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MISSISSIPPI RECREATION & PARKS
ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
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ARTICLE I - NAME AND AFFILIATION
The name of the organization
shall be the "Mississippi Recreation and Park Association, Inc." and
it shall be affiliated with the National Recreation and Park
Association.
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ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purposes are to unite into
one organization all parks, recreation and related professions. To
encourage research and provide education in parks, recreation and
related professions and to operate in such a manner as to enhance
those interests in Mississippi. |
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ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Members of this
Association shall be classified into membership categories and must
have fulfilled all financial requirements for membership.
Section 2. Membership in this Association is open to all persons
regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, disability or
national origin.
Section 3. The qualifications for membership in this Association shall
be set forth and controlled by the By-laws and amendments thereto.
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ARTICLE IV - PERIOD OF EXISTENCE
The period of existence of this
Association is continuing and unlimited. In the event of dissolution
of this Association, any assets then remaining shall be distributed by
the Board of Directors. However, such assets must be used for the
purposes of advancing parks, recreation and related professions in
Mississippi.
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BY-LAWS |
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ARTICLE I - OFFICE
The location of the principal
office of the Mississippi Recreation and Park Association shall be
designated by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE II - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of this
Association are:
Section 1. To unite into one organization
all parks, recreation and related professions and interested citizens
within the State of Mississippi and to enhance professional
development.
Section 2. To promote benefits and values associated with parks,
recreation and related profession participation and to encourage and
stimulate the improvement of opportunities offered by local, state,
regional, public-serving, private organizations and federal entities.
Section 3. To stimulate protection, preservation, and acquisition of
recreational resources, to promote the proper planning, development,
operation, and maintenance of these recreational areas, and
facilities, to secure more effective use of public and private land or
water areas.
Section 4. To encourage research, discussion, and evaluation of
matters affecting parks, recreation and related professions and to
provide a medium through which members of this Association may
present, discuss, solve, or otherwise assist in the solution of
problems of mutual concern which exist among members, occur within
other groups, or emerge from related movements.
Section 5. To sponsor and conduct parks,
recreation and related professional conferences, activities,
institutes, clinics, meetings, and other in-service training programs
for members and non-members of this Association.
Section 6. To promote and encourage sound
and more effective recreational programs, activities and treatments
for the citizens of Mississippi.
Section 7. To disseminate information, to
improve public understanding and acceptance, and to promote greater
financial support for individuals and agencies employed in parks,
recreation and related professions.
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ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Members of this
Association shall consist of persons engaged in parks,
recreation and related professions who have paid membership
dues.
Section 2. The Mississippi
Recreation and Park Association strongly encourages each member
to join the National Recreation and Park Association.
Section 3. Membership in the
Association shall be designated as Professional, Associate,
Affiliate, Agency, Student, or Allied Organization.
Section 4. The regulations
concerning eligibility for membership shall be as follows:
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PROFESSIONAL:
Individuals employed
full-time in leadership, supervisory, or administrative
capacities in the delivery of parks, recreation and related
services or the management of related resources who posses the
education, experience and training commensurate with the
requirements of the position.
ASSOCIATE:
Individuals employed full or
part-time in non-management or non-administrative capacities in
the delivery of parks, recreation and related services or the
management of related resources who posses the education,
experience and training commensurate with the requirements of
the position.
AFFILIATE:
Individuals or commercial
businesses that support the purpose, aims and objectives of this
Association who do not meet the requirements of other membership
categories.
AGENCY:
Parks, recreation and related
public and private agencies, departments, bureaus, commissions,
districts, authorities, institutions or other organizations.
STUDENT:
Persons enrolled full-time in
a college or university program in parks, recreation, or related
studies.
ALLIED ORGANIZATION:
Special interest groups, clubs or
other groups that promote, participate, encourage, and
facilitate parks, recreation and related programs, services or
treatments.
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Section 5. The annual membership
dues and membership benefits shall be established by the Board
of Directors. All membership dues shall be paid on the
anniversary date. Memberships are for one calendar year and must
be renewed accordingly.
Section 6: Any member who fails to
pay dues on or before the anniversary date shall be
automatically removed from membership in the Association, but
may be restored to full membership upon payment of dues for the
current year. During the period of suspension persons shall
forfeit all rights and privileges of membership.
Section 7. All applications for
membership or membership renewal and dues shall be submitted to
the MRPA Executive Director or the Board appointed designee who
shall then approve membership as stated in the By-laws.
Section 8. Only individuals in good
standing who hold Professional, Associate, or Agency membership
classification shall have the right for one vote except that
student members shall be counted as a block of five (5) votes
determined by popular vote among the student members.
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ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this
Association shall be President, President-Elect, Past-President,
Secretary/Treasurer, District Representatives, one Southern
Regional Council Representative the duly elected President of
the Mississippi Therapeutic Recreation Alliance and the Student
Representative. The Student Representative is a non-voting
officer. This shall constitute the Board of Directors.
Section 2. All officers,
except the Southern Regional Council Representative, shall be
elected by the membership as provided for in the By-laws. The
Southern Regional Council Representative shall be elected by the
state's Southern Regional Council Representatives and shall be,
at the time of his/her election, an appointed state Southern
Regional Council Representative. If a vacancy occurs, the line
of succession to the President shall be the President-Elect and
then the Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 3. The duties of the
officers shall be those common to the respective office held and
are as follows:
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PRESIDENT:
Shall act as presiding
officer at all board meetings and any meetings of this
Association. He or she shall prepare for the office by learning
all operational procedures specified or authorized in the
By-laws.
PRESIDENT-ELECT:
Shall act as an
administrative assistant to the Chair and shall preside in the
absence of the President. He or she shall serve as the
Association's parliamentarian.
SECRETARY/TREASURER:
Shall ensure that true and
accurate records of all proceedings of this Association,
including District and Committee meetings are maintained. Shall
be the custodian of all Association funds and shall disburse
these funds. Shall ensure that true and accurate records of all
receipts and reimbursements are maintained and shall submit an
annual report of these records.
1. All financial matters shall be
coordinated through the elected Secretary/Treasurer as outlined
in federal and state regulations pertaining to non-profit
status.
2. A designee approved by the Board
of Directors may coordinate all financial matters through the
elected Secretary/Treasurer. This includes all financial
documents, reports, and expenditure of Association funds.
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE:
Shall represent the interests of his
or her district, the interests of this Association, and the
interests of all parks, recreation and related professions.
District Representatives shall attend all scheduled and called
board meetings, develop educational opportunities for their
district, submit one article each month for publication in the
Association's newsletter, assist in budget development, serve on
the Association's Nominations/Election Committee. District
Representatives shall be responsible for providing the
Association's Secretary/Treasurer with written minutes of all
District meetings. District Representatives shall conduct
district elections and may appoint a District
Vice-Representative, Secretary and other officers as deemed
necessary. Each District Representative shall appoint a
candidate who is qualified for the position of National Youth
Sport Coaches Association District Coordinator. District
Representatives may also be asked by the Association's President
to perform other duties from time to time.
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ARTICLE V - NOMINATION AND ELECTION
OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Each approved Association
District shall be charged with the responsibility of electing
its District Representative in accordance with MRPA By-laws.
Section 2. Annual District
Representative elections shall be held no less than 30 days
prior to the Annual Membership Meeting.
Section 3. Professional and
Associate members of this Association shall have one vote in all
District elections.
Section 4. Verification of current
membership status is required before casting a ballot. Only
qualified MRPA members who work in a District may vote in that
District’s elections. Student members shall be counted as a
block of one (1) vote determined by popular vote among a
district's student members.
Section 5. District officers shall
be Professional or Associate members of this Association and
work in the District in which they serve. Appointed District
officers shall be MRPA members.
Section 6. District Representatives
shall appoint a District Nominations and Elections Committee for
the purpose of nominating a District Representative and
conducting all District elections.
Section 7. Election of the
President, President-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer shall
occur at the Annual Membership Meeting.
Section 8. All Association officers
shall be Professional or Associate members of the Association in
good standing.
Section 9. The persons receiving the
greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared
elected. In the event of a tie vote, the Association's Board of
Directors shall cast one vote to break the tie.
Section 10. The Election of the
Southern Regional Council Representative must occur during the
Annual Convention and Trade Show and before the first annual
meeting of the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. It shall be the duty of
the Board of Directors to set all Association policies and act
upon all Association business in accordance with the
Constitution and By-laws.
Section 2. The Board of Directors
may delegate such duties, as it may see advisable, to the
various committee chairs with power to act.
Section 3. All members of the Board
of Directors shall have full voting privileges and this Board
shall have full power to interpret the Constitution and By-laws.
Section 4. The President,
President-Elect shall serve a one (1) year term. The
Secretary/Treasurer shall serve a two (2) year term. District
Representatives shall serve a one (1) year term. All board
officers may be elected for an unlimited number of terms.
Section 5. The student
representative shall serve a one (1) year term. The student
representative may be elected for an unlimited number of terms.
Section 6. The Board of Directors is
required to remove a board member from the Board of Directors if
that member misses three called board meetings within his/her
term of office.
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ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 1. The Annual Membership Meeting
of this Association shall be set by the Board of Directors being
announced sufficiently in advance. This meeting shall be held for the
purpose of reports from the Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and
District Representatives.
Section 2. Regular meetings of the Board
of Directors shall be held each quarter.
Section 3. Regular meetings of the
District shall be held each quarter not to conflict with scheduled
meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Regular Board and District
meeting dates, times and places shall be communicated to all MRPA
members at least two weeks in advance of the meetings.
Section 5. Special meetings of the Board
of Directors may be called at the discretion of the President at any
time it is determined to be necessary or beneficial. The entire
membership shall be notified at least two weeks prior to a special
meeting. The purpose of the special meeting shall be specified in the
announcement of the meeting.
Section 6. All parliamentary authority not
covered by the By-laws of this Association shall be governed by
Robert’s Rules of Order as amended.
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ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution and By-laws
may be amended as follows:
A. At the Annual Membership Meeting where
a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those casting ballots being
sufficient for passage of the measure.
B. All registered voting members attending
the Annual Membership Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of Association business.
C. By mailed ballot to all eligible,
voting members where a two/thirds (2/3) majority vote of all returned
ballots being sufficient for passage of the measure.
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ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Association shall maintain
a minimum of three (3) Standing Committees.
Section 2. Standing Committees are as
follows:
Athletic Committee
Awards Committee
Educational/Professional Development Committee
Section 3. Each District Representative
shall appoint one person from his or her district to serve on each of
the committees. Committee Chairs shall be elected by committee members
and shall be selected from appointed committee members. Committee
Chairs shall be elected immediately following the Annual Membership
Meeting.
Section 4. The Association shall maintain
for any time period any Special or Adhoc Committee deemed appropriate
and necessary for the purposes, aims, and objectives of the
Association. Such committees may be designated by the President by
means of simple announcement. The President shall appoint committee
members for any special committee. The President shall also, by simple
announcement, dissolve any existing special committee.
Section 5. The Executive Committee of this
Association shall consist of the President, President-Elect and
Secretary/Treasurer. The Executive Committee may conduct emergency
Association business as deemed necessary. A full accounting of
Executive Committee actions must be submitted and approved by the
Board of Directors at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
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ARTICLE X - INTEREST AREAS
Section 1. The purpose of a MRPA Interest
Area is to facilitate greater involvement in the Association.
Section 2. An Interest Area consists of
individuals who share common goals.
Section 3. No Interest Area shall act
independently of the Association or enter into any contractual
agreement or make any financial obligation without prior approval of
the MRPA Board of Directors.
Section 4. Interest Areas shall abide by
the Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution and By-laws of the
Association.
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ARTICLE XI - DISTRICTS
Section 1. The purpose of a MRPA District
is to facilitate greater involvement of the Association membership by
appealing to interests and proximity.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall
have the power to establish and abolish districts according to the
needs of this Association. The Board of Directors shall determine the
boundaries for each district.
Section 3. Each District shall have one
voting District Representative on the MRPA Board of Directors.
Section 4. No District shall act
independently of the Association or enter into any contractual
agreement or make any financial obligation without prior approval of
the MRPA Board of Directors.
Section 5. Districts shall abide by the
Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution and By-laws of the
Association.
Section 6. Districts shall conduct
business meetings, programs, workshops and similar activities to
stimulate and increase membership, participation, education and
professional development.
Section 7. Vacancies in elected District
offices shall be filled by a special District election which shall
occur within 30 days of notification of the vacancy.
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Article XI. Southern Regional Council
Representatives
Section 1. The purpose of the
Southern Regional Council Representative is to represent the interests
and desires of the Association's membership in all policy decisions
relating to the National Recreation and Park Association's Southern
Region
Section 2.
The NRPA Southern Region has the power to
increase or decrease the number of Association representatives, and
determine qualifications based on established formulas and policies.
Section 3.
No Southern Regional Council Representative
shall act independently of the Association or enter into any contractual
agreement or make any financial obligation without prior approval of the
MRPA Board of Directors.
Section 4.
Southern Regional Council Representatives
shall abide by the Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution and
By-laws of the Association.
Section 5.
Association Southern Regional Council
Representatives shall be Association members in good standing.
Section 6.
The election of the Southern Regional
Council Representatives shall occur at the annual membership meeting.
Section 7.
The persons receiving the greatest number of
votes shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie vote, the
Association's Board of Directors shall cast one vote to break the tie. |
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