Standing RulesClick here to download the NEAFCS Standing Rules Special Rules of OrderClick here to download the NEAFCS Special Rules of Order Bylaws(revised November 4, 2021) - Click here to download ARTICLE I – Name and Objectives Section 1. The name of this corporation is the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, hereinafter known as the Association. Section 2. The articles of incorporation are registered in the State of Florida. Section 3. In providing for a national professional organization, the following objectives are:
ARTICLE II — Membership The Association is committed to the involvement of all its members regardless of race, ethnicity, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. As stated in the affirmative action plan, all members will be encouraged to participate in programs and activities and take leadership roles in the Association, according to their membership classification. The classifications for membership shall be: Active, Associate, Member in Transition, Life, Partner, and Student. Section 1 — Active Member
Section 2 — Associate Member
Section 3 — Member in Transition
Section 5 — Life Member
Section 6 — Partner Member
Section 7 — Student Member
ARTICLE III — Dues and Fees Section 1. The dues for annual membership in the Association shall be established by the voting delegates at the annual business meeting of the Association. Proposed changes in dues shall be made known 30 days prior to the Annual Session at which the vote is to be taken. Section 2. Each state/territory affiliate shall remit to the Association by the established date the amount of annual dues for each eligible individual requesting membership in the Association. Section 3. An Associate Member shall pay directly to the Association the established amount of annual dues on or before the established date. Section 4. Any increase in dues voted upon at an Annual Session shall become effective with the next membership year following the Annual Session in which the vote was taken. Section 5. The one-time fee for life membership shall be three times the amount of dues assessed for Active Members. Section 6. Any Extension employee who is retiring and assuming a part-time position, may choose to pay Active Member dues until fully retired or pay the one-time Life Member dues of three times the current dues at the time they leave Active Member or Member in Transition status. Section 7. Member in Transition shall pay State dues and one half of the current National Association dues. Section 9. Partner Member shall pay directly to the NEAFCS Treasurer the established amount of dues, to be the same as Active Members. Section 10. Student Member shall pay State dues and one half of the current National Association dues. ARTICLE IV — Officers Section 1. The elected officers of the Association shall be President, President-Elect, Vice President for Public Affairs, Vice President for Member Resources, Vice President for Awards and Recognition, Vice President for Professional Development, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. Section 2. — Qualifications
Section 3 — Term of Office
Section 4 — Vacancy of Office
ARTICLE V — Regional Directors - Duties and Election Section 1. The state/territory affiliates are divided into four regions: Central, Eastern, Southern and Western. Each region shall be represented on the Executive Board of the Association by a Regional Director who shall serve a two-year term or until a successor has been elected. Section 2. The Regional Director shall be the liaison between the Executive Board and the state/territory affiliates and members in the region. Section 3. An individual may serve one term in the office of Regional Director. Regional Directors for the Central and Southern regions shall be elected in uneven years by the voting delegates in their respective regions. Regional Directors for the Eastern and Western regions shall be elected in even years in their respective regions. The offices of Regional Director shall be assumed at the close of the Annual Session at which they are elected upon signing the NEAFCS Code of Conduct and the NEAFCS Conflict of Interest and Non-Disclosure Policy. Section 4. In the event of a vacancy, the Association President shall conduct a regional election. ARTICLE VI — Executive Board - Membership and Duties Section 1. The Executive Board consists of the elected officers, Regional Directors, and the Immediate Past President. Section 2. The Executive Board meets prior to and following the Annual Session, in the winter and in the spring. Additional meetings of the Executive Board may be called at the discretion of the President or by a majority of the members of the Executive Board. Each officer shall receive advanced notification of such interim meeting. Section 3. The duties of the Executive Board are to set deadlines, formulate policy, transact business of the Association, and keep membership informed. Section 4. The Executive Board may conduct business by mail or electronically when necessary. A report of any such action taken shall be verified and made a part of the minutes at the next meeting of the Executive Board. Section 5. The Executive Board approves the dates and locations of Annual Sessions. Section 6. The financial records of the Association shall be audited annually and results shall be printed in the Annual Session Business Meeting Packet. ARTICLE VII — National Officers - Nomination and Election Section 1. All applications for office must be filed with the National Nominating Committee Chair by the established date. Section 2. The Immediate Past President shall serve as Chair of the National Nominating Committee. At the regional meetings during the Annual Session, each region shall elect representatives to serve on the National Nominating Committee. Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall present a double slate of officer candidates for each office whenever possible. Section 4. Nominations may be made from the floor provided nominees meet the qualifications for that office and provide credentials and letters of support as required. These must be submitted to the National Nominating Committee Chair prior to the pre-Annual Session board meeting. Section 5. Election of officers shall be held during the Annual Business meeting; with the exception of Regional Directors, which shall be held during Regional Business meetings. Voting shall be by ballot. In the event there is only one nominee for an office, the election may be by voice. Section 6. Nominations for Regional Director may be made from the floor provided the nominees meet the qualifications and provide credentials and letters of support to the National Nominating Committee Chair prior to the pre-Annual Session board meeting. ARTICLE VIII — Committees Section 1. The standing committees are Bylaws, Finance and Nominating. Section 2. Additional committees may be established by the Executive Board. Section 3. Terms of service, qualifications, methods of appointment and composition of committees shall be established by the Executive Board. ARTICLE IX — Meetings Section 1. There shall be an annual business meeting of the Association held during the Annual Session. Section 2. There shall be an Educational Awards Fund meeting of the Association to be held during the Annual Session. Section 3. The official call to the annual business meeting shall be published in the NEAFCS official publication. Section 4. A majority of the voting delegates and the Executive Board in attendance shall constitute a quorum. Section 5. The minimum number of voting delegates per state/territory shall be two. Voting delegates are based on the number of Active Members, Associate Members, and Members in Transition whose dues are paid to the Association as of August 1 of the current year. Each state/territory affiliate shall designate members to serve as voting delegates according to following chart.
Section 6. Associate Members as a group may be represented by voting delegates on the same basis as state/territory affiliates (see Chart-Article IX-Section 5).Associate voting delegates are based on the number of members whose dues are paid to the Association as of August 1 of the current year. Section 7. Executive Board members have voting privileges at all meetings of the Executive Board, Annual Business Meeting, and Awards Fund Meeting. Section 8. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, may call a special session of the Association and/or conduct business by mail or electronically as necessary. Section 9. In case of a national emergency, major health crisis, or other major event, the President, with the approval of the Executive Board, may cancel and/or change the format of Annual Session. Members shall be notified. ARTICLE X — Awards Section 1. Awards and fellowships shall be made available through this Association for graduate study and/or professional improvement. The Executive Board shall administer these awards and fellowships, appoint committees to review applications and to select recipients. Section 2. The Executive Board shall have the authority to accept donations of money and other property for the Educational Awards Fund under the Section 501-C3 of the Internal Revenue Code. All such donations are tax deductible for the donor. Assets for awards and fellowships shall be accounted for separately in the Educational Awards Fund. ARTICLE XI — Publications The Association will publish a regular newsletter and an annual peer reviewed research journal. ARTICLE XII — Removal of a Board Member Any individual who serves as an Officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, at any duly held Executive Board meeting, or electronic ballot (with the vote count audited by at least three officers). Removal from office can occur based on general misconduct, neglect, refusal to perform duties, prejudice to good order, or abusing authority beyond what is delegated by the bylaws, policies, or IRS duty of care regulations for not-for-profit organizations. The vote of the Executive Board shall be written ballot, whether it occurs at an in-person meeting or by electronic ballot. The individual in question shall be afforded an opportunity to present a statement “in defense” depending on the format in which the vote is taken. A majority vote of the Executive Board will determine if such statement can occur in person or in writing, or both. If the Executive Board votes to remove an officer, it is effective immediately. ARTICLE XIII — Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, the standing rules, the special rules of order and the policies of the Association. ARTICLE XIV — Fiscal Year The Fiscal Year of the Association will be determined by the Executive Board and will be noted in the NEAFCS Policies and Procedures. ARTICLE XV — Amendments Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Association by a vote of two-thirds of the voting delegates present and voting. Section 2. Notice of proposed amendments shall be given by mail, electronic communication or through one of the official publications of the Association not later than 30 days prior to the annual business meeting. ARTICLE XVI — Dissolution of Association On the dissolution of the Association, the entire net assets remaining after the payment of any and all liabilities and obligations of the Association shall be transferred to such association or associations organized exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as exempt association or associations under Section 501-C3, which is other than a foundation exempt under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). |