Constitution and Bylaws of SAABJ

Article I: Name of the organization

Section 1: The name of the organization shall be the San Antonio Association of Black Journalists, which is an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, henceforth referred to as the SAABJ.

Article II: Purpose and Goals

Section 1: The objectives of this organization shall be to …

To expand and balance San Antonio’s media coverage of the black community and black experience; and
To aid in the development of a student San Antonio chapter when one is developed.

Section 2: This Constitution shall be in compliance with any local, state and federal laws that govern the organization’s business.

Section 3: The organization shall, after membership approval by majority vote, take stands and positions on issues of social concern in accordance with NABJ’s president or executive board.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: The organization shall be composed of journalists, journalism professors, and students interested in pursuing a career in journalism, who are full members, associate members or student members of the national organization. Media-related professionals may be associate members of the organization if their goals and purposes are consistent with this Constitution and the spirit of NABJ. To be considered a member of the local chapter, one must be in regular attendance at SAABJ meetings and functions.

Section 2: The SAABJ openly admits people involved with the media to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, or sexual orientation.

Article IV: Officers

Section1: The officers of the organization shall be president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Section 2: The specific duties of the officers shall be:

President
Shall preside at all meetings of the SAABJ.
Maintain the power to appoint all committee chairpersons.
Shall present all motions to the body present.
Shall be present at 75 percent of the meetings of the SAABJ.
Vice President
Shall preside at all meetings and functions that the president cannot attend.
Shall assume the roll of any other executive committee member when that member is unable to perform his/her duties.
Shall oversee all major committees.
Treasurer
Shall collect and hold all money, notes and securities belonging to the SAABJ.
Shall keep accurate accounts of all dues, receipts and expenditures.
Shall pay out money only on approval of the SAABJ.
At the close of the term of office, the treasurer shall turn over the books, files and other property entrusted to him/her for safekeeping, together with all money, notes and security after the same have been audited by a specially appointed committee to a duly elected or appointed successor.
Any banking transactions shall require two signatures. Acceptable signatures include those of the president, vice president, treasurer or appointed organization member.

Secretary
Shall keep an accurate record of the organization’s files
Keep attendance, ensuring observance of the rules of the organization.

Section 3: Any officer of the SAABJ in violation of the purpose of the organization or the Constitution may be removed from office by the membership for neglect of duties or non-support of the rules, purpose and goals of this organization. This removal shall be without prejudice

Section 4: Procedures for Removal

A written request by at least three (3) members of the organization.
Written notification to the officer of the request, asking the officer to be present at the next meeting and prepared to speak.
A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is necessary to remove the officer.

Article V: Operations

Section 1: Voting Eligibility

Those members meeting all requirements of active membership as set forth in Article III will have voting privileges.

Section 2: Election Process.

All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of eligible voting members of the SAABJ. All officers must be journalists or apart of the media. All elections will be held each January.

Section 3: The president shall take nominations from the floor. The nomination process must be closed and the movement seconded. The nominated parities shall be allowed to vote.

Section 4: All voting shall be done by secret ballot to be collected and tabulated by the secretary and one voting member of the SAABJ, appointed by the outgoing president.

Section 5: Meetings

Meetings will be held no less than 10 times a year.

Article VI: Finances

Section 1: The SAABJ shall finance its activities in the following means:

Membership dues (appropriate amount set by the SAABJ).
Funds raised through various fund raising activities.

Article VII: Dissolution

Section 1: In the event that this organization becomes inactive or defunct, all money in the treasury will be given to a charitable organization, which uphold the goals and purpose of this organization.

Article VIII: Amendments

Section 1: This Constitution is binding to all members of the SAABJ. However, the Constitution is not binding unto itself.

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in writing by any voting member of the SAABJ at any meeting at which two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members are present.
These amendments shall be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the officers.
Proposed amendments shall become effective following approval of two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members.

Amended by-laws adopted Oct. 26, 2000 by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members.