ARTICLE I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, here in after known as the Association.

ARTICLE II - Object

The object of the Association shall be to increase interest in Extension Family and Consumer Sciences work; to develop better understanding of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences work in North Dakota through closer personal contact among the members of the Association; and, to cooperate with all branches of the Extension Service.

ARTICLE III - Membership

I. Membership in this organization shall be active, affiliate, state and life. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

II. All Extension employees working in any capacity with Family and Consumer Sciences programming, who has a degree in Home Economics, Family and Consumer Sciences or a related field are eligible for active membership.

III. All former Extension Educators of the NDSU Extension Service are eligible for life membership.

IV. Staff employed with NDSU Extension for less than 50% time may join the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences as state members who pay state dues but not national dues.

ARTICLE IV - Officers & Election Procedure

Section 1 The officers of the Association shall be as following:

President

President Elect

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Section 2 The duties of the officers shall be such as are implied by their respective titles and as are specified in the by-laws.

Section 3 The officers shall be elected at the Association meeting, held during the spring Extension Conference.

Section 4 The officers shall assume their duties just prior to adjournment of the Association meeting following their election.

Section 5 Officers shall hold office for two years. The treasurer and president-elect will be elected in the odd years and the secretary and vice president in the even years.

Section 6 Past President shall serve as an advisor to the Association Officers.

Section 7 Vice President of Member Resources and committee shall present a slate of candidates for office. Nominations from the floor shall also be accepted for president elect, secretary, treasurer, and vice president.

Section 8 The officers shall be elected by ballot and must be active members the years they hold office.

ARTICLE V - Meetings

Section 1 The business meetings of this Association shall be held during Extension Conferences.

Section 2 Special meetings of the Association may be called by the president of the Association.

Section 3 The presence of two-thirds of the active membership of the Association shall constitute a quorum for regular or special meetings.

ARTICLE VI - Amendments

Section 1 This constitution may be amended at any meeting of the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science by a two-thirds vote of the membership.

Section 2 A notice of any proposed change in the constitution may be sent to each member two weeks prior to the Association meeting, or the proposed Constitution changes may be read at one meeting prior to voting. 

BY LAWS

ARTICLE I - Duties of the Officers

Section 1 The duties of the president shall be as follows:

1. To preside at all regular and special meetings.

2. To serve as member ex-officio of every committee except the nominating committee.

3. To appoint all committee members.

4. To serve as the official representative of the Association.

Section 2 The duties of the vice president shall be as follows:

1. To act in capacities of president whenever called upon to do so.

Section 3 The duties of the president-elect shall be as follows:

1. Attend Regional Officers Meeting.

Section 4 The duties of the secretary shall be as follows:

1. To keep accurate minutes of the meetings of the Association.

2. To attend to correspondence as directed by the president.

3. To receive and keep filed all important communications.

Section 5 The duties of the treasurer shall be as follows:

1. To receive money and render an account of funds collected and paid out.

2. To pay out money as voted by the Association or authorized by the president.

3. To pay without authorization dues to the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science for each member whose dues to this Association have been paid on or before December 31 of each year.

ARTICLE II - Dues

Section 1 - Amount

1) Membership in the North Dakota Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science shall be based on the calendar year. Annual dues for membership shall be determined at the fall Association meeting. Active membership dues will include membership in the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. State membership dues will be the portion of annual dues kept by the State Association.

Section 2 - Payment

1) Dues of continuing association members shall be payable to the treasurer prior to the December 31 deadline.

2) Dues of new members shall be remitted to the treasurer by the December 31 deadline or with the membership application if joining mid-year.

ARTICLE III - Standing Committees and Their Duties

Section 1 The following standing committees shall be appointed by the president and president elect prior to the fall Association meeting:

1) Awards and Recognition

2) Member Resources

3) Public Affairs

4) Professional Development

Section 2 Committee responsibilities will be assumed for a period to correspond with the term of office of the president.

Section 3 The duties of these committees shall be as follows:

1) Awards and Recognition

a. Identify, promote and encourage eligible members to apply for Fellowships, Professional Development Awards, Program Awards, Communication Awards, Research and Study Awards and State Achievement Awards for 1-5 and 5-10 year members.

b. Call to the attention of the Assistant Director of Family and Consumer Sciences applicants for national awards.

c. Handle publicity for the Association regarding these awards.

2) Member Resources

a. To encourage participation and involvement in the Association.

b. To increase awareness of the purpose of the Association.

c. To send a letter of invitation to join the Association to perspective members.

d. Welcome and recognize new members at an Association meeting and present each new initiate with a NEAFCS Creed.

e. Present a slate of officers for election each year.

f. Maintain a list of former officers.

g. Maintain a list of members and length of membership so all members are considered potential candidates for office.

h. Provide information on nominated candidates for members prior to voting at the annual meeting.

i. Increase awareness of living in a global community and the challenges it brings for improving the quality of life for all.

j. Provide information regarding networking, training, educational materials, demographics and different cultures in the U.S.

k. Recognize outstanding programs that reach cultural diverse audiences.

l. Coordinate all activities related to socials and gifts.

m. Coordinate the sale of any Association items.

3) Public Affairs

a. To encourage members to be informed on issues and pending legislation relative to our profession and the quality of life of families.

b. To recognize and support NDEAFCS members as they become more involved and visible in public policy activities of professional concern at the local, state and national levels.

c. As funding is available, the Association will promote the participation of a member as a delegate to the Public Issues/Leadership Development Seminar. It is recommended that the delegate be the president, president-elect or the public affairs Chairman.

d. Submit news stories to the Journal of National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

4) Professional Development

a. Serve as liaison with the state office personnel in matters of recommendations for in-service training and advanced training, and program planning.

b. Promote professional improvement of Association members.

c. Keep association members up-to-date on research that is being conducted on the NDSU campus, in other states and by industry.

d. Inform members of the NDEAFCS professional development scholarship available each year. Accept applications and choose a recipient from among the applicants.