Napla Home

About Us
Bylaws
Conferences
FAQs
Leadership
NAPLA Notes
Resources
Downloads
Contact

 

 

 

 

 

By-Laws

Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors, Inc.

CREATED 1973, Revised 1990, 1996, 2001
 
I. Offices V. Board of Directors IX. Records XIII. Notices
II. Seal VI. Officers X. Committees XIV. Indemnification
III. Members VII. Agents XI. Business XV. Miscellaneous
IV. Member Meetings VIII. Vacancies XII. Annual Reports XVI. Amendments
The Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors, Inc., exists to advance the interests of pre-law advisors, to act as an advocate for applicants to law schools, to develop and increase lines of communications among pre-law advisors, law school admissions officers, and other law-related organizations, and to improve the skills of pre-law advisors.
ARTICLE I - OFFICES
  1. The registered office of the corporation shall be at: 16 East Market Street, West Chester, PA 19380.
  2. The corporation may also have offices at such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint that activities of the corporation may require
ARTICLE II - SEAL
The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal, Pennsylvania."

Top
 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERS
1. Membership commences with payment of dues. Members shall have the following qualifications:

A. Regular Members

i. Regular members shall be faculty or staff associated with either two or four year colleges or universities.

ii. More than one individual from any undergraduate institution may become a member, but each individual shall pay dues.

iii. Each regular member shall have one vote. No member shall sell or transfer his or her vote for money or any other thing of value, nor shall any member be permitted to offer a proxy for his or her vote at any meeting of the association. The right of a member to vote, and his or her right, title and interest in or to the corporation or its property, shall cease on the termination of his or her membership.

B. Associate Members

i. Faculty and administrative officers of accredited or provisionally accredited law schools may become associate members.

ii. Representatives of the Law School Admission Council, the Association of American Law Schools, the American Bar Association and other non-profit organizations whose purpose relates to legal education, and are approved by the Board of Directors may become associate members.

iii. Associate membership may be either individual or institutional. In the latter case, the institution shall designate the individual(s) who shall exercise the rights of associate members.

iv. More than one representative of a law school or organization may hold associate membership, but each representative shall pay dues.

v. Associate members may participate in the affairs of NAPLA, including the right to debate. Their voting rights, however, are limited to participating in the election of their representative on the Board.

C. Members Emeriti

i. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, confer emeritus/emerita membership upon individuals who have served NAPLA with distinction, but who are no longer active in pre-law advising or law school admissions.

ii. Members Emeriti do not have a vote, but otherwise enjoy all the benefits of membership.

2. The Board of Directors shall determine the amount of annual dues payable by the members.

3. The Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the members of the Board, may suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing, and may, by a majority vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel any member who shall be in default in the payment of any dues or assessments.

4. Upon written request signed by a former member and filed with the Secretary, the Board of Directors may, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members, reinstate such former member to membership upon such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate.

5. Membership in the corporation is not transferable or assignable.

6. Issues of eligibility for membership in the Association shall be referred to the Board of Directors, the decision of which shall be final.

 

Top
 

  ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
  1. Meetings of the members shall be held at 16 Market Street, West Chester, PA 19380, or at such other place or places, either within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as may from time to time be affixed by the Board of Directors.

2. The annual meeting of the members shall be held during the annual conference in June when they shall elect officers and members of the Board of Directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the annual meeting shall not be called and held within six months after the designated time, any member may call such meeting.

3. Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the President, or the Board of Directors, or by ten (10) percent of the members entitled to vote. At any time, upon written request of any person who has called a special meeting, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to fix the time of the meeting, which shall be held not more than sixty days after the receipt of the request. If the Secretary shall neglect or refuse to fix the time of the meeting the person or persons calling the meeting may do so. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be confined to the objects stated in the call and matters germane thereto.

4. Written notice of every meeting of the members, stating the time, place, and object thereof, shall be given by, or at the direction of the Secretary to each member of record entitled to vote at the meeting, at least ten (10) days prior to the day named for the meeting, unless a greater period of notice is required by statute in a particular case. If the Secretary shall neglect or refuse to give notice of the meeting, the person or persons calling the meeting may do so. In the case of a special meeting, the notice shall specify the general nature of business to be transacted.

5. Upon request of a member, the books or records of membership shall be produced at any regular or special meeting of the corporation. If at any meeting the right of a person to vote is challenged, the presiding officer shall require such books or records to be produced as evidence of the right of the person challenged to vote, and all persons who appear by such books or records to be members entitled to vote may vote.

6. Voting may be by voice, show of hands, ballot, mail, or any reasonable means determined by the Board of Directors.

7. In advance of any meeting of members, the Board of Directors may appoint judges of election to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If judges of election are not so appointed, the presiding officer of any such meeting may, and on the request of any member shall, make such appointment at the meeting. No person who is a candidate for office shall act as a judge.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  1. The Board of Directors shall manage the business and affairs of this corporation.

2. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the officers, seven members-at-large elected for two-year terms (three such members to be elected each year), and one non-voting associate member elected for a two-year term (to be elected in even-numbered years).

A. No at-large member or associate member may be elected to more than two consecutive two-year terms.

3. In addition to the powers and authorities by these By-Laws expressly conferred upon it, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the Members.

4. The meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least once a year. These meetings may be held at such times and places within this Commonwealth, or elsewhere, as a majority of the Board of Directors may designate in the notice calling the meeting.

5. Written, electronic, or personal notice of every meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each member at least ten (10) days prior to the day named for the meeting.

6. A majority of the Board of Directors, as defined in Article V, Section 1, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent or consents in writing or by electronic transmission setting forth the action so taken shall be agreed to by a majority of the Board of Directors in office and shall be filed with the Secretary of the corporation.

7. The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office of a member if he or she is declared of unsound mind by an order of court or is convicted of a felony, or if within sixty (60) days after notice or his or her selection, he or she does not accept such office either in writing or by attending a meeting of the Board of Directors, and fulfills such other requirements of qualification as the bylaws may specify.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
 

1. The executive officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the members, and shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past-President. The President and Secretary shall be natural persons of full age, the Treasurer, however, may be a corporation, but if a natural person, shall be of the full age. They shall hold their office for a term of one year and shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as are provided by the By-Laws and as prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may secure the fidelity of any or all such officers by bond or otherwise.

2. The Board of Directors may remove any officer or agent whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights of any person so removed.

3. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation, shall preside at all meetings of the members, officers, and Board of Directors, shall have general and active management of the affairs of the corporation, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Association are carried into effect; shall execute bonds, mortgages and other documents requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, shall be ex-officio a member of all committees and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President.

4. The President-Elect shall act in all cases for and as the President in the latter's absence or incapacity, shall perform such other duties as may be required, and shall have principal administrative responsibilities for the Annual Conference, including choosing a conference site subject to approval by the Board of Directors. In the event of the incapacity of both the President and the President-Elect, the Secretary will act in all cases for and as the President, or in the latter's incapacity, the Treasurer shall so act. If all four of the above-named officers are incapacitated, the Immediate Past President shall so act.

5. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the members and act as clerk thereof, and record all the votes of the corporation and the minutes of all its transactions in books belonging to the corporation and kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or President. The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the corporate seal of the corporation, and when authorized by the Board of Directors, affix the same to any instrument requiring it.

6. The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation, and shall keep the moneys of the corporation in a separate account to the credit of the corporation. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Board of Directors, at regular meetings or whenever they may require it, an account of all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.

7. The Immediate Past President shall be the person who has most recently completed a term as President. The Immediate Past President shall serve as the chair of the nomination committee.

8. The designated member of PLANC will sit as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee of the NAPLA Board. He or she will be appointed for a two-year term renewable at the discretion of the Board.

9. The Officers of the Board of Directors shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. This committee shall act on urgent matters that arise between meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Executive Committee may act for the Board of Directors on non-urgent matters, if such matters are delegated to the Executive Committee by the consent, either in writing or through electronic transmission, of a majority of the Board of Directors. Any matters undertaken by the Executive Committee pursuant to this section shall be reported to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE VII - AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION
  1. An agent of the corporation is one who is appointed by the Board of Directors for a period of one year to perform necessary functions as defined by the Board of Directors. Such appointments are renewable for additional term(s) at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

2. Agents of the corporation are not members of the Board of Directors, but one or more of such agents may be invited to attend such portions of Board of Directors meetings at which their advice or expertise is required.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE VIII - VACANCIES
  1. If the office of any officer or agent becomes vacant for any reason, the Board of Directors may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

2. Vacancies in the Board of Directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of members of the Board of Directors, shall be filled by a majority of the remaining members of the Board, though less than a quorum, and each person so chosen shall be a member of the Board of Directors until a successor is elected by the membership of NAPLA, which shall make such election at either the next annual meeting of the members, or at a special meeting duly called for that purpose and held prior thereto.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE IX - BOOKS AND RECORDS
  1. The corporation shall keep an original and duplicate record of the proceedings of the members and the Board of Directors, the original and a copy of its By-Laws, including all amendments thereto to date, certified by the Secretary of the corporation, and an original and a duplicate membership register, giving the names of the members, and showing their respective addresses. The corporation shall also keep appropriate, complete and accurate books or records of financial accounts. The records provided for herein shall be kept at either the registered office of the corporation of this Commonwealth, at its principal place of business wherever situated, or at a location to be determined by the Board of Directors.

2. Every member shall, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose thereof, have a right to examine, in person or by agent or attorney, during the usual hours for business for any proper purpose, the membership register, books and records of account, the records of the proceeding of the members and the Board of Directors, and to make copies or extracts there from. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to the interest of such person as a member. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand under oath shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorized the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the member. The demand under oath shall be directed to the corporation at its registered office in this Commonwealth or at its principal place of business wherever situated.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES
 

1. Executive Committee

A. The Officers of the Board of Directors and the designated member of PLANC shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Each member of the executive committee shall have one vote except for the designated member to PLANC who participates without a vote.

B. This Committee shall act on urgent matters that arise between meetings of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Executive Committee may act for the Board of Directors on other matters, if such matters are delegated to the Executive Committee by the consent, either in person, in writing, or through electronic transmission, of a majority of the Board of Directors.

C. The actions of the Executive Committee under this section shall have the same effect as actions taken by the full Board of Directors.

D. Any matters undertaken by the Executive Committee pursuant to this section shall be reported to the Board of Directors no later than its next meeting.

2. Conference Committee

A. The Conference Committee shall be appointed each year by the President-Elect, who shall be the chair, and who shall appoint to the committee at least two persons who are not members of the Board of Directors.

B. The Conference Committee shall develop the theme for the annual conference, with the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall have responsibility for the further execution of plans and programs.

3. Nominating Committee

A. The Immediate Past-President shall serve as chair of the Nominating Committee, and shall select at least two members of the Board of Directors and at least two regular members not then serving on the Board of Directors to serve on the committee.

B. The Nominating Committee shall prepare, for the approval of the Board of Directors, a slate of officers, members-at-large, and in even-numbered years, an associate member to fill terms, which are expiring on the Board of Directors. No member of the Nominating Committee may be a candidate for election as a member of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall secure the consent of those nominated and shall see that the complete slate of nominees is mailed to all voting members of the Association at least thirty (30) days in advance of the annual meeting.

C. Nominations to the Board of Directors should be made with consideration for geographical distribution and diversity of types of schools represented.

D. The Nominating Committee may be asked to suggest candidates for appointment by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies as provided in Article VIII, Sections 1 and 2.

4. Other Committees

A. Other committees may be authorized by the Board of Directors or by the membership at the annual meeting.

B. Chairpersons and members of such committees shall be appointed by the President. Appointments shall be for one year. Chairpersons and members may be reappointed.

C. The role of all committees, except that of the Executive Committee, shall be advisory.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE XI - TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS
 

1. The corporation shall make no purchase of real property nor sell, mortgage, lease away or otherwise dispose of its real property, unless authorized by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted in these By-Laws, no vote of consent of the members shall be required to make effective such action by the Board of Directors. If the real property is subject to a trust, the conveyance away shall be free of trust and the trust shall be impinged upon the proceeds of such conveyance.

2. Whenever the lawful activities of the corporation involve, among other things, the charging of fees or prices for its services or products, it shall have the right to receive such income and, in so doing, may make an incidental profit. All such incidental profits shall be applied to the maintenance and operation of the lawful activities of the corporation, and in no case shall be divided or distributed in any manner whatsoever among the members, directors, or officers of the corportion.

3. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by the Treasurer, or such other officer or officers as the Board of Directors may designate.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE XII - ANNUAL REPORT
  1. The Treasurer shall present annually to the members a report showing in appropriate detail the following:

A. The assets and liabilities, including the trust funds, of the corporation as of the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of the report.

B. The principal changes in assets and liabilities including trust funds, during the year immediately preceding the date of the report.

C. The revenue or receipts of the corporation, both unrestricted and restricted to particular purposes, for the year immediately preceding the date of the report, including separate data with respect to each trust fund held by or for the corporation.

D. The expenses of disbursements of the corporation, for both general and restricted purposes, during the year immediately preceding the date of the report, including separate data with respect to each trust fund held by or for the corporation.

E. A review of records conducted by an appropriately qualified individual chosen by the Board of Directors and not a member of the Board of Directors.

F. This report shall be filed with the minutes of the annual meeting.

2. A complete audit shall be conducted upon the election of a new Treasurer.

  Top
 
  ARTICLE XIII - NOTICES
  Whenever written notice is required to be given to any person, it shall be given to such person, either personally or by sending a copy thereof by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by telegram, charges prepaid, or by FAX, or other electronic transmission to the person's address appearing on the books of the corporation. If the notice is sent by mail or by telegram, it shall be deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States Mail or with a telegraph office for transmission to such person. For a FAX or other electronic transmission, it shall be presumed to have been given to the person entitled thereto within twenty-four hours of transmission, provided no error message or other indication of failure in the transmission is received by the sender within that time period. A notice of meeting shall specify the place, day, and hour of the meeting and any other information required by statute of these By-Laws. When a special meeting is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.
  Top
 
  ARTICLE XIV - INDEMNIFICATION
  The corporation shall indemnify each of its directors, officers, and employees whether or not then in service as such (and his or her executor, administrator, and heirs), against all reasonable expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense of any litigation to which the individual may have been a party because he or she is or was a director, officer, agent, or employee of the corporation. The individual shall have no right to reimbursement, however, in relation to matters as to which he or she has been adjudged liable to the corporation for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty as director, officer, agent, or employee by reason of willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of his or her office or employment. The right to indemnity for expenses shall also apply to the expenses of suits, which are compromised or settled if the court having jurisdiction of the matter shall approve such settlement. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, all other rights to that which such director, officer, agent, or employee may be entitled.
  Top
 
  ARTICLE XV - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  1. The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of September.

2. Terms of office shall begin on the first day of September.

3. One or more persons may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or of the business meeting by means of conference, telephone, or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

4. The Board of Directors may invite representatives of pre-law related organizations to attend meetings of the members or of the Board of Directors.

5. So long as the corporation shall continue to be organized on a non-stock basis, the Board of Directors shall have authority to provide for the members to make capital contributions in such amounts and upon such terms as are fixed by the directors in accordance with the provision of Section 7541 of the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1972.

6. The Board of Directors, by resolution, may authorize the corporation to accept subventions from members or nonmembers on terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provision of Section 7542 of the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1972, and to issue certificates therefore.

7. Profit-making organizations are not eligible for membership in NAPLA, but may subscribe to NAPLA Publications, and may attend NAPLA conferences subject to payment of fees set by the Board of Directors.

   
  ARTICLE XVI - AMENDMENTS
  By-Laws may be adopted, amended, or repealed by the vote of two-thirds of the regular members of NAPLA, present and voting at an annual conference, or at any regular or special meeting duly convened after notice to members for that purpose, or by mailed ballot duly authorized by the Board of Directors.
  Top
 

Copyright © 2008  Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors. All rights reserved.

All Pre-Law Advisors from non-profit educational institutions are
granted permission to use this product. Technical support is not available through NAPLA
.

Please contact Dom DeLeo with comments and suggestions at deleo@bc.edu