LCCPAAA Bylaws

League City Citizens Police Academy

Alumni Association

BYLAWS
OF THE
LEAGUE CITY CITIZENS’ POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the organization shall be the League City Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association.

ARTICLE II: OFFICERS AND ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Principal Office The principal office of the Association is in the State of Texas and shall be located in the City of League City, county of Galveston.
Section 2. Registered Office and Registered Agent The Association shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Texas a registered office, and a registered agent whose office is identical with such registered office, as required by the Texas Non-Profit Association Act. The registered office may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office of the Association in the State of Texas, and the address of the registered agent may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE
Section I. Purpose The purpose of this Association is to bring together graduates of the League City Citizens’ Police Academy to:

(a) enhance community relations, demonstrate appreciation for and otherwise support the League City Police Department;

(b) foster continuing education of members concerning law enforcement efforts in the community;

(d) pay all expenses in connection with all expenses incident to the conduct of business by the Association;

(e) acquire (by gift, purchase or otherwise) to own, hold, improve, build upon, operate, maintain, convey, sell, transfer, dedicate for public use, or otherwise dispose of real or personal property in conjunction with the affairs of the Association;

(f) participate in mergers and consolidations with other non-profit organizations organized for the same or similar purposes;

(g) enter into, make, and perform contracts of every kind and description and to do all things necessary to carry on and accomplish the purposes for which the Association is organized and chartered, including to have; and to exercise any and all powers, rights and privileges conferred on corporations under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act now existing or as may hereafter be amended.

Section II. Involvement with other organizations The Association may, in the accomplishment of its goals, participate directly by the establishment of its own programs and projects, or indirectly through financial assistance to other groups and organizations, public or private, having similar interests and goals.

Section III. Limitations The Association shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the primary purposes of the Association.

The Association shall not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any way, including publication or distribution of statements, in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office or other political activity.

Section IV. Non-Intervention Policy The Association is a non-intervention Association. Any police action taken by a Member shall be construed as an unofficial act of the Association and all law enforcement agencies. Each Member, by completion of their Membership application, agrees to indemnify, release and hold harmless the City; its elected or appointed officials; the police department and its officers; and the Association, its Directors, Officers and Members for the consequences of any action initiated by the Member.

Section V. Members barred from carrying firearms to events Other than certified peace officers and aside from special events that specifically involve firearms and are published to all Members in advance, no Member shall carry on their person any weapon to any event of this Association. Any Member found in violation of this policy may be excluded from the Association’s activities upon a vote of the Membership.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERS

Section 1. Membership The Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational corporation. Members with full privileges are not commissioned officers of any law enforcement agency nor are they to represent themselves as such (unless coincidental). Membership in this Association shall be extended to those persons who are:

(a) graduates of the League City Citizens’ Police Academy; or

(b) granted Honorary Membership as defined in Section 2; or

Section 2. Honorary Members Honorary Members shall include all persons who have rendered distinguished service to the Association and who have been elected to Honorary Membership. The Board of Directors of the Association shall nominate candidates for Honorary Membership and the Membership shall approve the selection by majority vote of the Membership constituting a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Membership. Such Honorary Members enjoy complimentary Membership in the organization but do not count towards establishing a quorum at any meeting nor do they have voting privileges.

Section 3. Ex-Officio Members Employees of the League City Police Department who have been assigned as coordinators to the Association shall have Ex-officio Membership in the Association and are free to attend any and all general, committee, Board of Director and special meetings sponsored by the Association. Such Ex-officio Members enjoy complimentary Membership in the organization but are not counted towards establishing a quorum at any meeting nor do they have voting privileges.

Section 4. Inclusion policy No person shall be denied Membership in the Association because of age, race, religion or gender.
Section 5. Rights, Benefits, and Privileges Except as otherwise excluded in these Bylaws, all Members, including Honorary and Ex-officio Members, shall receive identical rights, benefits, and privileges of Membership as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 6. Dues Membership is open to individuals who have graduated from the League City Citizens’ Police Academy. A Member in good standing shall be a person who pays dues. The Board of Directors shall determine annual dues in April of each year. Annual dues are due by June 30 of each year and are considered delinquent by July 31. Persons who wish to join during any month other than June will pay dues on a pro-rated basis until the following June.
Section 7. Removal and suspension of members due to arrest The Membership of any individual may be suspended if the Member is arrested for any cause. The Board of Directors may consider suspending the individual’s Membership at their next regular meeting. If the motion to suspend the individual’s Membership is sanctioned by a majority of Board Members present and voting, the Board will make a recommendation to the Membership at the next general meeting. An affirmative vote of majority of Members present will result in suspension.
Section 8. Member’s right to appeal suspension due to arrest; conditions for automatic reinstatement An individual whose Membership has been suspended may appeal the decision within 90 days of:
(a) the action by the Membership; or
(b) pronouncement of a verdict of guilty or the filing of a plea of nolo contender; or
(c) pronouncement of a decision by an appellate court with statutory jurisdiction.
An individual who wishes to have his or her Membership reinstated may request a hearing before the Membership at the next general meeting. The suspended Member shall have the opportunity to state his or her case, as shall the Board of Directors. A majority vote by secret ballot of a quorum of the Membership present at the hearing shall reverse the suspension and reinstate the individual’s Membership. There shall be no right to appeal.
Should the court render a verdict of not guilty, the individual’s membership shall automatically and immediately be reinstated.
Section 9. Removal and expulsion of members due to conviction Any Member may be expelled from the Association for conviction of any criminal offense other than a traffic offense. Regardless of whether the individual’s Membership has been suspended on the basis of arrest, if the Member is convicted of any criminal offense other than a traffic offense, the Board of Directors will consider expelling the individual at their next regular meeting. If the motion to expel is sanctioned by a majority of Board Members present and voting, the Board will make a recommendation to the Membership at the next general meeting. An affirmative vote of a majority of Members present shall result in expulsion.
Section 10. Member’s right to appeal expulsion due to conviction A Member who has been expelled may appeal the decision within 90 days of the action by requesting a hearing before the Membership at the next general meeting. The expelled Member shall have the opportunity to state his or her case, as shall the Board of Directors. A two-thirds majority vote of a quorum of the Membership present at the hearing shall reverse the expulsion and win the appeal. The vote at the appeals hearing shall be conducted by secret ballot and considered final.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number of Directors The Association will be managed by a Board of Directors (the “Board”), whose number is five (5) but which number may be increased or decreased from time to time by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the Board.
Section 2. Powers and Duties Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or the Bylaws of the Association, all of the authority of the Association and its government and management shall be exercised by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Membership, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws and consistent with the Articles of Incorporation. The Board may solicit funds for specific Association purposes.
Section 3. Expenditures No expenditure in excess of an amount determined annually by the treasurer shall be made unless it has been authorized by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Election of Officers At the first meeting of the membership, the members shall elect a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer for a term of two years, and a First Vice President for the term of one year. At the first annual meeting, the members shall elect a First Vice President and a Second Vice President for a term of two years. Thereafter, in alternate years, the membership shall elect a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer for two-year terms; and a First Vice President and a Second Vice President for two-year terms. However, in each case, the directors then serving will continue to serve until their successors are elected and installed.
Secretarial duties may be divided between a Corresponding Secretary and a Recording Secretary. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers. The Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted in Article VII of these Bylaws.
Section 5. Ex-officio members of the Board of Directors Each graduating class of the League City Citizens’ Police Academy may name one representative to serve as their liaison to the Board of Directors until the next annual meeting. The liaison is expected to attend and participate in Board meetings but will have no voting rights.
Section 6. Requirements All Directors must be Members in good standing.
Section 7. Terms of office Terms of office shall begin September 1, following the meeting at which the officers and directors are elected. No Member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no Member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
After absence from the Board of Directors for a minimum of two years, any former Director may be selected for additional terms as a Director; however, such additional service is again subject to the limits imposed herein.
Section 8. Meetings The Board shall meet at least quarterly each year and as often as necessary for the transaction of business or to carry out the purposes of the Association; it shall determine its own meeting times. Directors shall be notified at least five business days before the date scheduled for the meeting.
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or upon the written or electronically transmitted request of two members of the Board.
Procedures for notice shall be similar to those established in Article XI, Waiver of Notice.
The Board may authorize the transaction of business by the Board by mail, telephone or electronic transmission. All Members of the Association are entitled to attend all Board meetings.
Section 9. Nominations Not less than 60 days in advance of a meeting regularly held for such purpose, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of at least three (3) Members, at least one of whom is not a Director. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the offices and for vacancies on the Board of Directors. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be mailed to Members of the Association at least 14 days prior to the scheduled meeting. At the meeting, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted before the election. Nominees need not be Members of the Board.
Section 10. Elections The Officers and Directors shall be elected at a meeting regularly held for such purpose. The candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected.
Section 11. Resignation or Removal Any Officer may resign by notice in writing to the Board of Directors in care of the Secretary or President. Any Officer may be removed from office for good cause upon the vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors present at a meeting where a quorum of the Directors exists. Except in the case that an Officer has been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense other than a traffic offense, such removal shall be considered upon the request of not less than two Directors. If an Officer has been arrested or convicted of any criminal offense other than a traffic offense, any Member of the Board may place on the Agenda consideration of the individual’s removal from the Board, suspension from the Association, or expulsion from the Association.
Any request to consider removing an Officer for any other cause shall be submitted in writing to the Board in care of an Officer. The Officer in question shall receive written notice not less than seven days in advance of the meeting at which the issue of removal, suspension or expulsion is to be addressed. Upon request of the Officer in question, a hearing shall be held at said meeting prior to the vote of the Directors.
If an Officer is facing suspension or expulsion from the Association for arrest or for conviction of any criminal offense other than a traffic offense, the procedures that apply to all Members in Article III will govern.
Section 12. Absences In the event that a Director fails to attend three consecutive meetings, the Board may determine that the Director has resigned the position.
Section 13. Vacancies In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the First Vice-President shall fill the office for the unexpired term. Other vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the President, with approval of Association’s Board of Directors, for the unexpired term. In the event of the absence or inability to act of the President, the First Vice-President shall temporarily carry out the duties of the office.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings The Association shall hold at least ten regular meetings annually on dates to be determined by the Board of Directors. In addition, other regular meetings may be scheduled as needed for the transaction of business or to carry out the purposes of the Association.

Section 2. Annual Business Meeting The Association shall hold at least one business meeting in August of each year. The business meeting may be held in conjunction with or take the place of a regular meeting. Purpose of the Annual Business Meeting is for the Board of Directors to review the State of the Association, including finances and budget; and for the Membership to elect Officers and Directors. Notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed to the Membership not less than 14 days prior to the meeting date.
Section 3. Special Meetings Special meetings of the Membership may be called by the President or upon the written request of five (5) Members of the Association. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least seven (7) days’ notice shall be given.
Section 4. Quorum Fifty (50) percent of the Membership shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of any business of the Association.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES
Section 1. Standing Committees The following standing committees shall be established: Membership and Fundraising. The President, with the approval of the Board, shall fill all vacancies on such standing committees and shall appoint or reappoint the committee Chairmen each year unless otherwise provided for in these Bylaws. A substantial number of Members of each such committee shall be persons who are not Directors. The Board of Directors may increase or decrease the number of standing committees from time to time by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the Board.
Section 2. Membership Committee The First Vice President shall chair the Membership Committee. At least two Members shall be appointed to this Committee. This Committee shall collect dues; maintain current membership lists and contact information; recommend ways to enhance service to Members; develop plans and meeting programs for attracting new Members and retaining existing Members; and determine ways to encourage participation from active and inactive alumni in the affairs of the Association. The committee shall report to the Board of Directors at least twice each year. The Membership Committee may have sub-committees reporting to it.
Section 3. Fundraising Committee The Second Vice President shall chair the Fundraising Committee. At least three Members, at least two of whom are not Directors, shall be appointed to this Committee. This Committee is charged with identifying, soliciting for, and organizing projects or events to raise funds to benefit the Association and the League City Police Department. The committee shall report to the Board of Directors at least twice each year. The Fundraising Committee may have sub-committees reporting to it.
Section 4. Other Committees and Task Forces The Board or the President may establish and appoint other committees and task forces deemed necessary or appropriate, to serve the Association. The Chairman of any such advisory committee or task force must be a Member of the Association and is considered an advisor to the Board of Directors. A substantial number of Members of each such committee and task force shall be persons who are not Directors.
Section 5. President is member of all committees The President of this Association automatically shall be an ex-officio Member of all committees and task forces.

ARTICLE VII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The usual parliamentary rules governing deliberative bodies contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, Directors by simple majority may vote to propose a change in these Bylaws. Proposed amendments shall be mailed to all Members of the Association at least 14 days prior to the meeting at which they will be considered. Provided the Membership meets quorum requirements, these Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Association by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the members present.

ARTICLE IX: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association shall be from the first day of July each year through the 30th day of June in the succeeding calendar year.
Section 2. Definitions
As used in these bylaws, the following terms shall mean:
(a) Association: the League City Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association;
(b) Board or Board of Directors: the Board of Directors of the League City Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association;
(c) Director: a Member of this Board of Directors; and
(d) Quorum: a quorum shall consist of fifty (50) percent of the Membership for any general or special meetings of the Membership, and sixty-six (66) percent of the Board of Directors for any regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X: SEAL
The seal of the Association will be in such form as will adopted and approved from time to time the Board of Directors. Such seal need not be affixed to or impressed upon an instrument or documents in order for such instrument or document to be binding upon or to be considered to be the act of the Association.

ARTICLE XI. WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Association, notice of such meeting may be waived in writing before or after such meeting and will be the equivalent to the giving of notice. Attendance of a director at such meeting will also constitute a waiver of notice thereof, except when s/he attends for the announced purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Except as otherwise as required by law, neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the directors need be specified in notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

ARTICLE XII. POLICIES
Operational and charitable fund raising activities may be suggested by the liaisons assigned to the Association to represent the League City Police Department, the Chief of Police, and other personnel of the League City Police Department. The Fundraising Committee shall consider these requests in seeking Board authorization or direction for projects to sponsor or support.

The Association prohibits the carrying of weapons by persons attending Association functions other than duly commissioned peace officers except for weapons’ skills competition sanctioned in advance by the League City Police Department and the Board of Directors of the Association. That attendees at such events might be carrying weapons will be published to the membership at least one week in advance of the event.
No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to benefit of or be distributed to liaisons of the League City Police Department or any of its employees, officers, directors, or other persons aside from reimbursement for reasonable expenses that were approved in advance by the Board of Directors.
Financial records of the Association may be audited prior to June 30 of each year by an Audit Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. All Association expenditures approved by the Board of Directors will be made by check and require the signature of at least two (2) authorized officers. The President, First Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be authorized to sign checks.
The Association shall not engage in political activities. Political activity is defined, for purposes of these Bylaws, as any activity that is promoted by the Association or individual members of the Association appearing to represent the Association for or against any issue, candidate or other matter that will be formally presented to the public for vote by federal, state, city or any political subdivision thereof. This provision shall not serve to restrict or encumber any Member from exercising his or her right to promote or campaign for or against issues or candidates of their choice; however, such activity shall not, in any way, imply or appear to reflect this Association’s support, or lack thereof, for any such issue or candidate.

XIII. LIAISON
The League City Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association program coordinator or coordinators, or any other officer of the League City Police Department, as appointed by the Chief of Police, shall act as liaison between the Association and the Police Department. The liaison shall report activities and progress to interested parties of both organizations and provide assistance as requested by the Association.

XIV. ADOPTION OF BYLAWS
The above Bylaws, Articles I through XIV, inclusive, contained on 12 typed pages, being duly adopted by a majority vote of the quorum of the general membership present at a meeting duly called and held on January 9, 2003, shall be effective as of that date.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS CERTIFYING ADOPTION:
___________________________
President
______________________________ ______________________________
Secretary Treasurer
APPENDIX
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1. President
The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the League City Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association, and its Board of Directors and shall have general charge of, and control over, its operations. The President shall sign any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other legal instruments upon the express approval of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the President shall appoint the chairperson of each committee and shall be an ex-officio Member of all committees. The President shall perform such additional duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws.

2. First Vice-President
The First Vice-President shall serve as Chair of the Membership Committee, assist the President in the operations of the Association, and perform such additional duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws. The First Vice-President shall succeed to the office of President in the event of a vacancy in the office of President. In the absence of the President, the First Vice-President shall serve in his or her stead and, when so acting, shall have all of the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the President.

2. Second Vice-President
The Second Vice-President shall serve as Chair of the Fundraising Committee, assist the President and First Vice President in the operations of the Association, and perform such additional duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Bylaws. The Second Vice-President shall succeed to the office of First Vice President in the event of a vacancy in the office of President. In the absence of the President and First Vice President, the Second Vice-President shall serve in their stead and, when so acting, shall have all of the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon that office.

3. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the Association; shall maintain all record books of Bylaws, standing rules and Minutes; shall send out to the Membership notices of annual and special meetings; shall prepare the meetings' agendas; shall keep and affix the corporate seal of the Association to all documents executed on behalf of the Association; and shall conduct the general correspondence of the Association. The Secretary shall make the Minutes and records of the Association reasonably available to any Member upon request and in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary or which may be assigned to that Office by the Board of Directors.
In the absence of the President and First and Second Vice-Presidents, the Secretary shall call the meeting to order and preside until the immediate election of a president pro tem.

4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be entrusted with custody of the funds of the Association and shall disburse funds upon the authority of the Board of Directors or the Bylaws. The Treasurer shall chair the Budget Committee, make a full financial report to the Membership annually and make such interim reports as the Board of Directors or Executive Committee may direct. The Treasurer shall be responsible for filing all state and federal tax documents in a timely fashion. The Treasurer shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer or which may be assigned to that Office by the Board of Directors.
If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine the cost of such bond being borne solely by the Association.