CONSTITUTION
Ratified: 26 October 2009
Article 1
Organization
This organization shall be known as the:
National Internal Affairs Investigators Association, Incorporated
N.I.A.I.A., Inc.
The Association’s Federal Employment Tax identification number is 27-0560835.
Article 2
Objective
The objective of the National Internal Affairs Investigators Association, Inc. shall be to:
I. 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;
II. Provide specialized training in the area of employment law and administrative investigations unique to public safety organizations;
III. Present a forum for the discussion of common problems and current court decisions in the field of personnel management;
IV. Gather and disseminate information regarding improved administrative and technical practices;
V. Assist public safety agencies in the establishment and development of internal affairs and administrative investigative units;
VI. Foster cooperation and the exchange of information and experience among administrative/internal affairs investigators;
VII. Enhance professional growth and development.
Article 3
Membership
I. Non discrimination
No person shall be denied membership because of race, sex, creed, color, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
II. 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.
A. 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.
B. 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.
C. 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 excluded from membership by the Executive Board. Honorary Members shall be extended the same privileges as Associate Members, but will not be charged dues.
Article 4
Dues
I. Authority
The Association has the right to assess dues upon its members. The Executive Board shall set the dues for the following calendar year.
II. Changes in Dues
Any change in dues will take effect on the first day of the new calendar year.
III. Payment
The Association will invoice the membership annually. Payment must be remitted within ninety (90) days to secure good standing status within the Association.
Article 5
Elected Officers
I. The elected officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a 1st Vice- president, 2nd Vice-president, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, a Sgt. of Arms and a Chaplain; all of whom must be active members of the Association.
II. 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, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Sgt. At Arms and Chaplain.
The ascension of power at the President and Vice-presidents level will be as follows:
A. The outgoing President will become the senior member to the new President’s Executive Committee.
B. The 1st Vice-president will assume the role of President.
C. The 2nd Vice-president will assume the role of 1st Vice-president.
III. 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. With the exception of the President, 1st Vice-president, and 2nd Vice-president, no elected officer shall hold an individual office for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
IV. Nominations for offices shall be made from the floor, by active members, at the annual conference.
V. 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.
VI. 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.
VII. 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.
VIII. A vacancy for purposes of this Article is when:
A. An elected officer notifies the Executive Board that he/she is unable to complete the term of office.
B. An elected officer becomes deceased.
C. 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.
IX. In special circumstances when multiple vacancies occur at the President and Vice-presidents level, nominees for said offices may be made and election may occur; however term of office for President and/or 1st Vice-president shall not exceed what has been outlined in II. of this Article.
Article 6
Changes to the Constitution and/or By-laws
I. Permissible Changes
The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended, repealed or suspended.
II. Adoption of Changes
A. The Constitution may be changed only by a two-thirds majority vote of each agency entitled to vote in attendance at the general business meeting and agencies may cast only one vote for changes to the Constitution at said meeting.
B. Amendments to the By-Laws of the Association must be approved by a simple majority of the each agency entitled to vote in attendance at the general business meeting and each agency may cast only one vote for changes to the By-Laws at said meeting.
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 law enforcement related organization with like or similar purposes, and in no case shall any Association money be given to or used for the benefit of any individual.