TAGLBIC - Bylaws

ARTICLE I

NAME, AFFILIATION, AND MISSION

Section 1. Name. The official name of this organization shall be the Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling of Texas (hereafter referred to as AGLBIC of Texas).

Section 2. Use of Name. The official name of the Association as specified in Article l, Section 1, shall be employed in connection with all official business and communications pertaining to AGLBIC of Texas.
Section 3. Affiliation. AGLBIC of Texas is a division of the Texas Counseling Association (hereafter referred to as TCA) and shall be subject to those provisions of its bylaws that apply to divisions.

Section 4. Mission. The mission of AGLBIC of Texas shall be as follows:

To promote a greater understanding of gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues among members of the counseling professions.
To improve standards and delivery of counseling services provided to the gay, lesbian, and bisexual population.
To identify and work to eliminate conditions which create barriers to the development of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals.
To develop, implement, and/or foster interest in charitable, scientific, and educational programs designed to further the interests of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual population.
To secure equality of treatment, advancement, and status of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people in counseling and development work.
To publish a newsletter and/or journal and other scientific, educational, and professional materials with the purpose of raising the standards of all who work in counseling.
To facilitate a broader awareness of issues in counseling gay, lesbian, and bisexual people among the helping professions.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Categories of Membership. There will be four categories of membership in AGLBIC of Texas: regular, student, associate, and retired/limited means.

Section 2. Qualifications for Membership. Membership in TCA shall be a condition of membership in AGLBIC of Texas. No one may be denied membership in this division on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, and/or handicapping condition. The categories of membership shall be determined as follows:

Regular Members. Regular Members are those whose qualifications are acceptable to the Membership Committee of AGLBIC of Texas. The minimum requirements for regular members shall be:
1. Full- or part-time employment in counseling and development work (as defined below) at the time of applying for regular membership, or
2. Experience in counseling and development work, including
  1. placement, training, education, and other aspects of counseling and development work in business and industry, government agencies, and other organizations; or
  2. test development, occupational, and other research and writing directly related to counseling; or
  3. counselor training; or
  4. administration of programs of the above types; or
  5. interest in and a desire to uphold the purposes and principles of AGLBIC of Texas.
Student Members. A student engaged in full- or part-time study in an accredited undergraduate or graduate school in a course of study related to counseling may be admitted as a student member upon application and endorsement by her/his faculty advisor.
Associate Members. Individuals who are interested in counseling and development work but who do not meet the requirements of (A) or (B) may be admitted to associate membership in AGLBIC of Texas at the discretion of the Membership Committee provided she/he pays her/his annual dues.
Retired/Limited Means Members. Members in retirement and of limited means upon submission of evidence of status shall be entitled to reduced annual dues and shall maintain all the privileges of individual regular membership.

Section 3. Application for Membership. Any person desiring to become a member of AGLBIC of Texas shall make application to the TCA Membership Chair specifying AGLBIC of Texas as a division of choice. The TCA Membership Chair shall notify the applicant of the action taken on the application. A person shall become a member of AGLBIC of Texas upon her/his election to membership and payment of her/his dues.

Section 4. Continuity of Membership. Membership in AGLBIC of Texas shall be continuous and on an annual basis as long as dues are in force.

Section 5. Rights and Privileges. A regular member in good standing shall be eligible to vote, and to hold office in AGLBIC of Texas. All other members shall have such rights and privilege accorded them by the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Members of this Division shall be encouraged to apply for membership in the American Counseling Association and its divisions. All elected officers of the Texas Counseling Association shall be members of the American Counseling Association.

Section 7. Termination of Membership.

A member may be dropped from membership for any conduct that tends to injure AGLBIC of Texas or to affect adversely its reputation, or that violates principles stated in TCA's Code of Ethics or AGLBIC of Texas' Bylaws. Any member charged with engaging in such conduct shall be given notice of the precise nature of the charges against her/him, given the opportunity to present evidence on her/his behalf through witnesses or otherwise, shall be given the opportunity to confront witnesses against her/him, and shall have the right to appeal and have a hearing before the Board of Directors whose decision shall be final. A Committee on Ethics appointed by the Board of Directors shall consider any charge made over the signature of two AGLBIC of Texas members in good standing and shall have the power to determine whether the charges shall be dropped, whether the accused shall be permitted to resign, or whether the charges are true, subject, however, to the right of any accused member to appeal to the Board of Directors from any final decision of the Committee on Ethics.
A member may be dropped from membership for the nonpayment of dues.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Composition. The AGLBIC of Texas Board of Directors shall be composed of the AGLBIC of Texas Officers, Trustees, and the Representative(s) to the TCA Governing Council. Standing Committee Chairs and Editors of any Newsletters or Journals shall be ex-officio members.

Section 2. Functions. The Board of Directors shall be the agency through which the policies of AGLBIC of Texas shall be determined and shall have the following powers and functions:

To establish policies to govern the affairs of AGLBIC of Texas; and
To act on the reports of all Committees of AGLBIC of Texas.

Section 3. Meetings.

The Board of Directors shall meet at least once per year. A meeting shall be held at the time and place of each state convention of TCA. Other meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the call of the Executive Committee or of a majority of the Board of Directors.
At least one-half of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum throughout any meeting of the Board of Directors at which official business is transacted.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, AND AGLBIC REPRESENTATIVE(S) TO TCA GOVERNING COUNCIL

Section 1. Officers, Trustees, Representative(s) to TCA Governing Council, and the Board of Directors.

The Officers of AGLBIC of Texas shall be President, President-Elect, Past President, and Secretary/Treasurer.
There shall be three Trustees elected by the membership.
The AGLBIC Representative(s) to the TCA Governing Council shall be elected by the membership.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the four Officers, the three Trustees, and the AGLBIC Representative to the TCA Governing Council.

Section 2. Method of Selection.

The President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer, and the three Trustees shall be elected in accordance with Article V.
The AGLBIC of Texas Representative(s) to the TCA Governing Council shall be elected by the general membership from a list of nominees who will have completed one full term of office as an elected member of the Board of Directors prior to the assumption of this office. Nominations for these positions shall be made in accordance with Article V.

Section 3. Terms of Office for Officers, Board of Directors Members.

The President and Secretary/Treasurer shall hold office for a two-year term with the option to seek re-election.
Three Trustees shall hold office for three-year terms which shall be on a staggered basis. (The initial term shall be for one, two, and three years.)
AGLBIC of Texas Representative(s) to the TCA Governing Council shall be elected for a three-year term.
In the event of resignation, continued absence, illness, removal from office, or death of any member of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall, by majority vote, elect a successor to serve until the next annual election. In the event that the President-Elect is unable to assume the duties of President, the Board of Directors shall, by majority vote, choose a member of the Board to serve as President until her/his successor takes office.

Section 4. Functions of Officers, Trustees, and AGLBIC of Texas Representative(s) to the TCA Governing Council.

President. The President shall:
1. 1. Exert leadership in the achievement of the mission of AGLBIC of Texas;
2. Preside over the meetings of Board of Directors and the Executive Committee;
3. Appoint chairpersons of all AGLBIC of Texas committees unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or in the motion of establishing the committee; and
4. Serve as ex-officio on all AGLBIC of Texas committees, except the Committee on Nominations and Elections.
President-Elect. The President-Elect shall:
1. Perform the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President;
2. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee; and
3. Carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
Past President. The Past President shall:
1. Perform the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President and President-Elect;
2. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee;
3. Serve as the chair of the Nomination and Election Committee; and
4. Carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall:
1. Keep record of the proceedings of the Board of Directors;
2. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee;
3. Be empowered to affix the seal and execute official documents of AGLBIC of Texas as Secretary of the Organization;
4. Represent AGLBIC of Texas in assuring the receipt and expenditures of funds in accordance with the directives established by the Board of Directors;
5. Assist in the preparation of the budgets for AGLBIC of Texas, its committees, and its publications;
6. Follow accepted procedures for handling the funds of AGLBIC of Texas;
7. Recommend to the Board of Directors any needed modifications in procedures for managing the fiscal affairs of AGLBIC of Texas;
8. Submit written financial reports to the Board of Directors at any regular meeting;
9. Preside at meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of all other Officers;
10. Perform the duties customary to the office and such additional duties as directed by the Board of Directors; and
11. Recommend to the Board of Directors any needed modifications in procedures for managing the fiscal affairs of AGLBIC of Texas.
Trustees. Trustees shall:
1. Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and fulfill the functions and responsibilities of that body; and
2. Perform any additional duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
3. AGLBIC of Texas Representative(s) to TCA Governing Council. The AGLBIC of Texas Representative(s) to TCA Governing Council shall:
  1. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors; and
  2. Represent AGLBIC of Texas on the TCA Governing Council.

Section 5. Sanction and Removal from Office. Any individual noted in Article IV, Section A through F above, may be sanctioned or removed from office in accordance with procedures prescribed by official policy of AGLBIC of Texas.

ARTICLE V

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Procedures. The following procedures shall be followed by the Nomination and Election Committee.

There shall be established a Nomination and Election Committee consisting of the Past President as chair and two other members who shall be members of AGLBIC in good standing, appointed by the President, but subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors. No member of the Nomination and Election Committee may serve more than two consecutive years.
More than one nominee will be sought for each elected position.
The Nomination and Election Committee shall submit to the Board of Directors for its approval the proposed procedures for carrying out the annual election.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS

Section 1. Executive Committee. This committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Past President, and Secretary/Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall act for the Board of Directors in the interim between meetings and it shall prepare the proposed annual budget of AGLBIC of Texas to be presented for approval to the first meeting of the fiscal year of the Board of Directors and recommend fiscal policies for consideration by the Board of Directors. It shall promptly report to the Board of Directors all business transacted between meetings.

Section 2. Standing Committees. The standing committees of AGLBIC of Texas and their duties shall be as follows:

Membership and Public Relations Committee shall promote membership in AGLBIC of Texas, coordinate publicity and public relations for AGLBIC of Texas, and work closely with the TCA Director of Membership Development.
The Bylaws Committee shall have responsibility for drafting proposals for amendments to these Bylaws and for the final wording of amendments passed by the Board of Directors and membership to insure their consistency with the style and substance of these Bylaws. The Committee shall carry out such other functions as may be assigned to it in these Bylaws or by the Board of Directors.
The Program Committee shall be responsible for developing and implementing programs and activities relating to the concerns of AGLBIC of Texas.

Section 3. Special and Continuing Committees. These committees shall be established by the Board of Directors to carry out such activities as the Board believes will further the objectives of AGLBIC of Texas. The Board of Directors shall, from time to time, review the charge and function of all special and continuing committees and shall make such changes in their number, characteristics, or organization as may seem desirable.

Section 4. Appointment of Committees. In the absence of any provision to the contrary in these Bylaws or in the motion creating a Committee:

The President shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors, chairpersons and members of all Committees except as otherwise specified in these Bylaws. The term of office of those appointed and confirmed shall coincide with that of the President. Gender equality is to be sought in all Committee appointments.
Said appointees shall serve for one year, with the exception of completing an unexpired term followed by an appointed term. Chairs of standing committees shall serve for one year or until the appointment of their successors.
Chairs may be reappointed for three additional terms.

ARTICLE VII

FINANCES

Section 1. Dues and Assessments. The following procedure shall be followed in establishing AGLBIC of Texas dues and assessments, in addition to those required by the bylaws of TCA:

Annual dues for all categories of membership shall be established by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may levy special assessments on the entire membership or on any class of members.

Section 2. Salaried Employees. The Board of Directors may authorize the employment of such staff as may be necessary to fulfill the objectives of AGLBIC of Texas and set compensation for such employees.

ARTICLE VIII

BUSINESS AFFAIRS

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.

Section 2. Severable Or Transferable Interest. No member, individually or collectively, shall have any severable or transferable interest in the property of AGLBIC of Texas.

Section 3. Control and Management of Property. All property shall be subject to the management and control of the Board of Directors and no property shall be disposed of except pursuant to the prior written approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Basic Documents. The basic governance documents of AGLBIC of Texas and all amendments thereto shall be transmitted to the President of the Texas Counseling Association within 30 days after their adoption.

Section 5. Fidelity Bonds. The Board of Directors shall secure and maintain in force a fidelity bond adequate in amount to protect AGLBIC of Texas against defalcations by designated officers or employees.

Section 6. Annual Audit. The Board of Directors shall make sure that all financial records are available for an annual audit which is conducted by a certified public accountant. A full report will be submitted to the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Dissolution. Upon the vote of two thirds of the membership of AGLBIC of Texas, AGLBIC of Texas shall be dissolved.

Section 8. Property of AGLBIC of Texas. In the event AGLBIC of Texas should be dissolved, none of its property shall be distributed to any of the members. All of its property shall be transferred according to TCA Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX

PUBLICATIONS

Section 1. Division Publications. The AGLBIC of Texas Newsletter shall be designated as the official publication of AGLBIC of Texas. A Journal may also be established as deemed appropriate.

Section 2. Distribution. The AGLBIC of Texas Newsletter and any Journal to be established shall be sent to AGLBIC of Texas members without additional charge. They shall also be available to non-members, to libraries, and to other organizations by subscription at rates established by the AGLBIC of Texas Board of Directors.

Section 3. AGLBIC of Texas Newsletter.

Editorial Supervision. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for recommending editorial policy and professional content of the AGLBIC of Texas Newsletter.
The Editor. The Editor shall serve for a two-year term and may be reappointed, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The Editor shall be responsible for editing and preparing at least two issues of the AGLBIC of Texas Newsletter per year. In addition, the Editor shall publish the Treasurer's report and budget statement of the organization in the newsletter.

ARTICLE X

ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendment and Adoption. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority of votes cast after submission of the proposed amendment by either of the two following methods:

An amendment shall be proposed in writing to the Bylaws Committee by the Board of Directors or over the signature of ten members in good standing not less than 90 days prior to the annual meeting of the Board of Directors at the TCA state convention. Copies of the amendments proposed under the provision of the foregoing paragraph shall be mailed to members not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting.
An amendment first proposed at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be voted upon by mail ballot after 60 days following the date of proposal, provided, however, that such proposal shall be referred forthwith to the Bylaws Committee and that this Committee's written accommodation shall accompany such a mail ballot.

Section 2. Publication. The Bylaws of AGLBIC of Texas shall be published in their entirety no less than every five years, beginning with the year of their initial adoption. They shall be published in the official Newsletter of Journal. All amendments adopted by AGLBIC of Texas during an official year shall be printed from time to time whenever amendments hereto are adopted.

ARTICLE XI

RULES OF ORDER

Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, where they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, shall govern all the proceedings of AGLBIC of Texas.