administrative hearing will be held.
(b)
Administrative Hearing. Unless disqualified or otherwise
unavailable, the chairperson of the Board of Directors shall be the
presiding officer at the administrative hearing. The accuser and/or
President shall present the evidence against the accused. The accused
shall be given the right to cross-examine all witnesses and present a
defense. The accused member may be represented by a qualified attorney
at his or her own expense.
(c)
Failure to Appear. Unless the administrative hearing is postponed
by mutual agreement in writing, the failure of the accused to appear
and/or provide a written response to the allegations may be considered
as proof of the truth of the allegations against the accused.
(d)
Deliberations and Findings. Immediately after the administrative
hearing, the Board of Directors shall go into a closed session to review
the allegations and all the evidence presented. After due consideration
of the evidence, the Board of Directors must vote to acquit or find the
accused guilty by a simple majority vote. If the accused is found
guilty, the Board of Directors may impose one or more of the following
punishments: require remedial training, a written reprimand, suspension,
and/or permanent expulsion from the Association.
(e)
Notification of Findings. Within ten (10) days of the end of the
administrative hearing, the Board of Directors must notify the accused
in writing by registered mail of the findings. If the findings are
adverse to the accused, the notice must list any punishment, and the
right of the accused to appeal the decision at the next General
Membership Meeting.
(f)
Notice of Appeal by Accused. To preserve the right to appeal, the
accused must send a written notice of appeal to the Board of Directors
by Registered Mail within twenty (20) days after receiving the
notification of findings. However, if the next regularly scheduled
General Membership Meeting is less than twenty (20) days following the
receipt of notification, the person must give written notice to the
President at least one (1) day prior to the General Membership Meeting.
If the accused does not provide this written notice, the accused wavers
all rights to appeal the decision of the Board of Directors and their
decision is therefore final and effective at this time.
(g)
Appeal Process. If proper notice has been given by the accused, the
appeal will be scheduled on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled
General Membership Meeting. The Process shall begin with a presentation
of the facts against the accused by the Chairperson of the Board of
Directors. Next the accused, shall be given reasonable time to present
a defense. Finally, the membership will vote on whether or not each
finding against the accused by the Board of Directors is correct.
Unless a finding of the Board of Directors is overturned by a 2/3’s vote
of the membership, the decision of the Board of Directors will be
considered final and effective immediately.
Section
4.08 Notice of Meetings. All fifteen (15) members of the Board of
Directors shall be given written or electronic notice of all meetings of
the Board of Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
Such notice may be wavered by a unanimous vote.
Section
4.09 Telephonic or Multi-Media Meetings. If the
Board of Directors must conduct any business of the Association before
the next board meeting, the chairperson or designee may take a vote on
the issue by any multi-media means (which can include but is not limited
to video conferencing, e-mail, text messaging, tele-conferencing).
Such action must be approved by a 2/3's vote (ten members) of the Board
of Directors. The vote will be kept and be made a part of the
record at the next Board of Directors meeting.
Article 5
Committees
Section
5.01 Appointments. All standing committees shall be appointed by
the incoming President within thirty (30) days after taking office,
unless stated otherwise in the Constitution or by-laws. Unless stated
otherwise, the term of appointment shall be until the committee is
replaced by the next incoming President. Unless stated otherwise, the
President shall determine the size of each standing committee.
Section
5.02 Nominating Committee. The Chairperson of the Board
of Directors shall serve as the Chair of this committee and shall have
one vote. At least two (2) other past presidents shall serve as
voting members of this committee. Nominations for this committee
shall be solicited from any W.A.I. member in good standing during the
annual W.A.I. conference. The committee shall perform other duties
as directed by the President.
Section
5.03 Auditing Committee. The auditing committee shall consist of
three (3) members whose duty shall be to audit and inspect the financial
accounts of the Association during the Annual Educational Seminar,
and/or at other times as may be directed by the President or Board of
Directors. The committee shall report it findings at the Annual General
Membership Meeting and/or at other times as directed by the President or
Board of Directors. The elected officers and elected Directors shall
not serve on this committee. The committee shall perform other duties
as directed by the President.
Section
5.04 Resolution and Legislative Committee. This committee shall
consist of a chairperson and two (2) to eight (8) members, including the
Third Vice President. The Chairperson and all members shall be entitled
to vote. This committee shall be responsible for the uniform drafting
of all resolutions submitted to them for consideration by the
Association at the General Membership Meeting. This committee shall
provide the Board of Directors a copy of all draft resolutions for
review and approval at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Board
of Directors prior to the Annual General Membership Meeting. The
chairperson of this committee will then be responsible for reading at
the General Membership, all draft resolutions approved by the Board of
Directors. This shall not preclude the President from accepting
resolutions from the floor at the General Membership Meeting.
Section
5.05 Science and Practice Committee. The Second Vice President
shall serve as a voting member of this committee. A qualified member
shall be appointed for each discipline represented in our membership.
(a)
Resource. Each member appointed to this committee shall serve as a
professional resource to answer questions from the members in his or her
disciple.
(b)
Advisor. Each member shall keep the chairperson informed of any new
developments related to his or her professional discipline.
(c)
Finding Speakers. Each member shall assist the educational seminar
committee in finding speakers for the annual educational seminar.
(d)
Quarterly and Annual Reports. The chairperson of this committee
shall give a quarterly report at each quarterly meeting of the Board of
Directors, and an annual report at the General Membership Meeting.
Section
5.06 Annual Educational Seminar Committee. The
chairperson to host the annual Educational Seminar shall be approved by
the Board of Directors. The members of this committee shall
include the previous chair of this committee, the First Vice President,
at least three (3) other persons selected by the current chair and three
continuing positions to include speakers, general planning, and
registration. The term of the appointment for this committee shall
run from the date the Board of Directors approves the host until all the
business related to that specific annual educational seminar is
completed. The chair of the committee shall be the primary point
of contact of the Association for the Press in everything related to the
annual Educational Seminar. The Board of Directors may approve up
to $500.00 in advance to cover costs incurred prior to the start of the
Annual Educational Seminar.
Section
5.07 Good of the Association Committee. This committee shall
consist of the retiring chairperson of the Board of Directors, who shall
be the chairperson, and the last four past Presidents who served
immediately prior to the person serving as chairperson of this
committee.
(a)
Meeting and Report. This committee should meet at least once a year
to discuss ways to improve the Association. Based on this discuss an
annual report should be given to the President prior to the Annual
General Membership Meeting.
(b)
Award
Recommendations.
This committee shall receive and review all recommendations for
candidates for the Good of the Association Award. If the committee
approves the nomination of any candidate, the candidate’s name will be
recommended to the Board of Directors for consideration.
Section 5.08
Crime Scene Certification.
This committee shall
consist of one or more members who are members who are members in good
standing of the WAI and certified by the IAI as Certified Crime Scene
Investigators. This committee shall be responsible to proctor the IAI
Crime Scene Certification exam and to provide members with information
on how to obtain certification. The committee shall provide an annual
report to the Board of Directors. In the event that no WAI member is
certified or if no IAI a certified WAI member is willing to serve on the
committee, then this certification committee will not be appointed for
that term of office of the President.
Section 5.09
Latent Print Certification.
This committee shall
consist of one or more members who are members in good standing of the
WAI and certified by the IAI as Certified Latent Print Examiners. This
committee shall be responsible to proctor the IAI Latent Print
Certification exam and to provide members with information on how to
obtain certification. The committee shall provide an annual report to
the Board of Directors. In the event that no WAI member is certified or
if no IAI certified WAI member is willing to serve on the committee,
then this certification committee will not be appointed for that term of
office of the President.
Section 5.10
Forensic Photography Certification.
This committee shall
consist of one or more members who are members in good standing of the
WAI and certified by the IAI as Certified Forensic Photographers. This
committee shall be responsible to proctor the IAI Forensic Photography
Certification exam and to provide members with information on how to
obtain certification. The committee shall provide an annual report to
the Board of Directors. In the event that no WAI member is certified or
if no IAI certified WAI member is willing to serve on the committee,
then this certification committee will not be appointed for that term of
office of the President.
Section 5.11
AFIS/CIB.
This committee shall consist of a chairperson and a broad
representation of our members. At the direction of the President or
the Board of Directors, this committee shall represent the WAI on all
Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems and Criminal Information
Bureau related issues.
Section 5.12
Membership and Recruitment.
This committee shall
consist of a chairman and other members. Their responsibility is to
recruit new members and perform such other duties as the President
and/or the Board of Directors shall prescribe.
Section
5.13 Web Site Committee. This committee shall consist of a chairman
and three to five members. (Including the webmaster if he/she is a
member in good standing). This committee shall be responsible for
overseeing the webmaster and the official web site of the W.A.I. The
content of the web site will be a collaboration of the committee and the
webmaster. The chairperson or their designee shall give a report at
each Board of Directors meeting. The committee shall perform other
duties as directed by the President.
Article 6
Educational Seminars
and General Membership Meeting
Section
6.01 Site Approval. The Board of Directors shall approve a site
and dates for an annual educational seminar and an annual general
membership meeting.
Section
6.02 Planning and Operation. The planning and operation of the
annual educational seminar shall be the responsibility of the annual
educational seminar committee.
Section
6.03 Suggested Opening Ceremonies At Annual Educational Seminar.
The following sequence of events is suggested for the Annual Educational
Seminar.
(a)
Welcome. Welcome by chair of Annual Educational Seminar Committee.
(b)
Invocation. Invocation by designated person
(c)
Tribute. Tribute and reading of deceased members’ names by
Secretary-Treasurer
(d)
Dignitaries. Welcoming remarks by dignitaries such as the local
chiefs of police, the local sheriffs, and the state Attorney General
(e)
President. Welcoming remarks by the President of the Association
(f)
Photograph. Take official Seminar Photograph
(g)
Seminar. Begin educational program
(h)
Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees should
be scheduled so as not to conflict with the educational program when
possible.
(i)
Banquet. A Banquet or informal dinner should be held.
(j)
Closing. Chair of Annual Educational Seminar Committee should thank
everyone for attending the Seminar.
Section
6.04 General Membership Meeting. The President shall be the
presiding officer. The General Membership Meeting shall be scheduled
during the annual educational seminar. The secretary-treasurer shall be
the recording secretary. The recording-secretary shall be responsible
for keeping accurate minutes of the meeting, which shall be published in
the Association’s newsletter.
Section
6.05 Elections. Annual elections shall be held at the annual
General Membership Meeting.
(a)
Procedure. The elections shall be held in conformance with the
provisions of Articles 3, 4, and 8 of these by-laws.
(b)
Eligibility Determination. The Secretary-Treasurer shall determine
who is eligible to vote based on the person’s current membership status.
(c)
Supervision And Counting. The Sergeant-At-Arms shall be responsible
to supervising the election and the counting of the ballots.
Section
6.06 Suggested Order of Business At General Membership Meeting. The
following sequence of events is suggested for the conducting the
business of the Association during the annual General Membership
Meeting.
(a) Call
To Order. The President shall call the meeting to order.
(b)
Invocation. Invocation by designated person.
(c)
Tribute. Tribute and reading of deceased members’ names by
Secretary-Treasurer
(d)
Elections. The nominating committee will announce the nominees.
Any nominees may be allowed two (2) minutes to present his or her
qualifications. The Sergeant-At-Arms will conduct the elections and
announce the results.
(e)
Reports. While the ballots are being counted the following reports
can be read and approved: Secretary’s report, Treasurer’s report,
Committee reports, and any other report(s).
(f) Old
Business. All old business shall be completed.
(g) New
Business. All new business shall be completed.
(h)
Adjournment. The President shall adjourn the meeting.
Article 7
Awards
Section
7.01. Good of the Association Award. A Good of the Association
Award may be awarded at the sole discretion of the WAI Board of
Directors to any member in good standing for the member’s significant
contribution to the good of the WAI. It shall be the responsibility of
the Good of the Association Committee to receive nominations for this
award and forward their recommendations on all nominations for this
award to the WAI Board of Directors. A list of all recipients of this
award shall be published in the annual WAI membership directory.
Section
7.02. Other Awards. The Board of Directors may make any award that
it believes is appropriate to recognize service to the Association or
any law enforcement professional. The President may make any award he
or she deems appropriate to recognize service to the Association by both
members and non-members.
Article 8
Regional Representative
Section
8.01. Selection of Candidate. The person to be recommended to the
President of the International Association for appointment as the WAI
Regional Representative shall be selected by ballot at the annual
General Membership meeting. The person recommended must satisfy all the
requirements in the IAI Constitution and By-Laws to hold this position
that is appointed by the President of the IAI. It shall be the
responsibility of the WAI Secretary-Treasurer to notify the President of
the IAI of the name and address of the person being recommended for
appointment as the WAI Regional Representative.
Section
8.02. Duties. The Regional Representative shall process as quickly
as possible all IAI membership applications sent to him or her for
review. The Regional Representative shall make an annual report on the
activities of the WAI to the IAI Division Representative. The Regional
Representative, or a designate, shall make an annual report to the WAI
Board of Directors on the activities of the IAI to include the Annual
IAI Educational Seminar and General Membership Meeting.
Article 9
Interpretation of By-Laws
Section 9.01 Broad
Interpretation.
The provisions of these by-laws shall be interpreted as broadly as
lawfully possible to carry out the lawful purposes for which the
Wisconsin Association for Identification was formed.
Section 9.02
Limitations on Broad Interpretation.
Due to the ambiguous nature of any written language, it may be possible
to have more than one interpretation of any given provision of the
by-laws. At all times the provisions of this document shall be
construed in a manner that is in accordance with the laws of the State
of Wisconsin and with the provisions of the United States Internal
Revenue Service Regulations (IRS Code) for a non-profit professional
organization.
Section 9.03 Conflict.
If there is any conflict between the provisions of these by-laws and the
Constitution, the Constitution shall govern.
Article 10
Fiscal Year and Amendments
Section
10.01. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the WAI shall consist of a
twelve (12) month period running from January 1 through December 31.
Section
10.02 Notice of Amendments. A written copy of any proposed by-law
amendment must be posted by at least 5:00 pm one (1) day prior to the
Annual General Membership meeting in which any Amendment or Amendments
to these by-laws is to be voted on. The Secretary-Treasurer or the
Chair of the Resolution and Legislative Committee shall be responsible
for posting this information. Any proposed change that is not posted
may be ruled out of order at the General Membership meeting by the
Presiding Officer, unless the Presiding Officer is overruled by a 2/3’s
majority vote of the members present at the meeting.
Section
10.03 Required Vote. Except as otherwise provide herein or by law,
these by-laws shall be amended or repealed only by a simple majority
vote at one (1) Annual General Membership Meeting. It shall be the
responsibility of the WAI Secretary-Treasurer to immediately forward a
copy of all approved amendments to the Executive Secretary of the IAI
for final approval.
Section
10.04 Effective Date of Amendment. Subject to final approval by
the International Association for Identification, once an amendment is
passed at the Annual General Membership Meeting of the WAI, the
amendment shall take effect immediately. If no response has been
received from the IAI within six (6) months after a copy of the
amendment is sent to the IAI Executive Secretary, approval by the IAI
shall be assumed. |
