Iowa ABA By-Laws

  

Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis By-Laws

(Proposed Draft)

  

Article I - Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

The name of the organization shall be "Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis".

Section 2: Purpose

Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis (herein after referred to as "Iowa ABA" is organized as a chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis International for professional, scientific, and education purposes. Specifically, the organization shall:

  1. Serve as a scientific and professional reference group for all in the State of Iowa who identify themselves as scientists or practitioners in disciplines that embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis.
  2. Support the development of professional credentialing for the practice of behavior analysis within the State of Iowa;
  3. Support the development of standards of practice for behavior analysis within the state of Iowa;
  4. Identify and promote the use of effective and humane behavioral procedures in meeting the educational and habilitative needs of both normal and developmentally disabled person within the State of Iowa.
  5. Advise political, legislative, and policy-making bodies with respect to all matters pertaining to behavior analysis in the State of Iowa.
  6. Publish and distribute an official Bulletin devoted to dissemination of scientific and technological achievements within the scope of behavior analysis and to matters of interest to the membership.
  7. Promote and support the conduct of behavior analytic research within the state of Iowa.

  

Article II - Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Application for voting membership shall be open to any current resident of Iowa or any individual working in Iowa that supports the purpose statement in Article I, Section 2. Membership is granted after completion and receipt of a membership application and annual dues. All memberships shall be granted upon a majority vote of the board.

Section 2: Categories of Membership

Membership is open to all persons interested in or actively engaged in teaching, research, and/or application of the principles and procedures of behavior analysis.  Membership is not restricted to residents of the State of Iowa.  Membership shall be in one of five classes:

      1. Full Member: Any individual holding a terminal degree in a discipline directly related to or involving behavior analysis and whose full-time professional commitment includes teaching, research, and/or practice in behavior analysis may apply for membership in this category.
      2. Supporting Full Member: Same as Full Member.
      3. Affiliate Member: Any member evidencing interest in the discipline of behavior analysis, but lacking formal training therein, may apply for this class of membership.  Affiliate members will enjoy all benefits except for the right to vote on matters of interest to the organization and the right to hold office.
      4. Student Member: Any individual pursuing formal training in the discipline of behavior analysis but not yet gainfully employed therein on at least a half-time basis may apply for membership in this category.  Such application must be accompanied by an endorsement of a Full member certifying the applicant’s student status. Student members may neither vote nor hold office.
      5. Family Member:  A family membership can be obtained for any family within which there is a stake in learning about or using the principles of behavior analysis. If applying for a Family Membership, the reason for interest will be indicated, as well as the number and names of family members (over 18).

Section 3: Application for Membership

Persons desiring to apply for membership in the Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis shall submit a completed application form, together with such endorsements, recommendations and any application fee that may be required.  The Association shall evaluate the application and inform the applicant of its actions.

Section 4: Annual Dues

The amount required for annual dues shall be determined by a majority vote of the board on an annual basis. Continued membership is contingent upon being up-to-date on membership dues.

Section 5: ABA Membership Status

Membership in a chapter does not include membership in the Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA) and vice versa. Iowa ABA members who are not full or affiliate members of ABA may, however, apply for Chapter/Adjunct membership in ABA.

Section 6: Rights of Members

Iowa ABA members may vote in annual elections of board officers.

Section 7: Resignation and Termination

Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary/Treasurer. Resignation shall not relieve a member of unpaid dues, or other charges previously accrued. A member can have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the board of directors.

  

Article III - Meetings of Members

Section 1: Regular Meetings

At the annual meeting, the members shall elect directors and officers, receive reports on the activities of the association, and advise the direction of the association for the coming year. There shall be at least one annual business meeting of the Association.  This meeting shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Convention of the Association except in the event that no Annual Convention is held.  In this case, the business meeting shall be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled meeting as shall be designated by the Executive Committee.  Notice of the annual business meeting of the Association shall be given to all members in good standing not less than three months prior to the scheduled date.

Section 2: Special Meetings

The chair or a simple majority of the board of directors may call special meetings.

Section 3: Notice of Meetings

Printed notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail, not less than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section 4: Quorum

The members present at any properly noticed meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5: Voting

All issues to be voted upon will be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.

  

Article IV - Board of Directors

Section 1: Board Role, Size, and Compensation

The board is responsible for all decisions regarding the policies, procedures, and direction of Iowa ABA and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the officers and committees. The board shall have up to seven (7), but no fewer than four (4) members. The board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.

Section 2: Eligibility for Iowa ABA Board Membership

Membership on the board of Iowa ABA is limited to full or affiliate members of ABA who are also members of Iowa ABA in good standing.

Section 3: Terms

With the exception of the founding board (see Article IV, Section 5 below) all board members shall serve two (2) year terms, but are eligible for reelection without limitation.

Section 4: Meetings and Notice

The board shall meet at least twice a year, at an agreed upon time and place. An official board meeting requires that each member have written notice at least two weeks in advance.

Section 5: Founding Board

The founding board is appointed by the founding chair (date) and consists of four (4) officers: the Chair, the Vice Chair, the Secretary/Treasurer, and an Officer-At-Large. These officers will serve two-year terms. At the first board meeting, fall of 2008, up to three (3) additional directors will be appointed by the board to serve for one year until the fall 2009 membership meeting. At that meeting, the three one year appointed directors may run for elected two-year seats. The four founding officers may serve until the fall 2010 membership meeting, at which time they may run for elected two-year seats.

Section 6: Vacancies

When a vacancy exists on the board mid-term and that vacancy reduces the total board membership to less than four (4), the Chair will appoint a replacement to serve until confirmation by a quorum of directors at the next scheduled board meeting.

Section 7: Quorum

A simple majority of the board must be present at a scheduled meeting for business transactions to take place and motions to pass.

Section 8: Officers and Duties

There shall be four (4) officers of the board, consisting of a Chair, a Vice Chair, a Secretary/Treasurer, and an Officer-At-Large. Their duties are as follows:

  1. The Chair shall convene regularly scheduled board meetings, shall set the agenda for and preside at those meetings, or shall arrange for other officers of Iowa ABA to preside at such meetings in the following order: vice chair, secretary/treasurer, and officer-at-large.
  2. The Vice Chair will relieve the Chair and shall chair committees on special subjects as designated by the board.
  3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained. S/he will also make a finance report at each board meeting. The Secretary/Treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to the board and the membership.
  4. The Officer-At-Large shall assist the other officers as requested and shall chair committees on special subjects as requested by the board.

Section 9: Resignation, Termination, and Absences

Resignation from the board must be in writing and received by the secretary/treasurer. A board member may be terminated at the discretion of the chair following two consecutive absences from noticed meetings. A board member may be removed for other reasons by a majority vote of the remaining directors with the chair casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

Section 10: Special Meetings

Any two (2) directors shall call special meetings of the board upon the request of the chair, or. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out by the secretary/treasurer at least two weeks in advance.

  

Article V - Committees

Section 1: Committee Formation

The board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, education, legislation, etc. The board chair appoints all committee chairs.

Section 2: Executive Committee

The four officers serve as members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the articles of incorporation and by-laws, the Executive Committee shall have all of the powers and authority of the full board of directors in the intervals between meetings, and is subject to the direction and control of the full board.

Section 3: Finance Committee

The secretary/treasurer is the chair of the Finance Committee, which includes a minimum of two (2) other board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plans, and the annual budget with other board members. The board must approve the budget and all expenditures must be within budget. The board or the Executive Committee must approve any major change in the budget. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the board showing income, expenditures, and pending income. The financial records of the association are public information and shall be made available to the membership, board members, and the public.

Section 4: Membership Committee

The Membership Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the chair of the Executive Committee, who shall appoint at least two additional members with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee.  The Chair of the Membership Committee shall be a full member in good standing and shall serve a one-year term, which shall be renewable without limit at the pleasure of the chair of the Executive Committee.  With the exception of the Chairperson, membership on the Membership Committee is not limited by category of membership.

Section 5: Publications Committee

The Publications committee shall consist of at least two members appointed by the chair of the Executive Committee for one-year terms, renewable without limit.  The duties of the Publications Committee shall be to edit, publish, and distribute such other items as shall be designated by the Executive Committee.  The budget of the Publications Committee shall be submitted prior to the annual meeting of the Executive Committee and shall be reviewed and approved at that time.  Amendments to the budget of the Publications Committee may be submitted to the Executive Committee at any time through the President.  The chair of the Executive Committee shall convene a meeting of the Executive Committee or shall poll the Committee.  In either case, a three-fifths majority of the Executive Committee shall be required for approval of budget amendments.

Section 6: Joint PAC/BACB Project Committee

The Joint PAC/BACB Project Committee shall consist of one member appointed by the President for a one-year term, renewable without limit. The purpose of the joint PAC/BACB project is to further state recognition of BCBA certifications and maintain behavior analysts’ right to practice behavior analysis. The project’s purpose is to facilitate discussion among state contacts, and maintain a database of information that might be helpful to those states seeking certification.

  

Article VI - Amendments

Section 1: Amendments

These by-laws may be amended, when deemed necessary, by a majority of the board of directors at any noticed meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the secretary/treasurer to be sent out with regular board meeting announcements.

  

Certification

  

These by-laws were unanimously approved by teleconference of the founding board on _____________.