Constitution

The objectives of this association shall be:

To provide for communication among members, with other associations of higher education and training, and with the agencies of the criminal justice system;

To promote a philosophical approach of criminal justice as a systemic process;

To promote the highest standards in criminal justice education, training, and practice;

To foster the highest ethical and personnel standards in criminal justice and allied fields; and To promote high standards in criminal justice planning and research.

Regular membership shall be open to individuals over the age of 18 who support the purposes and objectives of the Southern Criminal Justice Association and whose membership has not been previously terminated for a cause.

Student membership shall be open to students interested in criminal justice and enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education whose membership has not been previously terminated for cause.

Membership is subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

The requirements for membership and grounds for membership termination shall be specified in the bylaws.

The voting members of the Board of Directors shall be composed of the Immediate Past President, the current elected Officers, and Directors-at-Large.

All members of the Board of Directors shall be regular members in good standing of the Association.

The Officers shall be: President, First Vice-President (President Elect), Second Vice-President (First Vice-President Elect), and Treasurer.

All Officers shall be regular members of the Association in good standing.

The Association shall have five (5) Directors-at-Large elected in accordance with the Election Code as adopted by the Board of Directors.

Directors-at-Large must be regular members.

Elections of Officers and Directors-at-Large shall be conducted by mail or electronic ballot prior to the Annual Meeting and in accordance with the procedures set by the Board of Directors in the Election Code.

The date(s), time, and location, of the Annual Meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors and duly communicated to the members in accordance with the bylaws.

The Constitution may be amended in accordance with this Article IX.

Proposed amendments may be initiated by (1) the Constitution and Bylaws Committee of the Association, (2) by the Board of Directors, or (3) by petition from twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership.

The initiator of the amendment shall deliver to the Board of Directors a written Constitution amendment proposal (the “Constitution Amendment Proposal”).

Within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the Constitution Amendment Proposal, the Board of Directors shall notify all regular members of the proposed amendments and organize voting by mail or electronic ballots or any other way that allows (1) every regular member of the Association to vote and (2) the Association to ensure that only regular members can vote.

Two-thirds or more votes in support of the proposed amendment out of all votes received by the Board of Directors are required for the passage of a Constitutional Amendment.

The Board of Directors may supplement these procedures by adopting bylaws or policies as long as such bylaws and policies do not contradict this Article IX.