CONSTITUTION

of the

TEXAS SOCIETY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF

ARTICLE I

NAME

This organization shall be known as the Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. hereafter referred to as TSID. TSID shall be affiliated as a chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES

The primary emphasis of TSID is the development, strengthening, and enhancement of a network of professional interpreters.

· To promote the development and expansion of quality interpreting /transliterating services available to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing;

· To encourage the recruitment and training of professionals in interpreting /transliterating;

· To promote the highest standards in the interpreting/transliterating profession;

· To offer a forum for professional interpreters/transliterators for exchange of ideas, opinions, and information concerning interpreting;

· To provide opportunity for training in order to attain, maintain and upgrade qualifications for interpreters/transliterators;

· To support legislative interests and concerns of the organization;

· To provide the means for dissemination and exchange of information.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

TSID shall consist of Local Chapters and individual Certified, Associate, Supporting, Lifetime, and Honorary Members. TSID shall have a Student Section for students who are members of an accredited interpreter training program.

TSID Local Chapters may have TSID Certified Members, TSID Associate Members, Chapter Members, Chapter Associate Members, Student Members, Lifetime and Honorary Members.

ARTICLE IV

TSID BOARD

TSID shall be governed by a Board comprised of officers and members as follows:

OFFICERS: President, President-elect, Vice-President, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer

MEMBERS: A Representative from each local chapter in compliance

Each shall be a TSID Certified or Associate Member and shall have voting privileges on the TSID Board.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Each year, there shall be an annual Conference of the members of TSID. Other meetings of TSID may be called by the President or by an agreement of any five (5) members of the TSID Board. The members of TSID shall be sent notification at least thirty (30) days in advance of any meeting. Such notice shall include the date and place of meeting and the items of business to be addressed.

TSID Board meetings shall be held at least four (4) times a year. Called meetings of the TSID Board shall require written notice sent by the Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to such a meeting. Proxy votes may be assigned to and carried as defined in Article I of the TSID By-Laws.

The TSID Board may hold an Executive Session of its officers.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

TSID shall have the following standing committees:

Conference, Communications, Forums, Legislative, and Scholarship and Awards

TSID shall have the following Select Committees: Annual Nominations, Annual Audit and Conference Motions and Resolutions.

ARTICLE VII

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

TSID shall recognize Special Interest Groups (SIGs) which are established by the membership.

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION OF TSID

In the event of the dissolution of TSID, all accrued funds and materials will be disposed of and given to organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law) in the following order:

First, to RID, of which TSID is a Chapter Member, for a period of safekeeping of eighteen (18) months;

Should RID be defunct at such a time or should it not qualify as an exempt organization, then to such organizations as the Board of TSID shall decide.

Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the County Court of Travis County, Texas exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE IX

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

All meetings of TSID, including TSID Board meetings, shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except for the Specific Annual Conference Standing Rules which will be in force.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended or a new Constitution adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the Certified or Associate Members present and voting at any stated or special meeting of TSID, provided thirty (30) days prior notice is mailed to the membership; to be in effect the following July 1, unless otherwise stated.

DOCUMENT HISTORY

§ Established ????

§ Revised 04/2002