Asanc By-laws -- Provided By Former Officer

ASSOCIATION OF SELF ADVOCATES O F NORTH CAROLIN A CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAW S

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ARTICLE 1 - NAME Section 1. The name of the association shall be Association of Self Advocates of North Carolina. ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE Section 1. The purpose of the association is: A. T o serve as a collective voice for people with developmenta l disabilities. B. T o provide a statewide network in which consumers participants ca n meet other self advocates to exchange ideas, give and receive support, and work together on common goals. C. T o encourage persons with developmental disabilities to take an active role in the community and to pursue their personal goals and dreams. D. T o facilitate individualization and full integration in the mainstream of society. E. T o increase each member's ability to take charge of his/her own life. F. T o help people with developmental disabilitie s take a stand in society.

G. T o increase community awareness of the value, rights, and abilities of people with developmental disabilities . H. T o promote both services and laws appropriate to meet the needs and to enhance the status of persons with developmental disabilities . I. T o encourage the development of local self advocacy groups across the state of North Carolina.

Section 2. This association is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian corporation. N o part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, or officers, except that the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendere d and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of purposes set forth in the articles of incorporation and the constitution and bylaws. Th e corporation 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. Nonwithstandin g any other provisions of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Interna l Revenue Code. Section 3. This association is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purpose s and shall not participate in or carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Interna l Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 17 0 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

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ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP Section 1. All members must agree with the mission and purpose of the association. Section 2. Membership i n the Association i s for a period of one calendar year and membership i n good standing requires that the individual has completed a membership application or the convention registratio n form and has paid membership dues. Membership in the association shall consist of the following categories: Full voting members: Individuals with developmental disabilitie s who are members in good standing. Al l voting members are allowed all the benefits of the ASANC and will be allowed one vote at official business meetings of the association. Associate members: a) Individual s who do not have a disability. b) Individual s who have disabilities other than a developmental disability. c) Organizations , corporations or businesses d) Person s with developmental disabilities age d 16-18 . Associate members may participate in all activities of the association but do not vote on actions of the association. Self Advocacy Group Members: Local self advocacy groups will have at least five members, an elected leader, and will meet at least quarterly. Al l members will receive all mailings of the association.

Section 3. All full voting members mus t be at least 18 years of age. Section 4. Memberships ar e at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Th e appeal proces s for denial of membership shall be through the genera l membership a t the annual meeting. The membership perio d is for one year to be renewed annually. Section 5. Dues for membership shall be established at the annual meeting for the following year. Reduce d rate s shall be made available at the discretion of the Board of Directors upo n request. Section 6. The membership year for all members shall be a twelve month period. Th e membership year begins during the month in which annual dues are paid. Due s shall be payable during the same month of initial membership of an annual basis thereafter. Th e Association will maintain an active membership directory . Section 7. No person shall be denied membership on basis of race, religion, sex, or disability.

ARTICLE 4 - OFFICERS AND THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Section 1. The five (5) officers o f the association shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President.

Section 2. Individuals eligible to serve as an officer must: a) hav e a developmental disabilit y b) hav e been a member of the association for at least one year c) demonstrat e leadership abilities b y having served or be serving as an officer of a local self advocacy group or as chairperson of a standing committee. d) agre e to be pre-screened b y the Nominations committee .

Section 3. The term of office shall be for one year. Section 4. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office. Section 5. All elected officers shall serve on the Board of Directors. Section 6. The duties of the President shall be: a) T o preside at the annual meeting and board meetings of the association b) T o receive documents and written materials of the associatio n c) T o appoint by submitting names for chairpersons of standing committees to the Board of Directors for approval by majority vote. d) T o appoint temporary ad hoc committees and task forces necessary for the conduct of the association's busines s e) T o appoint submit names for interim officers to the Board of Directors for approval by majority vote should a vacancy occur in any office between annual business meetings .

Section 7. The Vice President shall, in absence of the President, perform the duties of the President and any other duties assigned by the association or President. Th e Vice President shall serve as chairperson of the Convention committee.

Section 8. The Secretary shall record all minutes of annual meeting and boar d meetings and be responsible for the distribution of information, notification, etc., to the membership concerning the activities of the association through collaboration with the Executive Director . Th e Secretary shall assist with the maintenance of an up to date membership list . Section 9. The Treasurer shall handle fiscal matters concerning the association and present a written quarterly financial report to the Board of Directors and an annual financial report to the general membership. The Treasurer will work with the person chosen as the Financia l Advisor when available. Section 10. The Past-President shall serve as the Chairperson for the Nominations standin g committee and the Awards ad hoc committee. ARTICLE 5 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for conducting the business of the association between the meetings of the general membership to occur no less than quarterly. Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of 1 5 voting members.

(a) The elected officers (President , Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer); (b) 10 Directors [at-large ] appointed to 2 year terms (staggere d terms 5 odd / 5 even - a s best as possible) and (c) The immediate Past-Presiden t

Section 3. The President shall act as chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Any vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by the Board through the appointment of an interim member from the membership by a majority of the voting members of the Board. Upon two (2) consecutive unexcuse d absences from Boar d meetings, (no contact made) the Secretary will write a letter to the member stating that his or her standing on the Board is in jeopardy if he or she does not attend the next meeting. A member of the Board shall be removed from office after 3 consecutive unexcuse d absences from board meetings. A member of the Board may be removed by a 2/3 vote of the board for failure to perform the duties as required by the Board. A Board member may request temporary inactive status due to special circumstances such as a medical issue if approved b y a majority vote of the Board. Section 5. At the Board's discretion by majority vote, the Board of Directors ma y appoint ideally (4-6) non-voting advisors to the Board. Th e Board of Directors shall develop guidelines for participation in Board meetings in conjunction with the selected advisor, advisors of committees, and advisors to local self advocacy groups. Ther e shall be no more than 6 advisors. Al l must possess knowledge and interest in Self Advocacy and must understand and support the mission and philosophy of the ASANC. Nomination s will be sought on an as needed basis to fill vacant positions. Prospectiv e advisors may be nominated b y any local self advocacy group or member in good standing and must be approved b y a majority vote of the Executiv e

Committee. Advisor s serve for a two year term and may serve two consecutive terms. ARTICLE 6 - MEETINGS

Section 1. Business meetings shall be held annually for the general membershi p normally in March. Section 2. Written notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed thirty (30) days in advance by the Secretary to all paid members in good standing. Section 3. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly. Notice of the meetings shall be malted-made at least fifteen (15) days in advance. Minute s from board meetings shall be distributed to the Board within thirty (30) days after the Board meeting. Section 4. Standing committees shall meet at least more than once a year and as frequently as needed. Section 5. Special meetings of the membership or the Board of Directors ma y be called by the President. Th e President shall call special meetings when submitted a petition signed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members of the Board of Directors or at least one-third (1/3) of the voting members of the association. A quorum at the Annual Business meeting shall consist of 1/10 th of the members in attendance at the Annual Convention. A quorum of the Board shall be at least 474te-1/2 of the Board.

(ARTICLE 7 - COMMITTEES Section 1 . The Executive Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate Past President.

Section 2. The Standing Committees shall be: A) By-laws and Policies B) Recruitment and Membershi p C) Legislation D) Convention E) Nominations F) Personne l G) Advisory Section 3. The President shall submit recommendations appoin t chairpersons of the Standing Committees to be approved by the Executive Committee Board by majority vote. Section 4. Standing committee chairs may appoint an advisor to the committee to be approved by the Board and select its members. Section 5. The President may appoint ad hoc committees as needed with the approval of the Executive Committee b y majority vote.

Section 6. The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of no more than 6 and no less than 3 persons with knowledge and interest in Self Advocacy. The members must understand and support the mission nnH

philosophy of the ASANC. Nomination s will be sought annually to fill vacant positions. Prospectiv o members of the Committee ma y be nominated by any local self advocacy group or member in good standing and must be approved b y a majority vote of the Executiv e Committee. Advisor y Committe e member s serve for a two year term and may serve two consecutive terms.

ARTICLE 8 - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Section 1. The Nominations Committee shall consist of: A) A Chairperson appointed by the President. Th e Chairperso n shall be the past-President . B) Tw o (2) members appointed by the Board of Directors C) Tw o (2) members appointed by the President . Section 2. The Nominations Committee shall be convened at least three (3) months prior to the annual meeting when the elections are held. Th e primary responsibilities o f this committee are that it checks that all candidates mee t the eligibility requirements for office and that the individuals that are nominated are willing to accept the actual nomination. Section 3. The Nominations Committee shall notify the members genera l membership o f the individuals nominate d for office at least one (1) month prior to the election. Section 4 .

Nominations ma y be made from the floor at tho annual meeting if the candidate ha s agroed to serve and has reviewed and accepted the conditions for office. Section 4. Elections shall be held each year at the annual meetin g for the offices of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Th e Nominations Committe e will actively promote that there be at least two (2) candidates for each position.

Section 5. (previous Section 6) Voting shall be by secret ballot. Th e Nominations Committee shall record the votes. ARTICLE 9 - FINANCES Section 1. Annual membership dues shall be set by a majority vote of the membership at the annual meeting.

Section 2. The fiscal year for the association shall be July 1 through June 30. Section 3. The funds of the association shall be used by the Board of Directors for conducting the business of the association. Th e Board shall not expend in excess of the treasury.

Section 4. The treasurer shall devise a budget for the following fiscal year to be presented to the Board of Directors prior to the end of the fiscal year

prior to March 1 st . Th e Board of Directors shall approve a proposed budget at the annual meeting by majority vote.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall present an annual budget report to the Board of Directors within ninety (90) days following the end of the fiscal year. Section 6. Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities, dispose of all the assets of the association exclusively for the purposes in Article 2 and which at that time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations unde r Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Interna l Revenue Law) as the Board of Directors shall determine. I f no such exempt organization(s) shall be in existence at that time, all assets shall be distributed to an organization or organizations whic h serve persons with developmental disabilitie s and which at that time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations unde r Section 501 (c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisio n of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). ARTICLE 10 - PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1 . All meetings of the association shall be governed by Robert's Rule s of Order, revised. Agenda s will have proposed time allotments for each item. Th e Vice President will serve as the timekeeper. Th e Secretary will be responsible for maintaining a speakers list .

ARTICLE 11 - AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Section 1. This Constitution and By-laws may be amended at the annual business meeting of the association by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of what must be at least a 10% quorum for the convention. Section 2. Any member in good standing may propose amendments to the Constitution and By-laws. Section 3. Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws shall be mailed distributed to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.