NABCJ National ByLaws (July 2016)
NABCJ National ByLaws (July 2016)
NABCJ National ByLaws (July 2016)
By-Laws
Of the
National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, Inc.
ARTICLE I
NAME AND STATUS
SECTION 1. NAME
The name of the Association shall be The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice,
Inc. (hereinafter referred to as NABCJ).
SECTION 2. STATUS
This Association shall be a non-profit corporation pursuant to and in accordance with the laws of
the State of Georgia. This Association is a 501(c)(3) organization pursuant to the rules and
certification of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
NABCJ is a non-partisan and non-profit service organization whose purpose is to examine and
act upon the needs of people of color employed in both the public and private sectors of the
criminal, juvenile and social justice systems, and to participate in the eradication of injustice in
the American justice process.
SECTION 2. OBJECTIVES
1. To increase the number of people of color as policy-makers in the criminal and social justice
system.
2. To increase the number of people of color as employees in the criminal and social justice
system.
3. To contribute to the enactment of legislation and public policy which will have a
developmental and fair impact on the criminal and social justice system.
4. To achieve equal justice for people of color in the criminal and social justice system.
5. To provide annual training for public and private criminal and social justice professionals.
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |2
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP
Any person or organization subscribing to the purpose and objectives that meet the financial
requirements of NABCJ shall be eligible for membership. The Board of Directors, herein after
referred to as Board, shall establish categories of membership and a corresponding schedule of
membership fees. Membership shall be available to anyone regardless of age, race, religion,
color, national origin, marital status, disabilities, or sex. However, individuals currently under
and/or pending criminal/juvenile supervision are not entitled to membership until supervision has
been successfully completed. NABCJ doesnt recognize dual memberships.
The categories of membership are:
a. Life Member - Open to any individual. Life Members have completed the financial
requirements and are voting members of the association.
b. Agency Affiliates - Open to public and private organizations and institutions. The Agency
Affiliates are entitled one vote.
c. Active Member - Open to any individual except those listed above and entitled to one vote per
member.
d. Student Member - Open to any full-time college and high school students. The Student
Member is entitled to one vote per member.
e. Associate Members are members who are only active with local chapters. The associate
member is not entitled to vote on national issues/elections.
SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP FEES
There shall be a fee approved by the Board each calendar year for each categories of
membership. These fees shall provide dual membership and privileges in NABCJ and a local
chapter to NABCJ or in the absence of a local affiliate chapter, the fees shall provide sole
membership to NABCJ.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING
NABCJ shall hold an Annual Meeting of its membership.
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |3
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |4
a. President of the Presidents Council - shall serve as a voting member of the Board of
Directors and shall be elected every two years by members of the Presidents Council.
The President of the Presidents Council shall be a current president or immediate past
president of a local chapter and will represent the Chapter Presidents on the Board.
b. Federal Employee Representative - shall serve as a voting member of the Board of
Directors and shall be appointed by the President and are also full time employees of the
Federal Government. The term of the Federal Employee Representative will run
concurrently with the term of the President they are appointed by.
c. Student Representative shall serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors and
appointed by the President. The term of the Student Representative will run concurrently
with the term of the President they are appointed by.
d. International Representative - shall serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors
and shall be appointed by the President. The term of the International Representative will
run concurrently with the term of the President they are appointed by.
e. All appointed representatives must be approved by the Board of Directors and they are
not eligible to run for Executive Board positions while serving in their appointed
positions.
5. The Board shall also include the following appointed positions:
A. General Position at Large this representative shall be a member of the Association
and is appointed annually by the President and approved by the Board. The term of this
position is for one year and is a voting member of the Board.
B. A Member who represents the National Alliance of Faith and Justice (NAFJ).
6. The Immediate Past President - shall be an ex-officio member of the Board. The Immediate
Past President shall remain in position until replaced by the next Immediate Past President.
SECTION 2. ELECTION OF REGIONAL BOARD MEMBERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
1. A Board Representative shall be elected to a three (3) year term. No Representative shall be
elected for more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms. No Representative shall be
elected or re-elected during the same election year as another Representative for that region.
Each region shall have three representative positions. The Representative positions shall be
identified by region.
2. New members of the Board shall be installed at the Annual Meeting and shall assume their
respective duties effective August 1 each year.
3. The election of the Regional Board Members shall take place annually during or prior to the
Annual Meeting.
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |5
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |6
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD/ EXECUTIVE OFFICE
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |7
4. Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly and shall be responsible for
the affairs of the Association between meetings of the Board.
5. Other Meetings. The President as needed may convene other meetings, including by telephone
conferencing.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF BOARD OFFICERS
SECTION 1. PRESIDENT
The President of the Board shall have general charge of the affairs of NABCJ, and shall; insure
the implementation of the Purpose and Objectives of NABCJ and is the official spokesperson for
the Association. The President shall preside at the meetings of the Membership, Board, and the
Executive Officers. All appointments made by the President shall be confirmed by the Board of
Directors. The President may assign other duties as needed.
SECTION 2. VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President may perform all duties of the President upon request of the President, or in
the event of their absence or disability. The Vice President provides general oversight for all
Committees of the Board and may assume other duties as assigned by the President or the Board.
The Vice President shall have general oversight responsibility for committee work and shall
serve as the liaison from the Board to the Committee Chairs.
SECTION 3. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall attend and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the minutes of
the Annual Meeting; keep alphabetical records of all current NABCJ members and Chapters
arranged by region. The records shall also contain the most current e-mail, work, home addresses
and home telephone numbers of the members and Chapters. The Secretary may also assume
other duties as assigned by the President or the Board.
SECTION 4. ASSISTANT SECRETARY
The Assistant Secretary may perform all duties of the Secretary at the request of the Secretary, or
in their absence or disability. The Assistant Secretary may perform other duties as assigned by
the President or the Board.
SECTION 5. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall ensure that records of the Associations investments, properties, etc., are
properly maintained and appropriately reported. The Treasurer shall submit annual budget and
financial reports to the Board, monitor the Associations annual audit and ensure that the result
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |8
of such are reported and disclosed to the Board. The Treasurer will also make recommendations
regarding the Associations fiscal policies, spending trends, and practices.
SECTION 6. ASSISTANT TREASURER
The Assistant Treasurer may perform all duties of the Treasurer at the request of the Treasurer,
or in their absence or disability. The Assistant Treasurer may perform other duties as assigned by
the President or the Board.
SECTION 7. PARLIAMENTARIAN
The Parliamentarian is appointed by the President and acts as a consultant to the President. The
Duty of the Parliamentarian shall be to advise the President and board by ruling on the validity of
the conduct of business at each meeting in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. The
Parliamentarian is not a Board Member, nor does this position have voting privileges.
SECTION 8. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
The Immediate Past President shall have general administrative duties. The President or the
Board that assists in the administration of the organization may assign other duties as needed.
SECTION 9. COMPENSATION
No Officer or Representative of the Board shall receive any compensation for his or her services
except for approved reimbursements.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
Page |9
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
P a g e | 10
responsible for designing and distributing ballots for election and designating a method of
receiving and counting ballots. The
Nominating Committee shall submit a line item budget for approval to the Budget and Finance
Committee.
SECTION 6. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Communication and Public Relations Committee shall consist of not less than three (3)
members with two (2) being Regional Representatives. The President shall appoint the Chair of
this Committee with confirmation of the Board.
This Committee shall be responsible for promoting NABCJ, working with the Conference and
Training Institute Planners to promote this annual event, publishing the Conference Daily
Newsletter during the Conference and developing promotional materials including press releases.
The Communications and Public Relations Committee shall submit a line item budget for
approval to the Budget and Finance Committee.
SECTION 7. BYLAWS COMMITTEE
The Bylaws Committee shall consist of at least three (3) Regional Representatives and three (3)
Non-Board members. The President shall appoint the Chair of this Committee with confirmation
by the Board.
The Bylaws Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and preparing amendments to the
Bylaws. The Bylaws Committee shall also assist the Board regarding the interpretation of the
Bylaws and update the Bylaws annually, as needed.
The Bylaws Committee shall submit a line item budget for approval to the Budget and Finance
Committee.
The Bylaws Committee shall submit in writing to the Board any proposed amendments. The
Board shall approve or disapprove the amendments to be introduced to the membership for vote.
Members of the Association can submit proposed amendments to the Bylaws through their
designated Regional Representative during the timeframes designated by the Association.
The Regional Representative will submit all proposed Amendments to the Chairperson of the
National Bylaws Committee who will then share and discuss all submissions with the Bylaws
Committee. The Committee will submit all proposed Amendments along with Committee
recommendations to the national Board of Directors.
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
P a g e | 11
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1. PARLIAMENTARY
Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, the rules of procedure contained in Roberts
Rules of Order Newly Revised, shall govern.
SECTION 2. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the NABCJ shall be from January 1st to December 31st.
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
P a g e | 12
SECTION 3. AUDIT
A Certified Public Accountant as approved by the Board on an annual basis shall audit financial
transactions of the NABCJ and its accounts.
SECTION 4. CHECKS
The Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, President of the Board along with the National Office
Manager shall be the only authorized signees on all checks, drafts and orders for payment for the
Association. All checks over $500 shall require two signatures.
SECTION 5. BOND
The Board shall require the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, President and National Office
Manager to be bonded, at the expense of the Association, for the faithful discharge of his or her
duties in such amount and with such surety or sureties, as it shall determine.
Only the Association President, the National Office Manager and the Treasurer are authorized to
possess an Association Credit Card.
SECTION 6. BYLAWS
These Bylaws supersede all other Bylaws, resolutions, memoranda, policies or other writing
heretofore promulgated by NABCJ.
SECTION 7. AD HOC COMMITTEES
The President shall from time to time establish Ad Hoc Committees. The creation of such
committees shall be approved by the Board.
SECTION 8. OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
The President shall appoint a Chair with confirmation by the Board annually to review and
update as needed the Associations Operations and Procedures Manual. The Committee will
submit for approval any recommended updates to the Board annually, as received.
The Operations and Procedures Manual Committee shall submit a line item budget for approval
to the Budget and Finance Committee.
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
P a g e | 13
ARTICLE X
EXPULSION, SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL OF
MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
P a g e | 14
be represented by counsel and present oral or documentary evidence in his or her behalf relevant
to the charges made.
In the event that the President is the accused then the Vice President shall stand in the place of
the President regarding the hearing.
SECTION 5. NOTICE OF FINDINGS AND ACTIONS OF THE BOARD
Notice of the findings and actions of the Board shall be sent by the President of the Board to the
Officer, Representative or member via certified mail at his or her last address on file within
fourteen (14) calendar days.
ARTICLE XI
REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION OF CHAPTERS
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016
P a g e | 15
ARTICLE XII
TERMS OF AFFILIATION/DISAFFILIATION
Terms of Affiliation and Disaffiliation shall be governed by rules contained in the document:
TERMS OF AFFILIATION/DISAFFILIATION BETWEEN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF BLACKS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND AFFILIATE/CHAPTERS.
________________________________________________
Carlyle Holder, President
_______________________
Date
_________________________________________________
Gerard R. Lowe, Chairperson, National Bylaws Committee
______________________
Date
NABCJ
REVISED BYLAWS
JULY 2016