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:
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.
CONSTITUTION – 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 categories: Agency, Retiree, and Honorary.
A. Agency Membership
Agency Memberships shall consist of any municipal, county, state, or federal public safety agency or government entity, as well as private industry corporations or other supportive entities who have personnel responsible for or are involved in conducting, supporting or providing training in the field of administrative investigations and disciplinary processes. Any agency employee actively involved with the above mentioned criteria/processes may have individual user accounts on the website as part of their Agency Membership. Annual dues and voting ability with restrictions apply.
B. Retiree Membership
Retiree Membership may be considered for any individual who has retired, in good standing, from an agency/entity described above, and whose duties/role met the criteria for Agency Membership. Annual dues and voting ability applies.
C. Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership may be granted to a person who has contributed substantially to the improvement and advancement of the Association and has separated in good standing from an agency and position meeting the above mentioned criteria for Agency Membership. Nominations for Honorary Membership will be reviewed and approved/denied by the Executive Board. Annual dues are waived for life and voting ability applies.
CONSTITUTION – ARTICLE 4
Dues
I. Authority
II. Period Annual membership dues are valid for a calendar year, January 1 to December 31. The memberships for agencies/retirees who join between the conference date and the end of the year will not expire until the end of the following year. They are granted membership for the remaining days of the current year at no additional cost.
III. Changes in Dues
Any change in cost of dues for the new calendar year will take effect at the end of the conference.
IV. Payment
Association members shall make payment of annual dues through the Association's website or through other coordination with the Treasurer.
CONSTITUTION – ARTICLE 5
Elected Officers
I. Elections will be conducted at the annual conference and elected officers shall assume their roles at the conclusion of the conference. Elections will be for the offices of 2nd Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Regional Executive Committee Chairperson.
The ascension of the President and Vice-President levels will be as follows:
A. The current President becomes the Immediate-Past President and will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Board for a period of one (1) year or until the next election.
B. The 1st Vice-President will assume the role of President.
C. The 2nd Vice-President will assume the role of 1st Vice-President.
D. The newly elected member assumes the role of 2nd Vice President.
II. The elected officers of the Association must be active members within one (1) of the three (3) membership categories.
III. The term of office for the 2nd Vice-President shall be one (1) year, and the term of office for the other elected officers shall be for two (2) years from the date of the election or until a new election is held. The term of office for any elected officer, except the 2nd Vice-President, may be extended upon approval of the Executive Board.
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 will assume the role of President, immediately followed by the 2nd Vice-President assuming the role of 1st Vice-President, leaving the position of 2nd Vice-President vacant until the next election.
VI. If a vacancy occurs in the Office of 1st Vice-President during the term of office, the 2nd Vice-President will assume the role of 1st Vice-President, leaving the position of 2nd Vice-President vacant until the next election.
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 Board/Committee shall be selected by the Executive Board to fulfill the vacated term of office. The individual may have dual roles/responsibilities.
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 dies.
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-President levels, nominees for said offices may be made by Executive Board Members. 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
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 of voting members in attendance at the general business meeting. Only one (1) vote may be cast per Agency Membership for changes to the Constitution.
B. 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. Only one (1) vote may be cast per Agency Membership for changes to the By-Laws.
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
BY-LAWS – ARTICLE 1
Duties of Elected Officers/Appointees
I. President
A. 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.
B. The President shall be the chair person of the Executive Board, and may appoint select members of the Regional Executive Committee to the Board as needed.
C. The President may recommend the creation or dissolution of a position as needed, upon approval of a quorum of the board.
II. 1st Vice-President
A. In cases of death, resignation, removal, suspension, inability to serve or absence of the President, the 1st Vice-President shall serve as President.
B. The 1st Vice-President shall perform all duties as directed by the President.
III. 2nd Vice-President
A. 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.
B. The 2nd Vice-President shall perform all duties as directed by the President.
C. The 2nd Vice-President shall coordinate Association informational matters with the Association’s Website/Social Media Administrator.
IV. Recording Secretary
A. The Recording Secretary shall keep a full, true, and complete record of the proceedings and decisions made during all meetings, conference calls, and/or email exchanges of the Association.
B. The Recording Secretary shall perform all duties as directed by the President.
V. Regional Executive Committee Chairperson
A. The Chairperson oversees the Regional Executive Committee and coordinates recruitment efforts.
B. The Chairperson shall appoint members of the Regional Executive Committee as needed and approved by the Executive Board members.
VI. Treasurer
A. Potential candidates will be vetted by the Executive Board. Upon selecting a candidate, the Executive Board will appoint the individual for a minimum of three years with the option to extend annually, after review, for up to three additional years.
B. The treasurer shall receive all funds due to the Association and keep an accurate account between the Association, its members, and creditors.
C. 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.
D. The Treasurer shall maintain a mailing address for Association business and shall ensure mailed correspondence to the Association is addressed by the appropriate elected official.
E. Upon taking office, the Treasurer shall conduct a review/inspection of all Association financial records within sixty (60) days of receiving the financial records from the former Treasurer. The results of said review/inspection will be reported to the Executive Board and maintained by the Recording Secretary as part of the official documents/reports of the Association.
F. The Treasurer shall perform all duties as directed by the President.
VII. Website/Social Media Administrator
A. The Administrator shall maintain the Association's website with accurate and timely information.
B. The Administrator shall make regular posts to Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media websites as needed.
C. The Administrator shall liaison with the website developer as needed.
D. The Administrator shall perform all duties as directed by the President.
BY-LAWS – ARTICLE 2
Committees
I. Regional Executive Committee
A. 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.
B. 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
- Fire and Rescue Interests
C. The members of the Regional Executive Committee shall encourage membership within their regions and work with the Executive Board during membership drives.
D. The Regional Executive Committee shall take all necessary steps to promote and support the mission of the Association.
E. Each Regional Executive Committee member may establish subcommittees within his/her individual region.
II. Executive Board
A. Shall be comprised of the President, 1st Vice President, elected officers of the Association, the immediate-past President, and other appointees, including select members of the Regional Executive Committee, as appointed by the President.
B. 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.
C. The Executive Board shall routinely review and revise the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws.
D. 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.
E. The Executive Board members will plan, coordinate, and approve all matters related to the annual conference including conference site location, lodging alternatives, training agendas, guest speakers, and social events.
1. 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.
2. As additional details are finalized, appropriate notice shall be given to the membership.
BY-LAWS – ARTICLE 3
Meetings
I. General Business Meeting
A. A General Business Meeting shall be held during the annual Conference.
B. 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.
II. Executive Board Meetings
A. The Executive Board shall meet as directed by the President during the annual conference.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
III. Special Meetings
A. 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.
B. 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
I. General
A. All membership categories have the right to vote, but only one vote may be cast per Agency Membership on issues regarding elections and changes to the Constitution and/or By-Laws.
B. If requested, voting member agencies will be allowed to caucus for a period of time that will not exceed thirty (30) minutes before voting.
II. Exceptions
This section does not apply to Executive Board Meetings.
BY-LAWS – ARTICLE 6
Process for Membership
I. Process
A. All categories of membership as outlined in the Association’s Constitution, Article 3, shall register for membership via the Association’s website or through other correspondence with the Treasurer.
B. Full payment of the current annual dues may be made via the website or other approved payment methods. Invoices may be requested online through the Association website or through correspondence with the Treasurer.
C. Memberships shall be reviewed and approved by the Executive Board or designee as needed.
BY-LAWS – ARTICLE 7
Finances
I. Accounts and Authorized Users
A. The Association shall maintain a checking account with a nationally recognized financial institution.
B. The President or Treasurer must authorize the use of Association account funds.
C.The President and Treasurer will maintain a credit/debit card for Association related business/financial transactions
