Constitution Revision #1
Article II Added language to include victims (wording taken from APAI Resolutions on Crime Victim’s Rights).
Current Verbiage
The Association of Paroling Authorities International will strive to promote the highest professional standards of parole practices as they relate to release decision-making, methods of re-entry and reintegration, community supervision standards, and revocation procedures through training, education, information exchange, and public policy partnerships, which endorse these standards.
Proposed Revision
The Association of Paroling Authorities International will strive to promote the highest professional standards of parole practices as they relate to release decision-making, methods of re-entry and reintegration, community supervision standards, and revocation procedures, through training, education, information exchange, and public policy partnerships, which endorse these standards, while acknowledging that victims and survivors of crime have a meaningful role in the criminal justice, parole, and re-entry processes.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #2
Article III – Section 3.5.a Added language to define majority.
Current Verbiage
The election of officers shall take place at the Annual Business Meeting or by any medium permitted by applicable law in the state of incorporation. Successful candidates must receive an affirmative vote of a majority of the members in good standing and voting. The office of President and Treasurer shall become vacant on even numbered years, while
the office of Vice President and Secretary shall become vacant on odd numbered years.
Proposed Revision
The election of officers shall take place at the Annual Business Meeting or by any medium permitted by applicable law in the state of incorporation. Successful candidates must receive an affirmative vote of a majority of the members in good standing and voting. A majority is defined as the number or percentage of votes equaling more than half of the total votes cast. In the event there are more than two candidates for any officer position, a plurality of the votes cast of the members in good standing shall elect the candidate. “Plurality” is defined as the number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other candidate but does not necessarily receive a majority. The office of President and Treasurer shall become vacant on even numbered years, while the office of Vice President and Secretary shall become vacant on odd numbered years.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #3
Article III – Section 3.5.b Changed language to have run off take place electronically during month following conference.
Current Verbiage
The Executive Director shall appoint a three member Vote Validation Committee, none of whom has served on the Nominating Committee for that election. The Vote Validation Committee shall verify the authenticity, tabulate the election ballots of the vote, and subsequently report the results for a timely installation of officers. In the case of a tie vote, a run-off election shall be held promptly by those members in good standing present and voting at the Annual Business Meeting. The incumbent shall remain in office until a successor is determined.
Proposed Revision
The Executive Director shall appoint a three member Vote Validation Committee, none of whom has served on the Nominating Committee for that election. The Vote Validation Committee shall verify the authenticity, tabulate the election ballots of the vote, and subsequently report the results for a timely installation of officers. In the case of a tie vote, a run-off election shall take place electronically during the month following the conference. The incumbent shall remain in office until a successor is determined.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #4
Article III – Section 3.7 Added language to define majority.
Current Verbiage
If any elected office with the exception of the Presidency becomes vacant during the two year term, the President will appoint a replacement from organizational members or individual members in good standing with the confirmation of a majority of the Executive Committee until the next scheduled election. If the President cannot serve, the Vice President will serve until the President can return to office or the next election, whichever comes first. In the event that the provisions of this section fail to fill a vacancy of office, a majority of the Executive Committee may either directly appoint or call a special Association meeting to elect a replacement from organizational members or individual members in good standing.
Proposed Revision
If any elected office with the exception of the Presidency becomes vacant during the two year term, the President will appoint a replacement from organizational members or individual members in good standing with the confirmation of a majority of the Executive Committee until the next scheduled election. A majority is defined as the number or percentage of votes equaling more than half of the total votes cast. If the President cannot serve, the Vice President will serve until the President can return to office or the next election, whichever comes first. In the event that the provisions of this section fail to fill a vacancy of office, a majority of the Executive Committee may either directly appoint or call a special Association meeting to elect a replacement from organizational members or individual members in good standing.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #5
Article III – Section 3.8 Added language to define discredit.
Current Verbiage
Any elected Executive Committee member who brings discredit upon the Association or fails to perform stated responsibilities as set forth in the Bylaws may be removed upon recommendation of the Executive Committee by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Executive Committee. Appointed members of the Executive Committee serve at the pleasure of the President and may be removed for good cause by the President.
Proposed Revision
Any elected Executive Committee member who brings discredit upon the Association or fails to perform stated responsibilities as set forth in the Bylaws may be removed upon recommendation of the Executive Committee by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Executive Committee. Appointed members of the Executive Committee serve at the pleasure of the President and may be removed for good cause by the President. The term “discredit” refers to any conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Association, or any conduct that defames or damages the reputation of the Association.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #6
Article V – Section 5.9 Changed language to include majority affirmative vote. Added language to define discredit.
Current Verbiage
Any member who brings discredit upon the Association may be removed upon an affirmative vote of the Executive Committee.
Proposed Revision
Any member who brings discredit upon the Association may be removed upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the Executive Committee. The term “discredit” refers to any conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Association, or any conduct that defames or damages the reputation of the Association.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #7
Article VI – Section 6.4 Changed language to update quorum.
Current Verbiage
A Quorum shall be constituted by the vote of 10% of the membership eligible to vote. An affirmative vote shall constitute a majority of those members present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Proposed Revision
A Quorum for any meeting shall be constituted by the vote of 25% of the membership eligible to vote. An affirmative vote shall constitute a majority of those members present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #8
Article VIII – Section 8.2 Changed language to be consistent with majority and quorum definitions preceding.
Current Verbiage
The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of Association members voting on the proposed amendment provided that at least a quorum of members cast votes.
Proposed Revision
The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of Association members voting on the proposed amendment provided that at least a quorum of members cast votes. A quorum shall be 25% of the Association members in good standing, who are those members who have paid in full their membership dues (or whose dues have been waived) by the last day of the month immediately preceding the vote. A majority shall be the number or percentage of votes equaling more than half of the total votes cast.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Constitution Revision #9
Article VIII – Section 8.3 Changed language to adjust effective date of amendments.
Current Verbiage
Amendments so approved shall become effective immediately unless otherwise stipulated.
Proposed Revision
Amendments so approved shall become effective July 1st of the approval year unless otherwise stipulated.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Bylaws Revision #1
Article IV – Regions: Added language regarding world region Vice Presidents.
Current Verbiage
Association members are organized by country and by geographic world region. United States Association members are organized within geographic regions according to the states in which they conduct their business. In North America, a Vice President will be appointed for each region of the United States and one Vice President will be appointed for Canada. A Vice President will be appointed for every other world region when there are members in good standing from three or more countries within that geographical region. World regions with members from fewer than three countries will be represented by a Vice President from another world region, as determined by the Executive Committee.
Proposed Revision
Association members are organized by country and by geographic world region. United States Association members are organized within geographic regions according to the states in which they conduct their business. In North America, a Vice President will be appointed for each region of the United States and one Vice President will be appointed for Canada. A Vice President will be appointed for every other world region when there are members in good standing from three or more countries within that geographical region. World regions with members from fewer than three countries will be represented by a Vice President from another world region, as determined by the Executive Committee. Due to fluctuations in memberships throughout each year, additional world regions and/or Vice Presidents will be considered by the Executive Committee as the need arises.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Bylaws Revision #2
Article IV – Regions: Changed regions of North American states based on geographic area.
Current Verbiage
Northeastern United States — Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, United States Parole Commission, and the Military Clemency/Parole Boards.
Southern United States — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands and US Territories, and West Virginia.
Central United States — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Western United States — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Proposed Revision
Northeastern United States — Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, United States Parole Commission, and the Military Clemency/Parole Boards.
Southern United States — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Virgin Islands and US Territories, and West Virginia.
Central United States — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Western United States — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Bylaws Revision #3
Article V – Section 5.6: Changed language regarding regional meetings.
Current Verbiage
Regional Vice Presidents shall maintain ongoing communications with members in their regions for the purpose of promoting membership and representing the interests of paroling/releasing authorities in their respective regions to the Executive Committee. Regional Vice Presidents shall also be responsible for designating regional committee members for each of the standing committees of the Association subject to the approval of the President. Regional Vice Presidents shall convene regional meetings, if practicable. The Regional Vice Presidents shall perform such other tasks as the President may assign.
Proposed Revision
Regional Vice Presidents shall maintain ongoing communications with members in their regions for the purpose of promoting membership and representing the interests of paroling/releasing authorities in their respective regions to the Executive Committee. Regional Vice Presidents shall also be responsible for designating regional committee members for each of the standing committees of the Association subject to the approval of the President. Regional Vice Presidents may convene regional meetings, if practicable. The Regional Vice Presidents shall perform such other tasks as the President may assign.
If REJECTED, please explain:
Bylaws Revision #4
Article VII – Section 7.2: Added language in accordance with the Constitution.
Current Verbiage
The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of Association members voting on the proposed amendment provided that at least a quorum of members cast votes.
Proposed Revision
The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of Association members voting on the proposed amendment provided that at least a quorum of members cast votes in accordance with Section 8.2 of the Constitution.
If REJECTED, please explain:
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