Article I. Name and Purpose

The name of this corporation shall be the Sacramento Valley Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (SaVRID). SaVRID is an Affiliate Chapter of the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID). SaVRID may remain intact so long as it complies with the provision set forth by the RID. As an Affiliate Chapter of the RID, SaVRID qualifies as a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The principal purposes of this corporation shall be to:

• Exchange ideas, opinions, and experiences concerning interpreting;
• Further the development of effective interpretation and transliteration of American Sign Language and English;
• Strive for the attainment of the highest standards in these communicative skills;
• Act as a body to advance professional and ethical standards for interpreters; and
• Advocate for professional recognition and treatment.

Article II. Principal Office

The principal office for the transaction of business of the corporation shall be fixed and located in Sacramento County, California. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, change the location of the principal office from one location to another within this County.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Categories of Membership

This corporation shall have the following categories of non-transferable membership: Certified, Associate, Student, Supporting, Organizational, and Honorary.

Section 2. Eligibility

2.1 Certified Member – Any interpreter or transliterator of American Sign Language and/or English who hold valid certification accepted by the RID.

2.2 Associate Member – Any individual who is actively engaged in the interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or the transliteration of English, but who does not hold valid certification accepted by the RID.

2.3 Student Member – Any pre-certified individual currently enrolled in a course of study in interpretation of American Sign Language and English and/or the transliteration of English.

2.4 Supporting Member – Any non-certified individual with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of the corporation who does not meet eligibility requirements for Sections 2.1, 2.2, or 2.3 above.

2.5 Organizational – Any organization/institution/agency with an interest in supporting the purposes and activities of SaVRID.

2.6 Honorary Member – Any individual making outstanding personal contributions in the interpreting profession and in the Deaf community is granted this honor by a majority vote of the general membership.

Section 3. Member in Good Standing

3.1 The definition of member in good standing shall be persons who have met all financial obligations to this corporation and who have otherwise met all of the requirements set forth by this corporation.

Section 4. Voting Rights

4.1 Each member of this corporation must be a member in good standing of the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. before they are entitled voting privileges at the affiliate level.

4.2 Each certified member of this corporation shall be entitled to one vote in meetings, referenda and elections. Voting pertaining to evaluations, certifications and standards/ethics may only be voted upon by certified members.

4.3 Each non-certified member of this corporation shall be entitled to one vote in meetings, referenda and elections with the exception of referenda pertaining to evaluations, certifications and standards/ethics.

4.4 Organizational level of membership is a non-voting category.

Section 5. Fiscal Year

5.1 The fiscal year of this corporation shall begin on the first day of July and end on the thirtieth day of June each year.

Section 6. Dues and Assessments

6.2 Dues shall become payable on the first day of July each fiscal year. The dues shall be equal for all members of a category, but different dues may be set for each category.

6.3 The Board of Directors shall not increase or decrease membership dues by more than ten percent without a majority vote of the voting members present at a general meeting.

6.4 Assessments may be levied on members by action of two-thirds of the voting members present at any meeting, provided that at least thirty days notice has been given.

Article IV. Board of Directors

Section 1. Composition of Board of Directors

1.1 The Board of Directors shall be comprised of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four (4) Members-at-Large.

1.2 The immediate Past President may serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors for a term of one year. The Past President shall participate in an advisory capacity and coordinate transition activities during the installation of new officers.

Section 2. Powers and Limitations

2.1 All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Directors. Unless so authorized by the Board of Directors, no officer, agent, or member shall have any power of authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement, to pledge its credit, or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount. All charges, responsibilities and membership directives shall persist until fulfilled regardless of any changes to the makeup of the Board of Directors.

2.2 The Board of Directors shall receive no compensation for their services as Board members.

2.3 The authority to expend corporation funds is vested with the Board of Directors. Requests for expense repayments or purchase/service orders must be completed in writing on the appropriate SaVRID forms. The President and at least one other Board member must sign the forms. Valid expense claims and receipts must accompany all submitted forms.

Section 3. Qualification of Board Members

Any member in good standing who is also a member in good standing of the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., shall be eligible for candidacy on the Board. Board candidates must have also demonstrated their interest in chapter activities by attending general meetings during the previous year.

Section 4. Duties of Officers

4.1 President: The President shall have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and affairs of this corporation; represent the corporation in all appropriate activities, preside at meetings of the members and/or directors; appoint committees; and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the voting membership, the Board of Directors, or as required by law.

4.2 Vice President:: In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall assume all duties of the President, and in so acting, shall have all the powers of the President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

4.3 Secretary: The Secretary shall keep record of attendance at meetings ; supervise the keeping of all corporation records; serve notices as may be necessary or proper; and perform such other duties as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

4.4 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and safely keep all funds of this corporation and deposit them in the bank(s) designated by action of the Board of Directors; disburse only on checks signed by the designated Board officer(s); keep records pertaining to the membership of this corporation; and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

4.5 Members-at-Large: The Member-at-Large must assume the chair of a standing or special committee and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Terms of Office

5.1 President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve two-year terms and may hold the same office for no more than two consecutive terms.

5.2 Members-at-Large shall serve a one-year term and may succeed themselves in office for two consecutive terms.

Section 6. Nominations and Elections

6.1 Nominations shall take place at the second to last general meeting of the year. Nominations will only be accepted from members in good standing of this corporation.

6.2 Election of Board members shall take place at the last general meeting of the year. The election is to be conducted by secret, written ballot.

6.3 Election to any office shall be made by a simple majority vote of those voting members present at the meeting.

6.4 Installation of new Board members shall take place at this meeting, and the new Board members shall commence their service at the conclusion of the meeting.

6.5 Procedures governing nominations are outlined in the SaVRID Policies and Procedures Manual.

Section 7. Vacancies

7.1 Vacancies of the Board of Directors are created upon the death, resignation, disqualification, or removal due to legal action or for-cause against any director.

7.2 Removal due to legal action or for-cause shall be defined as a director who fails to meet their position responsibilities or who does not act in the best interest of the corporation. Removal from the Board requires a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors in a closed session. The individual and the Board shall be notified of such a closed session and the specific purpose no less than two weeks before the meeting is to take place.

7.3 A vacancy occurring with less than one year remaining in the term may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Board of Directors. If the unexpired term is more than one year, a special election will be held at the next general meeting when the vacancy will be filled by a majority vote of the membership.

Section 8. Meetings

8.1 Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least on a quarterly basis at such time and place as designated by the President. Written notice of such meetings shall be provided to the membership at least thirty days in advance.

8.2 Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by any two directors, with a majority vote of approval by the Board, at least seven days in advance.

8.3 Regular or special meetings by electronic conferencing may be held so long as all directors participating in the meeting can communicate with one another.

8.4 Attendance at meetings is expected of directors. It is required that directors attend at least three-fourths of all meetings of the Board, general membership, and special meetings. Unexcused absences in excess of one-fourth of all meetings will result in automatic expulsion from the Board. Unexcused absence is any absence not reported to the Secretary.

Section 9. Voting Rights.

9.1 With the exception of the Past President, who is a non-voting member, each director shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 10. Quorum

10.1 For business to be conducted and actions to be taken, a majority of the Board of Directors must be present.

Article V. Meetings of Members

Section I. General Meetings

Meetings of the general membership of this corporation shall be held at least four times during the calendar year with the last meeting of the year reserved for election of Board members. Time and place of meetings will be designated by the Board of Directors with advance written notice to be provided to the membership.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the members of this corporation may be called at any time by the President, by the Board of Directors, or by written petition sent to the Board of Directors from a minimum of ten percent of the voting members. Written notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be given at least thirty days prior to the meeting.

Article VI. Committees

Section 1. Committees

1.1 The President shall establish, subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors, committees – including standing, special, and/or ad hoc – immediately after election.

1.2 For each committee, the President shall designate a member of the Board of Directors to serve as either chair or as a non-voting member.

Article VII. Amendment of Bylaws

The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at a meeting announced for that purpose. However, any amendment, which would materially and adversely affect the rights of a specific category, must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the members voting from that affected category. Amendments take effect upon adoption.

Article VIII. Inspection Rights

A copy of this corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall be open to inspection by the members of this corporation. Inspection can also be made of the books or minutes of proceedings upon written request to the Board of Directors with a fourteen-day notice. Purpose of inspection shall be reasonably related to such person’s interest as a member.

Article IX. Non-Discrimination Policy

SaVRID shall not discriminate in matters of membership on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, hearing status, national origin, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Article X. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern this corporation in all cases to which they are applicable and consistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order this corporation may adopt.