| ARTICLE
I - ORGANIZATION
Section 1 - Name: The organization shall be known as the International
Safe Transit Association, Inc. (ISTA), hereinafter called the Association.
Section 2 – Statement of Purpose: The Board of Directors shall establish
a Statement of Purpose to include a Mission and Vision for the Association
and shall review the Statement of Purpose on an annual basis at the Annual
Meeting of the Board.
Section 3 - Incorporation: The Association is a not-for-profit corporation
and shall maintain a registered office in the State of Delaware, and its
registered Agent shall be the Corporation Trust Company, Wilmington, Delaware.
Section 4 - Location: The principal office of the Association shall be
designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 5 - Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Association shall be the
calendar year.
Section 6 - Gifts: The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the
Association any contribution, gifts, bequests or devise for the use of
the Association.
Section 7 - Contracts: The Board of Directors may authorize any officer
or officers, agent or agents of the Association in addition to the officers
authorized by these Bylaws to enter into any contract or execute and deliver
any instrument in the name and in behalf of the Association.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Eligibility: Membership in the Association shall be open to
businesses entities, educational institutions, associations and individuals
engaged, involved or interested in packaging, transportation or physical
distribution of goods.
Section 2 – Membership Category: Membership status in the Association
shall be categorized either as a Business Member, Educational Institution,
Association or Individual Member.
Section 3 – Membership Classes and Types: The Board of Directors
may establish Membership classes and types under each membership category
as deemed necessary.
Section 4 - Application: Application for membership shall be made on an
application form(s) available from the Association.
Section 5 - Representation of Membership: Members of the Association shall
designate a Delegate and an Alternate to represent them with the exception
of Individual Members who shall represent themselves.
Section 6 - Voting Rights: Only Business members shall be entitled to
vote, except in special ballots so deemed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
the Board of Directors. Votes are cast by the Member’s Delegate
or Alternate.
Section 7 - Eligibility to Hold Office: Any member shall be eligible to
hold elective and/or appointive positions in the Association.
Section 8- Termination: Membership in the Association may be terminated
for any of the following:
a. Any cause considered detrimental to the best interests of the Association,
or inability to maintain the appropriate technical qualifications. Termination
for cause requires a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Board of
Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors,
provided said member be afforded the opportunity to be heard by the Board
of Directors prior to the vote.
b. Non-payment of annual membership dues by March 31 of each year.
c. Submitting written notice of resignation to the Board of Directors.
Section 9 - Reinstatement of Terminated Members : Members terminated for
cause, upon written request, may apply for reinstatement to the Board
of Directors, provided qualifications for membership have been satisfied
and with concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) vote by the Board of Directors.
Reinstatement for Members terminated for non payment of dues or resignation
shall be by payment of current dues and, if more than one year has passed,
the submission of a new membership application.
Section 10 - Transfer of Membership: Only In the case of acquisition of
a business member whether by sale, merger or otherwise, a Business Membership
in the Association, upon written notice received by the Association, may
be transferred and assigned to the new owners.
ARTICLE III - DUES
AND FEES
Section 1 - Annual Dues: The Board of Directors shall establish the annual
dues for each category, class and type of membership.
Section 2 - Fees: The Board of Directors shall determine the amount of
initiation fee, if any and any other special fees or assessments.
ARTICLE IV - MANAGEMENT
Section 1 - Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall be the governing
and policy making unit of the Association. The board shall direct the
investment and care of funds of the Association.
Section 2 - Executive Committee: An Executive Committee composed of the
elected officers of the association, and the Executive Director shall
be the operational unit of the Association and have such duties and authority
as the Board may designate.
Section 3 - Executive Director: Shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
and shall hold office as the Board of Directors may determine. Shall be
authorized in consultation with the Executive Committee to direct the
operations of the Association and carry out policies established by the
Board of Directors and shall be responsible for the establishment and
administration of staff and facilities needed in the performance of their
responsibilities. The Executive Director may retain legal, accounting
and other professional services as needed by the Association with the
approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 4 - Staff: The Board of Directors may employ direct personnel
or a management company to conduct the affairs of the Association. Staff
shall provide operational functions that are required by the various officers
or committees of the Association. The Board will specify term of service,
compensation, and responsibilities of such personnel or firms.
ARTICLE V - BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 - Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall be composed
of not more than (29) members with the Immediate Past President serving
on the board.
Section 2 - Director Terms: No director may serve more than two (2) consecutive
three (3) year terms unless; elected to the office of Executive Vice President
or higher, in which case the director may continue service through the
terms of the higher offices to which elected or granted one additional
three (3) year term by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Board
of Directors, provided that no more than three (3) directors are granted
an additional term in any one year.
Section 3 - Nominations: The Nominating Committee shall be responsible
for identifying qualified nominees and nominating one member representative
for each expiring term or vacancy on the Board of Directors.
Section 4 - Elections: The nominations will be printed or electronic ballots
sent to the voting membership at least forty (40) days prior to the annual
meeting. Voting for the members of the Board of Directors shall be conducted
by ballots received 15 days prior to annual meeting of the Association.
The persons receiving a plurality of the votes shall be declared elected.
Section 5 - Board Meetings: There shall be an annual meeting of the Board
of Directors at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.
Board Members shall be notified by mail or electronic communications and
the general membership shall be notified in an official publication of
the Association or by posting on the Association’s web site at least
forty (40) days prior to the designated date.
Section 6 – Special Board Meetings: Special meetings may be called
by the President or at the request of at least five (5) board members.
Notice shall be given stating the agenda, the place, day and time for
any special meeting and shall be given in person, by mail or electronic
communications to the Board Members and posted on the Association’s
web site for the general membership not less than five (5) days before
the date of said meeting. At any special meeting, no other matters may
come before the Board other than those stated in the agenda.
Section 7 - Board Quorum: A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute
a quorum at any of its meetings.
Section 8 - Board Rules: Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Conduct
of meetings.
Section 9 - Board Resolutions: Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws,
any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors shall require an affirmative
vote of at least a majority of the members present at any regular or special
meeting of the Board.
Section 10 – Termination: Members of the Board of Directors of the
Association shall be required to attend all regular and special meetings.
Absence in more than two consecutive meetings shall be the basis of their
termination unless excused prior to meeting with proper cause.
Section 11 - Vacancies: The President shall fill any vacancy on the Board
of Directors with a confirmation by the Executive Committee and then the
Board of Directors at the next meeting of the Board. The person so appointed
shall serve out the term of the vacancy.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1 - Officers: The standing officers of the Association shall be;
President, Executive Vice President, Vice President – Finance and
Secretary.
Section 2 - Other Officers: The Board of Directors may establish or eliminate
other Officers, as it deems necessary.
Section 3 - Duties of Officers: All elected officers shall assume their
duties immediately after the conclusion of the Annual Board Meeting in
which they are elected.
a) President - shall be the chief executive officer of the Associations,
shall preside at all board and membership meetings, and shall have general
supervision of the activities of the Association.
b) Executive Vice President - shall assume the duties and authority of
the President in the absence or incapacity of the President. This officer
shall also serve as Chair of the Planning Committee.
c) Vice President – Finance - shall be the chief financial officer
and shall supervise all financial operations of the association, including
maintenance of adequate financial records.
d) Secretary - This officer shall be responsible for supervising the preparation
and maintenance of the records of the Association.
e) Other Officers – shall perform duties as assigned by the Board
of Directors.
f) Additional Duties - Each board member or officer shall perform specific
duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
g) Delegation - With the approval of the Board of Directors, any officer
may delegate part of his/her duties to Association staff.
Section 4 - Officer Terms: All officers of the Association are elected
by the Board of Directors and serve a one (1) year term, except the President,
who is elected every even number year and who serves a two (2) year term.
No officer may serve more than four (4) years in the same office.
Section 5 – Termination: Officers of the Association shall be required
to attend all regular and special meetings. Absence in more than one-half
of these meetings shall be the basis of their termination unless excused
prior to meeting with proper cause.
Section 6 - Vacancies: The President shall fill any officer vacancy with
a confirmation by the Executive Committee and then the Board of Directors
at the next meeting of the Board. The person so appointed shall serve
out the term of the vacancy.
ARTICLE VII –
COMMITTEES
Section 1 - Standing Committees: The standing committees of the Association
shall be as follows: Nomination, Finance and Management, and Planning.
All committee operations and management shall be under the direction of
the Board of Directors.
a) Nominating Committee consisting of the immediate Past President as
Chairman, the Executive Vice President and the one other officer appointed
by the President
b) Finance and Management Committee - Is chaired by the Vice President
- Finance and includes the President, Executive Vice President and four
(4) other members appointed by the Chair from the regular membership.
c) Planning Committee - Is chaired by the Executive Vice President and
includes the President, Vice President – Finance and other Board
members appointed by the Chair.
Section 2 – Other Committees: The Board of Directors may establish
or eliminate Committees, as it deems necessary.
Section 3 – Committee Appointments: The President shall appoint
a Committee Chair for all non-standing committees with the concurrence
of the Board of Directors. Each non-standing committee Chair shall appoint
membership in their committee.
ARTICLE VIII - MEMBERSHIP
MEETINGS
Section 1 - Annual Meetings: An annual meeting of the members shall be
held each year within six (6) months after the last day of the fiscal
year. The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place and the
Members shall be notified by mail or electronic communications or by publication
in an official publication of the Association at least forty (40) days
prior to the designated date.
Section 2 - Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by at least
six (6) members of the Board of Directors or by a membership petition.
A membership petition must be filed with the Secretary and signed by a
minimum of ten percent (10%) of the voting members of the Association,
determined as of the date of filing the petition. Board members or petitioners
shall indicate agenda items, which shall be listed on the meeting notice
to members, and these shall be the only items considered at the special
membership meeting. Such meeting shall be held within 60 days after board
member request or after filing of the petition, at such time and place
as may be designated by the Board of Directors, with appropriate notice
to all members.
ARTICLE IX –
DIVISIONS, CHAPTERS AND COUNCILS
Section 1 – Divisions: There may be various Divisions within the
Association as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Composition,
membership, operation and management of these divisions will be determined
the Board of Directors.
Section 2 - Chapters: Chapters representing national and international
geographical regions may be created by Board of Directors who shall determine
their location, composition, membership, and management.
Section 3 –Councils: The Board of Directors may establish Councils,
as it deems necessary. Councils are met to be ruling bodies for a specific
function or functions as granted by the Board of Directors. Composition,
membership, operation and management of these Councils will be determined
by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
Section 1 - Initiation: The membership may by petition or any member of
the Board may propose an amendment to the bylaws at any regular meeting
of the Board. A membership petition must be filed with the Secretary and
signed by a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the voting members of the
Association, determined as of the date of filing the petition. The proposed
amendment will be sent to a Bylaws Committee appointed by the President
for review and recommendation.
Section 2: - Adoption: The Board of Directors will take action on the
proposed amendment(s) at the next regular meeting, or at any subsequent
special meeting, provided all members of the Board are informed that the
proposed amendment(s) will be voted on at that time. Approval of the proposed
amendment(s) shall require an affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the entire membership of the Board of Directors. Any proposed amendment(s)
approved by the Board of Directors, or any proposed amendment(s) initiated
by petition and rejected by the Board of Directors, shall be submitted
to the voting membership for vote by mail, fax or electronic ballot within
thirty (30) days after action by the Board of Directors. Adoption of the
proposed amendment(s) approved by the Board of Directors shall require
an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast within thirty
(30) days after distribution of the ballots. Any proposed amendment(s)
rejected by the Board of Directors that was initiated by petition shall
be submitted to the voting membership for vote by mail, fax or electronic
ballot within thirty (30) days after action by the Board of Directors.
Adoption of the proposed Board rejected petition amendment(s) shall require
an affirmative vote of at least two thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the
ballots cast within thirty (30) days after distribution of the ballots.
All adopted amendments shall take effect immediately after the ratification
by the voting membership.
ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1 - Indemnification: The Association shall indemnify any and all
of its directors, officers, staff members and its managerial organization
against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in connection
with the defense of settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which
they, or any of them, are made parties, or a party, by reason of being
or having been directors, officers, or members of the managerial staff
except in relation to matters as to which any such person shall be adjudged
in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable for willful misconduct
in the performance of duty and to such matters as shall be settled by
agreement predicated on the existence of such liability.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
Section 1: The Association shall use its funds to accomplish the purpose
and objectives of the Association and upon dissolution of the Association;
no part of said funds shall belong to or be distributed to members of
the Association.
Section 2: Upon dissolution of the Association, all remaining assets shall
be distributed to scientific or educational organizations chosen by the
Board of Directors.
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