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WisRID BYLAWS

ARTICLE I.

NAME AND OFFICIAL EMBLEM

Section 1. --- Name:

The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (hereafter-designated WisRID).

Section 2. --- Emblem:

The official emblem shall be a logo showing the outline of Wisconsin overlapping a hand with WisRID to the right of the logo.

Section 3. --- Publication:

  1. The WisRID Interpreter is the official publication of WisRID. The Executive Board shall decide frequency of its publication.

 

  1. The WisRID membership directory shall be published annually.

 

 

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Section 1. --- Principle Purpose:

The principle purposes of this organization are to initiate, sponsor, promote and execute policies and activities that will further the profession of interpretation of American Sign Language and English and the transliteration of English in all modes.

Section 2. --- Objectives:

A.     To encourage and promote training opportunities for interpreters through:

 

1.      Cooperation with existing Interpreter Training/Preparation Programs in the education and development of oral and sign language interpreters.

 

2.      Continuing education through workshop and training series.

 

B.     To advocate for consistent interpretation of and compliance with the RID Code of Professional Conduct.

 

 

C.     To educate and promote public awareness to hearing, hard of hearing, D/deaf and deaf-blind consumers about the role and function of interpreters and the RID Code of Ethics.

D.     To maintain a current listing of WisRID members along with their interpreting credentials. This list shall be made available to appropriate persons and/or agencies upon request.

 

E.      To provide communication networks and resources for and among professional interpreters.

 

F.      To work cooperatively with RID, Inc., the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD),Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), and other entities that serve D/deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing communities to promote enhanced communication accessibility.

 

G.     To support and promote RID’s system of certification in order to strive for competent interpreter services.

 

H.     To advocate at an organizational level, for legislation which supports the rights of interpreters as well as D/deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing people.

 

I.        To disseminate information to the membership in a timely manner.

 

J.       To raise funds to support the purposes and activities of WisRID.

 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. --- Categories of Membership

 

  1. Voting Members
    1. Regular Members
    2. Organizational Members
    3. Charter Members
    4. Honorary Members

 

  1. Non-voting Members
    1. Associate Members
    2. Student Members
    3. Charter Members
    4. Honorary Members

 

Section 2. --- Eligibility

 

A.     Regular Members are those individuals who have paid their annual dues to WisRID and are members in good standing with RID, Inc.

 

B.     Charter Members are those individuals who paid their dues on or before April 24, 1971 in support of the establishment of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. Their names shall appear on the final page of these Bylaws.

 

1.      Voting Charter Members are members in good standing with WisRID and RID, Inc.

 

2.      Non-Voting Charter Members are members who have not paid WisRID dues.

 

C.     Honorary Members are those individuals whose long time membership to WisRID, long time service to the field and/or service to WisRID are honored by receiving life long free membership to WisRID. Refer to WisRID’s Procedures manual for guidelines to how someone can be recommended for Honorary Membership.

 

D.     Student Members are those individuals who are enrolled in a post-secondary level education program and have displayed an interest in obtaining or increasing interpreting skills. (Refer to WisRID’s Procedures Manual for more information.)

 

1.      Student Members shall not have voting privileges, with exception of voting for the Student Liaison to the Executive Board.

 

E.      Organizational Members shall be any organization with an interest in supporting the purpose and activities of WisRID.

 

1.      Each Organizational Membership shall have one Primary Representative designated.

2.      The Organizational Primary Representative shall have one vote in order to represent the wishes of the organization.

 

Section 3. --- Voting Rights

 

A.     Each voting member of WisRID shall be entitled to one (1) vote in meetings, referenda and elections.

 

B.     Each voting member is entitled to proxy their vote prior to all meetings, referenda and elections. (Refer to WisRID's Procedures Manual for more information.)

 

Section 4. --- Fees and Dues

 

A.     Each member in good standing must pay (within the time frame and on the conditions set by the WisRID Executive Board and these Bylaws) the annual dues in amounts to be determined by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall not increase or decrease membership dues by more than ten percent (10%) without a majority vote of the membership either at the Fall Conference or by mail referendum.

 

B.     Dues shall be submitted to the WisRID Membership Secretary. Dues shall be payable by September 1 of each year to remain a member in good standing.

 

C.     First year members may qualify for prorated dues as determined by the Executive Board.

 

Section 5. --- Termination/Suspension of Membership

 

A.     An individual's membership in WisRID can be terminated for the following reasons:

 

1.      For non-payment of dues.

 

2.      Upon finding cause and recommendation by the Board of Directors of RID, Inc., and/or the Executive Board of WisRID. The individual will automatically be suspended or expelled from WisRID until such time as the Executive Board has approved reinstatement of membership.

 

3.      Any member may terminate their membership by sending written notice to the Executive Board. Dues shall not be refunded.

 

Section 6. --- Reinstatement of Terminated /Suspended Members

 

A.     Following completion of the suspension or expulsion period, terminated or suspended members of WisRID may apply for reinstatement of membership.

 

B.     Upon reapplication for membership and payment of appropriate fees/dues, a terminated or suspended member may be reinstated after further consideration and approval by the Executive Board.

 

Section 7. --- Change of Membership Category

 

A.     A member may change their membership category at any time upon payment of appropriate fees/dues.

 

 

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD

 

Section 1. --- Composition of the Executive Board

 

A.     The number of positions shall be ten (10) unless and until the number of positions is changed by amendment to these Bylaws.

 

B.     The Executive Board shall consist of President, Vice President, Member-at-Large, Secretary, Treasurer,  Immediate Past President,, two (2) Trustees, W.A.D. Liaison, Student Liaison.

 

Section 2. --- Eligibility Requirements

 

A.     All members of the Executive Board must be members in good standing with RID, Inc. as well as Voting Members in good standing with WisRID with the following exceptions:

 

1.      The Student Liaison is not required to be a Voting Member of WisRID.

 

B.     All members of the Executive Board are entitled to one (1) vote each, except the President Ex Officio/Immediate Past President who is not a voting member.

 

C.     No office shall be held by the same individual for more than four consecutive years.

 

D.     All candidates for the Executive Board shall be members in good standing of WisRID for the full year preceding the election and also be a current member of RID, Inc.

 

Section 3. --- Terms of Office

 

A.     Vice President, and  Student Liaison shall be elected annually.

B.     The positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees and Member-at-Large shall be elected every two years.

1.      The Member-at-Large, Treasurer, and one (1) Trustee shall be elected in odd-numbered years.

2.      The secretary and  (1)  Trustee shall be elected in even-numbered years.

C.     The former President will hold the office of President Ex Officio/Immediate Past President for a period of one year, if and only if that person does not hold another office within the board. After one year, the President Ex Officio/Immediate Past President vacates the office. The office of President Ex-Officio may be vacant

D.     The W.A.D. Liaison is appointed by the WAD Board to serve a one-(1) year term.

E.      The Student Liaison shall be elected annually by the entire membership. The slate of nominees shall include the Student Representatives appointed by the students from the Interpreter Training/Preparation Programs in Wisconsin.

 

Section 4. --- Duties

 

A.     President

1.      Shall have general supervision of the direction and business affairs of the organization.

2.      Shall represent WisRID in all activities except those forbidden by law or by these Bylaws, or appoint a board member to represent WisRID in his/her place.

3.      Shall preside at all WisRID Board and Business meetings.

4.      Shall appoint all Standing and Ad Hoc committee chairpersons, (not specifically named in these Bylaws), appoint the parliamentarian for the annual Business  meeting, appoint the WisRID Web Chair and appoint the Editor of the WisRID Interpreter.

5.      Shall have the authority to delegate duties to any member of the Executive Board and WisRID Committees.

6.      Shall provide regular reports through the newsletter to the membership that include the actions of the Executive Board, and national/regional presidential activities on behalf of WisRID.

 

B.   Vice President

1.   Shall fill the office of the President in the absence of the President, or shall fill the unexpired term of the President.

2.   Shall serve as an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees (with exception of the Nominating Committee) and all Ad Hoc Committees.

3.   Shall maintain a record of the Bylaws and procedures of the organization.

4.   Shall serve as chair of the Rules Committee

5.   Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

C.     Member-At-Large

1.      Shall keep a current list of Local Affiliate Chapter Officers from the various regions of WisRID.

2.      Shall offer support to Local Affiliate Chapters and their members to coordinate local affiliate meetings and professional development events.

3.      Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

F.      Secretary

1.      Shall keep the minutes of all Board and Business meetings.

2.      Shall give written notice of all business meetings to the membership via the Newsletter or other mailings as determined by the WisRID Board.

3.      Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

G.     Treasurer

1.      Shall keep accounts of all money collected and disbursed. This includes monitoring all committees' (where applicable) quarterly and fiscal year-end reports. And Local Affiliate Chapter fiscal year-end reports.

2.      Shall close the books quarterly and prior to turning the books over to the newly elected Treasurer and submit these books for audit quarterly. The audits shall be done by the two Trustees.

3.      Shall send an annual financial report to RID, Inc.

4.      Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

H.     Immediate Past President

1.      Shall lend support to the President and advise the Executive Board.

2.      Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

3.   Can attend board meetings as they desire.

I.        Trustees

1.      Shall audit the Treasurer's books quarterly and/or upon request by the President.

2.      Shall have such powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

J.       Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (W.A.D.) Liaison

1.      Shall function as a liaison between the WisRID Board and the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf.

2.      Shall function as an advisor on WisRID issues, especially issues pertaining to persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.

3.      Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

K.    Student Liaison

1.      Shall be a representative from an Interpreter Training/Preparation Program in Wisconsin.

2.      Shall serve as the Boards liaison to the student's representatives from the Interpreter Training/Preparation Programs in Wisconsin.

3.      Shall function as an advisor on WisRID issues, especially issues pertaining to student interpreters.

4.      Shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WisRID Board.

 

ARTICLE V.

ADDITIONAL VOTED POSITION

 

Section 1. --- Membership Secretary.

A.     Shall be bonded.

 

B.     Shall be a WisRID member in good standing.

 

C.     Shall be held for a two-year term.

 

D.     Shall collect dues and fees and deposit them into the WisRID general account.

 

E.      Shall maintain a record of current members.

F.      Shall send to RID Inc., an annual list of WisRID members in good standing.

 

G.     Shall send a membership roster indicating interpreting credentials, dues status, and other statistical information.

 

H.     Shall send labels to committees and WisRID Local Affiliate Chapters within two weeks of the request.

 

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS

 

Section 1. --- Elections

 

A.     Only Voting Members may nominate someone for office.

 

B.     Majority vote (by secret ballot) of those eligible and voting shall determine all elections. Candidates running for a position that is uncontested may be elected by acclamation.

(Refer to the WISRID Procedures Manual for more information regarding nominations.)

C.     Elections will take place annually at the Business Meeting.

 

Section 2. --- Vacancies

 

A.     Vacancies on the Executive Board shall exist upon death, resignation, or whenever the number of Board members is increased by amendment to these Bylaws.

 

B.     Board members may resign by giving written notice to the Executive Board.

 

C.     Vacancies will be filled by presidential appointment contingent upon approval by the Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE VII.

LOCAL AFFILIATE CHAPTERS

 

Any group of at least four individuals each of whom qualifies for membership in Wisconsin RID as a voting member, may make application for local affiliation following the procedures and requirements as outlined in the addendum to the bylaws. Any local affiliate chapter may remain intact so long as it complies with the provision of these bylaws and the addendum. In order to be a voting member of a local affiliate chapter, a person must also be a member in good standing of Wisconsin RID. Elected officials, officers, and board members of any local affiliate chapter of Wisconsin RID must be members in good standing of Wisconsin RID. (Refer to WisRID's Procedures Manual for more information.)

 

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS

 

Section 1. -- Meetings (of Executive Board)

 

A.     The Fall Conference shall be held annually between September 1 and November 30.

 

B.     The Executive Board shall hold an annual Business Meeting during the Fall Conference. The President shall be responsible for preparing the agenda for the meeting.

 

C.     The President may call a special meeting, by a majority vote of the Executive Board, or by written request of at least ten (10) regular members. The Secretary shall give written notice to the members to be postmarked at least fourteen days in advance of the special meeting.

 

D.     The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of four (4) times per year.

 

E.      Any WisRID member may attend any of these meetings, and participate in discussion but not motion or vote.

F.      The Executive Board can make motions, hold discussions, and vote on issues through electronic means of communication. The online discussion and voting must satisfy the quorum (50% of filled Board positions) for board meetings.

 

Section 2. – Quorum

A.  A quorum shall consist of twenty percent (20%) of the voting membership to include proxies and fifty percent (50%) of the filled Board positions. 

B.     A majority vote of members present and valid proxies prevails.

 

 

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES

 

Upon the Executive Board's approval, the President shall appoint any committees, including Standing, Special and / or Ad Hoc Committees, composed of at least three voting members in good standing to serve for a specified term. Any vacancies in the membership of any committee that are filled will follow the same procedures. (Refer to WisRID's Procedures Manual for more information)

 

 

ARTICLE X.

 

The Bylaws may be amended or repealed by approval of two-thirds majority of the voting members of WisRID during an annual Business Meeting. However, any amendment that would materially or adversely affect the rights of a specific category must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the members voting from the affected category present at the annual Business Meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE XI.

 

WisRID shall not discriminate in matters of membership on the basis of age, creed, disability, Ethnicity, hearing status, vision status, national origin, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

 

 

ARTICLE XXI. DISSOLUTION

 

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Executive Board for the corporation shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation to the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. 

 

 

 

 

WisRID HONORARY MEMBERS

Robert Horgen *x
Kenneth F. Huff *x
David O. Watson
Evelyn Zola *x

Eve Dicker-Eiseman

* Deaf or hard of hearing
x deceased

WisRID CHARTER MEMBERS


Members on or before April 24, 1971

Rosa Birdsall
Beth Clark
Jean Clarkson
Eleanor Collins
Waldo Cordano *x
Eva Barash Dicker
Leo Dicker x
Evelyn Gant
Irving Goff
Sally Henley
Robert Horgen *x
Kenneth Huff x
Rev. Martin Kosche x
Norma Letourneau
Rev. Dale Miller
Rev. Hedy Miller
Judith Grace Scott
Belle Mae Sullivan
Lucile Taylor (Olson)x
Evelyn Zola *x
Phillip Zola *x


* Deaf or hard of hearing x deceased

 

Addendum

 

  1. Reinstatement Policy
    1. Membership termination/suspended upon finding cause:

 

    1. Persons who have had their membership removed/suspended because of having been convicted of crimes against the association or because they were respondents to civil lawsuits with the association, may petition for membership reinstatement the Executive Board upon completion of the following:

        1. Proof of acceptable restitution to the organizatio 
        1. Proof of satisfaction of court sentencing order, and:
        2. Documentation of completion of any additional stipulations required by the Executive Board.
        3. The individual must agree to never hold a position of fiduciary responsibility within the Association. Association is defined as all entities within the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

 

  1. Membership termination/suspended for non-payment of dues:

 

A.     Persons who have not paid their dues, within thirty (30) days of due date, shall result in termination of membership. A completed membership application with the current year membership dues will reinstate the member.

 

  1. Local Affiliate Chapter Policy
    1. Application Procedure:

i.    A minimum of four (4) voting members in good standing with WisRID are required to establish and maintain a Local Affiliate Chapter. A petition for membership as a Local Affiliate Chapter is submitted to and ratified by the Executive Board. Once ratified, a Charter of Affiliation is issued and announced to the membership.

 

ii. Each group shall submit their Article of Incorporation to WisRID Executive Board.
(See Article of Incorporation Information Below)

 

Information regarding incorporation can be obtained from the Attorney General in each state. Each Local Affiliate Chapter is encouraged to file 501(c)(3), as a professional association. General features of articles of incorporation include: 1)Name of the Association, 2) Purpose of the Association, 3) Non-Profit Statement, 4) Duration of the Association, 5)Registered Office, 6) Agent, 7) Incorporators, 8) Personal Liability, 9) Capital Stock, and 10) Notarization.

 

a.      Each group shall submit a certified copy of its Bylaws and/or its governing instrument to WisRID Executive Board. Such Bylaws and/or governing instruments shall demonstrate that the purposes of the applicant group are substantially similar to those of WisRID, as set forth in WisRID Bylaws. (See Bylaws Guidelines Below)

 

b.      Each Local Affiliate Chapter is responsible for the development of bylaws. The WisRID Bylaws serve as a model for each Local Affiliate Chapter, with modification where appropriate. Any amendments to Local Affiliate Chapter bylaws should be incorporated at the Affiliate level and a clean copy sent to WisRID.

Note: WisRID Rules Committee can work with the LAC to establish bylaws.

 

iii.                  Application Approval:

 

a.      Local Affiliate chapters of WisRID shall be created by resolution of the Executive Board. A certificate designating an applicant group as a Local Affiliate Chapter shall be issued by the Executive Board after the application has been approved in accordance with these Bylaws.

 

iv.                 Budget

 

a.      Tax Exempt Status:

Provided that the WisRID Executive Board seeks 501c(3) status, the Local Affiliate Chapters could enjoy the umbrella of the Federal Group Tax Exemption status of WisRID.

 

b.      Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for WisRID and its Local Affiliate Chapters runs from July 1 through June 30.

 

v.       Membership:

 

It is suggested that Local Affiliate Chapter membership be open to professional interpreters, both certified and yet to be certified, students of interpretation, professionals from related fields, organizations, agencies and institutions, persons who are deaf, parents/family members of persons who are deaf, and/or any other interested persons.

 

vi.     Offices:

 

Elected Officials and Board Members of any Local Affiliate Chapter shall be members of WisRID.

 

 

vii.    Duties and Privileges of Local Affiliate Chapters

 

a.      All Local Affiliate Chapters of WisRID shall bear a name identifying the region of the state or city name, followed by the name of the organization, for example, Milwaukee Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

 

b.      All Local Affiliate Chapters of WisRID shall forward to WisRID Executive Board a copy of all amendments and modifications to the Bylaws and/or governing instruments of said chapter.

 

c.      All Local Affiliate Chapters of WisRID shall, within thirty (30 days after the expiration of each fiscal year of said chapter, forward to the WisRID Treasurer a certified copy of its financial statement, including a description of the source of all receipts and a description of all disbursements.

 

d.      All Local Affiliate Chapters of WisRID shall comply with the laws of Wisconsin, as well as the laws of the United States, and shall file with the appropriate governmental authorities all legal documents required to be filed.

 

e.      Each Local Affiliate Chapter shall have the right to use the logo of WisRID unchanged, and in addition to, each Local Affiliate Chapters respective logo.

 

viii.  Maintenance of Local Affiliate Chapter Status:

 

Good standing of Local Affiliate Chapters in WisRID shall be contingent upon compliance with the provisions set forth in this addendum & the WisRID Bylaws, and failure to comply with same shall result in non-recognition of said Local Affiliate Chapter and revocation of its charter.

 

a.      Guidelines for determining revocation.

 

A.     Executive Board request last known officer of Local Affiliate Chapter to
complete and return an "Activity Survey" within 30 days.

 

B.     Upon receipt of this survey, the Executive Board shall review the responses to determine if the Local Affiliate Chapter is complying with said guidelines.

 

1.      If not, a certified letter of revocation is to be sent Local Affiliate Chapter. And publication of such revocation in the newsletter.

 

2.      If so, a certified letter of continued charter as a Local Affiliate Chapter guidance if necessary.