WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSOCIATION

BY-LAWS (As Amended February 2003)

1.  Objectives of the Association

1. To provide a medium for exchange of experience, discussion, and comparative study of transit and related problems.
2. To research, investigate, and publish reports on matters affecting transit.
3. To aid members in dealing with special problems.
4. To encourage cooperation among its members, their employees, government, and planning agencies and the general public.
5. To encourage the exchange of knowledge of equipment maintenance and operations.
6. To advise and counsel both executive and legislative branches of local, state, and federal government on transit related matters.

2.  Membership

1. Regular membership: a regular member shall be any agency or unit of government which provides regular transit service to the general public.
2. Commercial membership: any individual or organization desiring membership for business reasons. [12/18/79 AMENDMENT]
3. Associate membership: any individual or organization who is not qualified for regular or commercial membership may join an associate member. [ 12/18/79 AMENDMENT ]
4. All applications for membership shall be submitted to the president for review and approval by vote of the regular members.
5. The association may hire an executive director, on an annual basis to assist the association in meeting its objectives. The executive director will for voting purposes be considered a regular member of the association. [The executive director’s salary shall be set from time to time by the membership.] or [The Executive Director’s salary shall or exceed $599.00 annually.]

3.  Voting

1. Only regular dues paying (as per 3/4/82 vote) members will be eligible to vote on matters coming before the association.
2. Each property that is a regular member of the association shall have one vote. The vote will be exercised by the chief administrative officer.
   1. In the event that the chief administrative officer is unable to attend a regular or special meeting, he may give a written proxy to the person of this choice.
   2. Written proxies shall be entered into the permanent records of the association.
3. A majority of the votes cast by the regular members present at any regular or special meeting shall be required to determine all matters coming before the association.
   1. In the event of a tie vote, the president shall exercise the deciding vote.
   2. In the event of a tie vote in the election of officers, the membership will continue to vote until a majority prevails.
4. In order for a regular member to vote for election of officers at the Association’s Annual Meeting, that member must attend at least four regular meetings in the previous fiscal year. In the case of a new member joining during the course of a fiscal year, the new member must attend at least 50 percent of the meetings held after he has become a member in order to be eligible to vote in the election of officers. [10/19/78 AMENDMENT]

4.  Meetings

1. The association shall hold at least seven (7) regular meetings per year
2. Special meetings may be called by the President with the consent of a majority of the membership [casting a vote. The President will set the time, date, and place of the meeting. Members may vote yes or no on the special meeting by any convenient manner. The President will record and certify the results of the vote and make them available at the meeting thus called.] or [Written consent may be expressed in the form of a brief letter to be entered into the record at the time of the special meeting. The letter should specify a time and date for the special meeting.]
3. Special meetings that are held in the same month as a regular meeting may be designated as the regular meeting by a majority vote of those who attend.
4. Regular meetings will be held on a day of the week and at a location agreed to by a majority of the membership at the previous meetings.
5. The President or Executive Director shall be responsible for the preparation of an agenda for each regular and special meeting.

5.  Officers

1. The following officers shall be chosen on an annual basis and be elected at the annual meeting to serve from July 1 to June 30:
   1. President
   2. Vice President
   3. Secretary
   4. Treasurer
2.  Vacancies shall be filled by presidential appointment to serve until the first regular or special meeting following the appointment at which time the vacancy shall be filled by vote of the regular members.

6.  Dues and Fees

1. The regular membership shall assess dues in the amount required to meet the associations budget at the annual meeting.
2. Associate members may be assessed at a rate determined by the regular membership.
3. The association may charge registration or fees for meetings and conferences.

7.  Any changes proposed in the by-laws must be submitted to the membership in writing thirty (30) days prior to the meeting when the proposed changes shall be considered by the members.

8.  In the conduct of association business, Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail when not contrary to the foregoing provisions.

Appendix A

 West Virginia Public Transit Association

(WVPTA)

Membership Dues

Effective July 1, 2003