The name of this unit shall be the Grand River Unit, a division of the National Association of Parliamentarians ("NAP") and affiliated with the Ontario Association of Parliamentarians ("OAP").
The object of this unit shall be to promote the study of parliamentary procedure and the educational programs of NAP in the Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas.
There shall be the following classes of members:
Primary members are NAP members who are counted in the unit as of March 1 of the convention year for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to which the unit is entitled at NAP conventions.
Affiliate members are NAP members who are primary members of another unit and who are not counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to which the unit is entitled at NAP conventions.
Provisional members are individuals who are preparing for NAP membership. Provisional members are not NAP members and are not counted for the purpose of determining the number of delegates to which the unit is entitled at NAP conventions.
Any member of NAP is eligible for primary or affiliate membership in this unit and shall become a member upon payment of unit dues.
Any individual preparing for NAP membership is eligible for provisional membership in this unit and shall become a provisional member upon payment of unit dues, except that no such individual who has been previously expelled from membership in this unit shall become a member.
Annual dues shall be $10 Canadian, and are payable to the secretary/treasurer of the unit.
Dues are payable by January 1. Membership shall be delinquent if dues are not paid by February 1 and forfeited if not paid by March 1.
Dues of individuals admitted to the unit between July 1 and December 31 shall extend through the next calendar year.
The fiscal year of the unit is from the first day of March to the last day of February.
The officers of this unit shall be a president and a secretary/treasurer.
Officers shall assume their duties immediately upon election. Officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.
Officers shall perform the duties provided in this section and such other duties as are prescribed for the office in these bylaws and in the adopted parliamentary authority.
The president shall:
The secretary/treasurer shall:
The officers shall be subject to the orders of the unit and none of their acts shall conflict with action taken by the unit. The officers shall:
The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting.
Nominations may be made from the floor, provided consent has been obtained from the nominee.
Elections shall be by ballot.
Regular meetings of the unit shall be held monthly unless otherwise ordered by the unit.
The regular meeting in March shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.
Special meetings may be called by the president and shall be called at the written request of three members of the unit or a majority of the entire membership of the unit, whichever is less. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call and at least seven days written notice shall be given.
Three members of the unit or a majority of the entire membership of the unit, whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum.
Such committees, standing or special, shall be created as the unit shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the unit. The chairmen and members of such committees, except any nominating committee that may be established, shall be appointed by the president, except that in the absence of the president the unit may appoint the chairman and members of a special committee, who shall be treated as though appointed by the president. The president shall be ex-officio a member of all committees, except any nominating committee that may be established.
Delegate representation for the NAP convention is based on the primary membership of the unit as of March 1 of the convention year as follows:
The delegates and alternates shall be elected at the annual meeting of the convention year.
Election shall be by ballot.
Any NAP member may serve as a delegate or alternate to which this unit is entitled.
Vacancies in delegate or alternate positions may be filled by the president.
In the event of the dissolution of the unit, the assets shall be liquidated and distributed to OAP in accordance with government regulations. No funds shall inure to the benefit of individual members. The unit charter shall be returned to NAP headquarters.
Any notice or message that is required to be given or sent, in writing or otherwise, may be given or sent by electronic mail.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the unit in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of NAP or OAP, these bylaws, or any special rules of order the unit may adopt.
These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the unit by a two-thirds vote with previous notice.
Any amendment to these bylaws necessitated by amendments to NAP or OAP bylaws shall be effected by the officers and reported to the membership at the next regular meeting following the adoption of such amendments by NAP or OAP.