CRID Bylaws

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ARTICLE I.  Purposes 

Section 1.  Principal Purposes

The principal purposes of this organization are to initiate, sponsor, promote and execute policies and activities that will further the profession of interpretation of American Sign Language and English and the transliteration of English. 

Section 2.  Objectives

1. to promote the RID Code of Ethics for interpreters and transliterators.
2. to provide for the professional development of certified interpreters and transliterators.
3. to provide the public with information regarding interpreting and transliterating.
4. to promote, maintain and distribute a registry of certified interpreters and transliterators.
5. to raise funds to support the activities and purposes of the organization.
6. to support the activities of organizations: of and for deaf persons, and; of and for interpreters, transliterators and translators, insofar as such activities are not in conflict with the purposes of this organization.

ARTICLE II.  Membership

Section 1.  Categories of Membership

1. voting members

1.        certified

2.        associate (non-certified)

b.       non-voting members

1.        supporting

2.        organizational/institutional

3.        student
 

1. certified member – any interpreter or transliterator of ASL and/or English currently holding a valid certificate from RID who will regularly attend meetings and exercise their right to vote.
2. associate member – any individual who is actively engaged in the interpreting of ASL or English, and/or transliterating of English, but who is not currently certified by the RID but is a member of RID after 07/01/1991, and who will regularly attend meetings and exercise their voting rights.
3. supporting member – any certified or non-certified (associate) individual with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of the organization who is unable to regularly attend meetings and vote on business before the organization.
4. organizational or institutional member – any organization or institution with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of the organization.
5. student – any non-certified individual currently enrolled in a course of study in interpretation or transliteration of ASL or English.

Section 3.  Voting Rights

1. each certified member shall be entitled to one vote in meetings, referenda and elections
2. each associate member (non-certified) shall be entitled to one vote in meetings, referenda and elections except for referenda pertaining to evaluations, certifications and ethics.

ARTICLE III.  Meetings of the Members 

Section 1.  Regular Meeting

There shall be held each year one annual meeting of members of the organization.  The executive board shall set the date thereof at least 30 days in advance. 

Section 2.  Special Meetings

Special membership meetings may be called at any time by the board of directors or by written petition of not less than 10% of the voting members, sent to the board of directors.  Written notice shall be sent to the membership at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

Section 3.  Quorum

A quorum for all meetings shall be 1/6 of the voting membership. 

Section 4.  Conduct of Meetings

Unless otherwise provided for the membership, all meetings shall be conducted according to the Robert’s Rules of Order. 

ARTICLE IV.  Directors 

Section 1.  Number of Directors

The number of directors shall be eight (8). 

Section 2.  Composition of the Board of Directors

The board of directors shall be comprised of President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and three board members. 

Section 3.  Powers

The Board of Directors shall have the power to conduct the affairs and business of the organization, and make rules and regulations consistent with the law, or the bylaws.  

Section 4.  Duties

1. Directors

1.        to perform any and all duties assigned to them by the bylaws or the voting membership of the organization.

2.        to audit the annual financial report submitted by the treasurer.

3.        to fill any vacancy among offices except the Presidency.  The executive board can make temporary appointment to fill a vacancy until the next special meeting, which must be held within 90 days.

4.        to adopt, make and use an organizational logo; to prescribe the forms or membership cards.

5.        to approve a budget, annually.

2. Officers

1.        President – The President shall preside at all the meetings of the organization and of the Executive Board.  With the approval of the Board, s/he shall appoint Standing Committees and shall serve as an ex-officio member of said committees.  S/he shall also appoint special committees when necessary to carry out functions of the organization.  S/he shall perform other duties as shall be designated by the Board.  The President may appoint representatives of related associations and agencies to act as advisory members of the Board.

2.        Vice President – The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President.  S/he shall also carry out other duties as shall be designated by the Executive Board.

3.        Recording Secretary – The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of general meetings of the organization and meetings of the Executive Board, shall keep an up-to-date membership list, and shall perform other duties as shall be designated by the Executive Board.

4.        Treasurer – The Treasurer shall collect the monies of the organization and make disbursements as ordered by the Board.  All checks must be signed by the President and Treasurer.  S/he shall make financial reports at each Board meeting and an annual report audited by two trustees.  S/he may be bonded. 

Section 5.  Term of Office

The President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years.  Board members shall serve rotating three-year terms.  One term shall expire each year. 

Section 6.  Qualifications

A majority of board members shall be certified members of the organization.  Nominees for the board shall have been members in good standing for at least one year. 

Section 7.  Nominations

Nominations shall be made by a Nominating Committee, consisting of at least three members elected by the membership, to remain active until the next election.  The Nominating Committee shall meet at least 90 days prior to the Election meeting.  The slate of nominees shall be announced to the membership with the official notice of the Election meeting.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the election.  

Section 8.  Elections

Voting by ballot shall be held after the conclusion of New Business.  Election to any office shall be by majority vote.

Section 9.  Removal of a Director

A move for removal of any director may be brought by the Board of Directors or by a majority of the voting membership only after it has been established that s/he has not been acting in good faith in the fulfillment of the duties inherent in the office.  A three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of the Board of Directors is required for a resolution for removal, during a meeting in which reasonable notice of action has been given to the interested party.  Following resolution for removal by either the Board of Directors or the voting membership an ad hoc review committee, mutually acceptable to the parties, shall be appointed by the Board and shall be responsible for carrying out a formal review of cause.  At the review meeting, interested parties shall have the right to counsel. 

ARTICLE V.  Committees 

Section 1.  Types and Composition

The organization shall have standing committees, and may have ad hoc committees including but not limited to ethics, legislative, mainstreaming, nominating, bylaws, etc.  Committees shall be composed of at least three members in good standing, at least one of whom shall be a voting member. 

Section 2.  Appointments

Unless otherwise specified by the bylaws, the chairpersons of all committees shall be appointed by the President upon approval of a majority Board of Directors.  The President may authorize committee chairpersons to select the other members of their respective committees.  The President shall be an ex-officio member of each committee. 

Section 3.  Standing Committees

1. Training Committee – The Training Committee shall consist of a chairperson selected by the Board, and as many members as may be appointed by the President.  The function of this committee shall be to plan training events.
2. Membership Committee – The chairperson shall be selected by the Board.  Its function shall be to recruit and maintain membership.  The committee shall issue a local registry of interpreters.

All standing and ad hoc committees must report their findings and recommendations to the President and/or Executive Board for approval or adoption. 

Chairpersons or standing committees may attend Executive Board meetings. 

ARTICLE VI.  Fees, Dues and Assessments. 

1. Certified and Associate - $15.00 per year
2. Supporting and Organizational - $10.00 per year

Dues are payable on receipt of the application for membership, and thereafter become due on June 30 of each year.  A member’s good standing shall be contingent on payment of annual dues. 

ARTICLE VII.  Amendment of By-laws

1. Amendments to the By-laws shall be approved by majority vote of the members present at any meeting of the membership, provided that notice has been given to all members at least 30 days in advance.
2. New by-laws or amendments to these by-laws must be reviewed by the By-laws Committee.

ARTICLE VIII.  Dissolution Procedure 

This Corporation is not organized, not shall it be operated for pecuniary gains, profits, or dividends to its members, and is organized solely for non-profit purposes.  The property, assets, net income, profits of this Corporation are irrevocably dedicated to the Corporation’s educational purposes, and no part of the profits or net income of this Corporation shall ever insure to the benefit of any Director, Officer, or member or to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.