Chapter By-Laws

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TENNESSEE CHAPTER

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON

INVESTIGATORS

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

THE TENNESSEE CHAPTER

OF

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON

INVESTIGATORS, INC.

ARTICLE 1 NAME AND OBJECT

This organization shall be known as “The Tennessee Chapter” of the “International Association of Arson Investigators,” and is here in after referred to as The Tennessee Chapter. The name of the Tennessee Chapter shall not be used publicly by any members other than by the use of his/her membership card for identification purposes, without express permission of the Board of Directors.

This shall not restrict the officers or appointees or agents of the Tennessee Chapter in the use of the name to carry out the purpose of the Tennessee Chapter.

The objectives and purposes of the Tennessee Chapter shall be:

a. To unite for mutual benefit those public officials and private persons engaged in the control of arson and kindred crimes.

b. To provide for exchange of technical information and developments.

c. To cooperate with other fire and law enforcement agencies and associations to further fire prevention and the suppression of
crime.

d. To encourage high professional standards of conduct among fire investigators and to continually strive to eliminate all factors which interfere with administration of crime suppression.

e. The Tennessee Chapter shall not be operated for profit.

ARTICLE 2 MEMBERSHIP

Any member in good standing of the International Association of Arson Investigators shall be eligible for membership in the Tennessee Chapter.

a. Chapter Membership

    An individual may make application solely in the Tennessee Chapter, provided such individual is not less than Eighteen

    (18) years of age at the time he/she makes application. The application must be filed with the Secretary of the Tennessee Chapter along with the required fees. A chapter member shall have the same privileges of an active member except hold office or vote on International issues.

Persons not qualified for active membership may become Associate Members after determination of their qualifications by the Membership Committee. Any Associate Member in good standing of the International Association of Arson Investigators shall be eligible for membership in the Tennessee Chapter. Associate Members shall have the same privileges of an Active Member, except, voting and holding office. The Tennessee Chapter may, by majority vote of active members present, exclude Associate Members from any particular business meeting.

The Chapter may, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, confer honorary life membership upon any member in good standing, who, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, rendered distinctive or extraordinary service to the Chapter through participation on committees or activities for a minimum of ten (10) years, contributed significant support, and other services that benefit the Chapter, would be qualified as an honorary life member and shall have all the rights and privileges of an active member without payment of dues. No more than two nominations for such membership may be approved in any one year. Honorary membership in the I.A.A.I. automatically carries honorary membership in the Tennessee Chapter subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the Chapter.

Persons recommending anyone for a Life Membership should have at least a 10-year membership in the Tennessee Chapter and should have served at least two (2) terms on the Board of Directors

Individuals or organizations interested in carrying out the purpose of the Tennessee Chapter shall be granted Sustaining Membership upon the contribution of not less than Fifty dollars ($50) annually, or upon any Sustaining Membership in the national organization which designates at least Fifty dollars ($50) of its annual contribution to be used by the Tennessee Chapter. All such funds shall be devoted to the educational functions of the Tennessee Chapter.

Membership in the Tennessee Chapter shall terminate by:

(1) Voluntary withdrawal.

(2) The Treasurer gives notice; such member is in arrears in the payment of dues or any other obligation to the Association.

(3) The consent of a majority vote of the Board of Directors, Sanctions. The Board of Directors may place on probation, censure, suspend, or terminate the membership of any member. The Board of Directors may, upon receipt and after initial review of the circumstances, temporarily suspend the membership of any member pending evaluation by the Board of Directors. Actions requiring referral to the Board of Directors shall include but are not limited to:

1) Falsifications, or misrepresentations or omission in the application for membership.

2) Conviction of a felony or any criminal offense.

3) Entry of a judgment or order against a member in a criminal, civil or contempt action related to the status of the member as an investigator.

4) Breach of professional responsibilities or legal duties as an investigator.

5) Violations of the TN Chapter Constitution and By-Laws or the IAAI Code of Ethics.

6) Misuse or misrepresentation of an IAAI professional designation, certification, or accreditation.

7) Falsification or misrepresentation under circumstances intended to influence or affect the outcome of any proceeding, including, but not limited to trials, hearings, depositions, interviews, or applications.

Any sanction imposed on a member may be appealed by filing a notice with the Board of Directors

Any former member may be reinstated in the Chapter at the discretion of and by the consent of a majority vote of the Board of Directors, provided, however, that such a former member shall have been in arrears in the payment of dues or other financial obligation to the Chapter at the time of his/her separation, he/she shall be required to pay to the Chapter all such arrears as a condition to his reinstatement, unless the Board of Directors, by 2/3 majority vote and for good cause, shall waive the payment thereof. In this instance, the member's original join date shall be retained. If a member has been terminated for more than one year for nonpayment of dues only, the member shall have the option of reapplying for membership, subject to meeting the qualifications outlined in this article, without paying arrearage. In such cases, the member shall be assigned a new join date. The member shall not be able to claim, advertise or otherwise reference his/her join date to imply uninterrupted membership.

ARTICLE 3 Officers and Board Members

The officers of the Tennessee Chapter shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, and a Secretary/Treasurer and Immediate Past President

The officers and nine (9) other members of the Tennessee Chapter duly elected and shall constitute the Board of Directors.

The officers of the international association shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors.

The officers shall hold office from the time of their election and qualification for terms of one (2) year, or until the election and qualification of their respective successors. Other members of the Board shall hold office from the time their election and qualification for terms of three (3) years. Their terms shall be so arranged that three (3) retire each year.

In the event of a vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors between annual meetings, the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by the President and the newly appointed member or members of the Board shall hold office only until the next annual meeting.

Officers and other members of the Board shall be elected at the annual meeting.

On the first day of the annual meeting the President shall announce the membership of the Nominating Committee, which shall nominate Officers and the appropriate number of members of the Board to hold office for the ensuing term of office. This committee shall consist of five (5) members and the majority of whom shall not be holders of any elective office.

Officers and Board of Directors shall make every effort to attend all meetings. If unable to attend a notification must be forwarded to a Chapter Officer as soon as possible.

The Board and Officers may for just cause, remove any officer or board member by a 2/3rd majority vote of all Officers and Board members.

ARTICLE 4 GOVERNMENT

The Government of the Tennessee Chapter shall be vested in the Board of Directors. Seven (7) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

The Board shall have full power to initiate and transact all kinds of business necessary to the existence of the organization and the observance of its purpose. The Board shall determine the date and location of the annual meeting and shall have powers to direct, control and supervise the affairs of The Tennessee Chapter.

The President shall be the chief executive officer of The Tennessee Chapter and it shall be his/her responsibility to supervise and coordinate the activities of the Tennessee Chapter and to preside at meetings of the Tennessee Chapter and of the Board of Directors. He/she shall appoint appropriate committees for the conduct of the activities of the Tennessee Chapter and shall require reports at each annual meeting and as otherwise desired from the committees so appointed and from the officers of the Tennessee Chapter.

In the absence of the President, the First Vice President shall be the chief executive officer and shall act as such. He/she shall also act as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

In the absence of the President and the First Vice President, the Second Vice President shall perform the duties of the President.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the records and minutes of the Tennessee Chapter and shall maintain a current roll of members, the Constitution and all other documents of value. It shall be his/her duty to receive and acknowledge all communications of the Chapter addressed to him/her, or that may be submitted to him/her by officers of the Tennessee Chapter and perform such duties as assigned by the President. He/she shall be the custodian and sole depositor of the funds of the organization and shall disburse such funds by check upon approval of the Board of Directors for purposes which promote the welfare and objectives of this organization. He/she shall render a complete summary of all income, disbursements and balances whenever requested by the Board and to make available to the members at each regular meeting. A written copy of this report shall be made available to any
member upon request. He/she shall furnish bond to the Tennessee Chapter in the form and amount as designated by the Board, the cost thereof to be paid by the Tennessee Chapter.

All Ex-Officio Members shall have the privilege of attending and participating in all meetings of the Board but shall not have voting power in such meetings.

The Sergeant at Arms will ensure orderly conduct during the Annual Training Conference and General Members Meeting for the welfare of the organization. The Sergeant at Arms will validate the attendance of members during classes, members meetings and other duties as specified by the job description.

ARTICLE 5 MEETINGS

The annual meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Notice thereof shall be sent to each member at his/her last known fixed or electronic address, not less than thirty (30) days in advance. Election shall occur and other business may be presented at the annual meeting. When any question comes before the meeting not specifically provided for herein the presiding officer shall be governed in his/her decision by the rules laid down in “Robert Rules of Order”, as revised.

Special meetings may be called by order of the Board of Directors at such place and time as fixed by the Board, giving notice there of to all members at least fifteen (15) days in advance.

The Board of Directors shall meet at any time and place upon call of the President or of any seven (7) members of the Board.

ARTICLE 6 FINANCE

The Tennessee Chapter may also assess annual dues at a rate set by the membership. The Board of Directors shall determine the registration fee for conducting the annual seminar.

The Finance Committee shall make an audit of the accounts of the Secretary/Treasurer at each annual meeting and shall verify all assets and liabilities of the Tennessee Chapter.

ARTICLE 7 AMENDMENTS

The Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting of the Tennessee Chapter by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present.

Adopted at a special meeting in Jackson, Tennessee June 10, 1965.
Amendments adopted August 23, 1995.
Amendments adopted August 23, 1996.
Amendments adopted August 9, 2007.
Amendments adopted August 10, 2012.
Amendments adopted August 9, 2018.
Amendments adopted August 25, 2022.