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Illinois Police Work Dog Association
PO Box 4102 Joliet, IL. 60434-4102
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BYLAWSArticle 1: This Association shall be known
as the Illinois Police Work Dog Association, Inc. (ILPWDA). Article
2: OBJECTIVE To unite and assist all law
enforcement agencies in the training and continued improvement of all
police work dogs. To establish a working standard
for all police work dogs and handlers. To provide educational material
through publications, visual aids and training seminars. To improve upon the image of the
police work dog. Article
3: MEMBERSHIP Section A: The membership of the association shall consist of those persons who have signed the Certificate of Incorporation as Incorporators, together with all persons who are hereinafter received in or elected to membership as hereinafter provided. Section
B: Regular Members Full membership in this Association shall be open to any active or retired law enforcement officer, military police, federal, state, county, municipal, or correction officer, who is or was a canine handler, trainer, or canine administrator, or a person who was a law enforcement K-9 officer. All regular members will be ineligible to vote for the first six months of their membership. Section
C: Associate Members An
associate member shall enjoy all privileges except that he/she shall not
have any voting privileges, nor shall they serve on the Executive
Committee. All associate
members must be re-sponsored each year with the signature of a regular
member. Associate members may include:
1.) Any person who
trains canines for an established law enforcement agency and sponsored
by a regular member.
2.) Any person
sponsored by a regular member. Certification
of Associate members’ dogs will be determined by the Master Trainer. Associate member’s dogs can only be certified in the passive
tests, that is: Obedience,
Agility, Article Search, Area Search, Search and Rescue Area Search,
Tracking and Trailing. Associate members with Cadaver dogs can
certify in cadaver detection as well. Article 4: DUTIES
OF DIRECTORS No officer, director or member serving on a committee as such shall receive any salary or compensation for services rendered to this Association, However, officers, directors or members may be reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses incurred reasonably and necessarily in conducting the affairs of the Association. EXECUTIVE BOARD The Executive Board shall consist of the elected ILPWDA Officers. PRESIDENT It shall be the duty of the President to call and preside at all regular and special meetings. He shall see that the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations are respected and obeyed. He shall cast the deciding vote in cases of a tie. He shall appoint committees. A committee chairman shall serve a one (1) year appointment, October to October, with the approval of the executive board. The following committees maybe appointed: Membership, Newsletter, Grievance, Election and any other committees necessary to conduct the affairs of the Association. He shall appoint regional coordinators. He shall appoint a Parliamentarian to sit on the Executive Board, without voting privileges. He shall appoint Pro-tempore officers, in the event of absences. He shall perform other such duties as are usual and incidental to the office of the President. He is a member, ex-officio, of all committees except the Election Committee. VICE PRESIDENT The Vice President shall actively assist and support the President in his duties, and shall be the President pro-tempore in the absence of the President, during which time the Vice President shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the office. He shall be required to attend, with the President, all hearings, committee meetings, conferences, etc., to which the President is required or expected, in the interest of and or on the behalf of the membership of the Association in order that the may be informed of all matters concerning the Association as is the President.,. He shall act as a liaison between the President and Chairpersons of committees. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President during the election term, he shall succeed to that office for the remainder of the unexpired term. SECRETARY It shall be the duty of the Secretary to accurately record the proceedings at the meetings, read the minutes of previous meetings and all communications. He shall call the roll of Officers and note absentees. He shall communicate and correspond with all persons and organizations both within and outside the association relative to Executive Committee business. He shall receive all moneys in the absence of the Treasurer. TREASURER ACCREDIATION CHAIRMAN It shall be the duty of the Accreditation Chairman or his designee to collect all Trainer’s and Master Trainer’s résumés and review said documents to verify compliance with ILPWDA rules regarding Trainers and Master Trainers. He shall take all application for Trainer and Master Trainers and Chair the Accreditation Board should a member wish to apply for Trainer or Master Trainer. He shall notify the Executive Board if a Trainer or Master Trainer is not compliant with rules regarding Trainers and Master Trainers and give a recommendation of how compliance should be achieved.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees shall consist of three (3) Regular Members and one (1) alternate also a Regular Member; all members are to be elected every two (2) years by ballot. The Board of Trustees shall act as agents of the Executive committee in all financial transactions between the Committee and all other institutions and individuals. They shall designate between the committee and all other institutions and individuals. They shall designate the banks and or other institutions in which the Treasurer shall deposit such moneys in a general fund he may have on hand from time to time. They shall in conjunction with the treasurer have custody of all bonds and other securities. The trustees shall be the custodians of all bonds of Officer and all audits of the assets and liabilities of the Executive committee for the year ending July 31st and submit the financial statement at a regular meeting. They are herby authorized to employ the services of a Certified Public Accountant, at a reasonable fee to prepare this annual audit and report. The alternate member of the Board of Trustees shall attend all meetings of the board, and shall in the absentee of a regular member act in his place. They shall cause to be made an audit of the books, accounts, funds, etc., of any and all officers, committees or member who collects and or disburses funds of this association, not less than once a year or at any time said Board has given just cause to believe that such audits should be made. REGIONAL COORDINATORS The President may appoint five Regional Coordinators for the state. Regional Coordinators may appoint assistants. Regional Coordinators or their co-coordinator in the absence of the regional coordinator will have a vote at the executive board meetings. These four regions will consist of Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5. These regional coordinators will report to the Senior Regional Coordinator who is also responsible for the out of state members EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Trustees, Membership Chairperson, Regional Coordinators or the Co-regional coordinators. This committee shall recommend such rules, regulations, amendments or deletions as may be deemed necessary for the governing of the Association. In case of an emergency, the Executive Committee, by quorum vote, may act for the entire membership. A quorum will consist of the majority of the Executive Committee members present. Vacancies, which occur in any of the association’s offices, through registration, death, impeachment or other reasons, with the exception of the President, shall be filled by appointment, made by the Executive Committee and shall expire at the next elective term. Co-Regional coordinators will act as alternatives on the Executive Committee in the absence of the Regional Coordinator. Regional Coordinators, or their co-coordinator, will have a vote at the Executive Committee meetings. Article
5 ELECTIONS Section A: All candidates for office shall be nominated at the General Membership meeting at the State Training Workshop in the year of the election. At that time, mail in nominations will be accepted by the Judge of Elections. Mail in nominations, US Mail only and must be received 45 days prior to the General Membership meeting, and must be accompanied by: 1.) Written permission by the nominee. 2.) The signature of the Regular Member making the nomination. Section B: The Membership Chairperson will mail an appropriate ballot to every Regular Member eligible to vote. A special, lined envelope that is marked: “Official Ballot” will be used by the member to return the ballot to the Judge of Elections. Only ballots received in the special lined envelope will be counted. Any signature or note written on the ballot that would identify the voter will cause the ballot to be considered invalid. Any envelope that is opened before being received by the Election Committee will be declared invalid. Section C: Official Ballot envelopes will contain a serial number, starting will be #1 through the total number of Regular Members eligible to vote, on the mailing list at the time of the mailing. Names of Nominees on the ballots shall be placed in alphabetical order for each office. Section D: Official Ballot in envelope will be mailed back to the Judge of Elections postmarked no later than two (2) months after the nominations. The Judge of Elections will check the serial number and signature on the envelope against the list supplied to him by the Membership chairperson, ensuring that only one (1) envelope with the same number is received. Section E: The Judge of Elections and Co-Judge of Elections will hold all Official Ballot Envelopes until meeting with the Election Chairperson at the Fall Executive Committee meeting, they will be responsible for the safe keeping of all envelopes. Section F: The current President will appoint the Judge of Elections and the Co-Judge of Elections, a majority vote of the executive board will be required to install them. The committee members will open the envelopes and not unfold the ballots. The envelopes will be discarded and the ballots will then be unfolded and counted. The committee will attest to the correct total. Ballots will be counted at the Fall Executive Committee Meeting. The ballots will be kept for a reasonable period of time, minimum of one (1) year. Section G: A plurality of votes cast shall elect. Members are to be notified as soon as possible of the results. Section H: Newly elected Officers shall take office at the Fall Executive meeting, Section I: Election of Officers will be held every two years on the odd year basis as follows: President, Secretary and 2 Board of Trustees, starting in 2007; and Vice-President, Treasurer, 2
Board of Trustees. Article
6: OATH OF OFFICE “Officers elected will repeat after me and say, using your name where I do mine.” “I ____________, having been duly elected an Officer of this Association in the presence of almighty God and this company assembled, do solemnly and sincerely promise that I will, to the best of my ability in word and deed, without fear of favor, faithfully, honestly and with strict imparity, carry our as an Officer of the Association, the principle of this Association. Now by the power vested in me as the Installing Officer on this occasion, I do hereby declare the officer elect legally installed and qualified to enter upon discharge of their duties for the term ending July 31, 2____, or until their successors are duly elected and installed.” Article
7: MEETINGS A quorum shall consist of the majority of the Executive Committee present. The President shall call at least (4) regular meetings of the Executive Committee during the calendar year. He shall set dates for such meetings with the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee. There shall be at least one (1) yearly General Membership Meeting, which may be the same date as the Annual Training Workshop. All Executive Committee members shall be notified adequately in advance as to any and all meetings. Meetings shall be conducted according to parliamentary laws. Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised shall be the guide for conducting all meetings. Article
8: BYLAWS Amendments, Additions or Deletions: It shall be the duty of the Bylaws Committee, which shall consist of three (3) members appointed by the President, to codify all proposed changes, additions or deletions to the Bylaws. All proposed changes must be submitted in writing, 90 days prior to the meeting, to the Bylaws committee with recommendations. Regardless, if any amendment, addition or deletion is passed unanimously, it shall be null and void if it is in direct conflict with the Article of Incorporation. All members will be notified in writing 30 days prior to a meeting with a pending bylaw change. A 2/3 vote of those present will be required to change, make an addition or a deletion. Article
9: DUES The yearly dues of the Association will be $30.00, dues will be collected on January 1st, and no later than the February 28th to remain a member is good standing, for a renewal fee of $30.00. The Membership Chairperson will mail notices out. After recording the date received and amount, the Membership Chairperson will forward all moneys to the Treasurer. The Membership Chairperson will issue yearly membership cards. All members and Chairperson needing a complete membership mailing list will be notified by the Membership Chairperson. If a current membership fee is not paid/postmarked by February 28th of the dues year, the member will be removed from the list and will have to reapply to the association. A $50.00 service charge may be assessed for any NON-SUFFICIENT or returned checks. In addition any paperwork such as certifications, privileges etc., will be suspended until the check is made good. Article
10: SERGEANT AT ARMS The President shall appoint one (1) Sergeant at Arms. It shall be his duty to preserve order at all meetings, prevent unauthorized persons from attending meetings and perform such other duties as may be directed by the President or the Presiding Officer. Article
11: RULES AND REGULATIONS Any member desiring the privilege of the floor shall rise and address the Chair. No member shall be allowed to speak until properly recognized by the Chair. No questions can come before the meeting unless properly moved, recorded and declared upon for discussion by the Chair. Any member may call for a yea or nay on any question, which each member present shall be required to answer his name on the roll, unless excused by the Chair. A motion to reconsider must come from a member who votes with the majority when the motion to reconsider was taken. No member shall leave the room during a meeting, unless permission is given to that member by the Chair. When a point of order is raised by any member, the person holding the floor shall take his or her seat until the point is declared by the Chair, when, if proper he may resume his remarks. No subject laid on the table shall be taken up again during the same meeting unless it was so understood when disposed of. Any member may appeal to the Association from the decision of the Chair when the question shall be stated thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?” It shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. Article
12: IMPEACHMENT Any Officer or member may be removed for any violation of the provisions of the Bylaws. Charges for impeachment of any Officer or member may be initiated by any two (2) members in good standing or a Grievance Committee appointed by the President and shall be presented to the Grievance Committee Chairperson. The accused Officer or member will be given a copy of the charges again him. if the Grievance ascertains that there is enough evidence to warrant a hearing the accused member will be notified of the meeting an location at which the hearing will be held, not less that thirty (30) days prior to the hearing date, and will be notified by the US Mail with a return receipt requested. The accused shall be given the right to present evidence in his behalf at this hearing. Any member filing a complaint will be assessed a $25.00 fee, returnable upon a true finding. The Grievance Committee will then decide if the accused is innocent or guilty of the charges and present a recommendation to the Executive Board. If the accused is, in fact, found guilty, the Executive Board will decide his penalty. If it is decided the charges warrant impeachment, with a majority vote of the Executive Committee present, the accused Officer shall be remove from Office and the accused Officer or member shall never hold any Office in this Association. Article
13: CODE OF ETHICS Section A: The application for membership shall provide that the applicant, if elected, agrees to abide by these Bylaws and all Rules adopted by the Executive Committee. He further agrees to abide by the Code of Ethics Section B: No member will act in a manner prejudicial to the Association or to the best interests of the Association. In any exhibition or workshop, no member will conduct himself otherwise than in accordance with the highest tradition and standard of fair play and good sportsmanship Section C: Any member in good standing may prefer charges against any other member for alleged conduct in violation of the above Code of Ethics. Such charges must be in writing and signed by the complainant, setting forth facts upon which the charges are based in a concise and summary manner, and shall be filed with the Grievance Committee Chairperson. The complainant must agree to appear and furnish evidence in support of the charges if requested to do so. The Grievance Committee will then proceed as described in Article 12. Section D: Disciplinary action may include the temporary suspension of privileges, censure, expulsion or any other appropriate action. Section E: If the Executive Committee finds that a member in preferring charges against another member did so for spurious reasons, out of improper motives and if the charges are wholly false and without proper foundation, then the Executive Committee may, if it desires, take appropriate disciplinary action against the complainant. Section F: No disciplinary action shall be taken against a member, be he the complainant or accused, unless the member shall have been afforded the opportunity of a hearing before the Grievance Committee, with the right of appear to the Executive Committee. Section G: Every member shall be presumed innocent of misconduct, and disciplinary action shall be taken against a member only if he is found guilty of misconduct by the evidence that is clear, precise and indubitable. Section H: Any member who is found guilty by the grievance Committee and the ILPWDA Executive Committee of any violations of ILPWDA Bylaws and or Rules and Regulations, shall have a maximum of sixty (60) calendar days from the date of his written notification, to file a written appeal of the finding and punishment to the ILPWDA Executive Committee for their consideration. Said appeal will be sent to the ILPWDA Secretary. 1. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes, including for such purpose the making of distribution to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set for the in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organizational shall not participate in, or intervene, in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from general income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 3. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purposes. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to an organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
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