Constitution, National, 1980

THE FEDERAL PROBATION OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS – Ratified by the general membership December 1980.

Believing that it is in the public interest to improve a public service through association in an organized group in pursuit of a common interest, with its own organized self- contained administrative structure, and that in order to do so, it is necessary to provide (1) an opportunity to maintain high professional personal standards, (2) an avenue for advocating appropriate economic status for its members, (3) a medium through which members may function together in matters of mutual professional concern, and (4) means to promote a program of public relations in order to build and maintain an enlightened public interest in the proper administration of probation, parole, and other correctional services, we, the Probation Officers of the United States Courts, resolve to unite in common efforts as herein set forth:

The Name of this organization shall be, "The Federal Probation Officers Association, Incorporated."

Objectives. The purpose and objectives of the Association shall be the following:

A. To study and improve methods of correctional service and philosophy through research, publication, conferences and advocation of pre-service and in-service education.

B. To promote a program of public relations in order to build and maintain an enlightened public interest in the proper administration of probation and parole and other correctional services.

C. To collaborate and, when appropriate, affiliate with other associates and groups interested in the prevention and treatment of crime and delinquency.

D. To continually maintain and advocate high professional personnel standards.

E. To promote the improvement of the laws governing criminal justice and correctional process.

F. To support and assist in studies for the determination and evaluation of fiscal and personnel needs and to make appropriate recommendations.

ARTICLE I Organization

The Association shall consist of the Federal Judicial Districts comprising the following geographical areas:

Great Lakes: Illinois; Indiana; Michigan; Ohio; Wisconsin         

Southeast: Alabama; Florida; Georgia; Mississippi; South Carolina; Tennessee; Canal Zone

Mid-Atlantic: District of Columbia; Kentucky; Maryland; North Carolina; Virginia; West

Virginia

Western: Alaska; Arizona; California     ; Colorado; Idaho; Montana; Nevada; Oregon; Utah; Washington; Wyoming; Hawaii; Guam

Central: Arkansas; Iowa; Kansas; Louisiana; Minnesota; Missouri; Nebraska; New Mexico; North Dakota; Oklahoma; South Dakota; Texas

Northeast: Connecticut; Delaware; New Hampshire; New Jersey; Massachusetts; New York; Pennsylvania;     Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; Vermont; Virgin Islands 

ARTICLE II Membership

Section 1. There shall be four (4) classes of membership.

(A) ACTIVE: Any Federal Probation Officer, Pre-Trial Service Officer, Probation Officer Assistant with official headquarters in the Regions listed above shall be eligible for active membership upon payment of authorized due and entitled to all privileges ascribed thereto.

(B) ASSOCIATE: All Probation Office support staff, all retired or former Federal Probation Officers, Pre-Trial Service Officer, Probation Officer Assistants, and individuals or organizations who have a continuing interest in the field of criminal justice, shall be eligible upon payment of establish­ed dues and entitled to all privileges of memebership except voting and holding office in the Association.

(C) HONORARY: Open to all retired or former Federal Probation Officers, Pre-Trial Service Officers or Probation Officer Assistants who have been continuous active members of the Association for fifteen ( 15) years preceding separation from active service, without further payment of dues. Certi­ficates shall be awarded by the President.

(D) CONTRIBUTING: Open to individuals or organiza­tions who have an interest in the correctional field and shall be granted by the President with the approval of the Execu­tive Board upon contribution of fifty (50) dollars or more annually.

ARTICLE III
Dues

Section 1.         Annual dues for active, associate or contributing membership shall be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board after consideration of the Associa­tion financial needs.

Section 2. Non-payment of dues shall result in loss of membership and all rights thereto.

Section 3. Officers entering into the Federal Probation Service after June 30 of any calendar year will be required to pay one-half of the established annual dues for one year for the year of entry.

Section 4. Members suspended for non-payment of dues may be reactivated by payment of current dues only.

ARTICLE IV
Voting

Section 1. Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. No proxy to any person shall be valid in any election of this Association.

Section 2. The Secretary shall provide on each ballot a space for a write-in candidate for each office. Candidates whose names are written in must be a member in good standing and must have certified in writing their willingness to accept the nomination and serve if elected to the office in question.

Section 3. Completed ballots shall be sealed in a special "ballot" envelope to be provided by the Secretary; no identi­fication shall be placed on the "ballot" envelope. The "ballot" envelope shall be sealed inside a self-addressed envelope and the membership card number placed in the usual "return address" area of the outer envelope and be mailed to Chairman of the Election Committee appointed by the President.

Section 4. As the self-addressed envelopes are received, the member's name shall be checked off the official voting list by the Election Committee, thus indicating that the mem­ber has voted. Afterward, the outer envelope shall be opened, and sealed "ballot" envelope removed and placed, still sealed, in a ballot box for counting by designated tellers.

Section 5. Upon certification of the tabulation by the Election Committee, those elected will be notified by the President; names of elected officers will be published in the Newsletter.

ARTICLE V
National Officers

Section 1. The National Officers of the Association, hereafter known as the Executive Board, shall be the Presi­dent, Executive Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, each to serve a term of two (2) calendar years upon election. Said term of office to commence on odd numbered years.

Section 2. The Executive Vice-President shall serve in the absence of the President. Further succession will be the Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

Section 3. No compensation shall be paid to any Officer of this Association. Expenses actually incurred on Association business will be reimbursed to Officers pursuant to guidelines established by the Executive Board.

Section 4. Any elected National Officer or Regional Representative to the Executive Board may be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote of the National Executive Board.

Section 5. All Officer vacancies of this Association described in Section 1 hereof may be filled either by a mail ballot of the active membership for the unexpired term of such office or by temporary appointment by the President or, in his absence, the Executive Vice-President or successor.

Section 6. The Executive Board is hereafter authorized to adopt, modify and revoke such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and appropriate to conduct legitimate Association business.

ARTICLE VI
Regional Representation

Section 1. There shall be six (6) Regions each of which shall elect a Board of Officers consisting of President, Vice- President, Secretary and Treasurer, for a term of three (3) years. Said President shall also be known as Regional Vice- President and serve as Regional Representative to the National Executive Board; serving until duly replaced in accordance with these Bylaws. Regional representatives will assume their term of office according to the following schedule: Great Lakes, January 1, 1978; Western, January 1, 1978; Mid-Atlantic, January 1, 1979; Central, January 1, 1979; North­east, January 1, 1980; Southeast, January 1, 1980.

ARTICLE VII
Duties

Section 1. The President, Executive Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Regional Vice-Presidents shall con­stitute the Executive Board of the Association and shall be authorized to act on behalf of the membership.

Section 2. The Executive Vice-President in absence of the President shall act as President or otherwise perform such duties as assigned by the President.

Section 3. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Board meetings, carry on all necessary correspondence as well as all nonfiscal records of the Association while keeping the mem­bership advised of the actions of the Executive Board.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Association; shall be responsible for the custody and disbursement of the Association's funds and other assets; shall be custodian of the financial records of the Association; shall have charge of the investment of the Association's funds, subject to direction and approval of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall give such bond for the faithful discharge of his duties as the Executive Board may require, at the expense of the Association and shall perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall also be known as the National Member­ship Chairman and responsible for coordinating national and regional membership lists and promotional activity.

Section 5. The Regional Vice-Presidents in addition to conducting the business of their respective regions shall serve as a nominating committee for the nomination of can­didates for National Officers.

Section 6. There shall be such standing and special committees as may be appointed by the President and ap­proved by the Executive Board to conduct Association busi­ness.

Section 7. The President shall, with concurrence of the Executive Board, contract for services of an Executive Staff Secretary, who, within the limits of the Constitution, Bylaws and Policies of the Federal Probation Officers Association, Inc., is responsible for and has authority to accomplish the duties set forth herein.

Subsection A. Provide the Association with a perma­nent office and address of record; perform all customary duties inherent in the position,

Subsection B. Serve as Executive Editor of the FPOA Newsletter, obtaining and editing articles, securing appro­priate advertising and providing business management to the Newsletter.

Subsection C. Plan, organize and direct membership promotion and retention program; bill and collect annual dues and terminate delinquent members.

Subsection D. Maintain official minutes of Executive Board meetings, provide security for all files, legal and historic documents, membership and mailing lists.

Subsection E. Carry out such other duties as may be delegated by the President and members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII
Meetings of the Executive Board

Section 1. Semi-annual and special meetings of the Executive Board shall be called by the President at such time and place as he shall designate to conduct Association business. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the Board. No proxy votes shall be valid.

Section 2. An agenda of the proposed business of the Executive Board shall be announced to the membership through publication in the Newsletter preceding said meeting. Any active member may submit a topic for discussion through his Regional or National Officer, or attend in person to present any item for consideration.

Section 3. At all regular meetings of the Executive Board or its committees Roberts Rules or Order shall govern ques­tions of parliamentary Procedure.

Section 4. The Order of Business is as follows:

Reading of Minutes       Unfinished Business

Treasurer Report          New Business

Communications           Adjournment

Report of Committees

ARTICLE IX Amendments

Section 1. Any amendment to the Association Constitu­tion and Bylaws may be proposed in writing to the Executive Board. The President with concurrence of the Executive Board shall provide for a mail ballot to be completed within sixty (60) days. Two-thirds majority of the members voting shall be necessary for passage. Any amendment so approved shall take effect thirty (30) days after completion of balloting and certification of count unless a specific date is authorized in the amendment.

ARTICLE X
Adoption

Section 1. The Constitution and Bylaws of this Associa­tion shall become effective upon ratification by two-thirds majority of the eligible members to voting.

ARTICLE XI Fiscal Year

Section 1. The fiscal year of this Association shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE XII
Income and Capital

Section 1. The income and capital of the Association shall in part be derived from membership dues, donations, grants, contributions, gifts, or profit from any business activity of the Association or income derived from any organization with which said Association is or becomes affiliated.

Section 2. All such funds will be held in trust by the National Treasurer to be appropriated upon demand to meet National and Regional operating expenses as authorized by the President.

ARTICLE XIII
Chapter Organization

Section 1. It is the intent of the Article to encourage the independent development and growth of local Chapters within the Region consistent with the provisions of the Con­stitution and purposes of the National Association; to permit them the maximum opportunities for the fullest expression of their membership.

Section 2. A local Chapter may be formed by any num­ber of members in good standing whose residence or job loca­tion is in any Judicial District within the Regional boundaries. No Judicial District shall have more than one Chapter. No member shall belong to more than one Chapter.

Section 3. Chapter officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Chapter and shall hold office for the period of two (2) calendar years. Elections shall be conducted according to the Bylaws of the Chapter.

Section 4. Each Chapter shall establish Bylaws to conduct the business of the Chapter.

Section 5.         The Bylaws shall be consistent with the purposes of the National Association and intent of the Constitution, and shall be first approved by the Regional and National Executive Boards.

Section 6. Chapters may establish such committees as are necessary for the furthering of the business or programming of the Chapter.

Section 7. Chapters may levy assessments or raise money for purposes which are consistent with the purposes of the National Association as stated in the Constitution. Such monies remain in the Chapter treasury and are to be accounted for as set forth in the Bylaws of the Chapter.

Section 8. Chapters are formed by petition through the Regional Board to the National Executive Board. Such peti­tion shall contain a statement requesting a Chapter, the District location, the recommended Bylaws, the names of the petitioning members. The National Executive Board shall grant the Chapter Charter unless the petition is not consistent with the requirements as set forth in the Regional and Nation­al Constitution and Bylaws. The Chapter shall be activated and the Officers-Elect take office at the beginning of the following calendar year unless an earlier time is stipulated.

Section 9. Annual dues of Regular Members of this Chapter shall be fixed by said members at the Annual Meet­ing of the Chapter. Chapter dues, if any, are in addition to National Association dues which is a prerequisite for Chapter membership.

Section 10. Chapters will adhere to the Policy on FPOA CHAPTER ISSUES AND COMMUNICATION adopted by the Executive Board March 19, 1979.[1] Nothing in this policy statement is intended to discourage the free flow of communi­cation on any issue. It is, instead, intended to establish guide­lines which will make this free flow of communication produc­tive and supportive of the purposes of FPOA.

Section 11. If in the determination of the National Executive Board a Chapter consistently fails to meet the requirements of this Article or other Constitution or Bylaws provision, the National Executive Board may disestablish said Chapter in the best interest of the Federal Probation Officers Association, Inc.

Section 12. Upon disestablishment of a Chapter, all official authority and function of Officers of said Chapter terminate forthwith.