Vermont Association For Behavior Analysis

About Us

Vermont Association for Behavior Analysis

P.O. Box 816

           Montpelier, VT 05601           

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VtABA By-Laws

Article I – Name and Purpose  Section 1: Name The name of the organization shall be “Vermont Association for Behavior Analysis.”  Section 2: Purpose Vermont Association for Behavior Analysis (herein after referred to as “VtABA”) is organized as a chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) for professional, scientific, and education purposes.  The purpose of this association is: • to promote the development of behavior analysis services within the state of Vermont; • to support the development of professional credentialing for the practice of behavior analysis within the state of Vermont; • to support the development of standards of practice for behavior analysis within the state of Vermont; • to provide and promote educational opportunities regarding behavior analysis on both a professional and general information level to the membership of VtABA and to the public at large; • to promote and support the conduct of behavior analytic research within the state of Vermont.  Article II - Membership  Section 1: Eligibility Application for voting membership shall be open to any individual that supports the purpose statement in Article I, Section II. Membership is granted after completion and receipt of a membership application and annual dues.  Section 2: Annual Dues The amount required for annual dues shall be determined by a majority vote of the board on an annual basis, every January. Continued membership is contingent upon being up-to-date on membership dues.  Section 3: ABAI MembershipStatus Membership in a chapter does not include membership in ABAI and vice versa. VtABA members who are not full or affiliate members of ABAI may, however, apply for Chapter/Adjunct membership in ABAI.  Section 4: Rights of Members · VtABA members may vote in annual elections of board officers electronically as candidates of interest are identified through their submission, nomination and identification by board members.· Announcement of vacancies and nomination for office will begin at the annual meeting.· Nominations may be completed by any current member.·             Nominations are due on or before November 30 each year.· The Board will gather nominations, verify the membership status of nominees and select a slate of no more than three candidates for each open board seat, from all nominees.·             After selected, candidates will be invited to submit a brief statement which will be posted on-line, and all members will be invited to view the statements and cast ballots.· Elections will be held during the first two weeks of January and will close on January 15. New board members will be announced by February 1. Newly elected officers will assume their office on February 1.   Section 5: Resignation and Termination Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary. Resignation shall not relieve a member of unpaid dues, or other charges previously accrued. A member can have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the board of directors. Article III: Meetings of Members  Section 1: Regular Meetings An annual meeting of the members shall take place in the fall, the specific date, time, and location of which will be designated by the chair.  Section 2: Special Meetings Special meetings may be called by the chair or a simple majority of the board of directors.  Section 3: Notice of Meetings Printed or electronic notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail, or through email, not less than two weeks prior to the meeting.  Section 4: Quorum The members present at any properly noticed meeting shall constitute a quorum.  Section 5: Voting All issues to be voted upon will be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place. Article IV – Board of Directors  Section 1: Board Role, Size, and Compensation The board is responsible for all decisions regarding the policies, procedures, and direction of VtABA and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the officers and committees.The board shall have up to nine (9), but no fewer than four (4) members. The board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.  A student will be appointed BY THE BOARD for a one year term if possible.  Definition of student is: enrolled in a training program designed for BCBA or associate, or completing internship/mentorship/supervision.  Student will receive free membership for that year.     Board of Directors shall include (term commitments in parenthesis):Chair Emeritus (past year’s acting chair) (1year)Acting Chair (past year’s chair elect) (1 year)Chair Elect (1 year)Treasurer (2 year)Secretary (2 year)3 General Board Members (2 year)Student Member (1 year)Section 2: Eligibility for VtABA Board Membership Membership on the board of VtABA is limited to members of ABAI who are also members of VtABA in good standing.    Section 4: Meetings and Notice The board shall meet in person at least four times a year, at an agreed upon time and place. An official board meeting requires that each member have written or electronic mail notice at least two weeks in advance.  Section 5: Vacancies When a vacancy exists on the board mid-term and that vacancy reduces the total board membership to less than four (4), the chair will appoint a replacement to serve until confirmation by a quorum of directors at the next scheduled board meeting.  Section 6: Quorum A simple majority of the board must be present at a scheduled meeting for business transactions to take place and motions to pass.  Section 7: Officers and Duties There shall be five (5) officers of the board, consisting of a chair emeritus, an acting chair, a chair elect, a secretary and a treasurer. Their duties are as follows:   The acting chair shall convene regularly scheduled board meetings, shall set the agenda for and preside at those meetings, or shall arrange for other officers of VtABA to preside at such meetings in the following order: chair elect, secretary, treasurer, and general board member.The chair elect will relieve the chair and shall chair committees on special subjects as designated by the board.  The secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each board member.The treasurer will maintain financial records and will make a finance report at each board meeting. The treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to the board and the membership.Section 8: Resignation, Termination, and AbsencesResignation from the board must be in writing and received by the secretary. A board member may be terminated at the discretion of the chair following two consecutive absences from noticed meetings. A board member may be removed for other reasons by a majority vote of the remaining directors with the chair casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie.Section 9: Special Meetings:Special meetings of the board shall be called upon the request of the chair, or by any two (2) directors. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out by the secretary at least two weeks in advance. Article V - CommitteesSection 1: Committee Formation:The board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, education, legislation, etc. The board chair appoints all committee chairs.Section 2: Finance Committee:The treasurer is the chair of the finance committee, which includes a minimum of two (2) other board members. The finance committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plans, and the annual budget with other board members. The board must approve the budget and all expenditures must be within budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the board or the executive committee. The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the board showing income, expenditures, and pending income. The financial records of the association are public information and shall be made available to the membership, board members, and the public. Article VI – Amendments   Section 1: AmendmentsThese by-laws may be amended, when deemed necessary, by a majority of the board of directors at any noticed meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the secretary to be sent out with regular board meeting announcements

Certification: These by-laws were unanimously approved by the current VtABA board of directors on November 5, 2011.