Bylaws

OFFICIAL BYLAWS of the IOWA STATE REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF (ISRID)

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ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

As a Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) affiliate chapter, our purpose is to initiate, sponsor, promote, and execute policies and activities that will further the profession of the interpretation of American Sign Language and English and the transliteration of English. ISRID shall abide by all mandates from RID for affiliate chapters.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Categories of Membership

  • Dual Member
  • State Affiliate Member
  • Student Member
  • Supporting Member​
  • Supporting Organization

Section 2. Eligibility

Dual Member: Any sign language interpreter who is a member of ISRID and RID.

State Affiliate Member: Any sign language interpreter who is a member of ISRID, not RID.

Student Member: Any individual currently enrolled in a course of study in the interpretation of American Sign Language and English.

Supporting Member: Any individual with an interest in supporting the purpose of ISRID.

Supporting Organization: Any organization with an interest in supporting the purpose of ISRID.

Section 3. Rights of Members

A. Dual Members shall have the following:

  1. Right to vote on all ISRID and RID matters and hold up to 5 proxies.
  2. Eligibility to run for and hold a Board position.
  3. Right to participate in committees.
  4. Right to participate in discussion during ISRID meetings.

B. State Affiliate Members shall have the following:

  1. Right to vote on ISRID matters only and hold up to 5 proxies.
  2. Eligibility to run for and hold a Board position except for President and Vice President.
  3. Right to participate in committees.
  4. Right to participate in discussion during ISRID meetings.

C. Student Members, Supporting Members, and Supporting Organizations shall have the following:

  1. Right to participate in committees.
  2. Right to participate in discussion during ISRID meetings.

Section 4. Change of Membership Category

Any member who has a change in membership eligibility will immediately be entitled to the privileges and rights of the new membership category. There will be no change in membership dues until the beginning of the next fiscal year.

Section 5. Transfer of Membership

ISRID membership is non-transferable.

ARTICLE III. MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Membership Meeting

  1. The Membership meeting shall be held annually. The Board will provide a 30-day written notice of the time and place/platform for the Membership Meeting.
  2. It shall be held to conduct necessary business of the organization, hold elections and to provide a forum for the exchange of information among members.
  3. A written motion may be drafted and submitted to the Board with a signed petition of at least 20% of the voting members. The motion must be submitted to the Board at least 60 days prior to the Membership Meeting.

Section 2. Special Membership Meetings

Special Membership Meetings may be called at any time by the Board or by written petition to the Board, signed by at least 20% of the voting members. The meeting must be held within 90 days of the Board receiving the petition. The Board will provide a 30-day written notice to the membership of the reason, time and place/platform for the meeting.

Section 3. Quorum

1/4 of the members eligible to vote, present or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Membership or Special Meeting. A proxy is a written statement from a voting member empowering another voting member to vote in the absent member’s place for a specified meeting.

Section 4. Nominations and Elections

A. Board members shall be elected during the Membership Meeting and their terms shall start within 30 days of the election, providing they are not already serving in that capacity.

  1. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will be elected on even numbered years.
  2. The 3 Members-at-Large will be elected on odd numbered years.

B. The Board shall appoint a member as Nominations Coordinator each year. This appointment must be made 90 days prior to the Membership Meeting.

C. The Nominations Coordinator:

  1. Shall send out a request for nominations to the membership 45 days prior to the Membership Meeting. The request shall include a description of open positions, a list of qualifying members and the procedures for nominations and elections.
  2. Shall receive all nominations from the membership, prior to and during the Membership Meeting. Before a candidate's name may be placed on the ballot, that candidate must accept the nomination.
  3. Shall preside over elections at the Membership Meeting.
ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Composition of the Board

The Board of Directors shall be composed of 7 positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and 3 Members-at-Large.

Section 2. Duties

A. President:

  1. Shall preside at all Membership, Special and Board meetings of ISRID.
  2. Shall prepare and distribute an agenda prior to meetings.
  3. Shall distribute notices of meetings.
  4. Shall be responsible to submit quarterly reports, the annual report and amendments to these Bylaws to the RID, Inc. National Office.
  5. Shall perform other duties as designated by the Board.

B. Vice President:

  1. Shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President.
  2. Shall perform other duties as designated by the Board.

C. Secretary:

  1. Shall compile Board and Committee reports prior to Quarterly Board and Membership meetings.
  2. Shall prepare and maintain minutes of all Membership, Special and Board meetings and make minutes available to the membership within 30 days of meetings.
  3. Shall perform other duties as designated by the Board.

D. Treasurer:

  1. Shall collect all monies of the organization and make disbursements as authorized by the Board.
  2. Shall make reports for each Board meeting.
  3. Shall prepare the Annual Financial Report and have it reviewed by 2 other Board members.
  4. Shall work cooperatively with the Membership Coordinator to maintain a list of all members.
  5. Shall file all required tax forms.
  6. Shall perform other duties as designated by the Board.

E. Members-at-Large:

  1. Shall act as liaisons between the membership and the Board.
  2. Shall perform duties as designated by the Board.

Section 3. Compensations and Reimbursement

  1. Board members shall accept no monetary compensation for their services as members of the board. With Board approval, a Board member may be compensated for services rendered outside of their role on the Board. The Board must also approve any transaction that financially benefits a member, a member’s family or another organization with which a Board member is affiliated in any manner.
  2. Policies may be established for reimbursement of actual expenses related to the organization incurred by an individual, with prior Board approval.

Section 4. Terms of Office and Qualifications

  1. Terms: Terms of office for Board members shall be for 2 years. No Board member shall hold the same position for more than 2 consecutive terms. If a member is appointed midterm, that partial term shall not be included in the term limit.
  2. Qualifications: Dual Members can be candidates for all Board positions. State Affiliated Members can be candidates for all Board positions, except for President and Vice President.

Section 5. Vacancies

  1. Resignation: A Board member may resign upon giving written notice to at least 2 other Board members.
  2. Removal: A Board member may be removed by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board or a majority of the voting membership.
  3. Appointment: Any vacancy occurring in the Board may be filled by the other Board members and confirmed by the voting membership at the next Membership Meeting. A newly appointed Board member shall serve for the remainder of their predecessor’s term.

Section 6. Board Meetings

  1. Regular Meetings: The Board shall meet on a quarterly basis at the time and place/platform designated by the Board. At least a 30-day notice shall be given to the membership.
  2. Special Meetings: These may be called by the President or by any 2 Board members at the time and place/platform designated by the Board. Special meetings may be held with at least 7 days written notice to the Board.

Section 7. Quorum

A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for any Board meeting.

Section 8. Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting

The Board may take action without a meeting, if a majority of the members of the Board each consent in writing to such action. This shall have the same force and effect as a Board vote. Such written consent shall be filed with the minutes of the next Board meeting.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Type of Committees

  • Standing Committee: An ongoing committee of ISRID members. B. Provisional Committee: A temporary committee established for a specific time frame.

Section 2. Committee Formation

The Board shall appoint any committees, comprised of members, necessary to carry out the objectives and activities of the organization. Each committee shall select a chairperson, who may recruit additional committee members. A Board member shall be appointed to be a non-voting member of each committee.

Section 3. Term of Office

Each member of a committee shall serve until their successor is appointed, they resign or the committee is terminated. The chair position is reappointed annually at the first-quarter Board meeting. A chairperson may serve consecutive terms.

Section 4. Quorum

Unless otherwise stated by a Board or membership vote, a committee quorum is achieved when a majority of members are present at a committee meeting. Once quorum has been established, then they may vote on committee actions.

Section 5. Action of Committees

  1. Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by these Bylaws. The Board may provide additional governance in the Policies and Procedures Manual.
  2. Reports of all committee activities must be submitted in writing at every Board and Membership meeting. All expenditures must have prior Board approval.
  3. Committee members shall accept no monetary compensation for their services as members of the committee. With Board approval, a committee member may be compensated for services rendered outside of their role on the committee. The Board must also approve any transaction that financially benefits a member, a member’s family, or another organization with which a committee member is affiliated in any manner.
  4. Policies may be established for reimbursement of actual expenses related to the organization incurred by an individual, with prior Board approval.
ARTICLE VI. ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS AND REPORTS

Section 1. Record Keeping

  1. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded and maintained by the Secretary.
  2. Correct, up-to-date books and records of account(s) shall be recorded and maintained by the Treasurer. The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on July 1st and end on June 30th each year.
  3. A record of members shall be recorded and maintained by the Membership Coordinator and Treasurer.
  4. A copy of the organization's current Bylaws shall be posted on the ISRID website.
  5. The Annual Report shall be compiled and submitted to RID by September 15th by the President. Section 2. Rights to Review Records Every member shall have the right at any reasonable time to review all ISRID records and reports.
ARTICLE VII. DUES AND FEES

Section 1. Dues

  1. Each member must pay the annual dues in amounts set by the Board by July 1st each year. Non-payment of dues will result in suspension of membership.
  2. Membership dues may not be increased or decreased by more than 10% without a majority vote of the membership either at the Membership Meeting or by written vote.
  3. The dues shall be equal for all members of each category, but different dues may be set for each category.
  4.  Notification of any changes in dues must be published on ISRID’s website at least 90 days before implementation.

Section 2. Fees

  1. The Board may set a late fee.
  2. Dues are in arrears as of August 1st each year.
ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the total votes cast by the membership. The membership shall have at least 45 days to review the proposed change(s) before a vote is put before the membership.

ARTICLE IX. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

ISRID shall not discriminate in matters of membership on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, hearing status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION PROCEDURE

Upon the dissolution or winding up of this organization, its assets, remaining after payment of, or provisions for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this organization, shall be transferred to the headquarters of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., 333 Commerce Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, (703) 838-0030.