CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

of the

CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL ANIMAL

CONTROL OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

 

ARTICLE 1:  NAME

The name of this non-profit organization shall be the "Connecticut Municipal Animal Control Officers Association, Inc.", hereinafter referred to as the "Association."

 

ARTICLE 2:  MISSION

Section 1:  To improve, promote and further advance the animal control profession.

 

Section 2:  To advance the education and training of any animal control officer.

 

Section 3: Initiate and support responsible legislation for the protection of the public, animals and animal control officer. 

 

Section 4:  To educate and engage the public about laws, humane animal care and the animal control profession.

 

Section 5:  Provide support and a united voice for animal control professionals.

 

ARTICLE 3:  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:  Any adult person or organization, which is actively working in or affiliated with municipal animal control work, may be granted membership in the Association providing all of the following qualifications are met:

 

a) Payment of current dues to the Treasurer

 

b) Qualifications under the requirements of one of the types of membership as described herein

 

c) A valid, work, email address is provided and regularly monitored to ensure successful communication

 

d) Adherence to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.

 

Section 2:  The Association shall be open for membership at any time, and membership shall be available to any person without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, or gender.

 

Section 3:  Types of membership:

a)  Regular Members: Any person who shall adhere to the purpose of the Association and who shall be employed by any CT municipality, town or city department handling Animal Control work, whether they be part time or full time, or any State Animal Control Officer, or retirees with at least 20 years experience in animal control. Regular members shall be afforded all privileges of the Association as may be prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws.

 

b)  Associate Members:  Any employee of any Animal Control department or any person working in any animal-related field or any former State Animal Control Officer or former Municipal Animal Control Officer who has been a working officer. These members will be afforded all privileges of the Association as may be prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws. Associate members do not have voting powers or hold office.

 

c) Organization Members:  Any business or non-profit with approval of the executive board. Organization members shall have all the privileges of the Association as may be prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws. Organization members do not have voting powers or hold office.  

 

d)  Honorary Members:  Persons upon whom the Association may wish to confer special distinction in recognition of outstanding service to the Association and or animal control programs.  Nomination to honorary member status shall be made to the association by any member to the Board of Directors.  A two-third vote of the voting membership present at any meeting bestows an honorary membership.  Honorary members do not have voting powers, hold office, or represent the Association in any manner.  An honorary member shall be exempt from payment of all dues.

 

e) Support Members:  Any individual who is not currently employed in an animal control or animal-related field but supports the goals and purpose of this organization. These members will be afforded all privileges of the association as may be prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws. Support members do not have voting powers or hold office.

 

Section 4:  Membership Dues:

a) Regular:                  $25.00 per year

 

b) Associate:               $25.00 per year

 

c) Organization:           $75.00 per year

 

d) Honorary:                No dues

 

e) Support:                 $25.00 per year

 

Section 5:  Removal:

Any member may be removed for violation of the code of conduct from the Association by a majority vote of the regular membership present at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose.

 

Section 6:  Annual dues of regular, associate, support and organization members are due and payable within 30 days after the start of a new fiscal year, and if such dues are not paid within this time period, such membership shall cease. Payment shall be made online through the Associations website.

 

ARTICLE 4:  FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on September 1 and end on the following August 31.

 

ARTICLE 5: MEETING OF MEMBERS

Section 1:  Regular Meetings:  Regular meetings shall be held monthly or as deemed necessary through the fiscal year. Notification of the meeting shall be at least five days in advance.  No alcoholic beverages will be allowed at any regular meeting. Meetings may be held via video conferencing.

 

Section 2:  Special Meetings:  Regular or special meetings shall be called at any time by the secretary or other designated Board member if so directed by the Board of Directors. Notification of such meeting shall be at least five days in advance. Meetings may be held via video conferencing.

 

Section 3:  Quorum:  Five percent of the regular members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Association, but lesser numbers shall have the power to adjourn to a specified later date.

 

Section 4:  Rules:  Any question concerning parliamentary procedure at meetings of the Association shall be determined by reference to Robert's Rules of Order, Revised.

 

ARTICLE 6:  MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1:  Organization Meeting:   A meeting of the Directors shall be held following the Election of officers, which shall be designated the Organization Meeting. Meetings may be held via video conferencing.

 

Section 2:  Other Meetings: Other meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such other times as may be determined by the Board. Meetings may be held via video conferencing.

 

Section 3:  Quorum: Seventy-five-percent (75%) of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

 

ARTICLE 7: OFFICERS

Section 1:  Titles:

The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Legislative and Social Media/Webmaster all of whom shall be elected by the membership at the first meeting of the fiscal year in which their term expires. Elections shall take place on odd years. A simple majority of those members present and voting shall be decisive. Where there is only one (1) candidate for office, elections may be by voice vote. Officers will serve for a period of two (2) years and thereafter until their successors are elected. Voting may be done digitally through an online service approved by all board members. Only regular members may hold office.

 

Section 2:  Nominations:

Qualified candidates will be sought for officer elections.  Notice of nomination submissions will be announced and accepted by a designated Board member or an appointed committee.  Applicants for such vacancies shall be members in good standing. Notification of all names submitted for nomination shall be at least 15 days prior to the meeting date. A member shall run for one board position only.

 

Section 3:  President:

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association; shall have power to act on behalf of the Association with the consent of the Board of Directors; shall act as spokesperson for the Association; shall be an ex officio member of all committees; shall act as liaison between the Association and all other organizations; shall delegate such duties to other members and officers of the Association as necessary unless otherwise provided herein; and shall perform such additional duties as may be incident to the office of President or as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.   

 

Section 4:  Vice President:

The Vice President shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties of the President and act in his or her stead.   

 

Section 5:  Secretary:

a)      Shall maintain a file of correspondence to the President and the Association; shall furnish literature to individuals upon request; shall issue notices for all meetings, and shall perform such duties to the office as the Board of Directors may designate.

 

b)      Shall set up in person or video conferencing meetings as necessary, keep the minutes, in written or digital recording  form, the proceedings of all meetings of the Association; shall maintain a permanent record of such proceedings; shall keep a record of the attendance of all meetings.

 

c)      Shall keep custody of the original copy of the Constitution and By-Laws, and all other records not specifically assigned to other offices.

 

d)      Shall maintain an up to date contact list of members including:

  1. Name
  2. Agency
  3. Mailing Address
  4. Email Address
  5. Phone
  6. Member Type

e)   Shall keep track of new members and collect funds as necessary.

 

Section 6:  Treasurer:

a)      Shall be responsible for all funds and have charge and custody of the financial records of the Association. He or she shall deposit, in the name of the Association in one or more banks or incorporated trust companies within the State of Connecticut designated as depositories by the Board of Directors, all moneys received and generally shall perform such duties incident to the office of Treasurer. 

 

b)      Funds shall be withdrawn from any depository upon a check signed by the Treasurer.  The bank signature card for all bank accounts shall have the signatures of both the Treasurer and the President.

 

c)      The books and accounts of the Association shall be audited, by a professional accounting firm, at the request of three board members.

 

d)      Shall file State of CT Annual Report by June 8th of each year (Business ID# 0201853)

 

e)      Shall file Federal form 990-N by January 15th of each year (EIN/Tax ID# 41-2106805)

 

f)       Shall file and keep up to date all paperwork necessary to maintain a non-profit status.

 

g)      Shall file any other financial reports as required.

 

Section 7: Legislative:

          a)     Shall be responsible for researching and tracking legislation pertaining to the Animal Control profession.

 

          b)     He or she will notify the board and members of potential or pending legislation at the monthly meetings and organize and chair legislative committee meetings as necessary.

 

          c)    He or she shall act as a liaison or appoint another member, with the boards approval, to represent the Animal Control Field 

 

Section 8: Social Media/Webmaster:

Shall be responsible for creating and regularly maintaining an Association website and social media for the purpose of member enrollment, information, education and camaraderie as well as community information, education, fundraising, and public engagement pertaining to the field of Animal Control. 

 

Section 9:  Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Section 10: Removal of a Board Member or Officer:

Removal of a Board Member or Officer shall be determined by a 2/3 majority vote of the regular members.

 

ARTICLE 8:  COMMITTEES

The officers may appoint committees as deemed necessary to carry out the work of the Association.  All committee members shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and the officers shall have the power to fill vacancies in all committees.

 

ARTICLE 9:  REPRESENTATIVES

Regular members shall be appointed by the board to represent the Association at meetings of other organizations. 

 

ARTICLE 10:  FEES

Directors, officers, or committee members of the Association shall not receive any salary or fee for their services, but may receive reimbursement for reasonable, authorized expenses, approved by the Board of Directors, incurred in the performance of their association duties. Any request for reimbursement must be accompanied by a validated receipt.  Any request for reimbursement over $1000.00 must be approved by a majority vote of the members at a regular meeting.

 

ARTICLE 11:  EDUCATION & CONFERENCES

The Board shall establish training classes and organize a conference as needed.

 

ARTICLE 12:  Awards

The board shall establish an Award Committee. The Award Committee shall be responsible for the following responsibilities:

 

         a)      Establish qualifying criteria for the following awards:

a.      Animal Control Officer of the Year

b.      Volunteer of the Year

 

         b)      Publish print or digital nomination forms and notify voting members by July 01 of each year with a nomination closing date of 09/01 of each year.

 

         c)      Establish protocol to determine winners of the award and notify  recipients

 

         d)      Order awards and prepare presentation to be to be given out at the Annual CMACOA Conference

 

ARTICLE 13: Code of Conduct

         a)      An Animal Control professional acts as an official representative of government with rights, powers, duties and authority conferred by statute and is obligated and trusted to abide by, work within, and enforce the laws of the state and their respective jurisdiction.  The fundamental duties of an Animal Control professional include serving the community, providing protection for the public and animals, and enforcing laws in that regard.

 

         b)      An Animal Control professional shall perform all duties incumbent upon the position without fear or favor and with impartial consideration and respect for every individual’s status, gender, race, religion, political belief or aspirations. Animal Control professionals must conduct themselves in a manner above reproach that does not bring discredit to their agencies or themselves.  An Animal Control professional’s character and conduct while off duty must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community in which he or she lives and serves.

 

        c)      Animal Control professionals will be responsible for their own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve their level of knowledge and competence.  Through study and experience, an Animal Control professional can acquire the high level of knowledge and competence that is essential for the efficient and effective performance of duty.  The acquisition of knowledge is a never ending process of personal and professional development that should be pursued constantly.

 

ARTICLE 14:  AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These by-laws may be repealed, altered, or amended by majority vote of the regular members at any meeting of this Association called for that purpose, provided any alteration or change proposed shall first have been submitted to the Board of Directors for review not less than thirty (30) days prior to the holding of such meeting.  Following such review by the board, copies of such proposed alterations or changes shall be mailed to all members of the association, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the holding of such meeting.

 

ARTICLE 15:  EFFECTIVE DATE

These by-laws, effective upon their adoption, supersede all former by-laws of this association.

 

ARTICLE 16:  DISSOLUTION

Section 1:  The Association may be dissolved only by written consent of not less than two-thirds of the voting members present at a meeting convened for that purpose.

 

Section 2:  Upon dissolution, all remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit animal welfare organization by member nomination and a vote of not less than two-thirds of the voting members present at a meeting convened for that purpose.