MACA Bylaws

11 February 1998
Amended 09 August 2000
Amended 18 July 2001
Amended 17 July 2002

Preamble

The Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts hereby organizes to create a new sense of cooperation, communication and unified standards for improved education, training and awareness within the crime analysis field.

Article I: Name
Article II: Purpose, Vision, and Function
Article III: Affiliations
Article IV: Executive Board
Article V: Membership
Article VI: Election of Officers
Article VII: Meetings
Article VIII: Committees
Article IX: Provisions of Governance
Article X: Amendment of By-laws

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of our association shall henceforth be known as the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts (MACA).

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ARTICLE II: Purpose, Vision, and Functions

SECTION 1. PURPOSE:

The mission of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts is to provide guidance and assistance to local, state and federal agencies in an effort to ensure that the law enforcement field benefits from effectual training, progressive education and a high degree of sensibility. Toward this goal, MACA advocates the highest professional standards in fostering a cooperative, informed and communicative crime analysis network.

SECTION 2. VISION:

The future success of MACA is contingent on a shared vision, one that all interested parties believe and invest in. MACA has adopted an extensive process for advancing this vision, and we believe it represents the best interests of our law enforcement customers and our ultimate constituents: the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Our vision includes several long- term goals:

1. The advancement of a regional intelligence exchange system;

2. The acquisition and use of progressive training technology;

3. The advancement of community- oriented policing;

4. The enhancement of the quality of our training courses, and;

5. The professionalization of MACA's organizational structure

SECTION 3. FUNCTIONS:

The functions of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts are:

A. To create and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base which will provide, among other thing, points of contact for technical, legal, and crime analysis policy issues.

B. To provide a leadership role in the training community for administrative, operational, strategic and intelligence analysis.

C. Support high standards for professionalism, education and achievement within fields of crime and intelligence analysis.

D. To actively support critical and progressive research and writing on crime analysis topics.

E. To promote the integration of data systems across jurisdictions.

F. To enjoin as many cities and community agencies to our collaborative process.

G. To support community- oriented problem- solving initiatives employing models such as SARA.

H. To provide support and instruction in the grant writing process.

I. To advocate crime analysis as a professional field.

J. To foster multi- agency collaboration.

K. To utilize print, radio and television mediums to advance image of crime analysis field and disseminate information as needed.

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ARTICLE III: Affiliations of MACA

Pursuant to the goal of enhancing the field of crime analysis MACA will, with the majority approval of the Executive Board, be empowered to establish affiliations with other organizations espousing compatible goals and doctrines. There will also be a provision for the dissolution of any affiliations entered into by the executive Board of MACA if due cause is demonstrated.

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ARTICLE IV: Executive Board of MACA

Section 1: The Executive Board

The Executive Board will shall be composed of a President, a Vice President of Administration, a Vice President of Membership, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, elected as under Article VI. The Pas President shall sit on the Executive Board in an advisory (non-voting) role.

Section 2: The President

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. He shall preside at meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board. He shall call all special meetings of the Executive Board by notice to the Secretary.

The President will hold an ex-officio membership in all committees and boards of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. He will appoint all committee members, except those mandated by other provisions in these by-laws.

Section 3: The Vice President of Administration

The Vice President of Administration shall assume the office and powers of the President in the event that the President is unable to perform. He shall preside at meetings of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts in the absence of the President. He will perform all other duties assigned to him by the President.

The Vice President of Administration will chair the Training Committee, if formed, and preside at all Training Committee meetings.

Section 4: The Vice President of Membership

The Vice President of Membership shall hold the primary responsibility for recruitment and maintenance of the membership of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. He shall Chair the Membership Committee, if formed. He shall perform all other duties assigned to him by the President.

Section 5: The Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts, and the transcription and distribution of the minutes of all meetings of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts and the Executive Board.

Section 6: The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive and process membership dues. The Treasurer shall distribute the Annual Financial Report for the organization. The Treasurer will chair the Financial Committee, if formed. He shall be responsible for the distribution of funds as approved by the executive board or the general membership.

Section 8: The Past President

The Office of the Past President will be held by the most recent individual to hold the Office of the President, provided he or she left the Office of the President as a member in good standing. The Past President is an advisory member of the Executive Board and has no voting authority.

Section 8: Succession of Office

In the event that the President is unable to perform the duties ascribed—whether permanently or for individual meetings or tasks—the office shall be assumed by the Vice President of Administration, followed by the Vice President of Membership. Vacancies in either of the Vice President positions shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board for the remainder of the term of office.

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ARTICLE V: Membership

SECTION 1. NON- DISCRIMINATION

M.A.C.A does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and non- disqualifying mental or physical handicap or veterans status.

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP TYPES:

1. Full Membership is given to professionals of law enforcement, and to individuals (other than students) associated with criminal justice, criminology, police science or related programs at colleges and universities. Such members will have voting authority. Full Members will be required to pay full membership dues. Such status will be approved by the Membership Committee

2. Associate Membership is given to other professionals and/or persons, who deal or are involved with the law enforcement community. Such members will not have voting authority. Associates will be required to pay full membership dues.

3. Sponsor/Corporate Membership is given to private concerns, such as vendors, etc. Such members will not have voting authority. Sponsor/Corporate Members will be required to pay membership dues at a rate set forth by the voting members.

4. Student Membership is given to full-time or part-time graduate or undergraduate college and university students interested in crime analysis. Student members will not have voting authority, and cannot hold elected office in MACA, but have all other rights and privileges of membership. Student members will pay dues at a rate of one-half the dues for full members.

MACA is provided the latitude to extend Corporate Sponsor status to any business or organization that is supportive of the goals and doctrines of MACA Sponsorship shall be conferred by majority vote of the Executive Board, based upon recommendation by the Membership Committee.

SECTION 3. STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts is a privilege, not a right. Membership will be restricted to those law enforcement professionals who demonstrate interest in crime and/or intelligence analysis and support the doctrines and goals of MACA.

To be considered a member in good standing of M.A.C.A, one must have all dues and fees paid and current by the testimony of the Treasurer. Members will remain in good standing for up to 3 months after their renewal date.

All membership status shall be determined on a preliminary basis by the Vice President of Membership, subsequent to affirmation by action of the Membership Committee.

Each Full member shall have one (1) vote, and must be present at the meeting to vote.

SECTION 4. PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP:

All Full Members of MACA in good standing shall hold a right to cast ballots in the election of officers of MACA, to hold office in the organization and to sit on any committee of MACA.

All Associate and Sponsor/Corporate members of MACA in good standing hold the right of access to all general meetings of organization, publications produced by MACA and to information maintained by the organization which is in the public domain (pending payment of necessary dues).

SECTION 5. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP:

Application for membership in MACA can be made by submitting the application paperwork to the office of the Second Vice President along with all applicable dues and fees. Upon receipt of the documents and fees, the Second Vice President will review the application and, if finding the applicant in compliance with the germane regulations and by- laws of MACA, he/she will approve the membership. The Secretary will be responsible for updating the membership list and sending the dues to the Treasurer.

SECTION 6. DUES AND FEES:

Membership fees will be set on an annual basis by a vote of MACA members. Subject to approval by the Executive Board, corporate members may offer an equivalent value in goods or services in lieu of membership fees.

SECTION 7. SUSPENSION/ EXPULSION:

Suspension or Expulsion will be a result of non-payment of dues, following the expiration of the three (3) month grace period.

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ARTICLE VI: Election of Officers

SECTION 1. QUALIFICATIONS:

Officers of the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts must be full members in good standing.

SECTION 2. TERMS OF OFFICE:

Executive Board members will be elected for two-year terms. Elections for the offices of President, Vice President of Administration, and Secretary will take place in even-numbered years. Elections for the offices of Vice President of Membership and Treasurer will take place in odd-numbered years.

SECTION 3. ELECTORAL PROCESS:

Nominations and elections will take place between April 1 and June 30, with the elected officers taking office on July 1 of the same year. Voting for Executive Board members will be made by written ballot. Elections will be supervised by the Secretary during odd-numbered years and by the Vice President of Membership during even-numbered years.

SECTION 4. VACANT EXECUTIVE BOARD POSITIONS:

Should any Executive Board position, other than the position of President, become vacant because of resignation, expulsion, or lack of candidates during a general election, the remaining members of the Executive Board will have the authority to appoint a full member in good standing to that position for the remainder of that term of office.

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ARTICLE VII: MACA Meetings

SECTION 1. MEETINGS:

The Executive Board will determine the dates of any general meeting. There will be no more than one general meeting during any calendar month, and there will be at least one general meeting every three months. 

SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS:

The President of MACA may call a meeting of the Executive Board at any time. There will be, at the least, one Executive Board meeting per year. Such notice will be given not less then 72 hours in advance.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS:

Special meetings may be held to discuss or disperse sensitive law enforcement issues and information, on these occasions, attendance will be restricted to members with Full Membership status. Such meetings may be held before or after a general meeting, or may be held on a different date. Attendance may be conditional upon C.O.R.I. clearance.

Section 4: Quorum

A quorum of not less than 25% of the full members of the association will be necessary to conduct business at general, annual, and special meetings.

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ARTICLE VIII: Committees

SECTION 1. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP:

Appointed members of all committees must be members in good standing of MACA The President will appoint all committee members, except those mandated by other provisions of these by- laws, contingent with the approval of a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

SECTION 2. FINANCE/ BUDGET COMMITTEE:

The Executive Board may establish the Finance Committee, to audit and publish the Annual Financial report for MACA The committee will be chaired by the Treasurer and shall consist of two other appointed members. If no Finance Committee exists, the Treasurer will assume these responsibilities.

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:

The Executive Board shall establish a Membership Committee to hear the grievances of the membership and to recruit and promote membership in MACA The committee will be chaired by the 2nd Vice President (Membership) and shall consist of two other appointed members.

SECTION 4. TRAINING COMMITTEE:

The Training Committee may exist to establish a training agenda, based upon needs and requests of the membership. This committee will be presided by the 1st Vice President, (Administration) and shall consist of 5 additional members.

SECTION 5. AD HOC COMMITTEES:

The Executive Board has the authority to establish, compose, and dissolve committees with specific agendas, as the need is perceived. The composition and authority of these committees will be duly reported and recorded in the minutes of the Executive Board. The ad hoc committees shall be considered chartered and in force with a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board, or by a majority vote of the membership.

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ARTICLE IX: Provisions of Governance

The rules and provisions of these by- laws, and any applicable and approved committee regulations will govern MACA. Where the standards and provisions of these by- laws are insufficient to resolve disputes the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be consulted. The conduct of all meetings and actionable votes of any component of this organization must be held in compliance with MACA Bylaws.

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ARTICLE X: Amendment of Bylaws

Amendments of these by- laws must be submitted in writing, to the membership prior to or at the next scheduled meeting of the general membership of MACA.

The proposed amendment(s) will be distributed to the voting membership with the registration materials for the next meeting. Members will discuss the proposed change and make amendments before submitting them to the membership for approval.

For approval and amendment of the by- laws the proposed amendment(s) must receive 2/3 of the voting membership in attendance. Each amendment will stand for approval as a single measure. This approval will occur by official ballot. An official ballot will consist of a paper ballot or a show of hands.

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