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"Established
in 1982"
Constitution and Bylaws of
The New Mexico Criminal Justice Association
CONSTITUTION
Article 1
Definition
Section 1 The name of the association is the New Mexico Criminal
Justice
Association, a State Chapter of the American Correctional
Association.
Section 2 The Association is non-sectarian and nonpartisan.
Article 2
Purpose, Goal, Objectives
Section 1 Purpose: To provide an organization for public and
private agencies,
private associations, individuals currently employed in or retired
from the
criminal/juvenile justice field, volunteers, and ex-offenders
which serves
to increase knowledge, awareness, and the recognition of the criminal/juvenile
justice field and the professionalism of criminal justice personnel.
Section 2 Goal: To advance the purposes of the National Association
and the State
Chapter on a state and local level.
Section 3 Objectives: The objectives of the New Mexico Criminal
Justice
Association are:
A. To bring together criminal/juvenile justice individuals and
groups
with special skills, knowledge, and interests to promote the principles
and objectives of the Association.
B. To foster the coordination of criminal/juvenile justice organizations
and agencies and their programs and services to increase the efficient
delivery of services on a statewide basis.
C. To develop and maintain liaisons with national, regional,
state and local associations and agencies for knowledge, ideas,
and information exchange.
D. To stimulate public and private programs and activities directed
toward the prevention of juvenile delinquency and adult crime
on the local and state level.
E. To support legislative provisions and administrative procedures
that serve to protect and assure the constitutional rights and
guarantees of all personnel involved in the criminal/juvenile
justice system and guide criminal/juvenile justice and correctional
procedural processes for all offenders.
F. To promote Ethical Standards of Conduct and Action.
G. To promote excellence within the criminal/juvenile justice
system through an accreditation process for all agencies, programs,
and services within the criminal/juvenile justice community.
H. To present current information to criminal/juvenile justice
professionals.
I. To communicate the importance of having capable, competent,
and qualified personnel in the criminal justice field in order
to achieve and maintain the highest standards of performance and
excellence.
J. To encourage research and development, including studies,
surveys, and program evaluations and reporting of findings to
Association members, other affiliates, and to the public.
K. To conduct an annual statewide conference in cooperation and
conjunction with other organizations.
L. To solicit citizen support for the Association by providing
speakers for clubs, civic organizations, and schools.
M. To publish brochures and newsletters to keep the membership
informed of Association activities.
N. To monitor selected national legislation relative to criminal/juvenile
justice concerns and to take appropriate action when warranted.
Article 3
Government
Section 1 Governing Body
This association is governed by the Membership of the Association,
the
Officers and the Executive Board.
A. Officers
1. The Officers of the Association are the President, Vice-President,
Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer.
2. The Officers are elected at the annual meeting as prescribed
in Article II of these bylaws.
3. Only persons who are current Professional Members are eligible
for office.
4. The term of office of each elected officer other than the
President, President-Elect and the Treasurer is limited to one
(1) year following installation (or until the end of the respective
term of the predecessor if the person has not completed such term)
and until the election of a successor.
5. The term of office for President, President-Elect, and Treasurer
is two (2) years following installation (or until the end of the
respective term of the predecessor if the person has not completed
such term) and until the election of a successor.
6. In the event of death, disability, incapacity, resignation,
or becoming a member not in good standing, these officers are
to be filled from the membership of the Executive Board for the
balance of these terms, except as noted in B.3.
B. Duties of Officers
1. The duties of the Officers are implied by the respective titles
and as specified in these bylaws. Each Officer will keep accurate
records of his/her work and turn them over to his/her successor.
2. President: The president presides at all Conferences of the
Association and at all meetings, appoints the Chairperson of each
standing Committee and has final approval of all committee members,
is an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating
committee, serves as the Chairperson of the Executive Board, represents
the Executive Board between its meetings, reports to the Executive
Board in all interim actions, and submits annual financial status
reports to the Corporation Commission to ensure maintaining exempt/nonprofit
status.
3. Vice-President: The vice-president has general administrative
and other duties that are assigned to him/her by the Executive
Board or the President, acts in the absence of the President,
and in the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the
vice-president succeeds to that office for the unexpired portion
of that term.
4. Recording Secretary: The recording secretary keeps an accurate
and permanent written proceeding of all meetings of the Association
and of the Executive Board.
5. Corresponding Secretary: The corresponding secretary is responsible
for answering all correspondence on behalf of the President and
the Executive Board, maintains a current mailing list of all Association
members and all Standing Committee Chairpersons and their respective
committee members, and preserves in a permanent file all records
and letters of value to the Association and its Officers.
6. Treasurer: The treasurer is the Financial Officer of the Association
responsible for the custody and disbursement of Association funds,
other assets, financial records of the Association, and has charge
of the investment of the Association’s funds subject to
the approval of the Officers. The treasurer gives such bond for
the faithful discharge of his/her duties as the Executive Board
may require, at the expense of the Association, and performs other
duties as are assigned to him/her by the Officers. The treasurer
keeps in a permanent file and itemized record of all receipts
and expenditures, prepares and presents a financial monthly report
to the Officers and quarterly to the Executive Board and turns
over to his/her successor within thirty (30) days of vacating
office all books, records and papers.
7. President-Elect: The president-elect serves an apprenticeship
for two (2) years before assuming the duties and responsibilities
of President of the New Mexico Criminal Justice Association.
C. Executive Board
1. The Executive Board consists of fourteen (14) members in
addition to the elected officers of the Association and the immediate
Past President. All members on the board have the right to vote.
2. The term of office for one halve of the members of the Executive
Board is one (1) year and two (2) years for the other half of
the members or as otherwise specified by these bylaws. The term
lengths for each position is determined by random drawing after
the first election following the changes in this section.
3. The election of the Executive Board is outlined in Article
II – Election and Installation – of these bylaws.
4. In the event of death, disability, incapacity, resignation,
or becoming a member not in good standing, a vacant seat on the
Executive Board is filled by the President’s appointment
with the consent of the Executive Board to fulfill the term. Consent
is by a 2/3 vote.
D. Powers and Duties of the Executive Board
1. Powers: The Executive Board exercises the powers of the Association
as specified in these bylaws.
2. Duties: The Executive Board
A. Supervises the affairs of the Association and any business
of the Association in the interim between Annual Conferences that
fulfills Association purposes, through at least quarterly meetings
with Officers of the Association.
B. Makes recommendations to the Association regarding proposed
amendments to the bylaws.
C. Considers all recommendations proposed by Committee Chairpersons
or by the Association before recommendations are presented at
the Annual Conference or otherwise, as appropriate.
D. Establishes and/or dissolves committees and task forces based
on the program and administrative needs of the Association and
develops, recognizes and, when necessary, withdraws recognition
from and determines levels of support of all activities within
established guidelines of the Association.
E. Supervises and supports programs for the recruitment of new
members.
F. A simple majority of the Board Members constitutes a quorum.
3. Members of the Executive Board include representatives from
each of the following fields:
A. 1) Juvenile Prevention/Community-based Services
B. 1) Adult Prevention/Community-based Services
C. 1) Juvenile Detention/Pre-Trial Services
D. 1) Adult Detention/Pre-Trial Services
E. 1) Juvenile Probation and After-Care
F. 1) Adult Probation and After-Care
G. 1) Juvenile Institutions
H. 1) Adult Institutions
I. 1) Corrections Administration – Juvenile
J. 1) Corrections Administration – Adult
K. 1) Privatized Services and Institutions
L. 1) Student
M. 2) At Large (appointed)
4. Only persons who are members in current good standing are
eligible for election as representatives on the Executive Board
BYLAWS
Article 1
Membership
Section 1 Definition: Membership is obtained by all individuals
who join the
American Correctional Association and sustain their membership
by
paying annual dues.
Section 2 Types of Membership
A. Professional Membership: Professional Members are those persons
currently employed in or retired from the criminal justice field
on a federal, state, or local level. These members have the right
to vote on all matters arising before the Association and to hold
office in the Association.
B. Student Membership: Student members are undergraduate or graduate
students participating in Criminal Justice Studies Student members
have the right to vote and be elected or appointed to the Executive
Board.
Section 3 Application for Membership: Application must be in
writing on the form
provided by the New Mexico Criminal Justice Association or the
American Correctional Association.
Section 4 Termination of Membership: A member remains in good
standing as long
as membership dues are current.
Section 5 Membership Dues: The Executive Board is authorized
to adopt, modify
and revoke membership rules and regulations in accordance with
Article VI Sections 1-3 of these bylaws.
Article II
Election and Installation
Section 1 Nominations for Office and/or Board Membership
A. A Nominating Committee is appointed by the President at the
board meeting three months prior to the annual meeting for the
purpose of developing and preparing ballots to be mailed to voting
members at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual Conference.
B. The Nominating Committee prepares ballots of nominated candidates
from each field of discipline who have confirmed interest in serving
on the Executive Board.
C. In addition to the slate presented by the Nominating Committee,
write-in nominations for office are accepted from the membership
at large, providing write-in candidates are current members of
the association.
Section 2 Elections
A. Elections are conducted by mail and the ballots counted at
the annual meeting.
B. The outcome of the election is determined by the plurality
of the voting membership.
Section 3 Appointments
A. The President appoints two (2) individuals to the Executive
Board at the annual meeting.
Section 4 Installation
A. The Officers and members of the Executive board are installed
at the annual meeting.
Section 5 Removal from Office for Non-participation
A. Officers and Executive Board members may be removed from their
seat on the Board by a two-thirds vote of the Board members in
attendance when the Officer or Executive board member has missed
three consecutive regular scheduled meetings without good cause,
as determined by the President.
Section 6 Replacement of Removed Officer or Executive Board Member
A. The runner up in the General election is contacted by the President
of the Board to fill the position if he/she is interested in holding
the vacated position. If the unseated person ran unopposed or
the opponent is no longer interested in holding a seat on the
board, the Board will accept nominations of interested NMCJA members
from the Chair of the Nominating Committee.
B. The Board will vote on the nominations. The nominee with a
two-thirds vote of the Officers and Executive Board members in
attendance are notified by the President of the placement on the
Board.
Article III
Committees and Task Forces
Section 1 Formation of Standing Committees
A. The President of the Association will appoint the Chairperson
of each Standing Committee and will have final approval of all
committee members. In making the appointments to the Standing
Committees, the President will give consideration to:
1. Representation of a variety of criminal/juvenile justice work.
2. Geographic representation.
3. Special competence.
Section 2 Other Committees and Task Forces
A. The President may appoint Ad-Hoc committees or task forces
as needed to fulfill the objectives of the Association. Committee
and task force members will perform duties assigned by the President.
Committee and task force members need not be on the Executive
Board, but must be Association members. The Executive Board will
review the composition and duties of Ad-Hoc committees and task
forces quarterly.
Section 3 Terms of Office
A. The term of office for each committee or task force member
is one year.
Section 4 Duties of Proposed Standing Committees
A. Legislative Committee: The duty of the Legislative Committee
is to monitor, follow and report state and national legislation
pertaining to local and state criminal/juvenile justice concerns,
maintain close ties with the American Correctional Association
relating to legislative concerns, review state and national legislation
related to the field of criminal/juvenile justice, and make recommendations
to the President for action, when appropriate.
B. Publication/Public Relations Committee: The duty of the Publication
Committee is to develop and publish an Association newsletter
for the membership, materials for membership use in speaking engagements,
and gather and maintain criminal/juvenile justice information
for dissemination.
C. Standards and Accreditation Committee: The duty of the Standards
and Accreditation Committee is to promote the American Correctional
Association’s standards and accreditation process and coordinate
efforts toward developing or changing standards and achieving
accreditation.
D. Program Committee: The duty of the Program Committee is to
plan the annual Association conference and approve and coordinate
those programs. The Vice-President is Chairperson of the committee
and chairs planning meetings to prepare for the Annual Conference.
E. Professional Training and Presentation Committee: The duty
of the Professional Training and Presentation Committee is to
develop programs, materials, and curricula in response to requests
from groups, schools, clubs, colleges, or universities.
F. Nominating Committee: The duty of the Nominating Committee
is to coordinate the screening, selection, and election of nominees
for all elected offices. The immediate Past President is the Chairperson
of this Committee.
G. Membership Committee: The Membership Committee promotes participation
in the Association.
H. Constitution and By-Laws Committee: The duty of the constitution
and By-Laws Committee is to study the Association’s Constitution
and By-Laws and provide whatever revisions appear necessary.
I. Committee on Inquiry: The duty of the Committee on Inquire
is to examine the books of the Treasurer, submit a written report
to the President and the Executive Board at the Annual Conference
session and be responsible for hearing complaints filed in accordance
with Association rules.
Article IV
Meetings
Section 1 Annual Conference
A. There is an Annual conference; the date and site to be selected
and approved by the officers and the Executive Board. The Vice-President
prepares and disseminates details of the conference to the membership.
Section 3
A. The State Association provides funds to send the Association
President as the official affiliate Delegate to the American Correctional
Association’s Winter Conference and the Annual Congress
of Corrections during the President’s first eighteen (18)
months of services and the President-Elect to the Annual Congress
of Corrections during his/her last six (6) months of service
Article V
Incorporation
Section 1 Incorporation
A. This Association is incorporated as a non-profit organization
under the laws of the State of New Mexico.
Article VI
Amendments
Section 1 Amendments to By-laws
A. These By-Laws may be amended by action of the general membership.
Section 2 Amendment Recommendations
A. Amendments may be recommended by the Officers and Executive
Board.
Section 3 Membership Approval
A. Proposed amendments are provided by mail to the general membership.
Amendment changes and additions may be approved by the majority
of those members voting at the annual meeting. The effective date
of the amendments are provided with proposed changes and amendments.
Ballots are mailed to voting members at least forty-five (45)
prior to the Annual Conference. All other procedures for mail
balloting are in accordance with Bylaws Article II – Election
and Installation, Section 2.
Article VII
Miscellaneous
Section 1 Representing the Association
A. No Association member may speak on behalf of the Association
without the written approval of the Officers and the Executive
Board.
Section 2 Fiscal Year
A. The Fiscal Year of the Association is January 1 through December
31.
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