By Laws
Juvenile Court Workers Association of Washington
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Purpose
The Juvenile Court Workers Association of Washington is established to increase the knowledge and efficiency of their members, to promote professional recognition throughout the state, to develop interest and involvement in juvenile matters, to encourage the uniformity of Juvenile Court operations throughout the state, and to promote awareness and responsiveness regarding current juvenile legislation.
Article I
Section I: This organization established under State of Washington laws shall be known as the Juvenile Court Workers Association of Washington (JCWAW).
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I: MEMBERSHIP
The Association shall have as its members any paid Juvenile Court or State employee rendering service to the Juvenile Court in the State of Washington, excluding judicial officers.
SECTION II: ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
The Association shall have as its associate members any persons who provide services, directly or indirectly , to any Juvenile Court in the State of Washington. Associate members shall have no voting privileges and shall not hold office or chair a committee in the Juvenile Court Workers Association, but shall have all other privileges accorded to its membership.
ARTICLE III
EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION I: ELECTED OFFICERS
The Association shall have as its elected officers of the executive board President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
SECTION II: ELECTION FOR TERM OF OFFICE
Nominees and officers must be members of the Juvenile Court Workers Association of Washington. Officer's will assume office immediately following the spring general membership meeting. Officers shall be elected on the basis of majority vote of the responding membership. Those interested in running for office shall make their declaration to any board member by the end of the first business day of the Spring Conference. Voting will occur at the spring general membership meeting (spring conference) or by absentee ballot on request. Absentee ballots must be received seven days prior to the spring membership meeting (spring conference). The President and Secretary will be elected in even years (beginning in 2004) for a two-year term. The vice President and Treasurer will be elected in odd years (beginning in 2005) for a two0year term. An officer may not hold the same board position for more than two consecutive terms (four consecutive years).
SECTION III: TRANSFER OF RECORDS
All departing executive board members shall promptly deliver all monies, books, records, and other property of the Association to their successors.
SECTION IV: PRESIDENT
The President shall preside in all official meetings of the association and act as its official spokesperson. All definite positions presented by the President in representing the Association shall be resented to the constituency of the next regularly scheduled meeting.
SECTION V: VICE PRESIDENT
The vice President shall perform all duties of the President during absence, inability, or refusal to act, or in the event of temporary vacancy of the office of the President. The vice President may perform other duties as assigned by the President or executive board.
SECTION VI: SECRETARY
The secretary shall keep the minutes of the board meetings, giving notice as required by these by-laws or as directed by the President, keeping a register of the addresses and telephone numbers of each member of the board, and in general, performing all duties incident to the office of Secretary, and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or by the Board.
SECTION VII: TREASURER
The Treasurer shall, in general, with the President, supervise and give direction to all financial activities performed by the Board and be accountable for all monies under the jurisdiction of the Board. The Treasurer will advise and inform the Board at least quarterly as to the financial status of the Association and will provide supporting financial documentation as requested. The Treasurer will prepare a written financial report for each general meeting of the membership and such annual reports as required by law.
SECTION VIII: REMOVAL
The removal process regarding individual Executive Board members must be initiated by four members representing at least three courts.
A correspondence requesting removal, that clearly delineates the facts upon which the removal is based, will be sent to the Association President or Vice-President who will be responsible for scheduling a special executive committee meeting within 30 days of receipt of correspondence. Written notice of intent shall be forwarded to the officer in question. The officer in question will be advised regarding the right to appear and present facts prior to any vote.
At the special executive committee meeting, the allegations of the correspondence will be reviewed and discussed. Removal of the Executive Board member would occur with a two-thirds (2/3) or better vote of the executive committee members present.
SECTION IX: VACANCIES
Any vacancy occurring in any office because of death, resignation, disqualification, or otherwise may be filled with an election by the Board for the remainder of the term.
SECTION X: COMPENSATION
Members of the Board shall not receive any monetary compensation from te Association for their services.
SECTION XI: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Special committees shall be appointed and mandated by the Executive Board and shall be in existence at the discretion of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IV
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
SECTION I: APPOINTMENT
Any Association member may volunteer as a regional representative. The Executive Board will review and confirm the appointment to the position of regional representative.
SECTION II: RESPONSIBILITIES
The Regional Representative serves as a liaison between JCWAW members in their region, and the Executive Boars of JCWAW. The Regional Representative's primary role is to ensure dissemination of organizational information and materials, transmit training needs to the Executive Committee, and actively participate in conference planning, and attend meetings and conferences as permitted.
SECTION III: TERMINATION
The Executive Board, by unanimous decision, reserves the right to terminate Regional Representatives for failing to fulfill the responsibilities listed above, and/or lack of participation.
ARTICLE V
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION I: MEMBERS
The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected Board members (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) and regional representatives.
SECTION II: RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly with notification of date, time, and location of that meeting being provided to Executive Committee members at least 14 days in advance.
SECTION IV: REVIEW OF BY-LAWS
The Executive Committee shall review the Association's by-laws every two years starting in 2005.
ARTICLE VI
RATIFICATION
Majority vote of the responding membership is required to properly ratify this document. Proposed amendments may be approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of responding members at the next regularly scheduled, or special, meeting.
To return to the JCWAW links page click here.