CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS

LLINOIS REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF
CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I.  NAME
This organization shall be known as Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (IRID). 
 

ARTICLE II.  OBJECTIVES 
This organization shall seek to: 
· Provide a central source of qualified interpreters and transliterators to serve consumers in the various circumstances in which they may be needed. 

· Obtain an up-to-date registry and classification of interpreters and transliterators in the State of Illinois and support the efforts of other organizations name of this non-profit in developing such registers. 

· Create an awareness of the need for, and the availability of interpreting services. 

· Exchange ideas, opinions and experiences concerning interpreting. 

· Encourage the constant improvement of the quality of interpreting services. 

· Cooperate with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. in the observance of standards of skill and ethics. 

· Act as a body to advance professional and ethical standards for interpreters. 
 

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP
IRID is open to all individuals and organizations without regard to age, color, creed or political belief, mental or physical disability, gender, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.
 

ARTICLE IV. AMENDMENTS 
This constitution may be altered, amended or repealed by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by dual members.  Written notice of such amendments must be given to the membership at least thirty (30) days in advance.  Voting may be done by mail, or at any regular or special meeting of the membership.

ILLINOIS REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF
BYLAWS
 
 

ARTICLE I.  DIRECTORS
A.   Composition of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
1. The affairs of the Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf shall be governed by a board of directors (to be referred to as board) consisting of the following members:  President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, a Representative from each recognized area chapter, three (3) Members-at-Large, IAD-  Representative and (in alternate years) immediate Past President. 
2. The executive board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 
3. Each member of the board must be a dual member in good standing of RID, Inc. and IRID and a resident of the state of Illinois.  See Article IV A. for dual member definition.
4.  All candidates for the Board, except the area chapter presidents and the IAD Representative, shall have been IRID and RID members in good standing for at least three consecutive years prior to candidacy. 
5. IRID board members shall have voting privileges.  This includes the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, members-at-large, area chapter presidents and IAD representative. 

B. Duties of IRID Board Members
1. The President shall preside at all board and general membership meetings of the organization.  With the approval of the board, the president shall establish and dissolve committees whenever necessary to carry out the functions of the organization.  The president shall be the official liaison to the RID, Inc.  The president shall perform other duties as shall be designated by the board.  The president has voting privileges on the IRID board. 
2. The Vice President shall attend all board meetings and, in the absence of the president, perform the duties of the president.  The vice president shall chair the conference committee.  The vice president shall also carry out other duties assigned by the board.  The vice president has voting privileges on the IRID board. 
3. The Secretary shall attend all board meetings, take and keep minutes of all meetings of the organization.  The secretary shall be responsible for sending notices of all meetings, providing the minutes of each meeting to the newsletter editor, and other duties as delegated.  The secretary has voting privileges on the IRID board. 
4. The Treasurer shall attend all board meetings, chair the financial committee, collect the monies of the organization and make disbursements as ordered by the board.  All checks must be signed by any two (2) of the following three (3) persons:  the president, the treasurer, or the vice president.  The treasurer shall prepare financial reports for each board meeting and prepare a year-end report.  Treasurer reports and IRID financial records shall be subject to an audit at least every two years; audits shall be conducted by a certified public accountant.  The treasurer must be bonded.  The fee for the treasurer to be bonded shall be incurred by IRID.  The treasurer has voting privileges on the IRID board. 
5. The Members-at-Large shall attend all board meetings, serve as liaisons to IRID committees and be assigned duties by the executive board as deemed necessary.  The members-at-large have voting privileges on the IRID board. 
6. The IAD Representative shall function as a liaison between the Illinois RID and the Illinois Association of the Deaf and shall perform such other duties as prescribed by the IRID Board.  The representative position shall be the current IAD president or a permanent IAD designee for the term of the sitting IAD president.  The IAD representative has voting privileges on the IRID board. 
7. The Local Area Chapter Representatives will serve as liaisons between the IRID board and their local chapters. They may be assigned other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the board.  The area chapter representatives have voting privileges on the IRID board. 
8. The immediate Past President shall serve as a consultant to the board.  No voting privileges are accorded to the immediate past president.
9.  In the event board members cannot complete their term of office, the board will appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term. 
 
 

ARTICLE II.  TERMS OF OFFICE
The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer are elected by the membership for a term of two (2) years.  Members-at-Large shall be elected for a term of three (3) years.  A new Member-at-Large shall be elected each year.  Area Chapter Representatives shall serve two (2) year terms.  The term of immediate Past President shall be one (1) year.  Board members may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in any one Board position. 
 
 

ARTICLE III.  MEETINGS
A. General Membership 
1. A general membership meeting must be convened annually.  The board shall set the date at least thirty (30) days in advance and notify the membership in writing.
2. There shall be as many other subsequent meetings of the organization as are deemed necessary, and such meetings may be called by the president or at the written request of at least ten (10) dual (voting) members.  Notice of subsequent meetings must be mailed to the membership at least ten (10) days in advance. 
3. Non-voting members may participate in discussions at meetings, but may neither make nor second motions.
4. A quorum to conduct business for all membership meetings shall consist of no less than 15% of the current dual membership.

B. Board of Directors Meetings
1. The board shall meet at least quarterly.
2. A quorum for IRID board meetings shall be a simple majority of the board.
3. IRID members may participate in discussions but may not make motions or vote. 
 

ARTICLE IV.  MEMBERSHIP 
IRID is open to all individuals and organizations without regard to age, color, creed or political belief, mental or physical disability, gender, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.  Membership categories are:
A. Dual:  Dual membership in IRID is available to individuals who are in good standing of RID, Inc. and IRID.  Only IRID dual members are accorded voting privileges.  Dual members must also be at least one of the following:
1. RID certified member
2. RID certified member: senior citizen
3. RID associate member
4. Any individual who holds current, valid certification accepted by RID. 
B. Supporting:  For those individuals who wish to join IRID only.  No voting privileges are accorded. 
C. Organizational:  For organizations supporting IRID.   No voting privileges are accorded.
D. Student:  Student membership is available to individuals currently enrolled in courses related to sign language or interpreting.  Student members must provide proof of enrollment.  No voting privileges are accorded.

ARTICLE V.  COMMITTEES
A. Standing Committees 
1. Certification Maintenance Program Committee:   The CMP committee shall be chaired by a member in good standing and appointed by the President with the Board’s approval, and as many committee members as approved by the chairperson.  A Member-at-Large shall act as liaison to the board for this committee.  The function of this committee shall be to file and process continuing education unit paperwork for workshops, conferences and independent studies while maintaining good status with RID, Inc.  Chair is not limited to one term. 
2. Financial Committee:  The financial committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer for a two (2) year term with as many members as appointed by the board.  The treasurer shall act as liaison to the board for this committee.   The function of this committee is to investigate monetary resources available and make recommendations to the board.  Chair is not limited to one term. 
3. Membership Committee:  The membership committee shall be chaired for a two (2) year term by a member in good standing as approved by the board, and as many members as appointed by the chairperson.  A Member-at-Large shall act as liaison to the board for this committee.  The function of the committee shall be to recruit and to maintain membership regardless of race, creed, or ethnic origin.  The committee shall also maintain and up-to-date listing of members.  Chair is not limited to one term. 
4. Newsletter Committee:  The newsletter committee shall be chaired for a two (2) year term by a member in good standing as approved by the board and as many members as approved by the chair.  Member-at-Large shall act as liaison to the board for this committee.   The function of this committee shall be to publish a newsletter a minimum for four (4) times per year.  Chair is not limited to one term. 
5. Professional Development Committee:  The PDC shall be chaired for a two (2) year term by a member in good standing as approved by the board and as many members as appointed by the chairperson.  A Member-at-Large shall act as liaison to the board for this committee.  The function of this committee shall be to plan and implement a minimum of two (2) professional development and continuing education opportunities annually.  Chair is not limited to one term. 

B. Ad Hoc Committees
1. Ad hoc committees shall be established and dissolved by the IRID president for a specific purpose as appropriate, with majority approval of the board.  A Member-at-Large shall act as liaison to the board for these committees. 
2. Examples of ad hoc committees may include but are not limited to: bylaws, deaf interpreter, and licensure.
 

ARTICLE VI.  LOCAL AREA CHAPTERS 
A. A maximum of six (6) local area chapters of the IRID, with the consent of the board, may be established in Illinois where at least ten (10) dues-paying members in good standing are associated together to provide support, coordination, information and in-service.
B. Chapters may make bylaws for their own government, not inconsistent with the laws and regulations promulgated by the IRID, as interpreted by the board of this organization.  They shall furnish a copy to the board for approval by September 1st of each year.
C. Each chapter may create an expense fund out of which to defray all legitimate expenses of said chapter.
D. The IRID shall not be financially responsible for any of the debts, obligations, contracts or undertakings of any nature of any of the chapters, except as specifically approved by the board when petitioned by the area chapter.
E. Each year, on July 1st, chapters shall provide to the IRID treasurer, a financial statement detailing expenditures and income related to IRID activities.
F. Each year, on September 1st, a listing of current chapter members shall be provided to the president of the IRID.
G. Each chapter shall select/appoint a representative to serve on the IRID Board for a two-year term.
H. In case of the dissolution of a chapter, all records and funds shall be turned over to the IRID treasurer, subsequent to an audit by a certified public accountant. 
 

ARTICLE VII. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
A. Dues
Yearly dues shall be set by vote of the membership at an annual meeting and will remain in effect for two years. 

B. Assessments
Assessments may be levied on all members by action of two-thirds of the dual members in good standing members at any meeting, provided previous notice has been given.  A maximum of $10 per member may be assessed in each fiscal year.
 

ARTICLE VIII. GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
A. The IRID shall make bylaws for their own government, not inconsistent with the laws and regulations promulgated by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., as interpreted by the IRID board.
B. Robert's Rules of Order, current edition, shall be the parliamentary authority governing deliberations of this organization.
C. Additional information may be found in the IRID Policy and Procedure Manual.
 

ARTICLE IX.  AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by dual members.  Written notice of such amendments must be given to the membership at least thirty (30) days in advance.  Voting may be done by mail, or at any regular or subsequent meeting of the membership.
 

ARTICLE X.  DISSOLUTION PROCEDURE