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BY-LAWS
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ARTICLE I – Name of Organization
The name of this organization is the Virginia Environmental Health Association, Inc., a non-profit Virginia corporation, herein referred to as the Association.
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ARTICLE II – Purposes
The purposes of the Association are:
To Provide a statewide association of Environmental Health professionals;
To provide an opportunity and stimulus for the professional growth of Environmental Health Professionals through educational programs and registration;
To promote high standards of qualifications and professional ethics for Environmental Health professionals’
To strive for increased recognition of Environmental Health professionals as a professional group rendering service vital to the health and well-being of the public;
To encourage cooperation among official and non-official agencies in activities directed towards the improvement of public health and the environment;
To promote through educational means, public awareness of environmental factors which affect the general well-being of the populace; and
To otherwise promote the objectives of the National Environmental Health Association.
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ARTICLE III – Membership and Dues
A. The classes of membership in the Association shall be as follows:
1. ACTIVE: Any person who is employed full-time in the field of Environmental Health as an Environmental Health professional, or in related educational activities.
2. ASSOCIATE: Any person who has had and maintains an interest in Environmental Health or has retired from service in Environmental Health.
3. STUDENT: Any full-time student working towards a degree in Environmental Health or a related field.
4. HONORARY: May be conferred on any person for distinguished achievement or service in the Environmental Health field. Members in this class shall not have voting rights and shall not be required to pay dues.
5. SUPPORTING: Any individual employed in a responsible position in an enterprise serving or directly related to the Environmental Health field.
6. SUSTAINING: Any company, corporation or association of such firms with a general interest in and desire to contribute to the objectives of the association.
B. Payment of dues shall be as follows:
1. Dues to confer calendar year membership shall be paid in January of each calendar year. Dues paid at any other time within the calendar year shall confer membership for the remainder of that calendar year only.
2. Dues notices shall be mailed to the Association membership in January of each calendar year.
3. Dues for all classes of membership shall be adopted by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Any change in dues structure shall be announced in the Virginia Environmental Health Association Bulletin or by first class mail. |
ARTICLE IV – Duties of Officers & Delegates
A. The Officers of the Association shall be President, Vice-President for Program, Vice-President for Professional Advancement and Vice-President for Member Services. Officers shall be elected in even numbered years in accordance with the provisions of Article VII of these by-laws.
B. The duties of the officers and delegates shall be as follows:
1. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall represent the Association as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Environmental Health Association, provided that their NEHA membership is in good standing. In cases where the President shall not be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors of NEHA, an active affiliate member shall be appointed to serve in such a capacity.The appointment shall be made by the President and confirmed by a 2/3-majority vote of the Board of Directors. The President shall chair the Steering Committee.
2. The Vice President for Program shall be responsible for the coordination of the Association’s Annual and Mid-Year Educational Workshops, including meeting registration and professional programs, and any other conference or educational program the Association initiates or develops.
3. The Vice-President for Professional Advancement shall be responsible for overseeing the following areas of responsibility: Professional Advancement, Legislative Affairs, Professional Registration, and Awards.
4. The Vice-President for Member Services shall have the following areas of responsibility: VEHA Bulletin, Membership, Budget/Finance and the Board appointed positions of Secretary and Treasurer. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President.
5. The Secretary shall be appointed by the board of directors and shall be the official custodian of all documents, correspondence and records of the Association. The Secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall maintain a current roster of the membership and perform such other duties as assigned by the Vice-President for Member Services.
6. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall have custody of all funds of the Association, which shall be deposited in one or more depositories designated by the Board of Directors. Disbursements shall be made only by checks which shall be signed by the Treasurer or others designated by the Board. The Treasurer and/or others designated by the Board, if required by the Board of Directors, may be bonded at a minimum of $1,000 more than the maximum yearly balance. The bonding expense shall be borne by the Association. The Treasurer and other designated by the Board shall submit written financial statements as required by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and shall be the custodian of the Association computer, and shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Vice-President for Member Services.
7. There shall be six (6) Delegates, representing six geographic areas of the Commonwealth (as delineated on the map attached), and there shall be two (2) additional Delegates who shall be elected at-large. These Delegates shall be the representatives of the Association and shall perform such other duties as assigned them by the President and/or the Board of Directors. Delegates representing geographic areas shall reside in or be employed in those areas.
C. Removal of Elected Officers or Delegates:
Should any Officer or Delegate fail to meet the obligations as an Officer or Delegate of the Association or perform in any manner so as to discredit the purpose of the objectives of the Association, the Officer or Delegate may, by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors, be suspended from all duties. If requested within 60 days, the suspension may be appealed and membership reinstated upon a majority vote of all members.
D. Filling of Vacancies:
Should a vacancy be created by the resignation, removal or death of an elected official or Delegate, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors. The person appointed shall serve until the next election. |
ARTICLE V – Board of Directors
A. The Board of Directors shall consist of all elected officers of the Association, the immediate Past President of the Association and eight elected delegates. The President and Secretary of the Association shall serve as the Chair and Secretary of the Board of Directors.
B. The Board of Directors shall conduct the business of the Association between annual meetings and in addition thereto shall have such other applicable powers, duties, privileges as prescribed in the by-laws of the National Environmental Health Association. Business of the Association may be conducted by a majority of the Board of Directors present when notice of said meeting has been sent to all board members.
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ARTICLE VI – Annual Meetings and Voting Privileges
A. An Annual Meeting shall be held at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors. The annual Meeting shall consist of a business meeting and an educational conference. Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be sent to the membership with the Annual Election Ballot. Other meetings of the Association may be held at such times and places fixed by the Board.
B. Meetings of the Board shall be called, when necessary, by the President or at the request of a majority of the members of the Board.
C. A quorum to conduct the business of the Association at the Annual Meeting shall consist of at least 1/10 of the members, including at least one officer. A quorum to conduct business at any called meeting of the Board shall be a simple majority.
D. All active, associate and student members in good standing and in attendance shall be entitled to vote on matters brought to a vote at the Annual Meeting. |
ARTICLE VII – Balloting, Nominations & Elections
A. The election of officers and delegates shall be by written ballot. Delegates representing geographic areas shall be elected by the members residing in or employed in that geographic area. When a member resides in one geographic area, and is employed in a different area, the delegate must choose one geographic area for representation.
B. The Nominating committee shall submit to the Board a slate of nominees for elected officers and Delegates for consideration by the Board at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting. A ballot shall be mailed to each voting member at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The ballot shall be returned to the Nominating committee at least 15 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Nominating committee shall certify the balloting to the President at least 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting.
C. The President, shall be elected for a two-year term and shall not be eligible for a successive term in office. The three Vice-Presidents shall be elected for two-year terms and shall not succeed themselves in the position in which they currently serve. The Delegates shall be elected for two-year terms and shall not succeed themselves in office more than once.
D. All candidates for President shall have served as active members of the Board for at least 6 months prior to their nominations.
E. To accomplish the provisions of paragraph C above, the first Board of Directors after adoption of these amended by-laws shall serve the following terms of office:
1. Initially the Officers and two at-large Delegates shall be elected for a two-year term.
2. Initially the six Regional Delegates shall be elected for a one-year term.
3. Thereafter, all Officers and Delegates shall be elected for two-year terms. |
ARTICLE VIII – Committees
A. The following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Board of Directors:
1. Nominations
2. Membership
3. Program & Education
4. Steering
5. Awards
6. VEHA Bulletin
7. Professional Advancement
8. Legislative Affairs
9. Professional Registration
10. Budget & Finance
B. Such other committees as may be needed to implement the goals and objectives of the Association may be appointed by the President.
C. It shall be the duty of the Chair of all committees to fulfill their charge and submit their reports in writing to the President. The Vice-Presidents overseeing specific committees shall be an exofficio member of said committees.
D. The Past-President shall be the Chair of the Nominations Committee.
E. The duties of all committees shall be determined by the Board of Directors and made a matter of record in the documents of the Association. |
ARTICLE IX – Amendments to the By-Laws
A. Amendments to the by-laws may be proposed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or by one-quarter of the voting membership.
B. The Board of Directors shall submit proposed amendments to the by-laws to a vote of the membership by special ballots mailed to each voting member or, if the proposed amendment comes to a vote within 60 days of the Annual Business meeting, the ballot may be included with the ballots for the election of officers. Amendments shall become effective upon a majority vote of all members casting a ballot. |
ARTICLE X – Procedure Not Covered
In all matters of procedure not covered by these by-laws, the provisions set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall be followed.
Originally Adopted – 04/29/82
Revisions Adopted – 03/04/93, 04/16/93, 06/18/93, 12/15/95, 02/15/02
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