"Promoting Ethical and State of the Art Practice in Rehabilitation"
KENTUCKY REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION INC.
A CHAPTER OF THE
NATIONAL REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION INC.
PART I - CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I-NAME
Section 1. The name of this association shall be the Kentucky Rehabilitation Association Incorporated.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose of this association shall be as herein described.
a. To provide an opportunity for those persons who are engaged in or
who are interested in any phase of the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities to organize in one state organization, this to include public and private agencies and interested lay persons.
b. To exercise leadership in developing concepts and practices which will foster inter- association and inter- professional activity directed toward helping persons with disabilities increase their ability to function at their full potential.
c. To act as a central organization through which information may be collected and/or disseminated relative to issues regarding persons with disabilities.
d. To recommend standards or policies, which may improve or promote better rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.
e. To encourage appropriate state and federal legislation and public support for programs serving persons with disabilities.
f. To keep the membership informed of and in closer touch with policies and programs of the National Rehabilitation Association Inc.
g. To cooperate in following and carrying out the rules and regulations of the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc. and the Southeast Region of the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc.
h. To exercise leadership in the needs of persons with disabilities, interpreting these needs to society, planning and promoting programs designed to meet these needs, and translating such programs into services at the community, state and national levels.
i. To collaborate with other public/private agencies for the benefit of people with disabilities.
ARTICLE III -MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERS- QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS
Section 1 - Classes of Members
The classes of membership in this association shall be the same as those approved by the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc.
Section 2.-Guidelines for Membership
a. Membership in this organization shall be available to all persons or organizations interested in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
b. Membership in this organization shall consist of all classes of members of the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc. who reside within the boundaries of the
ARTICLE IV-OFFICERS
Section 1-The officers of this association shall be:
a. President
b. President-Elect
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
All of whom shall be members of the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, President -Elect,
Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, six (6) elected Board
Members and the Presidents of the sanctioned affiliate associations. The
Publications Committee Chairperson, the Membership Committee Chairperson, and current NRA/SERNRA Officers and NRA/SERNRA Board Members residing in the
ARTICLE V-ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
Section 1. All officers shall be elected to a one year term at the Annual Meeting
of the Association and shall take office on January 1st following the
election. With the exception of the Treasurer in which the term shall be two (2) years.
Section 2. All elected Board Members will serve a three (3) year term.
Section 3 In the case of a vacancy of any elected office or elected Board Member
position, the Board of Directors shall have the power to fill same position
to the expiration of that position's term of office, except in the case of the
President, this vacancy shall be filled by the President-Elect who shall
serve the remainder of the term.
Section 4 In the event no one becomes an official candidate for an elected office or
elected Board Member position, and in the event no one is nominated
from the floor to fill the position(s); the Board of Directors shall meet
immediately following the annual business meeting for the purpose of
selecting an individual(s) to fill the vacancy.
ARTICLE VI-AMENDMENTS
Section 1 Amendments to the Constitution or the By-Laws of this association shall
be made only at the annual meeting of the Association by a two-thirds
majority vote of those members present and voting. No proposition to
amend shall be acted upon unless written notice thereof has been given
to the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting of
the association.
PART II - BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I-RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Section 1 It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings and
enforce all regulations relating to the administration of the association.
Section 2 The President shall call as a minimum, 2 meetings of the Board of
Directors annually and any additional meetings as deemed necessary or
when a majority of the Board of Directors request a meeting. The
President shall appoint all committee chairpersons, with the exception
of the Program Committee chairperson who shall be the President-Elect
and the Nominating Committee chairperson who shall be the immediate
Past-President. The President shall be responsible for developing an
annual budget to be presented to the Board of Directors at the first
Board of Directors meeting for the calendar year.
Section 3 In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall have all the
powers and prerogatives of the President and preside over the meeting.
Section 4 In the absence of the President and President-Elect from any meeting of
the Association, one of the members designated by the Board of
Directors shall preside.
Section 5 The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of the annual business
meeting of the association and at all meetings of the Board of Directors,
and shall perform all other duties usually associated with this office. A
copy of all meeting minutes shall be sent to the Board of Directors and
committee chairpersons within 30 days of the board meeting.
Section 6 All moneys payable to the association shall be paid to the Treasurer of
the association. All money payable by the Association shall be paid by
check upon authorization by the Board of Directors and signed by the
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall report at each meeting of the
association the condition of the treasury. The Treasurer shall maintain
an adequate record of all financial transactions and shall turn such
records over to the Board for the purpose of audit at the end of the
year.
Section 7 It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to take the initiative in
determining the policies of the association. It shall be responsible for the
relations of the state association to the National Rehabilitation
Association, Inc.
Section 8 KRA Board Members shall serve as a Committee chairperson or a
member of a committee at the discretion of the President.
Section 9 In the event of the absence of a Division President, a respective Division
President may send a representative to preside at a board meeting with
all rights and privileges of that position, a written statement must be
submitted to the KRA President prior to the Board of Directors meeting
identifying the representative and verifying their good standing with
NRA/KRA and the division they are a member.
Section 10 - There shall be 11 standing committees of the association:
a. Program Committee - The Program Committee shall make all plans and arrangements
for the annual meeting of the association.
b. Membership Committee -The Membership Committee shall make recommendations to
the association relative to means of obtaining members. The chairperson of the
Membership Committee shall be responsible for providing a copy of the quarterly
membership report to the Publications Committee.
c. Nominations Committee -The Nominations Committee shall submit to the Association
at its annual business meeting a slate of candidates and an election ballot for the offices
of president-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and two(2) Board Member positions. The
Nominations Committee shall adhere to the nomination process as outlined in Article V
of the By-Laws.
d. Publications Committee – The Publications Committee shall be responsible for the
KRA Newsletter, Website, all social networks, all social media, e-mail accounts and
dissemination of all KRA information.
e. Accessibility Committee -The Accessibility Committee shall promote the removal of
architectural and attitudinal barriers throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The
committee shall also address annual conference accessibility and accommodation needs.
f. Education and Advocacy Committee -The Education and Advocacy Committee shall
develop and implement a program of rehabilitation education and advocacy which will
promote a better public understanding of the needs and concerns of persons with
disabilities. This committee shall be responsible for keeping itself appraised of and the
dissemination of information pertaining to local, state and federal regulation which have
an impact on persons with disabilities. This committee will also be responsible for
organizing attendees to activities for Governmental Affairs Seminar.
g. Awards Committee -The Awards Committee shall be responsible for receiving
nominations for awards and the selection of winners. This committee shall also be
responsible for coordinating the presentation of the awards at an appropriate function
during the KRA Annual Meeting of Conference.
h. Necrology Committee -The Necrology Committee shall report to the membership at the
annual business meeting a list of KRA members who have died during the past year.
i. Scholarship Committee -The Scholarship Committee shall be responsible in solicitation
of the nominees for the annual J. Wister Wallace Scholarship. Recipient shall be
announced at our annual conference awards ceremony. This committee will be
responsible in developing a self-sufficient/interest bearing account from which
scholarships will be funded.
j. Corporate Sponsorship Committee – The Corporate Sponsorship Committee shall be
responsible for the solicitation and securing of corporate sponsors for the KRA annual
conference.
k. Financial Management Committee – The Financial Management Committee shall be
responsible for all fundraising activities and managing past/future financial investments.
The president, with the approval of the Board, may establish additional committees for a specified period of time not to exceed the term of office of the President.
ARTICLE II-MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1 There shall be at least one annual meeting of the association per year.
Section 2 There shall be at least two (2) meetings of the Board of Directors during
the year. A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a
quorum. Other meetings may be called by the President or by petition
of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3 Members in good standing attending any annual meeting of the
association shall have power to conduct any business at hand in keeping
with the Constitution and policies described in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE III-REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, INC.
Section 1 The President of the association shall make an annual report to the
National Rehabilitation Association, Inc. as specified by the National
Rehabilitation Association.
Section 2 The report to the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc. shall include
a list of officers elected at the annual meeting, copies of any changes in
the Constitution and By-Laws, a statement of income and expenditures
during the preceding year, and any other information requested by the
National Rehabilitation Association, Inc.
ARTICLE IV-REPRESENTATION AT MEETING OF THE NATIONAL
REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, INC.
Section 1 Delegates and Alternates to the annual meeting of the National
Rehabilitation Association, Inc. and the Southeast Region of the
National Rehabilitation Association, Inc. shall be designated by the
President.
Section 2 The Board of Directors shall determine funds available to attend
conferences and meetings.
ARTICLE V-NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
Section 1 Nominations Process
a. A Nominations Committee, consisting of four(4) KRA members in good standing, shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board at the first meeting of the Board each year.
b. The Immediate Past-President shall be chairperson of the Nominations Committee and be its fifth member.
c. The Nominations Committee shall have the responsibility to select a slate of officers and board members for the coming year and present same to the association for their consideration. Said slate should contain at a minimum two candidates for each available position. Any KRA member in good standing, with the exception of supporting member classification, wishing to become a candidate for or office must notify the chairperson of the Nominations Committee within thirty(30) days of the chapter annual conference. Members taking this step shall automatically be placed on the official election ballot of officers. All other candidates shall be nominated from the floor of the business meeting.
d. If additional candidates are needed in order to have two candidates for each office, the Nominations Committee shall have the power to select additional candidates and place their names on the ballot. Candidates selected and placed on the ballot should be only KRA members who have agreed to serve if elected.
Section 2 - ELECTION PROCEDURES
a. The selection of officers and board members by the membership shall be by secret ballot. Ballots shall be counted by the Nominations Committee and the results reported to the membership by the chairperson of the Nominations Committee.
b. The election of officers and Board Members shall be decided by a simple majority vote.
c. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted for any and all positions subject to the acceptance of the nomination by the proposed nominee.
d. All KRA members in good standing, with the exception of the supporting member classification, who are in attendance at the annual business meeting of KRA, shall have the right to vote in the election of officers and Board Members.
e. Those individuals elected to office shall take office on Jan. 1 following their election.
ARTICLE VI-DUES
Section 1 There shall be no dues for the State Chapter. Any individual who is a
member in good standing of the National Rehabilitation Association,
Inc. and is a resident of
Rehabilitation Association, Inc. to be their state chapter is thereby a
member of the Kentucky Rehabilitation Association, Inc. The
membership year of the association shall be the same as the
membership year of the National Rehabilitation Association, Inc.
ARTICLE VII-RULES OF ORDER
Section 1 Rule of parliamentary procedures as described in "Robert's Rules of
Order" as revised shall govern all meetings of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII-REGISTRATION FEE
Section 1 The registration fee for attendance at the annual conference of the
Association shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX-AVOIDING CONFLICT
Section 1 Any provision of this constitution and by-laws of any amendment which
is in conflict with the constitution and by-laws of the National
Rehabilitation Association, Inc. shall be deemed to be null and void but
such portion so held to be null and void shall not effect the validity of
effectiveness of any other portions thereof.
ARTICLE X - RATIFICATION
Section 1 All provisions of any previous constitution and by-laws of the
Rehabilitation Association, Inc.are hereby repealed.
AS PROPOSED: MAY 2, 2006
Last Amended - September 1, 2011 Covington, Kentucky
