Section 2

Active - Active membership shall be open to any resident of Georgia who attends our Association conferences, or who wishes to take an active part in the Association. Membership shall also be open to the hearing, but governing shall be limited to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Active members who are bona fide residents of Georgia for two years may be nominated for office in the Association.

Section 2A

Residents, who live near this state’s borders, and desire participation in a nearby GAD Chapter, shall have all rights of active membership including holding an office, except the position of the President.

Section 3

Associate - Associate membership shall be open only to non-residents other than those living near the state’s borders (Article III Section 2A above). At the state conference, associate members have the privilege of the floor but may not vote.

Section 4

Honorary - Honorary members: Any person may be made an honorary member by a majority vote of those present at a conference. They shall be entitled to all of the privileges of active members. They shall not be subject to the dues of the Association.

Section 5

Student - Any High School or College student may be a member of the Association upon payment of membership dues. They shall be entitled to all of the privileges of active membership.

ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1

The Board of Directors of the Association shall be a President, the Immediate Past President (see Article V, Section 13), a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, the Membership Chair, the Chapter Presidents, the State Jr. NAD Director, the Senior Citizens Association President, and the Miss Deaf Georgia Pageant Director.

Section 2

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the general management and affairs of The Association as expressed by resolution or otherwise, and shall have the power to use any available funds of The Association to promote the interests of The Association.

Section 3

The Board of Directors shall have the power by a majority vote to suspend any officer from the privileges of The Association, or to suspend any officer from the discharge of his/her duties for good and sufficient reasons, however, such suspended member shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting following the suspension and thereafter to the membership at the next conference.

Section 4

When a Chapter President is unable to attend a meeting of the Board/Conference, he/she is required to have the chapter Vice President or other chapter representative to attend in his/her place, therefore, if a chapter president or representative does not attend 3 consecutive meetings of the board without sufficient reason, she/he is removed from the Board and the Chapter shall elect a new president.

During the election of new officers there shall be no voting by mail or proxy.

Section 12

Newly elected officers shall assume office immediately after final adjournment of the current conference and continue in office until their successors are elected and qualified. The following oath shall be administered by the retiring President or other member in good standing. Chapter Presidents shall be sworn in by the new President at the next Board of Directors meeting following the conference.

” I solemnly promise to observe and uphold the By-Laws of the Association, to promote its welfare, and to protect it from those who would willfully harm it. I shall at all times discharge the duties of my office to the best of my ability (so help me God.)” (as optional).

Section 13

The outgoing President shall assume the office of Immediate Past President for a period of six months with all the rights and duties of membership on the Board of Directors.

Section 14

In the event of a resignation of an officer, a formal notice with a statement of reason thereof shall be submitted to the Board of Directors who shall be empowered to appoint a qualified member of the Association to fill the vacancy until the next conference whereby the general membership shall vote a qualified member to fill the position.

Section 15

A spouse and/or partner may not hold the office of President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, or Treasurer at the same time.

Section 16

Officers and Committee Chairpersons of the Association shall be paid for any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. They shall submit vouchers or written reports of their expenses to the Board of Directors for their approval.

ARTICLE VII - THE COMMITTEES

Section 1

There shall be six (6) standing committees:

(1) Advocacy
(2) Governance
(3) Development
(4) Publicity & Newsletter (5) Youth
(6) Scholarship

Section 2

Advocacy Committee:

Education - Shall educate the public on deafness (causes and effects) cultural,and educational issues, support the preservation of the state schools for instruction of the deaf. In addition, shall work toward the most appropriate educational system (and practice thereof) of the deaf in public schools (mainstream) and/or institutions of higher education. With the Board of Director’s approval, this committee may address other related topics as deemed appropriate

The Director of the Miss Deaf Georgia Pageant (MDGP) shall be selected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall hold final governing authority in all matters. The Director’s duties shall be, but not limit to:

1) Interface with Conference Chairperson to coordinate logistics and activities.

2) Comply with guidelines as set forth by GAD/NAD.

3) Coordinate fundraising activities.

4) Serve as a liaison between Miss Deaf Georgia and Miss Deaf America Pageant.

5) Serve as a base for Miss Deaf Georgia’s activities during her reign.

6) Establish a MDGP committee.

The Miss Deaf Georgia Pageant (MDGP):

1) The Association shall sponsor concurrent with its biennial conference, a pageant to select the representative for Georgia at the Miss Deaf America Pageant (MDAP) which is held concurrent with the biennial NAD Conference, only if there are contestants.

2) Miss Deaf Georgia Pageant shall be conducted within the guidelines of MDGP, which will be monitored by the Director.

i. These guidelines shall not in any way conflict with MDAP.

ii. They shall be revised after MDAP State Director meetings, and shall be approved by the majority of the Board of Directors.

3) Funds for MDGP shall be kept in a separate sector of the Association’s checking account with $1,000.00 petty cash managed by the MDGP Committee Treasurer in their own account.

Section 7

Scholarship Committee

The Association shall offer a one-time $500.00 scholarship annually to a graduating high school Senior in Georgia who is deaf or hard of hearing. The Scholarship will be payable to the attending college, university, technical, or vocational school upon enrollment. The GAD Board of Directors may withdraw the scholarship due to any unforeseen reason.

A. The applying senior must present a letter of acceptance by a college, university, technical or vocational school.

B. Seniors must have at least a 3.0 grade point average or above and will attend his/her educational/training site after graduation, anytime from June to October of the same year.

C. Must have participated in at least two extracurricular activities in high school such as sports, clubs, school newspaper or yearbook, etc. or two community activities, i.e. 4-H Club, volunteer at camp, hospital, nursing home, etc.

D. Graduating seniors from Georgia School for the Deaf, Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, or any high school can apply for the Scholarship.

E. Applicants must have been a legal resident of Georgia for four years or more.

A. An inventory sheet shall list assets owned by the Association such as real estate property, desks, typewriter machines, phone-type units, desk cabinets, baskets, and all other items of value belonging to the Association.

B. If the office of the President changes, the retiring President and the incoming President shall sign the inventory sheet indicating this is a true estimate that all has been accounted for.

C. The Vice President, the Recording Secretary, and the Treasurer shall keep a copy of the inventory sheet in their files for reporting at the conference.

D. All items sold or traded shall be so identified on the inventory sheet.

Section 3

Disposal of Property

During periods between conferences when it is necessary or expedient to dispose of any property of the Association, such disposition or sale shall be decided by a majority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1

The official Newsletter of this Association shall be the GAD BANNER.

Section 2

It shall be printed and distributed depending on sufficient GAD BANNER funds.

Section 3

Subscription is included in membership dues.

Section 4

The President shall appoint an editor to take charge of the Newsletter:

A. The Editor shall perform duties as assigned for the GAD Banner.

B. The Editor shall be responsible for the publishing, layout, redesign, become familiar with postal requirements, and dealing with printer/publisher.

C. the Editor shall be entitled to appoint/select an Assistant Editor or any other resources necessary to uphold the Editor’s duties.

Section 5

Subscriptions will be available to non-members. The rate shall be decided by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII - DISTRICT CHAPTERS

Section 1

District Chapters may be formed in any city or county of the state when seven or more eligible persons petition to the President for a chapter. Such district chapters shall be subject to the By-Laws and to the authority of the Executives Board of the Association. A person may become a member of the Association by sending dues to the Association/chapter treasurer. Only then can a person become a member of the chapter by paying chapter dues. Chapters shall elect their own President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They may provide for the election of a delegate to have authority to speak for the chapter in all matters coming before the conference.

Section 2

Chapters shall be responsible for their Chapter President’s expenses to the GAD conference, including combination ticket, hotel, Miss Deaf Georgia Pageant, and related activities if any.

Section 3

Chapters shall reimburse their representatives to the Board of Directors meetings and any related expenses that are incurred.

Section 4

No chapter shall be legally formed until presented with a charter signed by the President and the Association Secretary and affixed with the Seal of the Association.

Section 5

All chapters of the Georgia Association of the Deaf, Inc. shall incorporate in the name of the chapter the word “Georgia Association of the Deaf” or the initials of the Association “GAD” so that the connection with GAD will be evident.

Section 6

All chapter meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order. Six or more active members, not counting the Chapter President, of a chapter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present, the chapter can still conduct a business meeting, but cannot vote on any business or motions.

Section 7

A chapter established in a large city or county may include in its membership the deaf residing in nearby smaller communities where there are not enough members to start a separate chapter.

Section 8

Each chapter may create an expense fund upon which to defray all legitimate expenses of said chapter.

Section 9

The Chapter President

A. Shall preside at all meetings of his respective chapter.

B. Shall perform for his chapter all the duties ordinarily associated with the office of the Chapter President.

C. Shall attend all Board of Director meetings of the Association as a representative of his/her chapter.

D. Shall appoint an alternate representative to the Board of Directors meeting if he/ she is unable to attend.

E. Must first approve the annual financial report before it is sent to the state Association’s Recording Secretary.

Section 10

Under no circumstances shall the Association be responsible for the obligations arising from any debts or contracts of any of the chapters.

Section 11

The Chapter shall pay yearly association dues of $50.00 to the Association.

Section 12

Chapters shall elect new officers for their chapters within forty five (45) days before to the Association’s conference and shall assume office immediately after the conference and submit to the Recording Secretary of the Association the names of the new officers along with the minutes of the meeting and names of the members voting.

Members will be notified by mail at least four months before the Conference. In addition, members will be mailed a final notice one month before the Conference.

Section 3

Only Association members can participate in business meetings as it pertains to ARTICLE III, SECTION 4. Non-members attending the business meeting will be charged a registration fee.

Section 4

Conference Bids

A. The Association shall host future Conferences and the Board of Directors shall decide on the date and location with recommendations from active members. The Association Chapters may bid to host the One-Day General Meeting (One Day Conference) with the Board of Directors’ approval.

B. The President of the Association will be a member of the Conference Committee and any meetings he/she is required to attend his/her expenses will be paid from Conference funds.

C. The Board of Directors shall have the power to change the place and date of the Conference when circumstances warrant such action. This can only be done by 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors at the time of vote.

D. The Association Board of Directors shall appoint an active member for chairperson for upcoming conference on recommendation by active members.

E. The chairperson of the Conference shall select willing active members from each chapter for appropriate committee of the Conference with the approval of the Board of Directors.

F. The chairperson of the upcoming Conference hosted by the chapter winning the bid shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 5

No association conference event shall conflict with Miss Deaf Georgia Pageant.

ARTICLE XV - ONE-DAY GENERAL MEETING

Section 1

A One-Day General Meeting of the Association shall be held the same year of the NAD Conference to meet special needs by the members. The Board of Directors shall have power to change date and length of the meeting deemed advisable for the best interest of the Association. Interested chapters may bid to host the One-Day General Meeting at any Board of Directors meeting.

Section 2

Three months advance notice shall be mailed to the members before the One-Day General Meeting. Final notice shall be mailed one month before the meeting.

(1) majority of its Board of Directors is Deaf,

(2) Executive Director is Deaf, and

(3) a majority of staff is Deaf.

B. Associate Nonprofit Organizations.
Those not meeting the criteria as Active Nonprofit Organizations may affiliate with the State Association upon payment of annual dues of $100.00.

C. For Profit Organizations.
For profit organizations may affiliate with the State Association upon payment of annual dues of $150.

D. All three affiliations shall receive 5 copies of the GAD Banner and shall be waived of conference booth fees (limited to one booth).

E. The Board of Directors shall have the power to disapprove any and all such applications by any organization to become affiliates with the Association.

Section 2

Autonomy

All affiliated organizations shall have full charge of their own funds and property and shall not be financially responsible to the Association; except to the extent of paying their annual dues. Conversely, the Association assumes no financial responsibility for any of its affiliates or cooperating agencies.

ARTICLE XVII - DISSOLUTION OF ASSOCIATION AND/OR CHAPTERS

Section 1

In the event of dissolution, the assets of Georgia Association of the Deaf, Inc. shall be given to the National Association of the Deaf or a similar organization operating exclusively for charitable, educational, and moral welfare of the deaf as determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XVIII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Amendments to the Bylaws of the Association shall be presented to the membership by the Bylaws Committee at the conference, which may be amended by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members voting on the floor.

Section 2

Amendments to the By-Laws of the Association shall be made in writing and mailed to the Bylaws Committee Chairperson two months prior to the conference at which time the by-law committee appointed by the Vice President shall study and make reports at the convention. The By-Law Committee Chairperson shall list all propositions 15 days prior to the conference for each member’s consideration.

Section 3