By-Laws of the Association of State Supervisors of Safety and Driver Education (ASSSDE)

ARTICLE 1. NAME

Sec 1 The name of this organization shall be the Association of State Supervisors of Safety and Driver Education (hereinafter known as the Association).

Sec 2 The official abbreviation of the Association shall be ASSSDE.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Sec 1 The purpose of the Association will be to:

1.1 enhance the status and promote the advancement of the traffic safety profession and the traffic safety professionals;

1.2 foster the growth of technical, scientific and managerial knowledge and skills of traffic safety professionals;

1.3 promote the technical, societal and professional well-being of traffic safety professionals; and

1.4 work with national, state and local agencies and organizations to stimulate interest and action to promote vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety.

Sec 2 Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Association is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under IRC 501(c)(3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Sec 1 Professional memberships shall be open to those lead employees of state agencies having responsibility for supervision/coordination of the operation of secondary school, commercial driver training and college programs of safety and driver education.

Sec 2 The right to vote and to hold elective office shall be limited to professional members.

Sec 3 Associate memberships are open to employees of state agencies having non-lead or regional state responsibility for supervision/coordination of the operation of secondary school, commercial driver training and college programs of safety and driver education; statewide/regional responsibilities in research for driver education; statewide/regional responsibilities in driver education professional development; or other individuals interested in the enhancement of safety and driver education programs.

Sec 4 Association membership shall be open to public or non-profit associations or organizations who wish to support the purposes of the Association.

Sec 5 Honorary membership may be granted by the membership of the Association to any individual they deem deserving of this award.

Sec 6 Corporate members shall be those organizations or businesses that wish to support the purposes of the Association.

Sec 7 Membership shall in no way bind this Association to support the philosophies or policies of any member, nor to support or participate in projects or undertaking of any member.

Sec 8 The membership period shall be from the Annual Meeting to the next Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE IV. DUES AND FEES

Sec 1 All dues membership shall be payable annually. Dues shall be paid at the time of or prior to the Annual Meeting. Payment of said dues shall constitute a member in good standing.

Sec 2 When any member of any class shall be in default in the payment of dues for a period of three months from the due date, their membership shall be considered terminated.

Sec 3 The Executive Board shall propose a dues schedule to be acted upon by the membership at the Annual Meeting. Notice of the dues schedule shall be given to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting. Any reduction or increase in dues shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members present at the Annual Meeting.

Sec 4 The Executive Board shall have authority to set fees for services provided by the Association.

Sec 5 Dues changes shall become effective upon initial or renewal of membership after passage of the change. Fee changes shall become effective immediately upon approval.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

Sec 1 The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held at a location chosen by the Executive Board. Whenever possible, the meeting shall be held in conjunction with the annual conference of the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association.

Sec 2 Special meetings may be called by order of the President, upon resolution of the Executive Board, or upon a written call signed by five (5) members.

Sec 3 Notice of the annual or special meetings shall specify the place, time and purpose. Notice of such meetings shall be given at least thirty (30) days before the date of such meetings to each member entitled to vote at such meetings.

Sec 4 The Annual Meeting shall perform the following functions:

4.1 The state of ASSSDE shall be presented;

4.2 Standing and special committee reports shall be presented;

4.3 Any dues changes shall be voted upon;

4.4 Results of the election of officers will be announced;

4.5 A member at large of the Executive Board shall be elected; and

4.6 An operating budget shall be approved.

Sec 5 A minimum of one-third (1/3) of the current paid membership shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Association.

Sec 6 A majority of votes entitled to be cast by members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for passage of any action unless a greater proportion is required by law or these Bylaws.

Sec 7 Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern the transaction of business at all meetings unless in conflict with or otherwise provided in these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT

Sec 1 The Association of State Supervisors of Safety and Driver Education, Inc., is incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire as a nonprofit corporation and in accordance with Article II, Section 2 of these Bylaws.

Sec 2 The business of the Association shall be conducted between Annual Meetings by an Executive Board. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to carry out the wishes of the majority of the Association's membership.

Sec 3 Membership on the Executive Board shall consist of the active officers and the immediate past president, plus one member elected by the Association membership at the Annual Meeting.

Sec 4 The Executive Board shall:

4.1 Formulate and carry out the approved policies of the Association;

4.2 propose and administer the annual budget;

4.3 develop the program for the annual conference;

4.4 be the custodian of the property of the Association;

4.5 have the power to make contracts approved by the Association's membership; and

4.6 perform such other duties as may be necessary for the efficient function of the Association.

Sec 5 The Executive Board shall meet quarterly through use of telephone, telecommunications or other reasonable means for the purpose of conducting official business. Written record of such meeting shall be available to members upon request.

Sec 6 Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the president or at the request of three (3) board members by giving at least forty-eight (48) hours notice thereof to the entire Board.

Sec 7 A quorum for all Executive Board meetings shall consist of a majority of the Board membership.

ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS

Sec 1 The officers of the Association shall be a President, President-Elect, and Secretary-Treasurer.

Sec 2 Officers shall be elected prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association to hold office for a period of two years or until their respective successors have been elected. Newly-elected officers will take office after the Annual Meeting at which their election is announced.

Sec 3 The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer and shall:

3.1 exercise leadership and direction over the Association

3.2 prepare an agenda and preside over all meetings;

3.3 appoint all committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees;

3.4 attend, or appoint an active member of the Association to attend meetings or organizations relevant to the purpose of the Association including those organizations in which the Association has standing representation.

Sec 4 The President-Elect shall, in the absence of the President, be vested with all powers of the President. At the conclusion of the President's term of office, the President-Elect shall become President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall complete the vacated term, at the conclusion of which s/he shall commence and complete the term for which s/he was elected. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the Secretary-Treasurer shall assume the duties of the President-Elect until such time, before the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Association, a special election can be conducted following the procedures outlined in Article VII, Section 6.

Sec 5 The Secretary-Treasurer shall:

5.1 keep a proper record of the minutes of all meetings and accounts of the Association;

5.2 notify all members in writing of all meetings;

5.3 keep a current directory of the names and addresses of all members;

5.4 serve as custodian of the funds of the Association and deposit money or other valuables in a depository designated by the Executive Board.

5.5 sign all checks for disbursement of funds. S/he will sign no note, deed, discharge of mortgage or other written obligation in the name of the Association unless authorized by the Executive Board to do so;

5.6 provide a written report of each meeting of the Association to each member.

5.7 be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the Association newsletter;

5.8 serve as chairman of the budget committee;

5.9 at the close of his/her term, deliver within thirty (30) days to the successor, all records that are held by him/her.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary-Treasurer, a special election shall be scheduled by the Executive Board, at the earliest convenient time before the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Association, following the procedures outlined in Articled VII, Section 6.

Sec 6 The election of officers shall be held prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association. Not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting, the Election Committee will send, or cause to be sent, through the United States or electronic mail to each Association member, a ballot which contains the recommendations of the Nominating Committee and which also provides for write-in voting. No individual shall be nominated who has not consented to stand for election and serve if elected. The Election Committee shall specify in writing the date by which marked ballots must be returned and to whom they will be returned. The person receiving the largest number of votes for the particular office shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie for an office, the chairman of the Election Committee shall conduct, at the Annual Meeting, a run-off election, between the persons receiving the tie vote.

Sec 7 Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Association membership at a meeting or through a mail vote legally called for that specific purpose. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the officer removed.

ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES

Sec 1 At the first Executive Board meeting after assuming office, the President shall, with the consent of the Executive Board, appoint members of any standing committee.

Sec 2 The Nominating/Election Committee shall be comprised of four (4) members from different geographic area of the United States. The committee shall:

2.1 conduct an election of officers every two (2) years in accordance with Article VII, Section 6; and

  1. conduct, if necessary, any special elections.
  2. develop a proposed budget to be adopted at the Annual Meeting; and

Sec 3 The Budget Committee shall be comprised of the Executive Board and one other member appointed by the President. The Budget Committee shall:

3.2 review and approve/disapprove the financial reports prepared by the Secretary-

Treasurer at the close of each fiscal year. Sec 4 Voting at committee meetings shall be a simple majority.

Sec 5 The President may appoint other committees to assist the Executive Board and/or Association in carrying out specific tasks/activities. The composition, purpose and tenure of these committees shall be at the discretion of the President after consultation with the Board.

ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR

Sec 1 The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December of each year.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

Sec 1 Proposed changes to the Bylaws may be submitted by, or at the direction of, the Executive Board, or by five (5) or more members.

Sec 2 Notice of proposed changes, and the text thereof, shall be provided by United States or electronic mail to the membership at least thirty(30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Sec 3 A two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present at the Annual Meeting shall be required to amend these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

Sec 1 Upon any dissolution or winding up of the Association, any assets remaining after payment of or provision for its debts and liabilities, shall, consistent with the purposes of the Association, be paid to the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, or in the event of its dissolution, to one or more charitable organizations which support the goals of this Association and qualify as an exempt organization under provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code or corresponding provisions of subsequently enacted Federal Law. No part of the net assets or net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of or be paid or distributed to any officers, director, member, employee, or donor of the Association.

Rev. 8/4/2002