Constitution – Article 1

Organization

This organization shall be known as the:
National Internal Affairs Investigators Association, Incorporated NIAIA, Inc.

Constitution – Article 2

Objective

The objective of the National Internal Affairs Investigators Association, Inc. shall be to:

• Develop and establish professional performance standards and instill the importance of ethical behavior and integrity to those involved in administrative and/or internal affairs investigations;
• Provide specialized training in the area of employment law and administrative investigations unique to public safety organizations;
• Present a forum for the discussion of common problems and current court decisions in the field of personnel management;
• Gather and disseminate information regarding improved administrative and technical practices;
• Assist public safety agencies in the establishment and development of internal affairs and administrative investigative units;
• Foster cooperation and the exchange of information and experience among administrative/internal affairs investigators;
• Enhance professional growth and development.

Constitution – Article 3

Membership

• Non discrimination

  No person shall be denied membership because of race, sex, creed, color, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

• Categories of Membership and Eligibility

  All membership applications are subject to approval by the Executive Board. Membership in this Association shall consist of three classes: Active, Associate, and Honorary.

  • Active Membership

    Active members shall consist of municipal, county, state, and federal employees of public safety agencies and government entities who conduct internal affairs/ administrative investigations, provide direct review of said investigations, or provide training in the field of personnel management and disciplinary processes.

  • Associate Membership

    Associate membership shall consist of private industry, corporations and other support personnel involved in conducting/ supporting administrative investigations. Associate membership shall consist of dues-paying individuals who have all the privileges of Active Membership, except they shall not have the privilege to vote.

  • Honorary Membership

    Honorary Membership shall consist of those persons who have contributed substantially to the improvement and advancement of the Association and have separated in good standing from government employment. An active or associate member may submit nominations of persons for Honorary Membership to the Executive Board for review and approval. Honorary members shall be appointed for life, unless revoked by the Executive Board. Honorary Members shall be extended the same privileges as Associate Members, but will not be charged dues.

Constitution – Article 4

Dues

• Authority

  The Association assesses dues upon its active and associate members. The Executive Board shall set the dues for the following calendar year.

• Changes in Dues

  Any change in dues will take effect on the first day of the new calendar year.

• Payment

  The Association will invoice the membership annually. Payment must be remitted within ninety (90) days to secure good standing status within the Association.

Constitution – Article 5

Elected Officers

• Yearly elections will be conducted at the annual conference and elected officers shall assume their role at the conclusion of the conference. Elections will be for the offices of 2nd Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Regional Executive Committee Chairperson.

  The ascension of power at the President and Vice-President levels will be as follows:

  • The immediate-past President will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Board for a period of one (1) year.
  • The 1st Vice-President will assume the role of President.
  • The 2nd Vice-President will assume the role of 1st Vice-President.
• The elected officers of the Association must be active members.
• The term of office for the elected officers shall be for one (1) year from the date of the election or until a new election is held.
• Nominations for offices shall be made from the floor, by active members, at the annual conference.
• If a vacancy occurs in the Office of President during the term of office, the 1st Vice-President shall assume the role of President immediately followed by the 2nd Vice-President assuming the role of 1st Vice-President.
• If a vacancy occurs in the Office of 1st Vice-President during the term of office, the 2nd Vice-President shall assume the role of 1st Vice-President.
• If a vacancy occurs in any office other than President or 1st Vice-President during the term of office, a member of the Executive Committee shall be selected by the Executive Board to fulfill the vacated term of office.
• A vacancy for purposes of this Article is when:
  • An elected officer notifies the Executive Board that he/she is unable to complete the term of office.
  • An elected officer dies.
  • An elected officer, by majority vote from the Executive Board, is determined to be incapable of completing the term of office because of medical reasons, gross negligence or inefficiencies, suspension, termination or separation from his/her place of employment, conviction of a serious misdemeanor or any felony, or for other just cause.
• In special circumstances when multiple vacancies occur at the President and Vice-President levels, nominees for said offices may be made and election may occur; however, the term of office for President and/or 1st Vice-President shall not exceed what has been outlined in subsection I. of this Article.

Constitution – Article 6

Changes to the Constitution and/or By-Laws

• Permissible Changes

  The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended, repealed, or suspended.

• Adoption of Changes

  • The Constitution may be changed only by a two-thirds majority of voting agencies in attendance at the general business meeting. Each agency may cast only one vote for changes to the Constitution at the meeting.
  • Amendments to the By-Laws of the Association must be approved by a simple majority of each voting agency in attendance at the general business meeting. Each agency may cast only one vote for changes to the By-Laws at the meeting.

Constitution – Article 7

Organization Disbandment

In the event of dissolution of the Association, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payments of the liabilities of the Association, give all monies to a non-profit public safety related organization with like or similar purposes. In no case shall any Association money be given to or used for the benefit of any individual.

By-laws – Article 1

Duties of Elected Officers

• President

  • The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association. In conducting meetings of the Association, the president’s decision shall be final unless otherwise provided for by this Constitution. The president’s decision may be reversed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting agencies present at the general business meeting. The president shall appoint pro-tem officers in cases of absentees. With the approval of the Executive Board, the President may call a special meeting and shall notify the membership of the date, time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
  • The President shall be the chairperson of the Executive Board, and may appoint select members of the Regional Executive Committee to the Board as needed.

• 1st Vice-President

  • In cases of death, resignation, removal, suspension, inability to serve or absence of the President, the 1st Vice-President shall serve as President.
  • The 1st Vice-President shall perform all duties as directed by the President.

• 2nd Vice-President

  • In cases of death, resignation, removal, suspension, inability to serve or absence of the 1st Vice-President, the 2nd Vice-President shall serve as 1st Vice-President.
  • The 2nd Vice-President shall perform all duties as directed by the President.
  • The 2nd Vice-President shall coordinate Association informational matters with the Association’s Website Administrator to assure timely updates regarding Association business are published.

• Recording Secretary

  • The Recording Secretary shall keep a full, true, and complete record of the proceedings at all meetings of the Association.
  • The Recording Secretary shall perform all duties as directed by the President.

• Treasurer

  • The treasurer shall receive all funds due the Association and keep an accurate account between the Association, its members, and creditors.
  • The Treasurer shall provide a detailed report of all financial matters regarding the Association at the annual conference/meeting or at any other time as directed by the President and/or Executive Board.
  • The Treasurer shall maintain a mailing address for Association business and shall assure mailed correspondence to the Association is addressed by the appropriate elected official.
  • Upon taking office, the Treasurer shall conduct an audit of all Association financial records within sixty (60) days of receiving the financial records from the former treasurer. The results of said audit will be reported to the Executive Board and maintained by the Recording Secretary as part of the official documents/reports of the Association.
  • The Treasurer shall perform all duties as directed by the President.

• Regional Executive Committee Chairperson

  • The Chairperson oversees the Regional Executive Committee and coordinates all recruitment efforts.
  • The Chairperson shall appoint members of the Regional Executive Committee as needed.

By-laws – Article 2

Committees

• Regional Executive Committee

  • When feasible, the Regional Executive Committee shall be comprised of members representing various geographical regions and disciplines. The members of the committee shall serve a one (1) year term.
  • Appointed members to the Regional Executive Committee shall represent the following geographical regions and disciplines:
    • Northeast: PA, NY, CT, VT, NH, RI, MA, and ME
    • Mid-Atlantic: NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, and SC
    • Southeast: FL, AL, MS, TN, KY, LA, GA, and AR
    • Midwest: OH, IL, IN, MI, MN, WI, IA, MO, NE, and KS
    • Northwest: ND, SD, MT, WY, ID, WA, OR, AK, and CO
    • Southwest: CA, NM, UT, NV, AZ, TX, OK, and HI
    • Federal/International Interests
  • The members of the Regional Executive Committee shall encourage membership within their regions and work with the Executive Board during membership drives.
  • The Regional Executive Committee shall take all necessary steps to promote and support the mission of the Association.
  • Each Regional Executive Committee member may establish subcommittees within his/her individual region.

• Executive Board

  • Shall be comprised of the elected officers of the Association, the immediate-past President, and may also include select members of the Regional Executive Committee, as appointed by the President.
  • The Executive Board shall meet at the Association’s annual conference and confer at least three (3) other times during the year, as called by the President, or a majority poll of the Board members. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Notice of these meetings shall be given at least two (2) weeks in advance.
  • The Executive Board shall routinely review and revise the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws.
  • The Executive Board shall also research and review legal precedence in the field of personnel management/internal affairs that impacts the membership’s primary mission in public safety.

• Conference Committee

  • The Conference Committee shall be comprised of the Executive Board.
  • The Conference Committee shall plan, coordinate, and approve all matters related to the annual conference to include:
    • Conference site location
    • Lodging alternatives
    • Training agendas
    • Guest speakers
    • Social events
  • The location, venue, and date for the next year’s conference shall be finalized prior to the current year’s conference and communicated to the membership.
  • As additional details are finalized, appropriate notice shall be given to the membership.

By-laws – Article 3

Meetings

• General Business Meeting

  • A General Business Meeting shall be held during the annual Conference.
  • A quorum for the purpose of transacting business of the Association shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting member agencies present at the meeting.

• Executive Board Meetings

  • The Executive Board shall meet as directed by the President during the annual conference.
  • The Executive Board shall meet at a location selected by the President at least three (3) months prior to the annual conference to discuss the business of the Association and finalize all conference matters.
  • The Executive Board shall communicate via telephone conferencing and/or web conferencing a minimum of three (3) other times throughout the year to discuss the business of the Association.
  • A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

• Special Meetings

  • Special meetings of the Association or of the Executive Board may be called at the option of the President, provided that all affected members are notified of the meeting and of the topic to be considered.
  • The subject matter of any Special Meeting and any action that may be taken as a result of any special meeting shall be limited to that previously announced in the meeting notice.

By-laws – Article 4

Order of Business

The meetings of the Association shall be governed by the Constitution and By-Laws.

By-laws – Article 5

Voting

• General

  • Only active members shall have the right to vote and only one vote per agency shall be counted on issues regarding elections and changes to the Constitution and/or By-Laws.
  • If requested, voting member agencies will be allowed to caucus for a period of time that will not exceed thirty (30) minutes before voting.

• Exceptions

  This section does not apply to Executive Board Meetings.

By-laws – Article 6

Application for Membership

• Process

  • Application for all classes of membership (as outlined in the Association’s Constitution, Article 3) shall be made on the required form and shall be submitted to the Treasurer.
  • Full payment of the current annual dues may be made via the website or an invoice may be requested.
  • Applications must be reviewed and approved by the Treasurer or designee.

By-laws – Article 7

Finances

• Accounts and Authorized Users

  • The Association shall maintain a checking account with a nationally recognized financial institution.
  • The President and the Treasurer are the only authorized users of Association account funds.
  • The President may authorize the issuance of Association credit/debit cards to the following elected officers:
    • President
    • 1st Vice-President
    • 2nd Vice-President
    • Treasurer

• Expenditures

  • All expenditures over $500 shall be approved by the Treasurer or the President.
  • All expenditures paid by the Association will be signed by the Treasurer and recorded in the Association’s financial records.
  • Reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses will be made with prior approval of the President or the Treasurer.

• Audits and Inspections

  • The Executive Board shall complete an informal audit of the Association's financial records at least once per year. In addition, the Treasurer shall forward a copy of the monthly bank account statement(s) to the Executive Board. The President or a majority of the Executive Board may call for an independent audit at any time.
  • All financial records shall be open for inspection by any member in good standing.

By-laws – Article 8

Termination of Elected Officers and/or Appointees

• An elected officer or member of any Committee shall be dismissed from his/her position for conduct unbecoming a member or for bringing discredit upon the Association. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board, or a two-thirds (2/3) written petition of the membership is required to take said action. Any member who becomes aware of inappropriate actions by an elected officer or appointee has an obligation to report said conduct to the Executive Board forthwith.
• The Association will accept written resignation from any elected officer or appointee.

By-laws – Article 9

Amendment Procedures: Constitution and By- Laws

• Procedures for Submitting Proposals for Changes

  • Proposed changes to either the Constitution or By-Laws shall:
    • Be in writing within sixty (60) days prior to the annual conference;
    • State concisely the reason for the proposed change(s);
    • Clearly identify the Article and Section number affected by the proposed change(s);
    • Clearly and concisely state the substance of the proposed change(s);
  • If the proposed change originates from a member:
    • The proposal shall be submitted to the Executive Board;
    • The proposal shall contain the name, address, electronic mail address and telephone number of the person offering the change(s); and,
    • The Board shall review the proposal and provide a report on how the change will affect the Association.

• Publication

  The 2nd Vice-President shall, following consideration of the changes by the President and Executive Board, shall have a draft of the proposed change(s) posted on the Association’s internet website along with a general description of such proposed changes.

• Submission and Voting

  • A member of the Executive Board shall present the proposed changes to the membership during the general business meeting at the Association’s annual conference.
  • The proposed change(s) will then be voted upon as outlined in the Constitution and By-Laws.

• Effective Date

  Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Association, such amendments and/or changes shall become effective immediately following approval.