Article I                      Name of the Organization

Louisiana Association of Crisis Negotiators herein referred to as LACN or Association.

Article II                     Objective

To serve as a conduit for law enforcement, correctional officers, and mental health professionals to network, train, and respond to crisis situations.

Article III                   Membership Classifications

Section I.        Active Member – Active membership is limited to current, and/or retired law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, and criminal justice support personnel of municipal police departments, sheriff’s offices, the State Attorney Generals Offices, and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety. This will also include federal, state, parish or local agencies having law enforcement jurisdiction and/or responsibilities in crisis incidents.

Section II.       Associate Member – Those persons not meeting the requirements for any other class of membership or from law enforcement agencies outside the State of Louisiana or employed in the educational or mental health field and not directly in a criminal justice support role are eligible for the class of membership. Associate members may not vote and may not hold office, but may serve on special and service committees.

Section III.     Honorary Member – Those persons who have made significant contributions to the objectives of LACN. This membership is limited to those individuals who may have no incentive to obtain membership in any other category other than by virtue of their position or accomplishments. The Honorary member shall not vote or hold office in any capacity, except that they may serve as Ex Officio members of any committee. Eligibility for this category may only be initiated upon a recommendation by a member to the Review Committee. Honorary Member status must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section IV.      Life Members – Members of LACN, who have made significant contributions, by actions or deeds beyond the normal call of duty toward the successful attainment of the LACN objectives.

A.     This membership status is different from the lifetime active membership granted to founding members. This highest level of membership may be awarded only to those persons currently holding another category of membership in the Association.

B.     This honor may only be bestowed upon a member by a nomination from the Executive Board following a recommendation by a member of the Review Committee, in accordance with the requirements for this class as outlined in the bylaws. The subsequent approval of the nomination is by a majority vote of the membership quorum at the Annual Business Meeting.                     

C.     The title of Life Member, when bestowed, shall be in addition to the regular membership title of the member. He shall enjoy all of the privileges and benefits of his regular membership classification and shall be exempt from the payment of any Association dues for life or until the resignation of such member. The privileges of a Life Member shall be determined by the class of membership for which the member would otherwise qualify.

D.     The criteria for eligibility:

1.                  Membership with LACN for a minimum of five (5) years; and

2.                  Served at least five (5) years on the Executive Board or completed at least five (5) major accomplishments which have contributed significantly towards meeting the needs of the Organization or a combination of both.

E.      This honor shall be bestowed in the following manner:

1.                  The nomination, accompanied by documentation of eligibility, shall be sent to the Executive Board no later than ninety (90) days prior to the commencement of the Annual Conference at which the nomination is to be considered.

2.                  Nominations for Life Membership may also be initiated by the unanimous vote of the Executive Board no later than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the Annual Conference at which the nomination is to be considered.

3.                  The nomination shall be presented to the membership present at the Annual Association Conference which shall make its decision by majority vote. A quorum of members present shall be required to call for a vote on the appointment which will be approved by majority vote.

Article IV.                   Officers

Section I.        President

A.                 Authority

1.      The President of the LACN shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization.

2.      The President shall vote only in the case of a tie vote.

3.      The President shall, as occasions demand, call meetings of the Executive Board or the Review Committee.

4.      The President shall make appointments to fill vacancies in offices subject to confirmation by the Executive Board.

B.                 Duties

1.   It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the LACN and to enforce the rules and regulations regarding its administration.

2.      The President shall appoint committees in accordance with the mission of the LACN.

3.      The President shall set goals, and direct the development of policies, and procedures for the Association.

4.      The President shall serve for a term of two (2) years and cannot succeed himself in the same office.

C.                 Responsibilities

1.      The President shall keep members appropriately informed of Association activities.

2.      The President shall ensure that the LACN policies are revised as necessary, adequately maintained, and properly enforced.

3.      The President shall present any proposed amendments to the LACN budget in effect during his term of office for consideration and approval by the Executive Board.

4.      Represent, or appoint two designees to represent, the Association at the scheduled NCNA meeting(s) and/or other official meetings or proceedings where LACN representation is required or desirable.

Section II.       Vice President

A.        Authority

1.   The Vice President shall hold office for two (2) years and cannot be self-succeeding in the same position.

B.                 Duties

1.   It shall be the duty of the Vice President to preside at all meetings in the absence of the President, and to assist the President in the enforcement of the rules and policies and procedures of the LACN.

2.      The Vice President, at the discretion of the President, shall ensure that the Association’s web site is properly updated, maintained, and is accessible to all members in good standing.

C.        Responsibilities

1.      In the event of resignation, incapacitation, suspension or termination of the President, the Vice President shall assume the duties and office of President and serve until the next scheduled general election of officers of the LACN.

2.      The Vice President shall act as an oversight committee of the Association’s financial affairs.

Section III.     Secretary

A.                 Authority

            1.   The Secretary shall be elected during the scheduled general election of the LACN, and shall hold office for two (2) years.

2.   The Secretary may not be self-succeeding.

B.         Duties

            1.   The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, conduct correspondence, issue notices of meetings, maintain a current record of membership, and perform all other duties normally pertaining to the office of Secretary.

2.   The Secretary shall furnish a copy of the minutes of all meetings to the Executive Board.

                        C.        Responsibilities

      1.   The Secretary shall, upon receipt of a written request from a current member, provide a copy of the specific minutes requested.

2.   In the event of the resignation, incapacitation, suspension, or termination of both the President and the Vice President, the Secretary shall assume the duties and office of the President and serve until the next scheduled general election of the LACN.

Section IV.      Treasurer

A.        Authority         

1.   The Treasurer shall be elected during the scheduled general election of the LACN, and shall hold office for two (2) years.

2.   The Treasurer may not be self-succeeding in the same office following term expiration.

3.  

B.         Duties  

1.   The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records pertaining to the office of the Treasurer.

2.   The Treasurer shall ensure that all applicable tax obligations are met and corporate filings are made within the time limits imposed by statute.

3.   The Treasurer shall furnish quarterly financial reports to the Executive Board.

4.  Upon the receipt of a written request from a current member, the Treasurer shall furnish the member a copy of the specific financial report requested.

                        C.        Responsibilities

1.      The Treasurer shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary signatures on LACN checks.

2.      The Treasurer shall ensure that all Association bills or purchases are paid in a timely manner, and that all receipts and/or invoices are preserved.

3.      Upon discretion of the President, the Treasurer shall comply with auditory requirements of the designated auditing firm by the executive Board.

4.      Major expenditures of $500.00 or more will have to meet prior approval from the Executive Board.   Any expenditure under $500.00 may be authorized by the President or his designee

Section V.       Sergeant at Arms

A.                 Authority

1.      The Sergeant at Arms shall be elected during the scheduled general election of the LACN for a term of two (2) years, and may not be self-succeeding in the same position.

B.         Duties  

1.   The duties of the Sergeant at Arms shall be to ensure that only members in good standing or a special guest or any other person or persons approved by the Executive Board are present during the closed sessions of the meetings and to perform other duties as directed by the President.

2.   The duties of the Sergeant at Arms shall also include coordinating and monitoring the elections process and ensuring that only members present during the designated election period cast a ballot.           

            3.  The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for and has the authority for maintaining order during any LACN meetings or sponsored events.

Section VI.       Executive Board

A.        Composition    

1.   The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, the Executive Director, and Past President.