CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
of the
ALASKA RECREATION AND
PARK ASSOCIATION
PASSED AND AMENDED BY THE:
ALASKA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED 1995
ORIGINALLY APPROVED: NOVEMBER 1976
AMENDED:
DECEMBER 1981
OCTOBER 1983
SEPTEMBER 1984
JANUARY 1990
JANUARY 1991
SEPTEMBER 1992
SEPTEMBER 1993
SEPTEMBER 1996
SEPTEMBER 2000
SEPTEMBER 2001
APRIL 2004
APRIL 2006
APRIL 2009
AUGUST 2014
SEPTEMBER 2018
SEPTEMBER 2020
ALASKA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
Amended September, 2017
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1. The Association shall be known as the Alaska Recreation and Park Association, an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Section 1. The general purpose and the nature of business of this Association shall be exclusively educational for the furtherance of parks and recreation opportunities throughout the state. The objectives, which it intends to achieve, are as follows:
- To organize all levels of park and recreation personnel and the interested laymen in the State of Alaska for the purposes of promoting, broadening, and improving parks and recreation services.
- To promulgate and maintain high standards of professional training, qualifications and ethics.
- To encourage all to adopt an advanced science-based outcomes-focused approach to assessment, planning and management of park, recreation and leisure services that emphasizes the benefits of parks and recreation through measurable results.
- To encourage and promote programs of training for parks and leisure services personnel.
- To stimulate closer cooperation and coordination between the various agencies (public, private, commercial, military, educational and industrial) engaged in park and leisure services.
- To encourage study and research on matters of professional interest.
- To function in such a manner as will further the interest of the park and leisure movement in the State of Alaska.
- To give special emphasis in their policies to human and social values and take into account the social and ecological consequences of any new problem.
- To be aware of the importance of legislation and the responsibility on the part of the Association to promote policies which are considered to be in the public interest in the field of recreation and parks.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in the Association shall be open to anyone interested in the park and leisure services profession meeting the qualifications provided in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected by the members as provided by the Bylaws and shall hold office as follows: President and Vice President for a two year term, President-Elect for a one year term, Secretary and Treasurer for a two-year term, or until their successors are elected and installed.
Section 3. The duties of the officers shall be those normally associated with their titles.
Section 4. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of the elected officers, the immediate past president, three (3) Members-at-Large, and eligible special interest section chairs as identified in ARTICLE VIII of these Bylaws.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill vacancies in any of the aforementioned offices for the remainder of the term.
Section 6. The Board of Directors shall meet at the pleasure of the president for advice and counsel, or by vote of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority and the By-Laws by a simple majority of total respondents of voting mechanism that has been determined by the Board of Directors. At least thirty (30) days written or electronic notice of such suggested amendment shall be given each member entitled to vote.
ARTICLE VI - DISSOLUTION
Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of this Association any assets of the Association remaining after all obligations of the Association have been paid , or otherwise adequately provided for, shall be sold and the net proceeds there from shall be distributed as follows:
- To any successor Alaska organization which has a like purpose and is exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then
- To the National Recreational and Park Association, then
- To an Alaskan state or local government, for a public parks or recreation purpose.
ALASKA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
BYLAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in this Association shall be open to all persons and organizations interested in the objectives of the Association upon payment of the dues as set by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Membership structure shall be managed by a membership committee as determined by Article VI of the By-Laws overseen by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Annual membership dues in the Association shall be established by the Board of Directors. A two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors shall be required to amend the Association’s dues structure. Written notice must be provided to the Associations general membership thirty (30) days prior to the vote of the Board of Directors to amend the dues.
Section 4. Failure to pay dues within thirty (30) days of expiration shall result in suspension of membership in the Association, but may be restored to full membership upon payment of dues for the current year. During the period of suspension, however, persons shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership.
ARTICLE II - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected by the members as provided by the Bylaws and shall hold office as follows: President and Vice President for a two year term, President-Elect for a one year term, Secretary and Treasurer for a two-year term, or until their successors are elected and installed.
Section 3. The duties of the officers shall be those normally associated with their titles.
Section 4. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of the elected officers, the immediate past president, three (3) Members-at-Large, and eligible special interest section chairs as identified in ARTICLE VIII of these Bylaws.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet at the pleasure of the president for advice and counsel, or by vote of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The duties of the officers shall be those common to the respective office held:
Section 1. President: The President of the Association shall act as presiding officer of the Association and Board of Directors; and perform such duties as ordinarily pertain to the office. The President is responsible to periodically review and recommend changes to the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 2. Vice President: The Vice President of the Association shall attend all meetings of the Board and be acquainted with duties of the President, preside in the absence of the President or the President-Elect, serve as the professional development and training Chair. The Vice President is responsible to periodically review and recommend changes to the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 3. President-Elect: There shall be a President-Elect who shall be responsible for the activities and business of the Association under the direction of the president. The president-elect shall preside in the absence of the president. The President-Elect is responsible to periodically review and recommend changes to the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 4. Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of the Associations business and for distribution of the minutes to the Board within thirty (30) days following a Board of Directors meeting. Responsibility also includes mailing pertinent notices of all meetings and other general information.
Section 5. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and holding all funds of the Association and shall disburse funds by check only as authorized by the President or President-Elect. The Treasurer shall give a full report of the Association’s financial status at all regular board meetings.
ARTICLE IV -DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Board of Directors Duties: It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to recommend policies and carry out the instructions and business of the Association.
Section 2. Board of Directors Vacancies: Any vacancies of the Board of Directors occurring during the year shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the Board. Any person thus elected shall hold office for the unexpired term or until his successor is elected and qualified.
Section 3. A simple majority of the Board of Directors must be present to conduct business.
Section 4. In the event a Board Member fails to perform in their duties, the officers of the Association shall vote to remove them. The removed officer shall receive a written notification from the President.
Section 5. Quorum Proxy Vote: Attendance in person or by electronic means by one over half of the Board of Directors in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Association business. Should a board member be unable to attend a board meeting, he/she may submit in writing to another board member who will attend his/her proxy letter. Proxies shall count toward determination of quorum.
ARTICLE V - NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES
Section 1. Member Services Committee Duties: The Member Services Committee shall prepare a slate of nominees for any officers and any of the board positions whose term is expiring and shall submit it to the secretary. The slate shall consist of a minimum of one nominee for each of the offices whose term is expiring. Nominees shall give their consent.
Section 2. Ballot: The Committee shall prepare a ballot and send one to each eligible member. Each current member shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 3. Election of Officers: The vote shall be by mail or electronic ballot and the person receiving a majority number of votes for each office shall be elected. In the event of a tie, when practicable, a runoff election will be held. If time does not permit, a coin flip will be held with a majority of the Board present as witnesses.
Section 4. Election Results: The results of the election of officers shall be made known at the Annual Meeting.
Section 5. Installation of Officers: The incoming officers shall take office following installation ceremonies at the Annual Meeting.
Section 6. Terms of Office: The term of office for each board position shall be as follows:
Year Elected
| Position |
|
Term |
|
Year Elected |
| President Elect |
|
One Year |
|
Odd Year |
| President |
|
Two Year |
|
Even Year |
| Past President |
|
Two Year |
|
|
| Vice President |
|
Two Year |
|
Odd Year |
| Secretary |
|
Two Year |
|
Even Year |
| Treasurer |
|
Two Year |
|
Odd Year |
| Members At-Large |
|
|
|
|
| Seat I |
|
Two Year |
|
Odd Year |
| Seat II & III |
|
Two Year |
|
Even Year |
It is the intent that the President-Elect automatically serve the following year as the President.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Member Services Committee: The Member Services Committee shall be responsible for all communication with the membership to include but not limited to member development, media and marketing and annual elections.
Section 2. Awards Committee: The Awards Committee shall select and recommend to the Board of Directors persons to whom awards and citations should be given.
Section 3. Conference Committee: The Conference Committee shall be responsible for all arrangements pertaining to the annual conference.
Section 4. Legislation Committee: A Legislation Committee shall be appointed to monitor and advocate for legislation and regulations pertaining to parks and recreation.
Section 5. Education/Training, Certification and Professional Development Committee: The Vice President shall Chair the committee and will work with representatives from each of the sections to review and recommend programs and training activities of the Association and its sections, and work with the Annual Conference Committee to ensure training opportunities match needs expressed by the membership. This committee will also promote state and national professional certification, assist in coordinating other educational opportunities that benefit Association members, and actively engage the membership in pursuing ongoing education through a variety of resources.
Section 6. Scholarship Committee: The Scholarship Committee shall consist of the immediate Past President who will serve as Chair and any past presidents willing to serve on the committee. The Scholarship Committee shall approve funds per committee guidelines.
Section 7. Historical Committee: The Historical Committee shall be responsible for the acquisition, organization and preservation of historical records and artifacts as well as to facilitate dissemination of that history to the organization’s members.
Section 8. Ad Hoc Committees: The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such other special committees as may be deemed necessary.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meetings: The annual meeting of the Association shall be set by the Board of Directors at a convenient date prior to December 1 of each year. The annual meeting shall be set one year in advance.
Section 2. Quorums: A quorum is determined by members present at the annual meeting. A simple majority of the board of directors must be present to conduct business at all other board of directors meetings.
Section 3. Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the President or upon written request of the majority of the Board of Directors. At least seven (7) days notice prior to the meeting shall be given to the members.
Section 4: Board of Directors Meetings: Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be at the call of the President or on the request of a majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII - SPECIAL INTEREST SECTIONS
Section 1. To accomplish the ARPA objectives, the Association shall provide the opportunity for members with special interests to form sections.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have the power to establish and abolish special interest sections when it is deemed in the best interest of the association.
Section 3. The Board of Directors may establish a special interest section when at least FIVE (5) persons who are documented as current ARPA voting members state an interest in forming a special section. The Board of Directors shall then review the bylaws governing the sections operation. If the bylaws are approved by the Board of Directors, the section membership shall elect a Chairperson who will be allowed to sit on the Board of Directors and have all responsibilities entitled of a board member.
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The voting members of the Association may be polled by mail, e-mail, or by voice vote at an Annual Meeting of the Association on amendments to the By-Laws. The By-Laws may be amended by simple majority of the members voting. At least thirty (30) days written notice of such amendments shall be given each member entitled to a vote.
ARTICLE X - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Section 1. Adoption of Policies and Procedures: Policies and procedures may be adopted or rescinded by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Association members present at a regular meeting. The Board of Directors shall pass on all new policies and procedures before they are presented to the members.
Section 2. Manual of Procedures: A Manual of Procedures, as developed by the Board of Directors, shall be the guidelines for implementing the program of the Association.
Section 3. To amend a Board of Directors decision, a minimum of ten (10) members must submit written requests for the amendment and its wording to the Association President. The general membership has thirty (30) days to act and vote on the amendment request. Passage of the amendment requires a simple majority vote from the general membership.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
Section 1: In the event the dissolution of this Association any assets of the Association remaining after all obligations of the Association shall have been paid, or otherwise adequately provided for, shall be sold and the net proceeds there from shall be distributed as follows:
- To any successor organization which has a like purpose and is exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then
- To the National Recreation and Park Association, then
- To an Alaskan state of local government for a public parks or recreation purpose. The distribution to an Alaskan state or local government agency shall be as recommended by the Board of Directors and as approved by a simple majority of members voting on a mailed ballot.