AVRASA BY-LAWS

(As Amended November 6, 2007)

ARTICLE I- NAME

The name of this organization shall be the
Association of Vocational Rehabilitation in Alcoholism and Substance Abuse,
hereinafter known as AVRASA.

ARTICLE II- MISSION and PURPOSE

AVRASA's mission is to enhance awareness of the value of vocational rehabilitation within chemical dependency treatment programs through promoting comprehensive and integrated treatment services for persons with chemical dependency and other co-existing disabilities.

In pursuant of this mission, AVRASA’s vision is to:

·        Promote self-sufficiency for consumers which includes obtaining and maintaining gainful employment

·        Enhance the skill level of members through the provision of education and training

·        Assist in the continued development of vocational rehabilitation service standards and extend them to
all treatment settings

·        Assist in the continued development of resources for training rehabilitation professionals

·        Foster ongoing communication between rehabilitation professionals and service providers to expand and enhance consumer related services

·        Develop mechanisms to facilitate integration of vocational rehabilitation within the overall treatment process

·        Function as a clearinghouse for gathering and disseminating information within the rehabilitation community

·        Assist in the formulation of state policies and regulations pertinent to vocational rehabilitation and employment

·        Serve as an advisory body to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), the State Legislature, Local Governments and Civic Associations

 ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section I- Qualifications: AVRASA is open to all individuals, agencies and organizations interested in providing vocational, educational, employment and training assistance to individuals in the rehabilitation field.

Section II- Types of Membership- There shall be the following classes of membership: individual professional, organization,  and student.

A-    Individual Professional: An individual who chooses to join independent of any professional affiliation.

B-    Organization: A not-for-profit or for-profit dues paying agency. Includes up to 5 attendees per meeting.

C-    Student: An individual who is enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student
(must provide valid school ID).

Section III-Annual Dues:

Individual Professional:               $  100.00

Organization                               $  300.00

Student                                        $  35.00

Section IV- Membership Year and Dues: The membership calendar year shall run from
January 1^st to December 31^st. 
Annual dues should be paid on November 30^th each year for the following year. 
Early Bird registrants are eligible for a 10% discount if dues
are received by November 30^th of the calendar year.

Section V-Non Members: There is a $35.00 per meeting fee for non-members.
Students with valid school ID will be charged a $20.00 per meeting fee.

 ARTICLE IV- AVRASA OFFICERS TERM OF OFFICE AND DUTIES:

Section I- Officers:  The officers of AVRASA shall be (2) Chairpersons, First and Second Vice Chairpersons, Treasurer, Administrative Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Member at Large.
These officers shall constitute the Executive Board of AVRASA.

Section II- Terms of Office: Terms of office shall be two years.
Officers may not serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms.

Section III- Duties of Officers:

General Responsibilities of the Board

§         Present a projected one-year plan for AVRASA including meeting schedule,
potential workshop topics, goals and objectives, etc.

§         Serve as Chair on a Sub-Committee

§         Develop partnerships and collaborations with various entities
(i.e. OASAS, ASAP, HRA colleges/universities, professional organizations, etc.)

§         Conduct presentations on behalf of AVRASA

§         Assist with the coordination of program planning activities

A- Co-Chair

Responsibilities:

§         Preside over General Membership and Executive Board Meetings.

§         Oversee the coordination of all program planning activities.

§         Coordinate meeting agenda for General Membership and Executive Board meetings.

§         Supervise all duties of officers (e.g. check writing, review all mailings, etc.)

Qualifications:           

·        At least three years membership with AVRASA

·        At least 2 years experience on the Executive Board of AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Strong organizational and communication skills

·        Administrative experience

·        Must have 2 years supervisory experience.

·        Access to computer, e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

            B- First Vice Chair

            Responsibilities:

·        Preside over General Membership meetings in absence of Chairpersons

·        Ensure that meeting location has all necessary accommodations for speakers

·        Initiate contact with guest speakers to identify training needs.

·        Send confirmation and thank you letters to guest speakers

·        Contact CRCC to obtain continuing education credits for workshops

·        Distribute CRC certificates to credentialed members

Qualifications:

·        At least one year membership with AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Strong organizational and communication skills

·        Administrative experience

·        Access to computer, e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

C-Second Vice Chair

·        Oversee Membership Committee

·        Conduct membership outreach

·        Maintain and update Membership Profiles and Resource Directory

·        Keep accurate records of membership status

Qualifications

·        At least one year membership with AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Strong writing and computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel)

·        Administrative experience

·        Access to computer, e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

D- Administrative Secretary

·        Take accurate minutes of General Membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Present minutes to Chairpersons for review in a timely fashion
(i.e. two weeks after General/Board Meetings)

·        Forward final copy of minutes to Corresponding Secretary for distribution to membership

·        Maintain updated records of all meetings, events, and activities

Qualifications

·        At least one year membership with AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Strong writing and computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel)

·        Administrative experience

·        Computer literate, access to e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

E- Corresponding Secretary

·        Distribute minutes, meeting announcements, newsletter, and any other correspondence to General membership via e-mail or regular mail.

·        Responsible for bringing sign in sheets, evaluations and workshop material
to general membership meetings

·        Maintain website

·        Work with Second Vice Chair in maintaining accurate membership records

·        Manage AVRASA voice mail (i.e. update greeting, retrieve messages,
forward messages to appropriate Board member)

Qualifications

·        At least one year membership with AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Strong writing, organizational and communication skills

·        Administrative experience

·        Strong computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel)

·        Access to e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

F- Treasurer

·        Maintain all books of account showing all receipts and disbursements

·        Maintain membership status of all agencies and individuals.

·        Prepare and submit all financial reports required by law

·        Submit a financial status report at General and Board meetings on financial balance
of AVRASA account

·        Responsible for depositing all monies within 48 hours of receipt.

·        Monitor account activity online and report any irregularities to the Board

·        Interface with and assist the Association’s Accountant in preparing financial statements
and/or documents required by government regulatory agencies.

·        Work with Second Vice Chair to oversee the collection of membership dues at
general membership meetings

Qualifications

·        At least one year membership with AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership and Executive Board meetings

·        Proficient with accounting software (i.e. Quicken, QuickBooks)

·        Strong writing, organizational and communication skills

·        Administrative experience

·        Strong computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel)

·        Access to computer, e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

G- Member at Large

·        Provide Executive Board with up-to-date reports on status of all subcommittees

·        Serve as Supervisor’s Committee Chair and Nominating Committee Chair

·        Serve as liaison and create partnerships with other professional organizations

·        Provide legislative updates during membership and Board meetings.

Qualifications

·        At least one year membership with AVRASA

·        Ability to attend scheduled membership. Executive Board meetings as well as
meetings of other professional organizations.

·        Strong writing, organizational and communication skills

·        Strong computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel)

·        Access to computer, e-mail, internet, fax machine, copier, etc.

Section II-Order of Succession: 
Should an office position become vacant before regular elections, the Board may select one
of the following options:

1)      Mid year elections will be held to fill an office.

2)      A qualified existing officer may interview for the position.

ARTICLE V- MEETING

Section I:

There shall be bi-monthly General Membership Meetings of AVRASA on a date to be fixed
by the Executive Board.  These meetings shall be held for the transaction of necessary
AVRASA business and for the election of AVRASA officers when applicable.

Section II-Notices:

Members shall be given at least 30 days notice of annual meetings and at least five
days notice of special meetings

Section III Voting:

1.      The Nominating Committee, Chaired by the Member at Large, will identify candidates from the
pool of general members.

2.      One month prior to the election of officials, nominations for candidates shall be taken and
announced in the meeting's minutes.  Candidates may be nominated by:

·        Themselves

·        Dues paying members

3.      On the day of the election, candidates must give a 5 minute speech highlighting their interest in running
for a Board seat.  Time will be allotted for questions and answers.

4.      Members of the Executive Board and all dues paying members may vote for officials.

5.      Votes will be taken anonymously by written ballot.

6.      Officials will be elected by simple majority.

Section V- Agenda:

The Chairpersons shall prepare an agenda for every meeting. There shall be six meetings held
bi-monthly throughout the year.  These meetings shall serve as an opportunity to transact business,
distribute information and provide continuing education.

Suggested order of business:

Welcome

                        Reading and Acceptance of minutes

                        Treasurer’s Report

                        Committee Report(s)

                        Old Business

                        New Business

                        Legislative Updates

                        Announcements

                        Continuing Education Workshop

The Chairpersons can modify the meeting agenda in accordance to recommendations from
 Executive Board and/or organizational needs.

ARTICLE VI - STANDING COMMITTEES

Conference Planning:  This committee is responsible for organizing the conference format ,
identifying speakers and location.  This committee is also responsible for marketing the conference
and creating a budget.

Credentialing/Licensure Committee:  This committee is responsible for identifying professionals
who can teach the specific domain areas covered on the CRC, CASAC, LMHC examination. 
This committee is also responsible for identifying a location for the study sessions, preparing study
material and marketing the study sessions

Newsletter:  This committee is responsible for organizing material for the newsletter,
soliciting articles, organizing the newsletter format.

Membership:  This committee is responsible for recruiting members and organizing membership drives.

Supervisors:  This committee is comprised of Directors, Coordinators and Supervisors
of Rehabilitation Professionals.  The committee is responsible for providing its members
with peer supervision, education and training.
 

Additional committees: To be determined by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII- EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section I- Composition:

The Executive Board shall consist of all officers of AVRASA as indicated in Article V, Section I.

Section II- Functions:

The Executive Board shall be the governing body of AVRASA between meetings of the general membership;
it shall direct the policies, management and procedures of AVRASA and may make such rules and regulations
 as it may deem necessary and which will be consistent with the By-laws.

Section III- Meetings:

The Executive Board shall meet monthly and will hold weekly teleconference meetings.
Special meetings shall be called anytime upon at least 72 hours of notice by Chairpersons,
or in their absence, by the First Vice Chairperson.

ARTICLE VIII - BY-LAWS

Section 1.  Amendment.  These by-laws may be amended from time to time as follows:

(a)    The Executive Board may propose amendments for approval.

(b)   Proposed amendments may be submitted to the Executive Board through the Co-Chairs. 
Such proposals shall be submitted at least 90 days prior to the general membership meeting at
which such proposed amendments are to be discussed.

(c)    At least 30 days prior to member association action, the proposed amendment and the
Executive Board's recommendations shall be made available to all members.

(d)   Proposed amendments recommend by the Executive Board shall be acted upon by the
general membership by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at a
scheduled general membership meeting with at least 30 days notification of members.