ARTICLE I

MEETINGS

A.     All Executive Board meetings and all general meetings shall follow an Order of Business Agenda.

B.     The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority in all cases where there is no conflict with the Constitution and/or Bylaws.

C.   At all stated or called general meetings, a quorum shall consist of ten percent (10%) of the Certified and Associate voting members.

D.     At all Executive Board meetings, a quorum shall consist of one-third (1/3) of the Executive Board members.

E.      The membership shall be notified fourteen (14) days in advance of all stated general meetings and two (2) days prior to any called general meeting.

F.      Executive Board members shall be notified fourteen (14) days in advance of all stated general meetings and two (2) DAYS PRIOR TO ANY CALLED GENERAL MEETING.

G.   The President or any two (2) Executive Board Members may call meetings of the Executive Board.

H.  Only Certified and Associate voting members of EPRID may make motions at any stated or called general meetings of the membership.  During Executive Board meetings, only Executive Board Members may make motions.  Non-voting members may address the Executive Board and/or the EPRID membership at any meeting with the approval of the President or any two (2) members of the Executive Board.

I.    The election of officers shall be held during the EPRID General Meeting in the month of May.

ARTICLE III

                          MOTIONS

Unresolved motions from any meeting shall be added to Unfinished Business for the next regular physical or electronic meeting.

1. During Regular Meetings.                                                                           Only voting members of EPRID may make motions at stated or called meetings of the membership. During Executive Board meetings, only the Executive board members may make motions. With the approval of any two members of the Executive board, non-voting members may address the Board and/or the EPRID membership at any meeting.
2. Electronic Business                                                                                              Note: Multiple electronic motions may be considered simultaneously as long as they do not conflict as determined by the President and the Parliamentarian. If there is a conflict; the motions shall be considered in the order that they are received.

1. The Parliamentarian shall ensure that there is a mailing list of voting members for electronic discussion of motions.

2. Any member may send a motion to the President via email after the President has sent a call for motions. Members may only submit motions during the time designated by the President and during general and executive meetings.

3. The President will determine if the motion is in order, and if so, shall forward it to the voting body and ask for a second to the motion. Forty-eight (48) hours is allowed for a second to be made, from the date/time of the President’s e-mail request for the second.

4. If no second to the motion is received within the proper time period, the President notifies the voting body that the motion has failed, because no one seconded the motion.

5. If a second to the motion is received within the proper time period, the President notifies the voting body that the motion they received has been properly seconded and that the issue is open for debate for a period determined by the President. The Secretary records any motions and amendments in the official minutes.

6. During the debate period, if any proposed amendment (directly relating to the main motion) is made, members then hold the motion in abeyance and consider the amendment with a given time for the amendment to be considered and voted upon.

7. Upon closing the debate on the amendment within the given time, the President will restate the amendment(s) and call for an e-mail vote on the amendment(s) within a period determined by the President. When this has been completed, the main motion will be restated or the main motion as amended will be restated and the members of the voting body will make a final e-mail vote within another time to be determined by the President.

8. Voting members will send their e-mail vote(s) to the President and Parliamentarian for verification of the votes. The Parliamentarian shall submit the verified e-mail results to the President and Secretary for recording and reporting.

9. Following all the time limits and within the procedures established in these guidelines, the final results of the e-mail vote(s) will be reported to the voting body by the Secretary or Parlamentarían and the results of the voting will be recorded in the minutes of the current electronicmeeting.

ARTICLE IV

EPRID EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall transact the general business of EPRID.  It shall act as custodian of funds, properties, and records of EPRID; shall do anything proper to carry out the purposes of EPRID, subject to the limitations of these Constitution/Bylaws.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

A.     Authority and Responsibilities: All Board members of EPRID shall hold regular membership with both EPRID and TSID.

1.   President

The President shall preside at all meetings of EPRID and the Executive Board; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nomination Committee; shall be the official agent of EPRID and shall be responsible for maintaining cooperation and affiliation with TSID; (shall perform other duties as designated by the Executive Board and/or Membership.)  The President may also serve as the EPRID Chapter Representative to the TSID Executive Board (for these duties, See Article IV-A-9 of these Bylaws).  The outgoing President shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming President within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

2.   Vice-President

The First Vice-President shall assist the President with the duties of that office and shall perform other duties as designated by the President; shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President; (shall automatically become the President in the even that the office of President is vacated;) shall coordinate the General Membership meetings of EPRID.  The outgoing First Vice-President shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming First Vice-President within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

3.   Secretary

The Secretary shall keep accurate records of the proceedings of all meetings of EPRID, including the Executive Board; shall conduct all correspondence of EPRID (and shall issue notices of meetings as directed by the President/Executive Board).  The Secretary shall be responsible for sending the EPRID Board and general minutes to the chapter representative within 7 days after each meeting.  The outgoing Secretary shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Secretary within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

4.   Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive, deposit, and disperse all monies; and bills shall be approved by the President and/or Executive Board before payment; all drafts shall be signed by the treasurer and co-signed by the President and/or a designated member.  The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all monetary transactions.  The Treasurer shall present his/her records to the Audit Committee at the end of a fiscal year prior to EPRID’s Annual Meeting, upon request by the President and/or Executive Board, and/or upon termination of office.  The outgoing Treasurer shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Treasurer within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

5.   Parliamentarian

The Parliamentarian shall rule on questions involving parliamentary procedure; shall be responsible for all voting by ballot, show of hands, and other methods of voting.  The Parliamentarian shall chair the Bylaws Committee in regards to the Constitution/Bylaws.  The outgoing Parliamentarian shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Parliamentarian within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

6.   Membership Chairperson

Shall be responsible for keeping the membership list current, mailing out notices for membership dues, recruit new members and process applications for membership, verify members and their voting status at General Meetings and furnish the Board with current membership lists.  The outgoing Membership Chairperson shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Membership Chairperson within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

7.   Chapter Representative

EPRID’s Chapter Representative shall be required to attend at least three (3) TSID Board Meetings in order for EPRID to remain in good standing as a local chapter of TSID according to Article V of the TSID By-Laws.  EPRID Chapter Representative shall vote on behalf of EPRID; report to EPRID any issues discussed on the State level; report to EPRID any information disseminated at the TSID Executive Board meetings; inform the TSID Executive Board of EPRID’s needs; act as liaison between TSID and EPRID;  assist in maintaining cooperation and affiliation between EPRID and TSID.  EPRID’s Chapter representative also must hold current regular membership in RID.  The Chapter Representative to TSID will be required to file an annual written report as well as a financial statement to TSID at the appointed times.  This position shall preferably be held by any person holding another office in EPRID, but can be an individual not holding another office.  The outgoing Chapter Representative shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Chapter Representative within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

8.  Student Liaison

Shall be responsible for communicating EPRID programs and promoting membership among students of various area interpreting programs including but not limited to the El Paso Community College, and local area agencies’ classes.  The outgoing Student Liaison shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Student Liaison within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

9.  Member at large

Assist with any support needed by any board member.

10.   Duties of Members of the EPRID Board

The EPRID Board members present the issues and concerns of the local members to the EPRID Board and help govern EPRID. EPRID Board members shall attend all meetings of the Executive Board; shall vote on behalf of the interests of the membership and shall assist in maintaining cooperation and affiliation between the Local Chapter and its membership and the larger professional and Deaf community.

11.   The Past President

Maintains EPRID’s historical perspective and serves as liaison to local chapters, nominations committee and student membership.  The Past President shall have previously served as EPRID President.  The Past President shall assist with the establishment of local chapters, and shall monitor motions passed by the membership and by the EPRID Board.

B.     Vacancies in Office:

1.   Vacancies in office, due to death, resignation, or other causes, other than that of the President, shall be filled by the Executive Board.

2.   Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board and shall not require a vote of acceptance.

3.   Should a member of the Executive Board fail to perform the duties as outlined in these Constitutions/Bylaws, such a member may be replace by action of the Executive Board.

4.   Officers are required to attend seventy-five percent (75%) of all membership and Executive Board meetings.  Failure to comply with this shall be basis for replacement by action of the Executive Board.  Proxies do not constitute attendance.

5.   The outgoing officers shall be required to transfer all data and materials of the office in which they held, to the incoming officer within fifteen (15) days following termination of office.

6.   The outgoing President may serve one year as Immediate Past President of EPRID, will not have voting privileges on the Executive Board, but may conduct the business meetings of both the Executive Board and the General meetings in the absence of both President and First Vice-President; may serve as an Ex-Officio member to the Executive Board and/or committees.

C.     Eligibility for Office:  A person may be eligible for nomination and/or election to office provided he/she has been a Certified or Associate member in good standing with EPRID for at least twelve months prior to elections; must hold Certified or Associate membership with TSID or be willing to join the appropriate membership category with TSID upon election to office.

Eligibility for nomination and/or election to the office of Student Liaison may consist of nine (6) months membership with EPRID in any membership category, but must be willing to join the appropriate membership category with EPRID and TSID upon election of office.

D.     Election of Office:

1.   Election of officers shall take place at EPRID’s General meeting in May.

2.   Voting privileges for elections shall be restricted to Certified, Associate, and Lifetime members in good standing.

3.  The EPRID Executive Board shall govern the organization, shall provide leadership in strategic planning for the organization, and shall establish means of funding activities of the organization, both current and future.  The EPRID Executive Board will be empowered to conduct business on behalf of the general membership and to make necessary appropriations. 

4. Officers and members of the EPRID Board must be a Certified or Associate  Member of EPRID and must have been a Certified or Associate Member for the past twelve (12) months and must join the TSID if not already a member and must be qualified for the elective position according to the requirements of that position.

            Terms of Office:

1. The following officers of EPRID shall be elected at an Annual Business Meeting to serve two-year terms of office as follows:

Elected odd numbered years:

President

Treasurer

Board Member at Large #1

Parliamentarian

Elected even numbered years:

Past President – Non elected position

Vice President

Secretary

Board Member at Large #2

2. The President shall serve a two-year term beginning in an odd-numbered year.        

3. All other officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms of office.

4.  The EPRID President generally serves as the TSID Chapter Representative.  The EPRID Chapter may elect a member from the chapter to serve as the EPRID Representative according to the Chapter’s Constitution and Bylaws.  The Local Chapter Representatives from those chapters in compliance according to Articles II and V of TSID Bylaws shall serve as voting members of the TSID Board.

5.  A TSID Officer may not concurrently serve as the EPRID Chapter Representative.

6. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate for elective officer positions.  Other Nominations may be made from the floor, provided the person nominated has been asked, is eligible to serve and is willing to serve.

7. Voting shall be done by the ballot unless there is only one (1) candidate for the office in which that office will be filled by acclamation.

8. A simple majority of those present and voting is required for election.

9.  Only one office may be held by an Executive Board member with the exception of the TSID Representative. If an individual holds the TSID Representative office and also holds another office on the Executive Board, that individual is allowed only one vote at the Executive Board meetings.

10. An executive office can be held by the same member for no more than two consecutive terms.  They must wait at least one full term before running for the same office they can, however, run for a different office. 

ARTICLE VI

SELECT COMMITTEES

EPRID shall have the following select committees and may establish other select committees as needed.  If the membership does not name a chairperson for slect committees, the President and/or the Executive Board shall appoint the Chairperson of each committee.

A.     Bylaws Committee           The Bylaws Committee shall consist of at least three individuals with the Parliamentarian as the Chairperson.  This committee will address Constitution/Bylaws revisions as they are submitted to the Board/Membership.  The Chairperson may appoint the members of the committee as needed.

B.     Membership Committee   Shall be responsible for keeping the membership list current, mailing out notices for membership dues, recruit new members and process applications for membership, verify members and their voting status at General Meetings and furnish the Board with current membership lists.  The outgoing Membership Chairperson shall also be required to transfer all data material (such as board manuals, policy/procedures manuals) as well as provide training to the incoming Membership Chairperson within forty-five (45) days following termination of office.

C. Website Committee            Shall be responsible for maintaining and updating all EPRID information on the website.

D. Fundraising Committee         Shall focus on ways to raise money for EPRID, through fundraisers, activities, sales, etc.  The Chair will report all activities to EPRID.      

ARTICLE VII

SELECT LIASONS

1. Certified Deaf Interpreter Liason, (CDI Liason)               Shall be responsible for networking and keeping open lines of communication between EPRID and local intermediary interpreters.  Shall work together with these interpreters to promote certification opportunities.

2. Student Liason                     Shall be responsible for communicating EPRID programs and promoting membership among students of various area interpreting programs.  Shall keep EPRID informed of the speciallized needs of students in our area and help promote educational opportunities.

3.  Educational Interpreter Liason Shall be in charge of visiting educational interpreters (elementary to post-secondary) at the schools. Shall be responsible for keeping EPRID in touch with the needs of educational interpreters in our area. Shall promote carreer advancing opportunities to interpreters involved in all aspects of educational interpreting.

ARTICLE VIII

REVENUES

A. The Executive Board with approval of the membership shall designate membership dues for all members of EPRID.

B. Dues paid shall be applied to the membership year in which they are applying.

C. To vote at EPRID’s General Meeting in which election of officers are held in May, dues must be paid one week prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended at any called or stated general meeting by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present and voting, provided the proposed amendment is presented to the membership for study and review fourteen (14) days prior to a vote.

In the event EPRID is unable to convene at the stated or called general meeting, a mailing of the proposed amendment shall be sent to each voting member who shall vote, sign and return the ballot to the Executive Board.  The ballots shall be tabulated by the Executive Board or a Special Committee.  The membership shall be notified of the final result of the voting.  All ballots shall be maintained on file for one (1) year  and shall be open to inspection upon request by any member in good standing.  Ballot response must be received within a thirty (30) day period, with seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting members responding, and two-thirds (2/3) vote in favor will adopt the proposed amendment or two-thirds (2/3) vote against will defeat the proposed amendment.

Proposals of amendments to the Bylaws for mail ballot vote must be in writing and signed by ten (10) or more members in good standing, presented to the Executive Board for study, or proposed by the Executive Board prior to dissemination.

Revised 08-01-07