Bylaws – Kentucky Association for Behavior Analysis

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be The Kentucky Association for Behavior Analysis. It shall be chartered and exist as an organization under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It shall be represented by the initials KYABA.

Article II – Mission & Core Values

Our Mission: To advance awareness, development, and access to the science and practice of behavior analysis in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by:

Encouraging the understanding of behavior analysis in academic, research, and the natural environments;
Supporting the design and application of effective behavioral procedures to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Kentucky;
Serving as a professional reference group for those who identify themselves as scientists or practitioners in disciplines that embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis;
Advising political, legislative, and policy-making bodies with respect to all matters pertaining to behavior analysis
Organizing colloquiums, symposiums, and conferences that shall serve as a forum for the presentation of scientific and technological achievements, clinical practice, as well as for discussion of the affairs of the organization;
Publishing and distributing information on behavior analysis.

Our Core Values:

Ethical behavior: KYABA holds itself to a high, unwavering standard of ethical behavior AND promotes ethical and compassionate service delivery within the behavior analytic community. Compassionate service delivery includes (but is not limited to) a focus on the following: positive-first interventions; value/client-driven services; acquiring stakeholders’ consent and, when applicable, clientassent of practices; interventions that minimize risks and are free from harmful procedures.
Knowledgeable membership: KYABA creates ongoing opportunities to help its membership become more knowledgeable in areas of compassionate service delivery, developments within the science and practice of ABA, and governmental/legislative matters relating to the practice of ABA in Kentucky.
Collaborative leadership: KYABA understands the power of collaborative leadership and fosters an environment in which all members may engage, participate, and contribute.
Inclusiveness and Diversity: KYABA supports and celebrates diversity and inclusion within our membership and the behavior analytic community.

As members of the behavior analytic community, we are committed to these core values in our interactions with each other and our diverse community of stakeholders.

Article III – Membership

Section 1: Members

The members of this corporation shall be persons who have met the criteria set forth in these Bylaws for membership and who have been approved for such membership by the Board. Membership in this corporation shall not vest in any member any proprietary rights in this corporation. Members shall be entitled to vote in elections as specified by their membership category and shall have no other voting rights in this corporation. Membership shall not be assignable by any member.

Section 2: Memberships

(a) Memberships shall be renewed annually by each member.

(b) Supporting members contribute additional funds to support advocacy work of KYABA, including fees required for retaining lobbyists and/or attorneys to advocate for professional and billing issues. The designation of “Supporting” will be prefixed to the membership designation of any individual in any of the following membership categories who pays additional supporting dues. Supporting members are recognized for their support at the annual KYABA conference, on social media, and on the KYABA website.

Full Member: Any individual holding a terminal degree in a discipline directly related to or involving behavior analysis and whose full-time professional commitment includes teaching, research, and/or practice in behavior analysis may apply for membership in this category. Full members in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on all matters brought before the chapter with the exception of voting for the Student Representative to the Executive Committee.
Student Member: Any student in a program of study leading to a degree in behavior analysis or a related discipline, and/or enrolled in averified course sequence to meet course requirements for BACB certification. Such application must be accompanied by documentation certifying the applicant’s student status. Student members in good standing shall be entitled to one vote for the Student Representative on the Executive Committee.
Affiliate Member: Any person holding a terminal degree in an allied field other than behavior analysis such as occupational therapy, speech/language pathology, general education, special education, or psychology AND all other individuals with an interest in behavior analysis including registered behavior technicians (RBT’s), parents and family members of individuals receiving services, members of a Kentucky support/advocacy group (e.g., FEAT, ASBG), and students not enrolled in an ABA training program.

(d) A person wishing to become a member must submit an online application and pay the annual membership dues established by the executive committee. Applicants shall also submit any additional information, such as transcripts, diplomas, or references, as requested to verify they meet the requirements for membership.

(e) The Executive Committee, by a two-thirds majority vote, may suspend or expel any member for cause after appropriate notice and hearing. By a two-thirds majority vote, the committee may also reinstate a former member on such terms as it deems appropriate.

Article IV – Executive Officers

Officers: The officers of the Kentucky Association for Behavior Analysis shall be the President, three Representatives, and one Student Representative. All officers must be full members of the association with the exception of the Student Representative who must be a Student Member of the association in good standing. All officers must be residents of Kentucky during their entire term.
Duties: The duties of the officers shall be specified in the bylaws. The Executive Officers are the only voting board members.
Replacement: In the event of death, incapacity, or resignation of any of these officers, the board shall, by majority vote, appoint a successor to serve until the conclusion of the term of the replaced member. Any officer may be removed at any time by vote of a majority of members entitled to vote.

Article V—Executive Committee

Composition: There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the President, Past President, President Elect, three Representatives, and one Student Representative. Additionally, the President may appoint a Director of Operations to assist with the general operations of the Association. The Executive Committee may appoint a Director of Information & Technology to assist with additional operational needs of the Association. The Director of Operations and the Director of Information & Technology shall be non-voting members.
Meeting: The board shall meet at least once annually at a time and location deemed appropriate by the president. A meeting of the board may also be called by action of three members of the board who shall notify the remaining members at least two weeks in advance of the proposed meeting.
Quorum: For purposes of transacting the business of the chapter, a quorum shall consist of one more than half of the voting board members.
Benefits: To support conference attendance in representation of KYABA, the Past- President, President, and President-Elect shall receive $750 per year in conference and conference travel reimbursement. Prior to attending the event, the member must propose to the Executive Committee how they will represent KYABA at the event and provide an update or summary following the event. For all Executive Committee members, registration fees for KYABA conference and workshop events are waived as a benefit of their service to the organization.
Removal and Replacement: Members of the board who fail to maintain membership in good standing in the chapter or who fail to attend two consecutive meetings of the board are subject to removal by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board. A tie-vote shall be construed as affirmation for removal. Positions vacated for any reason shall be replaced by a majority vote of the remaining members, such successors to serve until elections occur at the annual business meeting of the chapter.

Article VI – Terms and Duties

President-Elect, President, Past President

The President is elected to a three-year term. During their first year they serve as the President-Elect, the second year as President; and the third year as Past-President.

President-Elect

The President-Elect is a one year term before assuming the role of President. The President-Elect shall shadow and assist the President in all duties as assigned. The President-Elect shall oversee committee actions and report directly to the President. The President-Elect shall orchestrate with their committees and the Director of Operations the following year’s events and have a report and action plan at the first 4th quarter meeting of their President-Elect year. In the event that the President cannot preside over any meeting or complete their term, the President-Elect will assume the office of President.

President

The President is a one-year term served after serving a year as President-Elect. The President shall preside at all KYABA Executive Committee meetings, the annual business meeting, and submit an annual report to the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). The President shall have the responsibility of presenting to the Executive Committee a proposed budget and for monitoring all funds. The President shall have the authority to disburse these funds for purposes authorized by the KYABA Executive Committee. The President shall keep a record of all money received and all disbursements made and submit an annual report of the financial status of KYABA to the membership at the Annual Business Meeting. The President arranges the site of the annual conference that will take place during their term as President, appoints a Conference Program Chair (or Co-Chairs) to coordinate the scholarly content of the conference, and serves as its master of ceremonies. If the President is unable to preside over a meeting, that responsibility shall fall to the President-Elect. If a majority of the three Representatives are able to participate in the Executive Committee meeting, then the meeting can be held. The President will be responsible for contacting the Representative not present to vote on topics addressed during the Executive Committee meeting. The President is a voting member of the Executive Committee.

Past-President

The Past-President shall remain in office for one-year post presidency. The Past-President shall serve as an advisor to the Executive Committee. The Past-President’s duties shall include, but are not limited to, assisting the Conference Committee in planning of annual events, promoting community awareness, and education about the organization. The Past-President is a voting member of the Executive Committee.

Representatives

Representatives shall hold office for a term of three years. The Student Representative shall be a Student Member serving a one-year term.

Representatives shall hold office a maximum of two consecutive terms.

The duties of the Representatives shall be as follows:

To determine the policies of the Association within the limits prescribed by these bylaws of the Association and the bylaws of the Association for Behavior Analysis International;
To counsel the President;
Perform duties assigned by the President;
To make such provisions for the periodic auditing of Chapter records;
To fill any vacancies that occur during the term of any Officer or Representative of the Association by electing another Officer or Representative to serve for the unexpired portion of the term, except that a vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled as provided by Article IV.

Director of Operations

The Director of Operations may sit in and provide recommendations but may not vote on Executive Committee business. The roles and responsibilities of the Director of Operations shall be arranged through a contract with the individual appointed to the position. The Director of Operations shall keep the records of KYABA and the KYABA Executive Committee including the meeting minutes. The Director of Operations shall maintain records of Committee memberships and actions. The Director of Operations shall assist the president in carrying out plans for hosting all workshops and conferences. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the Director of Operations from appointing individuals to assist in the aforementioned duties.

Director of Information & Technology

The Director of Information & Technology may sit in and provide recommendations but may not vote on Executive Committee business. The roles and responsibilities of the Director of Information & Technology shall be arranged through a contract with the individual appointed to the position. This position shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Responsibilities include website management, including updating and publishing content and information to the KYABA website and social media accounts. The Director of Information & Technology shall manage online membership payment and billing as well as conference and workshop registration and payments. The Director of Information & Technology will provide up-to-date membership lists, KYABA volunteer lists, manage the KYABA administration webmail, and publish membership spotlights. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the Director of Information & Technology from appointing individuals to assist in the aforementioned duties. Required fees and/or payments for information and technology needs must receive prior approval from the Executive Committee.

Article VII—Nominations and Elections

On or around November 1st, the president or his or her designee shall mail and/or email to all Full members a paper or link to a secure electronic nomination ballot for president and for the number of representative members of the board necessary to complete the voting membership of the board. Additionally, each year, the president or his or her designee shall mail and/or email to all Student members a paper or link to a secure electronic nomination ballot for the Student Representative.

For each office that appears on the nominating ballot, each Full member and Student member may propose up to four names. Full members may nominate the same person for more than one office. Only Full Members in good standing may be considered as nominees for President or Representative. Only Student Members in good standing may be considered as nominees for Student Representative.

The president and/or person designated by the president shall count the ballots and shall ask those nominees receiving the largest number of votes for each office if they are willing to stand for election, and shall proceed through the list in the order of vote count until no more than three candidates for each office have been obtained. No one may hold two offices at the same time, so if a voting member receives enough nominations for two offices, the president shall request that the individual choose the office for which he or she wishes to be a candidate.

The president and/or person designated by the president shall send to all Full members and Student members whose membership dues are paid a ballot for all matters to be voted upon, together with a statement on which the names of the candidates for each office are listed in alphabetical order with brief biographical descriptions. Online solicitation of ballots shall only include voting members and shall indicate the time, date, and place where the ballot must be submitted in order to be counted.

Members of the board shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in an election and the new officers assuming their positions January 1st of the New Year.

Article VIII—Committees

The committees of the chapter shall consist of such standing committees as may be provided by these bylaws and such special committees as may be established by vote of the board, and may include:

Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the board. The role of the Membership Committee is to disseminate information about KYABA and membership benefits, with a goal to increase and sustain membership.
Events Committee: The Events Committee shall be chaired by the President and assisted by the Past-President, President-Elect, and Director of Operations. The primary duty of the Events Committee shall be organization and management of the chapter’s annual conference.
Awards Committee: The Awards Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the board. The Awards Committee shall develop, plan, and implement the nomination, selection, and presentation process for awards given by the association.

Outreach/Social Media Committee: The Outreach/Social Media Committee shall consist of a chair appointed by the board. This committee shall have the responsibility of promoting chapter events and keeping members and the community aware of chapter happenings.

Article IX – Special Interest Groups

At the discretion of the Executive Committee, Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) may be formed.

Article X—Dues

Dues:Dues for the various categories of membership shall be established by a simple majority vote of the board. This action can be rescinded by a three-fifths majority vote of those present and voting at the annual business meeting of the association. In this case the board shall propose an alternate schedule of dues for approval by simple majority of those present and voting.
Collection:Dues shall be payable in the time and manner prescribed by the board.

Any member who has not paid his or her yearly dues shall not be allowed to vote on any matter presented to the members.

Article XI—Amendments

Amendments or changes to these bylaws may be suggested by any Full Member and are implemented if endorsed by more than two-thirds of the Full Members voting at the Business Meeting, or by more than two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. Proposed amendments or changes must be submitted in writing to Full Members one month prior to the vote. Last Revision: October 2022