Bylaws

Adopted as amended Summer/Fall 2000
Amended Spring 2007

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1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Name
The name is the Technology Division of the American Planning Association.

1.2 Objectives
The objective of the Division shall be to promote the use of tools and technology in urban and regional planning in order to improve the public policymaking process.

1.3 Procedures
The Division's parliamentary procedures shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

2.0 Membership

2.1 Eligibility
All persons interested in the Division's activities may join the Division upon payment of the appropriate dues.

2.2 Termination
Division membership will be terminated upon failure to pay the annual Division dues.

3.0 Officers

3.1 Elections
The Division Officers are Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/ Treasurer, Program Chairman, and other officers as established by the Executive Committee. The terms of the office shall be for two years. Division officers should not hold other elected positions within APA. Elections shall be held every other winter, with new offices taken at the beginning of the Spring APA conference.

3.2 Chairperson
The Chairperson shall (1) preside at all Division meetings, (2) prepare an annual program and budget for approval by the Executive Committee, (3) develop a long range plan, (4) appoint committees and a newsletter editor, (5) assess the need for research, government relations, and contacts with related organizations, (6) serve on the Divisions Council, and (7) be responsible for complying with the requirements specified in the APA Corporate Bylaws.

3.3 Vice-Chairperson
The Vice-Chairperson assists the Chairperson and coordinates committee activities. In the event of the absence or resignation of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson becomes the Chairperson.

3.4 Secretary/Treasurer
The Treasurer shall (1) receive and disburse Division funds, (2) maintain financial records which can be audited, (3) prepare an annual financial report which shall be sent to the APA staff, and (4) assure that all required filings are sent to the APA staff.

3.5 Succession
All vacant positions will be filled by the Executive Committee.

3.6 Nominations
The Chairperson shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three or more Division members. The Chairperson does not serve on the Nominating committee. At least one person shall be nominated for each office. Additional candidates may be nominated sending a statement of interest to the Nominating Committee. Members of the Nominating Committee shall not be eligible for office. The Nominating Committee on the following schedule shall conduct elections: nominations by November 1, ballots received by Nominating Committee by February 28 and tallied by March 15. All voting shall be by an online survey tools such as Monkey Survey administered by the nominating committee. Validity of online votes will confirmed by checking to see if emails and/or registrants are on the Division's current membership list and that no one votes more than once. Election results are based on a plurality of the valid ballots received.

3.7 Appointed Positions
The Executive Committee will also appoint chairs to the following appointed positions: Communications Chair; Newsletter Editor; Education Chair; Research Chair; Telecommunications SIG Chair; Membership Chair; Website Chair; and Conference Chair.

A description of each chair's responsibilities are as follows:

Communications Chair
Communicate and build relationships with non-APA audiences. Ensure outbound media communications has a consistent and professional voice.

Conference Chair
Coordinate, apply for, and manage the APA Technology two by-right sessions. Introduce the APA Technology Division at these sessions. Review and recommend other conference sessions APA is considering that centrally involve technology. Update the management team about other technology efforts planned for the national conference.

Division Coordinator
Handle logistics for division leadership including setting up monthly conference calls with leadership and providing support to leadership where possible.

Education Chair
Liaison with APA and ACSP to ensure that APA Technology efforts are consistent with and use existing educational opportunities, including Continuing Main. Prepare a statement of core skills for a "technology-competent planner" and define three possible career ladders for planners interested in technology.

Marketing Chair
Review the offerings of the Division, its website, newsletter, training workshops, etc., and provide recommendations and guidance on how to package them more effectively. Identify activities to promote the Division.

Membership Chair
Look at the membership roster each time it is provided to the division from APA national and send emails, call or mail information to expired or cancelled memberships to see they can be convinced to renew their membership. Pursue activities that can help recruit new members.

Newsletter Editor
Produce the quarterly newsletter, including soliciting and editing articles, preparing a column (optional), newsletter production and distribution. This position includes a stipend.

Policy Chair
Define and advocate for technology policies both within and outside of APA that support planners and the division. Advise APA on technology-related policy issues.

Research Chair
Identify and pursue research opportunities for the Division that help inform membership on key issues involving tools and techniques in planning.

Telecommunications SIG Chair
Define and operate the Telecommunications Special Interest Group.

Website Chair
Manage the APA Technology website, including editorial, technical and operational issues. Coordinate with APA to ensure consistency between the APA Technology web presence and APA.

The terms of the appointed positions shall be for two years. Division officers should not hold other elected or appointed positions within APA. Selections of appointed positions shall take place every other winter, with new offices taken at the beginning of the Spring APA conference.

4.0 Executive Committee

4.1 Composition
The Executive Committee shall consist of: The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer, Immediate Past-Chairperson, and any other Division officers as determined by the Executive Committee.

4.2 Duties
The Executive Committee shall : manage the affairs of the Division; adopt an annual program and budget; and authorize expenditures consistent with the budget.

4.3 Meetings
Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the Chairperson or by a majority of the Committee members. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

5.0 Finances

5.1 Dues
The Division dues are $20 per year for persons who are APA members, $30 for persons who are not APA members, and $15 for students, overseas memberships are an additional $5 in each category. The Executive Committee, with APA Board approval, shall determine the amount. Dues are collected by the National APA and may be held by the APA or rebated quarterly.

5.2 Non-Dues Receipts
Subject to approval by the Executive Committee and by National APA, the Division may accept contributions, donations, and grants. The Executive Committee may establish fees for publications and services to be offered to non-members, or as special services to members.

5.3 Contracts
The Division may not enter into agreements or contracts with organizations outside of the APA, without the knowledge of and prior approval of the National APA.

6.0 Publications

6.1 Newsletter
A newsletter or comparable publication shall be distributed to the Division membership quarterly. Three issues (Summer, Fall, and Winter) will be submitted electronically to membership via email. The Spring issue will be produced on paper so that it can be mailed to members and handed out at the National conference.

6.2 Identification
Division publications shall be identified with their full names as "a Division of the American Planning Association" and with the uniform logotype of the Association.

6.3 Filing with National APA
At least three copies of each publication or report shall be filed with National APA.

7.0 Policy

No member shall represent the Division or APA on matters of policy without first obtaining the approval of the Executive Committee and National APA.

8.0 Amendment

The Bylaws may be amended by the plurality of valid ballots received. Online ballots shall be used. The Secretary submits to the membership all proposed amendments, as recommended by the Executive Committee or by a petition signed by at least ten Division members. A copy of the proposed Bylaws or amendments shall be filed with National APA for review, before publication or adoption. Adopted Bylaws shall also be filed with the National APA.

Respectfully recorded,