1.0 GENERAL

1.1 General: Name The name of the Chapter is the Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association

1.2 General: Chapter Area The area served by the Chapter is the State of Nebraska.

1.3 General: Purposes The purposes of the chapter are to facilitate the individual participation of members of the American Planning Association in the affairs of the Association and to further the purposes of the Association in the Chapter area, which includes, but is not limited to, the improvement in the economic and social well being of all through planning the future; wise and efficient development, conservation, and use of human, capital, and natural resources; the promotion and encouragement, through education and research, of livable environments; and fostering advancement in the technology of planning.

1.4 General: The American Planning Association The national organization of which this Chapter is a part is the American Planning Association, which is referred to in these Bylaws as "the Association" or "APA."

1.5 General: National Office The term "National Office" refers to the office of APA designated by APA to service Chapter and membership matters.

1.6 General: Executive Director Unless otherwise qualified, the term "Executive Director," when used in these bylaws, refers to the duly appointed Executive Director of APA.

1.7 General: Address of Record A member's "address of record" shall be the address furnished the Chapter by the National Office. It is the member's responsibility to notify the National Office of any change of address.

1.8 General Publication of the Chapter A "Publication of the Chapter" shall mean any publication that is mailed to all Chapter members at their address of record.

1.9 General Parliamentary Procedure At meetings of the membership and of the Executive Committee, the presiding officer shall have authority to establish rules of conduct; otherwise, parliamentary procedures shall be governed by ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.

2.0 MEMBERSHIP

2.1 Membership: Categories and Eligibility Chapter membership shall consist of all persons who belong under one of the following categories:

2.1.1 Members All members of APA whose address of record is within the Chapter area shall automatically be members. APA members whose address of record is outside the Chapter area may also become members upon payment of any applicable dues and assessments.

2.1.2 Student Member All student members of APA whose address of record is within the Chapter area shall automatically be student members. APA student members whose address of record is outside the Chapter area may also become student members upon payment of any applicable dues and assessments. Student members must be currently enrolled as a full-time student and expect to continue as a student for six months from date of membership application.

2.1.3 Planning Board Members All planning board members of APA whose address of record is within the Chapter area shall automatically be planning board members. APA planning board members whose address of record is outside the Chapter area may also become planning board members upon payment of any applicable dues and assessments. Planning board members must be a member of a planning board or commission and not be earning a living in planning.

2.1.4 Chapter Members Any person living within the Chapter area who has an interest in planning may apply for membership as a chapter member. Such membership shall be subject to the review and approval of the Chapter Executive Committee and to the payment of the required dues.

2.2 Membership: Dues Dues for members, student members and planning board members shall be set by APA provided that Chapter assessments may be levied upon a mail ballot of the Chapter membership. Dues for chapter members may be set by the Chapter Executive Committee provided that such dues are no less than the dues for student members.

2.3 Chapter Membership: Privileges Chapter membership shall include the right to vote on Chapter matters, to serve on Chapter committees and to hold Chapter offices except that Chapter members may not vote on matters pertaining to APA or hold the office of Chapter President or represent the Chapter on the APA Chapter President's Council. Student members may not hold chapter offices.

2.4 Membership: Termination and Reinstatement Chapter membership will be terminated upon termination of APA membership or upon failure to pay chapter dues. Chapter membership may be reinstated by the Chapter Executive Committee subject to such conditions as may be established by the Chapter.

3.0 MEETINGS

3.1 Meeting: General Meetings of the Chapter membership may be called by the President, by the Executive Committee, or by a petition signed by at least five percent of the membership of the Chapter. The place, date, and time shall be set by the President or by the Executive Committee, provided that the location shall be within the Chapter area. Notice of a meeting shall be given to the membership at least 15 days before the meeting and shall included a statement of the purpose of the meeting.

3.2 Meeting: Annual Meeting There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Chapter membership in each calendar year. The meeting shall be held at a location within the Chapter area. The Chapter Executive Committee shall determine the specific location, date and time of each Annual Meeting.

3.3 Meeting: Notice of Annual Meeting The Secretary/Treasurer shall notify the membership of the place, date, and time of the Annual Meeting in a publication of the chapter, or by another communication, that is mailed to each member at least 30 days before the meeting.

3.4 Meeting: Quorum Requirements At meetings and in mail ballots, except mail ballots for election of officers, a quorum shall be 10 percent of the Chapter membership.

4.0 OFFICERS

4.1 Officers: Definition and Terms The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, and a Secretary/Treasurer. The terms of office shall be two years and shall begin on January 1 of even numbered years.

4.2 Officers: President The President shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and of the membership. The President shall have the power to create, appoint and discharge all chapter committees unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws. The President, or that Member designated by him/her shall represent the Chapter, at meetings of the APA Chapter President's Council. The President's, or that member designated by him/her, expenses at the National APA Conference (not to exceed $1,250) and Chapter Presidents Council Meetings (not to exceed $750) shall be funded in part from the Chapter budget. Reimbursed expenses shall not exceed the stated amounts in any calendar year, or actual expenditures. The President shall call meetings and perform other duties required by these Bylaws, and any additional duties that may be assigned by the Executive Committee. The President may appoint during his/her term of office, 1) an Assistant Secretary/Treasurer to assist the Secretary/Treasurer who shall act in an ex-officio capacity to the Executive Committee as he/she may feel to be necessary or as may be directed by the membership.

4.3 Officers: Vice President The Vice President shall assist the President in the guidance and coordination of committee activities and in Chapter program development. The Vice President shall be the Chair of the Professional Development Committee. The Vice President shall be the Chair of the Professional Development Committee. The Vice President shall carry out any other duties assigned by the President. In the absence of, or in the event of incapacity of the President, or in the event of resignation of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President as required by these Bylaws.

4.4 Officers: Secretary/Treasurer The Secretary/Treasurer shall: (a) maintain an accurate list of the members of the Chapter, (b)notify members and Executive Committee members of meetings, prepare and report minutes of Chapter and Executive Committee meetings; (c) transmit to the Executive Director a list of all Chapter officers (including their addresses and telephone numbers) within 30 days of their election; (d) notify the Executive Director of the results of all Chapter voting; (e) transmit to the Executive Director at least one copy of each publication of the Chapter; (f) submit to the Executive Director proposed Bylaws or Amendments as required by the Bylaws of APA; (g) collect Chapter dues and assessments not collected by the National Office; (h) assist in preparation of a budget, and maintenance of accounts which shall be open to inspection by officers and subject to audit; (i) prepare an annual financial report or report financial status as needed: (j) perform such other duties as required by these Bylaws; and (k) inform the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of his or her attendance at meetings.

4.5 Officers: Resignation An Officer may resign his/her position upon 15 day written notice to the Executive Committee. The effective date of the resignation shall be the first calendar day of the month following receipt by the Executive Committee of written notice. The President shall appoint an interim Officer to fill the unexpired term for the resigning officer. Such appointment shall be the nominee who received the next highest number of votes for the position in the previous election, continuing until a nominee accepts the appointment. Should no nominee be available, or accept the appointment, a special election shall be held to fill the unexpired term.

4.6 Officers: Termination and Reinstatement Chapter Officers shall maintain current membership for his/her term. Should an Officer be terminated because of termination of his or her APA membership or upon failure to pay chapter dues, their membership on the Executive Committee shall also be terminated. Membership on the Executive Committee will be reinstated upon reinstatement of Chapter membership. Should an officer be terminated, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the open position on an interim basis. Should the Vice President be terminated, the President shall assume the duties of the Vice President on an interim basis. Such interim basis shall expire upon reinstatement of the Officer, or the next general election, whichever comes first.

4.7 Officers: Removal from Office An Officer may be removed from office upon a showing of cause and a referendum vote. A Notice of Cause for Removal of Officer shall be provided in writing to the Executive Committee. A show cause hearing shall be held before the Executive Committee within 15 days of receipt of written notice. Upon a finding of cause by a majority of the remaining members of the Executive Committee, a referendum shall be held and voted upon by all current members. A majority vote by such members shall be required to remove an Officer, effective immediately. An interim Officer shall fill the unexpired term of the vacant position. Such interim Officer shall be appointed in the manner prescribe by Section 4.5 Officers: Resignation.

5.0 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

5.1 Executive Committee: Composition The Executive Committee shall consist of Officers, the Immediate Past President, the Student Representative, and the Liaison to the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association as appointed by the President.

5.2 Executive Committee: Responsibilities The Executive Committee shall be responsible for day to day business decisions of the Chapter. These shall include negotiating contracts, awarding scholarships, making policy decisions regarding legislative action by the Chapter, approving funding for planning related education and activities.

5.3 Executive Committee: Resignation An Executive Committee member other than an elected officer may resign his/her position upon 15 day written notice to the Executive Committee. The effective date of the resignation shall be the first calendar day of the month following receipt by the Executive Committee of written notice. The President shall appoint an interim member to serve until the next general election.

5.4 Executive Committee: Termination and Reinstatement Executive Committee members shall maintain current membership for their term. Should an Executive Committee member, other than an Officer, be terminated for termination of APA membership or upon failure to pay chapter dues, their membership on the Executive Committee shall also be terminated. Membership on the Executive Committee will be reinstated upon reinstatement of Chapter membership.

6.0 COMMITTEES

6.1 Committees: Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Executive Committee, provided that it shall include at least one member from Omaha and one member from Lincoln who may be appointed by the Chapter President if necessary.

6.2 Committees: Professional Development Committee In addition to the Vice-President, the President shall appoint at least two Chapter members to serve on the Chapter Professional Development Committee. At least one Committee member shall be a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). The duties of the Committee shall be: (a) to advise prospective members of the American Institute of Certified Planners as to the qualifications, purposes, and programs of the Institute, the Institute’s code of Professional Responsibility, the Guidelines for Social Responsibility of the Planner and the Rules of Reference to Institute membership; (b) to advise members of the American Institute of Certified Planners concerning opportunities and/or requirements for continuing education and professional development; (c) to conduct workshops in preparation for professional advancement, including sessions prior to AICP examinations; and (d) to conduct training activities for Planning Board Members.

6.3 Committees: Budget Committee The President, or his/her designee, and Secretary/Treasurer shall prepare a two year budget commencing on the first month of odd numbered years. The Budget Committee shall submit a two year budget to the Executive Committee for approval. The budget shall include, but not be limited to, line item accounts for APA membership dues and rebates, regional affiliation membership, Chapter conferences and workshops, Chapter committee operations, Chapter student scholarships, National APA Conference, APA Leadership Meetings and Chapter Awards.

6.4 Committee: Publications A publications committee consisting of the Newsletter Editor, Web Site Coordinator, and other individuals as appointed by the President shall coordinate publications of the Chapter. They shall be responsible for solicitation and review of publication content and for recommending policies regarding advertising in Chapter publications.

7.0 ELECTIONS

7.1 Elections: Nominations Nominations will be solicited by the Nominating Committee through the mail from the Chapter membership in August of odd numbered years. The nominating Committee will be responsible for developing a final ballot which shall include at least one candidate for each office.

7.2 Elections: Balloting The Nominating Committee will be responsible for distributing ballots by mail to the Chapter membership in October of odd-numbered years. The Chapter membership shall have at least fifteen days to return the ballots.

7.3 Elections: Tally of Ballots The Nominating Committee will be responsible for the tally of the ballots and certifying the election of officers.

7.4 Elections: Validity Election of office shall require that a candidate receive the greatest number of votes for an office. Tie votes will require an additional mail ballot. In the case of an invalid election or tie vote, the existing officer(s) shall retain their office until a candidate receives the greatest number of votes.

8.0 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

8.1 Student Representative: Nomination and Election The Chapter Executive Committee shall determine the manner of nomination for an election of a Student Representative, provided that only student members of the Chapter shall be eligible to vote for or be elected to Student Representative.

In the case of the Student Representative ceasing to be a full-time student, the Chapter Executive Committee shall designate a full-time student to complete the term of office.

8.2 Student Representative: Duties The Student Representative shall serve on the Executive Committee and shall advise the Committee and the Chapter on the conduct of services to students.

9.0 SECTIONS

9.1 Sections: Formation Sections of the Chapter may be formed upon petitions signed by two-thirds of the members whose addresses of record are within the geographic areas of the proposed Sections and upon approval of the Chapter Executive Committee. The territory of a Section shall be a reasonably coherent unit and the name of the Sections shall be geographically descriptive.

9.2 Sections: Bylaws Sections shall adopt Bylaws to govern Section affairs. Section Bylaws shall not conflict with these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of APA. Copies of Bylaws or Bylaws Amendments shall be sent to each member of the Chapter Executive Committee and filed with the Executive Director promptly upon their adoption.

9.3 Sections: Directors The principal elected officer of the Section shall be titled Section Director.

10.0 AMENDMENT

10.1 Bylaw amendments may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by five percent of the Chapter membership. The membership may amend these bylaws by a majority vote, if by mail ballot. Bylaw amendments may also be effected by a two-thirds vote at the Annual or other meeting of the membership, provided that the amendments were published in a publication of the Chapter membership at least one month prior to the meeting and that a quorum is present at the time of the vote. A publication of the Chapter membership shall include direct mail to the members of the chapter, the Chapter Newsletter or the Chapter Web Site. Publication on the Chapter Website shall be noticed by regular mail to all members with an option to receive suggested changes by contacting the Chapter Secretary.