The name of the organization is the Association of Professional Researchers for
Advancement - Maryland Chapter (APRA-MD). The organization will operate as a local
chapter of a private non-profit association (APRA).
Article II - Purpose and Method
APRA-MD is a local chapter of an international organization for people interested
in the field of Prospect Research*, also referred to as Development Research or
Advancement Services. The goals of this organization are to facilitate education
about research*, to act as a central source of information about prospect research*,
and to advance professionalism in the field of prospect research*. This will be carried out
in meetings which will be held at least two (2) times per year.
Article III - Membership
APRA-MD membership will be open to individuals who seek to foster a positive association
with the community and whose terms of affiliation shall not be contrary to the
goals or ethics statement of APRA (International), yet shall uphold the responsibilities
and integrity of APRA without conflict of interest.
Any person wishing to join APRA-MD should complete a new member information form
and submit payment of dues to an officer of APRA-MD. An APRA-MD member does not
have to be a member of APRA (International), but membership in APRA is encouraged.
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Article IV Board of Directors/Officers
Section A - Governorship
A Board of Directors comprised of at least 5 members of APRA-MD who are in good
standing shall govern APRA-MD. All Officers are Board members. Each Officer is
eligible for re-election only so long as she/he is a member of APRA-MD in good
standing, and is deemed by the majority of the Board to be eligible for continued
membership
The membership at large shall elect each Officer through a process of nomination.
Each Officer shall serve a term of two (2) years, but not more than two (2) consecutive
terms (total 4 years). The first term will run from February 1995 to May 1996.
Subsequent terms will run in two-year cycles from February to January.
Section B - Nomination/Election of Officers
The Vice President shall take nominations from the membership at large until November
1st, and a list of the nominees shall be submitted to the membership at large
no later than November 30th. The Vice President shall accept votes from the membership
at large and the Board of Directors no later than December 1st of the same year.
The votes will be counted before December 31st of the same year. Election results
should be announced no later than January 31st of the following year.
Section C - Terms of Office
All Officers are expected to act as representatives of APRA-MD to the public,
as needed. All Officers are expected to uphold the mission and ethics statement
of APRA (International).
President: The President of APRA-MD chairs meetings and conferences,
provides leadership in organizing meetings and conferences, sets the agenda for
Board meetings, and oversees the finances of the organization. The President is
the primary APRA-MD liaison with other organizations, including APRA (International).
The President shall be a member of APRA (International) in good standing. The
President may assume the duties of other Officers, as needed.
Vice President: The Vice President of APRA-MD chairs meetings
and conferences in the absence of the President. The Vice President assists the
President in organizing meetings and conferences, maintaining the finances of
the organization, and representing APRA-MD to other organizations. The Vice President
is responsible for coordinating and tallying election ballots. The Vice President
is the contact person for APRA-MD's mentoring program. The Vice President may
assume the duties of other Officers, as needed.
Treasurer: The Treasurer of APRA-MD is responsible for accurately
maintaining the organization's finances. The Treasurer receives, records, and
deposits all checks for APRA-MD into the organization's bank account. The Treasurer
is responsible for ensuring that the organization's account remains in a positive
balance, and that all bills incurred by APRA-MD are paid promptly. The Treasurer
maintains the financial records of the organization, including but not limited
to copies of checks for payments due with attached documentation, copies of checks
for dues received, and bank statements. The Treasurer is responsible for providing
the Membership Director with copies of dues received and documentation such as
new member information forms. The President or Vice President may assume the Office
of Treasurer, as needed.
Membership Chair: The Membership Chair of APRA-MD is
primarily responsible for accurately maintaining a current database/list of APRA-MD
members in good standing. The Membership Chair provides new and potential members
with information about APRA-MD, including how to become a member of APRA-MD. The
Membership Chair provides other Officers with mailing labels, badges, and membership
lists, as needed. The Membership Chair provides the membership at large with
current membership lists at least once (1) a year, or as often as deemed appropriate
by the Board of Directors. The Membership Chair oversees his/her Membership
Committee. Other Officers may assist the Membership Chair, as needed.
Programming Chair: The Programming Chair of APRA-MD is
primarily responsible for arranging and coordinating events, such as the annual
conferences and Brown Bag Lunch Lectures. The Programming Chair is the primary
contact person for guest speakers, catering firms, room and equipment rental,
and other necessities associated with events. The Programming Chair oversees
his/her Programming Committee. Other Officers may assist the Programming Chair,
as needed.
Publicity Chair: The Publicity Chair of APRA-MD is primarily
responsible for publicizing up-coming APRA-MD events. The Publicity Chair is
responsible for notifying the Board of Directors, the membership at large, APRA
(International), and local publications (if deemed appropriate by the Board of
Directors) of up-coming meetings, conferences, and workshops. The Publicity Chair
works in concert with the Programming Chair to produce fliers announcing these
up-coming events. The Publicity Chair oversees his/her Publicity Committee,
which may include a designated person(s) to record minutes from Board meetings,
maintain the APRA-MD archives, maintain the website, and assist with the production of a newsletter.
Other Officers may assist the Publicity Chair, as needed.
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Section D - Powers and Authority
The Board of Directors shall have the ultimate authority to make and execute all
rules, policies, and/or decisions necessary in order to conduct the affairs of
APRA-MD in an efficient manner.
Each Board member shall have an equal vote of not less or more than one (1) and
shall forfeit his/her vote if absent during a regular Board meeting. In the event
that said Board member is unable to attend, she/he may designate an alternate
who may execute the Board member's vote and that said alternate's vote shall have
an equal value of not less or more than one (1).
Section E - Meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet at least two (2) times a year. Meetings can
take place in person or electronically. Any Board member who is absent from two
(2) consecutive Board meetings without reasonable cause may, upon consideration
of the Board, be removed from office.
At least 1/2 (half) of the Board members shall be required in attendance to constitute
a quorum, with not less than a majority of those present voting in order that
an issue be approved or disapproved.
Agendas shall be distributed, in print or electronically, at least one week prior
to the Board meeting.
Section F - Vacancies
A vacancy of the Board shall occur when and if a Board member becomes disqualified,
is unable to perform his/her duties and/or responsibilities, resigns, or whenever
the Board shall elect to increase its membership. When a vacancy occurs, the Board
will nominate and approve a new Board member from the APRA-MD membership at large
to fill out the term of the former Board member.
Article VI Amendments to the By-Laws
The By-Laws of APRA-MD may be amended as deemed appropriate by majority vote of
the Board of Directors.
Article VII Dissolution
In the event that APRA-MD should cease to be a viable chapter of APRA (International),
the Board of Directors may vote to dissolve the organization. If any funds remain
after all accounts payable have been satisfied, those remaining funds should go
to APRA (International) as a donation.
By-Laws first established, February 1995, Baltimore, MD (Amy Kathryn Farrier,
President, & Laura Middleton, Vice President)
By-Laws updated, June 2001, Baltimore, MD (Nancy J. Cole, President, & Anne Scheurer,
Vice President)
[* - 2008 addendum: added the fields of Relationship Management and Data Mining/Analytics to reflect changes by APRA International]
