VAMFT Constitution & Bylaws

Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Virginia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (hereinafter referred to as the VAMFT), a Division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (hereinafter referred to as the AAMFT).

Section 2. This Division is responsible to the duly elected officers and Board of Directors of the AAMFT and all rules and orders lawfully made thereunder.

Section 3. The Bylaws of this Division shall be consistent with those of the AAMFT and shall be approved by the AAMFT before formal adoption by the Division.

Section 1. The purposes for which this Division is formed are as follows:

(A) To promote the common professional interests of those who are marital and family therapists and students in training at the regional and state level.

(B) To fulfill other purposes stated in the AAMFT Bylaws as those purposes may be pursued appropriately at the Divisional level.

(C) To improve the professional practice of marriage and family therapy, work toward the improvement of marriage and family relationships in our society, protect the public by practicing a professional code of ethics, and provide public and professional education.

(D) To enhance professional relationships, initiate, and/or support legislation related to the purposes of this organization, and to cooperate with other professional organizations in the furtherance of the above purposes.

(E) To consider, initiate, and/or support passage of legislation or regulations, establish professional standards for marriage and family therapy, and to further support the purposes of this organization.

Section 2. To further the objectives of the Division by professional meetings, continuing education opportunities, clinical practicums, publications, research in the field, and other relevant activities.

Section 1. The membership of the AAMFT shall be divided into two classes:

(A) Voting Members. The voting membership shall be composed of Clinical Members.

(B) Non-Voting Members. The non-voting membership shall be composed of Student Members, Associate Members, and Affiliate Members.

Section 2. All members of the Division shall be members in good standing of the AAMFT and all AAMFT members maintaining a Virginia address of record with the AAMFT's national office shall be members in good standing in the Virginia Division.

Section 3. Members shall be governed by and abide by the bylaws of the AAMFT and by the bylaws of the Division and all rules and orders lawfully made thereunder.

Section 4. All members shall pay both their AAMFT and Divisional dues. Dues for the Division shall be established by a majority vote of the voting members of the Division conducted by mail ballot. Dues increases of 10% or less per annum may be established by a two-thirds vote of the full Divisional Board. Dues increases of greater than 10% must be submitted to the membership by mail ballot. All dues billings, dues collections and dues disbursements shall be performed by AAMFT.

Section 5. The fiscal year of the VAMFT shall begin 1 January and end on 31 December.

Section 1. The officers of the VAMFT shall be a President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, the Regional Vice Presidents, a Student-Associate Representative, and the Past President.

Section 2. The President shall serve a term of two years as President Elect. The President shall be the Chief Officer of the Division and of the Board and shall perform such duties as are customary for presiding officers, including making all required appointments with the approval of the Board. The President also shall serve as a member ex-officio with right to vote on all committees except the Elections Committee. Upon completion of his/her term, the President shall serve as a member of the Board for a period of one year.

Section 3. The President Elect shall serve a term of two years, succeeding to the office of President upon completion of that term. The President Elect shall serve as Presiding Officer of the Division in the absence of the President.

Section 4. The Secretary shall serve a term of two years. The Secretary shall serve as Chairperson of the Bylaws Committee and keep records of all business meetings of the Divisions and meetings of the Board, shall direct the distribution of minutes and reports, as authorized by these Bylaws, and by the Board, and shall be responsible for all official correspondence of the Division.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall serve a term of two years. The Treasurer shall be Chairperson of the Finance Committee, shall oversee the management of funds for duly authorized purposes of the Division, shall prepare an annual budget for Board approval, shall execute the same as directed by the Board, and shall present financial reports at all Board meetings, to include an annual report to the membership at an annual general membership meeting.

Section 6. The four Regional Vice Presidents shall serve terms of two years. They shall represent the respective regions of the state --Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southwestern-- from which they are elected, and must reside in the region they represent. They may, at their discretion or at the request of the Board, call regional membership meetings, hold regional conferences, and engage in other business as is consistent with the aims of the Division and necessary to fulfill the needs of the various regions' members. The regional Vice Presidents shall be elected solely by voting members of the region in which they reside.

Section 7. The Student-Associate Representative shall serve a term of two years and shall be either a Student or Associate Member. The Student-Associate Representative shall represent the interests of the Student and Associate members of the Division and shall be elected by the Student and Associate members.

Section 8. Divisional Officers shall be assumed to have resigned from office at such time as they move outside the Divisional geographic boundaries. If any Officer ceases to be in good standing by reason of non-payment of dues, the Board shall declare his/her office to be vacant. If any member of the Board ceases to be in good standing by reason of non-payment of dues, or by failure on three consecutive occasions to attend scheduled Board meetings without permission from the President, the Board shall declare his/her office vacant.

Section 9. If any office, other than the President or President Elect, becomes vacant, the Board may appoint a successor to fulfill the unexpired term of office. In the event that the President is unable to complete the current term of office, the President Elect shall assume the presidential duties and office for the unexpired term, and a special election shall be called to elect a new President Elect to fulfill the unexpired term of that office. This election shall be by mail ballot of the voting membership and shall occur within sixty days of the forfeiture of office by the President. In the event that a regular election is scheduled within four months after the forfeiture of office by the President, the Board may exercise the option to appoint, from among its member officers, an acting President Elect, who shall not succeed in office except by ballot vote by the voting membership. In the event that the President Elect is unable to complete the current term of office, a special election shall be called to elect a successor through a mail ballot of the voting membership within sixty days of the forfeiture of office by the President Elect. Again, if a regular election is scheduled within four months after the forfeiture of office by the President, the Board may exercise the option to appoint, from among its member officers, an acting President Elect, who shall not succeed in office except by ballot vote by the voting membership. In the even the President Elect is required to fulfill an unexpired Presidential term of office of more than twelve calender months, prior to succeeding by due course to that office, the President Elect's nominal term of office as President, by succession, shall be restricted to one year. By vote of the Board, the President may be continued in office an additional year in order to ensure terms of office run concurrently. Should the Board not continue the President in office for an additional year, the President Elect would succeed, but in no event could continue in the office of President for a period of more than three years.

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers, the four Regional Vice Presidents, and the Student-Associate Representative, all members in good standing with AAMFT who reside in regions within the divisional geographic boundaries.

Section 2. The Board shall exercise all powers of the Division, except as specifically prohibited by these Bylaws and the AAMFT Bylaws. The Board should be authorized to adopt and publish such policies, procedures, and rules as may be necessary and consistent with these Bylaws and AAMFT Bylaws, and to exercise authority over all Divisional business and funds.

Section 3. The Board shall meet four times annually. Additionally, the Board may meet upon the call of the President, or upon the request of at least three members of the Board, delivered in writing to the President via the Secretary. Each Board member shall be entitled to one vote and must vote in person. A quorum shall consist of no less than one-half the Board membership. All Board and general membership meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, revised, unless otherwise excepted by these Bylaws.

Section 4. If a position becomes vacant, the position may remain vacant or the Board may appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the expired term, except the vacancies of President and President Elect shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of Article IV, Section 9.

Section 5. An Executive Committee shall exist and consist in membership of the President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Student-Associate Representative, who shall serve in a non-voting ex-officio capacity. The Executive Committee shall meet upon the call of the President for planning and advisory purposes. The Executive Committee is not empowered to act for or instead of the Board of Directors, except as specified or authorized by the Board, but may recommend to the Board, for decision, courses of action or programs.

Section 1. The Standing Committees of the Division shall include the following: Ethics and Membership, Finance, Elections, Professional Development, and such other standing committees as shall be authorized by the Board. The Committees are responsible to the Board and shall report, as directed.

Section 2. All standing committees, except the Elections Committee, shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board. Terms of office shall be two (2) years. The term of office shall begin on June 1 of the year following appointment, except when an appointment is made to fill a vacancy. The majority of each committee shall be composed of Clinical Members. Representatives of the public may be appointed as needed. Members of committees may be removed by the President with the approval of the Board for malfeasance or non-performance of duties.

Section 3. The members of the Elections Committee shall be elected by mail ballot of the voting membership of the Division, and shall serve a term of three (3) years.

Section 4. The President with the approval of the Board shall appoint a chairperson for each standing committee, except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws. The Chairperson shall be a Clinical Member. Following the annual membership meeting, the President shall authorize a continuing member of the Elections Committee to convene the Committee, the Chairperson being elected by the Committee. The Division Treasurer shall be ex-officio Chairperson of the Finance Committee.

Section 5. The Legislative Committee, shall, with Board approval, interact with appropriate state legislative committees and bodies to ensure recognized standards of care and practice are maintained among Marriage and Family Therapists.

Section 6. The Finance Committee shall assist the Treasurer in preparing the annual budget for approval by the Board and the membership, and shall be responsible for making recommendations to the Board and membership in matters pertaining to the finances of the division.

Section 7. The Ethics and Membership Committee shall be responsible for dispensing information on AAMFT membership requirements and application procedures to potential members and otherwise encouraging appropriate inquiry and application to the AAMFT. The Ethics and Membership Committee shall be responsible for educating the membership and the public regarding the AAMFT Code of Ethical Principles for Marriage and Family Therapists. The Committee shall not conduct investigation or consider allegations of the violation of ethical principles made against members, nor shall it issue or render advisory opinions on ethical matters, but shall refer such matters to the AAMFT Ethics Committee. The Committee shall function in accordance with the Procedures for Handling Ethical matters.

Section 8. The Elections Committee shall prepare a slate of nominees for all elected positions, and shall oversee the elections of such positions as provided by these Bylaws and in rules and procedures adopted by the Board for elections.

Section 9. The Professional Development Committee shall be responsible for the planning and execution of conferences and other appropriate development. This duty shall include but is not limited to:

(1) Resource person selection;

(2) Site selection;

(3) Printing and publicity;

(4) Contract(s) negotiation;

(5) Conference coordination and other essential details.

The selection of the resource person and site, and other such actions which bring VAMFT financially or legally, shall be approved by the Board prior to finalization.

State Regional Chapters may be formed by consent of the Board, under the leadership of the State Regional Vice Presidents. The State Regional Vice Presidents may appoint from among their regional members an Advisory Board of not more than three members to advise and assist the Vice President in the conduct of regional programs. Members of regional Advisory Boards serve at the discretion of the respective State Regional Vice Presidents. In no case shall Advisory Board Members serve beyond the term of office of the regional Vice President by whom appointed. State regional Chapters shall conform in function to VAMFT Bylaws, and shall not elect regional officers or establish regional bylaws.

Section 1. The annual meeting of the membership shall be held as a date and location proposed by the Professional Development Committee and approved by the Board.

Section 2. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President or by the Board, as provided for in Article VIII, Section 3.

Section 3. Notice of all annual and special meetings shall be sent to all voting members of the Division at least thirty (30) days in advance.

Section 4. A quorum at all annual and special meetings of the Division shall be five (5) percent of the voting membership of the Division, present in person at the meeting, not including the Officers and Directors. No proxies shall be permitted.

Section 5. All meetings shall be conducted according to RobertÕs Rules of Order, Revised, unless otherwise excepted by these Bylaws.

Section 1. The nomination and election of all elected positions shall be staggered so that the President Elect, Eastern Vice President, Southwestern Vice President, and Treasurer are elected in even odd years, and the Northern Vice President, Central Vice President, Student-Associate Representative, and Secretary are elected in even years. All voting members of the Division shall have the rights to vote in the election, which shall be conducted by mail ballot. Student and Associate Members shall have the right to vote in the election of the Student-Associate Representative. Discrimination in election and nomination procedures on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, age, or sexual orientation is forbidden. Candidates who are elected shall assume office on the first day of June following their election and shall hold office for the tenure of their term, or until their successors have been elected and qualified. Elections shall be conducted between 01 February and 28 April.

Section 2. The Elections Committee shall prepare a slate for each position and shall determine the eligibility and willingness of each nominee to stand for election. A summary of the professional background and experience of each nominee shall accompany the ballot. Opportunity for write-in voting shall be provided. Write-in candidates must be eligible for election and have agreed to serve if elected. Ballots shall be counted by the Board or by tellers designated by the Board. The candidate who receives the majority of votes for each office shall be elected. Ties shall be resolved by secret ballot of the Board. The general membership shall be notified by mail of the election results. The election outcome shall be declared official at the next Board meeting and incorporated into the minutes, thereof.

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present at any annual meeting of the Division, duly called and regularly held. Notice of proposed changes must have been sent, in writing, to the voting members thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. The Bylaws may also be amended by a two-thirds majority of the voting members voting by mail ballot returned within thirty (30) days of the date on which the ballot was mailed. Amendments may be proposed by the Board on its own initiative, or upon petition signed by twenty percent of the voting membership, or by recommendation of a Bylaws committee to the Board. All such proposed amendments shall be presented by the Board to the membership with or without recommendation.

Section 2. The Bylaws shall be reviewed, in committee, annually, prior to the annual general membership meeting.