ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SECURITY PROVIDERS OF NORTH CAROLINA

Bylaws

PREAMBLE

This association is formed to promote and maintain the highest standards and practices for the private security profession, to serve as a responsible and well-informed voice representing the security industry in the political and legislative arenas, to foster and perpetuate among its members a spirit of cooperation, and to establish mutual trust, good will and fellowship among private security personnel, persons engaged in law enforcement, and with all the citizens of the State of North Carolina.

Article I – NAME

The name of the association shall be The Association of Professional Security Providers of North Carolina. The abbreviated version of the association name shall be APSPNC.

Article II – OBJECTIVES

The objectives and purpose of this Association shall be to promote professionalism and ethical standards within the private security services professions and to promote the principles and policies set forth in the foregoing preamble to these Bylaws.

Article III – LOCATION, EMBLEM, SEAL

Section 1. This Association shall be incorporated as a non-profit entity in the State of North Carolina.

Section 2. The location of the principal office shall be the address of the Registered Agent of the Association.

Section 3. The official emblem of the Association shall consist of a seven pointed star imposed on the outline of the state of North Carolina, with a green bar traversing the center with the letters APSPNC scribed and centered. The words Association of Professional Security Providers of North Carolina shall be written under the emblem.

Section 4. The official emblem of the Association shall be used for official association business only. Use of the official emblem or Association name by members in personal advertising materials or on business cards or stationery to infer sanction is prohibited, except with written authorization of the Board. Members may indicate membership in the Association.

Section 5. The corporate seal of the Association shall be in such form and design as the Board may select, and shall bear the name of the association and the year and state of its incorporation. The corporate seal of the Association shall be maintained by, and held in the custody of the Association President.

Article IV – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Full membership is open to all individuals who are owners or operators of organizations that meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the appropriate arm of any state, federal, foreign or other jurisdiction, to perform private security services. Membership applications are subject to review and recommendation by the membership committee. Applicants are to be voted upon by the members of the Board. A simple majority shall be sufficient to approve an applicant for full membership.

Section 2. Associate membership is open to all persons engaged in a profession or occupation related to private security services, or who exhibit and express an interest in furthering the standards and objectives in the preamble and Article II of these Bylaws. Associate members shall be eligible to serve by appointment of the President to committees but shall not be eligible to hold office nor to vote. Applicants are to be voted upon by the members of the Board. A simple majority shall be sufficient to approve an applicant for Associate membership.

Section 4. Affiliate Membership is open to all persons engaged in a business providing equipment, support services, or other services to the Private Security community. Applicants are to be voted upon by the members of the Board. A simple majority shall be sufficient to approve an applicant for Affiliate membership.

Section 5. All full members in good standing of the Association shall be equal with respect to voting privileges and eligibility to hold office.

Section 6. Application for membership shall be made on an application form approved by the Association, accompanied by the appropriate remittance.

Section 7. The membership year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December

Section 8. Continued membership in the Association shall be granted after membership dues have been paid in full for the new membership year.

Article V – DUES

Section 1. Annual dues for all full members of the Association shall be decided and voted upon by the Board and passed by majority decision. The dues can be changed to reflect increased costs to the association by majority vote of the Board. For the year 2020, the dues will be $100.00 for annual membership; $500.00 for life membership; $100.00 per year for affiliate members and $75.00 for associate membership.

Section 2. Annual dues shall be paid in full to the Treasurer by the first day of January. Any member or sponsor whose dues for the current membership year remain unpaid on February 1st shall be deemed delinquent and all rights and privileges in the Association shall be suspended, to include removing them from the email list and mailing list. If dues remain unpaid on March 1st, membership shall be automatically revoked and re-submission of an application required.

Section 3. Upon payment of all dues, past and current, any person whose membership has been revoked for failure to pay dues may be restored to membership upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee.

Section 4. Dues for applicants approved for membership during the calendar year will be pro-rated for the number of full months remaining in the calendar year based upon approval date.

Article VI – ELECTIONS, OFFICERS’ DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1. Any full member in good standing may hold elective office in the Association.

Section 2. Elected officers of the Association shall consist of President, Vice-President for Legislative Affairs, Vice-President for Training, Secretary, Treasurer. No member shall hold the same elected position for more than two (2) consecutive terms without a vote by the Board. 

Section 3. Officers shall be elected at the December general business meeting by secret ballot for a term of two (2) years by a majority of votes cast. Votes will be accepted from the membership present at the meeting, as well as electronically and via fax or postal mail. All votes not made in person must be received no later than the end of the day prior to the meeting at which voting takes place, and shall include the voter’s full name in order to allow confirmation of membership. Officers shall take office at the January general statewide meeting. Officers may be re-elected to office providing they are re-elected in accordance with these Bylaws.

Section 4. The President shall be the chief executive and chief administrative officer of the Association. The President shall exercise general supervision over the business affairs, interest and welfare of the Association; shall appoint all standing committee chairmen and such special committees as deemed necessary. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees and shall perform such other duties as may be approved by the membership. The President shall serve without compensation.

Section 5. The Vice President for Legislative Affairs shall be responsible for monitoring all state and federal legislation affecting the private security industry in North Carolina, monitor the regulations and actions taken or proposed by the NC Private Protective Services Board and report on such activity to the Board.  The Vice President for Legislative Affairs shall preside in the absence of the President and shall perform any and all duties specifically delegated by the President. The Vice President for Legislative Affairs shall serve without compensation.

Section 6.  The Vice President for Training shall be responsible for the development of training modules and their presentation as may become necessary with changes in the requirements of the industry.  The Vice President for Training will work with the Vice President for Legislative Affairs when the Board has approved the need for changes in training requirements in any existing or proposed legislation or regulation. The Vice President for Training shall preside in the absence of the President and the Vice President for Legislative Affairs and shall perform any and all duties specifically delegated by the President. The Vice President for Legislative Affairs shall serve without compensation.

Section 7. The Secretary shall keep an accurate account of the minutes of all meetings of the Association; receive and answer all communications addressed to that office or that may be submitted to that office for this purpose by officers of the Association; supply and issue applications for membership and receive such applications when executed and forward them to the Membership Committee Chairman for appropriate action; and perform such other duties as may be required. The Secretary shall serve without compensation.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall keep a complete and accurate record of all funds received and shall issue receipts when required; deposit all funds received in a federally insured depository of the Treasurer’s selection in the name of the Association; cause an audit to be conducted thirty (30) days prior to the end of the fiscal year by a committee appointed for such purpose; report all funds received and distributed at each regular business meeting of the Association; and deliver all money, books, papers, records and other Association property to a successor, within thirty (30) days. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as required. The Treasurer shall be bonded at Association expense in a sum not less than five thousand dollars ($5000.00). The Treasurer shall serve without compensation.

Article VII – BOARD of DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, Vice President for Legislative Affair, Vice President for Training, Secretary, Treasurer, the Immediate Past President, and two (2) members of the Board who will serve At-Large (without specified geographical representation).

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall be recognized as the governing body of the Association, subject to the Bylaws.

Section 3. The Immediate Past President of the Association will be a member of the Board. The current President will preside over all meetings of the Board. In the absence of the President, the Vice President for Legislative Affair and the Vice President for Training shall preside sequentially. For presiding officer purposes only thereafter, succession shall be the one of the At-Large Members, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.

Section 4. The Board of Directors shall act in an executive capacity and will vote on any relevant issues and matters which would require action prior to or at any annual, regular or special meetings of the Association.

Section 5. A majority vote of the Board of Directors voting shall be binding on the Association.

Section 6. All members of the Board of Directors shall have one vote each, except in case of an equality of votes, the President, in addition to his/her original vote, shall have a second or casting vote.

Section 7. The President shall make a report to the membership at the annual meeting of the Association.

Section 8. The Board shall perform all duties and functions as set forth in the Bylaws.

Section 9. The Board shall establish policy governing the conduct of its own affairs and shall alter its procedures in its sole discretion.

Section 10. Three (3) members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.

Section 11. The Board shall have the authority to remove from office, any officer or Board member who fails to perform his or her duties.

Article VIII – APPOINTMENTS, COMMITTEES, and DUTIES

Section 1. The President shall appoint a Chairman and Co-Chairman for each standing committee, to serve the Association for the term of his or her office.

Section 2. Standing committee appointments shall be published at the earliest possible time in the Association newsletter, or in such publication as the President may select.

Section 3. There shall be the following standing committees: Bylaws, Education and Training, Legislative, Membership, Publications, Ways and Means.

Section 4. The President shall establish other committees and make appointments as necessary.

Section 5. The Bylaws Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary  and shall examine the Bylaws of the Association and, when necessary, will recommend proposed amendments and/or revisions.

Section 6. The Education and Training Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for Training and shall coordinate and schedule speakers, seminars and any other activities related to education and training as offered by the Association.

Section 7. The Legislative Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for Legislative Affairs and shall study, draft and prepare bills, ordinances, and resolutions representing the Association’s position on issues for local, state, and federal legislative and/or regulatory governmental agencies charged with the administration of matters of interest to the Association; further, the Legislative Committee shall be responsible for informing Association members and/or other committees of proposed industry regulations or legislative matters of interest.

Section 8. The Membership Committee chair shall be elected by a majority vote of the committee members.  The Membership Committee  shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the procurement of new members and shall thoroughly investigate all applicants for membership; further, the Membership Committee shall maintain records of member participation and shall have the power to recommend revocation or denial of membership as appropriate for just cause.

Section 8. The Publications Committee chair shall be elected by a majority vote of the committee members. The Publications Committee shall keep the members informed of all Association activities and shall be responsible for the preparation, editing and publication of all official publications of the Association. The Publications Committee shall be responsible for the timely publication of all notices pertaining to proposed membership in the Association and to membership renewal. The Association newsletter Editor shall be either the Chairman or Co-Chairman of the Publications Committee.

Section 9. The Ways and Means Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer.  The Ways and Means Committee shall seek and recommend means of developing programs and projects for the purpose of providing revenue to support the activities of the Association.

Article IX – QUORUM

Section 1. Twelve (12) members in good standing including two (2) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum to transact business at any regular or special meeting of the Association.

Section 2. No person shall take active part in any Association meeting unless such person is a member in good standing.

Article X – MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Board meetings of the Association shall be held at least once during each calendar quarter in a place to be designated by the President and announced in a timely manner. Statewide meetings of the Association shall be held in March and September and shall serve as a regular Board meeting for the respective quarter.

Section 2. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President to transact any business of the Association deemed appropriate, providing timely notification to all members in good standing is made specifying the date, time, place and purpose of the meeting.

Section 3. The President shall schedule a special meeting of the Association upon written request of twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing, who shall state the date, time, place and purpose of the request.

Article XI – AMENDMENTS or REVISIONS

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended or revised at any meeting of the Association by two-thirds (2/3) of all votes cast by members in good standing. Votes will be accepted from the membership present at the meeting, as well as electronically and via fax or postal mail. All votes not made in person must be received no later than the end of the day prior to the meeting at which voting takes place, and shall include the voter’s full name in order to allow confirmation of membership. All proposed amendments or revisions shall be mailed to all members in good standing, postmarked or electronically dated at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. All amendments or revisions to these Bylaws shall become effective immediately following an affirmative vote of the membership.

Article XII – PROCEEDINGS
All proceedings of the Association shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order on all points not specifically provided for in these Bylaws.