ARTICLE I: ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1. At all meetings of THE ASSOCIATION, the order of business shall be in accordance with an agenda included with the meeting notice mailed to all members. At the annual meeting of THE ASSOCIATION, this agenda shall include:

A. President's report

B. Minutes of the last meeting

C. Report of the business conducted by the Executive Board since the previous-annual meeting of THE ASSOCIATION

D. Reports of officers and committees

E. Election of officers

F. Unfinished business

G. New business

H. Installation of new officers.

Section 2. Business to be conducted at regular Executive Board meetings shall include, but not be limited to: review and approval of membership applications; financial and regional program activity; review and approval of proposed budget and THE ASSOCIATION annual work plans; and review and approval of standing committee activity.

ARTICLE II: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall:

a. Preside at all meetings of THE ASSOCIATION and Executive Board

b. Perform all duties usually pertaining to the office and those duties delegated to this office by the Executive Board

c. Appoint committees as provided in these by-laws

d. Enforce the Constitution and by-laws of THE ASSOCIATION

Section 2. The First Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties and in the absence or disability of the President, shall assume the duties of the President.

Section 3. The Second Vice-President shall be responsible for the membership committee and any other duties assigned by the Executive Board.

Section 4. The Secretary shall be responsible for the records of THE ASSOCIATION, maintain records of all official meetings of THE ASSOCIATION and the Executive Board and shall file all appropriate annual reports. A copy of each report or record shall be kept on file with the Secretary.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall:
a. Oversee the collection and receipt of all monies due THE ASSOCIATION and see that same is deposited in a depository approved by the Executive Board; shall disburse the funds of THE ASSOCIATION only upon order of the Executive Board or in accordance with the budget approved by the Executive Board; present a statement of account at an meetings of the Executive Board and at other times when requested to do so by the President, and shall make a full report to the annual meeting.

b. Be required to give a surety bond in such an amount as shall be determined by the Executive Board. Fee for such bond shall be paid by THE ASSOCIATION.

c. Be elected to a two-year term at the annual meeting during even-numbered calendar years.

Section 6. Regional directors shall:

a. Represent their specific jurisdictions on behalf of their constituents in THE ASSOCIATION; shall be responsible for the supervision of regional activities and growth in membership; maintain a list of regional members arid assist in the collection of dues; maintain a file of regional correspondence; report no less than quarterly to the Executive Board on regional activities; represent THE ASSOCIATION in their respective regions; and perform duties as assigned by the President and the Executive Board

b. Be elected as follows: Directors of regions 1,3 & 5 shall be elected at the annual meeting during odd-numbered calendar years; directors of regions 2 & 4 shall be elected at the annual meeting during even-numbered calendar years

Section 7. The Executive Director shall:

a. Be responsible for the daily operations of THE ASSOCIATION in accordance with the direction of the Executive Board.

b. Assist the President and Executive Board in the execution of their official duties.

ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall perform such duties as specified in the Constitution and these by-laws; shall designate the time and place for the association’s annual meeting; shall act upon matters concerning membership as provided in these by-laws; shall ratify and when for cause shall terminate Chairman appointments made by the President; and shall take such other action, within the authority granted by the Constitution, which it deems advisable for the well-being of THE ASSOCIATION and the accomplishment of it purpose.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held as prescribed in the Constitution.

Section 2. All members of THE ASSOCIATION may attend meetings of the Executive Board as non-voting observers, but may not participate in deliberations unless so invited by the Board. The Executive Board may move to a closed session should its deliberations so require.

ARTICLE V: REGIONS

There shall be five (5) regions pursuant to the attached map, as follows:
Region I- Northern Missouri
Region II – Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Region Ill-Central Missouri
Region IV-St. Louis Metropolitan Area
Region V-Southern Missouri

ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Application for membership shall be made to the 2nd Vice President of THE ASSOCIATION.

a. The 2nd Vice President shall refer applications to the membership committee for approval or disapproval.

b. An applicant receiving notice of refusal may appeal the decision in writing within ten (10) days of its receipt to the membership committee or to the Executive Board in the event the membership committee upholds the refusal.

Section 2. Any active member may make nominations for honorary membership.

a. The name shall be sent to the Executive Board who shall refer the nomination to the membership committee.

b. The membership committee shall review and recommend action to the Executive Board.

c. There shall be no minimum or maximum number of honorary memberships to be awarded. However, it shall be the policy of THE ASSOCIATION to confer this award only to outstanding and meritorious nominees.

Section 3. Suspension or revocation of membership

Any membership may be suspended or revoked upon recommendation of the membership committee and approval by the Executive Board with a three-fourths (3/4) vote required in each instance of voting.
Cause for suspension or revocation may include, but not be limited to, use of THE ASSOCIATION name for monetary gain.

The Executive Board shall submit written notification of the allegation to the accused member prior to any action being taken.

The Executive Board shall meet to consider the allegation within thirty (30) days of the date it was first brought to their attention

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section 1. Appointment of Committees

a. After the annual meeting of THE ASSOCIATION, and prior to the second meeting of the new Board of Directors, the President shall appoint committees a specified by the by-laws arid so report in writing to the Executive Board for approval.

b. The President, with approval by the Executive Board may appoint, direct, and terminate such other committees, as the needs of THE ASSOCIATION require.

c. All committee chairmen, except the nominating committee chairman, shall appoint and dismiss individual members to their committees as is necessary to accomplish those tasks assigned. Chairmen shall report in writing to the Executive Board for its ratification the composition of and changes in their committees.

d. Membership on a committee shall coincide with the terms of the officers unless otherwise established by the Executive Board. Reappointment to committees is without limitation.

e. The President shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee.

Section 2. Membership committee

The membership committee's purpose shall be to foster membership in THE ASSOCIATION. It shall arbitrate and make decisions on membership disputes. It shall formulate membership application forms and perform those duties found in Article VI of these by-laws. It shall be chaired by the Second Vice-President.

Section 3. Finance committee

The finance committee shall plan and supervise the annual budget, review and audit the Treasurer report and recommend amount of membership dues and other fees. The Treasurer shall serve as an ex-officio member of the committee.

Section 4. Ways and Means Committee

The Ways and Means Committee shall plan and supervise fundraising projects and promotions. The chair of the finance committee shall serve as an ex-officio member of the committee.

Section 5. Constitution, by-laws and Resolutions Committee

The Constitution, by-laws and Resolutions Committee shall be responsible for review, recommendation and presentation of all Constitution and by-laws, changes and resolutions as outlined in Article XII Resolutions and Article XIII Amendments of these by-laws, and Article XI Amendments of the Constitution.

Section 6. Media Committee

The media committee shall assist the Executive Board with the preparation and distribution of the association's newsletter as directed by the Executive Board. It shall work with the communications media to foster awareness of THE ASSOCIATION activities.

Section 7. Nominating committee

a. No later than its second meeting, the Executive Board shall elect a nominating committee of three (3) persons, no two of whom shall reside in the same region.

b. It is the duty of the nominating committee to select a slate of nominees who are dedicated to THE ASSOCIATION and its purpose, and are willing and qualified to serve in compliance with the Constitution and by-laws. The slate and a resume for each nominee shall be sent to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.

c. The nominating committee shall prepare ballots and prepare the polling area.

ARTICLE VIII: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1.

Any member of THE ASSOCIATION in accordance with the following criteria may make recommendations for nominees:

a. Candidates must be active members in good standing.

b. Recommendations must be submitted in writing to the chairman of the nominating committee not less than sixty (60) days prior to the convening of the annual meeting.

c. A resume must accompany the recommendation. Letters of endorsement may also be submitted.

Section 2. Candidates may be nominated from the floor and, if feasible, shall provide a resume to the nominating committee.

Section 3. Each nominee may address the annual meeting for not more than three (3) minutes.

Section 4. A motion to suspend the secret ballot may be entertained by the membership in favor of voice vote in the event a candidate is unopposed.

Section 5. Active members must present appropriate membership identification in order to vote.

Section 6. The results of the election shall be announced as soon as practical.

ARTICLE IX: DUES

Section 1. The annual dues for active, associate and sponsoring members shall be set by the Executive Board and are payable by May 1st of each year.

Section 2. All new members shall be provided with a certificate and membership card upon acceptance of application and payment of dues. All members shall annually receive a membership card upon payment of dues in accordance with Section 1 of this Article.

Section 3. Members who have not paid their current dues by September 1st shall be dropped from membership. Dues shall not be prorated for reinstatement within the same fiscal year.

ARTICLE X: REGISTRATION FEES FOR ANNUAL MEETING & OTHER ACTIVITIES

The registration fee for attending the annual meeting or other activities of THE ASSOCIATION shall be set by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XI: COMMUNICATIONS

Section 1. A copy of the Constitution and by-laws shall be provided to each member of THE ASSOCIATION.

Section 2. Members of the Executive Board shall receive copies of the minutes of all meetings of THE ASSOCIATION and the Executive Board and also shall receive copies of reports issued by committees of THE ASSOCIATION. Any member, upon written request to the President, may also receive copies of said minutes and reports.

Section 3. The name, logo and membership list of THE ASSOCIATION are reserved for use by THE ASSOCIATION and shall not be used for any purpose unless written permission has been granted by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XII: RESOLUTIONS

Section 1. Resolutions to be considered at the annual meeting shall be submitted to the Constitution, by-laws and resolutions committee at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting. Any active member may propose a resolution.

Section 2. The Constitution by-laws and resolutions committee may, with the approval of the submitting body, edit and/or combine resolutions, which are similar

Section 3. The resolutions shall be included in the notice of the annual meeting. Notice of procedures for submitting resolutions shall be sent to the membership prior to the sixty (60) days subcommittee deadline.

Section 4. Once published and mailed to the membership, a resolution may not be withdrawn except at the written request of the submittor and a two-thirds (2/3) vote at the annual meeting to concur with the withdrawal action.

Section 5. An emergency resolution may be presented from the floor of the annual meeting provided copies are available for all active members, and a copy has been filed with the secretary, signed by the maker of the resolution and by at least one (1) delegate from each region prior to its presentation to the annual meeting.

Section 6. The Executive Board may take a position on a proposed resolution, such position to be stated at its second presentation, prior to its debate and vote.

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

The by-laws of THE ASSOCIATION may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board. Upon taking such action the Executive Board shall issue revised copies of the bylaws to the membership.