PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association, in order to embody common goals and become more unified in advancing, encouraging, and improving the athletic training profession so that we might provide a means for achievement within our profession, do establish this Constitution for the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association.

April 26, 1987

CONSTITUTION OF THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS' ASSOCIATION

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association herein referred to as the Association.

Article II - Objectives

1. To provide a safer environment and increased health care for all athletes in the State of Arkansas.
2. The advancement, encouragement, and improvement of the athletic training profession in the State of Arkansas.
3. To better serve the common interest of its members and the community by providing a means for exchange of ideas within the profession.
4. To enable members to become better acquainted personally and professionally through casual good fellowship.

Article III - Membership

Section 1.	All Members of the Association, except the Advisory, Allied and Honorary, must hold membership in the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The qualifications necessary for the various membership classes are indicated in the By-laws.
Section 2.	Each applicant for membership shall sign an application stating the desire and intention to become a member, to advance its best interests in every reasonable manner, and to accept as binding upon himself its Constitution and By-laws.
Section 3.	All members shall be obligated to pay dues as indicated by the By-laws.
Section 4.	Non-payment of dues, three (3) months past due, shall be cause of membership cancellation.
Section 5.	No one may hold membership in more than one category.

Article IV - Organization

Section 1.	The governing body of this society shall be the Executive Committee .
Section 2.	The Executive Committee of this society in order of seniority shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Past-President, State Representative.
Section 3.	The President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Past-President and State Representative shall be elected for terms by a majority vote of the voting membership. The President-Elect will automatically assume the office of President immediately after the conclusion of the President's term in office prescribed by the By-laws.
Section 4.	The President - Shall subsequently have served as President-Elect for a period of no more than two (2) years. The President shall assume his/her duties at the annual business meeting.
Section 5 .	The President-Elect - Shall have to be elected by a majority vote of the eligible voting membership. The term of office shall be two (2) years. The President-Elect will assume the duties of President upon completion of his term.
Section 6.	The Secretary-Treasurer - Shall be a permanent position unless officer resigns or is dismissed.
Section 7.	Any vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled for the unexpired term by the President-Elect.
Section 8.	Any vacancy in the offices of the President-Elect or Secretary Treasurer shall be filled as indicated by the By-laws.
Section 9.	During the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President pro-tempora.
Section 10.	Removal of Officers: All officers may be impeached and convicted on the following grounds: Embezzlement, malfeasance in office, and actions contrary to, or in violation of this Constitution and its By-laws. Impeachment proceedings shall be carried out in accordance with the By-laws.
Section 11.	Committees: All committees will be appointed by the President with the purpose of acting in an advisory and fact finding capacity to the membership and Executive Committee.

Article V - Meetings

Section 1.	The Annual Meeting of The Association shall be held each year at a time and place set by the Executive Committee.
Section 2.	The Executive Committee may call for meetings of the membership at other times to meet the objectives of the society.

Article VI - Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1.	All proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to the President at least six (6) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.
Section 2.	All proposals shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. Approval of a proposed change must be by a majority of the Executive Committee.
Section 3.	The Executive Committee may adopt emergency By-laws as indicated in the By-laws.

BYLAWS OF THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS' ASSOCIATIONArticle I - Membership

A. Membership Classes

The classification of members shall be in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Certified
Individuals must be certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
2. Associate
Individuals must meet all criteria for holding an associate membership in the NATA.
3. Retired
(a) A Certified member or an Associate member who retires because of age shall have the privilege of continuing in the class of membership held at the time of retirement without further payment of dues.
(b) A Certified or Associate member who is eligible for Retired status and who wishes to continue membership in the NATA in the Retired class must request change to this class through the Secretary of the District in which he/she is a member.
(c) A Retired-Certified member shall continue to have the privilege of voting.
4. Student
Individuals must be eligible for student membership in the NATA.
5. Affiliate
Qualifications for membership as set forth in the NATA By-laws.
6. Advisory
Physicians and other paramedical personnel who are active in the field of sports medicine.
7. Allied
This membership is open to individuals whose business interest is related to athletic training or athletics in general.
8. Honorary
Individuals who by virtue of their acts and speech show profound interest in the profession of athletic training and in enhancing its service to those in athletics, shall be eligible for membership in this class. All nominees for honorary membership must be approved by the Executive Committee.

B. Selection of Members

Candidates for membership shall fill out an application and forward it, with their dues to the Secretary. The Executive Committee has final authority on membership classification.

C. Rights of Members

1. Certified, Associate and Retired members shall be entitled to all membership privileges including the right to vote, hold office and committee appointments.
2. Student, Advisory, and Honorary members have the right to hold committee member appointments and to attend meetings with the right to speak, but not to make motions or vote.

D. Dues

1. All members of the Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association shall pay dues amounting to no more than one hundred ($100) dollars per year.
2. Dues become payable on January 1, for the calendar year. If dues aren't paid by February 18, the member becomes delinquent.
3. If dues are not paid by March 1, the member is suspended.

Article II - President

A. Selection: Elevated to this position from President-Elect.

B. Term of office: Two (2) years. May not be elected to consecutive terms.

C. Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Serves as official spokesperson for the Executive Committee.
2. Calls all meetings of the Executive Committee as deemed necessary and advisable.
3. Presides over all meetings of the Executive Committee.
4. Presides over all meetings of the Association.
5. Implements the mandates and policies of the Association as determined by the Executive Committee.
6. Keeps the Executive Committee informed about Association affairs between Executive Committee meetings.
7. Serves as ex-officio member of all Association Committees.
8. Appoints with a majority agreement of the Executive Committee all committee members.
9. Appoints with a majority agreement of the Executive Committee all representatives of the Association to allied organizations.
10. Transacts all business for and on behalf of the Association, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and By-laws.
11. Accepts this job as a non-paying position.

Article III - President Elect

A. Selection: Elected by a majority vote of the eligible voting membership.

B. Term of office: Elected for a four (4) year term. Two (2) years as President-Elect and two (2) years as President.

C. Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Serves as President Pro-tempore in the absence of the President.
2. Serves as a member of the Executive Committee.
3. Serves as elections officer.

Article IV - Secretary-Treasurer

A. Selection: Appointed by a majority popular vote of the eligible voting membership.

B. Term of Office: Permanent position unless officer resigns or is dismissed.

C. Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Serves as a member of the Executive Committee.
2. Serves as custodian of all records, books, papers, and documents belonging to the Association.
3. Records minutes of all Executive Committee meetings and distributes necessary information to the Association membership. Records minutes of all Association meetings and distributes them to Association members.
4. Conducts the official correspondence of the Association including such matters as notifying members of meetings, officers of their election, committee persons of their appointment, and transactions between the Association and all other organizations.
5. Maintains a current and accurate mailing list, using the employment address whenever possible, and keeps the official records of the Association membership.
6. Maintains a summary report of financial records from the Treasurer.
7. Maintains a record of committee chairpersons, committee members, and members of the Executive Committee.
8. Provides the President with a detailed order of business, including reports and announcements, prior to each Executive Committee and business meetings.
9. Brings to each meeting a copy of the Constitution and By-laws, voting membership roll, and a list of all standing and special committees.
10. Accepts this job as a non-paying position.
11. Commits the Association to no financial obligations in excess of its available financial resources.
12. Serves as custodian of all financial records belonging to the Association.
13. Submits a financial record to the Executive Committee prior to all Association meetings and upon request.
14. Submits a financial report to the Association membership at all Association annual meetings.
15. Collects dues and other special assessments from the Association membership.
16. Maintains a permanent and accurate record of all receipts and disbursements of the Association.
17. Notifies all members of delinquent dues February 18.
18. Notifies all suspended members March 15.

* The offices of Secretary and Treasurer were combined by membership vote on 4-22-90.

** The office of Secretary-Treasurer was made a permanent position by membership vote on
4-22-90.

Article V - Executive Committee

A. Vacancies: Vacancies created by death, resignation, removal, or distribution of responsibilities within the remaining Executive Committee members until the next Annual business meeting. The vacancy shall be filled by a majority popular vote of the eligible voting membership at the next Annual meeting.

B. Qualifications: Only Certified members in good standing in NATA and AATA can be elected to positions on the Executive Committee.

C. Duties:

1. The Executive Committee shall carry out the mandates and policies of the Association as determined by the membership.
2. Subject to the provisions of these By-laws, the By-laws of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, and all resolutions and enactments of the membership, the Executive Committee has full power and complete authority to perform all acts and to transact all business for and on behalf of the Association.
3. The Executive Committee shall meet at regular intervals with a minimum of two (2) Executive Committee meetings a year. A majority shall constitute a quorum.
4. The Executive Committee shall bring before the members at any regular or special meeting, or by correspondence, communications from the Association for their information, opinion, and/or vote.
5. The Executive Committee shall make a report to the membership at each meeting.

D. Election of Executive Committee Members

1. The President-Elect will act as election officer for each election. All nominations for Executive Committee positions shall be submitted to the elections officer a minimum of six (6) weeks prior to the elections. The elections officer will determine the eligibility of the nominees, and then inform the membership of the nominees for each office. The elections officer and the remaining senior officer will then preside over the counting of ballots and will make a report to the current Executive Committee on the outcome of the elections.
2. If the President-Elect office is vacant, the President will immediately appoint a new elections officer from the remaining officers. If this elections officer is nominated and runs for office, the President will assume the duties of election officer until a new elections officer is elected.

Article VI - Legislative Committee

A. Selection of the Chairperson: Appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

B. Term of Office: Two (2) years and may be reappointed with the approval of the Executive Committee.

C. Committee Members: The number of Committee members will be determined by the Committee Chairperson to form a workable group.

D. Selection of Committee Members: Recommended by the Chairperson and approved by the Executive Committee.

E. Term of Office for Committee Members: Two (2) years and may be reappointed with the approval of the Executive Committee.

F. Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Solicit suggestions from membership and conduct annual review of the By-laws.
2. Make recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding revisions of the By-laws.
3. Keep abreast of current legislation that will affect the profession of athletic training in the State of Arkansas.
4. Make reports to the Executive Committee at each Executive Committee Meeting.

Article VII - Special Committees

Special committees shall be established as needs arise in response to organizational concerns, with the nature and responsibilities to be specified at that time.

Article VIII - Amendments to the By-laws

Section 1.	All proposed amendments to the By-laws shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for majority approval and presentation to the voting membership
Section 2 .	By-laws of an emergency nature may be submitted to and acted upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 3 .	Emergency By-laws must be approved by 2/3 of the voting membership present at the next annual meeting to remain in effect.

Article IX - Impeachment Procedures

Before impeachment proceedings can be instituted, a brief, containing the charges, with the name of the person or persons preferring charges, shall be drawn up and presented to the unaffected members of the Executive Committee sitting in executive session. The aforementioned brief must then be adopted by the remaining members of the Executive Committee by a unanimous vote prior to the formal presentation of the charges. Impeachment of any officer shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all eligible voting members.