Bylaws of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers

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CHAPTER I. NAME AND PURPOSE

CHAPTER II. GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER III. MEMBERS

CHAPTER IV. VOTING AND ASSEMBLY

CHAPTER V. MISCELLANEOUS

CHAPTER I. NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Philadelphia Chapter of the Academy of certified Hazardous Materials Managers, hereinafter referred to as “the Chapter”.

Section 2. The purpose of the Chapter is to serve as a forum for advancement of the hazardous materials management profession, to provide education in the field of hazardous materials management, to inform of changing regulatory requirements pertaining to hazardous materials management, to contribute toward the protection of human health and the environment, to advance regulatory agency acceptance of the certified hazardous materials manager as a qualified expert on matters involving hazardous materials and to facilitate the exchange of ideas to improve administration of hazardous materials programs.

CHAPTER II. GOVERNMENT

Section 1 Officers

A. Elective Offices The Elective Officers shall consist of the President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom must be voting members of the Chapter.

(1) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Elective Officers. In the absence of the president, the Vice-President shall preside at these meetings. In his (her) absence, the Secretary shall preside at these meetings.

(2) In the event of a vacancy in the offices of the. President, the Vice President shall serve as the President until the election of new officers at the next Annual Session. In his (her) absence, the Secretary shall serve as the President; in the absence of the Secretary, the Treasurer shall serve as the President.

(3) The Elective Officers shall comprise the administrative body of the Chapter vested with full power to conduct all business of the Chapter, subject to the laws of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the mandates of the Members. The Elective Officers shall have power to enact interim policies between Annual Sessions when such policies are necessary to the proper conduct of the Chapter affairs, provided that all such policies are presented to the Members for ratification at the next Annual Session immediately following their enactment.

(4) In the event of a vacancy in any elective office, the President, with the approval of the other Elective officers shall appoint a successor who shall serve until the vacancy is filled by election of the Members at the next Annual Session.

B. Appointive Officers The Appointive officers of the Chapter shall be members as may be required for the proper conduct of chapter affairs.

(1) Appointive officers shall be appointed annually by a majority vote of the Elective Officers and will bear the title of Vice President.

(2) Vacancies in Appointive Offices shall be filled as they occur by a majority vote of the Elective officers.

(3) The Appointive Officers shall perform those duties prescribed by the Elective Officers.

Section 2. Committees

A. All committee shall be comprised of not less than two members appointed by the Elective Officers who are voting members in good standing of the Chapter at the time of their appointment and must maintain such membership during the term of their office. If appointment of nonmembers is desirable, such appointment shall be made only with specific approval of the Elective officers.

B. All committees shall be chaired by an appointed official with the position of Vice President of that specific Committee.

C. The President or an Elective Officer designated by the President shall advise each committee of the Chapter and serve as liaison between the committee and the Elective officers.

D. All committees of the Chapter may President to appoint consultant(s) when the need for special assistance can be demonstrated.

E. A committee chairman may be replaced by the president subject to majority vote of the Elective officers in the event of noncompliance with the duties delineated in these bylaws.

F. The duties of the committees of the chapter shall include:

(1) Submit a plan of work of that committee before the Fall Administrative Meeting of the Officers.

(2) To appoint such subcommittees as are necessary to the satisfactory accomplishment of the duties prescribed by the Members and the Elective Officers.

(3) Maintain accurate records relative to the program, procedures and expenses involved in the activities of the committee.

(4) Submit a recommended budget for the ensuing year to the Treasurer of the Chapter.

G. Expenses of each committee shall be paid by the Chapter provided much expenses are incurred in conformity with rules and regulations provided by the Elective officers, and provided further that the committee's budget approved by the Elective Officers is sufficient to cover the payment of such expenses.

CHAPTER III. MEMBERS

Section 1. Voting Members Voting members shall be Hazardous Materials Managers certified by the National Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM).

Section 2. Nonvoting Members Non Voting Members shall include

A. Professionals in the field of Hazardous Material Management who are not certified by the national ACHMM and who have interest in promoting the principles of ACHMM and the Chapter.

B. Full time students at an accredited University who are pursuing a degree in a discipline related to Hazardous Materials Management.

Section 3. Application for Membership All application for membership must be made to the Elective Officers or their designated agent. Submitting Chapter dues in response to an official Chapter solicitation is considered application for membership and return of a receipt acknowledging such payments shall be constitute approval so said application

Section 4. Dues Chapter dues are on an annual basis. Dues notices will be provided by the secretary.

A. Chapter dues for voting and nonvoting members shall be determined by the Elective officers at the Fall Session. An affirmative vote by a majority of the voting members present at the Annual Session is required for approval of any increase in Chapter dues.

B. In addition to the chapter dues, all voting members shall be required to pay any dues to the national ACHMM to maintain their certification.

Section 5. Changes in Membership Status

A. Any member who has allowed their certification to lapse or have for some other reason lost their certification shall cease to be a voting member of the Chapter. A member whose dues have been in arrears for sixty days shall cease to be a member of the Chapter.

B. Any member who has forfeited membership for nonpayment of dues may he reinstated as a continuous member on show of good cause, tender of all past and current dues and upon approval of the Elective Officers.

C. Members may resign at any time upon making written request to the Elective officers.

CHAPTER IV. VOTING AND ASSEMBLY

Section 1. Voting Every question which shall come before a meeting of the members, the Elective Officers or a committee shall be decided by a majority vote.

A. Voting at a meeting of the members requires a quorum, consisting of at least 25% of the voting membership.

B. Voting by Elective Officers requires a majority of the Elective officers.

C. Voting by committees requires a majority of committee members.

Section 2. Meetings The time and place of all Chapter meetings will he advertised in the Chapter newsletter distributed to all members. All meetings will be held in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

A. The Chapter shall hold an Annual Session during or about January of each year. Elections of officers will proceed at this meeting. Reports of Chapter Officers and Committees will be presented at the Annual Session. The annual budget will also be presented at this meeting.

B. General Meetings shall be held as advertised in the Chapter newsletter, and shall be open for attendance by all members of the Chapter. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss and present topics of concern pertaining to Hazardous Materials Management. Matters of concern to the Chapter, other than those restricted to vote during the Annual Session, may also be voted upon by the members at these meetings.

C. Administrative Meetings will be held at least three times annually at time and place determinedly the President after consulting the other Elective Officers. These meetings will be attended by the Elective Officers and any appointive officers requested to attend by the Elective officers.

(1) One of these meetings, the Fall Session, will be held at least sixty days in advance of the Annual Session. The annual budget will be prepared at the Fall Session and provided to all voting members at least twenty days prior to the ensuing Annual Session for their approval. In the event that the proposed budget is not approved by the Voting Members, all recommendations concerning change shall be referred to the Elective officers for revision of the proposed budget for submittal as soon as possible thereafter to the voting members for approval. This procedure will be repeated until such time as the proposed budget is approved by the Voting Members.

D. Special Session of the members shall be called by the President upon written request of 3/4 of the Elective officers or 2/3 of the Members present at the previous Annual Session. The Special Session shall be announced in the Chapter newsletter and shall be held within 45 days after the request was received. The business of the Special Session shall be limited to that stated in the official call posted in the newsletter.

CHAPTER V. MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Amendments to Bylaws These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the voting members present at the Annual Session, provided the proposed amendments shall have been presented in writing and postmarked at least twenty days prior to the Annual Session.

Section 2. Inurement of Income No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers or other private persons except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.

Section 3. Dissolution of Clause Upon dissolution of the corporation, the elective Officers shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation as the Elective Officers shall determine.

Section 4. Indemnification of Officers The Chapter shall Indemnity and hold harmless each officer of the Chapter from and against any and all claims and liabilities to which they be or become subject by reasons of acting as an officer of the Chapter, or by reason of alleged acts or omissions as an officer of the Chapter for all legal and other expenses reasonable incurred in connection with defending against any such claims or liabilities, provided, however, that, no officer shall be indemnified against or reimbursed for any expenses incurred due to negligence or willful misconduct. The foregoing rights of officers shall not be exclusive of other rights of which they are entitled lawfully.