Constitution and Bylaws of the
Mississippi Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Adopted 4/11/05

1. Name
2. Mission Statement
3. Membership
4. Organization
5. Local Chapters
6. Committees
7. Dissolution Procedure
8. Parliamentary Authority
9. Amendments
10. Non-Discrimination Policy
11. Fiscal Year/Membership Year
12. Meetings

Article I
Name

This organization shall be known as the Mississippi Chapter of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (M.S.R.I.D.). The area of this Chapter shall include the State of Mississippi.

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Article II
Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Mississippi Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf to provide state and local forums and an organizational structure for the continued growth and development of the professions of interpretation and transliteration of American Sign Language and English.

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Article III
Membership

1. Categories of Membership:
2. 1. Regular Members: This category is for persons working in a deaf/interpreting related field, is in good standing with the Chapter, and adheres to the Code of Ethics set forth by RID. Regular members may vote and hold office.
   2. Student Members: This category is for persons taking six (6) or more credit hours in an Interpreter Training Program and/or deaf related field, is in good standing with the Chapter, and adheres to the Code of Ethics set forth by RID. Student members may not vote or hold office.
   3. Associate Member: This category is for persons interested in supporting the goals and purposes of this Chapter. Associate members may not vote or hold office.
   4. Organizational Members: This category is for organizations interested in supporting the goals and purposes of this chapter. Organizational members or their representatives may not vote or hold office.
3. A member in good standing shall:
4. 1. Pay their dues in a timely manner.
   2. Adhere to the Code of Ethics as set forth by RID.
5. Dues:
6. 1. Membership dues will be set by the voting membership on recommendation of the Executive Board.
   2. Members will pay the correct dues for the appropriate membership category.
   3. Only current regular members may vote and hold office.
   4. For continuing membership to be current, dues must be paid within thirty (30) days of the new year.
   5. For new members joining during the year, dues will be prorated.
   6. For former members rejoining, the total yearly dues will be paid.

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Article IV
Organization

The affairs of the MSRID shall be governed by an Executive Board consisting of: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, three board members and the immediate past president. The Executive Board shall be current, active members of MSRID.

1. Terms of Office
2. 1. Officers shall be elected for a term of two years and shall not be allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position.
   2. Board members shall be elected for a term of three years and may serve two terms. Board members will be on a three-year rotating cycle. Board members may be hearing, deaf, hard of hearing or deaf/blind.
   3. The immediate past president shall serve ex-officio for one term if applicable.
   4. All terms of office shall follow the membership year.
3. Vacancies: Any vacancy on the Executive Board will be filled by action of the Executive Board.
4. MSRID shall, as funds are available, pay annual RID membership dues for these officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

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Article V
Local Chapters

Any group of at least five (5) individuals, each of whom is a voting member of MSRID, may make a written request to the Executive Board to become a local chapter of MSRID. Each group shall attach a copy of its proposed Bylaws with their request. The Bylaws shall reflect that the purposes of the group are similar to those of MSRID as set forth in these Bylaws. The Executive Board will review the request and will inform the group of their approval or rejection of their request. In the event of a rejection, the Executive Board will give reasons for the rejection so that changes may be made and a new request submitted. A local chapter may remain intact so long as it complies with the provisions of these Bylaws. Annual dues set by the local chapter may not exceed two-thirds (2/3) of the amount of MSRID annual dues. Local chapters of MSRID shall be named as to identify it with the geographical area in which it resides, and shall include the name of MSRID.

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Article VI
Committees

Committees, whether standing or temporary, shall be formed and/or dissolved as necessary and shall be appointed by the president with the consent and approval of the Executive Board. The terms of a committee will be established at the time the committee is formed. Committees will report to the Executive Board and/or general membership meeting by invitation concerning the work of their committee.

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Article VII
Dissolution Procedure

In the event MSRID is dissolved, after all liabilities and responsibilities are met, any assets, real and personal property, shall be transferred to a deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or interpreter related organization to be determined by the Executive Board.

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Article VIII
Parliamentary Authority

Robert's Rules of Order, current edition, shall be parliamentary authority governing deliberations of this organization. A parliamentarian may be appointed by the President.

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Article IX
Amendments

This Constitution and Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting. Written notice of the meeting and copies of proposed amendments must be sent by the secretary to all voting members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

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Article X
Non-Discrimination Policy

MSRID shall not discriminate in the matter of membership on the basis of age, disability, race, religion or gender.

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Article XI
Fiscal Year/Membership Year

The fiscal year of MSRID shall begin on the first (1st) day of July and end on the thirty-first (31st) day of June. The membership year of MSRID shall begin on the first (1st) day of January and end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December.

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Article XII
Meetings

1. MSRID shall hold general membership meetings at least once quarterly. Special meetings may be called as necessary.
2. MSRID shall hold Executive Board meetings prior to general membership meetings. Special meetings may be called as necessary.
3. MSRID shall make every effort to notify members in advance when it is necessary to dispense of a general membership meeting.

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