Bylaws

Approved: April 15, 2013

THE KENTUCKY WATER AND WASTEWATER OPERATORS ASSOCIATION, INC. CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1 – Names and Objectives

Section 1

The name of the Association shall be “The Kentucky Water and Wastewater Operators‘ Association, Inc.,” a non-profit corporation.

Section 2

The objectives of the Association shall be to promote training, education, and certification of all water and wastewater operators; to encourage the science, practices, and handling of water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment; to promote cooperation among the membership, institutions of learning, regulatory agencies and public health agencies; and to enable each community to benefit from the experience of others, thus making Kentucky a better and more environmentally safe State in which to live.

ARTICLE 2 – Membership and Membership Fees

Section 1

The membership of the Association shall consist of active, associate, and honorary.

Section 2

An active member shall be an individual who is engaged in the operation of a public or private water or wastewater facility in any capacity. The active member shall pay dues as determined by the State Board of Directors. A portion of the dues as determined by the State Board of Directors shall go to the Local Chapter with the remaining portion going to the State Board.

Section 3

An associate member shall be an individual who is professionally interested in the principles of the Association. The associate member shall pay dues as determined by the State Board of Directors.  The dues shall remain with the State Board.  An associate member shall be a member of each Local Chapter.

Section 4

An honorary member shall be an individual who has retired from employment and was an active or associate member of the Association at the time of retirement. The honorary member shall not pay dues.

ARTICLE 3 – State Board Officers

Section 1

The State Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Representatives from each of the Local Chapters.

A.  The Chair and Vice Chair shall be elected by the membership as a whole. The Nominating Committee will request nominations from each Local Chapter and ballots will be sent to all members. The elected Officer shall serve two years as Vice-Chair followed by two years as Chair for a total of four years.

B. The Secretary and Treasurer shall have a term of two years and shall be elected by the previous Board of Directors.

C. The Chapter Representatives shall have terms of two years and shall be selected by their respective chapters. The Chapter President may appoint an Alternate Representative(s) should the elected Representative(s) be unable to attend a State Board meeting. The Central Chapter and Eastern Chapter shall select their representatives in even numbered years and the North Central Chapter and Western Chapter shall select their representatives in odd numbered years.

Section 2

The responsibilities of the officers are:

A.  The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson shall have a vote in Association affairs only in the event of a tie.

B.  The Vice-Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of the Chairperson. The vice-Chairperson will serve as Chair of the Awards Committee for all State Awards.

C.  The Secretary shall keep all records of the Association, submit minutes of each meeting, and keep a current membership roster.

D. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the flow of moneys to and from the Association. On or about March 1, a financial statement of the previous fiscal year shall be submitted to the Board of Directors. The fiscal year term is a calendar year.

E. The Chapter Representatives shall act as the liasion between the State Board and their respective Chapter. One Representative from each Chapter will serve on the Nominating Committee.

Section 3

Six (6) members of the Board of Directors must be present and each of the four chapters must be represented to constitute a quorum, excluding the Chairman or acting Chairman.

Section 4

All elections for the State Board of Directors shall occur in the appropriate years prior to the Annual Meeting. The Annual meeting will determine the beginning and end of each Officer/Director’s term.

Section 5

Any officer may be removed from office for good and sufficient reasons by a two-thirds vote taken at a duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 6

In the event of a vacancy in any of the officer positions, the remaining members of the Board shall select an appointee to fulfill the remaining term of the vacant office.

ARTICLE 4 – Chapter Officers

Section 1

The Local Chapters shall be governed by officers consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Water Representative, and Wastewater Representative. These officers shall have a term of two years and shall be elected by secret ballot at a regular meeting of the Chapter membership. If the body wishes, a floor vote may be executed.

A.  Chapter Office Elections – The Central and Eastern Chapters shall elect officers in even numbered years.  The Western and North Central Chapters shall elect officers in odd numbered years. 

B.  The terms for these offices shall begin and end with the next Annual Conference.

Section 2

The responsibilities of the officers are:

• The President shall preside over the Chapter meetings. The President shall have a vote in Chapter affairs in the event of a tie.
• The Vice-President shall preside over the Chapter meetings in the absence of the President. The Vice-President will serve as a member of the Awards Committee for the State Awards.
• The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall keep all records of the Chapter and submit a copy of the minutes at each meeting. The flow of all Chapter moneys shall be the responsibility of this officer.
• The two Chapter Representatives to the State Board shall assist in Chapter business affairs.

Section 3

Any Chapter Officer may be removed from office for good and sufficient reasons by a two-thirds vote taken at a duly constituted meeting of the Chapter membership.

Section 4

In the event of a vacancy in any of the officer positions, the members of the Local Chapter shall select an appointee to fulfill the remaining term of the vacant office.

ARTICLE 5 – Meetings

Section 1

There shall be a minimum of one business meeting per year of all members of the Association at a time and place selected by the Board of Directors.

Section 2

The State Board of Directors shall have a minimum of four meetings per year.

Section 3

Each Chapter shall have a minimum of one general membership meeting each year. The time and place shall be determined by the respective Chapter.

Section 4

Special Meetings:

• A special Meeting of the State Board of Directors may be called by the Chairperson or a quorum of the Board of Directors by written notice of the Secretary.
• A special meeting of the Chapter Board may be called by the President or a quorum of the Chapter Officers by written notice of the Secretary and/or Treasurer.

ARTICLE 6 – Committees

Section 1

The Awards Committee will consist of five people; the Vice-Chairperson from the State Board of Directors and the four Vice-Presidents from the Local Chapters. The Vice-Chairperson will serve as Awards Committee Chair. The Awards Committee will solicit nominations for each of the State Awards and confirm these awards on the chosen recipients at the Annual Conference.

Section 2

The Nominating Committee will consist of one State Board of Director Representative from each of the Local Chapters. The State Board Chairperson will appoint the Nominating Committee Chairperson from these Representatives. This Nominating Committee will be responsible for obtaining nominations for State Board Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

Section 3

In addition to the Awards Committee and the Nominating Committee, the Chairperson is empowered to create such additional committees as may be required to advance the best interest of the Association and to enable it to fulfill its objectives.

ARTICLE 7 – Amendments 

Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the State Board. To adopt any amendment, an affirmative vote of a minimum of two thirds present at a meeting of the Association membership shall be required. The State Board of Directors may order an election of the proposed amendment at any time.

ARTICLE 8 – KWWOA Employees

Section 1

The Association shall hire employees to help, as it sees fit, to manage day to day operations as determined by the State Board.  All salaries and benefits, as well as duties and responsibilities shall be determined by the State Board.

Section 2

Member Services Director

A.  This position shall be filled by a qualified person as determined by the State Board.

B.  Duties shall include but not be limited to:  State Conference coordination, maintain a membership list, publish newsletter, assist local Chapters with training events, and manage website.

C.  Wages and benefits are to be determined by the State Board.

ARTICLE 9 – Sub Organizations

The Association shall help develop and/or organize sub-organizations that can enhance operator knowledge, experience in specific areas, and foster environmental stewardship.  Such organizations may receive guidance and funding from the Association as determined by the State Board, but shall not have a vote in Association affairs.