ASSOCIATION OF SELF ADVOCATES O F NORTH CAROLIN A

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAW S

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ARTICLE 1 - NAME

Section 1.
The name of the association shall be Association of Self
Advocates of North Carolina.

ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE

Section 1.
The purpose of the association is:

A. T o serve as a collective voice for people with developmenta l

disabilities.

B. T o provide a statewide network in which consumers

participants ca n meet other self advocates to exchange ideas,
give and receive support, and work together on common goals.

C. T o encourage persons with developmental disabilities to take

an active role in the community and to pursue their personal
goals and dreams.

D. T o facilitate individualization and full integration in the

mainstream of society.

E. T o increase each member's ability to take charge of his/her

own life.

F. T o help people with developmental disabilitie s take a stand in

society.
 G. T o increase community awareness of the value, rights, and
abilities of people with developmental disabilities .

H. T o promote both services and laws appropriate to meet the

needs and to enhance the status of persons with
developmental disabilities .

I. T o encourage the development of local self advocacy groups

across the state of North Carolina.

Section 2.
This association is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian
corporation. N o part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefit of,
or be distributable to, its members, directors, or officers, except that
the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay
reasonable compensation for services rendere d and to make
payments and distributions in furtherance of purposes set forth in the
articles of incorporation and the constitution and bylaws. Th e
corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the
publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on
behalf of any candidate for public office. Nonwithstandin g any other
provisions of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any
other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation
exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which
are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Interna l Revenue
Code.

Section 3.

This association is organized exclusively for charitable and

educational purpose s and shall not participate in or carry on any
activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt
from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Interna l
Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax
code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible
under Section 17 0 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

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 ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

All members must agree with the mission and purpose of the
association.

Section 2.

Membership i n the Association i s for a period of one calendar year

and membership i n good standing requires that the individual has
completed a membership application or the convention registratio n
form and has paid membership dues.

Membership in the association shall consist of the following

categories:

Full voting members:

Individuals with developmental disabilitie s who are members in

good standing. Al l voting members are allowed all the benefits of the
ASANC and will be allowed one vote at official business meetings of
the association.

Associate members:

a) Individual s who do not have a disability.

b) Individual s who have disabilities other than a developmental
disability.
c) Organizations , corporations or businesses
d) Person s with developmental disabilities age d 16-18 .
Associate members may participate in all activities of the association
but do not vote on actions of the association.

Self Advocacy Group Members:

Local self advocacy groups will have at least five members, an

elected leader, and will meet at least quarterly. Al l members will
receive all mailings of the association.
Section 3.

All full voting members mus t be at least 18 years of age.

Section 4.

Memberships ar e at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Th e

appeal proces s for denial of membership shall be through the genera l
membership a t the annual meeting.
The membership perio d is for one year to be renewed annually.

Section 5.

Dues for membership shall be established at the annual meeting for

the following year. Reduce d rate s shall be made available at the
discretion of the Board of Directors upo n request.

Section 6.

The membership year for all members shall be a twelve month

period. Th e membership year begins during the month in which
annual dues are paid. Due s shall be payable during the same month
of initial membership of an annual basis thereafter. Th e Association
will maintain an active membership directory .

Section 7.

No person shall be denied membership on basis of race, religion,

sex, or disability.

ARTICLE 4 - OFFICERS AND THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1.

The five (5) officers o f the association shall consist of President,

Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President.
Section 2.

Individuals eligible to serve as an officer must:

a) hav e a developmental disabilit y

b) hav e been a member of the association for at least one year
c) demonstrat e leadership abilities b y having served or be serving
as an officer of a local self advocacy group or as chairperson of
a standing committee.
d) agre e to be pre-screened b y the Nominations committee .

Section 3.

The term of office shall be for one year.

Section 4.

No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same
office.

Section 5.

All elected officers shall serve on the Board of Directors.

Section 6.

The duties of the President shall be:

a) T o preside at the annual meeting and board meetings of the
association
b) T o receive documents and written materials of the associatio n
c) T o appoint by submitting names for chairpersons of standing
committees to the Board of Directors for approval by majority
vote.
d) T o appoint temporary ad hoc committees and task forces
necessary for the conduct of the association's busines s
e) T o appoint submit names for interim officers to the Board of
Directors for approval by majority vote should a vacancy occur
in any office between annual business meetings .
Section 7.

The Vice President shall, in absence of the President, perform the

duties of the President and any other duties assigned by the
association or President. Th e Vice President shall serve as
chairperson of the Convention committee.

Section 8.
The Secretary shall record all minutes of annual meeting and boar d
meetings and be responsible for the distribution of information,
notification, etc., to the membership concerning the activities of the
association through collaboration with the Executive Director . Th e
Secretary shall assist with the maintenance of an up to date
membership list .

Section 9.

The Treasurer shall handle fiscal matters concerning the association

and present a written quarterly financial report to the Board of
Directors and an annual financial report to the general membership.
The Treasurer will work with the person chosen as the Financia l
Advisor when available.

Section 10.

The Past-President shall serve as the Chairperson for the

Nominations standin g committee and the Awards ad hoc committee.

ARTICLE 5 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for conducting the

business of the association between the meetings of the general
membership to occur no less than quarterly.

Section 2.

The Board of Directors shall consist of 1 5 voting members.

 (a) The elected officers (President , Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer);
(b) 10 Directors [at-large ] appointed to 2 year terms (staggere d
terms 5 odd / 5 even - a s best as possible) and
(c) The immediate Past-Presiden t

Section 3.

The President shall act as chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.
Any vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by
the Board through the appointment of an interim member from the
membership by a majority of the voting members of the Board.

Upon two (2) consecutive unexcuse d absences from Boar d meetings,

(no contact made) the Secretary will write a letter to the member
stating that his or her standing on the Board is in jeopardy if he or she
does not attend the next meeting. A member of the Board shall be
removed from office after 3 consecutive unexcuse d absences from
board meetings. A member of the Board may be removed by a 2/3
vote of the board for failure to perform the duties as required by the
Board. A Board member may request temporary inactive status due
to special circumstances such as a medical issue if approved b y a
majority vote of the Board.

Section 5.

At the Board's discretion by majority vote, the Board of Directors ma y

appoint ideally (4-6) non-voting advisors to the Board. Th e Board of
Directors shall develop guidelines for participation in Board meetings
in conjunction with the selected advisor, advisors of committees, and
advisors to local self advocacy groups. Ther e shall be no more than
6 advisors. Al l must possess knowledge and interest in Self
Advocacy and must understand and support the mission and
philosophy of the ASANC. Nomination s will be sought on an as
needed basis to fill vacant positions. Prospectiv e advisors may be
nominated b y any local self advocacy group or member in good
standing and must be approved b y a majority vote of the Executiv e
Committee. Advisor s serve for a two year term and may serve two
consecutive terms.

ARTICLE 6 - MEETINGS

Section 1.

Business meetings shall be held annually for the general membershi p

normally in March.

Section 2.

Written notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed thirty (30) days
in advance by the Secretary to all paid members in good standing.

Section 3.

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly.

Notice of the meetings shall be malted-made at least fifteen (15) days
in advance. Minute s from board meetings shall be distributed to the
Board within thirty (30) days after the Board meeting.

Section 4.

Standing committees shall meet at least more than once a year and
as frequently as needed.

Section 5.

Special meetings of the membership or the Board of Directors ma y

be called by the President. Th e President shall call special meetings
when submitted a petition signed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
voting members of the Board of Directors or at least one-third (1/3) of
the voting members of the association.

A quorum at the Annual Business meeting shall consist of 1/10 th of

the members in attendance at the Annual Convention. A quorum of
the Board shall be at least 474te-1/2 of the Board.
 (ARTICLE 7 - COMMITTEES

Section 1 .

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of five (5) members the

President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate
Past President.

Section 2.
The Standing Committees shall be:
A) By-laws and Policies
B) Recruitment and Membershi p
C) Legislation
D) Convention
E) Nominations
F) Personne l
G) Advisory

Section 3.

The President shall submit recommendations appoin t chairpersons of

the Standing Committees to be approved by the Executive
Committee Board by majority vote.

Section 4.

Standing committee chairs may appoint an advisor to the committee

to be approved by the Board and select its members.

Section 5.

The President may appoint ad hoc committees as needed with the

approval of the Executive Committee b y majority vote.

Section 6.
The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of no more than 6 and
no less than 3 persons with knowledge and interest in Self Advocacy.
The members must understand and support the mission nnH
philosophy of the ASANC. Nomination s will be sought annually to fill
vacant positions. Prospectiv o members of the Committee ma y be
nominated by any local self advocacy group or member in good
standing and must be approved b y a majority vote of the Executiv e
Committee. Advisor y Committe e member s serve for a two year term
and may serve two consecutive terms.

ARTICLE 8 - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1.

The Nominations Committee shall consist of:

A) A Chairperson appointed by the President. Th e Chairperso n
shall be the past-President .
B) Tw o (2) members appointed by the Board of Directors
C) Tw o (2) members appointed by the President .

Section 2.

The Nominations Committee shall be convened at least three (3)

months prior to the annual meeting when the elections are held. Th e
primary responsibilities o f this committee are that it checks that all
candidates mee t the eligibility requirements for office and that the
individuals that are nominated are willing to accept the actual
nomination.

Section 3.

The Nominations Committee shall notify the members genera l

membership o f the individuals nominate d for office at least one (1)
month prior to the election.

Section 4 .
Nominations ma y be made from the floor at tho annual meeting if the
candidate ha s agroed to serve and has reviewed and accepted the
conditions for office.

Section 4.

Elections shall be held each year at the annual meetin g for the offices
of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Th e
Nominations Committe e will actively promote that there be at least
two (2) candidates for each position.

Section 5. (previous Section 6)

Voting shall be by secret ballot. Th e Nominations Committee shall

record the votes.

ARTICLE 9 - FINANCES

Section 1.

Annual membership dues shall be set by a majority vote of the

membership at the annual meeting.

Section 2.

The fiscal year for the association shall be July 1 through June 30.

Section 3.

The funds of the association shall be used by the Board of Directors

for conducting the business of the association. Th e Board shall not
expend in excess of the treasury.

Section 4.
The treasurer shall devise a budget for the following fiscal year to be
presented to the Board of Directors prior to the end of the fiscal year
prior to March 1 st . Th e Board of Directors shall approve a proposed
budget at the annual meeting by majority vote.

Section 5.
The Treasurer shall present an annual budget report to the Board of
Directors within ninety (90) days following the end of the fiscal year.

Section 6.

Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after

paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities, dispose of
all the assets of the association exclusively for the purposes in Article
2 and which at that time qualify as an exempt organization or
organizations unde r Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United
States Interna l Revenue Law) as the Board of Directors shall
determine. I f no such exempt organization(s) shall be in existence at
that time, all assets shall be distributed to an organization or
organizations whic h serve persons with developmental disabilitie s
and which at that time qualify as an exempt organization or
organizations unde r Section 501 (c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 (or the corresponding provisio n of any future United States
Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE 10 - PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1 .

All meetings of the association shall be governed by Robert's Rule s

of Order, revised. Agenda s will have proposed time allotments for
each item. Th e Vice President will serve as the timekeeper. Th e
Secretary will be responsible for maintaining a speakers list .
 ARTICLE 11 - AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Section 1.

This Constitution and By-laws may be amended at the annual

business meeting of the association by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of
what must be at least a 10% quorum for the convention.

Section 2.

Any member in good standing may propose amendments to the

Constitution and By-laws.

Section 3.

Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws shall be

mailed distributed to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to
the annual meeting.