Texas Chapter Bylaws

BY-LAWS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION NATIONAL ACADEMY ASSOCIATES OF TEXAS, INCORPORATED

PREAMBLE

For God and Country, we the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated, associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Texas. To protect our country from all enemies, whether foreign or domestic. To promote training programs in various duly constituted law enforcement agencies within our State, giving to the member thereof the benefit of our training received at the FBI National Academy. To use and encourage the use of the facilities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. To perpetuate our Association with the members of our class, associates and faculty, and to encourage attendance at all training sessions. To encourage and assist in the enlightenment and education of the general public. To cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and all duly constituted law enforcement agencies and officers, as well as the general public, in all matters of mutual interest, and particularly in the exchange and dissemination of ideas and information, the detection and prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals. To strive for the highest degree of respect for law and order and maintenance thereof.

To these ends, we pledge to always conduct ourselves in a manner that will lend strength, dignity and credit to the profession of law enforcement.

ARTICLE I. The name of the organization shall be:

The FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated, the corporation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II. Term of the Association:

The term of this Association, FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated, shall be perpetual.

ARTICLE III. Purpose of the Association:

The purpose of this Association shall be to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, the State of Texas, and uphold local laws in our respective jurisdictions.

To protect our country and its citizens from any and all enemies, whether foreign or domestic; to always be on the alert and ready to take proper action against any person or persons who propose the overthrow of our form of government or who violate the person or property of any citizen. To promote and encourage training programs in various duly constituted law enforcement departments in our State. To maintain police training under the collaborative direction, control and sponsorship of the Association, law enforcement officials, and organizations.

To this end all law enforcement officers of our State may receive the benefit of our training received at the FBI National Academy. To cooperate and encourage cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and all legally constituted law enforcement agencies. To

use and inform all law enforcement officers of the various facilities of the FBI and like facilities available to them; to encourage their use and in doing so, increase the efficiency of the law enforcement profession throughout the State. To perpetuate the memory of our Association with the members of our class, associates both State and National, and the faculty of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

To encourage and assist in the education and enlightenment of the general public in matters of interest to our citizenry, particularly regarding their responsibility to cooperate with law enforcement officers in the detection and prevention of crime; to make available all information possible to the proper authorities. To aid in the solution of all crimes when committed and the apprehension of criminals responsible thereof. The exchange and dissemination of ideas and information with all duly constituted law enforcement officers and the general public in all matters of mutual interest, thereby pledging and striving for the highest degree of respect for law and order and the maintenance thereof. To always conduct ourselves in both private life and official position in ways that lend strength, dignity and credit to the profession of law enforcement.

ARTICLE IV. Members of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

Section 1. Membership:

Active Membership in this Association shall consist of the following:

1. Those individuals who have satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of instruction at the FBI National Academy. Membership shall be effective upon graduation from the FBI National Academy and

upon payment of dues of this Association. Retired graduates are eligible for continued membership.

2. Active and retired Special Agents of the FBI who have served as counselors and/or Field Office National Academy Coordinators for a National Academy session both present and past are eligible for membership. Active and retired Special Agents are not eligible to hold office.

3. Special Agents of the FBI who have been involved in and have supported the National Academy Program may be nominated for membership. The nomination, along with supporting documentation of support, service and/or involvement shall be forward to the Texas Executive Board for review, approval and submittal to the National Executive Board.

4. No membership other than active memberships may be allowed without the approval and recommendation of the Texas Executive Board and subsequent approval of the National Executive Board.

Section 2. Dues

The Annual Dues of this Association shall be set by the Texas Executive Board, due and payable on or before January 31, of the current year.

Annual Dues are the combined state and national dues as prescribed by both the Texas Executive Board and the National Executive Board. Annual Dues shall be assessed each member and national dues shall be forwarded to the National Executive Board by the Texas Executive Director in accord with those duties prescribed in Article VII,

Section 5.

Annual Dues shall be paid prior to any attendance at any training session or business activity.

The dues of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated for retired members may be set at a lesser amount as prescribed by the Texas Executive Board.

Members of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated, who, for whatever reason, are unable to pay their State dues may submit a written request to waive payment, citing reasons for the inability to pay. The Texas President shall, at that time, refer said request to a committee for review and recommendation to the Texas Executive Board.

Section 3. Right to vote

Any Active member whose Annual Dues are paid in full at the time of any duly authorized business meeting of this Association shall be eligible to vote

Section 4. Suspension, removal and reinstatement

A. Any member of this Association may be suspended or removed from membership for any of the following:

1. Non-payment of required dues

2. Participation in any activity unworthy of or inimical to the best interest of law enforcement, as evidenced by any dismissal or requested resignation from a law enforcement agency based upon misfeasance, or malfeasance, and by a majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Board of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

3. Participation in activity unworthy or inimical to the best interest of the FBI National Academy Associates Incorporated, or upon participation in activities unworthy or inimical to the best interest of the Federal Bureau of Investigation when so decided administratively by the Bureau.

4. Any other act or failure to act that might be construed by the Executive Board to be detrimental to the FBI National Academy Associates, or FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated, and or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

B. Suspension shall be defined as removal from membership for any term up to indefinite suspension as prescribed by the President and approved by the Executive Board of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated. Upon suspension or removal, notice will be sent to the National Executive Board.

C. Reinstatement for any reason shall be approved by the Executive Board of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated. A member who has been suspended because of non-payment of dues will be reinstated when dues are brought to current status.

ARTICLE V. Officers of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated

Section 1. Officers

President 1st Vice-president /Secretary 2nd Vice-president 3rd Vice-president Regional Director (each Director representing the four geographic

regional offices of the FBI) Immediate Past President Treasurer Historian Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator

Social Media Coordinator

Conference/Event Coordinator

Chaplain

Section 2.

In case of death, resignation, removal, suspension, inability to serve or absence of the President, the 1st Vice-president shall advance and serve as President.

Section 3.

The President with approval of the Executive Board shall fill interim vacancies in any office, and such officer shall hold the office until the next regular business meeting of the Association.

Section 4.

Any officer may be removed from office for sufficient cause and/or failure to perform those duties of the office as prescribed by these By-Laws, or removed in accord with Article IV, Section 4 A 2,3,or 4. Removal shall require recommendation by the President and majority approval of a quorum of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VI. Election of officers of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated

Section 1. Nominations for Office

A nomination for the Regional Director from the same region as the outgoing President, as well as any other vacated office, will be made by the nominating committee. The nominating committee will nominate one person for each office. The President will accept these nominations, submit it to the active membership at the regular business meeting, and then ask three times if there are any other nominations from the floor. If there are none, nominations from the floor end, and the President will call for the election of those Offices by a motion from the floor that the officers be elected by acclamation.

Section 2. Contested offices

If nominations are received from the floor, the election of the contested offices shall be held separately. The candidate receiving a simple majority of votes from active voting members present shall be elected to the contested offices.

Section 3. Election of Officers

The Executive Board will elect from among themselves the following officers: A President, Immediate Past President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President and Regional Directors, except for the Regional Director from the same region as the outgoing President. All Officers, except the Treasurer, and the Historian, shall serve a period of one year. Any FBINAA of Texas member in good standing, seeking nomination to the Executive Board, shall present a letter of support from his/her agency head to the Chapter President, prior to being considered for office.

Section 4. Officers Disclosure of Disciplinary Action

Any Executive Board Member that receives substantial disciplinary action resulting from an internal departmental investigation shall disclose in a timely manner such action and circumstances relating to said action to the Chapter President. Substantial disciplinary action shall include: termination, time off, reduction in rank and/or reduction in pay.

ARTICLE VII. Duties of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated

Section 1. President

The President shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The President is a voting member and the Chairperson of the Executive Board.

The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Association. The President shall appoint pro-tem officers in case of absentee.

In conducting meetings of the Association, the President's decisions shall be final unless otherwise provided for by these By-Laws. These decisions may be reversed by a 2/3 majority of the active membership present at any business meeting of the Association.

If, in the opinion of the President, an occasion or circumstance should arise to warrant the call of a special business meeting of the Association, the President shall have the authority to call such meeting. The President shall cause the membership to be notified of the date, time, place, and purpose of the meeting.

The President is authorized to conduct regular, telephonic, or electronic business meetings of the Executive Board.

The President or designee shall be authorized to sign all checks, credit/debit cards or similar means of monetary transactions drawn on any account of the Association.

The President shall serve a period of (1) one year.

The President shall appoint the members of all committees

Section 2. Vice-president

The 1st Vice-president shall serve as the Secretary to the Executive Board and perform such duties as directed by the President.

The Vice-president shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The offices of Vice-President shall consist of three Vice Presidents. Vice Presidents shall serve a period of (1) year. Each Vice-president is a voting member of the Executive Board.

Section 3. Regional Director

The Regional Director shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The offices of Regional Director shall consist of four Regional Directors each representing the four geographic regional offices of the FBI.

Regional Directors shall serve a period of (1) one year. Each Regional Director is a voting member of the Executive Board.

Section 4. Immediate Past President

The Immediate Past President shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Immediate Past President is a voting member of the Executive Board.

The Immediate Past President shall serve a period of (1) one year.

Section 5. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Treasurer shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

The Treasurer shall collect all Annual Dues.

The Treasurer shall make an accounting of previous calendar year and all funds to date to the voting membership present at the recognized, annual regular business meeting of the Association; end of current calendar year funds to the Executive Board, and; any prior or current year funds when requested by the President.

The Treasurer shall have the authority to disburse such money as required in keeping with policies established by the Executive Board and these By-Laws.

The Treasurer shall serve a term of (4) four years by an appointment from the President and majority approval of the Executive Board.

The Treasurer shall be designated as the registered Corporate Agent of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

Section 6. Historian

The Historian shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and the President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Historian shall record and maintain a permanent history of the Association.

The Historian shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

The Historian shall serve a term of (4) four years by an appointment from the President and majority approval of the Executive Board.

Section 7. Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator shall coordinate and facilitate sponsors in support of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator will develop marketing and branding materials to showcase the value of partnering with the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas and the value it has to law enforcement throughout the State.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator will coordinate in the recruiting and select Association members to serve on a Corporate Sponsorship Development Committee that aids in the overall support of the organization in a positive manner.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator will coordinate with the Executive Board members to identify and secure corporate sponsors and exhibitors for the annual training conference, Command College and other training where sponsorships are needed to ensure a thriving training environment.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator will coordinate with each designated training chairperson to ensure quality exhibitions are conducted for both the delegates as well as the sponsors of all training events.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator will screen potential sponsors and exhibitors for appropriateness in participating in all training session environments.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator shall serve as the first point of contact with all sponsors and exhibitors doing business with the Texas Chapter.

The Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator shall serve a term of (4) four years by an appointment from the President and majority approval of the Executive Board.

Section 8. Social Media Coordinator

The Social Media Coordinator shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Social Media Coordinator shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

The Social Media Coordinator shall utilize all electronic resources as authorized by the Executive Board to provide knowledge and education about the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas.

The Social Media Coordinator shall seek general approval from the Executive Board for various social media platforms prior to implementation.

The Social Media Coordinator shall oversee the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas website and all other forms of digital exposure to members as well as the public.

The Social Media Coordinator shall be responsible to coordinate any media releases as deemed necessary at the consent of the Executive Board.

The Social Media Coordinator shall be responsible for an annual membership drive of all Texas Chapter Members.

The Social Media Coordinator shall serve a term of (4) four years by an appointment from the President and majority approval of the Executive Board.

Section 9. Conference/Event Coordinator

The Conference/Event Coordinator shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required by the Articles of

Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Conference/Event Coordinator shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

The Conference/Event Coordinator shall serve as the point of contact for the annual state conference/retrainer and other training events as needed to ensure valuable, cost effective and entertaining events occur as authorized by the Executive Board.

The Conference/Event Coordinator will work closely with the individual event chairperson to see that all needs are coordinated prior to, during and after training events occur.

The Conference/Event Coordinator will seek out available opportunities within the area of a training event to incorporate for better training and networking opportunities

The Conference/Event Coordinator will keep the Executive Board apprised of potential issues that could hamper the success of an event.

The Conference/Event Coordinator will ensure that appropriate documentation is collected from attendees and appropriately submitted to TCOLE for review and the awarding of training credits, and serves as the point of contact for the membership for TCOLE related questions.

The Conference/Event Coordinator shall serve a term of (4) four years by an appointment from the President and majority approval of the Executive Board.

Section 10. Chaplain

The Chaplain shall faithfully perform all duties for the good of the organization required of the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and President of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Chaplain shall perform those duties necessary to ensure and maintain the principles, morals, ethics and values upon which this Association was founded.

The Chaplain shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board. The Chaplain shall serve a term of one (1) calendar year by an appointment from the President and majority approval of the Executive Board.

Section 11. Executive Board

The Executive Board shall consist of all officers set forth in Section One (1) of Article Five (V) of these By-Laws.

The Executive Board shall faithfully perform all duties required of it for the good of the organization required by the Articles of Incorporation, and By-Laws of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated.

The Executive Board shall meet at the regular business meeting held at the recognized, annual Texas training conference, to conduct Association business.

The Executive Board shall govern this Association, unless a 2/3 of active members present at the recognized annual training conference's regular business meeting vote to rescind the action of the Executive Board.

In addition to the annual, regular business meeting, the Executive Board shall meet at least once at a special business meeting to conduct Association business. The President may call additional Board meetings as may be required.

To conduct Association business, a quorum consisting of no less than (5) five voting members of the Executive Board must be present. An affirmative majority vote by the quorum shall govern Association business.

A Board member may receive reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by attendance at regular and special meetings. The President and/or the Executive Director must approve these, and expense reports will be filed.

ARTICLE VIII. Committees of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

Section 1. Appointment of Committees

All committees not otherwise provided for by these By-Laws, shall be formed by and serve at the discretion of the President.

The President shall appoint an active member as Chair over each committee to serve a one-year calendar term. The Chair with concurrence of the President shall appoint others from the membership to serve one calendar year as committee persons.

Section 2. Standing Committees

All committees, except those designated as standing committees, shall serve no longer than one (1) calendar year, and may be dissolved at any time by the President.

Standing committees are perpetual and include the following four: Audit and Budget Committee; Long Range Planning Committee; Membership Committee, and; Training Committee.

ARTICLE IX. Business Meetings of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

Section 1. Types of Meetings

Business meetings shall be of two types: Regular Business Meetings, and; Special Business Meetings.

Section 2. Regular Business Meetings

The annual, regular business meeting of the Association shall be held at the recognized, annual Texas training conference.

Section 3. Special Business Meetings

In addition to the annual, regular business meeting, the Executive Board shall meet at least once at a special business meeting to conduct Association business.

Section 4. Changes

All amendments, deletions, additions and other modifications to the By-Laws of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated, shall be made at annual, regular business meetings of the Association.

ARTICLE X. Sergeant-at-Arms of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

Section 1. Appointment

At the opening of each business meeting of the Association, the President shall appoint an active member of the Association as the Sergeant-at-Arms and such necessary assistants as may be required.

Section 2. Duties

The Sergeant-at-Arms shall maintain order and shall perform any duty required of the Sergeant-at-Arms for the orderly conduct of such business meeting.

ARTICLE XI. Order of Business for the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

Section 1. Order of business

The order of business shall be as follows:

1. Calling meeting to order

2. Roll call of officers

3. Report of officers

4. Reading of minutes of previous meeting and presentation of written financial report

5. Bills and communications

6. Report of committees

7. Nomination and election of officers

8. Installation of elected officers

9. Unfinished business

10. New business

11. Discharge of Committees

12. Recognition of deceased members since last meeting

13. Adjournment

Section 2. Rules of Order

For the conduct of business, the Robert's Rule of Order shall be followed when not inconsistent with provisions of these By-Laws.

ARTICLE XII. Voting by Mail or Electronic Means.

Section 1. Decision to Vote

The decision to vote by mail or by electronic means requires Executive Board approval.

Section 2. Voting Options

Notwithstanding Article IX Section 4, any question, issue or matter requiring action by the membership of the Association can be voted on by mail or electronic means, with an appropriate ballot on which the members can express approval or disapproval.

Section 3. Vote by Executive Board

Subject to Article VII Section 8, a majority quorum of the members of the Executive Board voting affirmatively by mail or electronic means on any question, issue, or matter requiring action by the Executive Board shall be final.

Section 4. Record Keeping

Copies of all correspondence and records of action taken by members of the Executive Board or membership when voting by mail or electronic means shall be filed with the Treasurer of this Association.

ARTICLE XIII. Changes and Amendments to these By-Laws of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated.

All amendments, deletions, additions and other modifications to the Articles of Incorporation, and By-Laws require a two-thirds (2/3rds) affirmative vote of the active members voting at the annual, regular business meeting of the Association.

ARTICLE XIV. Governing Laws.

The FBI National Academy Associates of Texas, Incorporated, shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Texas, and any litigation shall be brought only in the State of Texas.

ARTICLE XV. Effective Date

These By-Laws of the FBI National Academy Associates of Texas Incorporated as voted on and passed on this 11th Day of August, 2020 shall be the official By-Laws and shall supersede all others written and passed before this effective date.