BY-LAWS
NORTH TEXAS
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND
CONSTABLES ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP AND AREA
SECTION 1
The incorporated name of this Association is North Texas Justices of the Peace and Constables Association, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Association"). This Association shall be expressly for the benefit of and to serve the needs of Justices of the Peace and Constables of the areas as stipulated in Article I, Section 2. The Association shall provide education to the citizens of Texas regarding Civil Law and Criminal Law as it applies or pertains to Justices of the Peace and Constables.
SECTION 2
This Association will encompass, but not be limited to, 74 counties in North Texas. This region will consist of the following counties:
ANDERSON, ARCHER, BAYLOR, BOSQUE, BOWIE, BROWN, CALLAHAN, CAMP, CASS, CHEROKEE, CLAY, COLEMAN, COLLIN, COMANCHE, COOKE, CORYELL, DALLAS, DELTA, DENTON, EASTLAND, ELLIS, ERATH, FALLS, FANNIN, FOARD, FRANKLIN, FREESTONE, GRAYSON, GREGG, HAMILTON, HARDEMAN, HARRISON, HASKELL, HENDERSON, HILL, HOOD, HOPKINS, HUNT, JACK, JOHNSON, JONES, KAUFMAN, KNOX, LAMAR, LIMESTONE, MARION, MCLENNAN, MILLS, MONTAGUE, MORRIS, NAVARRO, PALO PINTO, PANOLA, PARKER, RAINS, RED RIVER, ROCKWALL, RUNNELS, RUSK, SHACKLEFORD, SMITH, SOMERVELL, STEPHENS, TARRANT, TAYLOR, THROCKMORTON, TITUS, UPSHUR, VAN ZANDT, WICHITA, WILBARGER, WISE, WOOD, YOUNG.
SECTION 3
Any Justice of the Peace, Constable, Clerk, or Deputy Constable from the state of Texas may hold voting membership, but may not hold an elective office unless his jurisdiction falls within the area listed in Article I, Section 2. Also, any Past President who no longer is in his official capacity and whose dues are current may hold full voting membership, but may not hold an elective office in this Association.
SECTION 4
Any Justice of the Peace, Constable, Clerk, or Deputy Constable of any state of the United States may hold non-voting membership in the Association, but may not hold an elective office in the Association.
SECTION 5
Reputable persons who have an interest in the preservation and improvement of the offices of the Justice of the Peace or Constable may hold honorary non-voting membership in the Association, but may not hold an elective office in the Association. Honorary memberships shall be (a) Honorary Standing Member, (b) Honorary Benefactor Member, and (c) Honorary Endowment Member. (Honorary designations are described in Article II, Section 4 below.)
SECTION 6
Reputable persons who have an interest in the preservation and improvement of the offices of the Justice of the Peace or Constable may hold honorary non-voting membership by paying $25.00 annual dues, but only upon the endorsement of the Justice of the Peace or Constable for the precinct where the applicant resides. Said Honorary Member may not hold an elected office in the Association.
SECTION 7
The Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as "Board"), at any regular meeting, may cancel the membership of any member who has been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, failure to pay dues, or for any conduct unbecoming to a Justice of the Peace, Constable, Clerk, or Deputy Constable.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP FEES AND DUES
SECTION 1
All membership dues shall be $25.00 per fiscal year.
SECTION 2
A lifetime membership may be obtained by a one time payment of $100.00.
SECTION 3
Special assessments may be made by the Board by a favorable two-thirds vote of the voting membership at any Annual Conference
SECTION 4
An Honorary Member shall be assessed the following dues:
(a) Standing member $100.00;
(b) Benefactor member $500.00; and
(c) Endowment (lifetime) member $1,000.00.
SECTION 5
The president of the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas shall hold and honorary in the North Texas Justices of the Peace and Constables Association Inc. that will run concurrent with the presidential term of The Justices of the Peace and Constables Association Inc. of Texas. The person holding the office will be a voting member of the North Texas Justices of the Peace and Constables Association and there shall be no membership fee.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 1
The Association shall elect the following officers: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, Chaplain, and Parliamentarian. Each of these officers must be a duly qualified Justice of the Peace, Constable, Clerk, or Deputy Constable in good standing, serving in the counties of Article I, Section 2, The Justice of the Peace or Constable for whom a Clerk or Deputy Constable works must approve their nomination before they maybe elected to office.
SECTION 2
The Board shall comprise the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, Judge Advocate/Parliamentarian (if appointed by the President as directed in Article VII, Section 1), Chaplain, Immediate Past President, and four At Large Board Members elected by the voting members at the previous Annual Conference. The members of the Board shall be referred to as “Directors”. The four At Large Board Members shall be a Justice of the Peace, Constable, Clerk, or Deputy Constable in good standing and serve in one of the counties listed in Article I, Section 2, Should a vacancy occur on the Board, the President shall appoint a qualified member in good standing for the remainder of the term. The President may appoint a special projects board member.
SECTION 3
All Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Annual Conference and shall serve until the following Annual Conference. All Officers and Directors may be elected for additional terms.
SECTION 4
Officers and Directors who cease to qualify as an Association member shall be immediately removed from office and replaced by a qualified member appointed by the President.
SECTION 5
Should the President no longer qualify to serve, he shall be succeeded by the First Vice-President and then the Second Vice-President.
SECTION 6
The President shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors and will preside over all Board meetings.
SECTION 7
In the absence of the President, the order of precedence over the Board shall be: First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, and Third Vice-President, Secretary followed by Treasurer.
SECTION 8
A meeting of the Board shall be held on the day preceding the Annual Conference.
SECTION 9
The President may call a meeting of the Board at any time during the year, when deemed necessary, at a place and date of the President's choice, by giving written notice at least three (3) days prior to said meeting. The Board may vote reasonable and necessary expenses to any member of the Board whose expenses are not paid by their respective county. This will be paid by Association funds.
SECTION 10
Seven Directors shall constitute a quorum for business transactions. Directors shall have the authority to act for the Association in all business matters necessary for the proper conduct of the Association. The Board shall select the locations for the annual training schedule at the first called meeting.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
SECTION 1
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and carry out all duties provided for in Article III. The President shall also perform all other duties pertaining to his office.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
SECTION 1
In the absence of the President, the First Vice-President shall act in his place for all purposes. The First Vice-President will serve as the Program Chairman responsible for coordinating and scheduling the meetings.
SECTION 2
In the absence of the First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President shall act in his place for all purposes.
SECTION 3
In the absence of the Second Vice-President, the Third Vice-President shall act in his place for all purposes.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
SECTION 1
In the absence of the Third Vice-President, the Secretary shall act in his place for all purposes.
SECTION 2
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings.
SECTION 3
The Secretary shall keep a record of all membership fees paid and all membership fees due, and to file any reports required by these Bylaws, or otherwise deemed necessary.
SECTION 4
The Secretary will issue dues cards to all paid members co-signed by the President.
SECTION 5
The Secretary and Treasurer shall be under surety bond to the Association in an amount to be determined by the Board, and the premium on said bond shall be paid by the Association.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
SECTION 1
In the absence of the Secretary the Treasurer shall act in his place for all purposes.
SECTION 2
The Treasurer shall keep the record books and reports of the Association, and shall make an annual report to the President of all cash on hand; all expenses, all receipts and all disbursements, and shall make a complete financial statement including all money on hand and a list of the assets and liabilities of the Association. The financial statement shall be presented during the Annual Conference.
SECTION 3
The Treasurer shall pay all bills from the Association funds.
SECTION 4
The Treasurer shall record Membership fees paid and any and all other funds received from any source.
SECTION 5
The Treasurer shall prepare and issue all checks. The Board shall designate three officers who will be eligible to countersign the checks. The checks will require the Secretary-Treasurer and one other signature.
ARTICLE VIII
DUTIES OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE/PARLIAMENTARIAN
SECTION 1
The Judge Advocate/Parliamentarian of the Association shall act for and in behalf of the Association in all legal matters and parliamentarian rules referred to him by the President or the Board. The President may appoint the Judge Advocate/Parliamentarian with a majority confirmation vote of the Board. His term of office expires with the President and the Board that confirms him.
ARTICLE IX
DUTIES OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS
SECTION 1
The Sergeant at Arms shall keep order at meetings and assist the President by carrying out all necessary activities.
ARTICLE X
DUTIES OF THE CHAPLAIN
SECTION 1
The Chaplain shall give the invocation at each meeting and be responsible for memorial services at our Annual Conference.
ARTICLE XI
DUTIES OF THE AT LARGE DIRECTORS
SECTION 1
The four At Large Directors shall comprise the Membership Committee to set guidelines for obtaining new members. They shall select a Chairman from among themselves and shall have the authority to appoint other members to serve on the committee.
ARTICLE XII
ANNUAL AUDIT
SECTION 1
An annual audit of all financial records shall be held within 30 days after the election of officers. This audit will be performed by the Audit Committee, consisting of two members of the Association not holding office in the Association. This committee shall be appointed by the President at the Annual Conference to serve for one year. The Treasurer shall make all records available to the committee and shall cooperate with them in conducting the audit. This committee may also examine all financial records at any time during the year when they or the President shall deem such an examination is necessary.
ARTICLE XIII
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SECTION 1
Bids for hosting the next Annual Conference shall be presented and voted on by the membership present at the Annual Conference. If no bids are received, the Board shall select the time and place for the next Annual Conference at the first board meeting following the conclusion of the Annual Conference.
SECTION 2
The Annual Conference will be awarded to the Justice of the Peace and/or Constable who will serve as host and assume the responsibility for arranging for meeting facilities, hotels, and all other necessary functions.
The Board has the authority to approve or disapprove the arrangements and to set the amount of registration.
ARTICLE XIV
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
SECTION 1
The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee prior to the Annual Conference who shall prepare a slate of the eight primary officers.
SECTION 2
The four Directors must be nominated from the floor and any eligible member may be nominated for any office from the floor.
SECTION 3
Each nominee shall be voted on individually by the members present.
ARTICLE XV
ANNUAL ELECTION
SECTION 1
Annual election of Officers and Directors shall be held during the Annual Conference and will serve until the conclusion of the following Annual Conference.
SECTION 2
All voting members of the Association who are in good standing shall have the privilege of casting one vote per subject matter brought before the membership.
ARTICLE XVI
FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 1
The fiscal year shall be from November 1st through October 31st of the following year.
ARTICLE XVII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
Any amendment to the Bylaws shall be made only by a two-thirds vote of the voting members assembled at the Annual Conference.
ARTICLE XVIII
PROCEDURE IF ASSOCIATION DISSOLVED
SECTION 1
In the event this Association is ever dissolved, any funds remaining will be turned over to the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas, Inc.
ARTICLE XIX
PROCEDURE FOR EXPELLING A MEMBER FOR CAUSE
In the event a member is accused of a crime or moral improprieties, a hearing shall be conducted by the by the Board to determine if the member is to be expelled from the Association. The accused may be represented by him or her self or by his or her representative at a hearing date and place designated by the President. The board must consist of a quorum. Upon hearing the case the Board shall by a majority vote decide if the accused will be expelled from the Association.
During the hearing phase, the accused shall be suspended from any duties, action or representation regarding the Association.
Revised - December 2008