Bylaws

South-Central Kentucky Mental Health
Counseling Association Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Name

The name of this association shall be the South Central Kentucky Mental Health Counseling Association.

Section 2. Purposes

The purposes of the Association are as follows:

A. Advance the profession of mental health counseling in the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.

B. Promote the exchange of professional information among regional mental health counselors by means of a newsletter, a list serve, a website, and other educational, and professional materials.

C. Provide continuing education opportunities by sponsoring conferences, workshops, and other offerings that assist regional mental health counselors in updating their competencies.

D. Promote standards for the training of mental health counselors in the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.

E. Promote positive relations with other state and regional professional organizations for effective advocacy of mental health issues.

F. Promote a program of effective public relations to enhance awareness of mental health counseling and the competencies and services of its practitioners.

G. Promote high standards of credentialing of mental health counselors by advocating for licensure of all mental health counseling providers in the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.

Section 3. Association Memberships

As a regional chapter of the Kentucky Mental Health Counselors Association (KMHCA), the association shall be bound by the bylaws of KMHCA.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Types of Membership

There shall be four types of membership: clinical, regular, retired, and student. Only clinical, regular, and retired members may vote. Only clinical and regular members in good standing are eligible for election to an elective office. Only clinical members may be eligible for election to the executive offices of Chairman and Co-Chairman.

Section 2. Requirements of Membership

A. Clinical Members

(1) Eligibility: Applicants for clinical membership shall certify that they hold at least a master=s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in counseling or a related area that covers the basic principles of mental health counseling and are licensed/certified as a clinical counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

(2) Procedure: Any person desiring to become a member of the association shall make application and shall become a member of the association upon (i) certifying that the required professional standards have been met, (ii) approval of the application, and (iii) the payment of dues. The specific procedures for implementing this section shall be specified in policy adopted by the Executive Committee.

(3) Obligations and Privileges: A clinical member must pay annual dues. A clinical member in good standing shall be entitled to vote, to attend meetings of the association, and shall be eligible to hold office in the association.

(4) Retained Privileges: At the inception of professional standards for membership, no individual shall be deprived of any privileges heretofore granted by reason of membership in the association. Such privileges shall continue as long as the member remains in good standing. Re-application for membership after relinquishing it for whatever reason shall be based on the new membership criteria.

B. Regular Members

(1) Eligibility: Any person whose primary work-related responsibilities are in the area of human services, counselor education, or a related field shall be eligible for regular membership in the association.

(2) Procedure: Any person desiring to become a member of the association shall make application and shall become a member of the association upon (i) certifying that the required professional standards have been met, (ii) approval of the application, and (iii) the payment of dues. The specific procedures for implementing this section shall be specified in policy adopted by the Executive Committee.

(3) Obligations and Privileges: A regular member must pay annual dues. A regular member in good standing shall be entitled to vote, to attend meetings of the association, and shall be eligible to hold office in the association. Regular members shall not, however, be eligible to hold the office of President or President-Elect.

(4) Retained Privileges: At the inception of professional standards for membership, no individual shall be deprived of any privileges heretofore granted by reason of membership in the association. Such privileges shall continue as long as the member remains in good standing. Re-application for membership after relinquishing it for whatever reason shall be based on the new membership criteria.

C. Retired Members

Members in retirement shall be entitled to reduced annual dues and shall maintain all the privileges of regular membership except that retired members are not eligible to hold office.

D. Student Members

Any student enrolled in an accredited graduate or undergraduate program for half or more time or more in the areas of human services, counseling, or a related field shall be eligible to become a student member of the association for a three-year period. Exceptions to the three-year time limit can be made upon receipt of additional verification from the student=s major advisor. An additional year of membership at the student rate will be granted for the year following graduation while the member establishes him/herself in the mental health counseling profession. Student members may attend meetings of the association, but shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be eligible to hold office.

Section 3. Dues

Annual association dues for members shall be established by action of the Executive Committee and shall be collected by the association treasurer.

Section 4. Severance of Membership

A. A member may be dropped from membership for conduct that tends to injure the association or which violates the bylaws or code of ethics or standards of practice for the profession. Members charged by the parent organization (KMHCA) with engaging in such conduct and subsequently found guilty of such charges shall be dropped from membership in the South Central Kentucky Mental Health Counselors Association.

B. A member may be dropped from membership for:

(1) nonpayment of dues

(2) falsely certifying that divisional qualifications have been met.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Officers

The elected officers of this association shall be president, president-elect, secretary, and treasurer. Other officers may be elected as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee. Officers must be members in good standing of KMHCA. Elections are held following the election procedures of SCKMHCA.

Section 2. Elections and Terms of Officers

A. All terms of office begin on March 1. The duration of each term is (2) years.

B. All officers will serve for (2) years beginning on March 1. In the event that an officer should die, resign, or otherwise be unable to continue in office prior to the end of the 2-year period, the Executive Committee shall fill the office in a manner to be determined by policy.

C. Election of officer-elects for the subsequent term shall be held in February in the year preceding the subsequent term. A slate of nominees shall be solicited from the members and published during the month of December prior to the February election. The first term of the association began March 1, 2003 and all elections will proceed each (2) years beginning February 2005 for the term beginning March 1, 2005 and thereafter.

D. Prior to the commencement of their term, if for any reason an officer-elect should be unable to assume the office to which they have been elected, the Executive Committee shall fill the position in a manner to be determined by policy.

E. Should a member of the association find cause to contest the eligibility of any nominee, a written notice shall be given to the Executive Committee within thirty (30) days after publication of the slate of candidates. If no challenge is made during this time, the slate becomes incontestable.

F. Vacancies occurring on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Executive Committee in a manner to be determined by policy.

Section 3. Powers and Duties of Officers

A. The president shall serve as presiding officer of the association and as a members and chair of the Executive Committee of the association. The president shall, in collaboration with the Executive Committee, appoint all special committees, task forces, and representatives to external bodies. The president shall cooperatively perform such other duties as are incident to the office, or as may be properly required by vote of the Executive Committee and/or as specified by policy. The president shall also cooperatively appoint members to fill vacancies on standing committees occurring during their term of office.

B. The treasurer shall serve on the Executive Committee and will be responsible for maintaining the associations budget and disbursing funds as directed by the association=s officers and Executive Committee. The treasurer will provide financial reports to the Executive Committee and to the association.

C. The secretary will be responsible for recording minutes of all meetings and for the timely distribution of these minutes to all members.

D. Two at-large Executive Officers serve on the Executive Committee and are appointed to the Executive Committee by the president. At-large Executive Officers are selected from the membership and act as liaison officers between the association membership and the Executive Committee. At-large Executive Officers shall be responsible for the formal dissemination of information to the association=s membership. Areas of responsibility include a regular newsletter, promotional brochures, electronic list serve, web-page, and other association communications and publications.

Section 4. Executive Committee

A. The Executive Committee shall be the agency through which the general administrative and executive functions of the association are effected. The committee shall be responsible for developing and implementing all policies pursuant to these bylaws.

B. The Executive Committee shall conduct, manage, and control the business of the association.

Section 5. Meetings

A. The Executive Committee shall meet at specified times designated by the president or a majority of the Executive Committee.

B. A simple majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

C. The annual business meeting of the association shall take place at a time and place designated by the president and approved by the Executive Committee. The date and location will be published in the association=s newsletter and website. Association business may be placed before the membership assembled at that time at the direction of the Executive Committee.

Section 6. Removal from Office

An elected officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee.

A. Reasons for removal from office are:

(1) Violation of the professional code of ethics.

(2) Failure to carry out duties/responsibilities of office.

B. The process of removal from office must be initiated in writing by a member of the association. Two additional letters from members supporting removal from office must accompany the initial charge. Ethical violations must be dealt with according to procedures detailed in policies relating to such matters. The following steps will apply in sequence when the charge relates to failure to carry out duties / responsibilities of one=s office:

(1) Written documentation of charges must be presented to the SCKMHCA president. In cases where a president is being charged, the president-elect and the secretary/treasurer shall receive the written documentation of the charges.

(2) Notification of the charges must be provided to the officer in question and to the Executive Committee.

(3) Consideration of the charges will be conducted in closed executive session by the Executive Committee.

(4) Attempts will be made to resolve the issues through appropriate communications channels with the intent of keeping the person in office, if possible.

(5) Removal from office can occur by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee.

(6) There will be an opportunity for the accused to respond to charges, either in person or in written form to the Executive Committee.

(7) Removal from office will not be official until thirty (30) days from the date of action taken regarding charges by the SCKMHCA Executive Committee.

(8) An appeal process will be available within thirty (30) days from the date of action taken regarding charges by the Executive Committee.

(9) The accused member of the Executive Committee will be required to abstain from voting on the issue; the accused officer may also be asked to leave the session in which the issue is considered by the remainder of the Executive Committee.

(10) If removal from office results, written notice to this effect will be provided to the person charged by the SCKMHCA president or, when removing the president, by the president-elect and secretary / treasurer. Removal will also be duly recorded in the minutes of the next Executive Committee meeting, along with the effective date of removal.

ARTICLE IV. VOLUNTEER LEADERS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1. Representatives to External Bodies

The association Executive Committee shall appoint SCKMHCA representatives to professional groups as required. These appointees serve at the pleasure of and will be accountable to the SCKMHCA Executive Committee. They will report to the committee according to schedules specified by policy, or specific instructions, and will be subject to recall by the Executive Committee. Depending upon the bylaws of the respective entities, these external representatives may serve for a term determined appropriate by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Committees Generally

The committees of the association shall consist of standing committees and such special committees as may be deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Nominations for appointments to all committees will be made collaboratively between the president and Executive Committee members after broad solicitation for interested members. The President will submit the nominations to the Executive Committee for their approval. Special committees will be appointed for a term of two (2) years. The mandate of the special committees must be renewed by the Executive Committee on an annual basis. Standing committees shall consist of three or more members of the association. Members of standing committees may be re-appointed for additional terms.

Section 3. Standing Committees

The following shall be standing committees of SCKMHCA:

(1) Public Policy and Legislation
(2) Member Services
(3) Public Awareness and Support
(4) Professional Development
(5) Finance

Section 4. Reports

Each committee will report to the president, in writing, the salient activities, financial information and progress of the committee within thirty (30) days after each committee meeting. The reports may be in the form of minutes to the committee.

Section 5. Task Forces

Task Forces may be established as deemed necessary to conduct the affairs of the association. The task force chair and members shall be appointed by the president. Each task force shall report to the president, in writing, the salient activities financial information and progress of the task force as directed by the chairmen.

Section 6. Qualifications of Volunteer Leaders

All appointees must be members of the association.

Section 7. Diversity

SCKMHCA will make a Abest effort@ to achieve diversity of race, gender, and ethnicity in all appointments.

ARTICLE V. BUSINESS AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall be from March 1 to February 28.

Section 2. Property of the Association

In the event that the association should be dissolved, none of its property shall be distributed to any of the members. Instead, all of its property shall be transferred to the Kentucky Mental Health Counselors Association.

ARTICLE VI. MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS

Section 1. Media and Publications Policies

The Executive Committee shall determine and direct the basic media and publication policy of the association.

Section 2. Associate Editors

An associate editor may be appointed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII. BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendment and Adoption

These bylaws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the full membership of the association.

Section 2. Notification of Bylaws Change

The Executive Committee of the association must be notified, in writing, at least thirty (30) days prior to any association meeting of any proposal to add to or amend the bylaws of the association.

Section 3. Effective Date of Bylaws Amendments

At the time of the adoption of an amendment to the bylaws, the Executive Committee must specify that the amendment is effective either immediately or on January 1 of the subsequent year.

Section 4. Publication

The bylaws of the association shall be published in their entirety every five years, beginning January 1, 2003. All amendments adopted by the association during an official year shall be printed during the year of adoption.

ARTICLE VIII. RULES OF ORDER

The parliamentary authority for meetings of the association will be Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised, 1990 Edition (by Henry Martin Robert), as from time to time amended.

Adopted: August 12, 2003

RESPECTIVELY SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: