North Carolina Narcotics Enforcement Officers’ Association
By-Laws
ARTICLE I
Section 1 - NAME: This organization shall be known as the North Carolina Narcotics Enforcement Officers’ Association, Inc.
Section 2 - PURPOSE: The objectives of this association shall be to further the general welfare and undertake, in the public interest, such activities as will serve to suppress the use and abuse of illegal narcotics and dangerous drugs within the State of North Carolina.
To these ends the purpose of this association shall be:
A. To promote and maintain a statewide information network as a primary method of preventing the widespread development of organized criminal syndicates engaged in the business of supplying illicit drugs to citizens of North Carolina.
B. To promote the professional training of law enforcement officers charged with enforcement of the various State and Federal laws and statutes dealing with the control and regulation of narcotics and dangerous drugs.
C. To promote a statewide “pool” of undercover personnel which can be used for the primary purpose of ferreting out large scale suppliers of illicit narcotics and dangerous drugs.
D. To research the various local, state, and federal programs from which funds and services may be obtained to assist in the enforcement of drug laws.
E. To solicit the active participate of all law enforcement agencies within the State of North Carolina based upon the assumption that the sale and use of illicit drugs is not confined to only certain areas, but rather is a statewide problem.
F. To solicit the aid of the citizens of the State of North Carolina, realizing that all the most sincere efforts of the association will be in vain without the support of conscientious dedicated citizens.
This association will promote public interest and may receive funds in orders to achieve the above goals.
All net income of the association shall be used to promote and further the purpose of the association as described in this article.
Section 3 – JURISDICTION: This association will conduct its activities in accordance with the purposes described herein in the State of North Carolina, and neighboring states.
Section 4 – DISSOLUTION: Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the prepayment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such a manner as so directed by the board. Said funds shall be expended in a statewide meeting, seminar, and/or event that proves to be nonprofit. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.
ARTICLE II
Section 1 – CONFERENCES: Unless in the best interest of the association, two (2) Training Conferences will held each year. These Conferences will be held in the Spring and Fall at locations in the Eastern and Western areas of the State. With input from the general membership, the Executive Board will make the final decision, based on space available, room rates, and conference cost, as to where the Conference will be held.
Section 2 – MEMBERSHIP: The membership of the association shall be of three types: General Membership, Honorary Membership, and Associate Membership. Such membership shall be subject to the following requirements.
A. General Members – The General Membership of the association shall consist of sworn law enforcement officers who are employed full-time by a duly constituted governmental authority, and who have as part of their responsibilities, the enforcement of laws and regulations controlling illicit and dangerous drugs and narcotics, and of other persons who exhibit a concern for the fulfillment of their goals described in this subsection shall become members upon the submittance to an Executive Board member of this association, a properly completed membership application, payment of such membership dues as may be prescribed by the association, and approval by the Executive Board. All such members as described in this subsection shall be voting members.
B. Honorary Members – Honorary membership I the association may be conferred upon individuals who have rendered distinguished service, in the opinion of the Executive Board, in any field commensurate with the purpose of the association. Such persons as described in this subsection shall become Honorary members upon the submittance to any Executive Board member a letter of recommendation, and approval by the Executive Board.
Honorary members shall pay no dues and shall have no voting member; except that a General Member chosen for Honorary Membership, may at their option, also retain the rights of General Membership.
C. Life Members – Life Membership in the association may be conferred upon individuals by the Executive Board who are current or former members and who are past Presidents of the association and/or who have rendered extraordinary service to the association.
D. Associate Members – Associate Membership in the association will be open to any individual with an expressed interest in the work of the association and a willingness to support the purpose of the association set forth in Article 1, Section 2. Such individuals must be of unquestionable character and be of good standing within their respective community. Such persons as described in this subsection shall become Associate Members upon submittance to an Executive Board member a properly completed membership application, a written letter of recommendation by a current General Member, and payment of such membership dues as may be required by the association. Associate Members shall have no voting rights.
Section 3 – REGULAR MEETINGS: A meeting of the General Members shall be held at a time and place designated by the President and Executive Board members on the association fro the purpose of transacting such business as may come before the members.
Section 4 – SPECIAL MEETING: Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President of the Association upon direction of the majority of the Executive Board members.
Section 5 – NOTICE OF MEETING: Written or printed notice stating the place, date, and hours of any meeting shall be mailed, when possible, to each member not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting. In the case of a special meeting, the purpose for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice.
Section 6 – QUORUM: At any duly called conference or special meeting of the membership, one-twentieth (1/20) of the membership of the association present and entitled to vote, and represented in person, shall constitute a quorum. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be at least one-half (1/2) of the members of such Board.
Section 7 – RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS: Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary of the association.
ARTICLE III
Section 1 – OFFICERS: The principle officers of the association shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and two Sergeant-at Arms.
Section 2 – EXECUTIVE BOARD: The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, two Sergeant-at Arms, and the Immediate Past-President of the association. The affairs of the association shall be managed by the Executive Board in accordance with the Bi-Laws.
Section 3 – ADVISORY BOARD: The Advisory Board shall consist of the two (2) Presidents in good standing, preceding the Immediate Past-President. The Past President may be designated as Life Members by the Executive Board and will have General Membership voting privileges. Advisory Board members shall serve the association and the Executive Board in an advisory capacity, but shall have no vote.
Section 4 – EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS: The Executive Board shall meet at the request of the President or upon the direction of any four (4) Board members. The person(s) calling such meeting may fix the time and place of such meeting called by them. Notice of such meeting may be given at least ten (10) days in advance by the person(s) calling the meeting. For the purposes of transacting the business of the Executive Board, a majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum. If less than a majority is present, the majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. An act of a quorum of Board members shall constitute an act of the Board.
Section 5 –ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE: All officers as described in Section I shall be elected from the voting members present at the first annual statewide meeting. Voting members shall vote on the Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two (2) Sergeant-at Arms. The second Vice-President from the last election automatically advances to become first Vice-President. The current First Vice-President automatically becomes President of the association. The terms of all officers shall be one (1) year. The offices of President, First Vice-President, and Second Vice-President shall not serve more than one (1) consecutive term. At the end of their tenure, officers shall be eligible to hold another office in the association.
Section 5A – ELIGIBILITY TO HOLD OFFICE: In order to be eligible to hold the elected offices of Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Sergeant-at Arms, you must have attended at least one (1) conference per year for the past three (3) years or you must have served as chairman of a standing committee (Legislative, Finance, Programs, Membership, Nominating, etc.) or State Training Coordinator, or be a past Board member and be approved by the nominating committee.
Section 6 – REMOVAL: Any Officer of the association may be removed from office by an affirmative secret ballot vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the members eligible to vote. Such vote may be requested by any member of the association and the time and place of such vote shall be at the direction of the ranking members of the Executive Board not subject of such vote.
Section 7 – VACANCIES: A vacancy in the office of Second Vice-President. Secretary, Treasurer, or Sergeant-at Arms shall be filled for the unexpired term by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
Section 8 – PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and the Executive Board. He shall sign all official papers and instruments of the association, except in cases where such signing is expressly delegated to another official. He shall, in general, perform all the duties incumbent upon the office of President and such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Executive Board. The President may when necessary appoint a member to fill the unexpired term of a Board member who for whatever reason cannot complete their term, with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 9 – FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: In the absence of the President or in the event of their death or inability or refusal to act, the First Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.
Section 10 – SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT: In the absence of the First Vice-President or in the event of their death or inability or refusal to act, the Second Vice-President shall perform the duties of the First Vice-President and when so acting shall have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the First Vice-President.
Section 11 – SECRETARY: The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of the meetings of the members and of the Executive Board. They shall be responsible for the sending of the notices in accordance with the provisions of these Bi-Laws; for the custody of the records of the association; for keeping a register of the address of each member which shall be furnished to the Secretary by or on behalf of each member. They shall further perform all duties incidental to the office of Secretary and such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the President or by the Executive Board.
Section 12 – TREASURER: The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of the association from any source whatsoever, and for the deposits of all such monies in the name of the association in such banks or depositories as the Executive Board shall elect. They shall further perform all duties incidental to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the President or by the Executive Board.
Section 13 – SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: There shall be two (2) Sergeant-at Arms for the association. One shall be from the western part of North Carolina while the other shall be from the eastern part of North Carolina. The western part of the State of North Carolina shall end in Caswell, Alamance, Chatham, Moore, and Richmond Counties. The remaining portion shall be the eastern part of the State. The Sergeant-at-Arms, and such assistants as shall be appointed by the President, shall maintain order and carry out the lawful direction of the President. They shall perform other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the President or by the Executive Board.
Section 14 – STATE TRAINING COORDINATOR: The two (2) State Training Coordinator positions, one (1) from the East and one (1) from the West; will be appointed by the Executive Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Under the general direction of the NCNEOA Executive Board, the State Training Coordinators will be responsible for developing, managing, and administering the training programs of the NCNEOA, identifying and developing sources of financial support for training, develop, implement, and select the Regional Training Coordinators, who shall assist them in conducting Regional Training Programs, coordinate the NCNEOA training inside and outside the law enforcement arena, and maintain a liaison with other law enforcement associations regarding training and conferences, and will attend any or all as directed by the Executive Board.
Such duties would be, but are not limited to, the maintaining of an instructor list and their specialties and availability, gathering and reproducing instructor training material, identifying classes for each Conference or Regional Program and reviewing class critiques for determining class continuations, monitoring training throughout the State to keep the training current and interesting, and to determine equipment needed and obtain such equipment and other training supplies for NCNEOA.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1 –COMMITTEES: There shall be various and sundry committees as designated below:
Section 2 – NOMINATING COMMITTEE: There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of the First Vice-President of the association and two other General Members appointed by the President. If any of these cannot serve, a substitute or substitutes shall be assigned by the President. This committee shall prepare a slate of nominees for the elected officials of the association. The committee shall submit to the General Membership a list of eligible candidates prior to the elections for vacancies to be filled. The nominations of the Committee, as well as any nominations from the floor, for officers of the association shall be voted upon at the annual meeting. The nominee for each elected office who shall receive the majority of votes of those General Members present and voting at the meeting shall be declared the winner of such election.
Nominations for elected offices will open at 8:00 a.m. on the first business day of the Spring or Annual Conference. Nominations in writing and from the floor will close at 12:00 noon on the second business day of such Conference. Candidates will be interviewed by the Nominating Committee and elections will be held on the third business day of such Conference. Ballots will be collected and counted and results will be recorded. Records of election will be maintained for one (1) year and made part of the minutes of that meeting.
Section 3 – STANDING COMMITTEES: Annually the President shall appoint members of the following Standing Committees, designate the Chairman of each Committee, and except where otherwise specifically provided by the Bi-Laws, shall determine the number of their membership:
A. The Finance Committee shall have three (3) or more members including the Treasurer of the association, and shall prepare annually for presentation to the Executive Board a budget for the fiscal year and to consider generally all matters relating to the funds, income, and expenses of the association.
B. The Programs Committee shall consist of three (3) or more members and shall be responsible for planning and providing programs for each scheduled meeting of the association, and shall be responsible for planning and providing such other programs for other events as the President may so direct.
C. The Membership Committee shall consist of three (3) or more members and shall be responsible for the planning and recruiting of new members into the association based upon and guided by the objectives of the association as designated in these Bi-Laws.
E. The Legislative Committee shall consist of three (3) or more members and shall be responsible for the evaluation of the statutes and laws designed to control illicit drug traffic, to prepare suggested improvements in such laws and statutes, and to report to the General Membership on the developments in legislation that will affect the enforcement process.
Section 4 – AWARDS COMMITTEE: The Awards Committee shall consist of the Executive Board of the association. This committee will review nominations submitted to the board in writing by March 31 of each year, nominating a paid member, individual or group for NCNEOA Award of Valor, NCNEOA Distinguished Service Award, and NCNEOA Narcotics Officer of the year Award, who meet the criteria described below:
The NCNEOA Award of Valor will be awarded to a nominee, who in the judgment of the Awards Committee is most deserving of the recognition for having preformed duty in the area of narcotics enforcement at a personal risk of life.
The NCNEOA Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to a nominee, who has made outstanding contributions in the area of drug enforcement during their career.
The NCNEOA Narcotics Officer of the Year Award will be presented to one (1) officer(s) from the East and one (1) officer(s) from the West and will be awarded to the individuals who have used innovative ideas in drug investigations, the impact of the cases they have investigated in the area of which they worked, the typed and amount of seizures, the number of arrests and convictions, etc. This award will only be given to a member in good standing, who has been a member for at least the calendar year, prior to their nomination.
Section 5 – OTHER/SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Special Committees for specific purposes may be established by the Executive Board. The President shall appoint the members of other such committees as may be established by the Executive Board from time to time and shall designate the chairman of each committee.
ARTICLE V
Section 1 – CONTRACTS: The Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers of the association, in addition to the officers so authorized by these Bi-Laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the association, as such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 2 – CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.: All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidence or indebtedness issued in the name of the association and in such manner as shall be from time to time determined by resolution of the Executive Board. In the absence of such determination by the Executive Board, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer or the President.
Section 3 – DEPOSITS: All funds of the association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the association in such banks, or other depositories as the Executive Board may elect.
Section 4 –FUND RASING: The Executive Board, with the approval of the membership, may enter into an agreement or contract with a reputable marketing firm or fund raising company and the revenue generated from this fund raising shall be spent or disbursed in accordance to Section 501©(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Section 5 – SCHOLARSHIPS: The association’s Edward Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund will offer to dependants of association members a $500.00 scholarship grant upon the completion of a two thousand word essay on the subject of “DRUGS IN AMERICA-PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS,” and it being submitted to the Executive Board no later than March 31 of each year. The two (2) scholarships will be awarded to one (1) dependant in the East and one (1) dependant in the West. The Scholarship will be a continuing $500.00 scholarship as long as the dependant is continuing their education toward a two (2) or four (4) year degree, while maintaining a C average, and submits a request to the Executive Board for payment prior to each school year, for approval, with no more than $2,000.00 being distributed to any one dependant.
Section 6 – REWARDS AND BENEFITS: The association will maintain monies fro disbursement to member agencies, member spouses, or dependants, for awards to individuals who lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals inflicting serious bodily injury or death, on a member, in the line of duty or to spouses or dependants of injured or deceased members, to assist in the needs of the family.
Section 7 – GIFTS: The Executive Board or any official of the association may accept on behalf of the association any unconditional contribution, gift, bequest, or device for the general purpose or any special purpose of the association, provided that no gift which exceed $100.00 in value may be finally accepted without approval of the Executive Board. Conditional gifts, bequests, or devices, before final acceptance, shall be approved by the Executive Board, and all accepted gifts, bequests, or devices shall be the property of the association.
ARTICLE VI
Section 1 – MEMBERSHIP CARDS: The Executive Board may provide for the issuance of membership cards in the association which shall be in such form as determined by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII
Section 1 – BOOKS AND RECORDS: This association shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keeps minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of its members and of its Executive Board, and reports of other committees, and shall maintain as a location determined by the Executive Board a record giving the names and addresses of the members entitled to vote.
Section 2 – ANNUAL FINANCE REPORT: The executive Board will retain a Certificated Public Accountant (CPA) to complete an Annual Financial Report to be presented to the Executive Board and will be made available upon request to the Membership.
ARTICLE VIII
Section 1 – FISCAL YEAR: The Fiscal Year of the association will be January 1 to December 31 of each calendar year.
ARTICLE IX
Section 1 – DUES: The Executive Board shall recommend by a majority vote to the voting members of the association the amount of any initiation fee, if any, and the amount of annual dues if any, and the amount of such dues shall be decided by majority vote by show of hands of those members present and voting at any regularly scheduled meeting.
ARTICLE X
Section 1 – AMENDMENTS TO BI-LAWS: These Bi-Laws may be amended by the following procedure:
A. First, and amendment may be proposed by the joint action of any two (2) or more elected officials of the association; or by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any scheduled or special meeting of the members, in which case the proposed amendment shall be considered by the Executive Board at a called meeting within thirty (30) days after such proposed amendment.
B. Second, the Executive Board shall, by a majority vote of those present at such meeting, accept in principle, or reject, any such amendment.
C. Third, any proposal so accepted in principle by the Executive Board shall be researched and evaluated by the Secretary and one (1) Executive Board Member to be designated by the President to ascertain jointly whether any conflict with other provisions of the Bi-Laws exist. If any such conflict shall be found to exist, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to reject or to restate, at its discretion, such conflicting amendment.
D. Fourth, the Secretary shall send to each member eligible to vote a copy of such proposed amendment at least ten (10) days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the members of the association.
E. Fifth, upon a favorable vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and voting at such meeting, the proposed amendment shall be adopted.
ARTICLE XI
Section 1 – AFFILIATION WITH OTHER ASSOCIATIONS: The association shall become an affiliate of the International Narcotic Officers’ Association (INEOA) through membership by association members and active participation by Executive Board Officers. Association members also may affiliate with the National Drug Enforcement Officers’ Association (NDEOA) via membership and participation. Association members also may affiliate with the National Narcotic Officers’ Association Coalition (NNOAC) via membership and participation. The association encourages its membership to become members of these associations so as to further support narcotics’ law enforcement on the National and International level.
REVISED: September 2006
PKH