Bylaws

Article I—Name

The name of this organization shall be the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis. It shall be represented by the initials ALABA. The Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis is a not-for-profit membership organization whose purpose is to promote the specific interests of its members, within the scope of these bylaws.

Article II—Purpose

The Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis was created with the mission to promote the science of behavior and its associated technologies within the State of Alabama. Specifically, the organization shall:

(a) Serve as a scientific and professional reference for all in the State of Alabama who identify themselves as scientists or practitioners in disciplines that embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis and to serve as a networking group for its members.

(b) Promote research that will advance the understanding of human and animal behavior and disseminate information to promote its mission to a wider audience.

(c) Identify and promote the use of effective and humane behavioral procedures that meet the educational and habilitative needs of individuals.

(d) Organize an annual business meeting to provide a forum for discussion of the affairs of the chapter.

(e) Serve as a resource for political, legislative, and policy-making bodies in Alabama in ways that support the scientific and professional interests of behavior analysis.

Article III—Membership

Membership is renewed yearly and is open to all persons interested in or actively engaged in behavior analysis. Membership shall be in one of three classes:

Full Member: Any individual holding (a) a graduate degree in a discipline directly related to or involving behavior analysis and whose professional commitment includes teaching, research, and/or practice in behavior analysis or (b) BACB certification (BCBA-D, BCBA, or BCaBA) may apply for membership in this category. Full members in good standing shall be entitled to vote on all matters brought before the chapter. There shall be no proxy voting. Individuals with graduate training in behavior analysis who do not have BACB certification and wish to become Full members should submit an application for Full membership to the Board. Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Affiliate Member: Any individual evidencing interest in the discipline of behavior analysis, but lacking graduate-level formal training therein, may apply for this class of membership. Affiliate members may hold a RBT certification that is in good standing. Parents and other professionals interested in behavior analysis should apply for membership at the Affiliate Member level. Affiliate members do not vote on organization matters and cannot hold office.

Student Member: Any individual pursuing formal training in the discipline of behavior analysis, but not yet gainfully employed therein, on at least a half-time basis may apply for membership in this category. Such applications must be accompanied by documentation certifying the applicant’s student status. Student members in good standing shall be entitled to one vote for student representative to the Board. Student members do not vote on organization matters and cannot hold office other than student representative.

A person wishing to become a member must submit a completed application form and pay the annual membership dues established by the Board. Applicants shall also submit any additional information, such as transcripts, diplomas, or references, as requested to verify they meet the requirements for membership.

The Board, by a two-thirds majority vote, may suspend or expel any member for cause after appropriate notice and hearing. By a two-thirds majority vote, the Board may also reinstate a former member on such terms as it deems appropriate.

Article IV—Officers

(1) Officers
The officers of the Alabama Association for Behavior Analysis shall be the president, the president-elect, the past president, and four members-at-large. At least half of the officers must be members of ABAI and at least one of the officers must be a member of APBA. All board members shall declare and ensure that they do not profit financially from chapter operations or otherwise have conflicts of interest related to the chapter.

(2) Terms of Office
The term of office of the president-elect shall be one year to commence at the beginning of the calendar year following announcement of election results. This position is allowed one vote on executive business (i.e., all business conducted by the board, and voting issues presented to the membership). The positions of president-elect, president, and past president are only open to full members in good standing with the BACB as a BCBA or BCBA-D for the duration of the term served.

The term of office of the president shall be one year to commence at the conclusion of the one-year president-elect term. This position is allowed one vote on executive business. The president shall not be eligible for nomination for the office of president-elect.

The term of office for the past president shall be one year to commence at the conclusion of the one-year president term. This position is allowed one vote on executive business. The past president may stand for election to the executive committee for a term commencing at the termination of the past presidency.

The term of office of the members-at-large shall be three years. Each member-at-large is allowed one vote on executive business. The member-at-large positions are only open to full members in good standing with the BACB as a BCBA, BCBA-D, or BCaBA for the duration of the term served.

(3) Duties
The president shall preside at all Board and member meetings. The president is responsible for the counting of nomination and election ballots, as well as the ballots in any referenda submitted to the voting membership, and shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the chapter.

If the president is unable to preside over a meeting, that responsibility shall fall to the past president. If he or she is unable to preside, the president-elect shall assume the responsibility.

The president-elect shall attend and participate in all Board and member meetings, observe, and assist in the administrative duties of the president. The president-elect will also offer a presidential address at the annual convention.

The members-at-large shall attend and participate in all Board and member meetings. They will also participate in at least one standing committee, serving as chair when requested by the president.

(4) Replacement and Removal
In the event of death, incapacity, or resignation of any of these officers, the Board shall, by majority vote, appoint a successor to serve until the conclusion of the term of the replaced member.

Any officer may be removed at any time by vote of a majority of members entitled to vote.

Article V—Executive Committee (or Board) and Executive Director

(1) Composition
There shall be an executive committee consisting of the president, president-elect, and past president. The Board shall consist of the executive committee, four members-at-large, and one or two student representatives. None of the officers shall serve simultaneously in two positions on the Board. All members-at-large must hold a BCBA, BCBA-D, or BCaBA in good standing. Additionally, the executive committee may appoint a committee or individual to assist with the operation of the association. The committee members may attend meetings and provide recommendations, but may not vote on Board business. The roles and responsibilities of the committees shall be arranged through a contract with the individuals appointed to the positions.

The Board may appoint an executive director who will carry out duties assigned by president and the Board. The executive director will serve as the treasurer and shall attend all meetings. The executive director shall have the responsibility for all chapter funds and shall have authority to disburse these funds for purposes authorized by the board. The executive director shall keep a record of all money received and all disbursements made and submit an annual report of the chapter’s financial status. In addition, the executive director is responsible for maintaining bank accounts and investments, tax requirements, the website, the P.O. box, the email account, and any other organizational component necessary for the operation of the organization. Furthermore, the executive director shall bring to the attention of the Board and the members such matters as are deemed necessary for the appropriate operation of the organization, including an annual financial report. The position of the executive director will be reviewed annually by the executive committee. The executive director will receive compensation in the form of $5,000 in reimbursement for professional development and related travel expenses. If all funds cannot be used towards professional development/travel, funds may be rolled over to the next year or, with approval from the Board, may be paid as a stipend.

One member-at-large will serve as the secretary and will keep the records of the chapter and the Board and conduct official correspondence.

The Board shall promulgate policies regarding chapter functioning that are not specified in the bylaws.

(2) Meetings
The Board shall meet at least four times annually at a time and location deemed appropriate by the president. When possible, at least two of the meetings during the year shall be in person. A meeting of the board may also be called by action of three members of the Board who shall notify the remaining members at least two weeks in advance of the proposed meeting, though in an emergency the two weeks’ requirement may be waived.

One of these meetings shall occur at the time and location of the annual convention except in the case that no annual convention is held. In this case, the business meeting shall be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled executive committee meeting as designated by the executive committee. The annual business meeting shall include a report of officer and board activities over the year as well as a financial report. Any motions made at the annual business meeting may be passed only by a plurality of the votes cast.

Records of meetings and board activities shall be permanently retained.

(3) Quorum
For purposes of transacting the business of the chapter, a quorum shall consist of six members of the Board. Board members may attend meetings and vote on Board matters remotely (e.g., via Skype). A quorum at the annual business meeting shall consist of not fewer than ten members in good standing present and voting.

(4) Removal and Replacement
Members of the board who fail to maintain membership in good standing in the chapter, who fail to maintain credential (i.e., credential elapses or is in poor standing), or who fail to attend two meetings of the Board within a year are subject to removal by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board; a board member who has missed two meetings will be given opportunity to provide explanation for the absences. A tie-vote shall be construed as affirmation for removal. Positions vacated for any reason shall be replaced by a majority vote of the remaining members, such successors to serve until elections occur at the annual business meeting of the chapter.

Article VI—Nominations and Elections

(1) Nominations
Each year, the president or his or her designee shall send to all full members a nomination ballot for president-elect and for the number of at-large-members and student members of the Board necessary to complete the voting membership of the Board. For each office that appears on the nominating ballot, each full member may propose up to four names and may nominate the same person for more than one office. Nominees for president-elect must hold a BCBA or BCBA-D in good standing. Nominees for at-large members must hold a BCBA, BCBA-D, or BCaBA in good standing.

The president and/or person designated by the president shall count the ballots and shall ask those nominees receiving the largest number of votes for each office if they are willing to stand for election, and shall proceed through the list in the order of vote count until at least two candidates for each office have been obtained. No one may hold two offices at the same time, so if a voting member receives enough nominations for two offices, the president shall request that the individual choose the office for which he or she wishes to be a candidate.

After the list of candidates has been determined, the president shall provide to all full members whose membership dues are paid a ballot for all matters to be voted upon, together with a statement on which the names of the candidates for each office are listed in alphabetical order with brief biographical descriptions.

Members of the Board shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election to be held during the annual business meeting of the association.

(2) Terms
Officers and other members of the board shall assume office on the first day of the calendar year following the announcement of the election results. Officers shall hold office until their elected successors assume office in their stead.

Article VII—Committees

Committees

All committees are constituted by and operate under the direction and at the pleasure of the Board.

The committees of the chapter shall consist of such standing committees as provided by these bylaws and such special committees as may be established by vote of the Board, and include the following:

(1) Membership
The Membership Committee shall consist of a chair (who is a member of the Board) appointed by the president, who shall appoint at least two additional members with the advice and consent of the Board. Unless otherwise appointed by the president, the chair of the Membership Committee will be the president-elect.

(2) Program
The Program Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The chair of the Program Committee shall be the past president. In the case that the past president is unable to serve as the chair of the Program Committee, the president will appoint a member of the Board to the chair position. The primary duty of the Program Committee shall be organization and management of the chapter’s annual business meeting and the association’s annual convention.

(3) Communications and Publications
The Publications Committee shall be appointed by the Board and should be chaired by a member of the Board appointed by the president. The role of the Publications Committee shall be to edit, publish, and distribute items designated by the Board.

(4) Practice
The Practice Committee shall be appointed by the Board and should be chaired by a member of the Board appointed by the president. The role of the Practice Committee shall be to serve as a resource for helping practitioners implement best practices and protect their professional interests.

(5) Public Policy
The Public Policy Committee shall be appointed by the Board and should be chaired by a member of the Board appointed by the president. The role of the Public Policy Committee shall be to advise and assist the Board regarding matters involving behavior analysis and governmental entities.

Article IX—Dues

(1) Dues
Dues for the various categories of membership shall be established by a simple majority vote of the Board. This action can be rescinded by a three-fifths majority vote of those present and voting at the annual business meeting of the association. In this case the Board shall propose an alternate schedule of dues for approval by simple majority of those present and voting.

(2) Collection
Dues shall be payable in the time and manner prescribed by the Board and published to the membership at least six months prior to the due date.

Any member who has not paid his or her yearly dues shall not be allowed to vote on any matter presented to the members. That member shall be subject to suspension of privileges of membership in the association, including, but not limited to, receipt of any association emails, eligibility for election to office, and reduced registration costs at the annual convention.

Article X—Amendments

Process
These bylaws may be amended only by two-thirds vote of the members voting. Amendments may be proposed by simple majority vote of the executive committee.

Last updated: August 2021