NHFAPA Bylaws
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this Association is the New Hampshire Foster & Adoptive Parent Association, herein
referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The mission of the New Hampshire Foster & Adoptive Parent Association is to support foster and
adoptive parents, and remain a consistent strong voice on behalf of all children.
¨ To bring together foster and adoptive parents, agency representatives and community people
who wish to work together to improve the foster care system and enhance the lives of all
children and families.
¨ To promote mutual coordination, cooperation and communication among foster/adoptive
parents, foster/adoptive parent associations, child placing agencies and other child advocates.
¨ To encourage the recruitment and retention of foster/adoptive parents.
¨ To inform the membership and general public of current issues regarding foster care and
foster care adoption.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
All currently licensed foster parents and all adoptive parents of former foster children in the State of
New Hampshire shall be considered members of the Association.
ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Authority of this Association shall be vested in the Executive Board. The Executive Board
shall consist of the legally nominated and elected officers and five (5) Members at Large.
Section 2. Duties of the Executive Board shall include:
A. To interpret and enforce the provisions of The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Association.
B. To promote by attitude and action constructive social action needed to bring about changes
and improvements in child welfare systems and in legislation pertaining to all children and
families.
C. To act as an information center and research body regarding child welfare matters and to
disseminate such information.
D. To provide a vehicle for communication among foster and adoptive parents, local foster and
adoptive parent associations and child welfare agencies.
E. To cooperate with other organizations which have similar objectives in whole or in part to
those of this Association.
F. To formulate such rules and regulations as in the opinion of the Executive Board are
essential to the interests and objectives of this Association.
G. To work cooperatively with DCYF and other agencies to develop and design trainings for
foster and adoptive parents and the local associations.
H. To attend all scheduled meetings. Three unexcused absences during the calendar year may
result in dismissal from the Board at the discretion of the Board.
Section 3. Terms of Office
A. The President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary will each serve a term of two (2)
years. Each officer may be re-elected for an additional two terms. Officers may serve a
maximum of three consecutive two-year terms for any one office.
B. The five (5) members at large will be elected to serve a term of two years. Members at large
may serve a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms.
C. In the event of resignation, incapacity, ineligibility of NHFAPA membership or death of the
President, the Vice President shall become President for the unexpired portion of the term. A
vacancy in any other, office besides the President, shall be filled by a current Association
member selected by the President for the unexpired term.
Section 4. Elections
A. Elections shall be held every year in April or during the 2nd calendar quarter.
B. The President and Secretary shall be elected to serve their terms of the office in each odd
year.
C. The Vice-President and Treasurer shall be elected to serve the term of office in each even
year.
D. Three (3) members at large shall be elected in each odd year.
E. Two (2) members at large shall be elected in each even year.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the Executive Board shall be a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and
Secretary. There will also be five (5) Directors who are Members at Large.
Section 2. Officer Responsibilities:
A. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer, whose duties and responsibilities
shall include:
1. Preside at all regular, special or called meetings of the Association.
2. Shall be responsible for the general management and supervision of the affairs
and operation of the Association.
3. Have the authority to fill any unexpired Board vacancy and to approve or appoint
chairpersons of all standing committees as needed.
4. Be a member ex-officio of all committees.
5. Sign all contracts or obligations, with the Treasurer, authorized by the Executive
Board.
6. Officially represent the Association to the public.
7. Perform such other duties as provided by the bylaws or as may be designated by the
Executive Board.
B. The Vice-President shall:
1. In the absence of the President, chair all meetings of the Association
2. Assume the office of the President should the office be vacated.
3. Perform such other duties as provided by these bylaws or as may be designated by
the President and/or the Executive Board.
C. The Secretary shall:
1. Keep all minutes, agendas and attendance of the Association meetings.
2. Disseminate the minutes to the board and others the President might designate.
3. Perform such other duties as outlined by these bylaws or as may be designated by the
President and/or the Executive Board.
D. The Treasurer shall:
1. Be responsible for collecting and safeguarding all funds of the Association.
2. Be responsible for disbursements of funds as authorized by the President, and/or the
Executive Board.
3. Submit financial records to the Executive Board for an audit on call.
4. Be responsible for the filings of financial documents pertaining to the Association
and for maintaining the integrity of all contract obligations. These filings include
annual reporting required by local, state and federal authorities.
5. Sign all contracts along with the President.
6. Perform such other duties as outlined by these Bylaws or as may be designated by
the President and/or the Executive Board.
Section 3. Local Associations
A. NHFAPA endeavors to have a local group in each District Office area. Members of local
groups and affiliates are encouraged to attend NHFAPA meetings.
B. The purpose of the local associations/support groups at monthly NHFAPA meetings shall be
to serve as liaisons between the Association and the local association/support groups.
C. Each local association/support group has one vote at board meetings as appropriate.
Section 4. Committees
A. The Executive Board shall appoint committees to meet the purpose of the Association and
delegate to them enumerated powers and responsibilities.
B. Standing committees of the Association shall at least include:
Nominations
Conference
First Initial Response and Support Team (F.I.R.S.T)
C. The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, may appoint other
committees and task forces. These committees and task forces shall report to the Executive
Board.
D. One member of each committee shall be selected chair by the committee with the approval of
the President.
Section 5. The Nomination/Appointment Process
A. The Executive Board shall designate/elect a total of three (3) Association members to
comprise the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall make a call for
nominations to the members of the Association no later than January.
B. To be nominated a person’s name must be submitted to the Nominating Committee. An
Executive Board nominee must be a current member of the Association.
C. The Nominating Committee shall interview and place prospective nominee names up for
legal nomination to the membership in April or during the 2nd calendar quarter. The electees
will be determined by a simple majority of votes cast by attending Association members.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section. 1 The Executive Board shall meet at least six (6) times per year and then as called by the President
and/or as determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have a quorum when at least five (5) of its members are present.
When this is not possible absent members will be contacted for their vote after the meeting.
Section 3. The Annual Meeting of the Association members shall be held at least once a year at such
location and time, as the Executive Board determines.
Section 4. The members in attendance at the annual meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Special meetings of the Association shall be held as called by the President and/or as determined
by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
All executive, regular and annual meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of
Order Newly Revised, current edition.
ARTICLE VIII
BUDGET AND FINANCING
Section 1. The Executive Board shall be responsible for all financial revenue and disbursements. The duties
of the Treasurer as outlined in Article V Section 2D will include the recording and reporting of all
financial transactions. A published Treasurer’s report will be available at each Board meeting.
Section 2. Remuneration: Executive Board members shall not receive any compensation for their services
as members of the Board, but the Executive Board may authorize payment by the Association of
the expenses of the members for attendance at regular or special meetings of the board and other
board business.
Section 3. A budget shall be presented at the annual meeting.
Section 4. The Association may derive financing from voluntary contributions, grants, earned income, inkind
services and donations, and fundraising efforts. All financing must however, conform to the
501 (c) (3) regulations of the IRS Code, the State of New Hampshire, and the Charitable Trust
Division of the NH Attorney General’s Office.
ARTICLE IX
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
Section 1. All members of the Executive Board must read and sign the established policy as required by the
State of New Hampshire and the Charitable Trust Division of the NH Attorney General’s Office
as enacted into law effective August 1996. This requirement is for all non-profit organizations
and the Association requires all Board members to sign it as part of the membership
requirements.
ARTICLE X
CHANGING BY LAWS
The NHFAPA Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of members in attendance at the NHFAPA
Annual or Special Meeting provided that the proposed bylaws amendment(s) has been published and
distributed to members at least three weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
Said corporation is organized exclusively for any purposes for which an organization may be exempt
from federal taxation under Section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code including for such purposes the
making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c)(3)
of the Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Amended
April 12, 2002
October 2004
February 4, 2008
June 2, 2008