By-Laws

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ASSOCIATION OF LONG ISLAND

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I
NAME

This nonprofit unincorporated association shall be known as Labor and Employment Relations Association of Long Island and is affiliated, as a Chapter, with the National Labor and Employment Relations Association.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

The purposes of this Chapter are: to provide a forum for the mutual exploration by all of the parties in collective bargaining, carried out in an atmosphere of cooperation and academic free inquiry, into all aspects of Labor and Employment Relations; to encourage a forum for Labor and Employment Relations practitioners seeking a favorable climate for labor-management relations; to encourage research and dissemination of result of research in Labor and Employment Relations.

In the event of dissolution, any assets remaining after the payment of all obligations shall be conveyed to the New York City chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association, or, if it is no longer in existence, then to the National Labor and Employment Relations Association.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this Chapter is open to anyone interested in its purposes. Only members of the National Labor and Employment Relations Association, as required by its By-Laws, shall be eligible to serve as officers of this Chapter.

Any person who is engaged in a full-time course of study at a university or college in the greater New York area or vicinity may, upon payment of Chapter Student Membership dues, become a student member of this Chapter. Any use of the work “Member” does not apply to student members whenever the terminology “Member” is used in these By-Laws.

This Chapter shall allow reciprocity of attendance at its functions (other than Executive Board Meetings) by all members of other LERA chapters without payment of dues. However, the term member, as used in these By-Laws, does not in any way apply to members of any other LERA Chapter.

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP DUES

The annual dues of this Chapter shall be determined by the membership and shall, if changed from time to time by the membership, be subject to approval by the members present at any regular meeting provided that notice of any recommended changes in dues is included in the advance announcement of the meeting at which the membership vote will be taken.

The fiscal year of the Chapter shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of the same calendar year.

Present members whose dues are not paid within six months following the annual mailing of dues notices shall be dropped from membership at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Newly elected members whose application for membership is approved after July 1 in a calendar year shall, upon payment of the initial dues, be considered as having paid for the next following calendar year as well.

ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

There shall be at least four (4) Chapter membership meetings scheduled each year. The dates for membership meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board including a specified date for an annual election meeting.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

The following officers of the Chapter shall be elected by the membership and serve on the Executive Board of this Chapter by virtue of their holding office: President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the Chapter officers, the last three (3) past Chapter presidents, and the following additional elected members: A minimum of three (3) labor representatives, three (3) management representatives, three (3) government representatives, two (2) academic representatives, and four (4) representatives to be elected at large.  The Chapter president shall be the Chair of the Executive Board.  The Board shall determine all matters of Chapter policy.

ARTICLE VIII
TERM OF OFFICE AND COMPENSATION

The normal term of an elected Chapter officer shall be two (2) years. The normal term of a member of the Executive Board shall be three (3) years. Election or re-election of an officer or member of the Board shall be by a majority affirmative vote of the general Chapter membership at a regularly convened meeting or by means of a written ballot cast at such meeting. The President-Elect will assume the presidency of the Chapter when the current president’s term expires. No president may succeed himself or herself in office.

All elected officers and members of the Executive Board shall serve without compensation.

ARTICLE IX
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

The President shall be the presiding officer of the Chapter. He or she shall preside over all Chapter meetings and board meetings. He or she shall appoint all standing and ad hoc committees and be an ex-officio to co-sign all checks and other financial actions which may be necessary for the conduct of the Chapter’s business.

The President-Elect shall assist and, in the absence of the President, substitute for the President. The President-Elect shall immediately assume the duties of the President should the President, during his or her term of office, become disabled, resign, or for other reasons be unable or unwilling to carry out his or her duties under these By-Laws. The President-Elect shall be authorized to co-sign all checks in the absence of the President.

The First Vice President shall assume the duties of the President-Elect, if necessary, and perform such other duties as may be required of this office.

The Second Vice President shall assume the duties of the First Vice President, if necessary, and perform such duties as may be required of this office.

The Secretary shall be responsible for notifying members of Chapter meetings and Board meetings, for preparing the agenda, for taking and distributing minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall be the custodian of all the Chapter’s records and official documents.

The Treasurer shall be authorized to be custodian of all dues and other monies collected for the Chapter. The Treasurer shall be authorized to open bank accounts in the name of the Chapter and be responsible for a complete financial record of all receipts and disbursements and the preparation and distribution of an annual financial report. The Treasurer’s signature shall be required on all checks or other financial transactions issued by or conducted by the Chapter.

All checks issued by the Treasurer shall be valid only when co-signed by another authorized officer.

ARTICLE X
DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Members of the Executive Board shall serve in the capacity of Chair or Co-Chair of such committees as may be appointed by the President. They shall assist the Chapter officers for the general good and welfare of the chapter.

ARTICLE XI
COMMITTEES

The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, shall establish and maintain the following standing committees:

The Executive Committee shall be the Chapter officers. At the option of the president, the Executive Committee shall consult with the President with respect to matters affecting the welfare of the Chapter and its activities which arise during period between the regular meetings of the Executive Board, or when circumstances make it impracticable to convene a special meeting of the Executive Board for any reason.

The Membership Committee shall be responsible for the maintenance of membership and recruitment of new members for the Chapter. The Chair of the Membership Committee shall maintain a record of Chapter membership.

The Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of five (5) members, three (3) of whom shall be members of the Executive Board. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for recommending to the membership candidates for election as officers and members of the Executive Board. The Nominating Committee shall, at the meeting at which it presents its report on nominations, ask for and accept nominations from the membership at large.

The Program Committee shall be responsible for the development, arrangement and scheduling of programs to be conducted by or for the Chapter. Conferences, workshops or speakers designed to further enhance the membership’s information, knowledge and expertise in the Industrial Relations field and contributions to that field shall be among the activities considered by the Program Committee. All programs or speakers recommended by the Program Committee shall be presented to the Executive Board for approval.

The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for all publicity and/or publications which may be required to further the Chapter’s work. All members in good standing shall be entitled to receive any publications and bulletins issued by the Chapter through the Publicity Committee.

Ad Hoc and Other Standing Committees. The Executive Board is authorized to establish such additional standing committees or Ad Hoc Committees as may be necessary for the conducting of the Chapter’s business.

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

Any amendment to these By-Laws may be made by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a regular membership meeting, provided: (1) all members have copies, at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting at which such vote shall take place; and (2) such a meeting may be called only by the President upon the request of the officers, or a signed petition from sixty (60%) percent of the members in good standing.

[As amended 9/25/07]