Bylaws

 

BYLAWS OF
NORTH GULF COAST CHAPTER OF THE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
INSTITUTE
(Amended May 2017)

ARTICLE I NAME AND OFFICE

SECTION 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be North Gulf Coast Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (“Chapter”).

SECTION 2. Incorporation; Registered Office. The Chapter is a corporation, incorporated in the State of Florida and is a chapter of the Community Associations Institute (“CAI”).

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1. Definitions.

a. “At-Large Member” means a member of Community Associations Institute who falls within one of the classes of membership as defined in Article III, Section 3. In relation to positions on the Board of Directors and committees, at-large members may be from any membership class, and have the same role and responsibilities as all other members of the Board or committee.

b. “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Chapter and “Director” means a Member of the Board of Directors.

c. “Board of Trustees” means the Board of Trustees of CAI and “Trustee” means a Member of CAI’s Board of Trustees

d. “CAI’s By-Laws” means the By-Laws of CAI as the same may be amended or replaced.

e. “Community Association” means any incorporated or unincorporated association trust or other entity comprised of the owners of interests in a residential, commercial, or industrial condominium, real estate cooperative, planned unit development or other real estate common interest community.

f. “Company” shall mean a business incorporated according to the laws of a state, a limited liability corporation, a partnership, or other relationship of individuals providing service or products to others.

g. “Member” means a Member of the North Gulf Coast Chapter of CAI.

h. “Member in Good Standing” means a member whose rights have not been

suspended by the Chapter or CAI.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. General Requirements. Applications for membership in CAI and within any class of membership of CAI shall be approved in accordance with the terms of CAI’s Bylaws and such rules, procedures and limitations as may be established by the Board of Trustees from time to time. CAI shall have the right to determine the appropriate class of membership for any Member. Membership in CAI is as authorized by CAI. Members are automatically assigned to a CAI certified chapter in accordance with established chapter boundaries.

SECTION 2. Conflict of Interest. All Chapter board members and committee members shall comply with the conflict of interest policies adopted by the Board of Trustees and stricter policies as may be established by the Chapter.

SECTION 3. Classes of Members. The membership of CAI shall consist of the following:

A. Community Association Volunteers. All individuals residing or owning a unit in a community association are eligible for membership as a Community Association Volunteer, including, without limitation, individuals living in community associations who have a volunteer role within their community association. Volunteer roles include, but are not limited to, being a member or officer of the governing body of the community association, participating on a volunteer committee or committees, acting as the newsletter editor for the community, or any other volunteer function sanctioned by the community association. An individual who meets the aforementioned criteria and also holds a membership as a Community Manager, Management Company CEO or Business Partner may hold an additional membership as a Community Association Volunteer, however, he may not serve in a CAI volunteer position under the Community Association Volunteer category. Community Association Volunteers will be considered as individual Members of CAI with voting rights. Community associations paying dues on behalf of a community association volunteer or volunteers shall own each such membership and shall be permitted to transfer each membership to another volunteer in the community association during the term of membership or upon renewal of the membership. Individuals paying dues with their personal funds shall be the only individual entitled to exercise the rights of membership and such membership shall not be transferable.

B. Community Managers. This class of Members shall consist of professional managers of all types of association-governed communities including, but not limited to, condominium associations, townhome associations, co-operative associations, homeowners associations, large-scale communities, and planned communities. All managers of association-governed communities fall within this class of Members, regardless of whether they are on-site managers, portfolio managers, large-scale managers, are employed by a management company or have any other employment

relationship. Those persons who have previously served in one of the roles in the preceding sentence and serve in a capacity of managing other managers shall be a Member of this class. All community managers shall be treated as individual Members of CAI with voting rights. A management company or employer of a manager paying dues on behalf of a manager or managers shall own each such membership and shall be permitted to transfer each membership to another manager during the membership term, but only in the event the manager originally identified is no longer employed by the management company. Individuals purchasing a membership with their personal funds shall be the only individual entitled to exercise the rights of membership, and such membership shall not be transferable.

C. Business Partners. This class of Members shall consist of professionals and other providers of products, services, support, and counsel to association-governed communities, including developers of such communities. This class of Members shall not include community association management companies or managers of association-governed communities. The company, partnership, corporation or other business entity shall designate an individual as a primary membership contact who will have voting rights for the entity and may transfer this designation to another individual during the membership term or upon renewal of the membership. All employees of a business partner member shall be Affiliate members and will be permitted to attend classes, functions, conferences, to purchase products and services at membership prices, and be elected or appointed to committees or the Board of Directors.

D. Management Companies. This class of Members shall consist of community association management companies. Each management company membership shall include an individual manager membership to be held by the CEO or equivalent of the management company. Whenever the term “CEO of a Management Company” is used in these Bylaws, it shall mean the CEO or equivalent of a management company. Management companies shall not transfer this manager membership to multiple managers during the course of the membership term for the purpose of obtaining membership pricing for managers who do not hold an individual manager membership. Employees of the management company, who are not employed to manage association-governed communities, may attend selected classes and functions at the membership price.

SECTION 4. Rights and Privileges.

A. Chapter Rights and Privileges. Each Member in good standing of the Chapter shall be entitled to cast one vote on any and all matters required to be voted upon by Members and shall have such other rights, privileges and responsibilities as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, and subject to eligibility requirements, each Member in good standing shall be eligible to serve on the

Chapter Board of Directors and committees.

B. CAI Rights and Privileges. Each Member in good standing of CAI shall be entitled to cast one vote on any and all matters required to be voted upon by Members and shall have such rights, privileges and responsibilities as the Board of Trustees shall determine from time to time. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, and subject to eligibility requirements, each Member in good standing shall be eligible to serve on the CAI Board of Trustees, Membership Representation Groups, and committees.

SECTION 5. Suspension for Nonpayment. The Chapter may adopt reasonable policies to suspend certain membership rights and privileges resulting from nonpayment of amounts due and owing to the Chapter or CAI.

ARTICLE IV ANNUAL DUES

The Board of Trustees shall determine the amount of annual dues, fees, and other assessments to be paid to CAI by each class of Members. Unless terminated, each membership shall continue automatically from year to year, with annual dues, fees, and other assessments payable by each Member on or before such date as shall be determined by the Board of Trustees. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees, all annual dues, fees, and other assessments shall be paid to CAI in advance of the 12-month period to which they relate. The Board of Trustees may from time to time impose such other fees and charges as it deems proper and may waive or modify the requirement to pay dues, fees or charges for particular Members.

ARTICLE V MEETING OF MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. There shall be an annual meeting of Members of the Chapter for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The annual meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may determine. Written notice of such meeting stating the date, time and place of such meeting shall be sent to each Member, at the last address shown on the Chapter’s records, at least 15 days before the date of the meeting, or as provided by state law.

SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Members may be called only by the Board of Directors. Special meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors may determine. Written notice of any special meeting stating the date, time, place and purpose of such meeting shall be sent to each Member, at the last address shown on the Chapter’s records, at least 15 days before the date of the meeting, or as provided by state law.

SECTION 3. Notices. Unless otherwise prohibited in these Bylaws or by state law, all notices and other communications required by these Bylaws or state law shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by:

A. Personal delivery to the addressee; or

B. United States mail, first class, postage prepaid; or

C. Any means permitted by law.

SECTION 4. Quorum. Members of the Chapter present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any duly called meeting of the Members. At any duly called meeting of the Members at which a quorum is present, the act of a majority of the Members present in person or by proxy shall be the act of the Members on any matter, except where the act of a greater number of Members is required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any duly called meeting of the Members, a majority of the Members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is present.

SECTION 5. Voting and Proxies. Voting on all matters may be conducted by mail, electronic mail, or any other means of electronic transmission; provided, that the Member shall state, or submit information from which it can be determined, that the method of voting chosen was authorized by the Member. A Member entitled to vote may authorize, in writing, another person to act for such Member by proxy solely for the purpose of achieving a quorum. The writing may be executed by the Member or the Member’s authorized officer, director, employee, or agent signing the writing, or causing the person’s signature to be affixed to the writing, by any reasonable means, including a facsimile signature. No proxy shall be valid for more than sixty (60) days after the event for which it is given.

SECTION 6. Electronic Communications. Whenever these Bylaws require that a document, record or instrument be “written” or “in writing,” the requirement is deemed satisfied by an electronic record if the Board of Directors has affirmatively published regulations permitting an electronic record or document as a substitute for a written item.

Whenever these Bylaws require a signature on a document, record or instrument, an electronic signature satisfies that requirement only if: (a) the Board of Directors has affirmatively published regulations permitting an electronic signature as a substitute for a written signature; and
(b) the electronic signature is easily recognizable as a secure electronic signature which is capable of verification, under the sole control of the signatory, and attached to the electronic document in such a way that the document cannot be modified without invalidating the signature; or (c) the Board of Directors reasonably believes that the signatory affixed the electronic signature with the intent to sign the electronic document, and that the electronic document has not been modified since the signature was affixed.

The Board of Directors may require reasonable verification of any electronic signature, document, record or instrument. Absent or pending verification, the Board may refuse to accept any electronic signature or electronic record that, in the Board’s sole discretion, is not clearly authentic. Neither the Board of Directors nor the Chapter shall be liable to any Member for accepting or acting in reliance upon an electronic signature or electronic record that the Board reasonably believes to

be authentic, or rejecting any such item which the Board reasonably believes not to be authentic. Any Member who negligently, recklessly or intentionally submits any falsified electronic record or unauthorized electronic signature shall fully indemnify the Chapter for actual damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred and expenses incurred as a result of such acts.

SECTION 7. Order and Conduct of Business. The President shall establish the agenda for, and preside at, and the Secretary shall keep the minutes of, all membership meetings. The Board of Directors may establish rules of conduct and the order of business for all membership meetings. When not in conflict with these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or meeting procedures adopted by the Board of Directors, Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition) shall govern all membership meetings. The Board may order the removal of anyone attending a membership meeting who, in the opinion of the Board, disrupts the conduct of the business at such a meeting. The use of Roberts Rules of Order may be partially or wholly suspended by majority vote of the Members. In the event of any dispute concerning the meaning of any meeting rules, including Roberts Rules, the decision of the chair, who may consult with counsel, shall be final and binding.

ARTICLE VI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. Powers of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs and property of the Chapter, shall determine the policies of the Chapter, shall actively pursue the purposes and objectives of the Chapter and CAI, shall insure that the Chapter and its Bylaws comply with the policies and procedures of CAI, and shall have discretion in the use and disbursement of Chapter funds. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of its business, for the execution of its powers, for the implementation of these Bylaws and for the fulfillment of the purposes and objectives of the Chapter and CAI as it shall deem necessary or advisable, to the extent not in conflict with these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation.

SECTION 2. Composition of the Board. The Board of Directors shall be composed of nine
(9) Directors which shall include two (2) Community Association Volunteers, two (2) Community Association Managers, two (2) Business Partners, and three (3) At-Large Members. No more than one person from any company may serve on the Board at any one time.

The composition of At-Large seats on the Board of Directors shall not provide any one membership class with more than fifty percent (50%) of the seats on the Board of Directors.

In the event that a Director’s class of membership changes during his term of service, he shall complete the remainder of the current election year, so long as the makeup of the Board is not compromised, in which case his slot will be automatically forfeited. Any subsequent Board service must be in a position designated for his then class of membership.

SECTION 3. Term of the Board. Board of Directors terms shall be staggered so that the terms of not more than one-third of the Directors expire each year. A Member may serve on the Board of Directors for a total of six (6) years. Those years of service do not have to be consecutive. After a Member has served for six (6) years, they may not serve again for three years. At that time,

they begin the process of accumulating their six (6) years again.

SECTION 4. Nomination and Election of Directors.
a. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, each Member in good standing shall be eligible for nomination to serve as a Director.
b. The Nominating Committee shall solicit candidates for open Director positions by communicating with the membership no later than 75 days prior to the Director Election Date and in such manner and with such frequency as the Nominating Committee deems appropriate and in accordance with these Bylaws and such rules and procedures as may be established by the Board of Directors. Any individual wishing to be nominated to serve as Director shall nominate himself or herself. Petitions for nominees to serve as Directors shall be in such form as may be established by the Nominating Committee and must be received by the Nominating Committee at least 45 days before the election date.

c. The election ballot shall designate the Membership Representation Group to be represented by each nominee. The Nominating Committee shall, at least 30 days before the election date, submit to the Members a ballot containing the names of all eligible nominees, and may submit a recommended slate of nominees. The election may take place via paper ballot, internet election or in any manner allowed by state law. The ballot shall indicate the date by which it must be returned in order to be counted and such other information as may be required by state law. The persons receiving the most votes shall be elected. In the event of a tie, the Chapter Board will vote to break the tie, and the person(s) receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.

d. If fewer petitions are received by the Nominating Committee within the time prescribed in these Bylaws than exist Director positions up for election, then, on the election date, the Secretary shall cast a unanimous ballot for the eligible nominees and such nominees shall be declared elected Directors of the Chapter. Any remaining vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled as set forth in Section 14.

e. No candidate may campaign for election or cause another individual or individuals to campaign on behalf of the candidate. A candidate campaigning for election who is elected shall be disqualified from serving.

SECTION 5. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold at least one meeting quarterly at such time and place as the Board of Directors may determine. In addition, the Board of Directors shall meet upon the call of the President, or upon the written request of one-third (1/3) of the Directors or upon the written request of the Executive Director at such time and place as the President or President-Elect, as the case may be, may designate.

SECTION 6. Conference Calls. Any or all Directors may participate in duly called meetings of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear one another, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

SECTION 7. Notice of Meetings. Notice of meetings of the Board of Directors may be given

orally or in writing and shall be given to each Member of the Board of Directors, at least 72 hours before the time appointed for the meeting, except that such notice may be given at least 24 hours before the time appointed for a meeting in an emergency.

SECTION 8. Member Participation. All Board meetings held in person shall be open to all Chapter members, but members other than Directors may not participate in any discussion or deliberation unless expressly authorized by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the above, the Board of Directors may adjourn a meeting and reconvene in executive session to discuss and vote upon personnel matters, litigation in which CAI is or may become involved, contract negotiations, matters that, in the exercise of the Board’s reasonable discretion, require personal privacy, or other matters that require confidentiality. The nature of any and all business to be considered in executive session shall first be announced in open session.

SECTION 9. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Director under these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Director or Directors entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be equivalent to the giving of such notice. Presence without objection also waives notice.

SECTION 10. Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a written consent setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all Members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, and such unanimous written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors or at a meeting of such committee, as the case may be. All such action shall be reported at the next duly called meeting of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 11. Quorum; Acts of the Board. Five (5) or more of the number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any duly called meeting of the Board of Directors. At any duly called meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the act of a majority of the Directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board of Directions on any matter, except with respect to public policy issues or where the act of a greater number of Directors is required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any duly called meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is present.

SECTION 12. Votes on Matters Related to Public Policy. All matters involving a public policy position of the Chapter must be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote those Directors present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors, a quorum being present, and must not be inconsistent with the policies, goals and objectives of CAI.

SECTION 13. Resignation or Removal. Any Director may resign by presenting a written resignation to the President or Secretary, and such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time is specified, at the time of receipt thereof by the President. Any Director unable to attend a duly called meeting of the Board of Directors shall advise the President as to the reason for the absence. If a Director has three consecutive absences from duly called meetings of the Board of Directors without the Board excusing such absences, such Director shall be deemed

to have resigned as a Director; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may waive this provision in particular cases. A Director may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Members; provided, however, that such
Director shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard, either orally or in writing, prior to any such action.

SECTION 14. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the then Members of the Board of Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board. Any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve through the end of the unexpired term of his/her predecessor in office.

An individual who has served more than one-half of a full term shall be deemed to have served a full term. In the event an individual serves less than a full year on the Board, it shall be considered one full year of service.

SECTION 15. Reimbursement of Expenses. No Director shall be compensated for serving as a Director; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may reimburse any Director for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred and authorized by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Officers. The elected officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a President- Elect, an Immediate Past President, a Vice President, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint such other officers as the Board may deem necessary or advisable.

SECTION 2. Qualifications, Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Chapter, with the exception of the President, shall be elected from among the Directors each year by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Board. Each officer shall serve for a term of one year or until a successor has taken office. The President-Elect shall serve for one (1) year and directly following the conclusion of that year of service shall serve as President for one (1) year. In the event a member of the Board is elected to serve as President-Elect during the last year of his term on the Board, that individual will automatically be granted one (1) additional year to serve as President. The partial term remaining shall be filled by the successor Director receiving the least number of votes. In the case of a person who serves as President-Elect in his sixth year on the Board, he will be permitted to serve seven (7) years to complete his term as President.

SECTION 3. Removal. Any officer may be removed from his or her office by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Vacancies. Vacancies in any office, with the exception of President, may be filled for the balance of the remaining term by the Board of Directors at a meeting of the Board in accordance with such rules and procedures as may be established by the Board. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall act as President for the unexpired portion of the term of office of the predecessor in such office and shall succeed to such office upon

the expiration of the term. In the event the President-Elect cannot or will not agree to serve the unexpired term of his predecessor in office, the Board of Directors shall elect from its members a person to serve as President for the unexpired term.

SECTION 5. President. The President shall be the chief elected officer of the Chapter, shall be a Member of the Executive Committee and shall preside at all meetings of the Members, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws or directed by the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint all committees, The President shall have the authority to represent the Chapter and act in its name in accordance with the declared policies of the Chapter and CAI. The President shall communicate to the Members of the Chapter and to the Board of Directors such matters and make suggestions as may tend to promote and further the purposes and objectives of the Chapter and CAI, and the President shall perform such other duties as are necessary or incident to the office of President or as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or required by law. The President shall be responsible for satisfying the directives of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6. President-Elect. The President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence or in the event of resignation, removal or inability or refusal to act, The President-Elect, when so acting, shall have all the powers and responsibilities of the President. The President-Elect shall also perform such duties as may be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. Vice President. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President- Elect in the President-Elect’s absence or in the event of resignation, removal or inability or refusal to act of the President-Elect. The Vice President, when so acting, shall have all the powers and responsibilities of the President-Elect. The Vice President shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of Chapter funds and securities, shall oversee the establishment of proper accounting procedures for the handling of the Chapter’s funds, shall be the disbursing officer for the Chapter and shall report on the financial condition of the Chapter at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at other times as called upon by the President of the Chapter. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties incident to the office of Treasurer.

SECTION 9. Secretary. The duties and authority of the Secretary shall include, but not be limited to, accountability for the accuracy of Board documents such as minutes of all meetings and all notices given in accordance with these Bylaws.

SECTION 10. Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President supports and advises the President, President-Elect and Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President or the Board of Directors, the Bylaws or as required by law. The Immediate Past President shall be a non-voting member of the Board, except that he or she shall have the same rights as a Director, including voting rights, if he or she is also serving a current Board term. The Immediate Past President is not a member of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 11. Chapter Staff. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Director to manage the operations of the Chapter within the authority delegated by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 12. Salaries; Reimbursement of Expenses. No elected officer of the Chapter shall be compensated for serving as an officer. Officers may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in performing their duties as Officers, as budgeted and authorized by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. Executive Committee. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the executive committee of the Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President, the President-elect, the Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. The executive committee shall have and exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors including all actions specified in these Bylaws as actions to be taken by the Board of Directors where it is necessary or desirable to do so between meetings of the Board of Directors except that the executive committee shall not have the authority to: (1) amend, alter or repeal these Bylaws, (2) elect, appoint or remove any Director or officer of the Chapter, (3) adopt a resolution proposing an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, (4) adopt a plan of merger or consolidation with another corporation, (5) acquire or authorize the sale, lease, exchange or mortgage of any real property of the Chapter, (6) authorize the sale, lease, exchange or mortgage of all or substantially all of the personal property and assets of the Chapter, (7) authorize or institute proceedings for the voluntary dissolution of the Chapter,
(8) adopt a plan for the distribution of the assets of the Chapter or (9) amend, alter or repeal any resolution of the Board of Directors. The executive committee shall act by vote of a simple majority of the executive committee on any matter. The executive committee shall make due report of its actions to the Board of Directors. The President shall serve as the chairperson of the executive committee.

SECTION 2. Nominating Committee. Each year the Executive Committee shall designate a nominating committee that shall consist of the immediate past president of the Chapter, the President-Elect and at least three other Members of the Chapter who are not elected officers of the Chapter and who are not running for election. In the event the Immediate Past President is running for re-election, he shall not serve on the Nominating Committee, and the Executive Committee shall appoint a Member of the Chapter to serve in his place. At least one Member of the Nominating Committee shall be a Community Association Volunteer and no more than two (2) Members of the Nominating Committee may be from the same Membership Representation Group. Unless otherwise directed by the Executive Committee, the Immediate Past President of the Chapter shall serve as chairman of the nominating committee.

SECTION 3. Legislative Action Committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint delegates to the Florida Legislative Action Committee in accordance with the Legislative Action Committee Operational Guidelines approved by the CAI Board of Trustees. The appointed delegates shall provide a report to the Chapter Board of Directors regularly.

SECTION 4. Finance Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint a finance

committee which shall be comprised of the Treasurer and at least two other Members appointed by the President. This committee shall, in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the Board of Directors from time to time, recommend a budget to the Board of Directors for each fiscal year.

The Finance Committee shall examine the accounts and books of the Chapter and make interim reports to the Board and further, shall oversee any audit, review or compilation of chapter financial statements by a certified public accountant and report results of the audit, review or compilation to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. Other Committees. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws or directed by the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint such other standing or special committees, subcommittees, task force or boards as may be required by these Bylaws or as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the President.

ARTICLE IX
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 1. Limitations of Liability. A Member, officer, director, agent, representative or employee of the Chapter is not, as such, personally liable for any act, debt, liability, or obligation of the Chapter. Nothing herein shall constitute Members of the Chapter as partners for any purpose. No Member, officer, director, agent, representative or employee of the Chapter shall be liable for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Member, officer, director, agent, representative or employee of the Chapter, nor shall any Member, officer, director, agent, representative or employee of the Chapter be liable for any act or failure to act under these Bylaws, except acts or failures to act arising out of such person’s willful misfeasance.

SECTION 2. Indemnification. The Chapter shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, each current and former director, officer, employee, agent and representative of the Chapter who was or is made a party to or a witness in or is threatened to be made a party to or a witness in, or is otherwise involved in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or representative of the Chapter, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or failure to take action in an official capacity, against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements), liabilities (including judgments, fines, excise taxes and penalties), amounts paid in settlement, and amounts expended in seeking indemnification granted to such person under applicable law or these Bylaws, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceedings. The Chapter shall pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by a current or former director, officer, employee, agent or representative of the Chapter in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of any proceeding that such person was or is made a party to or a witness in or is threatened to be made a party to or a witness in, or is otherwise involved in, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or representative of the Chapter. The rights of indemnification and advancement of expenses provided herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights that any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may have or

hereafter be entitled to claim or exercise.

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be a calendar year unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Contracts, Checks, Drafts, etc. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, all contracts and all checks, drafts, notes, acceptances, endorsements and other evidences of indebtedness may be signed on behalf of the Chapter only by the President, the Executive Director or such other officers and agents of the Chapter as the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may authorize.

SECTION 3. Loans. No loans shall be made or obtained on behalf of the Chapter, and no negotiable instruments other than checks shall be issued in its name, unless and except as authorized by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Deposits. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, all funds of the Chapter shall be deposited in such depositories as the Executive Committee or the President may select, or as may be selected by another officer or agent authorized by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. Surety Bond. The President, the Treasurer, the Executive Director and such other officers and agents of the Chapter as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, shall give and file with the Secretary surety bonds for the faithful performance of their duties in such sums as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The cost of such bonds shall be paid by the Chapter.

SECTION 6. Procedures. All meetings of the Members, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee shall be governed by the rules set forth in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, as long as such rules are not in conflict with these Bylaws or with rules and procedures established by the Board or the Executive Committee. By majority vote, the Board of Directors may vote to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order.

SECTION 7. Use of Funds and Dissolution. The Chapter shall use its funds only to accomplish its stated purpose and objectives. Upon dissolution of the Chapter, all of its assets shall be distributed to CAI, or its successor.

SECTION 8. Loss of Charter. This chapter may be decertified by a vote of the Board of Trustees, as provided in the policies and procedures of CAI. In such event, the Chapter agrees to be bound by the CAI policies.

SECTION 9. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver of such notice in writing signed by the person entitled to such notice, whether such waiver is signed before or after the time for notice has expired, shall be deemed the equivalent of the giving of such notice.

SECTION 10. Transitional Procedures. Any and all actions taken pursuant to the Bylaws of the Chapter in effect prior to the date of adoption hereof shall remain in full force and effect unless and until expressly changed or revoked pursuant hereto.


SECTION 12. Rules of Construction. The following rules of construction shall apply to the interpretation of these Bylaws:

A. The use of the masculine gender in these Bylaws shall be deemed to refer to the feminine gender and the use of the singular shall be deemed to refer to the plural, and vice versa, whenever the context so requires. The captions and headings contained in these Bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed as a limitation on the scope of any particular article, section or subsection of these Bylaws. The captions may not be used in interpreting the meaning of any article, section or subsection of these Bylaws.

B. Wherever these Bylaws grant the authority to act or exercise any right or privilege by the Board of Directors, its officers, the Chapter Executive Director or any person referred to in these Bylaws (the “Authorized Party”), there shall be no limitation on the number of times the Authorized Party may exercise the authority, right or privilege granted, unless these Bylaws expressly provide otherwise.

C. Wherever these Bylaws use the word “including,” it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation,” unless expressly stated to the contrary.

D. If any time period or deadline stated in these Bylaws falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the time period or deadline shall be extended until the next business day.

SECTION 12. Notices. Unless otherwise prohibited by these Bylaws or state law, all notices and other communications required by these Bylaws or state law shall be in writing and shall be given by:

(i) Personal delivery;
(ii) United States mail, first class, postage prepaid;
(iii) Statutory overnight delivery;
(iv) Electronic mail;
(v) Facsimile; or
(vi) A secure web site, provided that notice shall be deemed given via web site only upon proof that the addressee has retrieved the message.

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered, in whole or in part, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members of the entire Board of Directors at a duly called meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that the notice of such meeting must be in writing, must describe, generally, the scope and nature of the amendment, revision or alteration to the Bylaws, and must state that a purpose of the meeting is to vote on such proposed amendment, revision or alteration to the Bylaws.

 

 


The foregoing provisions were adopted by at least the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members of the entire Board of Directors at a duly called meeting on July 6, 2017.