ARTICLE I
Name

This organization will be known as the “Montana Chapter of the International Association of Workforce Professionals.”

ARTICLE II
Objectives

The purpose of the Montana chapter will be to bring together in fact and in ideas all occupations engaged in the Workforce Development arena, through interchange of experiences and thinking and in such cooperative effort as may assist them in more effective performance of their official responsibilities and assignments, thereby assisting in development of higher personal and professional standards. To that end these objectives are declared.

(a) Establish, develop, and maintain high professional standards and ideals worthy of the public trust;

(b) Encourage and promote adequate preparation and training to the end that a higher quality of performance may be produced;

(c) Provide for the dissemination and exchange of constructive thinking upon the principles of good public service, through spoken and written words, in forum and in publications;

(d) Maintain an active and helpful interest in all legislative and personnel policy proposals affecting members of the Chapter who are Department of Labor and Industry employees;

(e) Cultivate and develop means for improvement of social, educational, and professional standards; and

(f) Act in concert and agreement with the aims and purposes of the International Association of Workforce Professionals.

ARTICLE III
Membership

1. Eligibility – The membership classifications and requirements as defined in the constitution of the International Association will govern as to eligibility and qualifications for membership in the Montana Chapter.

2. Applications – Application for membership will be submitted in writing, to an official or committee member of the chapter. Membership will be deemed to be on a permanent basis, until or unless terminated by the individual, or by official action of the Chapter for cause.

3. Acceptance – A qualified membership application will be accepted at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Rejection of a membership application will require a three-fourths vote of such committee.

4. Termination – The Executive Committee, for cause and upon hearing, may terminate a current membership by a three-fourths vote.

5. Suspension – Any member becomes delinquent and is automatically suspended, and is deprived of all rights of membership, in the event his or her annual dues are not paid to the Chapter prior to the first day of May for the current year.

6. Reinstatement – A delinquent member is automatically reinstated by the payment of delinquent dues for the current calendar year.

ARTICLE IV
Administration

1. Official Position – The elective officers of the Chapter shall consist of: President, President Elect, Vice President, and five (5) Committee persons from the Chapter Regions defined in Paragraph 10 of this Article. The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, will appoint a Secretary and Treasurer. The candidates for the offices of President and President Elect will advance automatically, subject to a vote of confidence.

2. Executive Committee – The Executive Committee will consist of three principal officers, the five (5) Region Representatives, and the most recent Past President. These elected committee persons and the most recent Past President will have official voting and privileges.

3. Qualifications – Any Chapter member in good standing who pays the annual membership fee at an unreduced rate shall be eligible to hold elective office. The five (5) Committee Persons representing Chapter Regions shall be chosen by a vote of the general membership within the region they are stationed.

4. Nominations – the President will appoint a nominations committee not less than sixty days prior to the annual election of officers. The nominating committee will be appointed by the President and will have the same representation as the five (5) Regions as established in paragraph 10. In addition, the President will call for nominations from the floor at the annual election meeting prior to any voting.

5. Ballots – Written or printed ballots shall be provided, bearing the names of all duly nominated candidates for each office, plus space for write-ins of candidates duly nominated from the floor at the annual convention.

6. Elections – Officers shall be elected annually in a manner prescribed by the Executive Committee. Regional Representatives shall be elected at or before the spring convention by a caucus of the members in that region and will serve a term of one year, unless reelected. In the event the election is conducted at a general membership meeting, Chapter members may assign proxies to other members or delegates attending such meeting, provided that no member may vote more than three proxies. The Executive committee will prescribe an official proxy form and the method of voting same. All proxies shall be registered at the time of convention registration, but no later than the call to order of the election session. All members in good standing are entitled to vote.

7. Canvass of Votes – Official count of the ballots cast will be made under direction of the Executive Committee. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast for the office will be declared elected. If no majority is cast for any candidate, there will be a re-vote upon the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the first balloting. In event of a tie in this run-off election, the issue will be decided by lot.

8. Term of Office – Officers shall be elected at the Spring Convention for a period of one year. New officers elected shall be installed during the Spring Convention and assume duties of their respective office at that time.

9. Duties of Officers – The duties of officers of the Chapter shall be, in general, the duties customarily devolving upon such officials in like organization.

(a) President – The President will preside at all meetings of the general membership and will conduct the business of the Chapter in accordance with the policies established by the general membership or by the Executive Committee of which s/he will serve as Chairperson. S/he will be ex-officio, a member of each standing or special committee.

(b) President Elect – The President Elect will, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of that officer. The President Elect will also serve as the chapter activity committee chair, and in addition, will be responsible for coordinating an active awards program in conjunction with IAWP and through the Chapter.

(c) Vice President – The Vice president will, in the absence or disability of the President and President Elect, perform the duties and exercise the powers of that office. The Vice President will also serve as the membership chair.

(d) Secretary – The Secretary will be responsible for clerical functions of the organization and will record and publish minutes of the Executive Committee and general membership meetings; mail notices of meetings to affected members, produce and maintain correspondence of the Chapter as directed by the President, and assists the Treasurer in keeping records of the membership and attendance. Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.

(e) Treasurer – The Treasurer will have custody of all funds of the Chapter, keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements; collect dues and assessments; notify members of failure to meet any financial obligation to the Chapter at least one week before expiration of the period of grace; disburse the funds of the Chapter only at the direction of the President subject to the approval of the Executive Committee; render account of transactions and financial standing at regular meetings of the membership or Executive Committee, and upon request, make all required remittances to the Treasurer of the International Association; and perform such other duties as the office may require.

(f) Executive Committee – All activities and general policies of the Chapter are under the supervision of the Executive Committee; it will direct and manage all the membership in a manner that will promote the best interests of the Chapter and its members; consult with the President and approve all standing committees; authorize the expenditure of funds for the business of the Chapter; provide for annual audit of the fiscal records maintained by the Treasurer; fill vacancies occurring in the elective offices until the next general meeting; have continuing jurisdiction over personnel of the Chapter, with the power to suspend or expel any offending member; exercise jurisdiction over its own members, with the power to declare vacant any office grossly neglected by the person elected to that position and promote good organizational policies, programs, and procedures calculated to advance the Chapter toward its objectives.

10. Chapter Regions – The Chapter will be divided into the following regions for the purpose of establishing representation on the Executive Board. The names of the cities that are included in each Region are given. Where local office and training center exist in the same city, both are considered to be under the broad title of Local Office. Each of the five (5) regions will be represented by one (1) Regional Representative.

Region #1: The Local Offices: Hamilton, Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Polson, and Thompson Falls.

Region #2: The following Local Offices: Cut Bank, Great Falls, Havre, Lewistown, and Shelby.

Region #3: The following Local Offices: Billings, Glasgow, Glendive, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point.

Region #4: The following Local Offices: Anaconda, Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, and Livingston.

Region #5: All Helena offices.

11. Delegates to International Convention – Official delegates to International Conventions shall be selected on the basis of service to the organization through elective office. The order or priority shall be the President, President Elect, Vice President, with any of the three officers having the option to have the Past President take their place as a delegate, and then members of the incoming Executive Committee, or any member attending the International Convention, selected by ballot among members of the Committee in number to complete the authorized delegation set by the International.

ARTICLE V
Finances

1. Dues – Each member will be required to pay the annual membership fee of the International Association and the Chapter. The Executive Committee will have power to fix the annual Chapter dues, uniformly applicable to all members.

2. Levies – Assessments may be levied by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Executive Committee in regular or special meeting.

ARTICLE VI
Committees

1. Standing Committees – Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Executive Committee, at the beginning of his or her term of office. Such committees shall include:

(a) Audit/Finance
(b) Chapter Activity
(c) Past Presidents
(d) Historical
(e) Nominating/Constitution
(f) Public Relations
(g) Awards
Membership
Education
Legislative
Newsletter/Media (Publications)
Service to Veterans
Services to People with Disabilities
Professional Practices
Award of Merit
Citation Award
Spark Plug

2. Special Committees – Special Committees may be appointed by the President upon instruction from the membership or the Executive Committee, or upon his or her own initiative, for the effective prosecution of the Chapter.

3. Audit/Finance – The Auditing Committee will audit and examine the books and records of the Treasurer once a year, and more often upon the direction of the President.

4. Chapter Activity – The Chapter Activity Committee, with the President Elect as the committee chair, will plan suitable professional and social activities for the general and special meeting on direction of the President, and will execute and supervise such programs.

5. Past President’s – The most recent Past President will serve as chair, and will serve as an advisory committee to the President and Executive Board in dealing with long range planning, chapter activities, budget, etc.

6. Historical – The Historian will maintain the history of the Chapter’s activities to include the keeping of a scrapbook and annual.

7. Nomination and Constitution – The Constitution committee will review the constitution each year, and propose and distribute amendments to the Executive Committee, Region Representatives, and each local office 30 days prior to the state convention insuring that the constitution addresses this organization’s changing needs. The Nomination Committee will, as per Article IV, paragraph #4, of this constitution, solicit the membership to obtain nominations for officers.

8. Public Relations – Committee chair is responsible for keeping the membership informed of planned and scheduled chapter activities; to encourage member participation; to inspire membership to maintain organizational morale at a high level; promote the advantages of IAWP to potential members; to keep the Department of Labor and Industry informed, as well as other agencies, about the contributions IAWP makes to the system; and to inform the general public about IAWP activities and accomplishments.

9. Awards – This committee also will be responsible for maintaining an active awards program in conjunction with the International and through the Chapter.

Membership – The Membership Committee will be responsible for stimulation of maximum membership of the Chapter, solicit new members from qualified personnel, secure reinstatement of delinquent former members, and assist the Treasurer in securing renewal of membership upon request. The committee will assist the officers as a committee at all functions of the Chapter.

Education and Professional Practices – The Education and Professional Practices and Employee Performance Committees will design, develop, initiate, and consider methods, techniques, materials, and programs for the advancement of the agency and the membership, and will submit recommendations thereon to the Chapter.

Legislative – The Legislative Committee will concern itself with establishing a liaison with the International Congressional Delegations and the Agency Administrator to establish communications that promote the efforts of the International’s legislative committee.

Newsletters/Media (Publications) – Committee chair is responsible for editing and overseeing the publication of six Chapter newsletters per year, and any other Chapter publications projects.

10. Committee Chairpersons – All committee chairpersons shall be extended the courtesy of admission to meetings of the Executive Committee, with full right to participate in discussions, but without right to vote on issues facing the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII
Testimony before the Montana Assembly

Only testimony that supports the objectives of IAWP may be given before the Montana Legislative Assembly. When presenting testimony it will be made clear that IAWP is an education, professional association, and that such testimony is being given for informational purposes rather than lobbying. As a matter of courtesy, the Commissioner of Labor will be advised of IAWP’s intent to testify and the nature of the testimony.

The President in coordination with the Legislative Committee will assign testimony research and writing to a Special Committee. The Committee will be comprised of volunteer members who are interested in the issue. The president will be kept appraised of the Special Committee’s work. The Special Committee to the state Executive Committee will provide draft testimony before it is presented. The Special Committee will provide copies of final testimony to the Secretary.

ARTICLE VIII
Meetings and Functions

1. Regular – Regular annual meetings will be held each year during the Chapter educational conference and convention. All Chapter members shall be entitled to attend and participate in the convention. Notices shall be mailed to all members at least one month prior to the meeting date. The location will be rotated by each of the 5 Regions, alternating with the location for the fall institute. The scheduled Region will host the event. Executive Board Committee meetings shall be held on a quarterly basis, including the spring convention and fall institute. Winter and summer board meetings shall be scheduled in January and July, barring emergency situations; specific dates set at the discretion of the President.

2. Special – Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or upon request of the Executive Committee, or upon petition of 25 percent of the members of the Chapter in good standing.

3. Publications – The Executive Committee is authorized to arrange for publication of a Chapter magazine of such nature and such intervals as may be found expedient and desirable, and within the finances of the Chapter.

4. Quorum – A quorum for transaction of official business of the Chapter will consist of at least 5 (five) percent of the total membership in good standing. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of at least five of its members.

ARTICLE IX
Procedures

The current edition of Roberts Rules of Order will govern the proceedings of this Chapter in all cases not specially covered by this Constitution and By-Laws or by any set of rules adopted by the Chapter at a subsequent date.

ARTICLE X
Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws may be made by a two-thirds affirmative vote of members present and voting at any Annual Conference and Convention of the Chapter, provided a quorum is present; and notice and test of the proposed amendment has been delivered or mailed to each active member at least 30 days in advance of such conference and convention.

Publication of the proposed amendment in the official Chapter magazine will constitute due notice to the membership. The Executive Committee is empowered in emergencies to arrange for a vote by mail or electronic ballot on proposed amendments in substantially the same manner as provided for convention action.

This Constitution stands amended as of March 29, 2007.


Approved:

Jeannie Wohlfrom, Montana Chapter President