2009 Pittsburgh Chapter Elections

Eligibility and Criteria 

A candidate for an elected office shall meet the following eligibility criteria:

• well respected and good standing  – member can not have a reputation or background that will bring discredit to the Pittsburgh Chapter.
• committed to vision and mission of the Pittsburgh Chapter
• the candidate must be a financial member of the Chapter
• agree to meeting responsibilities below

Responsibilities and Duties of the Chapter Executive Board 

The purpose of the Chapter Executive Board (CEB) shall be to manage the affairs of the Chapter.  The members of the CEB shall consult together concerning any affairs, activities, needs, and problems of the Pittsburgh Chapter.  The CEB shall adopt programs that will promote the progress and welfare of the Pittsburgh Chapter as a whole, including, without limitation, providing of channels of communication between other chapters and the National Association.  Specifically, the CEB shall:   

a.                    Serve based on the provisions of the Pittsburgh Chapter and National Association Bylaws.

b.                   Determine all questions of policy and shall administer the affairs of the Chapter under the Bylaws and the general provisions of the law under which the National Association and the Pittsburgh Chapter are incorporated. 

c.                    Be subject to the orders of the membership and none of its acts shall conflict with the decisions made by the vote of the general body, or the goals and objectives of the National Association. 

d.                   Be the authorized representative of the Pittsburgh Chapter between general membership meetings.

e.                    Be subject to a hearing, before an ad hoc Review Committee, if any standing committee officer or Chapter Executive Board member is accused of willfully violating Pittsburgh Chapter policy, grossly neglecting his or her duty, or behaving in such a manner as to bring discredit to the Pittsburgh Chapter. Any use of said authority shall be with a favorable three –fourths (3/4) vote of the entire CEB membership.  If justified by its findings, the CEB shall proceed according to the provisions for discipline as indicated in the Pittsburgh Chapter and National Association Bylaws.

f.                     Have the authority to enact provisions for accumulating and depositing funds collected for the Pittsburgh Chapter and shall be responsible for setting up rules and regulations for administering the financial affairs of Pittsburgh Chapter.

g.                   Have the authority to direct any officer of the Pittsburgh Chapter to perform such special duties as may be required for the benefit of the Pittsburgh Chapter. 

h.                   Not receive any salary for service.

i.                     Coordinate activities at all levels of the Pittsburgh Chapter.

  Term of Office

 The term of office for the Chapter Executive Board (CEB) officers, standing committee chairs, and appointed positions will be two years and will commence the first day of January immediately following the election; however, no officers will be relieved of the duties of their office until their successors have been duly elected or appointed, and have accepted the oath of office.  All CEB officers may serve up to but not exceeding two consecutive terms in the same position (also reference Section 4.8).  There is no limit to the term of standing committee chair and other appointed positions.

  Termination of Chapter Officers 

a.                    The Chapter Executive Board (Officers) (CEB) shall be the only entity empowered to remove any officer or standing committee chairperson from office for cause.  Said removal shall be done only at a special meeting called for that purpose.  Chapter Officers can be removed from office by a majority vote of Officers. 

b.                   A written notice for a special meeting to remove any officer or standing committee chairperson from office for cause shall be mailed or emailed to all CEB members no less than fifteen (15) days before said meeting is held.

c.                    Any member whose removal from office is sought shall be mailed or emailed written notification no more than thirty (30) days prior to said meeting for removal. 

d.                   Any members whose removal is sought shall have the right to be heard and/or resign prior to any action taken at this meeting.

e.                    To remove any officer or standing committee chairperson from office for cause, the CEB must receive approval to vacate that office from a majority of the CEB membership present at the special meeting called for said removal. 

f.                     A CEB Officer or standing committee chairperson may resign their position for any reason and declare that position or office vacant by written notification sent to the Vice President of Administration and Secretary.  Such written notification shall be signed and have the date the position or office is to be declared vacant. 

g.                   Immediately upon removal or resignation of a position held, that office or position vacancy shall be filled according to the Pittsburgh Chapter Bylaws.

h.                   In the case where an officer does not fulfill his/her term, the appointed officer replacing said officer shall continue through the end of the term.

i.                     Upon the removal of an officer, any and all possessions belonging to the Pittsburgh Chapter shall be returned immediately.

j.                     Terminated officers will not be eligible for membership on the Chapter Executive Board in a new term.  If an officer, whose removal is sought, decides to resign prior to action taken, then the terminated officer will not be eligible for membership on the CEB in a new term.

k.                    If an officer resigns and desires to re-engage on the CEB, the current CEB will review the resignee’s request for reconsideration and determine if they can proceed. 

l.                     If an officer has resigned or been removed, the Chapter President will inform the National Association of the resignation or removal and inform them of the replacement officer once one has been identified.

 Dual Capacity and Separation of Duties 

A Chapter Executive Board (CEB) officer may not serve in a dual capacity, which is as a CEB Officer and as a Director of the National Association, or as an Officer of the National Association.   

2009 Positions to Elect: 

1.  Treasurer 

The scope of duties for this office includes: 

a.        Presiding at meetings in the absence of the President and the Vice-Presidents of Administration and Operations.

b.       Maintaining current and accurate records of the financial position of the Chapter by recording, classifying and summarizing all monetary transactions.

c.        Preparing detailed, written financial records and reports for all Pittsburgh Chapter accounts to be presented at each CEB meeting.

d.       Submitting all financial reports required by the National Association which include but are not limited to, quarterly and year-end reporting, after reviewing the reports with the Pittsburgh Chapter President and any other person designated by the president or CEB.

e.        Updating 501(c)(3) status, with the assistance of the President and submitting financial reports as needed by legal or governmental agencies.

f.         Preparing the initial budget each year, with the president’s assistance to present for discussion at the CEB strategy session and maintaining records to track actual spending versus budget.

g.       Safeguarding Pittsburgh Chapter funds through the proper receipt and disbursement of funds in accordance with these Bylaws. 

2.  Secretary 

Scope of duties for this office includes but is not limited to: 

1. Recording the proceedings of all General Membership (as applicable), CEB, and Special Call meetings.
2. Distributing copies of the CEB meetings minutes to its members prior to the next CEB meeting for review.
3. Maintaining an accurate record of all attendance at CEB meetings.
4. Updating the Pittsburgh Chapter voicemail messages as necessary.
5. Retrieval of messages and returning calls as needed and notifying appropriate person of requests.
6. Checking the Pittsburgh Chapter mailbox weekly and distributing mail in a timely manner.
7. Reading the CEB any correspondence received that requires CEB approval.
8. Obtaining a list of current roster of members in Good Standing from Membership Director each month.
9. Safe guarding legal documents, reports, and minutes.
10. Making minutes readily available for review by any member in Good Standing.
11. Relinquishing records to successor or president when office ends.
12. Serve as member of the Membership Committee. 
13. Obtaining and maintaining an electronic storage/access vehicle for chapter documents and collateral.

 How To Submit Nomination

Send email to Tamara Murphy at nashaylynn@hotmail.com and provide the following:

1. State position that you're submitting for nomination 
2. Statement of Nomination - state why you are seeking the elected position
3. Resume

Note:  all information provided above will be provided to the Election Committee and voters - if you meet qualifications of being added to ballot.

If you have questions about the nominating process, please contact Tamara Murphy at nashaylynn@hotmail.com