BYLAWS of the
Boston Constables Associates, Inc.
Amended December 2008
PURPOSE
To advance the administration of justice and the promotion of social welfare through the study of the methods of, and the enhancement of the proper performance of the service and enforcement of the state, municipal and federal judicial processes; to prepare, train, inform and educate persons for public service including the rendering of emergency and disaster assistance to appropriate state and municipal authorities; to promote the historical study of the role of the Constable in American legal and social history; all as a nonprofit, educational, charitable and civic service organization.
ARTICLE 1
Section 1: The principal place of business of the Boston Constables Associates, Inc. shall be an address to be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board present and voting at the Annual Meeting or at any other meeting of the Executive Board.
Section 2: The seal of the Corporation shall, subject to alteration by the Board of Directors, consist of a flat faced circular die with the word: “
Section 3: The fiscal year of the Corporation shall terminate on the 31st day of December.
ARTICLE 2
Section 1: Annual Meeting: The annual meeting for the members of the Corporation will be held on the second Wednesday of January.
Section 2: Monthly Meetings: Meetings of the membership shall be held once a month on the day and place designated by the President and only after notice has been sent to the general membership at least seven days in advance.
Section 3: Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the President or any three officers provided notice is sent to the membership at least seven days in advance and shall contain the agenda of the meeting, date, time and place of the meeting.
Section 4: Quorum: 6 members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meetings, regular or special.
Section 5: Absence of a Quorum: in the absence of a quorum, the President or any officer shall adjourn meeting to a date, time and place certain.
ARTICLE 3
Section 1: Membership: Any duly and legally appointed and sworn Constable of Boston may apply in writing for membership. The name and address of each applicant shall be published in the newsletter at least seven days prior to a regular membership meeting.
Section 2: Each applicant for membership after the filing of his or her application shall be subject to a personal interview by the membership committee.
Section 3: An applicant shall be elected to membership by the affirmative vote of two thirds of those present and voting at a regular meeting and applicant must be present.
Section 4: Each member shall be bonded in the amount required by law.
Section 5: Change of Address: Members shall notify the Secretary in writing of any change of address.
Section 6: Dues: The Executive Board shall, each year, determine the amount of dues to be charged for membership. Dues must be paid in full by January 31st of each year. A member shall not be in good standing if he/she has not paid his/her dues or assessments or has not abided by the provisions of these bylaws.
Section 7: Probation Period: Each newly elected member shall be subject to a probation period of one year from the date of his/her election. If no action is taken during this period, he/she will become a permanent member.
Section 8: Misconduct and Expulsion: Charges for misconduct may be brought against any member in writing to the Secretary and be read at the following meeting. Action by the body present can be taken only is the member has been notified by certified mail or service by a constable of a notice in hand or left last and usual place of abode and a copy mailed First Class. Service to be made at least seven days in advance of the meeting date with a return of willful or intentional violations of the statutory provisions of the Commonwealth or the rules of the Court of the Commonwealth, applicable to the powers and duties of the constables or misbehavior which may tend to bring disrepute to the organization, the public office of Constable or the American legal system.
Tow thirds vote of the members present shall expel the charged member from the organization.
Any person expelled shall be notified by certified mail or service by a constable relative to the action taken.
Section 9: Honorary Membership: Any permanent Member in good standing who chooses not to seek reappointment as a Constable of Boston either due to retirement, disability, illness or other reason may apply in writing for Honorary Membership. The name and address of each member for Honorary Membership shall be published in the newsletter at least seven days prior to a regular membership meeting.
Section 10: Each applicant for Honorary Membership after the filing of his/her application shall be subject to a personal interview by the membership committee.
Section 11: An applicant shall be elected to Honorary Membership by the affirmative vote of two thirds of those present and voting at a regular meeting.
Section 12: Honorary Members will not be required to be bonded nor will they be subject to a probation period. Honorary Members will be responsible for dues as outlined in Section 6 and subject to expulsion for misconduct as outlined in Section 8.
Section 13: Honorary members will be allowed to attend meetings, participate in seminars and receive the monthly newsletter. They will enjoy all the privileges of regular membership except that they will not vote, serve on committees or hold office.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION
The following officers shall be elected at the December meeting by a majority of those present and voting: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant at Arms. The terms of all officers shall be two years.
Section 1: Duties of the President: The President of the Association shall preside at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Board. He/she shall enforce all rules and regulations with respect to the parliamentary procedures of the meeting.
Section 2: Duties of the Vice President: The Vice President shall preside at all regular and special meetings in the absence of the President. In the case of death or resignation of the President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President for the remainder of the term. The Vice President shall assist the President and Secretary when requested. The Vice President shall oversee the operation of all committees and shall assure that monthly committee reports are forthcoming from the chairpersons of these committees. The Vice-President shall be in charge of all social events of the Association. The Vice President shall be in charge of arranging the monthly program and speaker.
Section 3: Duties of the Secretary: The Secretary shall send out the monthly bulletin and record the minutes of every meeting. The Secretary shall keep all non-financial records of the Association. The Secretary shall issue membership cards to all members whose dues are paid to the Treasurer.
Section 4: Duties of the Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all moneys and deposit same in the name of the Boston Constable Associates, Inc. in such a depositary as the Executive Board shall indicate. The Treasurer shall, before entering office give a surety bond in the amount of $5000.00, which shall be paid by the Association and filed with the Secretary. All checks of the Association shall be signed by the Treasurer only upon written voucher of the President in accordance with Article 4, Section 1. At each meeting the Treasurer shall submit a report of all receipts and disbursements for the preceding month. At the annual meeting, the Treasurer shall submit a written report for the preceding year.
Section 5: Duties of the Sergeant at Arms: The Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order at each meeting and shall admit only members in good standing with their guests. The sergeant at Arms shall take attendance at each, meeting and notify the Secretary of same.
Section 6: Officer Absence: Any officer or member of the Executive Board who during his/her term of office misses three consecutive regular meetings or three consecutive Board meetings and doesn’t notify one of the Officers before the meeting with a good reason will forfeit his/her position as officer or member of the Board of Directors, and the vacant position shall be filled by the vote of the Executive Board for the remainder of the Term.
ARTICLE 5
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: Membership: The Board of Directors shall consist of five members elected form the general membership of the Association. The immediate past president will serve one year on the Board of Directors. The five members elected from the general membership shall be elected for the following terms:
1. One for one year
2. Three for two years
3. One for three years
Thereafter, one new member shall be elected each year except at the expiration of the two year terms when three members shall be elected.
No officer shall serve on the Board of Directors during his/her term of office.
The Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Directors.
Section 2: Monthly Meetings: The Executive Board, consisting of the Officers and the Members of the Board of Directors shall meet at the discretion of the Board on a fate and at a time to be determined by the Members of the Board.
Section 3: Powers of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall have the power and the duty to recommend any appropriate and necessary business to the general body and the Executive Board for action.
Section 4: Quorum: The Quorum of the Board of Directors shall be three members.
ARTICLE 6
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1: Membership: The Executive Board shall consist of the Officers of the Association and the members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Board acting as a unit with open discussion shall review and discuss all Association business, draw its conclusions and recommend appropriate action to the general body for voting. The Executive Board does not replace or eliminate the Board of Directors which shall continue to operate as an independent body, conduct meetings and make recommendations of its own under Article 5.
Section 2: Meeting: The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the Board prior to the regular meeting on a date and at a time decided upon by the Executive Board Members.
Section 3: Quorum: The Quorum of the Executive Board shall be five members.
ARTICLE 7
ELECTION AND BALLOTING
Section 1: Nominations: Nominations for office shall be held at the November meeting with elections to be held in December. The elected officers will assume office in January.
Section 2: Eligibility for Office: Only those members who have served as an officer of the corporation for one full year will be eligible to serve as President.
Section 3: Nominations: Nominations for an officer or member of the Board of Directors shall be opened and closed at the regularly scheduled meeting of the membership immediately prior to the meeting at which the election shall occur and the report of the nominating committee shall be filed at that time and shall be considered as new business. The Nominating Committee in addition to any member shall nominate members for office.
Section 4: Voting: Voting shall be by secret and separate written ballot at the December meeting by those members present.
ARTICLE 8
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules.
ARTICLE 9
The bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by a two thirds vote of the members present and voting providing notice has been given to the general membership in the bulletin for that meeting.
