Revised: May 20, 2004
SECTION 1A.0 The name of the Association shall be “The New York State Association of Traffic Safety Boards, Inc.”, hereinafter referred to as “Association”. Any such designation upon letterhead, logo, etc. shall infer “Incorporation” the words “An Association Dedicated to Crash Avoidance and Injury Prevention” shall appear with the letterhead and logo.
SECTION 1B.0 The purpose of the Association shall include, but not be limited to the following:
1B.1 To provide an organization pf Traffic Safety Boards, formed pursuant to Article 16A of the Executive Law and Article 43 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, and of those individuals, firms, corporations, or bodies having a common interest in traffic safety and/or injury prevention to collectively act upon such interests.
1B.2 To provide assistance to Members in the implementation of programs and projects pursuant to provisions of the Highway Safety Act.
1B.3 To coordinate with and support the functions of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
1B.4 To encourage, generate, support, and implement all levels of the traffic safety and injury prevention functions within the State of New York including those of education, enforcement, engineering, and legislation.
SECTION 2A.0 Membership in the Association shall be open to all Traffic Safety Boards of the counties, cities, towns, and villages and others interested in public health and safety located within the State of New York; and those additional classifications as described within this Article.
SECTION 2B.0 Each member, in good standing, shall be entitled to a vote at general membership and annual meetings, and for the election of officers.
2B.1 The Chairperson of each board, member organization, or member shall, prior to the first meeting of the federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 20), designate, in writing to the President, the Board’s voting representative and voting alternative.
2B.2 The designated voting representative or alternate for any Member Board, member organization or member shall be eligible to cast a single vote on any one topic at any general membership meeting or annual meeting; and shall be eligible to vote for the annual election of officers.
SECTION 2C.0 Membership in the Association shall be open to any individual having an interest in traffic safety and/or injury prevention.
2C.1 Individual members shall receive all general membership correspondence and be eligible to serve on any committee or task force.
SECTION 2D.0 Life Membership in the Association may be conferred upon any individual, by a majority vote, of the Executive Board.
2D.1 Life members shall be eligible for all privileges of membership.
SECTION 2E.0 Sustaining Membership in the Association may be conferred, by a majority vote of the Executive Board, upon any firm, organization or individual who makes a significant contribution toward furthering the goals and objectives of the Association.
2E.1 Sustaining Members shall receive Life Membership in the Associate Division.
SECTION 2F.0 All members who have paid the currents dues of the Association, and all Life Members, shall be members, in good standing, of the Association.
SECTION 3A.0 Dues in the Association shall be in the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per year for each member. The dues for any new members in fiscal year 2004 shall be Seventy Five Dollars($75.00). Effective January 1, 2005 dues in the Association shall be in the sum of Seventy-Five dollars ($75.00) per year for all general membership and all corporate/vendor members shall pay One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). As amended May 20, 2004
3A.1 Life Members shall be exempt from dues payment.
3A.2 Dues shall be payable by a date established by the Executive Board.
3A.3 If dues shall remain in arrears after June 1 of the given fiscal year, the member in default shall forfeit membership in the Association. Any such Member may apply, for reinstatement, to the Executive Board, upon payment of arrears as determined by the Executive Board, as well as the current fiscal year’s dues. Prior to any default action as indicated in the foregoing, the Board shall notify the Member, by certified mail, thirty (30) days in advance of intended action.
3A.4 The Treasurer of the Association shall provide a list of delinquent members to the Secretary and the president prior to each meeting.
3A.5 The annual fee for advertising in the Association Newsletter “Interchange” shall be $50.00.
3A.6 The Executive Board shall establish those operating fees found necessary such as but not limited to, Annual Meeting Registration, group meal charges, etc.
3A.7 The Executive Board may waive for due cause, those dues, fees and charges for any member who makes application.
3A.8 The Executive Board shall file a proposed budget for the following fiscal year, at the Annual Meeting.
3A.9 The Executive Board may approve those necessary expenses incurred by Officers or Members in conduct of business of the Association.
SECTION 4A.0 There shall be one Annual Meeting of the Association at a place and date designated by the Executive Board.
SECTION 4B.0 There shall be quarterly meetings of the general membership and Executive Board.
4B.1 Notice shall be given to the membership, at the Annual Meeting, of the place, date, and time of the first general meeting of the fiscal year.
4B.2 The place, date, and time, for the remaining quarterly general membership meetings shall be determined at the first quarterly membership meeting.
SECTION 4C.0 The President may convene those additional meetings deemed necessary by written notice to the membership.
SECTION 4D.0 If a member of the Executive Board is absent, without just cause, from two (2) consecutive quarterly meetings of the Association, that position may be deemed vacant and such office filled in accordance with these bylaws.
SECTION 4E.0 A quorum for the conduct of all business shall be representative by at least five (5) qualified voting Members of the Association.
SECTION 4F.0 Those eligible to vote pursuant to Section 2B at general membership meetings shall be:
4F.1 Life Members of the Association
4F.2 The voting representative or alternate member, as designated by the member.
SECTION 4G.0 In no case shall any member be eligible to cast more than one vote, such vote to be cast in person.
ARTICLE 5: OFFICERS
SECTION 5A.0 The Officers of the Association shall be the President, First Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and each Regional Vice-Presidents. There shall not be less than six or more than eight Regional Vice-Presidents.
SECTION 5B.0 The Honorary President shall be, upon the incumbent’s approval, the Chairman of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
SECTION 5C.0 The Officers of the Association shall be elected in accordance with the appropriate mail ballot procedures and take office at the Annual Meeting with the official counting of mailed ballots. The term of office shall be two years.
SECTION 5D.0 The Executive Board shall consist of the officers described in Section 5A.0 and the past-Presidents each with one vote only.
5D.1 The Executive Board shall have full power to conduct the business and affairs of the Association, and shall be the policy making and operating body.
5D.2 The Executive Board shall direct and supervise all work and activities of the Association, its officers and committees and perform those duties necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of the Association.
5D.3 The executive Board shall review the qualifications of perspective members and act upon membership applications.
5D.4 The Executive Board shall establish regional boundaries served by the Regional Vice-Presidents.
SECTION 5E.0 The President of the Association shall serve no more that two (2) consecutive terms of four years.
SECTION 5F.0 The duties of the officers of the Association shall be:
5F.1 Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Advisor – The person serving in the capacity of director of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, or designee of that person, shall act as advisor to the Association.
5F.2 President – The President, subject to provisions of Section 5F.3, shall preside at all Executive Board, general membership, special and Annual Meetings. The President shall perform all other duties related to the office, and any other tasks as directed by the Association. The President shall report on all meetings attended, correspondence, and communication, in behalf of the Association at the next scheduled meeting thereafter.
5F.3 First Vice President – The First Vice President shall perform all duties of the office of the President in the president’s absence or in the event the President shall not be able to complete the term of office. The First Vice President shall also serve as Parliamentarian.
5F.4 Secretary – The secretary shall give notice of all meetings, maintain a record of the business of said meetings, conduct the correspondence deemed appropriate, and carry out those specific functions designated by the president.
5F.5 Treasurer – The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and expended for the use of the Association, and shall maintain a set of books and an account of depository selected by the Treasurer. Funds may be withdrawn upon the signature of the Treasurer, President or Secretary.
5F.6 Regional Vice President – Each Regional Vice president shall represent a district specified by the Executive Board and shall be responsible for implementation of the Association’s goals and objectives within that region. Each regional Vice president shall conduct at least one meeting of the area’s component Boards during the fiscal year to afford local input to Association activities.
SECTION 5G.0 Vacancies – A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the First Vice President. Other vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Executive Board.
SECTION 5H.0 Eligibility – Any member including any Life Member shall be eligible to serve as an officer. A Regional Vice president shall reside in the region he or she represents.
ARTICLE 6: COMMITTEES
SECTION 6A.0 The President shall appoint the chairman and members of committees and Standing Committees defined as those described in Section 6C – 6J, and may appoint members of those Task Forces deemed appropriate to carry out specified duties and provide assistance to the President.
6A.1 Any individual, in good standing, may serve on any Committee or Standing Committee or Task Force.
6A.2 Standing committees shall be deemed continuing and members shall continue to serve, until action to the contrary is taken pursuant to Section 6A.0.
SECTION 6B.0 Legislative Committee – The Legislative Committee shall advise the Executive Board and general membership meetings of pending legislation, state and national, which relates to the goals and objectives of the Association.
SECTION 6C.0 Newsletter Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to transmit a Newsletter to each member, no later than fifteen (15) days prior to each Annual and regularly scheduled meetings.
6C.1 The Newsletter shall be the official instrument of notification to the membership.
6C.2 Interchange shall be the name of the newsletter.
6C.3 Members shall be entitled to display business card advertising in the Association newsletter upon payment of the annual fee.
SECTION 6D.0 Program Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to maintain appropriate arrangements for all general membership and Annual meetings. The Committee shall be responsible for recommending site selections for the Annual Meeting to the Executive Board, develop the program for the Annual Meeting, and make recommendations for any program content at general membership meetings.
SECTION 6E.0 Enforcement Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to maintain continuing studies, and make recommendations to the Executive Board, upon matters relating to the goals and objectives of the Association. The Committee shall assist the President, in the responsibilities regarding the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, in reviewing and making Grant applications concerning Law Enforcement.
SECTION 6F.0 Youth Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to represent youth as it relates to their particular traffic safety needs. The Committee shall coordinate its activities with those other related organizations both State and National.
SECTION 6G.0 Membership Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to encourage and generate increased membership for all levels within the Association. The Committee shall assist those other Committees and Divisions in recruitment and participation in Association activities and meeting.
SECTION 6H.0 Engineering Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to study, and make recommendations to the Executive Board on those matters relating to the goals and objectives of the Association. The Committee shall assist the President in the responsibilities regarding the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, in reviewing and making recommendations concerning Highway Traffic Safety Applications with regard to Traffic Engineering. The Chairman of the Committee shall represent the Association on the New York State Department of Transportation Engineering Advisory Committee.
SECTION 6I.0 Education Committee – It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to study and make recommendations to the Executive Board, on those matters relating to all areas of education, both continuing and institutional, relating to the goals and objectives of the
Association. The committee shall assist the President, in responsibilities regarding the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Grant Applications in the broad area of education.
ARTICLE 7: AMENDMENTS
SECTION 7A.0 Any amendment to these Bylaws shall be:
7A.1 Approved by a majority of the Executive Board; hence
7A.2 Approved by a majority vote of the general membership, at the next regularly scheduled meeting; hence
7A.3 Submitted to the membership with a notice for comments to be received by the President in writing prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting; hence
7A.4 Subject to receipt of no requests for substantive changes approved for amendment by a majority vote of its membership at the meeting referenced in Section 7A.3
ARTICLE 8: CENSURE
SECTION 8A.0 Upon information brought to its attention, the Executive Board may consider proceedings which may lead to disciplinary action including expulsion, suspension, or admonition of any Member.
8A.1 If circumstances appear to warrant further action, the Executive Board shall advise the accused by Certified Mail of said charges and the time and place which same shall be considered.
8A.2 The accused may, if desired, present a defense, either in person or in writing on the date set forth.
8A.3 Final action of the Executive Board shall be taken at the next Executive Board meeting. A two-thirds vote of the entire Executive Board shall be required for expulsion, while all other disciplinary action may be by majority vote of te Executive Board.
ARTLICE 9: RULES OF PROCEDURE
SECTION 9A.0 In the absence of specific reference made herein, in regard to Rules of Procedure, “Robert’s Rules of Order and Procedure” shall prevail.