SDCRID Bylaws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Download Bylaws
Association Bylaws
San Diego County Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Article I. Name
The name of the organization shall be San Diego County Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (SDCRID).
Article II: Principle Office
The principle office for the transaction of the organization's business is fixed and located in San Diego, San Diego County, California. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, change the location of the principle office from one location to another, provided that such new office shall be within the organization's area.
Section 1. Objectives
The organization shall be an affiliate chapter of the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), and shall uphold the purposes and abide by the policies and procedures established for affiliate chapters of RID. The objectives of this affiliate chapter shall be to:
A. Maintain and promote a code of ethics for interpreters and transliterators,
B. Provide for the professional development of interpreters and transliterators,
C. Provide the public with information regarding interpreting and transliterating, and
D. Support the activities of organizations of and for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, and of and for interpreters, transliterators, and translators, insofar as such activities are not in conflict with the general purposes of this organization or those of RID.
Article III. Membership
Section 1 Levels of Membership
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, recommend levels of membership and appropriate dues for each level. All members of a particular level shall pay equal annual dues though the annual dues for different levels may be different. Such recommendation shall be presented to, discussed by, and approved by the membership. Notice of such a recommendation must be provided to the membership not less than 30 days prior to the meeting at which the recommendation will be presented.
Membership classifications are:
A. Certified-Any interpreter or transliterator of American Sign Language and/or English who holds valid certification accepted by RID.
B. Associate - Any individual who is actively engaged in the interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or the transliteration of English, but does not hold valid certification accepted by the RID.
C. Student - Any individual currently enrolled in a course of study in Interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or transliteration of English through an Interpreter Training Program and who do not meet eligibility requirements under Section 1.A or 1.B.
D. Supporting - Any non-certified individual with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of the SDCRID who does not meet eligibility requirements under Section 1.A or 1.B.
E. Organization - Any organization/institution with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of SDCRID.
Section 2. Eligibility
A. Application for Membership: Any individual may join the organization by submitting appropriate personal information (such as, but not limited to name, contact information, RID membership level and certification status), agreeing to support the goals and interests of the organization, and paying annual membership dues.
B. A member who has paid the established annual dues for the current membership year shall be considered a member in good standing.
C. The membership year shall be July 1st through June 30th.
A. Each member of the organization shall be entitled to a single vote. In the event that a corporate level of membership is established, a member corporation shall be entitled to a single vote.
Section 4. Termination of Membership
An individual’s membership in SDCRID can be terminated for the following reasons:
A. Non-payment of dues.
B. Resignation.
Section 5. Transfer of Membership
SDCRID membership is non-transferable.
Section 6. Change in Membership Category
A member who has a change in membership category will immediately be entitled to the privileges thereof. Beginning with the next fiscal year, dues for that member shall be based on the new membership category.
Article IV. Directors
Section 1. Composition of Board of Directors
The board of directors shall be composed of a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five (5) community representatives. In addition, the immediate past president shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member of the board of directors for one (1) term.
Section 2. Powers and Limitations
A. Powers:
1. To prescribe officers’ powers and duties consistent with law, and these bylaws.
2. To conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of SDCRID and to make rules and regulations consistent with the law.
3. To establish/abolish liaisons with other organizations.
B. Limitations: Directors shall not concurrently serve as elected officers on the national board of directors of RID.
Section 3. Duties
A. General Duties
1. Perform duties as prescribed by the voting membership, the board of directors or as required by law.
2. Approve committee expenditures and contracts obligating organization.
3. Upon completion of their terms, meet with their newly elected successors to ensure a smooth transition.
B. Officers:
1. The President shall:
a. Represent SDCRID in all appropriate activities
.
b. Call, prepare agenda, and preside at meetings of the members and/or directors.
c. Appoint chairs for such committees as are established by these Bylaws and as may be established ad hoc.
d. Communicate affairs of the organization to the members at meetings of the membership, and in such other manners as are deemed prompt and appropriate.
e. May sign checks and warrants for the withdrawal of organizational funds.
a. In the absence or disability of the president, assume all the duties and bear all the powers of the president.
b. May sign checks and warrants for the withdrawal of organizational funds.
3. The Secretary shall:
a. Take complete and accurate minutes of all meetings of the organization, making such minutes available to any officer or member upon request not more than 14 days following the meeting in question.
b. Maintain organizational records, minutes, and correspondence.
c. Supervise the maintenance of records pertaining to membership of the organization.
d. Keep the seal of the organization and affix it to such papers and instruments as may be necessary in the course of business.
e. Issue meeting notices as are required to establish duly called meetings and actions.
f. May sign checks and warrants for the withdrawal of organizational funds.
4. The Treasurer shall:
a. Maintain full and accurate financial records of the organization, making at least quarterly financial reports to the members.
b. Promptly pay for authorized expenditures.
c. Supervise budget planning and forecasting to ensure the organization’s financial solvency.
d. May sign checks, deposits, and warrants for the withdrawal of organizational funds.
e. Submit financial statements to authorities as required.
5. The Immediate Past President shall:
a. Coordinate the transfer of power upon leaving the office of the President.
b. Advise the board of directors on organizational history to ensure cohesion from board to board.
6. The Community Representatives shall:
a. Serve as liaisons between the membership and the board of directors.
b. Assist in coordinating activities and communications of the organization.
c. Serve as resource persons to the membership.
7. The Executive Committee shall:
a. Comprise the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and immediate past president.
b. In the event that the entire board of directors is unable to convene, have full power and authority to take action on emergency issues.
Section 4. Qualifications
A. Each officer serving on the board of directors of the organization must be a member of SDCRID as well as a member of RID. In addition, the president shall have been a member of SDCRID AND a member of RID for at least two years prior to serving.
B. All officers, except the community representatives, shall have been SDCRID members in good standing for a minimum of nine (9) months prior to candidacy. All officers shall maintain membership in good standing with SDCRID AND RID throughout their terms of office.
C. President shall have five (5) years interpreting experience AND RID or NAD certification.
D. Vice President shall have five (5) years interpreting experience AND RID or NAD certification.
E. Executive Board members must have RID, NAD or EIPA Certification (4.0)
Section 5. Terms of Office
A. Each officer shall serve a term of two (2) years. Terms shall begin on the first day of the membership year. In the case of an appointment to office, the term of office shall begin immediately upon appointment.
B. No officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office. In addition, no officer shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms on the board of directors.
C. The president, vice president, secretary, and community representative number three shall be elected in even numbered years.
D. The treasurer and two-community representatives number one and number two shall be elected in odd numbered years.
Section 6. Nominations and Elections
A. The election of officers shall take place during the last general meeting of the membership year.
Section 7. Balloting and Elections
A. Balloting
1. Balloting of regular membership and Board of Director motions may be conducted by voice, show of hands, or written ballot.
2. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, motions and elections shall be carried by a simple majority of the votes present at the time the motion is made and discussed.
3. Elections and Bylaws revision referendums may be conducted during duly called meetings of the membership or by mail.
4. A valid election of officers must be constituted of at least 20 percent of the total eligible voting membership.
B. Election of Officers
The election of officers shall take place during the last month of the membership year. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and one Community Representative shall be elected in even numbered years, the Treasurer and two Community Representatives shall be elected in odd numbered years.
1. The Nominations Committee shall issue a call for nominations not less than four (4) months prior to the end of the membership year. Nominations shall be closed 30 days prior to the election meeting or mail-in ballot due date.
2. A slate of candidates, including their background and qualifications, shall be mailed to each voting member not less than 14 days prior to the election meeting or mail-in ballot due date. A sequentially numbered ballot shall accompany this mailing. No record will be kept of which member receives which number ballot; the numbering shall serve only as a device to prevent fraudulent voting. In the event of an uncontested office, the candidate shall be considered elected without balloting.
3. Ballots shall be deposited into a ballot box during the election meeting, or, if conducted by mail, shall be postmarked not later than the announced deadline.
4. At least two members of the Nominations Committee and an appointee from the general membership shall count the ballots. No candidate shall participate in the counting.
5. Election results shall be announced at the election meeting and in the immediately following issue of the organization newsletter.
Section 8. Vacancies
A vacancy on the board of directors shall occur upon resignation, removal, or death of any officer, or when the number of board positions is increased by amendment of these bylaws. Additionally a vacancy shall occur when an officer moves outside the affiliate chapter area; this situation would require the officer’s immediate resignation.
A. Removal of Directors: The board of directors may declare vacant any office for which the director has been removed due to legal action or for cause as detailed in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
B. Appointment to Fill a Vacancy: The president shall nominate a candidate to fill any vacancy. Final appointment of the candidate shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining officers. Individuals appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the remainder of the term of their predecessor.
C. The Director fails to maintain membership in the organization or in the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
D. A formal grievance against the Director has been substantiated by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors. Cause for removal by the Board of Directors shall be limited to misconduct directly associated with the Director's office.
Section 9. Meetings of the Directors
A. Regular Meetings: The board of directors shall meet at least four (4) times annually on dates and at locations selected by the board. These meetings shall be announced to the directors and members at least 14 days in advance, and shall be open to members and/or visitors unless otherwise designated.
B. Special Meetings: These may be called by any two executive committee members and shall be announced to the directors at least than three (3) days in advance, unless all directors agree to waive such notice.
C. Meetings by Electronic Conference: Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by electronic conference or similar communication equipment, so long as all directors participating in the meeting can communicate with one another.
Section 10. Quorum
A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 11. Compensation
A. The members of the board of directors of SDCRID shall have no compensation for their services as directors.
Article V. Committees
Upon the board of directors’ approval, the president shall appoint and charge any committees, including standing, special and/or ad hoc .
A. Standing: A standing committee is one that is deemed to have ongoing duties or to have such importance as to require it to be continually formed
B. Special/Ad Hoc: The president may establish ad hoc committees when deemed necessary. Such committees shall have specific, short-term tasks, which shall be defined at the time of their formation, and shall serve until deemed no longer necessary by a majority decision of the board.
Committee chairs, with the approval of the board of directors, may have the authority to act on behalf of the organization and initiate contracts for goods and services as necessary to fulfill committee projects.
Article VI. Meetings of Members
Section 1. Regular Meetings
A. The membership shall meet at least two (2) times annually, one meeting being held during the last three (3) months of the membership year. Each director shall present a status report during each meeting. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with these bylaws. Where these bylaws do not cover conduct, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be definitive. The Secretary shall provide written notice, consisting of the date, time, and specific location of the meeting, to all members not less than 14 days prior to the meeting.
B. Quorum and Voting Eligibility: A quorum shall consist of at least ten percent (10%) of the eligible voting members who are present at the business meeting or who, in the case of a mail ballot vote, respond by mail ballot. Eligible voting members shall be members in good standing of SDCRID AND RID. Such quorum may, by majority vote of the voting members present, transact any business stated in the call for the meeting, except as noted otherwise provided by statute, or elsewhere in the bylaws. Every voting member in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter of SDCRID’s business to be acted upon at such meetings.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the board or by written petition of not less than ten percent (10%) of the voting members. Written notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
Article VII. Dues and Fees
In order to remain in good standing, a member must pay annual dues in advance of the July 1st of each fiscal year, in amounts to be fixed from time to time by the board of directors. Dues are in arrears as of August first of each fiscal year. The board of directors shall not increase or decrease membership dues by more than ten percent (10%) without a majority vote of the membership either at a meeting of the membership or by mail referendum. The dues shall be equal for all members of each category, but different dues may be set for each category. Notification of any changes in dues or fees must be published in the association newsletter at least 90 days prior to the anticipated implementation. Furthermore the board of directors may determine and assign the payment of a reasonable late fee and reinstatement fee.
Article VIII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the organization shall begin July 1st and end June 30th.
Article IX. Amendment of these Bylaws
A. It is the purpose of these bylaws to serve the administrative needs of the organization. They may be amended periodically to meet changing needs, provided that recommended amendments are not in conflict with the stated goals and objectives of the organization and those of RID.
B. An amendment shall be made if a two-thirds (2/3) vote favors of the amendment. Amendments affecting the status of a single membership category must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of that category.
C. The membership shall be notified of any changes to these bylaws within 30 days after those changes are made.
Article X. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and consistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order that RID may adopt.
Article XI. Non-Discrimination Policy
The SDCRID shall not discriminate in matters of membership, scholarship or other benefits afforded by the SDCRID on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, hearing status, national origin, race, marital status, military status, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
Article XII: Dissolution of the Organization
1. The organization shall be dissolved when
A. A two-thirds majority of the membership assent to dissolution in a referendum conducted under the same procedural guidelines as is described in Article IX for By-laws amendment.
B. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. ceases to recognize the affiliated status of the organization for failure to comply with the goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and By-laws of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
- Upon dissolution, the Executive Board shall forward all assets and records of the organization to the national office of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.