BYLAWS

BYLAWS OF THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, INCORPORATED

Updated as of April 23, 2017

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1.1 – The name of the organization shall be the Arizona Association of the Deaf, Incorporated (AZAD, Inc.), and hereafter referred to as the Association and/or organization.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

Section 2.1 – The object of the Association shall be to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing individuals in Arizona.

ARTICLE III – STATUS

Section 3.1 – The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE IV – SCOPE OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY

Section 4.1 – The organization may, in any legal manner, acquire, hold, own, sell, lease, encumber, and otherwise legally dispose of all kinds of property, real and personal, for the purpose of carrying out its primary objectives.

Section 4.2 – The organization may solicit, receive, and hold money and property by gift, contribution, bequest, or otherwise and such property may be sold and converted into cash for the purpose of carrying out its primary objectives.

Section 4.3 – The organization may invest funds received, as well as the income from such property, for the purpose of carrying out its primary objectives.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

Section 5.1 – Any deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or hearing individual who supports the mission of AZAD may become a member of the organization upon payment of membership
dues.

Section 5.2 – Different classifications of membership may include the following: regular, senior, associate, and K-12 students.

ARTICLE VI – INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES

Section 6.1 – The membership dues shall be proposed by the Board of Directors and approved by the members.

Section 6.2 – Biennial membership dues as approved by the members shall be in effect for a term of two years in between the biennial conferences.

ARTICLE VII – GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 7.1 – The government of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII – COMPOSITION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 8.1 – The board of Directors shall be comprised of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) Regional Representatives, and two (2) Members at Large.

Section 8.2 – President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) Regional
Representatives shall be elected to hold office for a two-year term or until a successor is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Association.

Section 8.3 – No member shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 8.4 – The Members at Large shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Association.

ARTICLE IX – DUTIES OF BOARD of DIRECTORS

Section 9.1 – All members of the Board of Directors shall be able to communicate with deaf and hard of hearing people in American Sign Language (ASL).

Section 9.2 – The President shall preside at all meetings.

Section 9.3 – The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President. She/he shall succeed to the office of President, should that office become vacant prior to the expiration of the term of office of the President.

Section 9.4 – The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, maintain records, and shall handle all correspondence unless otherwise instructed by the President or Board of Directors.

Section 9.5 – The Treasurer shall be responsible for all the funds of the organization, shall monitor the financial affairs of the organization, maintain the database of members, and shall present a printed financial report at all meetings.

Section 9.6 – The Regional Representatives shall be responsible for communicating with their regional members about all organization-related activities and sharing the regional members’ concerns and wishes with those in attendance at all meetings.

ARTICLE X – CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Section 10.1 – The members of the Board of Directors and committees shall excuse themselves of decisions that present them with a personal or professional conflict of interest.

ARTICLE XI – MEETINGS

Section 11.1 – The organization shall host a biennial conference and meet in a general assembly during the conference during each odd numbered year.

Section 11.2 – The Board of Directors shall hold a general meeting at least once per year.

Section 11.3 – The Board of Directors shall meet at least three (3) times a year and may meet more often if deemed necessary by the President or the Board of Directors.

Section 11.4 – The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer could engage in executive sessions to address immediate concerns and to plan for meetings as well as for general consultation. The President shall keep the Board of Directors updated on such sessions as appropriate in his/her report.

ARTICLE XII – QUORUM

Section 12.1 – A minimum of ten percent (10%) of active members, excluding the officers on the board of directors, in attendance shall constitute a quorum at the general assembly and general meeting.

Section 12.2 – A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction during any Board of Directors meeting.

ARTICLE XIII – COMMITTEES

Section 13.1 – The Board of Directors may form committees in the best interests of the organization.

Section 13.2 – Such committees shall serve at the will of the organization and/or the Board of Directors in accordance with the primary objectives of the organization.

Article XIV – FISCAL POLICY

Section 14.1 – The Fiscal Year shall be based on calendar year from January through December.

Section 14.2 – All checks, drafts, and orders for payment shall be signed in the name of AZAD by the President and/or Treasurer.

Section 14.3 – The President and Treasurer are listed as authorized signatures for AZAD checking and savings accounts. Administratively, the Treasurer shall be the only person responsible for the receiving and disbursing of AZAD monies per the approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XV – AMENDMENTS

Section 15.1 – Amendments to the AZAD Bylaws shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration at least sixty (60) days and the proposed revisions be shared with the active members at least thirty (30) days prior to the general assembly or general meeting.

Section 15.2 – A two/thirds vote of those members present at the general assembly or general meeting shall be necessary for ratification.

ARTICLE XVI – AUTHORITY, CODE OF CONDUCT

Section 16.1 – Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised RRO shall be the parliamentary authority of the organization in all matters not otherwise provided for.

ARTICLE XVII – DISSOLUTION

These By-Laws shall continue in effect unless and until dissolved by the Board of Directors. Upon the dissolution of the AZAD and after payment of all existing debts and liabilities, all remaining assets shall be distributed as directed by the Board of Directors and as approved by the members for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

Ratified by the AZAD Members on April 23, 2017