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Bylaws

SAN FRANCISCO CHAPTER of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, CHAPTER BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I—NAME

The name of this chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists shall be CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, SAN FRANCISCO CHAPTER, INC.

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ARTICLE II—AREA SERVED

The geographic area served by this chapter is San Francisco and San Mateo County.

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ARTICLE III—OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

The objectives and purposes of this chapter shall be to advance marriage and family therapy as an art, a science and a mental health profession, and to assist CAMFT in furthering its objectives on a local level. The chapter may pursue such other objectives and purposes that are in the best interests of CAMFT, its members and the members of this chapter that are not in conflict with CAMFT’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or Ethical Standards for Marriage and Family Therapists.

 

ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP

A. QUALIFICATIONS AND CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP SFCAMFT members must be CAMFT members in good standing. Categories of membership shall include Clinical, Pre-licensed and Affiliate. All Clinical and Pre-Licensed members in good standing shall have voting rights.

 

B. Non-voting member categories subject to approval by Board of Directors and an electronic vote by current, voting members.

 

C. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIP No chapter member may transfer his/her membership or any right arising therefrom. All rights as a member of this chapter shall cease upon the member’s death.

 

D. MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE

  1. Admission to Membership: Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, membership in any category shall be upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors. All chapter members shall pay dues in accordance with the dues schedule of the chapter and CAMFT and shall abide by the bylaws of the chapter and the bylaws and ethical standards of CAMFT.

  2. Termination of Membership: Membership in the chapter shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following: resignation, non-payment of dues, expulsion, suspension, or loss of eligibility. There is no requirement for SFCAMFT to refund dues already paid in cases where membership has been terminated. 

    a. Resignation: A member may resign from membership at any time by submitting in writing to the chapter his or her resignation. The effective date of the resignation shall be when the chapter receives the letter of resignation or at such later time as is indicated in the letter.
    b.Nonpayment of Dues: Anyone whose dues are in default to the chapter shall be dropped from membership.
    c. Expulsion or Suspension: Anyone who has been determined by the SFCAMFT Board of Directors to have violated the ethical standards of CAMFT or who has been expelled or suspended from membership in CAMFT, shall also be expelled or suspended from membership in this chapter. Any member to be expelled or suspended shall be entitled to at least fifteen (15) days prior notice of the expulsion or suspension and the reasons. Notice may be given by any method reasonably calculated to provide actual notice.
    d. Loss of Eligibility: Any member, regardless of category or classification, who is no longer eligible for such membership due to a loss in the qualifications entitling such person to hold such membership, may be dropped from membership.

  3. Reinstatement of Membership
    a. After Resignation or Termination for Non Payment of Dues: Anyone who has resigned his/her membership from the chapter or has terminated his/her membership because of non-payment of dues may be reinstated to that member’s former category of membership provided that such person meets the criteria for that category of membership, is currently a member of CAMFT, has submitted a new application for membership to the chapter, accompanied by payment of appropriate dues.
    b. After Expulsion or Suspension: Anyone who has been expelled or suspended from membership in the chapter for violation of the ethical standards of CAMFT may be reinstated when membership within CAMFT is reinstated. 

 

ARTICLE V—MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

A. FREQUENCY OF CHAPTER MEETINGS The President in consultation with the chapter Board of Directors shall regularly schedule general membership meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President in consultation with the Chapter’s Board of Directors, a majority vote of the the Board of Directors or shall be called upon the request of five percent or more of the voting members.

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B. PLACE OF MEETINGS Meetings shall be held at a location within the area served by the chapter.

 

C. QUORUM A quorum for any meeting of the members of the chapter during which business is conducted shall be ten (10) percent of the voting membership. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power represented at the meeting entitled to vote, and voting on any matter shall be the act of the members.

 

D. NOTICE OF MEETINGS Notice of all chapter meetings and activities shall be made available to members on the chapter website and via email announcement not less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

 

ARTICLE VI—BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

A. POWERS The activities and affairs of this chapter shall be conducted under the direction of a Board of Directors, all of whom shall be members of the chapter. Among other powers of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors has the power to select and remove all agents, employees and/or contractors of the chapter, fix compensation and secure faithful performance of duties prescribed.

 

B. COMPOSITION OF BOARD The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers including President, Vice-President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, three (3)Directors-at Large, and chairs of standing committees as designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall not contain, at any time, more than two (2) persons who are licensed as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and who also hold any other license which permits the practice of health care, whether mental or physical.

 

C. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

  1. President: The President shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, generally supervise, direct and control the business of the chapter. They shall preside over all meetings of the chapter and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. They shall recommend to the Board of Directors for appointment standing committee chairpersons. They shall appoint standing committee members except as otherwise provided in these bylaws. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, but shall have no right to vote when serving in an ex-officio capacity. They may have such other duties and powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws. The President shall inform CAMFT, within thirty (30) days of election or appointment, of the names and addresses of all chapter officers. 

  2. Vice-President: The Vice-President shall be responsible for scheduling educational presentations at regular chapter meetings. They shall also perform those duties assigned to him/her by the President and/or the Board of Directors. 

  3. President-Elect: The President-Elect shall succeed to the presidency. They shall perform those duties assigned to him/her by the President and/or the Board of Directors. 

  4. Past President. The Past President shall serve on the board in a mentorship role to the President and President-Elect. The Past President will step into the role of President should they become unavailable to serve. 

  5. Secretary: The Secretary shall maintain computerized records a book of minutes of the proceedings of its members, board and committees of the board, with the time, date and place of holding, whether general or special, and, if special, how authorized, the notice given, the names of those present at such meetings, the numbers of members present or represented at such member’s meetings, and the proceedings of such meetings. The Secretary shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the bylaws. In the event of the secretary’s absence, his/her duties may be performed by any member appointed by the President. 

  6. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the chapter, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, retained earnings, and any other matters customarily included in financial statements. The books of account shall be open to inspection by any board member at all reasonable times. 

    The Treasurer shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the chapter with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors; shall disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the chapter as may be ordered by the Board of Directors; shall render at such regular meeting of the board, or at such other times as directed by the board, an account of his/her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the chapter; shall prepare or cause to be prepared a proposed annual budget to be presented to the Board of Directors prior to the annual membership meeting; and shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the bylaws. As required by Directors & Officers Insurance, the books shall be reconciled on a monthly basis by the treasurer and one (1) other board member.

  7. Membership Chair: The Membership Chair shall maintain a record of members, showing the name of all members, their addresses, and the class of membership held by each. The Membership Chair is responsible for verifying eligibility for membership with CAMFT. 

  8. Directors-At-Large: Three (3) Directors-At-Large are members of the board and may chair one of the chapter’s standing committees or take on duties at the direction of the President. They will serve for a term of a minimum of one year.


D. VACANCIES In the event that a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, other than the President, the Board of Directors shall elect, by a majority of the directors then in office, at the next regular Board of Directors meeting, any eligible member of the chapter to fill the unexpired term.

 

E. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of its members, shall have the authority to recommend, for approval by the membership, removal from office for cause any one of its members after having given that member an opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors to answer the charges.

 

F. ORDER OF SUCCESSION In the absence of the president from a meeting over which they should preside or in the permanent absence of the President, the order of succession shall be: Past President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

G. MEETINGS

  1. Number of Meetings: The Board of Directors shall meet at least five (5) times during each fiscal year. The Board of Directors shall establish dates for these board meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at any location within the area served by the chapter as designated by the board. 

  2. Notice of Meetings: Meetings of the board shall be held upon not less than ten (10) days written/electronic notice. 

  3. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the president upon the written/electronic request of a majority vote of the Board of Directors. A four day written notice or a 48 hour electronic notice will be given prior to the meeting.


H. ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING An annual meeting of Board of Directors shall be held in November unless the chapter Board of Directors fixes another date and notifies members.

 

I. QUORUM A majority of the number of directors authorized in these bylaws shall constitute a quorum of the board for the transaction of business. Every act or decision made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the board, except when a greater or lesser number is required by applicable law or by these bylaws. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors.

 

J. COMPENSATION No compensation shall be paid to any member of the board for performing the duties for which he or she was elected. Nothing in this section shall prevent board members from receiving reimbursement for expenses as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors to be just and reasonable.

 

K. ELECTIONS

  1. Nominations: The Board of Directors shall nominate qualified members and certify the eligibility of the candidates for election to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, in selecting its nominees, shall include any self-nominations made by qualified chapter members. The Board of Directors, in selecting its nominees, shall seek diversity of representation and shall take into account the geographical, ethnic, sexual orientation, racial, age, religious affiliation, varying abilities and gender composition of the membership. The Board of Directors shall meet within the third calendar quarter of the year to propose a slate of candidates for the upcoming year. Names of nominees shall be announced electronically to voting members at least thirty (30) days prior to the first chapter meeting of the following calendar year. The Board of Directors shall inform all nominees of the duties of the offices for which they have been nominated and secure their consent to serve. 

  2. Eligibility: No person shall be eligible for election until he or she has been a voting member of the chapter for at least one (1) years upon taking office, or has been a student member and a voting member of the chapter consecutively for at least one (1) years immediately prior to taking office. 

  3. Election Procedures: 

    The President of the Board of Directors shall prepare a ballot consisting of the slate of nominees for all. The ballot may be presented for voting via electronic means at least twenty-five (25) but not more than thirty-five (35) days prior to the end of the fiscal year preceding the date for newly elected board members to assume office. Members are opted into electronic voting when they join the chapter and/or renew membership dues via email confirmation from the membership chair. Members may opt out of electronic voting at that time and will be provided with a paper ballot. If a member wants to opt out any time at a later date, they may contact the Membership Chair.The candidate receiving the largest number of votes in each position shall be elected. In the event of a tie, a run-off election shall be conducted by the President at the next chapter meeting following the closing of the voting period. After reviewing the election results, the Board President shall archive the data in a designated shared electronic folder.

    All newly elected Board members shall begin their term on January 1st of the next calendar year.

  4. Term of Office: All elected officers consisting of President, Past President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve for a term of one year. There shall be no limitation on the number of terms that may be served by an elected officer. 

 

ARTICLE VII— COMMITTEES

There are three different types of committees formed to support the business of the chapter. Those that are essential to the mission of the chapter are designated as standing committees. The chairs of these committees are voting members of the Board of Directors. Advisory committees are formed to assist the board in conducting the business of the chapter. Special or ad hoc committees are formed to handle special needs as determined by the board and may be used to administer the business of the chapter. Chairs of advisory or special committees are not considered board members and, as such, do not have voting responsibilities.

 

A. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE The membership committee is a standing committee and shall promote membership in the chapter and CAMFT and may from time to time publish a directory of chapter members. The membership committee will verify eligibility of prospective members for membership in the chapter, solicit new members, and provide updates of the membership, as appropriate.

 

B. PRE-LICENSED COMMITTEE The Pre-Licensed Committee is an advisory committee and shall be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, promoting, and producing opportunities to educate and mentor those interested in becoming marriage and family therapists.

 

C. OUTREACH COMMITTEE The Outreach Committee is a standing committee and shall be responsible for maintaining social media and other electronic means used to advise members of upcoming events and other issues related to the practice of marriage and family therapy.

 

D. TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE The Technology Committee is an advisory committee and shall be responsible for maintaining the chapter website, including listserv and the directory, and promoting the practice of marriage and family therapy through use of the Internet.

 

E. NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE The newsletter committee is a standing committee responsible for publishing the Chapter newsletter six times each year.

 

F. SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND SUPPORT POSITIONS Such other committees, sub committees, commissions, or task forces may be created and appointed by the Board of Directors as in its judgment may be necessary. The duties and terms of any such special committees shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors upon formation. Special committees or support positions may be designated to handle support for meetings or the chapter such as hospitality, telephone duty, mail services, publishing the annual directory, volunteer coordination, networking events, CEU coordination, mentoring, etc. Special committees may be established to promote the practice of marriage and family therapy or enhance collegiality among therapists.

 

G. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AND MEMBERS The president in consultation with the Board of Directors shall appoint committee chairpersons and committee members.

 

ARTICLE VIII—FINANCES

A. FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of the chapter shall begin January 1 of each year and end December 31 of each year.

 

B. SETTING OF DUES The annual dues of the chapter shall be determined at the Annual Planning Meeting (see Article VI, H) or by electronic ballot at any other time, as determined by the Board of Directors.

A dues increase shall be passed only following a majority vote of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting, or if the membership vote is taken by ballot, a majority of the ballots voting on the dues increase.

Notification of any change in the annual dues shall be made to all members affected as soon after the vote as is practicable and reasonable, but at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of any such increase.

 

C. PAYMENT OF DUES, FEES AND ASSESSMENTS Each member in good standing must pay, within the time and on the conditions set forth in these bylaws, such fees, dues and assessments as are fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and/or the membership. Dues for all members are payable during the yearly membership drive. Any member in default post membership drive may be dropped from membership in the chapter.

 

D. BUDGET The Treasurer prior to the annual membership meeting shall present the proposed budget for each year to the Board of Directors. The proposed budget shall be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is empowered to make any changes in the budget necessitated by circumstances and consistent with the priorities of the chapter. The approved budget identifies the planned expenditures for each year. Once approved, the Treasurer is authorized to disburse funds as outlined in the budget. Changes to the budget must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

E. DEPOSITORY The Treasurer, in consultation with the Board of Directors shall select and designate such bank or trust company as they deem advisable as official depository of the funds of the chapter and prescribe the manner in which such funds shall be withdrawn.

 

ARTICLE IX—RECORDS AND REPORTS, INSPECTION

A. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BYLAWS The chapter shall keep the bylaws of the chapter as amended to date on the chapter’s website, which shall be open to inspection by the members at all reasonable times. The chapter shall provide CAMFT with a copy of the chapter bylaws and any amendment(s) thereafter made.

 

B. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF OTHER RECORDS The accounting books, records and minutes of proceedings of the members of the Board of Directors and any committee(s) of the Board of Directors shall be maintained in the selected location for the chapter or with the treasurer and/or secretary of the chapter. The minutes and the accounting books and records shall be kept in written or electronic form. The minutes, accounting books and records shall be open to inspection on the written demand of any member, at any reasonable time for a purpose reasonably related to the member’s interests as a member. The inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and shall include the right to copy and make extracts.

 

C. INSPECTION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Every Director shall have the right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the chapter. This inspection by a Director may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.

 

D. ANNUAL REPORT TO MEMBERS The chapter shall provide to the Board of Directors, and shall notify each member yearly of the member’s right to receive an annual report. An annual report shall be prepared not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the close of the chapter’s fiscal year. Such report shall contain in appropriate detail the following:

  1. A balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, an income and expense statement and statement of change in financial position for such fiscal year. 

  2. A statement of the place where the names and addresses of the current members are located. 

  3. Any information required by Section 8322, or its successor section(s), of the California Non-profit Corporation Law, dealing with insider transactions. Such report shall be accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants, or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the chapter that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the chapter. 

    Upon written request of a member, the board shall promptly cause the most recent annual report to be sent to the requesting member.

 

ARTICLE X—LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

No member, regardless of the class or category of membership held, and whether or not a voting member, shall be personally or otherwise liable for any of the debts, liabilities and/or obligations of the chapter. Nothing in this article shall be construed to relieve any person of any liability imposed by the California Non-profit Corporation Laws.

 

ARTICLE XI—PROPERTY

The chapter, through its Board of Directors, shall hold the title to all property, funds and assets of the chapter and they shall have complete control over the acquisition, administration, and disposition of any property, funds or assets. The chapter may accept gifts, legacies, devises, donations, and/or contributions in any amount and in any form upon such terms as may be decided by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE XII—USE OF NAME

No member shall speak in the name of the chapter without authorization from the President or Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE XIII—STAFF

The chapter Board of Directors may employ staff whose terms and conditions of employment shall be specified by the board. Such staff may manage and direct the activities of the chapter as prescribed by the Board of Directors and shall be responsible to the board.

 

ARTICLE XIV—AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS 

A. Initiation of Amendments: Amendments to the bylaws may be initiated in either of two ways.

  1. The Board of Directors may initiate a bylaw amendment, or 

  2. Ten (10) members of the chapter may, by a written petition addressed to the Secretary of the chapter, initiate an amendment. 

 

B. Adoption of Amendments: Proposed amendments which have received a majority vote of the Board of Directors present shall be recommended to the membership for ratification by electronic ballot. An electronic copy of the proposed amendment or amendments shall be emailed to all voting members of the chapter at least three (3) weeks prior to the time of voting. There shall be specified on the ballot a closing deadline for electronic voting. A three-quarters (3/4) majority of ballots returned shall be required for ratification of the proposed amendment.

 

ARTICLE XV—MERGER OF THE CHAPTER  

Merger of the chapter with another chapter may be initiated by a recommendation passed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors of each chapter. Upon passage by the board of each chapter, the merger shall be recommended to the membership of each chapter for ratification by electronic ballot. An electronic copy of the recommendation shall be emailed to all voting members of each chapter at least three (3) weeks prior to the time of voting. There shall be specified on the ballot a closing deadline for electronic voting. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of ballots returned shall be required for ratification of the proposed merger. The proposed merger shall be submitted to CAMFT’s Board of Directors for their approval and chartering.

 

ARTICLE XVI—DISSOLUTION

Dissolution of the chapter, whether voluntary or involuntary shall be conducted in accordance with applicable law. In the event of the dissolution of the chapter, all assets and funds of the chapter shall, after debts and/or obligations are paid, be distributed to a charitable organization or foundation as determined by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE XVIl —RULES OF ORDER: PARLIAMENTARIAN

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern all meetings of the chapter in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws unless modified by the majority of the voting members present.

A Parliamentarian may be appointed by the President from among the members of the Board of Directors. The Parliamentarian shall have the responsibility to ensure compliance with the bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, unless modified, at all meetings of the Board of Directors and all official meetings of the chapter.

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