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BYLAWS |
The name of this corporation shall be the Potomac Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PCRID).
The principal objective shall be to initiate, sponsor, promote and execute policies and activities that will further the profession of the interpretation of American Sign Language and English and the transliteration of English.
A. Voting Members
1. Certified: A PCRID member who is a Certified member in good standing of RID.
2. Associate: A PCRID member who is an Associate member in good standing of RID.
3. Student: A PCRID member who is currently enrolled in an interpreting degree program at a college or university AND who is also a student member in good standing of RID.
1. Organizational: An organization or business.
2. Supporting: A PCRID member who is not a Certified, Associate, or Student member of RID.
Those interested in membership may submit an application online and send the correct dues for the appropriate membership category. Upon receipt, a confirmation will be sent.
The Board of Directors has the authority to fix and/or amend the amount of annual dues as they deem appropriate. Notification of any changes in the dues structure will be given to the membership at least 60 days prior to implementation.
1. A member who has paid the established annual dues for the current membership year shall be considered a member in good standing.
2. Membership Year is defined as the period from July 1 – June 30.
The Membership Coordinator shall, sixty (60) days prior to the end of the membership year, send all current members a renewal reminder for the upcoming membership year. Annual dues shall be paid by each member, directly to the corporation. Members whose dues are received and paid by July 31st for that membership year shall not be considered delinquent. The full membership fee will be charged regardless of when in the year a member joins.
A. Certified members in good standing with this corporation and with RID shall have one vote on all matters open to vote.
B. Associate members in good standing with this corporation and with RID shall have one vote on all matters open to membership except those pertaining to evaluation and certification.
C. Student members in good standing with this corporation and with RID shall have one vote on all matters open to membership vote that specifically deal with PCRID interests only and do not pertain to evaluation and certification.
D. Organizational and Supporting members hold a non-voting status.
E. PCRID does not issue or honor proxies.
A. Suspension or expulsion for cause
Any member whose membership is suspended or revoked for cause by the Board of Directors, the Ethical Practices System and/or the Certification Council of RID will automatically be suspended or expelled from the Chapter until such time as membership can be reinstated.
B. Non-payment of dues
Failure to pay annual dues by July 31st of that membership year shall result in termination of membership.
C. Resignation
Any member may resign before the expiration of membership by surrendering their membership card to the Membership Coordinator. Resignation invalidates all rights and privileges of Chapter membership. Membership dues are non-refundable and the resigning member will remain culpable for any and all accrued dues or charges unpaid.
D. Appeals
Suspension or revocation of membership may be appealed to the Board of Directors of this Chapter.
A. Reinstatement following Suspension or Expulsion for Cause
Upon notice of reinstatement of membership from the Board of Directors, a former member may apply for reinstatement.
B. Reinstatement Following Termination for Non-Payment of Dues or Resignation
Upon re-application for membership and payment of annual dues for the current year, a member shall be reinstated.
C. APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT
A former member who satisfies the requirements of reinstatement may apply by submitting an application form to the Board of Directors with the appropriate fees. Upon receipt of the application form and fees, membership shall be reinstated and all rights and privileges shall resume.
Chapter membership is non-transferable.
Members may change their membership status by contacting the Membership Coordinator and paying any and all fees at time of request.
The Board of Directors shall consist of a President, Director of Communication, Director of Professional Development, Director of Meetings, Treasurer, Director of Membership, and Director of Community Relations.
A. Powers
1. To prescribe officers powers and duties consistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation, and these Bylaws; and fix their compensation.
2. To conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of the affiliate chapter and to make rules and regulations consistent with the law, the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.
3. To borrow money or incur indebtedness for the purposes of the corporation and for that purpose to cause to be executed and delivered, in the corporate name, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, or other evidence of debt.
4. To establish/abolish liaisons with other organizations.
B. Limitations
Directors shall not concurrently serve as an elected officer on the national Board of Directors of RID.
A. General Duties
1. To perform any and all duties imposed on them by law, the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or as directed by the membership.
2. To adopt, make and use a corporate seal, corporate logo, and to prescribe the form of membership cards.
3. To approve an annual budget for the maintenance and operation of this corporation.
B. Officers
1. President
The President shall have general supervision and direction of the affairs of the corporation and other duties as prescribed by the Board or the membership. The President can also appoint any committees, including standing, special and/or ad hoc, composed of voting members in good standing. The President will have co-signature responsibility with the Treasurer on all checks and warrants for the withdrawal of corporate funds. And the President will set the agenda and conduct all Board meetings, the annual conference business meeting(s), and any special meetings of the membership.
2. Director of Communication
In the absence of the President, The Director of Communication shall perform all the duties of the President and in so acting, shall have all the powers of the President. The Director of Communication shall oversee all manner of communication to the membership and the broader community, provide periodic reports on communications to the Board of Directors and have other powers and duties as prescribed by the Board and/or the membership.
3. Director of Professional Development
The Director of Professional Development shall oversee the professional development committee and the mentorship committee, provide periodic reports on professional development activities to the Board of Directors and have other powers and duties as prescribed by the Board and/or the membership.
4. Director of Meetings
The Director of Meetings shall keep a full and accurate record of the proceedings of the Board and annual and/or special business meetings of the membership, maintain the records of the corporation, handle all official correspondence of the corporation, oversee the logistics of all meetings (including the annual conference), and have other powers and duties as prescribed by the Board and/or the membership.
5. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall oversee the Certification Maintenance Program and budgets for all programs (e.g. Annual Conference Committee, Professional Development Committee), supervise the receipt and safekeeping of all funds of the corporation and deposit them in the bank or banks that may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer will have co-signature responsibility with the President for signing checks and warrants for the withdrawal of corporate funds, provide periodic reports on financial standing to the Board of Directors and have other powers and duties as prescribed by the board and/or the membership.
6. Director of Membership
The Director of Membership shall oversee membership services, such as recruitment, retention, and membership records, provide periodic reports on membership services to the Board of Directors and have other powers and duties as prescribed by the board and/or the membership.
7. Director of Community Relations
The Director of Community Relations shall oversee the various liaisons to community organizations, serve as the liaison to organizational members, oversee the corporation’s advocacy efforts, provide periodic reports on outreach efforts to the community to the Board of Directors and have other powers and duties as prescribed by the board and/or the membership.
Each officer serving on the Board of Directors of the corporation must be a member of this affiliate chapter as well as a member of RID, Inc. In addition, the President shall have been a member of the corporation and a member of RID for at least two years prior to serving.
A. Terms of office for the President, Director of Professional Development, Director of Meetings and Director of Community Relations shall be two years. Terms shall commence on January 1st of odd numbered years.
B. Terms of office for the Director of Membership, Director of Communications, and Treasurer shall be two years. Terms shall commence on January 1st of even numbered years.
A. A call for nominations shall be made to the membership no less than 30 days prior to an election.
B. Members seeking election must be members in good standing of the affiliate chapter and RID; and be nominated and seconded by members in good standing of the affiliate chapter.
C. Officers and Members at Large shall be elected by voting members of the affiliate chapter during the annual business meeting preceding the expiration of the term of office whose position the members seek to fill. Their terms of office shall commence on January 1st of the year immediately following said election.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall occur upon resignation, removal, or death of any Officer or when the number of Board positions is increased by amendments to these Bylaws of the Charter of the corporation.
A. Resignation
Any Officer or Member at Large may resign upon giving at least two-week prior written notice to the President or Director of Meetings.
B. Appointment to fill a vacancy
Any vacancy occurring on the Board may be filled by affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors.
C. Individuals appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the remainder of the term of their predecessor.
A. The Board of Directors shall meet at least four times annually on dates and at locations selected by the Board.
B. The agenda of Board meetings will be prepared by the President and distributed to the Board members at least one week prior to the meeting.
C. Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the President or, in the absence of the President, by the Director of Membership.
D. The Director of Meetings shall act as a recording secretary at all meetings of the Board. In the absence of the Director of Meetings, the Presiding Officer shall appoint a person as acting for the meeting.
E. All Board meetings will be open to the membership and/or visitors, unless designated as such by the Officers of the affiliate chapter.
F. Interpreters: Board meetings will be interpreted upon request. Requests for interpreters must be placed at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. Requests placed less than two weeks before the meeting will be honored if possible, but not guaranteed.
G. Any meeting, regular or special, with a majority of the Board present may be held by conference call or similar communication equipment.
A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board. Should fewer than a majority of Directors attend a Board meeting, the meeting will be adjourned and rescheduled.
A. The members of the Board of Directors of the affiliate chapter shall have no compensation for their services as Directors.
B. The Directors may be reimbursed by the affiliate chapter for reasonable expenses incurred for the purpose of attending any regular, annual, or special meetings of the Board, and for reasonable expenses made for the purpose of doing affiliate chapter business.
Upon the Board of Director’s approval, the President shall appoint and charge any committees, including standing, special and/or ad hoc, composed of voting members in good standing. A majority of the entire committee shall constitute a quorum.
A. Standing
The number of standing committees will vary depending on the needs of the Chapter. They shall be appointed by the President when deemed necessary, or be discontinued when deemed no longer necessary by a majority decision of the Board.
B. Special/Ad Hoc
Shall be appointed by the President when deemed necessary to carry out the work of the affiliate chapter. Committees will serve until the assigned task(s) is completed, or when deemed no longer necessary by a majority decision of the Board.
C. Vacancies
Upon the Board of Directors’ approval, the President shall appoint individuals who are voting members in good standing to fill committee vacancies.
An annual conference shall be held for the purpose of providing an opportunity for professional development of the members, to conduct necessary business of the affiliate chapter, and/or provide a forum for the exchange of information among the members and the general public on/about the profession of interpreting. Notice of the meeting shall be given to the members no less than 60 days prior to the date scheduled. A committee shall be appointed by the President to plan the event, and chaired by an individual chosen by a majority vote of the Board.
A. Conduct of Meetings
Unless otherwise directed by the members, all meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
B. Quorum
Ten percent (10%) of the voting members determined by the membership roll of the affiliate chapter thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the Board, or by a written petition of not less than ten percent (10%) of the voting members. Written notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be given at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
The Board may designate any place within Maryland or the District of Columbia as the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting.
In order to remain in good standing, a member must pay annual dues in amounts to be fixed by the Board of Directors.
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of July and end on the thirtieth day of June.
The Bylaws may be amended or repealed by approval of two-thirds of the eligible voting members in attendance and voting during a regular, annual, or special meeting of the membership, or by Mail Referendum, with 90 days prior notice. Amendments must be reviewed and approved by the Bylaws Committee prior to voting, or in the absence of a Bylaws Committee, by the Board of Directors.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern PCRID in cases in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or with the governing documents of RID.
View the 2013 Bylaws Referendum
