By-Laws

ARTICLE I - NAME

The Name of the organization shall be the New England Relocation Association.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purposes for which this organization is formed are to educate, evaluate, and communicate information on practices and procedures in relocation of employees who are transferred to different geographical locations so that the transfer may be accomplished with maximum efficiency and minimum disruption to the employee, family and employer, and generally to carry out activities in furtherance of such purposes as are consistent with the public interest.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section I - Membership: It is the goal of NERA to maintain a corporate and associate member ratio that encourages participation by both member classifications.  In order to achieve this, membership ratios are established with the goal of having 40% of membership from the Corporate sector and 60% from the Associate sector.  The Board will review ratios annually in order to establish membership recruiting and retention goals for the year.

Section II - Corporate membership limit: three representatives per company.
Any person actively involved for an employer in the relocation of its employees shall be eligible for Corporate Membership. Corporate members shall be entitled to vote, hold office, and participate in the activities of the Association. Application for Corporate Membership shall be submitted to the Membership Committee for evaluation.

Section III - Associate membership limit: three representatives per company.
Any person actively involved in the relocation industry shall be eligible for Associate Membership. Associate members shall be entitled to vote, hold office, and participate in the activities of the Association. Application for Associate Membership shall be submitted to the Membership Committee for evaluation.

Section IV - Independent membership limit: one per person
Any person who formerly was active in the Relocation Industry and due to Employment Termination or Retirement is no longer eligible for either a NERA Corporate or Associate membership may be eligible for an Individual membership. Individual members shall be entitled to vote and participate in the activities of the Association. Application for Individual membership shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for evaluation. An Individual Membership is non-transferable.

Section V - Meeting Attendance
There is no limit on the number of attendees by a member company that can attend organization meetings. Attendees in addition to the paid member will pay individually for the meeting.
Guests must be sponsored by a member, or can attend one meeting per fiscal year without sponsorship. A guest is defined as a person who does not currently hold a membership. This can be a colleague or a member, a perspective member, etc.

Section VI - Termination of Membership
The resignation of any member shall be in writing to the Membership Committee and become effective upon submission to the Board of Directors. Any dues paid to a date beyond such resignation period will not be refundable. Membership may be revoked by vote of the Board of Directors when a member becomes ninety (90) days delinquent in any financial obligation or is otherwise ineligible.

Section VII - Membership Transfers
Membership is transferable from one person to another within a given company, providing the dues have been paid by the Company. The Corporation retains the actual membership.
When a member transfers from one company to another in the industry, the original company retains the membership. If that member is in good standing, they can apply for associate membership under the new company name - OR he/she may become an independent member.

ARTICLE IV - FINANCES

Section I - Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association shall begin July 1 and end June 30, of the following year.

Section II - Dues
Annual membership dues of the Association shall be payable to the Treasurer, in advance, for each fiscal year as of September 1. The Board of Directors shall determine dues. Members cannot attend meetings if they have not paid their dues. Only guests can pay for a meeting.

Section III - Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the New England Relocation Association, the Board of Directors, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the association, shall dispose of all of the remaining assets of the association exclusively for the purposes of the association in such manner, or to such organization or organizations as shall at the time qualify as a tax-exempt organization or organizations recognized under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue statute as the Board shall determine.

Section IV - Audit
Should the Board of Directors deem it necessary, an audit of the Association's financial books will be conducted by a committee of three appointed members of the Association, none of whom shall be current members of the Board of Directors.

Section V - Expenses
Any expenses in addition to the normally expected expenses (meeting costs, catering, speaker room/board, etc.) must be approved in advance by the board.

ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATION

Section I - The governing body of the Association shall be known as the Board of Directors, authorized to handle all policy matters of the Association. The Board of Directors shall consist of a maximum of thirteen members, one of whom shall be the President. There must be at least four Corporate members on the board. Board members who are absent for two or more board meetings in a fiscal year may be asked to step down from the board. Conference call options will be made whenever possible. The past President shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors and shall be responsible for proper notification to members of any recommendations made or actions taken.

Section II – A quorum consists of a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section III - Officers of the Association shall be: Past President/Chairman of the Board, President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section IV - The Officers shall serve for two year terms for each position they hold. Board members can serve on the board for two years and must then assume an officer position or step down from the board. When an officer steps off the board, they will become a member of the Advisory Board

Section V - Appendix A includes job descriptions for all elected officers.

Section VI - Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held prior to each regular or special meeting of the Association or at the call of the President, or a majority of such Board of Directors as exists, provided however, that written notice of the meeting is e-mailed at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Section VII - The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the Association, and shall keep them on deposit in a bank or banks approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall maintain an up-to-date list of membership. The Treasurer shall make all disbursements. Only current Association operating expense disbursements may be paid without the prior approval of the Board of Directors or by a vote of a majority of the active membership. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements and shall render reports showing the financial condition of the Association at the Annual meeting and also as called for by the Board of Directors.

Section VIII - The Board of Directors shall conduct the business of the Association during intervals between its meetings, make arrangements for meetings of the Association, and pass upon all applications for membership.

Section IX - Only members in good standing may serve as Directors. Any Directorship that becomes vacant shall be filled for the remaining term by vote of the membership.

Section X - Board of Directors Advisory Board - Members who choose to drop off the board but remain as a NERA member will automatically become an Advisory Board Member. Their role will be to act as a consultant to the board and assist in planning in meetings/securing speakers. There is no term limit to these positions.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section I - All Committees deemed necessary shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS

Section I - Election of officers and directors shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

Section I - Regular meetings of the Association shall be held  annually.

Section II - A quorum for the conduct of business at meetings, regular or special, shall consist of at least thirty percent of the members of the Association.

Section III - Special meetings of the Association may be held at the President's call, at the call of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the call of ten members, which shall state the purpose of the meeting provided, however, that written notice of the meeting is e-mailed at least ten days prior to the meeting date.

Section IV - The last meeting of the fiscal year shall be the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY RULES

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, revised, shall govern in all cases where they do not conflict with the Bylaws of this Association as interpreted by the Board of Directors.