NWD Bylaws
NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION RULES OF ORDER
ARTICLE I - ORGANIZATION
Section 1. The name of this organization is the Northwestern District of the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association.
Section 2. The District shall include the counties of Erie, Mercer, Cameron, Warren, Venango, Clarion, McKean, Forest, Jefferson, Crawford and Elk.
Section 3. The District shall be governed by the bylaws of the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (PPTA), and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Section 4. The object, functions, membership requirements, rights and privileges are as outlined in the APTA and PPTA Bylaws.
Section 5. The District Executive Board may authorize the establishment of sub-districts, which shall operate under the rules of order of the district. Sub-districts must be delineated by one or more counties. The number of sub-districts shall not exceed two (2).
A. Sub-district formation - A petition shall be received 30 days prior to a District Executive Board meeting, and shall include:
1. A detailed statement of purpose and rationale for the proposed sub-district.
2. Legible signatures, membership numbers and addresses of at least twenty members within the area of the proposed sub-district.
3. Names of eligible members willing to serve as liaison to the District Executive Board. The appointed liaison of the sub-district shall sit on the District Executive Board as a non-voting member.
B. Approval - A majority vote of the District Executive Board is required to approve the formation of the new sub-district.
C. Meetings - Sub-districts shall hold a minimum of one meeting annually. D. Finances –
1 Sub-districts shall not establish dues, however this does not preclude them from raising funds by voluntary means.
2. The District shall not be obligated for any debts incurred by the Sub-district unless they have been specifically authorized in writing by the District Executive Board.
3. The sub-district shall maintain complete and accurate financial records.
E. Reports - The sub district shall provide a report on activities within the sub- district at each meeting of the District, with an annual written report provided to the District Director by August 1st.
F. Dissolution - Sub-districts which fail to comply with District Rules of Order, or PPTA bylaws or policies may be abolished provided they are given at least one months notice, and at least two thirds of the District Executive Board concur. All records and property of a sub-district must be returned to the District upon dissolution.
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be a minimum of 4 meetings per year. Notice of meetings shall be sent to membership at least IO days prior to the meeting.
Section 2. The purpose of District meetings is to provide a means of communication between the District, APTA, and PPTA, to provide a forum for local concerns, and to provide educational opportunities for members.
Section 3. Voting body/ Quorum - Shall consist of qualified members of the District in attendance at any meeting of the Districts properly called by the Director.
ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the District shall include District [Director, Vice-chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. Term A. All officers shall be elected for a three-year term. S. No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office. C. Officers shall remain in an advisory position for six months after completion of a term.
Section 3. Vacancies - Offices shall be filled in the following manner: A. Director - shall be assumed by the Vice-chair B. Vice-chair, Secretary, and Treasurer - shall be appointed by the Executive Board
Section 4. Duties of Officers
A. Director 1 .Official head and public spokesperson of the District. 2. Call and preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the District. 3. Serve on the District Finance Committee. 4. Serve as Director on the PPTA Board. 5. Prepare and send out to the Executive Board an agenda one week prior to all business meetings.
B. Vice-chair 1. Preside at meetings in the absence of the Director 2. Serve on the District Finance Committee 3. Assist the Director with his/her duties 4. Serve as Board Liaison to all Sub-districts
C. Secretary 1 .Keep record of all meetings of the Executive Board and the District, and submit minutes to the State Office within 60 days. 2. Keep a current roster of district officers and committee chairs 3. Maintain records of official correspondence of the District. 4. Prepare and send notices of all meetings of the Districts.
D. Treasurer 1. Have charge of all funds, which shall be paid out only by order of the Executive Board or by authorization through majority vote of the membership at any properly called meeting. 2. Keep accurate account of all receipts and disbursements. 3. Make a financial report at each business meeting of the District, and submit an annual report to the PPTA. 4. Present accounts for independent review at the request of the Executive Board. 5. Chair the district Finance Committee. 6. Serve as a member of the PPTA Finance Committee. 7. Submit the District budget to the PPTA Treasurer.
ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Composition shall include the District Director, Vice-chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Nominating Committee Chair as voting members. Standing Committee Chairs and Sub- district Liaisons shall sit on the board as non-voting members, however they may speak to and make motions.
Section 2, Meetings shall be held at least 4 times per year. A quorum will be a majority and the presence of at least two officers.
Section 3. Duties -
A. Agenda planning for District meetings.
B. Carrying out mandates of the District as determined by the membership,
C. Have full power and complete authority to perform all acts and transact all business for and on behalf of the District.
D. Maintain and organize communication among District members,
E. Appoint Committee Chairs, with exception of the Nominating and Finance Committees.
F. Review issues relevant to the District, and bring forward recommendations to the membership.
G. Approve the annual budget.
H. Take appropriate disciplinary action against any sub-district that fails to comply with the policies and/or Rules of Order of the District.
I. Create, appoint, and direct such task forces as deemed necessary to carry out the business of the District.
ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Nominating Committee
A. Composition - one elected chair, and one or more members appointed by the District Executive Board.
B. Term - 3 years
C. Duties of the committee
1 - Develop a slate of district officers.
2. Develop a slate of district delegates.
3. Provide input for candidates for APTA and FIFITA awards.
4. Develop a slate of nominees for nominating committee chair at the beginning of final year of his/her term.
D. Duties of the chair
1. Serve on the PPTA Nominating Committee.
E. Failure to complete term
1. A new chair shall be nominated and elected at the next district meeting.
2. The Executive Board shall appoint a new committee member.
Section 2. Finance Committee
A. Composition - officers of the district
B. Fiscal and budget year - January 1 to December 31.
C. Function - develop budget and fiscal guidelines for the district
Section 3. Standing Committees - shall include; Education History Membership Publications Public Laws/Legislative Public Relations
A. Composition: Chairman, appointed by the District Director for a three year term, and committee members as deemed necessary, appointed by the District Executive Board.
C. Term: shall be three years, with a six-month advisory period.
D. Duties of Committee Chair:
1. Attend district executive board meetings.
2. Coordinate activities of their respective committees.
3. Report on committee activities at district meetings.
4. Keep complete and accurate financial records of their committees, and submit expenses to the treasurer within 30 days.
E. Committee Responsibilities: shall be as outlined in the “Committee Guidelines”.
Section 4. Special Committees/Task Forces: composition and function as deemed necessary by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VI - DELEGATES TO THE APTA HOUSE
Section 1. Qualifications - Shall be consistent with APTA Bylaws.
Section 2. Election
A. shall be consistent with PPTA Bylaws.
B. In the event a delegate is unable to complete his/her term, the candidate with the next highest vote Will be offered the position. If the position cannot be filled, the district director shall assume the delegate position, or appoint an eligible district member.
Section 3. Duties
A. In addition to those outlined in PPTA Bylaws shall include: B. Attendance of at least 2/3 of the regularly scheduled district meetings during the year following election (October 1st to September 30t).
B. Reporting to membership on pending RC’s, and providing a summary report of House activities at the September meeting of the district
ARTICLE VII - DISTRICT ELECTIONS
Section 1. The slate of candidates will be presented to the membership for approval at the May meeting, with election taking place during the summer.
Section 2. The election process shall be outlined in the Nominating Committee Guidelines.
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. APTA or PPTA mandated changes shall be made by the Secretary, submitted to the Chapter Chief Delegate within 90 days and the membership so advised.
Section 2. Amendments requested by the membership or executive board require a vote of two thirds of those present and voting at a district meeting, providing notice of the proposed change has been sent to the voting membership at least I 6 days before the action is to be taken.
Section 3. Amendments to the District Rules of Order shall be consistent with APTA and PPTA bylaws, and shall become effective following approval of the PPTA Board of Directors. Revised 9-98
