BY-LAWS
IOWA MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION
Revised 2006
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. NAME: The name of this Association shall be the IOWA MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION, a State Chapter of the AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION.
Section 2. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Association shall be to:
a) Promote high standards of professional conduct and commitment to persons who seek and to persons who need mental health counseling services.
b) Advance the profession of mental health counseling.
c) Provide a system of information exchange between mental health counselors through a newsletter and other specific educational and professional materials and means.
d) Provide programs to mental health counselors which offer continuing education opportunities to update and enhance their competencies.
e) Research action alternatives which advance and recognize the effectiveness of the profession of mental health counseling.
f) Provide a public forum for mental health counselors to address the social and emotional needs of their clients.
g) Provide an alliance with counselors in other work settings to advance the entire profession of counseling, as well as promoting positive relations with other professional organizations for effective advocacy of mental health issues.
h) Promote adoption of minimal training standards necessary for mental health counselors.
i) Promote scientific research and inquiry into mental health concerns, counseling interventions and their effectiveness.
j) Provide a liaison on the state and national level with other professional groups to assist the advancement of the mental health field.
k) Provide the public with information concerning the role and function of mental health counselors to increase awareness of mental health counseling and the competencies and services of its practitioners.
l) Promote equitable licensure and certification for counselors on the state and national levels.
ARTICLE II; MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. TYPES AND CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP. Membership shall be of two types: INDIVIDUAL and INSTITUTIONAL.
Section 2. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. Membership shall be open to all persons regardless of Race, Creed, Color, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or Ethnic Origin. There shall be five classes of membership. Regular, Associate, Retired, Student, and Honorary.
a) Regular Member. Membership is open to any person whose primary work-related responsibilities or interest are in the area of mental health counseling or mental health consultation, who holds licensure or is eligible for licensure, as a mental health counselor.
b) Associate Member. Associate membership is open to any person who is interested in and wishes to support the goals and objectives of the Association. Associate members may attend meetings of the Association, but shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be eligible to hold office.
c) Retired Member. Membership is open to any IMHCA member who has been a member at least ten years and reaches the age of 62. This membership shall include all association privileges.
d) Student Member. Membership is open to any graduate student who has interest in the area of mental health counseling. The student must be enrolled in a planned program of study in mental health counseling or related field, and be certified by a major professor as meeting this requirement. Under ordinary circumstances, student membership shall not exceed three years. However, an extension may be considered by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
e) Honorary Member. Membership is open to any person nominated as Honorary Member by action of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association. Membership shall be for life and shall be exempt from payment of dues.
Section 3. INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP. Membership is open to any institution which is interested in the goals of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association. Institutional membership does not carry privileges of individual membership. Institutional membership must be made out in the name of the institute and carries the privilege of receiving publications of the organization.
Section 4. DUES. Annual association dues for members of the Association shall be established by the action of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. Voting membership shall be limited to Regular, Retired, and Student members. Only Regular, Retired, and Student members shall be eligible for any office or for membership on the Board of Directors of the Association.
Section 6. SEVERANCE OF MEMBERSHIP.
a) A member shall be dropped from membership for any conduct that tends to injure the Association or to affect adversely its reputation, or that is contrary to or destructive of its objectives, according to the By-Laws and the AMHCA Code of Ethics. Any member charged with engaging in such conduct shall be given notice of the precise nature of the charge, shall be given the opportunity to confront witnesses against them, and shall have the right to appeal and have a hearing before the Board of Directors, whose decision shall be final. The Committee on Ethics shall consider any charges made, 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. Any accused member has the right to appeal to the Board of Directors any final decision of the Committee on Ethics.
b) A member will be dropped from the membership for:
1) the nonpayment of dues
2) falsely certifying that chapter membership qualifications have been met.
3) Violation of AMHCA Code of Ethics
ARTICLE III: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section l. COMPOSITION.
a) The Board of Directors of the Association shall be composed of the Officers of the Association, the Chair of the Standing Committees, two elected At-Large members of this Association, and other persons appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors whose services may be needed for special purposes.
b) The At-Large members shall serve two-year terms, staggered so that one shall be replaced each year, with each retaining eligibility for re-election to a second term of two years. At-Large board members may serve for two consecutive terms only, but may be re-elected after the lapse of at least two years.
c) The President may designate in writing an alternate to serve in the place of a voting member who is unable to attend a meeting of the Board.
Section 2. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. The Board of Directors shall be the agent through which the general administrative and executive functions of the Association shall be carried out. It shall conduct, manage, and control the business of the Association.
Section 3. MEETINGS.
a) The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice a year: at the time and place of the annual meeting of the Association, and, again at a time and place designated by the President. Meetings at other specified times may be designated by either the President or by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
b) The President of the Association shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors.
c) Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote, and a simple majority of the total membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
d) At each Board meeting, at the discretion of the President, each officer and each standing and special committee chair shall make an oral and/or written report to the Board regarding the state of its affairs, its activities and its responsibilities.
ARTICLE IV: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. This committee shall act during the interim when the Board of Directors is not in session. All actions of the Executive Committee are subject to the review of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V: THE PR ESIDENT'S COUNCIL
The President's Council shall consist of the President and all Previous Presidents of the Association who are able and willing to participate. The Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Current President as a Consultative and Advisory Body.
ARTICLE VI; OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. OFFICERS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND TERMS OF OFFICE.
a) The officers of this Association shall be President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, and Treasurer
b) All officers of the Association shall be elected at-large from among the individual members of the Association.
c) Each officer shall be a member in good standing. No member is eligible to serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms of office.
d) The term of office for the Immediate Past-President and President-Elect shall extend for a period of one year. All other elected officers of the Association shall serve for a period of two years, beginning July 1st.
e) The President-Elect shall automatically become President of the Association one year after the election to this office, to be held on alternate years.
f) In the event of the death or resignation of the President, the President-Elect shall succeed to the President's unexpired term and continue through the term for which elected.
g) In the event of death or resignation of any officer other than the President, the Board of Directors shall have the power to fill the vacancy.
Section 2. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
a) Nomination and Election Committee. This committee, chaired by the Immediate Past-President or an alternative Board member to be designated by the Board, shall prepare an official slate of nominees for the positions of President-Elect (on alternate years), Secretary, Treasurer, and one At-Large member of the Board.
b) Elections. The Nomination and Election Committee shall conduct the election of the Officers and Board Members by secret ballot, mailed or e-mailed to the Voting Members of the Association.
c) The Nomination and Election Committee shall submit to the Executive Committee for its approval, the proposed procedures for carrying out the annual election. An annual deadline shall be established for the return of marked election ballots. All candidates shall be notified by first class mail or e-mail of the election results within twenty (20) days following the close of elections. The general membership of the Association shall be informed of election results through the official publication of the Association.
Section 3. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
a) The President shall be the chief elected officer of the Association, shall preside at all meetings of the Association, and shall be Chair of and preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. The President shall appoint the chair and members of all committees unless otherwise specifically provided for in these By-Laws or by the motion establishing such committees, and shall be an ex-officio member, without vote, on all committees. The President shall perform the duties customary to the office and such additional duties as directed by the Board of Directors. The President shall also serve as representative to the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
b) The President-Elect shall perform the duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors and/or the President, and shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President.
c) The Immediate Past-President shall serve for one year following expiration of his/her Presidential term, shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee, and shall perform such duties as may be directed by the Board of Directors.
d) The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, shall conduct the correspondence for the Association, and shall keep all records of current activities of the Association.
e) The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds of the Association and other properties belonging to the Association. The Treasurer shall assure the receipt and expenditure of funds in accordance with the directives established by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. An elected officer or member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office for failure to perform assigned duties. A two-thirds majority of the IMHCA Board of Directors shall be required to remove the elected member from the position.
a) The By-Laws Committee of IMHCA presents to the Board of Directors the following information on the issue of removal from office. This concerns removal, generally of an involuntary nature, of an elected officer of IMHCA. Reasons for removal from office are:
1. Violation of the Ethical Code of AMHCA
2. Failure to carry out duties/responsibilities of office.
b) In order for this process to begin, it must be initiated by a member of IMHCA. Two letters of support of removal of a person from office must accompany the initial charge. If the issue is one of an ethical violation, steps are already detailed in the AMHCA Code of Ethics. If the issue is failure to complete duties/responsibilities of office, the following steps will apply sequentially in the process of potential removal from office:
1. Written documentation of charges presented to IMHCA President.
2. Notification of charge provided to person in question and to IMHCA Board of Directors.
3. Consideration of this issue, in closed executive session, by the IMHCA Board of Directors.
4. Attempt made to resolve issue through appropriate communication channels with intent to keep person in office, if possible.
5. Removal from office can occur by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting Board of Directors.
6. Opportunity to respond to charges, either in person or in written form to the Board of Directors.
7. Involvement and input of Ethics Committee as resource whenever deemed necessary and appropriate.
8. Removal from office not official until thirty (30) days from date of action taken regarding charges by the IMHCA Board of Directors.
9. Appeal process available within thirty (30) days from date of action taken regarding charges by the IMHCA Board of Directors.
10. If member is a member of the Board of Directors of IMHCA, abstention from voting on issue is required; person may also be asked to leave the session in which the issue is discussed and considered by the remainder of the Board of Directors.
11. If removal from office results, written notice to this effect will be provided by the IMHCA President to person charged. Removal will also be duly recorded in minutes of next Board of Directors meeting, along with effective date of removal.
Section 5. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF OFFICERS. None of the elected officers or Board members of the Association shall receive any compensation for their services as such to the Association. Necessary expenses of the Officers and Board members may be paid from funds of the Association under policies which may be established by the Board of Directors for such payments.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
An annual meeting of the membership of the Association shall be held in conjunction with the Iowa Mental Health Counselors ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The President may, with the approval of the Executive Committee, call additional meetings of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII: BUSINESS AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. FISCAL YEAR. The official year and the fiscal year shall be established by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Members of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors shall be sent annual income and expense reports showing financial status of the Association.
Section 3. The Constitution and By-Laws of the American Mental Health Counselors Association shall govern the proceedings of this Association not otherwise specified in the By-Laws.
Section 4. PROPERTY DISPOSAL UPON DISSOLUTION. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, none of its property shall be distributed to any of its members. All such property shall be transferred to such other organizations as the Board of Directors shall determine to have purposes and activities most nearly consonant with those of the Association, provided that such other organizations shall be incorporated under Section 504A of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding provision of the Internal Revenue Laws.
ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall have the authority (subject to the confirmation of the Board of Directors) to name such Standing and Special Committees as may be needed to conduct the activities of the Association.
a) Special committees shall continue for not more than two years unless otherwise specified in the motions establishing them.
b) The Chair of each committee shall serve for a period of one year, but may be reappointed for one additional year.
Section 2. STANDING COMMITTEES.
a) Government Relations. The Government Relations Committee shall be responsible for monitoring the activities of the State and National Legislatures and other appropriate regulatory bodies and for advising and informing the Association of developments relative to these groups that affect the welfare and working conditions of mental health counselors.
b) Membership Development. The Membership Development Committee shall carry out the major membership work of the Association and shall be responsible for encouraging and promoting the addition of new members and the retention of members.
c) Nomination and Election. The Immediate Past-Present or an alternative Board member to be designated by the Board shall chair this committee, whose function is defined in Article VI, Section 2 of this document.
d) Program. The Program Committee shall be responsible for programs and for arrangements for all meetings of the Association.
e) Publications. The Publications Committee shall coordinate and direct the publications of the Association.
f) Public Relations. The Public Relations Committee shall initiate, encourage, and direct activities to foster positive public relations.
g) Professional Standards. The Professional Standards Committee shall be responsible for recommending guidelines for the professional preparation of mental health workers, and the creation and maintenance of policies.
h) Ethics. The Ethics Committee shall be responsible for educating the membership concerning the Ethical Standards, monitoring and periodically upgrading the documents and procedures pertinent to Ethical Standards, and receiving and processing complaints of alleged violations of the Ethical Standards of the Association.
i) Awards. The Awards Committee shall be responsible for the selections of the recipients of awards which may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Immediate Past-President of the Association shall become the Chair of this committee.
j) By-Laws. The By-Laws Committee shall be responsible for updating the By-Laws to meet current needs of the Association.
k) Archives (Historian). The Archives Committee shall be responsible for assembling, cataloguing, and providing for the safekeeping and the accessibility of materials and artifacts which detail the Association's history.
Section 3. REPORTS. Each committee shall make an annual report of its activities and status to the Board of Directors.
Section 4. TASK FORCES. Task Forces may be established as deemed necessary to conduct the affairs of the Association. The Task Force Chair and members shall be appointed by the President in collaboration with the Board of Directors. Each Task Force shall report to the President, in writing, the salient activities, financial information and progress of the Task Force as directed by the President.
ARTICLE X: MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS
Section 1. MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS POLICIES. The Board of Directors shall determine and direct the basic media and publication policy of the Association.
ARTICLE XI: BY-LAWS
Section 1. AMENDMENT AND ADOPTION. These By-Laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. NOTIFICATION OF BY-LAWS CHANGE. The Board of Directors must be notified (in writing) at least 30 days prior to any Board meeting of any proposal to amend the By-Laws of the Association.
Section 3. PUBLICATION. The By-Laws of the Association shall be published in their entirety every five years, beginning with their promulgation. They shall be published in the official newsletter of this Association. All amendments adopted by the Association during an official year shall be published on a yearly basis.
ARTICLE XII; RULES OF ORDER
Section 1. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY. The parliamentary authority for meetings of the Association will be Robert's Rules Revised, 1980 Edition (by Henry Martin Robert), as from time to time amended.
