PELS Alumni Association Bylaws

ARTICLE I.           NAME AND TERM OF ASSOCIATION

Section 1

The name of this organization shall be the Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS) Alumni Association.

ARTICLE II.         PURPOSE

Section 1

The purpose of the Professional Executive Leadership School Alumni Association shall be to:

§      Promote the professional development of Chief Executives and Senior Command Personnel in public safety and security agencies, as well as the corporate and business community, so as to develop and promote excellence in services within their organizations.

§      To encourage participation and support the goals and objectives of the Virginia Police Chiefs Association and Foundation.

§      To promote the continuous leadership education of PELS graduates.

ARTICLE III.        MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

Membership in this association shall consist only of those persons that have successfully completed the Professional Executive Leadership School.  An affiliate membership is available to only those persons that have successfully completed the Institute for Leadership in Changing Times (ILCT).

Section 2: Dues

The dues in the association shall be determined by the executive board.  Membership dues in the association shall consist of an annual contribution of $30.00 due annually, not later than July 1, of each year.

Section 3: Membership Types

There shall be four (4) types of membership of the association.

1.     Active members are members of the association who have paid their membership dues as established by the Board and have no dues in arrears.

2.     Inactive members are members who have not paid their dues by September 1^st of each year.  (Upon payment of all dues, including any dues in arrears, the inactive member will be reinstated as an active member.)

3.     Life Membership is available to members of the association who have retired and been an active member for the two preceding years prior to life membership application, and pay a one-time life membership fee of $150.00.

4.     Affiliate members are non-voting members which are entitled to participate in any PELS sponsored event. Affiliate members are governed by the same dues structure as active members.

Section 4: Actions against Members

A member may be censored, suspended or expelled for cause by action of a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.  Contemplated action of the board shall be furnished by written notice to the member at least ten (10) days in advance.  The written notice shall state rationale for the action, time frames, date, time, and place of proposed action.  A member so informed may appear before the board on that scheduled date and time.

Any reasonable request by the member for an extension of time will be considered by the board.  A member expelled by the Executive Board action shall have the right of appeal to full membership at a regular association meeting.  A member shall file his appeal in writing with the Secretary of the Association, who shall schedule a hearing before the membership.  By a majority vote of the Active-Voting members present, such decisions may be sustained, reversed or modified.

Section 5: Voting

Active and Lifetime members are granted voting privileges.  Inactive members are not permitted to vote until the dues in arrears are paid in full.  Affiliate members are not granted voting privileges.

ARTICLE IV.        OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1

The officers of the association shall consist of the President, Immediate Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and seven (7) Directors representing strategic regions of the Commonwealth, and the CEO of the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation or his/her designee.

Section 2: Qualifications

An officer of the Association shall, at the time of his/her nomination, election or appointment, and continuously for at least one year immediately prior thereto, be a member in good standing.

Section 3: Terms of Officers

The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors shall be elected at a General Membership Meeting of the Association, each for a two (2) year term.  The two year term shall commence on July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and every twenty-four (24) month period thereafter.

Section 4: Executive Board

The Executive Board shall consist of all elected officers of the Association, each to serve two years.  The President of the board shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Board.  A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum.  Their decisions shall be overturned by a majority of those present.

Section 5: Police Chiefs Foundation Board Member

The CEO of the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation, or his /her designee, shall serve as a member of the Executive Board.

Section 6: Meetings

A quorum at any regular meeting or conference shall consist of a majority of the membership present.

ARTICLE V.         ELECTION OF ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

Section 1: Nomination of Elective Officer

The President shall appoint a nominating committee that shall make recommendations for all elective officers, namely; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the seven (7) Regional Directors representing strategic regions of the Commonwealth.  Nominations from the floor are also in order.

Section 2

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, occasioned by death, resignation, removal, suspension or inability to serve for any reason, the Vice President shall serve as President.  A vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the Treasurer; a vacancy in the office of the Treasurer shall be filled by the Secretary.

Vacancies in the office of the Executive Board shall be filled by temporary appointments.  The Executive Board shall appoint any qualified person pursuant to Article IV Section 2.

ARTICLE VI.        DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

Section 1: President

The President shall be executive head of the Association.  He/she shall preside at all meetings of the Association.  His/her decision shall be final unless otherwise provided for in this Constitution.  He/she shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.  His/her decisions may be reversed by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at meetings or conferences.  He/she shall recommend appointments to the various standing committees, which may be necessary for the transaction of the business of the organization.

If in the opinion of the President, circumstances warrant, he/she may call a special meeting.  He/she shall notify the membership of the purpose, date, time, and place of such meeting.

Section 2: Executive Board

The Executive Board shall have the right to accept for the Association, any donation or monetary contribution, property, real or personal, to be placed to the credit of the Association.  Any such moneys are to be delivered to the Treasurer, for deposit to the Association’s account.

Section 3

The Executive Board serves for the benefit of the association.  The Executive Board is not monetarily compensated for their time and service, and do not receive a salary.

ARTICLE VII.      STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1

Standing committees that are perpetual are Budget and Audit, Nominating, Fundraising and Scholarship.  All committees shall be appointed by the President of the Association.  The President may establish other committees not mentioned, if deemed appropriate.

Section 2

Members of Standing Committees shall serve a two (2) year term, and may be relieved of their duties by the President of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII.     ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1

The order of business shall be determined by the presiding officer of each business session of each association meeting.

Section 2: Rules of Order

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of the organization and its constituent parts.

ARTICLE IX.        MEETINGS

Section 1

The Association shall have a General Membership Meeting for active members and retired life members at least one (1) time a year.  A year will be a twelve (12) month period from the first day of July through the last day of June.  The date, time and location of this meeting will be set by the Executive Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.  Nothing in this article shall prevent the President from calling a special meeting.

ARTICLE X.         CHANGES TO THE BY-LAWS AND CONSTITUTION

Section 1

Any changes to the Constitution shall be made by a two-thirds vote of the active members and retired life members present at a General Membership Meeting of the Association or a special meeting called by the President.  Proposed changes shall be made in writing to the President, by active members or retired life members of the Association.  Proposed changes shall be submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to the General Membership Meeting of the Association or the special meeting called by the President.

The President shall insure that notification of proposed changes is sent to active members and retired life members by regular mail, facsimile or electronic mail not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the General Membership Meeting or the special meeting called by the President.

ARTICLE XI.        DISSOLUTION

Section 1

Upon the dissolution of the Professional Executive Leadership School Alumni Association, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the organization, dispose of all the organization assets.  The assets shall be transferred to the Virginia Police Chief’s Foundation or its successor.