Bylaws

Genesee Valley Region
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Inc.

Article I — Name
Article II — Principal Office
Article III — Purpose
Article IV — Membership
Article V — Board of Directors
Article VI — Nominations and Elections
Article VII — Subchapters, Committees & Operational Support Services
Article VIII — General Membership Meetings
Article IX — Dues and Assessments
Article X — Amendments
Article XI — Mail Referenda
Article XII — Dissolution Procedures

ARTICLE I — NAME

This organization shall be known as the GENESEE VALLEY REGION REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF (GVRRID), INC.

ARTICLE II — PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principle office for the transaction of the business of the organization is fixed and located in Rochester, Monroe County, New York State. The Board of Directors may at any time, or from time to time, change the location of the principle office from one location to another.

ARTICLE III — PURPOSE

This organization shall be a non-profit affiliated chapter of the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Inc., to fulfill the functions of the national RID, Inc. Its purposes shall be:

1. To act as a body to advance and maintain professional skills and ethical standards for interpreters.
2. To exchange ideas, opinions, and experiences pertaining to professional interpreting through networking.
3. To seek ways and means to make interpreting services more readily available for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing consumers.
4. To be a resource to Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing consumers as to the most effective use of interpreting services.
5. To maintain a current registry of members.
6. To raise funds to support the purposes and activities of the corporation.

ARTICLE IV — MEMBERSHIP

1. Categories of Membership
   1. Certified Member – A certified Member shall be any member actively practicing in the field of interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or transliteration of English who holds valid certification accepted by the RID.
   2. Associate Member – An Associate member shall be any member actively practicing in the field of interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or transliteration of English who does not hold a current certification from RID, Inc. and/or NAD.
   3. Student Member – A Student Member shall be any member currently enrolled in a course of study in the field of interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or transliteration of English.
   4. Retired Member – A Retired Member shall be any member who upon reaching the age of 55 or older elects to retire from working as an interpreter or transliterator.
   5. Supporting Member – A Supporting Member shall be any member with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of the organization and who is not actively practicing in the field of interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or transliteration of English.
   6. Member: Senior Citizen – Any certified or associated GVRRID member in good standing who is 55 years of age or older.
2. Eligibility of Membership
   A member in good standing shall be defined as one whose dues are current and who is not under disciplinary action by any RID-related grievance committee.
3. Voting Rights
   Each member in good standing who is also a member in good standing of RID, Inc. shall be entitled to one vote in all meetings, referenda and elections. RID, Inc. membership shall be determined by the member presenting a current RID membership card or by confirmation from the home office.

ARTICLE V — BOARD of DIRECTORS

1. Composition
   The affairs of the Genesee Valley Region Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. shall be governed by a Board consisting of the following members: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, a minimum of two Directors at large, and one Director from each subchapter. An additional Director may be added as deemed necessary to conduct the business of the organization. The Board may appoint representatives of related associations and agencies to act as advisory members to the Board
2. Term of Office
   1. Terms of office for all Board members shall begin on July 1 following their election.
   2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years. No officer may serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
   3. A minimum of two Directors at large shall be elected to the Board. All Directors shall be elected for a three-year term. One new Director shall be elected annually. No Director may serve more than two consecutive terms as a Director.
   4. Subchapter Directors shall be elected to the Board by their respective subchapter for a term to be determined by the subchapter.
3. Qualifications
   All candidates for the Board shall be voting members in good standing of the organization as well as members in good standing of the national RID, Inc.
4. Vacancies
   Any vacancy among officers shall be temporarily filled by action of the Board. A special or regular election will be held within six (6) months of the vacancy occurring to permanently fill this position for the remainder of that position's term.
5. Duties of Officers
   1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Board. The President shall appoint special committees whenever necessary to carry out the functions of the organization. The President shall represent the organization to the RID, Inc. and to other appropriate organizations.
   2. The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall work with the President to carry out the functions of the organization. The Vice-President shall perform other duties and responsibilities as designated by the Board.
   3. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the organization and of the Board. In the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as secretary of the meeting. The Secretary shall be responsible for sending out all mailings including but not limited to notices of all meetings and the GVR Newsletter. The Secretary shall serve as the Board liaison to the Membership coordinator. The Secretary shall perform other duties and responsibilities as designated by the Board.
   4. The Treasurer shall collect all monies of the organization and make disbursements as ordered by the Board. The Treasurer will collect chapter dues annually. The Treasurer will function as the liaison person between the local chapter and the RID, Inc. for financial matters. All checks $50 over what was budgeted must be approved by the Board. The Treasurer will function as the liaison to any financial committee of the organization. The Treasurer shall make financial reports for each Board and General meeting and an annual report to the membership and to the RID, Inc. The Treasurer shall perform other duties and responsibilities as designated by the Board.
   5. The Directors-at-large shall be assigned duties by the Board as deemed necessary. Each Director-at-large shall be appointed to one or more Standing and/or Special or Other Committees as a liaison to the Board. The Directors-at-large shall perform other duties and responsibilities as designated by the Board.
6. Board Meetings (was part of Articles XI, XII)
   1. The Board shall meet at least every two months. Meetings will be called by the President. Meetings may also be called by at least two members of the Board or at the written request of at least 10 members of the general membership.
   2. All Board meetings shall be open to the general membership except when the Board feels that Executive Session is required for confidential reasons.
   3. A quorum for all meetings of the Board shall be a simple majority of the elected Board membership.

ARTICLE VI — NOMINATIONS and ELECTIONS

1. Nominations
   1. Nominations for the Board shall be made by a Nominating Committee appointed by the Board.
      The Nomination Committee shall begin their duties at least 60 days prior to the election.
   2. All nominees must hold membership with both GVRRID and national RID. Acceptance shall be required of all nominees prior to the election.
   3. The list of nominees shall be presented at the time of election.
      Acceptance shall be required from all nominees prior to the election.
2. Elections
   1. Elections shall be conducted by mail ballot or a secure web voting site at least four months prior to the start of the new Board term. If the election is conducted by web vote, members may still vote by mail ballot upon request.
   2. Each member in good standing who is also a member in good standing of RID, Inc. shall be entitled to one vote.
   3. All ballots shall consist of a clearly marked origination date and the list of officers.
   4. All returned ballots must be postmarked within 14 days of the origination date on the ballot.
   5. The winner shall be determined by a plurality of votes cast. In the case of unopposed elections, the Secretary shall cast one vote for the unopposed candidate.
3. Terms of Office
   Terms of office for all Board members shall begin on July 1 following their election.

ARTICLE VII — SUBCHAPTERS, COMMITTEES & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

1. The Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, shall have the right to establish or abolish any standing, special or ad-hoc committee deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the organization as set forth in these Bylaws and/or mandated by the voting membership.
2. Committee Structure
   1. Committees shall be comprised of members chosen from members in good standing of the organization and approved by the Board.
   2. The chairperson of each committee shall be a member in good standing of the organization appointed by the Board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
   3. Each Committee shall have a Board member as a liaison.
   4. Each Committee may be called upon to report on its plans and activities at all general meetings. A written synopsis of this report will be made available to the newsletter editor by the next announced deadline.
3. Standing Committees may include but not be limited to:
   1. Professional Development Committee shall plan, coordinate, and implement workshops for interpreters, consumers, and/or agencies.
   2. Nominating Committee shall recruit candidates for the Board of Directors prior to Elections. (See Article VI, A)
   3. Consumer Relations Committee shall be responsible for maintaining and improving relationships with consumers and consumer organizations.
   4. Legislative Issues/Bylaws Committee shall be responsible for keeping the membership informed as to changes in laws and regulations that affect the profession; for maintaining the bylaws to ensure they are in keeping with any national RID changes; for accepting and processing suggested bylaws changes from the membership; for making recommendations for changes to the bylaws.
   5. Finance Committee shall be responsible for supporting the fiscal health of GVRRID, Inc. and make recommendations to the Board regarding activities to accomplish such.
4. Operational Support Services
   Certain essential services are rendered to GVRRID by individual members or groups of members. These members are recruited and delegated authority over these matters by the President and the Board. These services may include but are not limited to:
   1. Newsletter editing, reporting, layout, and distribution
   2. Telephone chain organization, calling, and email list maintenance
   3. Membership coordinator who shall issue and maintain a local registry of interpreters, send updated membership to the Deaf Rochester News and GVR Newsletter liaisons
   4. Coordinating social events
   5. RID Certification Maintenance Program Continuing Education Administrator

ARTICLE VIII — GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

1. General meetings of the membership shall be held at least once a year and as needed thereafter. The Board shall set the date at least 21 days in advance of said meetings. Such meetings may be called by the President or at the written request of at least 10 members. The secretary shall be responsible for mailing notices of the meetings of the Chapter at least 14 days in advance.
2. Membership meetings shall be conducted in accordance with parliamentary procedure when the membership in attendance deems such formal procedure is necessary.
3. For a vote at a regular or special meeting, the membership must be informed at least 14 days in advance of any matter being presented.

ARTICLE IX — DUES and ASSESSMENTS

Membership Dues

1. Dues recommended by the Board of Directors must be paid within the time and on the conditions set by the Board of Directors.
2. Membership dues may be changed by a 2/3 vote of the entire Board. Dues may NOT be increased more than 10% in a single membership cycle.
3. Membership dues shall be equal for all members of each category, but different dues may be set for each category.

ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS

1. New Bylaws or amendments to these bylaws must be reviewed by the Bylaws Committee and the Board of Directors prior to being addressed by the membership. This is to assure that the amendments would not adversely affect the goals and objectives of the organization or the RID, Inc.
2. Written notice of proposed Bylaws or amendments to these Bylaws shall be mailed to each voting member not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the vote.
3. These By-laws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the eligible voting members at any general meeting or by 2/3 of the eligible votes returned by mail referendum.
4. Any amendment that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any other category of members differently than such actions affect another category, must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members of the affected category.
5. Bylaws revisions or amendments required to comply with RID policies and procedures shall not require a vote but shall be automatically incorporated within these Bylaws. The membership shall be notified in writing of such revisions within thirty (30) days.
6. A copy of all amendments to these Bylaws shall be forwarded to the RID Regional Representative who will forward them to the national office or other designated place.

ARTICLE XI — MAIL REFERENDA

1. Mail referenda may be drafted and submitted by the Board of Directors or by written petition of no less than ten (10) members of the organization.
2. Written notice of the referendum, stating and describing all motions, procedures and deadlines for voting, shall be sent to all members at least 21 days prior to the referendum deadline.
3. Results of the referendum shall be determined by a majority of votes cast.
4. Results of the referendum shall be disseminated to the membership by letter within fourteen (14) days following the referendum deadline.

ARTICLE XII —— DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES

1. Dissolution may occur for any of the following reasons:
   1. Upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote during a membership meeting.
   2. Non-recognition of affiliated status by RID, Inc. for failure to comply with provisions required of affiliated chapters set forth in the RID Bylaws.
2. In the event of the dissolution of this organization, all remaining assets, real and personal property of whatever nature, shall be transferred to the headquarters of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., 333 Commerce Street, Alexandria, VA 22314