CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE
HAWAII ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION -AN
AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION


PREAMBLE

The preventive medicine and environmental health professionals in the State of Hawaii, in order to establish a private association to further our professional knowledge; keep abreast of current developments in technical, administrative, and scientific subjects; do hereby adopt this Constitution and Bylaws appended hereto.


ARTICLE I

NAME

This organization shall be known as the Hawaii Environmental Health Association - an affiliate of the National Environmental Health Association.


ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

§1. The abbreviation, H.E.H.A. hereinafter used, shall mean the Hawaii
Environmental Health Association - an affiliate of the National Environmental Health
Association.

§2. The word Governing Council hereinafter used shall mean the Governing Council of the Hawaii Environmental Health association an affiliate of the National Environmental Health Association.

§ 3. The word Affiliate hereinafter used shall mean the Association’s affiliation with the National Environmental Health Association, Inc.


ARTICLE III

PURPOSES

§ 1. To maintain and improve the standards of performance in environmental health by fostering and encouraging education, research, and the dissemination of information.

§ 2. To promote the highest degree of skill, efficiency and professional competence among members practicing disciplines in environmental health through a mutual exchange of knowledge and experience.

§ 3. To publish, or caused to be published, scientific or other useful information relating to environmental health.

§ 4. To engage in any other lawful activities appropriate to a professional organization; provided, however, that the Association shall not function as a collective bargaining agent for the purpose of fixing the compensation or conditions of employment for any of its members; nor shall it endorse the products or services of any manufacturer or other commercial organization; nor shall it sanction such endorsement by or in the name of the Association by any of its members.


ARTICLE IV

DURATION

This organization shall continue in existence until dissolved by a majority vote of members authorized to transact business; or otherwise by competent authority.


ARTICLE V

AUTHORITY

This organization shall be established, administered, operated, and dissolved in accordance with applicable provisions of Chapter 414D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.


ARTICLE VI

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the organization shall be on a voluntary basis and shall consist of two types of membership, active and associate memberships. Active membership shall be extended to all National Environmental Health Association members and those that are actively engaged as environmental health and preventive medicine professionals and technicians. Non-voting Associate membership category shall include retired environmental health personnel, students pursuing a degree in environmental health or related fields or individuals, firms or corporations expressing interest in H.E.H.A. Membership may be denied or withdrawn from members under such conditions prescribed by the Governing Council. Denial of membership will not be made because of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin. Membership will be effective as of the date of eligibility of the applicant.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

§ 1. Operation of the organization will be directed by a Governing Council of nine (9) members.

§ 2. The Governing Council shall be nominated by the Nominating and Membership committee. The Governing Council shall consist of the 4 officers, President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, and the 5 member Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of one member from each of the four major counties in the State of Hawaii (Kauai, Honolulu, Maui, and Hawaii), and at least one member from the U.S. military. In the case where there is no candidate for the Board of Directors, the Governing Council has the authority to appoint a member in good standing to the vacancy. The four (4) officers may represent the Hawaii Chapter at national meetings of the National Environmental Health Association; hence these officers shall be members of the National Environmental Health Association. Nominations from the floor at the Annual Business Meeting will be encouraged and accepted provided each nomination is seconded by a voting member in good standing. Election of Officers of the Governing Council shall be by a majority vote of the members present and voting. The duties of the officers shall be as implied, or as directed by the Governing Council.

§ 3. The terms for the Governing Council members will be for one year, unless relieved for good cause, or unable to perform the responsibilities due to other pressing matters. All members of the Governing Council will serve without compensation of any kind.

§ 4. In cases of council vacancies, replacements will be appointed by the President of the unexpired portion. An acting Treasurer will be designated by the President when the Treasurer will be absent for a period in excess of thirty days. Responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the organization will be transferred by duplicate receipt, recording current assets. The signed receipt will be retained as a part of the organization’s records.


ARTICLE VIII

DUTIES

§ 1. The duties and responsibilities of the Governing Council shall be those prescribed below.

a. Direct the operation of the organization as required by existing conditions, the Constitution and Bylaws, and pertinent directives.

b. Prescribe the scope of activities, services, and facilities and establish rules and internal controls.

c. Determine that funds are safeguarded and that all income has been received in full and properly recorded; ensure that all disbursements are for the purpose for which the Association was established. Be responsible for financial planning and management.

d. Review financial statement reports of audits and inspections, and reports of boards of officers, and take appropriate action.

§ 2. The President will direct the establishment of all meetings of the Governing Council and the membership at-large. The President will direct the conduct of all meetings.

§ 3. The Vice-president will perform the President’s duties in his/her absence.

§ 4. The Secretary will be responsible for preparing all minutes and keeping all other records required. The minutes will show members present and absent and any old and new business.

§ 5. The Treasurer will serve as the Custodian of the organization funds and records. The Treasurer will be the contracting officer of the organization; he/she will be authorized with the prior approval of the Governing Council, to execute contracts obligating the organization. In the event of the Treasurer’s death, disability, or absence, funds will be transferred in accordance with appropriate directives. The Treasurer will be responsible for:

a. Receiving safeguarding, disbursing, and accounting for monies and other assets consistent with good accounting practices.

b. Implementing all directed management policies.

c. Ensuring that the accounting system is in conformity with regulations.

d. Ensuring that monthly financial statements are prepared, monthly bank statements are reconciled, and that these documents are signed to certify that financial condition of the Association.


ARTICLE IX

VOTING AND DECISIONS

§ 1. Each active member of the organization will be entitled to one vote at a general membership meeting. If a member is not able to attend the general membership meeting, a proxy maybe designated in writing no later than two weeks prior to the general membership meeting. A majority vote of members present at any meeting, authorized to transact business, will be sufficient for any issue, except that of amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.

§ 2. Except as may otherwise be provided specifically, six Governing Council members who are in good standing and present will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the Governing Council. The President will decide issues upon which a majority of the Governing Council cannot agree.


ARTICLE X

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

§ 1. Any directive establishing policies and prescribing procedures published by a competent authority such as State of Hawaii Comptrollers Directives with regard to the responsibility for, accountability for and safeguarding of funds, are hereby incorporated and made a part of this Constitution.

§ 2. The accounting system for this fund will consist of a single-entry bookkeeping system or other appropriate system. Financial statements will be prepared monthly and will be posted in a conspicuous location for the ensuing month.

§ 3. Reserve of funds will be accrued and maintained in accordance with the appropriate regulations to ensure the Association operates in a solvent manner.

§ 4. Funds shall be deposited intact in the name of the Organization in banking or depository facilities approved by the Governing Council in accordance with pertinent regulations.

§ 5. Audit Report should be reviewed and approved by the Governing Council whenever a Treasurer is replaced. A copy of the audit will be retained in the Organization’s file.

§ 6. Bonding. When required by pertinent regulations, the treasurer and any collectors of money will be bonded. The bonding is obtained through a local insurance agency. The premium is paid by the fund.

§ 7. Financial Liability. The membership of this Association must be liable for just debts incurred by the fund.

§ 8. If this organization is dissolved, all funds in the treasury will be used to meet any outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligation. The balance of these assets will be disposed of as determined by the membership.


ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

Every proposed alteration, amendment, or addition to this Constitution and Bylaws appended hereto must be made in writing to the President, who shall cause it to be distributed to the organization members at least one week prior to the next general meeting. Each proposed alteration, amendment, or addition shall be adopted by two-thirds vote of the members through mail-in ballots. Once adopted as aforesaid, any such alteration, amendment, or addition will become effective immediately thereupon.

ARTICLE XII

MEETINGS

§ 1. Regular or special meetings of the Governing Council will be held on a date, time and place determined by the President.

§ 2. The Governing Council will meet at least quarterly. Its proceedings will be recorded by the Secretary. The minutes will show members present and absent and any old and new business and current financial condition.

§ 3. General Meeting of H.E.H.A. will be held annually at a time designated by the Governing Council. The format of the meeting will be as prescribed by the Governing Council. The Secretary will be responsible for recording minutes of meetings.

§ 4. As an adjunct to the General Meeting of the Association held annually, the Governing Council shall provide for an educational conference that would be jointly sponsored with the Hawaii Department of Health’s Environmental Health Services Division, U. S. Military organizations, or any other agency or professional organization.


ARTICLE XIII

FEES, DUES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS

§ 1. Annual dues for active members shall be $10.00. Annual dues for Associate members shall be $5.00. Annual dues noted herein shall be paid to the Treasurer upon demand.

§ 2. The extension of credit to any member shall not be authorized.

§ 3. Assessments may be levied against the membership in an amount approved by the majority of active members present at a duly constituted general meeting. Assessments may only be levied to provide working capital necessary to sustain the operation of the Association.

§ 4. Contributions for annual educational conferences may be solicited from the co-sponsoring agencies such as the Hawaii Department of Health, U.S. Military, and other sponsoring agency or professional organizations.


ARTICLE XIV

COMMITTEES

§ 1. The organization President will establish committees as necessary to assist in the operation of the Association.

§ 2. Chairpersons will be selected by the Governing Council. Committee membership other than the Chairperson will be composed of volunteer personnel solicited from the general membership. The Chairperson will appoint a recording Secretary from the committee membership.

§ 3. Members and chairpersons will be appointed by the council for any additional committees that council or general membership deem necessary for the operation of the organization.


ARTICLE XV

DELEGATE

§ 1. The Presidents of the various affiliates of the National Environmental Health Association are the official members of the National Board. It is therefore proper that the President of the Hawaii Environmental Health Association be given the first opportunity to attend this National Educational Conference and to represent the Association; provided that the affiliate President is an Active NEHA member in good standing.

§ 2. The Governing Council may appoint an official delegate, in lieu of the President, if for some reason(s) the President declines to be the official delegate to attend the NEHA Annual Educational Conference. Such appointee shall be a NEHA Active member in good standing.

The Constitution and Bylaws were approved by majority vote on
or about April 17, 2000. Amendments to the title of the organization, substantive amendments to Articles I, II, VI and VII and minor amendments to Articles V, VIII, XII, XIII, XIV, and XV proposed and approved on January 18, 2001. This copy represents the clean-copy of the approved Constitution and By-laws.

ACKNOWLEDGED:
James K. Ikeda, President. Dated January 18, 2001

Amendments to Article VI and Article XIII proposed and approved December 4, 2002.

Amendments to Article VI, IX, and XI proposed and approved December 7, 2006.

Amendments to Article V and VII proposed and approved November 28, 2007.

As of November 30, 2007 this is the latest revision of the Constitution and By-laws of HEHA.