DPA Bylaws

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Division of Professional Affairs: BylawsPreamble

WHEREAS, The American Association of Petroleum Geologists has, since 1917, provided a structure dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of high professional standards for geoscientists and shall continue to provide such structure, and

WHEREAS, The membership of the Association has requested that the basic scientific objectives be protected and nurtured by professional activities:

IT IS, THEREFORE, prudent to establish a Division of Professional Affairs of the Association on the following premises:

Article I. Purposes

Section 1.

To strengthen the professional status of geoscientists.

Section 2.

To require high standards of competence among practicing geoscientists.

Section 3.

To communicate the affairs of the Division and the profession to geoscientists.

Section 4.

To communicate to the general public and to government agencies the Association's constant concern to protect the public by restricting the practice of petroleum geology to those known to be qualified, and believed to be competent and reliable.

Section 5.

To communicate to the general public and to governmental agencies pertinent information on legislative and administrative decisions affecting the regulation of petroleum resource exploration and development.

Section 6.

To maintain and administer certification requirements through a Board of Certification.

Section 7.

To encourage high professional standards in the training of geoscience majors in university departments. All actions of the Division of Professional Affairs shall be subject to review and approval of the Executive Committee of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Article II. Headquarters

The official headquarters of the Division of Professional Affairs of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists shall be located at 1444 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, the same as the headquarters of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Article III. Membership

Members of the Division of Professional Affairs ("DPA") shall be those members of the Association who are certified by the Association as a Certified Member or as a Certified Member and Board Certified Member. There shall be three categories of certification at the Certified Member and the Board Certified Member levels: Petroleum Geologists, Petroleum Geophysicists, and Coal Geologists.

Section 1.

The requirements for certification as a Certified Petroleum Geologist (Certified Member level) shall be:

1. Graduation from an institution of collegiate standing approved by the DPA Executive Committee, with major study in geology, with a minimum of thirty semester (45 quarter) hours in geology or their equivalent in geological instruction.
2. A minimum of eight years of full-time experience working as a Petroleum Geologist, which work is directly related to exploration for and/or development of petroleum deposits, during which period the applicant has demonstrated professional competence under responsible supervision or while self-employed. One year of experience credit may be given for the award of a master's degree or two years of experience credit may be given for the award of a doctor's degree. The experience credit will only be awarded for master's or doctor's degree in geology or a related discipline.
3. Member of AAPG.

Section 2.

The requirements for certification as a Certified Petroleum Geophysicist (Certified Member level) shall be:

1. a. Graduation from an institution of collegiate standing approved by the DPA Executive Committee, with major study in geology, with a minimum of thirty semester(45 quarter) hours in geology or their equivalent in geological instruction.
2. A minimum of eight years of full-time experience working as a Petroleum Geophysicist, which work is directly related to exploration for and/or development of petroleum deposits, during which period the applicant has demonstrated professional competence under responsible supervision or while self-employed. One year of experience credit may be given for the award of a master's degree or two years of experience credit may be given for the award of a doctor's degree. The experience credit will only be awarded for master's or doctor's degree in geology or a related discipline.
3. Member of AAPG.

Section 3.

The requirements for certification as a Certified Coal Geologist (Certified Member level) shall be:

1. Graduation from an institution of collegiate standing approved by the DPA Executive Committee, with major study in geology, with a minimum of thirty semester (45 quarter) hours in geology or their equivalent in geological instruction.
2. A minimum of eight years of full-time experience working as a Coal Geologist, which work is directly related to exploration for and/or development of coal deposits, during which period the applicant has demonstrated professional competence under responsible supervision or while self-employed. One year of experience credit may be given for the award of a master's degree or two years of experience credit may be given for the award of a doctor's degree. The experience credit will only be awarded for master's or doctor's degree in geology or a related discipline.
3. Member of AAPG.

Section 4.

Applicants for Certified Petroleum Geologist, Certified Petroleum Geophysicist, and Certified Coal Geologist shall affirm their adherence to professional and ethical standards of the Code of Ethics of AAPG and shall provide three Sponsors who must be certified members of the Association having present knowledge of the applicant's professional qualifications and ethics. In the extenuating circumstance that such Sponsors are not available to the applicant, the applicant may be sponsored by noncertified AAPG active members having training and experience equivalent to the requirements for certification at the Certified Member level. Sponsors' endorsement shall be furnished in writing. An evaluation will be conducted by AAPG into the applicant's personal integrity, responsibility, and professional ability and these Sponsors will be contacted by AAPG in its evaluation pursuant to the application for certification at the Certified Member level. (Sponsors shall not be employees or subordinates of the applicant.)

Section 5.

The requirements for certification as a Board Certified Petroleum Geologist, a Board Certified Petroleum Geophysicist, or a Board Certified Coal Geologist shall be:

1. Member of the Division of Professional Affairs for a minimum period of five years (a member will be Board Certified in the category of certification in which he or she is a Certified Member);
2. Completion of twenty (20) professional development hours in the previous twelve months per the requirements set forth from time to time by the Division's Board of Certification.
3. Affirmation to the Board of Certification of adherence to the AAPG's Code of Ethics.

Section 6. 

The requirements for maintenance of certification at the Board Certified Member level shall be:

1. Maintenance of membership as an active member of the Division of Professional Affairs;
2. Completion of twenty (20) professional development hours per year per the requirements set forth from time to time by the Division's Board of Certification.
3. Affirmation to the Board of Certification of adherence to the AAPG's Code of Ethics.

Article IV. Governance

Section 1.

The Governance of the Division of Professional Affairs shall be managed by the DPA Council. The number of councilors to serve on such Council, the length of their term and their specific duties are set forth in Article V of these Bylaws.

Section 2.

The DPA Council shall set the policy of the Division of Professional Affairs including an annual budget and the Executive Committee of the Division shall implement and execute such policies.

Section 3.

The Administrative and Fiscal Year of the Division of Professional Affairs shall begin on the first day of July and end on the last day of the next June.

Section 4.

In order to hold office or serve on any standing or special committee with the Division of Professional Affairs, a person must be a Member of the Division as set forth under Article III of these Bylaws.

Article V. Councilors

Section 1.

The affairs and management of the Division of Professional Affairs are to be under the control of the DPA Council. The DPA Council shall consist of the following:

1. The President, Vice President, President-Elect, immediate Past President, Treasurer, and Secretary, all of whom shall serve as the Executive Committee. The President, Vice President, immediate Past President, and President-Elect shall serve a one (1)-year term and shall not succeed themselves in office. The Secretary and Treasurer, each as such, shall serve a two (2)-year staggered term and shall not succeed themselves in office. The terms of office shall commence on July 1 following election.
2. Councilors shall be elected from each American Association of Petroleum Geologists Section and Region on a proportional basis based on membership. Each section having one or more Division members shall be allowed one council member for each 200 resident Division members or major part thereof. Each region having one or more Division members shall be allowed one council member for each 200 resident Division members or major part thereof. Each council member shall serve for three (3) years on staggered rotating terms. Any vacancies occurring during the year in any of the Councilors elected from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists sections or regions shall be filled from the Division of Professional Affairs membership by appointment from the President with the approval of the DPA Council. Such appointee shall serve out the remaining portion of his predecessor's term, or a lesser term as approved by the DPA Council.

Section 2.

The DPA Council shall have full power and authority to do all acts and perform all functions necessary to carry out the purposes for which the Division of Professional Affairs has been organized. It shall review and approve the President's appointments to standing, special and ad hoc committees.

Section 3.

The chairs of all standing committees of the Division of Professional Affairs who are not elected members of the DPA Council shall be advisory, nonvoting members of the DPA Council, and they shall advise and assist the voting members of the DPA Council in the conduct of the affairs of the Division of Professional Affairs.

Section 4.

At the discretion of the President of the DPA, Advisors may be appointed by the President as deemed necessary by the President. Advisors, similar to chairs of standing committees, are not elected members of the DPA Council and shall be advisory, nonvoting members of the Council and shall advise and assist the voting members of the DPA Council in the conduct of the affairs of the DPA. For insight into non-DPA communities, an appointed Advisor need not be (but may be) a DPA member.

Section 5.

The DPA Council shall serve as a functioning long-range planning body to review the Division's activities. The DPA Council shall approve qualified candidates for Division officers as provided in these Bylaws and shall approve recipients for all honors and awards which the DPA Council may establish.

Section 6.

The DPA Council shall meet twice each year; once during the Annual Meeting of the Association and a second time between Annual Meetings of the Association. Additional meetings may be held at the call of the President. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of members. Robert's Rules of Order shall apply at all meetings to the extent that such rules are practicable and not superseded by these Bylaws or by other procedures adopted by the DPA Council. Mail canvasses may be conducted when necessary for interim action when requested by the DPA Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Division shall have the authority to conduct the business of the DPA between Council Meetings. Interim and special meetings may be conducted by telephone conference call or other electronic means.

Article VI. Officers

Section 1.

The officers of the Division shall be the President, Vice President, President-Elect, immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. . The officers of the Division shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Division. The officers shall have the following duties:

1. The President shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the DPA and shall serve as spokesman for the DPA on all matters pertaining to the public except as stated otherwise in these Bylaws. The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the DPA except as stated otherwise in these Bylaws, and the Division Executive Committee; shall appoint all committee members except as stated otherwise in these Bylaws; and shall assign the other officers to serve as liaisons to committees.
2. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve; shall assume the office of the President in the case of a vacancy for any cause in that office and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the President.
3. he President-Elect shall serve for one (1) year as such and in the following year shall assume the office of President. The President-Elect shall become acquainted with all the details of the office of President, and generally become prepared to serve as President. The President-Elect while such shall coordinate Division activities to be conducted during the President-Elect's term as President, such coordination specifically to include without limitation Division activities during the Association's convention and section meetings. The President-Elect shall be responsible for coordinating the selection of Division members to serve as members of the DPA Council as provided by Article V, Section 1 (b) of these Bylaws.
4. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the actions of the Division Executive Committee, the DPA Council, and assist the presiding officer; shall issue notices to meetings of the Executive Committee, the DPA Council, and the DPA membership on direction of the President. The Secretary shall monitor all elections and shall validate election results.
5. The Treasurer shall supervise the receipt of all funds and, under the direction of the Division Executive Committee, be responsible for all disbursements of funds of the DPA. Disbursements of funds of $500.00 or less, may be authorized with the approval of the President provided those disbursements do not constitute a series of disbursements for any single item whose gross amount exceeds the $500.00 limitation. The Treasurer shall make the annual report and perform such other duties as directed by the Executive Committee.
6. The Past President shall serve as chairman of the nominations and awards committees of the DPA Council.

Section 2.

The Executive Director of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists is designated Executive Director of the Division of Professional Affairs. The repository of all documents shall be at the headquarters under the physical custody of the Executive Director. Such documents shall include implementing, definitive guidelines, and procedures for the processing of all applications for certification.

Section 3.

1. Officers shall be elected from among the members of the Division by means of secret ballot in the following manner: as provided under Article VIII, Section 8 and not later than October 31 of each year the DPA Council shall annually select two (2) or more candidates each for the offices of Vice President and President-Elect, and biennially select two (2) or more candidates for offices of Secretary and Treasurer to stand for election during the following fiscal year, and if elected, to serve during the second succeeding fiscal year. The names of the approved candidates shall be submitted for approval to the Executive Committee of the Association. Additional nominations may be made by written petition of fifty (50) or more members in good standing in the Division. Such petition(s) must be received at Association headquarters not later than November 15 of each year. The slate of candidates, along with appropriate biographical information, shall be disseminated to the members of the Division prior to the period of balloting in a manner to be determined by the Executive Committee of the Division.
2. The Executive Committee of the Division shall then prepare a ballot, listing the candidates for each office and one (1) ballot shall be mailed, electronically distributed, or distributed by other suitable means to each Division member on or before April 1. Ballots returned to and received by the Division after May 15 shall not be counted. A ballot committee, appointed by the President of the Division, shall count the ballots promptly after May 15 and report results to the President of the Division. A plurality of all votes cast for an office is necessary for election. In case of a tie vote, the Division Executive Committee shall cast one (1) additional vote.

Section 4.

A vacancy occurring in the offices of Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer shall be filled by the DPA Council. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President. A vacancy of immediate Past President shall be appointed by the President of the Division.

A vacancy occurring in the office of President-Elect shall be filled by a ballot of the membership, through a special election called by the DPA Council. Two or more candidates shall be recommended and approved by the DPA Executive Committee and DPA Council. A ballot shall be mailed, electronically distributed, or distributed by other suitable means to all Division members as soon as practicable. Only ballots returned within thirty (30) days from the date of the ballot distribution shall be counted.

Section 5.

In the event that neither the President nor the Vice President are able to attend a meeting of the DPA Council, the President-Elect shall call the meeting to order and conduct the meeting.

Article VII. Certification

Section 1.

There is hereby created a Board of Certification, which shall consist of the Chairman of the Board of Certification, who shall be appointed by the President of the Division from among the members of the Division for a term of three years and who shall be qualified to serve as such Chairman only so long as he or she remains a member of the Division during such term, and the other members described in the immediately succeeding sentence. The president of each technical division of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists which sponsors certification of Association members in a professional category shall appoint as members of the Board of Certification for each category sponsored by such division four (4) members of such division and of the Association certified in such category (or, if such certified members of such division and the Association are not available, then Association and division members qualified to be certified), such Board members serving three- (3-) year terms and (i) the three- (3-) year terms of the four (4) members of the Board appointed for each category shall be staggered so that the term of membership of no more than two (2) of such members shall be for the same three- (3-) year period, (ii) in the event of the vacancy in the position served by any of such four (4) members before the end of a member's term, a replacement member shall be appointed to serve the unexpired term, and (iii) such members may serve successive terms as members.

Section 2.

The members of the Board who are appointed by virtue of certification or qualification in a particular professional category ("Category Board Members") shall review each application for certification in that particular professional category, making such evaluation as those Board members deem necessary, and shall approve or disapprove each applicant for certification in that particular professional category as determined by a majority vote of the Category Board Members. Certification of applicants so approved shall be subject to the approval of the president of the Division of Professional Affairs, the president of the technical division sponsoring certification in such professional category (if not the Division of Professional Affairs), and the Executive Director of the Association.

Section 3.

1. If the Category Board Members discover evidence in their evaluation which would cause the Category Board Members not to approve an applicant for certification, the Chair of the Board of Certification shall notify the applicant that such evidence has been discovered and inform the applicant that, upon the applicant's request, the nature of such evidence will be disclosed to the applicant and the applicant will be given the opportunity to present evidence to the Category Board Members concerning the matter. If the applicant, within thirty (30) days after such notification, requests disclosure to the applicant of the nature of the evidence, the Chairman of the Board shall disclose to the applicant the nature of such evidence and the applicant may provide to the Category Board Members through the Chair of the Board in writing within sixty (60) days from the date of such disclosure any additional evidence concerning the matter. Upon receipt of such additional evidence from the applicant, the Category Board Members will carefully consider all of the material before them concerning the applicant, including the evidence submitted by the applicant, and will then make their decision by majority vote to approve or disapprove the applicant for certification.
2. If the Category Board Members disapprove the applicant for certification, or if any one or more of (i) the president of the technical division sponsoring certification in that professional category, (ii) the president of the Division of Professional Affairs (if not the sponsoring division), or (iii) the Executive Director of the Association does not approve the application, the applicant will be notified of the failure of the applicant to be approved at which time, unless the applicant was given and did not avail himself or herself of the opportunity to provide additional evidence to the Category Board Members as described in the preceding paragraph, the applicant shall also be notified that he or she may, within thirty (30) days after the mailing of the notice to the applicant of the failure of the applicant to be approved for certification, appeal to the Executive Committee of the Division of Professional Affairs the disapproval by the Board of his or her application for certification, and, if the applicant was approved by the Category Board Members but does not receive the required approval of a division president or the Executive Director of the Association, the applicant will be given the opportunity to be informed of the reason for such approval not being received. Within thirty (30) days after the initiation of an appeal by the applicant to the Executive Committee of the Division of Professional Affairs, the applicant may present additional evidence either in person or in writing, or both, as the applicant deems appropriate. If the applicant wishes to present evidence in person, the Executive Committee of the Division of Professional Affairs shall designate one or more of its members to meet with the applicant to receive such evidence at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee at which meeting the applicant may be accompanied by legal counsel if the applicant has given fifteen (15) days prior written notice of the same to the Executive Committee of the Division of Professional Affairs. The Executive Committee of the Division of Professional Affairs shall carefully consider all of the aspects of the application and its decision on appeal shall be promptly communicated to the applicant.

Section 4.

1. The Board of Certification shall develop, maintain, and revise from time to time as the Board deems appropriate the requirements for professional development hours for those members who are certified at the Board Certified level.
2. The Board of Certification shall, from time to time, randomly audit Board Certified Members to ensure proper adherence to the requirements for professional development hours as promulgated by the Board pursuant to Section 4a of this Article VII and set forth in Article III, Sections 6a and 6b.

Section 5.

The Executive Committee of the Division of Professional Affairs (i) shall from time to time set a fee to be paid annually by each certified member of the Association and (ii) may from time to time set an additional fee to be paid annually by each certified member of the Association for each second or more multiple certifications of such member in professional categories. Such fees shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists which approval may be revoked at any time. Each certified member shall maintain membership in the technical division sponsoring certification in the professional category in which he or she is certified. Failure to pay such fee or to maintain such membership shall result in revocation of certification.

Section 6.

A member certified at the Board Certified Member level in a particular professional category shall not refer to himself or herself as certified in that category at both the Certified Member level and the Board Certified Member level.

Article VIII. Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees.

The DPA Council shall have the authority to establish and dissolve standing committees of the Division. In like manner, the charge to each standing committee may be modified. The membership of each standing committee should include at least one Council member.

Section 2. Appointments and Tenure.

The President shall appoint and has the authority to remove all committee chairs, vice-chairs, and committee members, and shall fill vacancies whenever they occur, except where otherwise specified in these Bylaws. The DPA Council shall determine the number of members of each standing committee. The term of office of a member of a standing committee, unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, shall be three (3) years beginning July 1. Appointments of chairs and vice chairs shall be for one (1) year beginning July 1. Members of standing committees shall serve in rotating terms, one-third (1/3) of the members of each standing committee, unless otherwise provided, shall be appointed each year.

Section 3. Local Certification Committee.

The President of the Division of Professional Affairs shall appoint two (2) or more Division members as defined under Article III of these Bylaws, or use a Certified Delegate, as a local Committee for each concentration of members and prospective applicants, whose functions shall be to make recommendations on applicants for certification in professional categories sponsored by the Division of Professional Affairs and handle other local business as the need requires. The Local Certification Committee, or the Certified Delegate, shall make such evaluations and submit such recommendations of the applicant's qualifications as required by the Board of Certification.

Section 4. Committee on Governmental Affairs.

There shall be a standing Committee on Governmental Affairs which shall consist of the Chair appointed annually by the President, and at least five (5), but not more than twenty-five (25) members appointed annually by the Chair with the approval of the President. The Chair shall also appoint a Vice Chair with the approval of the President. Committee activities shall include, but not be limited to, governmental affairs that impact the profession of petroleum, energy and environmental geology. The Committee shall inform the Executive Committee and DPA Council on matters of concern regarding State and Federal legislation and regulatory policy primarily by way of the Action Alert System. Committee activities shall, when appropriate, keep the members of the Association informed on matters affecting petroleum exploration and development. Official AAPG statements and related action by the Committee shall be approved by the Division Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the Association. Subsequent Committee activities, statements or testimony before legislative, regulatory or other governing bodies are authorized when in conformity with previously approved AAPG statements by the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) Chair, Vice Chair, and the AAPG Executive Committee. AAPG statements or temporary statements are those statements that have been approved by the GAC Chairman, Vice Chair, and the AAPG Executive Committee. The GAC's Chair and/or Vice Chair shall maintain communications with the GEO-DC office as much as is practicable and within the guidelines that may be provided for by the GEO-DC's Board of Governors.

Section 5. Committee on State Registration.

There shall be a Committee on State Registration with a Chair appointed annually by the President. The Chair, with the approval of the President, may appoint members from the Division or Association to serve as committee members or secure such help from members of the Division or Association as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Committee. The Committee shall monitor and report to the Executive Committee and the DPA Council on the status of registration or licensing of petroleum geologists at the State and Federal levels. The Committee shall coordinate with the Division President before taking action related to registration or licensing of petroleum geologists by government agencies.

Section 6. Committee on Continuing Education.

There shall be a standing Committee on Continuing Education which shall consist of the Chair, appointed annually by the President, and at least four (4) members appointed annually by the Chair with the approval of the President. Committee activities shall include supervising and monitoring all continuing education activities of the Division. The Committee is specifically charged with the duty of evaluating and recommending to DPA members those non-AAPG continuing education offerings that would be of value to DPA members and to work with the Publications Committee to develop DPA sponsored courses. The Committee shall coordinate its activities with the Education Department of the AAPG.

Section 7. Bylaws Committee.

There shall be a standing committee on Bylaws which shall consist of the Chair, who shall be the President-Elect of the Division, and at least three (3) members appointed by the President. Committee activity shall be to recommend Bylaw changes to the DPA Council.

Section 8. Nominating Committee.

The nominating committee shall make recommendations to the DPA Council for officer nominations each year. The nominating committee shall consist of the three (3) latest past Presidents available and the current President. This committee shall advise nominees of their duties and obligations if elected to office in the DPA. The Chair shall be the immediate Past President.

Section 9. Awards Committee.

The awards committee shall make recommendations to the DPA Council for the purpose of awards each year. The committee shall be composed of three members: 1) two of which are appointed for three year terms; and 2) the immediate Past President, who serves a one year term. The Chair shall be the immediate Past President.

Section 10. Conventions Committee:

The function of the Committee on Conventions is to plan and coordinate the Annual Meeting and other authorized conventions, conferences, and symposia. The committee shall consist of at least three (3) members appointed by the President.

Section 11. Publications Committee.

The function of the Publications Committee is to publish the DPA newsletter, The Correlator, as well as any special publications commissioned by the Division. The committee shall consist of the DPA Editor, appointed annually by the President, who may appoint members from the Division or Association to serve as committee members or secure such help from members of the Divisions or Association as may be necessary to develop the special publications requested by the Division. All members of the committee shall be subject to the approval of the President.

Section 12. Website Committee.

There shall be a standing Committee that shall maintain the DPA's website. Membership shall consist of the Chair, appointed annually by the President, and two (2) members of the Division appointed annually by the Chair with the approval of the President. The Committee shall ensure that the Division's website is kept current with the activities of the Division and its' committees. This Committee will interface with all of the other committees and leadership in its duties.

Section 13. Membership Committee.

There shall be a standing Committee on Membership which shall consist of the Chair, appointed annually by the President, and at least four (4) members of the Division appointed annually by the Chair with approval of the President. All councilors shall be ex-officio members of the Membership Committee. Committee activities shall include promoting membership in the DPA and Certification amongst the AAPG membership: encouraging DPA members totake an active role in serving the Division; and to study demographics of present and future Division membership and report findings to the Council on an annual or other time frame as may be requested by the Council.

Section 14. Special Committees.

The President of the Division may appoint special committees as may be necessary to conduct pertinent projects.

Article IX. Dues

A non-refundable application fee, and annual dues payable simultaneously with AAPG dues, shall be recommended by officers of the Division of Professional Affairs and approved by the DPA Council.

Article X. AAPG Bylaws

All provisions of the Bylaws of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and any Amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of the Bylaws of the Division of Professional Affairs.

Article XI. Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the DPA Council by a two-thirds vote of the quorum present providing the statement(s) of the proposed amendments was/were mailed, electronically distributed, or distributed by other suitable means to the Council members at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting date. Amendments will be effective upon concurrence of the Executive Committee of the Association.

Amended July 2015