BYLAWS
of the
NATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELING
ASSOCIATION, Inc.
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the National
Rehabilitation Counseling Association, Inc.
Article II: Definitions
For the purpose of these bylaws:
Sec. 1 National Rehabilitation Counseling
Association, Inc., (NRCA) means the National Rehabilitation
Counseling Association.
Sec. 2 Association means NRCA.
Sec. 3 Assembly means Delegate Assembly
of NRCA.
Sec. 4 Board means Board of Directors of
NRCA.
Sec. 5 Region means any one of the geographical
areas of NRCA, as defined by the Board of Directors.
Sec. Chapter means any state organization of NRCA.
The levels are as follows: Regional Organization
- Regional Chapter, State Organization - State Chapter;
Sub-State Organization - Local Chapter or in case
of a Local Chapter being formed on the college campus
- Campus Chapter.
Article III: Purpose
The purpose of NRCA is to advance the role and
function of rehabilitation counseling in the rehabilitation
of all persons with physical, mental or other disabilities.
NRCA will engage in educational and scientific endeavors
to better serve the needs of persons with disabilities,
promote independence, and enhance professional rehabilitation
counseling.
Sec. 1 Increasing public understanding of
the role of rehabilitation counseling in assisting
all persons with disabilities to become, to the
extent possible, self-sufficient, self-supporting
and contributing members of society.
Sec. 2 Promoting and encouraging the development
of professional training opportunities for all persons
engaged in the counseling of persons with disabilities.
Sec. 3 Developing professional standards
for rehabilitation counseling, including the opportunity
to participate in certification and the certification
maintenance process. Only graduate preparation,
as established by the Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification (CRCC), and the Council
of Rehabilitation Education (CORE), is recognized
for entry into the profession of rehabilitation
counseling.
Sec. 4 Providing a forum for the discussion
of rehabilitation counseling.
Sec. 5 Encouraging the development of rehabilitation
counseling as it contributes to an interdisciplinary
approach to the solution of barriers in rehabilitation.
Sec. 6 Fostering research to advance knowledge
and skills in rehabilitation counseling.
Sec. 7 Establishing standards of performance
for individuals representing NRCA with other organizations.
Accountability for responsible representation must
be assured.
Sec. 8 Working with employers of rehabilitation
counselors and promoting collaborative relationships
that will be beneficial to all.
Sec. 9 Promoting ethical practice.
Sec. 10 Encouraging students in rehabilitation
training programs through mentorship opportunities,
through opportunities for networking and similar
professional contacts.
Sec. 11 Ensuring equity and parity in the
delivery of rehabilitation services to individuals
of multicultural populations with disabilities and
their community.
Sec. 12 Helping to develop a specific body
of knowledge in rehabilitation counseling (leadership,
supervision, and administration), working to disseminate
that knowledge as it evolves, and encouraging and
stimulating pragmatic research and enlightened inquiry.
Article IV: Administration
Sec. 1 Incorporation:
NRCA is incorporated under
the laws of the District of Columbia as a 501(c)6 non-profit
corporation and in accordance with the Internal
Revenue Code of the United States.
Sec. 2 National Office:
There is established a National Office,
which shall be located and operated in a
manner as prescribed by the Board. The office
may be represented by the mailing address of a Post Office Box.
Sec. 3 Staff:
Staff may be hired to implement the direction of
the Board.
Article V: Membership
Sec. 1 Membership Categories:
A. Professional Member. A Professional Member of
the Association shall subscribe to the standards
of professional conduct established by the Association,
and shall have either a minimum of a Master's degree
from a CORE-accredited program in rehabilitation
counseling with a minimum of one year of experience
and employment in a rehabilitation counseling setting,
OR,
Possess a Master's degree from an accredited institution
related to rehabilitation counseling, such as, research,
supervision, administration, or training with a
minimum of two years experience and employment in
a rehabilitation counseling setting.
OR,
Be certified by CRCC.
B. Member. A Member of the Association shall subscribe
to the standards of professional conduct established
by the Association: possess a Baccalaureate degree
in rehabilitation services and be employed in a
rehabilitation services setting.
C. Affiliate Member. Any individual employed in
a supporting, ancillary capacity in the rehabilitation
process may be considered for membership. This category
is not open to anyone who is eligible for Professional
Member, Member, Student Member, Emeritus Member,
or Life Member.
D. Student Member. A student member of the Association
shall be enrolled in an accredited institution in
a curriculum leading to a Baccalaureate degree in
Rehabilitation Services, Master's degree in Rehabilitation
Counseling, Doctoral degree in Rehabilitation Counseling,
Rehabilitation Psychology, or related fields.
E. Emeritus Member. All members of NRCA in good
standing may, upon retirement from professional
service, apply for Emeritus membership. Members
granted such status shall continue to retain full
privileges of their membership classification.
F. Life Member. Any professional member or member
of the Association who became a Life member of the
Association by paying the appropriate fee. Enrollment
in this member category will be offered at the discretion
of the NRCA Board of Directors.
Sec. 2 Privileges of Membership:
A. All members of NRCA shall be entitled to receive
official publications of NRCA.
B. All members of NRCA shall be entitled to become
members of chapters.
C. All members shall be entitled to participate
in national, regional, state and local meetings
of NRCA.
D. All members of NRCA may serve as members of
the Delegate Assembly.
E. Only a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, who
is a Professional Member of the Association, is
eligible to serve as an Officer or member of the
Board, with the exception of Student Members as
Student Representatives to the Board.
Sec. 3 Conditions for Termination of Membership:
A. Any member may be expelled from NRCA for violating
the Code of Ethics or found guilty of a criminal
charge
B. A member may not be expelled without first receiving
notice of intention to proceed against him or her,
a recital of the charges or accusations, and the
opportunity to respond to the charges.
Sec. 4 Dues:
Membership dues in the Association until further
notice shall be as follows:
A. Professional - $70.00 per year
B. Member - $70.00 per year
C. Affiliate - $40.00 per year
D. Student - $20.00 per year
Any change in dues must be approved by the NRCA
Board of Directors.
Article VI: Code of Ethics
All members of the Association shall adhere to
the Code of Ethics as set forth by the Commission
on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
All NRCA members are expected to adhere to the Conflict
of Interest Policy.
Article VII: Conflict of Interest
Members of NRCA shall not engage in any employment,
activity or enterprise which has been or may be
determined to be inconsistent, incompatible, or
in conflict with duties, functions, ethics or responsibilities
of their NRCA membership.
Article VIII: Delegate Assembly
Sec. 1 Annual Meeting:
There shall be an Annual Meeting of the membership
of NRCA.
Sec. 2 Quorum
At least one percent (1%) of the total NRCA membership
must be present to constitute a quorum for conducting
business.
Sec. 3 Powers of the Assembly:
The membership hereby delegates its control of
NRCA to the Assembly as hereinafter specified. The
Assembly:
A. Shall establish policy of the association.
B. May adopt amendments to the bylaws as herein
indicated.
Sec. 4 Certification of Delegates
A. Membership in the Assembly shall be apportioned
in the following manner. Each Chapter President
will report the names of certified delegates to
the National Certifying Officer. The National Certifying
Officer is appointed by the President.
1. Each chapter will be apportioned one delegate
for each ten members of NRCA.
2. Chapters with fewer than 10 members will be
apportioned 1 delegate.
B. Members of the Board and Past Presidents of
NRCA, who maintain current membership, shall be
Ex-Officio voting members of the Assembly, and such
delegates shall not be charged against the chapter
apportionment of delegates.
Sec. 5 Proxy:
When so certified to the President or the Regional
Certifying Officer, a delegate may hold a maximum
of two proxies from his or her Region in addition
to his or her own vote. Ex-Officio members of the
Assembly shall have the right to vote, but may not
be represented by proxy. In no instance may any
delegate cast more than three (3) votes.
Article IX: Board of Directors
Sec. 1 Composition of Board:
Effective January 1, 2007, the Board of Directors
shall consist of: Officers of NRCA, (President,
President-Elect, Immediate Past President, and Secretary/Treasurer)
seven members-at-large, (one from each region to
be elected on a rotating regional basis for three-year
terms with elections each year), and two student
members elected for two-year terms. Except in instances
when Officers or Board members-at-large are selected
to fill vacancies, all Officers and Board members-at-large
shall assume office on January 1st following their
election.
Sec. 2 Powers of the Board:
The Board shall have the power to conduct the affairs
of the Association, subject to limits imposed by
the bylaws and decisions of the Delegate Assembly.
Its authority shall include, but is not limited
to the following:
A. Fiscal Powers:
1. Adoption of a budget and authorizing its Officers
and employees to carry out the activities set forth
in the budget.
2. Adoption of a fiscal year and policy for the
Association.
3. Bonding of Officers and employees responsible
for fiscal management including ordering review
of accounts.
4. Designation of a person or persons to sign or
countersign all checks, drafts, and other orders
for payment of monies or to obligate the Association
by signing notes, orders, promises to pay, or contracts.
5. Initiation, formulation, and execution of cooperative
agreements and contracts with other organizations,
agencies, and groups in order to advance the goals
of the Association.
B. Administrative Powers of the Board:
1. Establishment and maintenance of a National
Office.
2. Employment of staff outlining specific duties.
3. Review and adoption of a Policies and Procedures
Manual.
C. Program Powers of the Board:
1. Proposing policy statements to the Assembly.
D. Organizational Powers:
1. Accepting and adopting the actions of Committees.
2. Approving the appointments of all official representatives
of NRCA to any other groups.
Sec. 3 Terms of Office:
Except in instances of election to fill a vacancy
as hereinafter specified, all members of the Board
shall be elected for a three-year term. All terms
of office shall begin on January 1st following the
election. The President-Elect will serve one year
as President-Elect, one year as President, and the
third year as Past President.
Sec. 4 Filling Vacancies:
The Board shall have the authority to fill, by
vote of its own members, the offices that become
vacant between elections. Officers, members-at-large,
and Student Board Members thus elected shall serve
only until the following December 31st .
Sec. 5 Meetings of the Board:
The Board shall meet at the time and place of the
Annual Meeting of NRCA. Special meetings may be
held upon the call of the National President or
upon written request of a majority of Board members.
Whenever any matter of business requiring Board
action is presented to the President, and a special
meeting of the Board is deemed inadvisable, the
President may hold a special meeting of the Board
by mail, electronic mail or fax, setting forth the
specific issue or proposed on which a decision is
sought. Such a meeting shall be deemed an official
act of the Board. Fifteen (15) days notice of the
time and place of the Annual Board Meeting shall
be given in writing at the direction of the President.
Sec. 6 Quorum of the Board:
A majority of members of the Board shall constitute
a quorum for transacting business.
Sec. 7 Proxy of the Board:
A quorum may be established through the use of
proxy votes. When a Board member is unable to attend
a Board meeting, he or she may designate another
Board member, or his or her proxy may be given to
the President for assignment. A Board member may
choose to abstain from voting by not designating
a proxy. No Board members shall hold more than one
proxy vote.
Sec. 8 Executive Committee:
In order to carry out the business of the Association
between meetings of the Board of Directors, the
Board shall vest its authority in an Executive Committee
comprised of the President, President-Elect, immediate
Past President, Secretary-Treasurer, and three other
members of the Board appointed by the President
and approved by the Board. Special meetings may
be held upon the call of the President or upon written
request of a majority of the Executive Committee.
Sec. 9 Establishment of NRCA Policies and
Procedures Manual:
The Board of Directors may establish a Policies
and Procedures Manual.
Article X: Officers
Sec. 1 Officers:
The Officers of NRCA shall be a President, President-Elect,
Past-President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The President-Elect
shall be elected annually for a term of one year,
and shall then assume the office of President. The
President shall then assume the office of immediate
Past-President. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be
elected for a three-year term. The duties of the
Officers shall be those usually pertaining to such
positions, including the following specific duties
assigned to each Office.
Sec. 2 Duties:
At the direction of the Board, Officers may be
assigned duties not ordinarily associated with their
positions.
Sec. 3 President:
The President shall serve in office for a term
of one year. The duties of the President shall include:
A. Serving as official representative of NRCA.
B. Calling meetings of NRCA, the Assembly, the
Board and the Executive Committee.
C. Presiding over meetings of NRCA, the Assembly,
the Board and the Executive Committee.
D. Appointing, with approval of the Board, membership
to all committees, except the Nominations Committee
and Executive Committee.
E. Serving as Ex-Officio member with voting privileges
on all committees.
Sec. 4 President-Elect:
The President-Elect shall serve as a member of
the Board, and shall assume the Presidency on January
1st. If the Presidency should become vacant, he
or she shall serve as President until such time
as the Board shall fill the vacancy.
Sec. 5 Secretary-Treasurer:
The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve as a member
of the Board, and shall be responsible for the supervision
of fiscal operations. The Secretary-Treasurer shall
be elected for a three-year term. In close cooperation
with staff, the Secretary-Treasurer shall review
all fiscal phases so that he or she can make appropriate
recommendations and report as required by the Association.
The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining
appropriate records of actions and decisions taken
by the Board and Delegate Assembly. The Secretary-Treasurer
will send the minutes of the Board meeting and/or
Delegate Assembly to the national office within
thirty (30) days after adjournment of the Board
meeting and/or Delegate Assembly.
Sec. 6 Immediate Past-President:
The immediate Past-President shall serve as a member
of the Board, and shall serve as Chair of the Nominations
Committee.
Article XI: Committees
Sec. 1 Appointment of Committees:
Before the beginning of the year (January 1st),
the President, subject to confirmation by the Board,
shall appoint members and chairs of the various
committees, except Executive and Nominations.
Sec. 2 Membership of Committees:
Appointments are for one year.
Sec. 3 Committees:
The following Committees are created to conduct
the business of NRCA:
Membership:
The Membership Committee is charged with developing
and implementing a membership recruitment plan;
developing membership benefits such as the insurance
program; recognizing member achievement through
an awards program and the Rank of Fellow; and oversight
of the newsletter.
Legislative:
The Legislative Committee is charged with maintaining
a proactive posture and keeping the membership informed
of legislation affecting the lives of persons with
disabilities and rehabilitation counseling.
Professional Development:
The Professional Development Committee is charged
with planning and implementing professional activities
for membership. This includes the Journal of Applied
Rehabilitation Counseling (JARC); conferences or
symposia; and the Certification Maintenance Plan
with CRCC.
Organizational Operations:
The Organizational Operations Committee is charged
with maintaining the operational aspects of NRCA.
This includes Bylaws review and update, Policies
and Procedures, relationship with other organizations
(e.g., CRCC, CORE, ARCA, etc.). This Committee also
is responsible for any special tasks or assignments
not given to the other committees.
Nominations:
The Nominations Committee is responsible for establishing
a slate of candidates for national election and
conducting & overseeing the national election.
The Past-President serves as Chair.
Article XII: Regional, State and Local Chapters
Sec. 1 Regional Chapters:
Members of NRCA residing within a Region may form
a Regional chapter. Duties may include:
A. Providing for the selection of one of its members
to serve as Regional Certifying Officer.
B. Undertaking such other activities as the membership
may desire, if such activities are not in conflict
with the objectives and purposes of NRCA.
Sec. 2 Chapters
A. State Chapters of NRCA may be formed by member
groups within a defined geographical area which
comprises the boundaries of the particular State
by petitioning the NRCA Board.
Sec. 3 Procedures for Developing State or
Local Chapters:
A group of members wishing to be approved as a
State or Local Chapter shall:
A. Submit written by-laws for approval by the NRCA
Board
B. Define the geographical or other boundary of
the state or local chapter.
Article XIII: Disaffiliation
Sec. 1 Dissaffiliation
A. A Regional, State or Local Chapter may be suspended
from NRCA if it pursues policies contrary to those
of the Association.
B. A Chapter may not be suspended without first
receiving notice of such intention, an explanation
of the reasons for suspension, and the opportunity
to respond.
Article XIV: Reporting Procedures
Each Regional, State and Local Chapter shall submit
to the Association an annual report covering the
activities of the Chapter for the preceding year
and a financial report.
Article XV: Dissolution of the Association
A. Upon dissolution of the Association, the Board
of Directors shall after paying or making provisions
for the payment of all liabilities of the Association
exclusively for the purposes of the Association,
in such a manner, or to such organization or organization
organized and operated exclusively for charitable,
educational, religious, or scientific purposes as
shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization
as the Board shall determine.
B. No member of the Board shall be required to
furnish any bond or surety. None of them shall be
responsible or liable for the acts or omission of
any other director or of any predecessor or of a
custodian, agent or counsel selected with reasonable
care.
C. The members of the Board are authorized to pay
to themselves amounts for reasonable expenses incurred
for services rendered in the administration of the
Association.
D. Procedure for dissolution requires the NRCA
Board to approve by vote the Executive Committee
request for a mail ballot, which will be supervised
and conducted by a special committee appointed by
the NRCA President. The division will dissolve by
a two-thirds (of division members voting) majority
election.
Article XVI: Amendments to the Bylaws
The bylaws of NRCA may be amended as follows:
A. An amendment may be proposed by a majority of
the Board and ratified by a majority of the Board.
B. An amendment may be proposed by a member of
the Assembly at its Annual Meeting. If an amendment
so proposed is approved by a majority of the Assembly
present and voting, it shall be referred for study
to a special committee appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Board. This committee shall
report its recommendation to the Board and to the
Assembly at its next Annual Meeting, and if such
proposed amendment is ratified by a majority of
those present and voting at the Delegate Assembly,
it shall become effective immediately.
Article XVII: Repeal of Previous Provisions
Sec.1 Savings Clause:
All provisions of previous bylaws of NRCA are hereby
repealed.
Article XVIII: Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order (most recent edition) shall
govern meetings of the Assembly and Board where
they are not in conflict with the bylaws of the
Association or rules adopted by the Assembly and
the Board, and followed on any point not covered
herein.
Adopted: October 13, 1958, Asheville, NC
Amended: October 27, 1959, Boston, MA
October 12, 1960, Oklahoma City, OK
October 3, 1961, San Francisco, CA
October 23, 1962, Detroit, MI
October 8, 1963, Miami, FL
November 9, 1964, Philadelphia, PA
October 13, 1966, Denver, CO
Revised: October 2, 1967, Cleveland, OH
November 3, 1969, NY, NY
September 29, 1970, San Diego, CA
October 11, 1971, Chicago, IL
September 25, 1972, San Juan, PR
October 29, 1973, Atlantic City, NJ
October 15, 1974, Las Vegas, NV
October 15, 1975, Cincinnati, OH
September 21, 1976, Hollywood, FL
September 6, 1977, Washington, DC
September 27, 1978, Salt Lake City, UT
September 17, 1979, Chicago, IL
August 25, 1980, Louisville, KY
September 4, 1981, Indianapolis, IN
September 19, 1982, Anaheim, CA
August 16, 1983, Boston, MA
October 6, 1985, Des Moines, IA
November 20, 1988, Reno, NV
September 4, 1989, Orlando, FL
March 9, 1996, Little Rock, AK
November 10, 1999, Minneapolis, MN
October 27, 2001, St. Louis, MO
October 2, 2003, Nashville, TN
October 14, 2004, Philadelphia, PA
February 13, 2006, Memphis, TN
