BYLAWS
of
THE GREATER
Revised –
ARTICLE I - NAME
This corporation shall
be known as “THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA LOCKSMITH’S ASSOCIATION”, hereafter
called the “ASSOCIATION”.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
SECTION
A
To inspire public confidence and reliance upon the
locksmith craft by educating the public and public officials in security
improvement and enhancement.
SECTION
B
To exchange technical
information and data with other members of the ASSOCIATION.
SECTION
C
To
render to its members reasonable assistance in order to improve service to and
the security of the public.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Current members
of the ASSOCIATION will retain their status unchanged as reflected by the
bylaws in effect at the time that they joined the ASSOCIATION. Any member, current or future, may, at their
option, apply to qualify for any of the following types of membership, subject
to the conditions contained herein.
SECTION
A – MEMBERSHIP STATUS
ACTIVE
MEMBER: Any individual of good
character; who is at least twenty one (21) years of age; is currently and has
been lawfully engaged in providing locksmith services for a period of not less
than two (2) years; and can qualify under the rules and regulations in effect
at the time of application. Such members
shall have full rights as enumerated in these Bylaws after serving a
probationary period not to exceed six (6) months. Such membership shall be renewable yearly
provided the individual remains employed in the security industry.
APPRENTICE MEMBER: Any individual of good character; who is at
least eighteen (18) years of age; who has graduated from an accredited
locksmith school or course and/or is employed by a security service company; and
can qualify under the rules and regulations in effect at the time of
application. Such
member shall have no right to advertise, vote or hold office and may stay in
this category for a period not longer than three (3) years, provided the
individual remains employed in the security industry.
ASSOCIATE
MEMBER: Any individual of good
character; who is it at least twenty one (21) years of age and who is employed
as a representative of a company engaged in supplying or manufacturing security
hardware. Such membership shall be
renewable yearly provided the individual remains employed in the security
industry. Such members may advertise as
an associate member after a six (6) month probationary period and have full
rights as enumerated in these Bylaws after a period of three (3) years from the
date joined.
LIFE
MEMBER: Any member, who has been a
member of the ASSOCIATION for a minimum of twenty (20) years and is, at the
time of application, a member of the ASSOCIATION is eligible to apply for this
status. Such member shall be entitled to
receive the ASSOCIATION Newsletter and to attend meetings, but shall have no
right to vote, hold office or advertise ASSOCIATION membership. Such member may, upon payment of dues for the
balance of the then current year, return to the last held membership status.
INACTIVE
MEMBER: Any member in good
SECTION
B – MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
1. ACTIVE
MEMBER: In addition to ARTICLE III,
SECTION A, SUBSECTION (1), applicant must show proof of satisfactory completion
of five (5) trade related or factory certification courses. In lieu of this, applicant, with good cause,
may request a waiver from the Board of Directors. Good cause may be, but is not restricted to:
Membership in another recognized Association or Certification by a national testing
procedure (such as ALOA or SAVTA PRP).
Applicant must have one (1) member reference.
a. With
the exception of no more than two (2) classes, training courses must be
strictly related to safes and locks and the practice thereof.
2. APPRENTICE
MEMBER: In addition to ARTICLE III,
SECTION A, SUBSECTION (2), applicant must have one (1) member reference.
3. Associate
MEMBER: In addition to ARTICLE III,
SECTION A, SUBSECTION (3), applicant must have one (1) member reference.
SECTION
C – MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. The
applicant must attend two (2) regular meetings, after which applicant may
request an application from the CORRESPONDING SECRETARY or the MEMBERSHIP
CHAIRMAN.
a. This
requirement, along with the required member reference in ARTICLE III, SECTION
E, SUBSECTIONS (1), (2), (3), is waived if the applicant attends any meeting
declared as “Open Enrollment” by the President.
2. The
completed application and appropriate initiation fee, as specified in the
STANDING RULES, must be returned to the CORRESPONDING SECRETARY or the
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN within one (1) month of its issue. Upon acceptance, an invoice for prorated dues
for the remainder of the year (from date of member acceptance) will be
presented to each new member and must be paid by the following meeting.
3. The
BOARD OF DIRECTORS will verify whether the qualifications under ARTICLE III,
SECTIONS A and B are met as well as any additional qualifications listed in the
Standing Rules.
4. The
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY or the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN will report to the BOARD OF
DIRECTORS the results of their findings, with only BOARD OF DIRECTORS
present. An affirmative vote of
two-thirds (2/3) of the members present is required to approve an applicant for
presentation to the membership.
5. Applicants
approved by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS will be voted on by the general membership
by secret paper ballot. A negative vote
requires the signature of the voter.
Negative votes without identification are void and will be disregarded. To insure the secrecy of any negative voting
member, the PRESIDENT will appoint an OFFICER or MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS and two (2) members in good standing to act as ballot counters.
6. Two
(2) negative votes will bar the applicant from membership. Four (4) negative votes or less may be
appealed by the applicant to the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The CHAIRMAN may, at his discretion, require
the members casting the negative vote to explain their reasons to the BOARD in
full privacy. Negative votes without
just cause or reason may be reversed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the MEMBERS
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS present.
Refusal to explain a negative vote will nullify that vote.
7. Accepted
members will serve up to a six (6) month probationary period, during which the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS will determine whether the new member will be an asset to
the ASSOCIATION. At any time during the
probationary period, the BOARD OF DIRECTORS may terminate such membership. During said probation period, no decals or
other form of advertising of ASSOCIATION membership is allowed.
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
SECTION
A – REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings
of the ASSOCIATION members shall be held the third Monday of each month. Meeting dates may be cancelled at the
discretion of the PRESIDENT or THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The
PRESIDENT may, from time to time, designate a regular meeting to be an “Open
Enrollment” meeting.
SECTION
B – SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special
meetings of the ASSOCIATION may be called at the direction of the PRESIDENT or
upon written request presented to the PRESIDENT by ten (10) members in good
standing having the right to vote. Ten
(10) days written notice of any special meeting shall be sent by the
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY to the members.
Only the business set forth in the notice may be transacted at such
special meeting.
SECTION
C – QUORUM
Nineteen
(19) members having the right to vote shall constitute a quorum for trans
SECTION
D – BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
The
BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall meet at least once every three (3) months from
September to June inclusive, at a time and place designated by the
CHAIRMAN. At least five (5) days notice
of the time and place of the meeting shall be given. Eight (8) BOARD MEMBERS shall constitute a
quorum for the trans
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
SECTION
A – ROW OFFICERS
ROW
OFFICERS of the ASSOCIATION shall consist of PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT,
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, RECORDING SECRETARY AND
SERGEANT AT ARMS. Upon leaving office, each officer shall deliver to his
successor all books, papers and other articles pertaining to such office.
SECTION
B – PRESIDENT
The
PRESIDENT shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the ASSOCIATION. The PRESIDENT shall preside over all meetings
of the membership and see that all orders of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS are carried
into effect. The PRESIDENT, or
PRESIDENTIAL DESIGNEE, shall, in the name of the ASSOCIATION, execute all
bonds, mortgages, contracts and other instruments when authorized by the BOARD
OF DIRECTORS. The PRESIDENT shall
appoint all heads of committees and fill vacancies and approve the committee
members appointed by the head of the committee.
The PRESIDENT shall be an ex-officio member of all committees without
right of vote and shall not vote at any meeting of the membership except in the
event of a tie vote of the members on any question. The PRESIDENT shall appoint, not later than
the first day of January each year, an AUDITING COMMITTEE to audit the books
and records of the ASSOCIATION. The
AUDITING COMMITTEE shall submit a written report to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS not
later than the March BOARD meeting. In
the event that the March meeting is canceled, the report will be presented at
the following BOARD meeting.
SECTION
B – VICE PRESIDENT
The
VICE PRESIDENT shall, in the temporary absence of the PRESIDENT, exercise the
powers and perform the duties of the PRESIDENT, and shall perform such other
duties as shall from time to time be specified by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS or the
PRESIDENT.
SECTION
C – CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
The
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY shall attend to all correspondence of the ASSOCIATION
and shall be responsible for all other papers, documents and records (written
or electronic) of the ASSOCIATION, except as otherwise provided by these
bylaws. The CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
shall have charge of the corporate seal and shall affix said seal to such
instruments that require same. The
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY shall send notices of special membership meetings to
the members.
SECTION
D – RECORDING SECRETARY
The
RECORDING SECRETARY shall maintain and record the minutes of all meetings of
the membership and of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The RECORDING SECRETARY shall maintain an index of all resolutions
passed at such meetings. The RECORDING
SECRETARY shall send a copy of the minutes to the PRESIDENT, CHAIRMAN and
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SECTION
E – SERGEANT AT ARMS
The
SERGEANT AT ARMS shall be responsible for maintaining order at all meetings and
shall make the necessary arrangements for proper seating of members and guests
at meetings. The SERGEANT AT ARMS shall
see that the flag of the UNITED STATES is uncovered prior to the start of each
meeting and that it is properly covered after the close of the meeting. The SERGEANT AT ARMS shall carry out other
instructions, which the PRESIDENT may from time to time issue pertaining to the
proper conduct of any and all meetings.
SECTION
F – VACANCIES
In
the event any office shall become vacant, the BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall within
one month of learning of such vacancy, chose a successor to hold office for the
balance of the term in which the vacancy occurred.
SECTION
G – TERMS OF OFFICE
No
OFFICER shall be eligible to serve in the same office for consecutive
terms. Row Office terms are two years in
duration.
SECTION
H – CHAIN OF COMMAND
In
the event of the temporary absence of the PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT, the
duties of the PRESIDENT shall be exercised by one of the following officers
listed, in order of precedence: CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, RECORDING SECRETARY, SARGEANT AT ARMS.
ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
SECTION
A
The
BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall consist of the five (5) elected OFFICERS, nine elected
DIRECTORS, the BOARD appointed position of TREASURER, and up to two appointed alternatives. The MEMBERS OF THE BOARD shall choose a
CHAIRMAN of the BOARD from the nine (9) elected DIRECTORS at their meeting
following installation. The CHAIRMAN
shall preside over all meetings of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS and shall send notice
of said meetings to all BOARD MEMBERS, heads of committees and other interested
persons. The CHAIRMAN, with concurrence of the BOARD, may appoint up to two (2)
alternative BOARD MEMBERS, who
shall attend BOARD meetings and may participate in BOARD discussions but will
have no BOARD voting privileges.
SECTION
B
The
BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall manage the business of this ASSOCIATION.
(1) The BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall have supervision
of the operating fund, the building fund and other property of the ASSOCIATION. The BOARD shall have full power to authorize
the performance of acts to carry out the objectives and purposes of the
ASSOCIATION.
(2) The
monies contained in the building fund are to be under the safe keeping of the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS and deposited in an account in the ASSOCIATION’S name
separate from all other funds of the ASSOCIATION. Funds may be transferred from the operating
fund to the building fund of the ASSOCIATION by a majority vote of eligible members
present at any regular membership meeting.
Monies may be dispersed from the building fund for any suitable purpose
by the following procedure:
(a) Notice
of the proposed disbursement, setting forth the purpose thereof, shall be sent
to each voting member at least ten (10) days before any meeting.
(b) A
written authorization stating the purpose of the disbursement must be signed by
two-thirds (2/3) or more of the voting membership in attendance at the meeting
designated in (a) above.
(c) A
Quorum must be present at the designated meeting and written proxies from
absent members will be included in the tabulation. Disbursements from the building fund shall be
signed by any two (2) of the following: PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER or
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SECTION
C
In
the event of absence or inability to serve of any OFFICER or DIRECTOR for a
period of three (3) months, the BOARD OF DIRECTORS may declare a vacancy. This minimum period shall not apply in cases
of death, resignation, removal or ineligibility to hold office.
SECTION
D
The
BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall have the power to discipline any OFFICER, DIRECTOR or
other MEMBER against whom charges have been preferred before the BOARD. No OFFICER, DIRECTOR or other MEMBER shall be
removed from office or subjected to discipline until a fair and impartial
hearing before the BOARD is granted and a majority vote to discipline or remove
is obtained. Disciplinary measures will
be at the discretion of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS and may include removal from
office (if applicable) and/or expulsion and deprivation of membership in the
ASSOCIATION
SECTION
E – TERMS OF OFFICE
Directors
shall be eligible to serve consecutive terms.
DIRECTOR terms are two years in duration.
SECTION
F
The
BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall appoint a TREASURER.
This appointment, for a two (2) year term is to be made at the BOARD OF
DIRECTORS meeting in September in an election year. At the discretion of the BOARD, the TREASURER
may serve consecutive terms. The
TREASURER shall have full rights and privileges of a MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS and the following responsibilities:
1. The
TREASURER shall have charge of all funds of the ASSOCIATION and shall keep full
and accurate accounts of the receipts and disbursements in books of the
ASSOCIATION.
2. The
TREASURER shall deposit all monies of the ASSOCIATION in such banks and
depositories as may be prescribed by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
3. Disbursement
of ASSOCIATION funds, as ordered by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, shall be by checks
signed by the TREASURER and counter signed by the PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT or
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
4. Disbursements
of a repetitive nature along with those not exceeding an amount approved by the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS will be listed in the STANDING RULES and shall not require
pre-authorization by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS and checks for same may be signed
and issued by the TREASURER.
5. The
TREASURER shall render an account of the trans
6. The
TREASURER will keep an account for each member of the ASSOCIATION and shall
record all dues and fees paid to the ASSOCIATION.
7. The
TREASURER shall notify, by phone or mail, all members who are in arrears of
dues and/or other fees. This
notification will be made on or about thirty (30) days and again on or about
sixty (60) days, after delinquency occurs and if still in arrears. After dues and/or fees are sixty (60) days in
arrears, a late fee of ten dollars ($10.00) shall be assessed to the
member. If member’s dues and/or fees are
not paid within ninety (90) days, unless excused by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, the
TREASURER shall drop the member from the roles of the ASSOCIATION and report
such
SECTION
G – VACANCIES
In
the event of a vacancy on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, the BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall
within one month of learning of such vacancy, chose a successor to hold office
for the balance of the term in which the vacancy occurred.
ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS
SECTION
A
The
PRESIDENT shall appoint a nominating committee, consisting of at least three
(3) members, no later than September in each election year. The nominating
committee shall select one or more nominees for each of five (5) row offices
and twelve (12) nominees for the BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The committee will make its written report to
the PRESIDENT during the regular meeting of the membership in October. Additional nominations may be made from the
floor at this time.
SECTION
B
Any
member in good standing who has been a member of the ASSOCIATION for at least
one (1) year shall be eligible for nomination.
Nomination for PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT shall further require the
nominee to have previously held a row office of the ASSOCIATION for at least
one (1) term, or have served as a BOARD MEMBER for one (1) term. This qualification for PRESIDENT and VICE
PRESIDENT will also be deemed met if the member is currently serving their
first term as an elected OFFICER or BOARD MEMBER and their term expires when
the newly elected PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT are installed under SECTION E of
this ARTICLE.
SECTION
C
Elections,
by secret ballot, shall be conducted at the regular meeting in November. Each eligible member present shall cast one
vote for each OFFICER position to be filled.
In electing OFFICERS, the nominee receiving the largest number of votes
cast for the office for which the nominee is running, shall be deemed
elected. Nominees for elective office,
who were not elected to said office, shall be deemed
additional nominees for the position of DIRECTOR. The nine nominees for the BOARD OF DIRECTORS
receiving the largest number of votes shall be deemed elected to the BOARD OF
DIRECTORS. Each eligible member present
shall be entitled to vote for nine directors.
SECTION
D
The
PRESIDENT shall appoint three (3) tellers who shall distribute, collect and
count the ballots and immediately announce the results of the election to the
membership. The tellers shall submit a
written summarization to the RECORDING SECRETARY for insertion into the minutes
of the meeting. All ballots shall be
turned over to the CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
SECTION
E
The
OFFICERS and DIRECTORS shall be installed at the beginning of the January
meeting. The terms of the OFFICERS and
DIRECTORS shall be two years.
SECTION
F
In
the event that any of the meeting dates specified in the preceding sections are
cancelled, the required
ARTICLE
VIII - DUES AND FEES
SECTION
A
The BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall determine dues and
fees of the ASSOCIATION. Membership
dues, as listed in the STANDING RULES, are payable on or before January 1st of
each year.
ARTICLE IX –
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The
rules contained in the Robert’s Rules of
Order, Newly Revised 10th Edition shall govern the ASSOCIATION
in all cases where they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special
rules of order the ASSOCIATION may adopt.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENT OF
THE BYLAWS
Any
member in good
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENT
OF THE STANDING RULES
Any
member in good