TEXAS GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

This association shall be known as the TEXAS GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION.

This organization is formed to provide educational training as well as promote a closer working relationship among gang investigators, law enforcement officials, and the public. The association will also promote extensive and rapid dissemination and exchange of information concerning gang related incidents, suspects and investigations.

To solicit the support of the public by providing education and training so that they might be better protected and educated in the prevention of gang related crimes.

To encourage and support legislation that would tend to decrease or curb the occurrence of gang related crimes; to aid and assist the judiciary and related agencies in the adjudication of gang defendants.

To encourage the development of new methods and techniques that will assist the investigators in the identification and apprehension of gang members suspected of crimes; to cooperate with all agencies, governmental and private, who are attempting to develop new techniques and systems.

Each region of the Texas Gang Investigators Association will hold meetings which shall endeavor to provide updated training on street gang activities, tactics, philosophies, etc. to its members or any other Law Enforcement Agency upon request

TEXAS GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS
 

ARTICLE I

CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP AND RIGHTS

Section 1.01 (A) The Association shall have four classes of members, Active, Associate, Honorary and Life.  Active and Life members shall have equal voting rights, interests and privileges. Honorary and Associate members shall have no voting rights and shall not be entitled to hold office, but shall enjoy other privileges. No member of any class shall have any interest or property right in the assets of the Association and no member shall hold more than one membership in the Association.

Section 1.01 (B) The qualifications for membership are as follows:  (1) Any full-time peace officer or reserve officer, corrections officer, retired officer, probation/parole officer or any other criminal justice professional who has demonstrated an understanding and willingness to work towards the goals of the Association can become Active members.  (2) Any individual who has assisted in the betterment of the Association, and with the approval of the Board of Directors can become Honorary Members.  (3) All State Presidents upon completion of their terms will become Life Members.  Any active member who by special circumstances and with the approval of the Board of Directors can become Life Members. (4) Any individual who may show an interest in the Association and with the approval of the Board of Directors can become Associate Members. All classes of membership are temporary pending review and approval by the  Board of Directors and Certified by the State Membership Chairman. 
All Active and Associate memberships begin on September 1^st and expire on August 31^st of each fiscal year.

ASSESSMENTS

Section 1.02 Membership shall be non-assessable.

Section 1.03 Annual dues in the amount of twenty dollars ($20.00) per year per person for Active Members
(2) Honorary Members and Life Members will not be assessed any dues. (3) Associate Members dues will be in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00) per year per person.

CERTIFICATES OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.04  Membership certificates and membership cards will be issued to all members.

TRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.05  Membership is nontransferable and nonassignable.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.06  Membership shall terminate (1) on receipt by the Board of Directors of the written or typed resignation of a member.  (2) On the death of a member.  (3) One year subsequent to delinquency in dues.  (4) Upon valid cause after hearing by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 2.01 (A) Each region chapter shall hold two yearly meetings, for the purpose of business, elections and training. The first meeting shall be held in the month of September of each year, and the second meeting shall be between February 1^st and March 31^st.

• (B) Each region may have two (2) Directors (Position 1 and Position 2) as specified in Article III, Section 3.02 (c) 1, who will be elected during the September meeting, and who will conduct the overall operation of the region.  The Directors shall cast the votes for their respective region.
   
• (C) Each region may have a news reporter, who will be appointed by the region Directors, for the purpose of reporting regional news and events to the State News Editor.

Section 2.02 (A) Meetings shall be held as necessary as voted on by the Executive Board and the delegates to ensure the proper dissemination of information.

• (B) The President will set the date of the subsequent Executive Board meeting at the immediate meeting and those charged with the responsibility for the subsequent meeting.
• (C) The Annual Meeting will be held between June 1^st and August 1^st of each year. The meeting will be held for the purpose of electing Executive Board officers and transacting such other business as may come before it.

SPECIAL MEETINGS

Section 2.03  Special meetings shall be called by the President and held at such times and places as may be ordered by resolution of the Executive Board.

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.04 (A)  There will be six (6) regions organized according to geographical regions to wit: Central, East, North, Panhandle, South, and West regions.

(B) Regions may be a combination of counties within their geographical region in the state.

(C) Regions shall be consistent with the objectives of the Association as stated in the Preamble of the Bylaws.

(D) A region may be terminated as specified in Article I, Section 1.06 for failure to comply with the objectives of the Association as stated in the Preamble of the Bylaws.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Section 2.05  Notice of the time and place of meetings shall be delivered to each member personally, by U.S. mail or electronic mail at least thirty (30) days prior to such meetings.

CONTENTS OF NOTICE

Section 2.06  Notice of meetings shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general mature of the business to be transacted.

QUORUM

Section 2.07  Two-thirds of the members (delegates) attending the Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and except as otherwise provided by law, by any further Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, no business shall be transacted in the absence of a quorum.

CUMULATIVE, PROXY, AND FRACTIONAL VOTING

Section 2.08  Neither cumulative voting nor voting by proxy shall be authorized, and no single vote shall be split into fractional votes.

CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Section 2.09  Meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order as such rules may be revised from time to time, in so far as such rules are not inconsistent or in conflict with these Bylaws, with any future Articles of Incorporation of this Association or the law.

ARTICLE III

REGIONAL DIRECTORS OF ASSOCIATION

POWERS

Section 3.01 The Regional Directors shall exercise the powers of their region and conduct its affairs, except as otherwise prohibited by law.

Section 3.02 (A) Up to two Directors from each region will be elected for a (2) year term and their duties will be to assist the President with overall operation of their respective region and to chair such committees as deemed necessary to conduct regional business; to assist and recruit new members for the Association; to assist whenever needed in the mechanical functions of the Annual Meeting, including the preplanning.

(B) Regional Directors will be elected at a Regional Meeting held during the month of September of each odd year and conducted by an Executive Board Member.

(C) Qualifications of Regional Directors

1. Any Association member in good standing that resides in the region, or if no one from that region is nominated and elected, then a member from an adjoining region may be elected.

COMPENSATION

Section 3.03  Regional Directors shall serve without compensation.

MEETINGS

Section 3.04 (A) Regional Directors shall meet regularly at the call of the President or any four Executive Board Directors, and such meetings shall be held at the time, place and hour designated by the person or persons calling the meeting.

(B) Notice of the time and place of the meetings shall be delivered to each Regional Director personally, by U.S. mail or electronic mail at least fourteen (14) days prior to any such meetings.

(C) Regional Directors will conduct business / meeting transactions for their regions.

(D) Regional meetings shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, as such rules may be revised from time to time, in so far as such rules are not inconsistent or in conflict with these Bylaws, with any further Article of Incorporation or with law.

 

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS OF ASSOCIATION

NUMBER AND TITLES

Section 4.01 (A) The Association Executive Board shall have a President, 1^st Vice President, 2^nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Past Presidents.  The Past Presidents will not have voting authority and will only serve in an advisory capacity.

(B) The Executive Board appoints the State Board positions, which are non-voting positions.

(C) The State Board will consist of the appointed positions of Membership Chairman, News Editor / Historian, Parliamentarian, Training Chairman, and Sgt.-At-Arms.

(D) The appointed State Board positions will consist of a term of two (2) years.

QUALIFICATION, ELECTION, TERM OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES

Section 4.02 (A)  Qualifications to be elected as a member of the Executive Board:

1. Association member in good standing.

2. Must have served as an elected Regional Director.
 

(B) Executive Board members cannot serve as Regional Directors when serving as an Executive Board member.

 (C) Vacancies

1. Executive Board vacancies shall be filled by a qualified member who is elected by the majority vote of the Executive Board to fill the unexpired term.

(D) Election of Executive Board

1. Elected by a majority vote of the Association members who are in attendance at the Annual Meeting.

2. Election Process:

a. At the beginning of the election year training conference, the election committee, chaired by the Parliamentarian and comprised of four (4) Regional Directors, who are not seeking election to the Executive Board, shall request nominations for each Executive Board position from Association members in attendance.

b. A qualified candidate may only be nominated for one Executive Board position.

c. Nominations will be taken from the floor during a business meeting on the Tuesday of the election year Training Conference. 

d. Nominations will be posted in a general assembly area prior to end of session on Tuesday.

e. At the beginning of the training Wednesday of the election year, each candidate will be given three (3) minutes to address the membership.

f. During the Wednesday of an election year conference, the election committee will facilitate the voting process by distributing ballots between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM with the names of each candidate and the positions they are seeking.

g. The nominating committee will collect the ballots, tabulate the results and announce the successful candidates.

h. In the event of a tie vote, a run-off election will be held at the beginning of general session, after the results of the election votes are tabulated.

DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

Section 4.03 The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall, subject to the control of the Executive Board, supervise the control and the affairs of the Association. He shall perform all duties incident to his office and other such duties as provided by these Bylaws or as may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Board. Specifically, and in addition to those duties already defined, the President shall preside at all meetings, conducting them with efficiency and dignity and shall grant voice to all member regions in order; appoint the various committee chairmen; call any special meetings needed and attend all committee meetings deemed necessary; shall co-sign all checks; in the event of a vacancy on the Executive Board, the President shall have the authority to appoint a new officer until the next general meeting.

DUTIES OF THE 1^ST VICE PRESIDENT

Section 4.04 The 1^st Vice President shall perform all duties and exercise all powers of the President when the President is absent or is otherwise unable to act. The 1^st Vice President shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Board. Specifically and in addition to those duties already defined, the 1^st Vice President shall assume and discharge the duties of the office of President during any absence, or by the President's request; shall be in charge of the Bylaws workshops and all changes or additions to the Bylaws.  Such additions or changes shall be given to the 1^st Vice President prior to the Annual Meeting and the 1^st Vice President shall be responsible for getting all changes to the Annual Meeting.

DUTIES OF THE 2^ND VICE PRESIDENT

Section 4.05 The 2^nd Vice President shall perform all duties and exercise all powers of 1^st Vice President when the 1^st Vice President is absent or is otherwise unable to act. The 2^nd Vice President shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Board.  Specifically and in addition to those duties already defined, the 2^nd Vice President shall assume and discharge the duties of the office of 1^st Vice President during any absence, or by the President's or 1^st Vice President's request. In addition to the above duties, the 2^nd Vice President will oversee the regional director's duties.

DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY

Section 4.06 The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of members and Executive Board; shall be the custodian of the Association records; shall give all notices as are required by law or by the Association Bylaws; and generally shall perform all duties as may be required by law, or any future Article of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws; or which may be assigned from time to time by the Executive Board. Specifically, the Secretary shall keep an accurate and permanent record of the minutes of all meetings and Executive Board meetings.  A separate record shall be kept of all motions carried and defeated pertaining to policy and procedure.  A copy is to be sent to the President. Keep a correct list of names and addresses of all member regions.  Also maintain and attend to all correspondence and communications pertaining to this Association.  Keep on file all reports of the Treasurer and Committees.  Take roll at all meetings.  Notify all member regions by mail, electronic email, or other electronic device of the time and place of regular and special meetings. Notify all members by mail, electronic email or other electronic device of any Bylaws or Amendments to be voted on, and a copy of the minutes of each semi-annual meeting shall be sent to members upon request, and a copy placed on file.

DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

Section 4.07 The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds of the Association; shall deposit such funds as required by the Executive Board; shall keep and maintain adequate and correct amounts of the Association properties and business transactions; shall render reports and accountings to the Executive Board and to the members as required by the Executive Board or members; and shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of the Treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law or by future Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned from time to time by the Executive Board. Specifically, the Treasurer shall receive all funds and cause them to be placed in deposit or in safe keeping; keep accurate and permanent record of all receipts; disbursements,  and distributions made; countersign any and all checks, warrants, orders or other records of disbursement of funds over $2500.00; notify all members who are delinquent in their dues; notify the Secretary that members have been dropped because of delinquent dues; keep a record of the date of affiliation of all individual members and member regions.  The Treasurer shall be bonded appropriately.

DUTIES OF THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN

Section 4.08 The duties of the Membership Chairman will be to strive to maintain and increase affiliation membership and accept names of and contact prospective member regions.  The Membership Chairman may conduct a workshop at each annual meeting for new or prospective members and / or regions. The Membership Chairman will verify all information contained on membership applications.

DUTIES OF THE NEWS EDITOR / HISTORIAN

Section 4.09  The News Editor  / Historian will be appointed by the Executive Board and will be responsible for reporting news of the Association and the publication and distribution of the State newspaper.

DUTIES OF THE PARLIAMENTARIAN

Section 4.10 The duties of Parliamentarian are to see that all meetings are conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.  In addition to, the parliamentarian will be responsible for conducting/coordinating all state elections.  They will also serve as the chair for the annual member recognition awards committee.

The Parliamentarian will serve as facilitator for proposed by-law amendments.  Present the proposed amendments to the membership.  Call for the vote on the proposed amendments and forward to the Secretary all of the approved by-law amendments.

DUTIES OF THE TRAINING CHAIRMAN

Section 4.11  The Training Coordinator will be appointed by the Executive Board and will be responsible for the coordination and proper reporting of all educational training presented to members of the Association.

DUTIES OF THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Section 4.12  The Sergeant at Arms will be appointed by the Executive Board and shall maintain order at all activities and functions of the Association.

COMPENSATION

Section 4.13 Executive Board members and officers of the State Board shall serve without salary compensation.

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES

Section 5.01 The President may appoint such committees as deemed necessary and advisable.

(A) All appointments to committees shall be for a specified period not to exceed two (2) years.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

FISCAL YEAR

Section 6.01  The fiscal year of the Association shall be from September 1 to August 31.

AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES

Section 6.02  The Board of Directors may at its discretion, order to be paid the following, but not limited to items;

(A) plaques, appreciation certificates and other recognition to members, guests, or special persons;

(B) daily per-diem costs to members in attendance at Executive and State Board Meetings in accordance with the published Government rate.

ASSOCIATION SYMBOL

Section 6.03  The Association shall have a logo which shall be in such form and contain such matters as shall be specified by resolution of the Board of Directors.

EXECUTION OF CHECKS, NOTES AND CONTRACTS

Section 6.04 Except as otherwise provided by law, checks over $2500.00, drafts, promissory notes, orders for payment of money and other evidences of indebtedness of the Association shall be signed by the Treasurer and counter signed by the President; any contract, lease or other instrument executed in the name of and on behalf of the Association shall be signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the President, and shall have attached to it a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors certified by the Secretary authorizing its execution.

AMENDMENTS

Section 6.05 At a meeting two (2) months prior to the Annual Meeting, there will be a Bylaws workshop at which time all changes will be presented and worked on.  Voting on these Bylaws will take place at the Annual Meeting in June and these Bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds majority of the members present.

STANDING RULES

Section 6.06 (A)  One Director from three different regions shall audit the Association books at the annual training conference in June.  The President shall appoint these three Directors.

(B)  A record shall be kept of all those in charge of different duties at each meeting, i.e. workshops, flag salute, benediction, etc.

(C)  A record shall also be kept of all those people that speak or otherwise help with the preparation or any presentation at the meeting.

(D)  All Association monies shall be kept separate from charity monies.

(E)  All charity monies shall be spent with the approval of the Executive Board.

(F)  Each Executive Board member, State Board officer, Regional Director and committee chairman shall keep a procedure book that shall be passed on to their successor.

DISSOLUTION

Section 6.07  If at anytime this Association shall be dissolved, no part of the funds or property shall be distributed to or among its members, but after payment of all debts of the Association, its surplus funds and properties shall be disbursed as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.

LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS

Section 6.08  The Association will provide a $1000.00 Line of Duty Death Benefit to the family of an Active Association Member, in good standing, who is killed in the line of duty under honorable circumstances.

Revised 06/30/09

Approved by TGIA membership