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Constitution & Bylaws

Constitution and Bylaws of the Iowa Narcotics Officers' Association

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ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this Association shall be the Iowa Narcotics Officers' Association, hereinafter known as the “Association” and/or INOA. The Bylaws of the Association shall govern the administration and operation of the Association.
 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The Association recognizes that narcotics, drugs, and other addictive substances are, and have been, one of the greatest internal threats to the citizens of the United States, the State of Iowa, and each of our communities. The purpose of the Iowa Narcotics Officers' Association is to provide education and training and to facilitate the establishment and growth of partnerships and communication between members.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility for membership shall be set forth in the bylaws, and applicants for membership shall comply with and be subject to the requirements imposed by these bylaws. Questions relating to eligibility shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 1: MEMBERSHIP

  • The INOA shall have three classes of membership as follows:

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

  • A full-time sworn peace officer employed by any federal, state, county, or municipal agency;

  • Prosecutors employed by the United States, state of Iowa , or any county or municipality within the state of Iowa;

  • Criminalists, crime scene technicians, lab technicians, and criminal / intelligence analysts employed by a governmental agency or the armed forces of the United States, and others in associated career fields.

Any person who retires or has retired in good standing and would have been, prior to their retirement, eligible for active membership per the above criteria, may join or continue as an active member.

Active members who are not sworn peace officers may not qualify for certain training as per rules of DEA and other agencies providing training.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate members shall be those who have an interest in the goals and objectives of this organization and / or possess a particular expertise which will enhance the mission of the Association.

Associate members may not vote on any issue and they may not hold elective or appointive office within the Association.

Associate members may not qualify for certain training as per rules of DEA and other agencies providing training.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Any active member who has served the Association with honor and distinction, upon nomination to and recommendation of the Board of Directors, and approval by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the membership present at the next Annual Meeting, may be awarded a free lifetime membership.

SECTION 2: APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Application for membership in the Association must be completed in its entirety and must be accompanied by payment of all applicable fees and a minimum of one year's dues. Application and dues shall be submitted to the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall forward the application to the President. The membership application will be reviewed by the Board of Directors for approval or denial.

Should the Board of Directors find the applicant to be unqualified for membership, by failure to meet the minimum standards for the type of membership applied for or for any other reason deemed to be so serious as to preclude favorable consideration, the application, together with the dues submitted, shall be returned to the applicant along with a letter explaining the reason the application was denied.

All members of the Association are subject to and bound by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association existing at that time or as they may thereafter be amended.

SECTION 3: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Any member of this Association may be suspended or terminated from membership:

  • Upon termination of the member's employment, except as provided for by Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution and Bylaws of this Association. The member may make written application to the Board of Directors to continue their membership. Upon receipt of such application, the Board of Directors may, by their unanimous vote, continue the paid membership of that person until the next full business meeting to the Association, at which time the continued membership of such member shall be determined by majority vote of the members present.

  • Upon the non-payment of required dues.

  • By a majority vote of the Board of Directors at a regularly called board meeting, provided a quorum is present, a member may be expelled or suspended from membership in the Association if the board finds that said member is guilty of conduct prejudicial to the good name or best interest thereof who has exhibited traits of character or conduct inconsistent with such membership; provided, however, that no member shall be so expelled without being afforded an opportunity, after due notice by mail, to defend or explain their position, or to offset the charges against them, either in their own behalf or through other persons.

ARTICLE IV: DUES

Annual dues of this Association shall be $25.00 for all Active and Associate members. All dues are payable January 1 of each year and considered delinquent if not paid by the commencement of the Annual Training Conference.

Annual dues of this Association shall be changed by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting acting upon a recommendation from the Board of Directors.

The fiscal year of this Association shall be from January 1 to December 31. The books and accounts of the Association shall be audited annually by an independent accounting firm selected by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V: BUSINESS MEETINGS

SECTION 1: ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the members shall be held at the Annual Conference which will take place between March 1 and May 31 each year at a date, time, and location to be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

Board of Directors meetings will be held quarterly, or as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The President shall have the authority to convene special meetings of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3: QUORUM

A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be at least one-half of the members of said Board. At any duly called conference or special meeting of the membership, one-twentieth of the membership of the Association personally present and entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 4: VOTING

In all elections for Executive Officers and Regional Directors of the Association, every member entitled to vote shall be permitted to cast only one vote, in person at the Annual Meeting, for each elective office.

Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of any matter voted on by members.

SECTION 5: ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business for Board meetings shall be:

  • Call to order

  • Roll Call of Membership

  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting

  • Treasurer's report

  • Committee reports

  • Old business

  • New business

  • Adjournment

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS  

SECTION 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The permanent members of the Board of Directors shall consist of four (4) Executive Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer), six (6) Regional Directors and the Immediate Past President. Each Board member will have one (1) vote. The Immediate Past President shall act as a non-voting member / advisor to the Board of Directors, except in the event of a tie.

The President may appoint At-Large Director(s) to the Board of Directors. At-Large Directors will each have one (1) vote. Any such At-Large appointment will be ratified by a vote of the Board of Directors. At-Large Directors will remain until the necessity for their position on the Board of Directors is no longer deemed necessary. The termination of any At-Large Director's position will also be done by a vote of the Board of Directors.

The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and one-half of the Regional Directors positions shall be elected annually by the members eligible to vote that are in attendance at the Annual Meeting.

The Regional Directors shall serve for a term of two years and shall be elected accordingly by the members eligible to vote from each region that are in attendance at the Annual Meeting. The term of office shall commence at the close of Annual Conference.

SECTION 2: DUTIES

President - shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association; shall appoint the chairperson and members of committees; shall appoint At-Large Directors as deemed necessary; shall see that orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried out.

Vice-President - shall act in the place and stead of the President in the event of his absence, inability or refusal to act; and shall exercise and discharge such other duties as may be required of him by the Board of Directors.

Secretary - shall keep and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the minutes of all meetings of the members of the Association, maintain all records of the Association and perform such other duties as directed by the President.

Treasurer - shall keep and maintain all membership books, financial records and other such books and records as the Board of Directors may direct. The Treasurer shall prepare an accounting of all funds monthly and a full business report to the Association at the end of each year. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all funds of the Association. A majority vote of the Board of Directors present is required for expenditures greater than $200. The Treasurer shall disburse funds as are directed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. At the expiration of the Treasurer's term, the Treasurer shall deliver to the successor all money, property and records of the Association in the Treasurer's care, custody and control.

Regional Director - shall represent their assigned geographical area. At each Annual Meeting, the members from each region having a vacancy, shall caucus to elect a Regional Director. Regional Directors shall serve as members of the Board of Directors and will represent the interests of their regions at Board meetings. Regional Directors will coordinate all Association business within their region during their tenure.

Immediate Past President - shall continue as a member of the Board of Directors. The Immediate Past President will not have the power to vote on matters before the Board of Directors except in the event of a tie vote. The Immediate Past President shall render the tie-breaking vote.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTIONS

Elections for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Regional Directors shall be held at the Annual Meeting of the Association. Elections for the office of President shall take place first, followed by the remaining Executive Officer seats and, finally, the Regional Directors seats. Candidates for any seat as an Executive Officer of the Association will have first served as a Regional Director or At-Large Director.

In the event that there are no candidates meeting the requirements for an elected office, nominations will be taken from the voting membership present at the Annual Meeting. Offices filled in this manner will require the approval of at least sixty percent (60%) of the voting members present at the Annual Meeting.

In the election of Regional Directors, Regions 1, 3 and 5 will be elected in years ending in an odd number while Regions 2, 4 and 6 will be elected in years ending with an even number.

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

The Association Board of Directors will maintain standing committees and as many ad-hoc committees as deemed necessary by the Board. Committee members must be members of INOA as defined in Article III. Committee meetings will be held at the discretion of the Committee Chair. Each committee shall keep minutes and records of all meetings for presentation to the Board.

Standing Committees may include:

  • Conference Committee – responsible for the preparation and operation of the annual conference.

  • Credentials and Elections – responsible for confirming the eligibility of the membership present at the annual conference, as well as the distribution and tallying of ballots during general elections.

  • Training Committee – responsible for arranging the program for the annual conference and assist with training provided by area agencies as requested.

  • Publicity Committee – responsible for preparing and disseminating a newsletter to the general membership. Also serve as liaison to the media for matters relating to the Association.

The Board of Directors of the Association may appoint other committees as deemed necessary for the benefit and advancement of the Association.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

The Constitution and Bylaws of the Association may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present at the next Annual Meeting, provided that notice has been made in writing to the membership at least 15 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

If, for any reason, the Association shall be dissolved, the assets of the Association shall be used to fulfill existing financial obligations at the time of the dissolution and to pay such expenses as are necessary to dissolve the Association.

Any assets remaining shall be transferred to a nonprofit organization, selected by the Board of Directors, which has been formed for purposes substantially similar to those established in these bylaws.

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