ARTICLE I — NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Miami Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development.

ARTICLE II — OBJECT

Section 1: The object of the organization is to achieve a better utilization of human ability and potential in business, industry, and government by:

a) Providing leadership in the field of human resource training and development in order to assist management to develop and maintain a competent work force.

b) Ensuring continuity of effective organizational leadership by assisting management to motivate career minded personnel to achieve individual growth goals.

c) Promoting an understanding of training and development as a basic responsibility of management.

d) Encouraging or sponsoring appropriate research and publishing results in the fields of training and development.

e) Providing means for the disseminating and exchange of knowledge, skill and attitude about training and development.

f) Encouraging educational institutions to provide programs for the preparation and growth of training and development practitioners.

g) Encouraging the participation, affiliation and development of individuals or groups concerned with specialized areas of activity or interests within the broad field of human resource training and development.

ARTICLE III — MEMBERS

A person actively engaged in, closely related to, or professionally interested in education, training, and development of employees shall be eligible for membership.

Section 1: There shall be four classes of membership whose rights and privileges are as described:

a) National Members who hold hold membership in both the Miami Chapter and the American Society of Training and Development. National Members are eligible to hold Chapter office and to serve as delegate to the National Convention and may vote at Chapter and National Meetings.

b) Chapter Members who hold membership in the local Chapter where they may vote, but not hold office.

c) Student Members may vote in Chapter meetings, and pay reduced dues; Student Members may be employed part time but are primarily involved in educational pursuits.

d) Honorary Members are elected by the Chapter and pay no dues, do not hold office or vote, but are given privilege of the floor and pay member rates for Chapter sponsored events.

Section 2: A prospective member shall complete the Chapter Application Form and submit this with one-year dues to the Vice President for Membership, or in the absence of this officer, to the Vice President for Finance.

Section 3: Membership is non transferable to another individual or Chapter.

ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of the Miami Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development shall be a President, a President Elect, a Vice President of Programs, a Vice President of Membership, a Vice President of Communications, a Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Chapter Development, a Vice President of Technology and a Recording Secretary, all of whom shall be National Members.

Section 2: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint committee Chairpersons and shall direct the administration of the Chapter business. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

Section 3: The President Elect shall preside at any meeting where the President is absent. In the inability of the President, the President elect shall assume office for the remainder of the term. In the inability of the President Elect to complete the term of the President, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy.

Section 4: In the absence of the President and the President Elect, the Vice President for Programs shall preside at meetings.

Section 5: Records shall be audited at the end of each term of office by someone other than a chapter officer or board member.

Section 6: At the completion of the term of office, all officers shall facilitate transition-training sessions and promptly deliver records and supplies to their successors..

ARTICLE V — ELECTIONS

Section 1: A Nominating Committee, consisting of a Past President, and four Chapter members (two of whom shall not be Board members), shall be elected by the Board of Directors in June. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate, consisting of at least one nominee for each office, at the July Chapter Meeting. Following the report of the Nominating Committee, nominations from the floor precede the election. Elections shall be by voice unless a motion for a ballot is adopted. A majority vote elects. If there is but one nomination for each office, the Secretary shall cast the ballot of the Chapter.

Section 2: Officers shall assume office the first of January and hold office for one year or until their successors are elected.

ARTICLE VI — MEETINGS

Section 1: Regular meetings of the Chapter are the third Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Ten members of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII — BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: The Officers of the Chapter  and the immediate Past President, shall constitute the Board of Directors.

Section 2: The Board of Directors shall have full power and authority over the affairs of the Chapter, except the election of officers.

Section 3: The Board of Directors shall create such Special Committees as shall be necessary from time to time. The Board shall fill all vacancies in office and Board membership except for the office of President Elect, which shall be filled as provided in Article IV, Section 3.

Section 4: The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President or by written request of three Board members addressed to the Secretary.

Section 5: A quorum of the Board of Directors is a majority of its membership.

Section 6: Attendance at Board of Director meetings is obligatory. Board members may relieve a member of responsibilities if there are also unexcused absences.

ARTICLE VIII — COMMITTEES

Section 1: Standing Committee Chairpersons not named in these By Laws shall be appointed by the President.

Section 2: The Program Committee shall research and recommend programs and coordinate the planning and logistics for all programs, including workshops.

Section 3: The Membership Committee shall solicit members for the Chapter, process all membership applications and support all membership related activity.

Section 4: The Chapter Development Committee shall design and implement the Chapter’s marketing plan to drive the Chapter’s mission.

Section 5: The Communications Committee shall Publicize the Chapter’s activities via the chapter website, newsletter, email blasts and exernal media publicity.

Section 6: The Technology Committee shall be responsible for the Chapter website and other technology related-issues.

Section 7: The Council of Presidents may represent the Chapter in the Community and shall serve as an advisory group to the Chapter on Strategic Planning. This Council may conduct its business by phone.

Section 8: Special Committees created by the Board shall have their duties prescribed by the President at the appointment of its Chairperson. Committee members shall be appointed by the President with advice for the Chairperson.

ARTICLE IX — PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By Laws and any special rules or order the Chapter may adopt.

ARTICLE X — AMENDMENT OF BY LAWS

These By Laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors by a two thirds vote of those present, provided that the amendment has been published in the Chapter Newsletter or website and that all written comments by members shall be considered prior to the vote.

Amended January 3, 2009