Bylaws​
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ARTICLE I. ORGANIZATION
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Section 1. Name. The name of this organization is the Arkansas Community Development Society (ACDS).
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Section 2. Purpose. These bylaws provide guidance for governance of ACDS as set forth in the organization’s constitution.
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Section 3. Fiscal and Membership Year. The fiscal and membership year of ACDS shall follow the terms of the elected board positions.
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ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
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Section 1. Eligibility. Membership shall be open to any individual who has an interest in community development.
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Section 2. Dues. Dues are included as part of the annual conference registration.
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ARTICLE III. ELECTION AND TERMS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
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Section 1. Elections. Procedure for election of officers and directors: The immediate past president shall serve as chairperson of the nominating committee and shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of three (3) members in good standing. The nominating committee shall provide for written notification to the membership concerning the positions to be filled. The nominating committee shall then determine a slate of officers for president, vice president-programs, vice president-membership, vice president-technology, secretary, treasurer and a slate of regional directors. Said slate of officers and directors shall be submitted to the membership of ACDS thirty (30) days prior to the election. The election of officers shall be at the annual meeting. Election of officers shall be by voice vote unless a written ballot providing for write-in candidates is requested by the membership. In this instance, a written vote shall be taken. Newly elected officers and directors shall assume their duties on July 1 of the year following their election at spring conference with their term ending on June 30th two years following.
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Section 2. Proxies. Votes by proxy will not be accepted.
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Section 3. Vacancies. In the event that a vacancy should occur in an office or director position, the board of directors shall name a replacement from the membership to serve the unexpired portion of the term.
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Section 4. Regional Directors. The Board of Directors shall establish membership regions as shown on Attachment 1. A director from each region shall be elected by the general membership to serve on the Board of Directors.
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Section 5. Eligibility. Officers and directors shall be voting members in good standing (not missing more than three consecutive meetings).
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ARTICLE IV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
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Section 1. President: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of ACDS and shall, in general, supervise and conduct the business and affairs of the organization. He/she shall preside at all meetings of ACDS and of the Board of Directors. He/she shall have authority to sign, execute, and acknowledge those instruments necessary to be executed in the course of the organization’s regular business, or which shall be authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint the chairperson of each standing committee of the Chapter. The President shall make appointments to special and ad hoc committees and subcommittees created by actions of the Board, or general membership. In addition, the President may appoint a Chapter parliamentarian as needed. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be described by the Board from time to time.
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Section 2. Vice President-Program: In the event of the temporary absence of the President, the Vice President-Program shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice President-Program shall perform such other duties and have such authority as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President or the Board. The Vice President-Program shall chair the Program Committee and oversee program planning for meetings and the annual conference and assist Directors with regional programs.
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Section 3. Vice President-Membership: In the event of the temporary absence of the President and the Vice President-Program, the Vice President-Membership shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice President-Membership shall perform such other duties and have such authority as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President or the Board. The Vice President-Membership shall chair the Membership and Marketing Committee and shall also oversee membership recruitment and retention activities.
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Section 4. Vice President-Technology: the Vice President-Technology shall develop and maintain the online presence for ACDS and coordinate with officers and committee members to publish appropriate information. The Vice President-Technology shall also assist the board with technology based initiatives for communication and efficiency.
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Section 5. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and see that all notices are duly given in accordance with provisions of the Constitution or Bylaws. The Secretary shall be custodian of the organization’s records.
The Secretary, in coordination with the Treasurer,shall conduct all necessary correspondence for ACDS and shall file all documents and annual reports required to keep the organization’s nonprofit corporation status up to date with the Office of the Arkansas Secretary of State and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Secretary shall perform other duties assigned to him/her by the President or the Board.
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Section 6. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge and custody and be responsible for all funds and securities of the organization from any source whatsoever; make payments for appropriate and authorized expenditures; and function as principal accounting officer in charge of books of account, accounting records and forms of the Chapter. He/she shall endorse and deposit all such monies in the name of the organization in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be designated by resolution of the Board. In general, he/she shall perform all of the duties and exercise such other authority as from time to time as may be delegated, or assigned to him/her by the President or the Board.
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Section 7. Immediate Past President: The Immediate Past President shall provide guidance and counsel to the sitting board of directors and shall select the members of the Nominating Committee and serve as its chair.
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Section 8. Directors: Directors represent the Society membership within the district from which they are elected. They shall assist the vice presidents for program and membership to stimulate and develop appropriate support in these areas. They will assist the nomination committee with locating potential officers and directors and further serve as liaison between ACDS and their constituent membership. Directors shall also perform such other duties and have such authority as from time to time may be assigned by the President or the Board.
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ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS
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The bylaws maybe amended by vote of not less than five (5) members of the board of directors. Directors shall be advised in writing thirty (30) days in advance of the proposed change prior to the meeting at which the vote will take place.
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Approved April 16, 1993
Amended June 27, 2002
Amended July 23, 2008
Amended July 29, 2016
Amended May 31, 2023
Amended November 12, 2024