Ted Dalton Inn of Court Bylaws - American Inns of Court

The Ted Dalton American Inn of Court
Ted Dalton Inn of Court Bylaws

Bylaws of the Ted Dalton American Inn of Court

Article I
General

Section 1. Purpose.

The purposes of The Ted Dalton American Inn of Court are set forth in its Organizational Charter issued by the American Inns of Court Foundation.

Section 2. Principal Location.

The Ted Dalton American Inn of Court shall consist of members drawn from the cities of Roanoke and Salem, the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin and Montgomery, and the Washington & Lee University Law School.

Article II
Organization

Section 1. The Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is composed of the officers and the chairs of the various committees formed by the Executive Committee and such other members as are determined by the Masters. The duties of the Executive Committee, and its members, are set forth in the Organizational Charter, and as set forth herein.

Section 2. The Officers.

The officers of the Inn shall be a president, a counselor, a secretary/treasurer or secretary and treasurer, and such other officers as the Masters deem necessary. The officers serve a two-year term, or as otherwise directed by the Masters, and may succeed themselves only once. The officers are selected by the Masters in accordance with the Organizational Charter of the Inn.

Section 3. Committees.

The Executive Committee may establish standing and ad hoc committees from time to time from among the active members of the Inn, and from time to time may change or discontinue committees.

Initially, the following standing committees shall be established: Membership Committee, Program Committee, Social Committee, Reporting Committee and Liaison Committee.

Among such other duties as may be assigned by the Masters and the Executive Committee, the duties of each committee shall be as follows:

Membership Committee - The Membership Committee shall solicit and review applications and make recommendations to the Executive Committee, for membership in the Inn, shall maintain records of attendance and oversee attendance in accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of these Bylaws.

Program Committee - The Program Committee shall oversee and approve program topics, and shall be responsible for submitting programs for Continuing Legal Education credit.

Social Committee - The Social Committee shall be responsible for scheduling, arranging and collecting monies for approved social functions of the Inn within the parameters as set forth by the Executive Committee.

Reporting Committee - The Reporting Committee shall be responsible for the distribution of news, announcements, and other information among members of the Inn, and to the American Inns of Court Foundation; shall be responsible for submitting program reports to the American Inns of Court Foundation; and, shall prepare articles for the Bencher.

Liaison Committee - The Liaison Committee shall maintain communication with local law schools, other legal organizations, and the local community in order to advise interested persons of Inn activities.

The officers shall appoint committee members and chairs of the committees, who shall serve two year terms, or as otherwise directed by the Executive Committee, and may succeed themselves only once.

Committees may create ad hoc sub-committees, as appropriate.

Section 4. Pupillage Groups.

All active members will be assigned to a Pupillage Group by the Executive Committee. Co-chairs of each Pupillage Group shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. The Co-chairs and Pupillage Groups shall be reassigned every two years.

Article III
Membership

Section 1. Active Members

There are four classifications of members in the Ted Dalton Inn of Court, as defined in the bylaws of the American Inns of Court Foundation, and as set forth below:

* Masters of the Bench - consisting of judges, lawyers, and law professors with substantial experience and who have demonstrated superior character, ability and competence as advocates;

* Barristers - consisting of judges, lawyers and law professors with considerable experience and who have demonstrated superior character, ability and competence as advocates;

* Associates - consisting of lawyers with less experience; and

* Pupils - consisting of third-year law students.

Membership in the Ted Dalton Inn of Court shall consist of Masters, Barristers and Associates. Pupils may participate in all activities of the Inn, but they will not be voting members. Barristers and Associates shall serve a term of two years, running from July 1 through June 30, or as otherwise directed by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Inactive Members.

The Executive Committee may confer Emeritus and Honorary memberships as set forth in the Organizational Charter. Masters shall be eligible for Emeritus status after serving three (3) years.

Article IV
Meetings and Attendance

Section 1. Meetings.

Meetings shall be held at least six times per year at such times as the Executive Committee may determine. The Inn shall endeavor to have at least one social event per year wherein members may invite guests.

Section 2. Attendance.

All active members are expected to attend and participate actively in the Inn's meetings. Three absences, whatever the cause, during the program year will be deemed to be a resignation from the Inn. Should a member who has been deemed to have resigned because of three absences, nevertheless, desire to remain a member of the Inn, he or she should petition the Executive Committee for election to the vacancy, showing good cause therefore.

Article V
Voting and Elections

Section 1. Masters.

With the exception of Emeritus and Honorary Masters, each Master shall be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to the Masters. A majority of voting Masters shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Every act done or decision made by a majority of the Masters in attendance at a meeting shall be regarded as the act of all the Masters.

Section 2. Executive Committee.

Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to the Committee. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the deciding vote. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Every act done or decision made by a majority of the members in attendance at the meeting called for that purpose shall be regarded as the act of the entire Committee.

Section 3. Elections.

The nomination and election of the President and Counselor will occur in every odd-numbered year during the months of June or July at a meeting of the active Masters especially called for that purpose. Selection of these and other officers shall be in accordance with the Organizational Charter. Selection of other officers shall also occur in every odd-numbered year at a meeting especially called for that purpose.

Section 4. Vacancies.

When a position as an officer, committee chair or master chair becomes vacant, the procedures for election and selection of officers and chairs shall be followed when the vacancy occurs; however, the duration of the vacant position shall not be counted against the new officer or chair in regards to any maximum term of service.

Article VI
Fiscal Matters

Section 1. Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Ted Dalton American Inn of Court shall be the same as the fiscal year of the American Inns of Court Foundation which is from July 1 to June 30 of each year.

Section 2. Dues.

Dues of the Ted Dalton Inn of Court shall be $350.00 per year for Masters, $225.00 per year for Barristers and Associates and $75.00 per year for Pupils. Dues shall be levied by the Treasurer during the month of September of each year. Failure to pay assessments and dues prior to the third meeting of the Inn year and after reasonable notice may be considered by the Executive Committee as grounds to terminate membership of the person in default.

Section 3. Expenses.

This American Inn of Court shall pay all expenses in accordance with the Officer Manual, which includes payment to help pay the cost for one or more officers to attend the National Conference of the American Inns of Court Foundation and payment to an administrator in an amount not inconsistent with the guidelines established in the Officer Manual.

Article VII
Adoption and Amendments

Section 1. Adoption.

These Bylaws will be adopted by this American Inn of Court upon approval by a majority of the Masters of this American Inn of Court and after being submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Board of Trustees of the American Inns of Court Foundation. The Masters may make valid decisions by voting by mail, facsimile, electronic mail, or other means when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or the President.

Section 2. Amendments.

Amendments to these Bylaws may be made by a majority of the Masters of this American Inn of Court and must be submitted to and approved, in writing, by the Board of Trustees of the American Inns of Court Foundation. The Masters may make valid decisions by voting by mail, facsimile, electronic mail, or other means when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee or the President.