Michigan NATOA - National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors

By-Laws

Michigan NATOA By-Laws
Updated January, 1996

ARTICLE 1. Name
The name of the organization shall be Michigan Chapter of the National Assocation of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).

ARTICLE 2. Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Telecommunications
Officers and Advisors is a professional organization of individuals serving citizens in the development, regulation and administration of cable television and other telecommunications systems. The purposes of this Chapter are:

A. Establishment and administration of a system for the sharing. of information about cable and telecommunications issues and activities that impact local government;

B. Education and training: (1) to enhance the capacity of members to deal with cable and telecommunications issues;' (2) to improve the administration of cable television franchises and the use of cable system by local government

C. Technical and informational assistance to the membership;

D. Research and statement of local government needs in the use, development and regulation of cable and telecommunications systems,

E. Providing a forum for open and balanced discussion and debate of communications issues;

F. Communication with other professional organizations for the overall improvement of communications services to the public; and

G. Whatever other services may be determined by the membership.

ARTICLE 3. Fiscal Year

The Fiscal Year for the Michigan Chapter of NATOA shall coincide with the fiscal year established by the national organization (October 1 through September 30).

ARTICLE 4. Membership

Section I. There shall be two levels of membership:

Full Membership: Open to any individual who is elected, appointed, employed by or retained by a municipal or county government, or regional authority, or by a board, commission or consortium sanctioned by a municipal, county or regional authority, and who is engaged in the regulation, administration, or planning of cable and/or telecommunications systems and who is a full, member of the national NATOA organization in good standing and who has paid dues locally.

Associate Membership: Open to any individual from a nonprofit or profit making organizations, and students, involved in the planning, development programming, or research of cable and other telecommunications systems who do not qualify for full membership. Also open to individuals who meet the criteria for full membership, but who instead wish to exercise the option to join as associate members.

Section II. Member Privileges

Full members shall have voting rights in all committee and chapter activities. Associate members shall only have voting rights as members of chapter committees. They shall not have voting rights in other chapter business.

Section III. Dispute

Any disputes over membership qualifications shall be resolved by a 2/3 vote of full members in attendance.

Section IV. Dues

The Michigan Chapter may establish or change membership dues by a vote of the membership in accordance with the Provisions of Article 9 herein.

ARTICLE 5. Officers

Section 1. Officers

The Officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice?President, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be full members

Section II. Election

Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the full members in attendance at the first chapter meeting of each fiscal year.

Section III, Terms

Terms of the officers shall be for one (1) year, coinciding with the fiscal year of the chapter.

Section IV. Removal

Any officer may be removed by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the full chapter members in attendance at any meeting, whenever, in its judgment the best interests of the Chapter will be served by the removal.

Section V. Vacancies

A vacancy in any office, because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a majority vote of the full members in attendance at a chapter meeting

Section VI. President

The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Chapter, and shall preside at all Chapter meetings. The President shall have primary responsibility for external relationships and serve as chief spokesperson of the Chapter.

Section VII. Vice President

The Vice President shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the internal activities of the Chapter. The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President.

Section VIII. Secretary

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of Chapter meeting, see that notices are given according to the by-laws, and be custodian of the official records of the Chapter.

Section IX Treasurer

The Treasurer shall oversee all funds and financial records of the Chapter, and shall provide to the membership quarterly financial reports at the close of each fiscal quarter and an annual financial report at the close of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE 6. Meetings

Section I. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held at times and locations designated by the President, to the extent possible meetings shall be rotated throughout the jurisdictions of the full members. These meetings shall be held for the purposes and objectives of the Chapter as set forth in these by-laws, for the conducting of elections, and for other business that may arise. At least one regular meeting shall be held each fiscal year.

Section II. Special Meetings

The President may call a special meeting(s) at any time and location. A special meeting will be held at a reasonable time fixed by the president, but no less that three (3) days after receipt of a written notice and agenda for said meeting by the members.

ARTICLE 7. Committees

Section I. Standing Committees

The Chapter membership " have the power to establish standing committees through amendment of these by-laws. The President or Vice-President shall have the power to appoint the members of such committees of the general membership and the chairs of these committees for such terms as he/she may deem appropriate, with the consent of a simple majority of the full membership in attendance at a chapter meeting. Terms of standing committee chairs and members shall end no later than the end of the fiscal year.

Section II. Special and/or Ad Hoc Committees

The President or Vice President may appoint special and/or ad hoc committees as needed.

ARTICLE 8. Quorums

Section 1. Chapter Meetings

A simple majority of those M members in attendance at any meeting of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum for, the transaction of business at that meeting,

ARTICLE 9. Amendment of By-laws

These by-laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the full Chapter members in attendance at any Chapter meeting. Copies of proposed by-law amendments to be voted on at a chapter meeting shall be mailed to the members no less that 14 days prior to the meeting.

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