CATI Bylaws
ARTICLE I
Name and General Structure
The name of this nonprofit organization is Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters (CATI). CATI is a membership corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, and is a Chapter of the American Translators Association (ATA). Provision is also made herein for the formation of local groups within CATI.
ARTICLE II
Purposes
CATI has the following purposes:
- To promote the recognition of translating and interpreting as professions and to defend and support the interests and concerns of professional translators and interpreters.
- To encourage high-quality service and ethical business practices.
- To disseminate information to the public about translating and interpreting.
- To facilitate mutual assistance among translators and interpreters and to provide a medium for collaboration with persons in allied professions.
ARTICLE III
Membership
- Any person who agrees to abide by these Bylaws and the published policies of the association and has paid dues for the current year is a member of CATI in good standing.
- Annual dues are established by the Board of Directors. Dues concessions may be granted in the following instances:
a) A student dues concession may be claimed for a maximum of four years. A student is defined as a person enrolled full-time in a bona fide degree program.
b) In households having two or more CATI members, one member pays full dues. Additional members are granted a dues concession if only one set of publications is provided for the household.
c) Other concessions may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors
- The term of membership coincides with the calendar year(s) for which dues are paid. Membership terminates automatically when dues become two months in arrears. Reinstatement may occur upon reapplication and payment of dues together with a reinstatement fee.
- Membership may be terminated by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors on any of the following grounds: conduct deemed in conflict with the stated purposes of CATI, violation of the ATA Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices, misrepresentation of qualifications or credentials, malfeasance in office. Such action may not be taken until the member has had an opportunity to present a defense to the Board. A member dismissed under these circumstances may be reinstated after three years upon approval by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
Administration
- The property, affairs, business, and concerns of CATI are vested in a Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four (4) Directors. Only members in good standing of both CATI and ATA are eligible to serve on the Board, and the President and Vice-President must be active members of ATA.
- The Board of Directors determines policies and devises and executes such measures as it deems necessary or desirable on behalf of CATI or in furtherance of CATI's purposes.
- The Executive Committee, composed of the four Officers, carries out the routine business of the operation of the association.
The duties of the Officers include the following:
a) The President
- Apprises the membership of CATI activities, either directly or by delegation.
- Establishes the agenda for each meeting.
- Presides at general meetings.
- Chairs the Executive Committee.
- Chairs the Board of Directors.
- Appoints committee chairs.
- Serves as liaison with ATA or appoints a liaison.
- Submits an annual report to ATA.
b) The Vice-President
- Assists the President in fulfilling the duties of that office.
- Presides at meetings in the President's absence.
c) The Secretary
- Records and reports the minutes of all meetings.
- Prepares ballots as required.
- Conducts correspondence for CATI, except as delegated to a committee or another individual.
- Reports to the Board on correspondence received and sent.
d) The Treasurer
- Receives and disburses all monies for CATI.
- Maintains financial records.
- Keeps an up-to-date membership roster.
- Maintains accounts for CATI in authorized banks and other institutions as directed or approved by the Board.
- Presents an annual financial report to the membership and interim reports at Board meetings.
- Prepares a budget proposal annually for approval by the Board.
- Officers are elected for a two-year term. Directors serve overlapping two-year terms with two directorships falling vacant each year. The term begins on the January 1 following the election and ends December 31 of the following year. The number of consecutive terms in the same position is limited to three for any individual.
- Election is by closed written ballot. An Election Committee presents a slate of candidates to the membership at least thirty (30) days before ballots are mailed. Nominations from the membership at large are also accepted. All nominees must sign a statement of acceptance. Ballots are mailed to all members twenty (20) and no more than fifty (50) days before the deadline for their return. The candidate for each position receiving the largest number of votes cast is elected.
- Vacancies on the Board occurring mid-term are filled through appointment the President with approval of the Board. The appointee holds office until the next regular election, at which time a member is elected to serve the remainder of any unexpired term.
- The fiscal year of CATI coincides with the calendar year.
ARTICLE V
Meetings and Quorums
- A general meeting of the membership is held at least once a year. Written notice of this meeting is sent to every member at least twenty (20) days in advance of the meeting.
- The Board of Directors meets at least once a year for the transaction of business. It also meets on call of its Chair or at the written request of any three (3) of its members. Resolutions may be adopted by mail or telephone between meetings provided no member of the Board opposes this procedure.
- A simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors constitutes a quorum. A quorum at a meeting of the Executive Committee is three (3) members.
- For any matter or action requiring a vote, a simple majority of those voting is required for adoption, except as otherwise stated in these Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
Committees
Standing and ad hoc committees are established as needed for the work of CATI. Representatives of each committee report to the Board of Directors and to the membership on current activities as appropriate.
ARTICLE VII
Publications
CATI issues publications, such as a membership directory and a newsletter, in fulfillment of its stated purposes.
ARTICLE VIII
Local Groups
CATI encourages the formation of local groups within the association to facilitate the exchange of information and to support and promote the association at the local level.
ARTICLE IX
Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any special rules of order the organization may adopt.
ARTICLE X
Compensation and Dissolution
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of its members, directors, officers, or other persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the exempt purposes of the corporation.
In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the corporation will be turned over to the American Translators Association or one or more other organizations with similar purposes.
ARTICLE XI
Amending the Bylaws
These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of the membership in a closed written ballot. An amendment may be proposed in writing by any member. It is presented to the membership for a vote with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The texts of proposed amendments and ballots are sent to all members at least twenty (20) and no more than fifty (50) days before the deadline for their return. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of those voting is required for adoption.
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