Indiana Recreational Sports Association Bylaws

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Indiana Recreation Sports Association (IRSA).

Article II - Mission

The mission of this Association shall be to foster and enhance the quality of recreational sports programs in the various settings throughout the state by means of professional meetings, publications, dissemination of ideas, and maintenance of policies consistent with the philosophy of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).

Article III - Membership

Section 1. Professional Membership

Membership in the Association shall be available to any individual, regardless of professional affiliation, involved in or interested in any aspect of recreational sports. All professional members shall receive all newsletters, shall be entitled to attend meetings and conferences, shall have the right to vote at all state business meetings, shall have the freedom to run for an elected executive office in the Association and may hold appointive positions on committees. Members are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Association.

Section 2. Student Membership

Student membership in the Association shall be available to any graduate or undergraduate student who is interested in any aspect of recreational sports. Student members shall receive all newsletters, shall be entitled to attend meetings and conferences, be eligible to hold the office of Student Representative and be eligible to hold appointive positions on committees. Student members shall be eligible to vote on official business at any business meeting.

Section 3. Annual Membership

The annual membership will be from September 1-August 31.

Article IV - Structure

Section 1

The Association shall be a state organization and a state Association member with the NIRSA. The Association shall meet the following criteria to maintain state Association membership with the NIRSA:

  1. Consistency of purpose with the NIRSA.
  2. A minimum of 55% of the Association’s members must hold membership in the NIRSA.
  3. Each elected officer in the Association must maintain membership in the NIRSA.
  4. Provide proof of the tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.
  5. When requested by the NIRSA’s Executive Committee, to provide appropriate materials for periodic review to assure that the NIRSA’s intended purpose is being maintained.

Section 2

An Executive Committee shall be formed to serve the membership in conducting the business of the Association.

Section 3

There may be indirect affiliation with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the National Recreation and Parks Association, or other state and or national organizations.

Article V - Officers

Section 1

The Association shall elect a President/State Director, Vice President, Treasurer and Student Representative. The President/State Director, Vice President and Treasurer must be NIRSA and IRSA professional members and the Student Representative must be a NIRSA and IRSA member. All Executive Committee members must be affiliated with an institution/agency within the state. The President/State Director must have been an active professional member of NIRSA for at least two years and shall have resided in the state for at least two years. The individual shall have resources available to support the position’s responsibilities. It is strongly recommended that the individual be employed by an Institutional member of the Association.

Section 2

The elected Executive Committee’s terms must coincide with the term of the Region III Vice President of the NIRSA. The election shall be conducted at the Annual State Workshop, coinciding with the year of the election of the Regional Vice President.

Section 3

The Student Representative shall be elected by the membership at the business meeting of the State Workshop. The term of this appointment shall be for one year.

Section 4

The management of the Association shall be entrusted to the Executive Committee, which shall consist of the President/State Director, Vice President, Treasurer, and Student Representative.

Section 5

  1. In the event the President/State Director office becomes vacant, the Regional Vice President shall appoint a State Director to complete the term. The Executive Committee shall submit to the Regional Vice President its recommendation to fill the President/State Director vacancy. The Vice President will temporarily assume the duties of the President/State Director until the vacancy is filled.
  2. If the Vice President office becomes vacant, a replacement shall be appointed by the President/State Director following a recommendation by the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
  3. If the Treasurer office becomes vacant, a replacement shall be appointed by the President/State Director following a recommendation by the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
  4. If the Student Representative office becomes vacant, a replacement shall be appointed by the President/State Director following a recommendation by the remaining members of the Executive Committee.
  5. Any appointive office which becomes vacant shall be filled by appointment by the President/State Director to complete the term.

Section 6 - Duties of the Executive Committee.

  1. President/State Director
    The President/State Director shall preside at all meetings, enforce the bylaws and regulations of the Association, and carry out the will of the members. The President/State Director shall oversee all matters of the Association. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
  2. Vice President
    The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President/State Director in his/her absence. He/she shall coordinate the state membership. He/she shall keep minutes of all Association meetings and maintain an updated mailing list of members. He/she will prepare and distribute the state newsletter.
  3. Treasurer
    The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records and submit an annual report at the State Workshop.
  4. Student Representative
    He/she shall provide student-oriented information for the newsletter, coordinate information with the regional student representative and conduce a student session at the annual State Workshop. He/she may conduct an informal (non-voting) meeting of the student membership during the Region III Student Lead-On Workshop.

Section 7 - Elections

Elections of officers shall be by a simple majority of the quorum.

Article VI - Meetings

Section I

Each year a state workshop shall be conducted at which time an Annual Business Meeting shall take place. Proposals for date and location of subsequent workshops shall be determined at this meeting. Election of officers shall take place during the Annual Business Meeting. The workshop host shall be a representative from the host institution, which is responsible for planning and coordinating the annual workshop.

Section 2

The Association will conduct only one business meeting each year, to be held at the annual State Workshop as mentioned above. However, in the event that business arises that must come before the membership, the President/State Director reserves the right to call for a business meeting to be conducted at the NIRSA Annual Conference. The membership will be given a minimum of two weeks advance notice if said meeting is to occur.

Section 3

Ten Association members are required to constitute a quorum. Decisions of the Association shall require a simple majority of the quorum. Procedures, as indicated in Roberts Rules of Order shall be followed.

Article VII - Committees

Section 1

Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President/State Director and approved by the membership at the next subsequent state business meeting. Appointments shall be for one year. The Standing Committees shall be:

  1. Bylaws and Operating
  2. Nominations and Elections
  3. Membership
  4. State Workshop

Section 2 - Ad Hoc Committees

The President/State Director may appoint such ad-hoc committees as deemed necessary.

Article VIII - Fees and Dues

Dues, assessments, registrations, and special fees must be approved by the Executive Committee.

Article IX - Amendments and Bylaws

The bylaws may be amended at any business meeting of the Association, provided that two-thirds of the quorum approve. Bylaws may be adopted by a majority vote of the quorum at any business meeting. Amendments must be present in writing and distributed to the membership to review before a vote is taken. Operating Codes may be adopted by a majority of the quorum at any business meeting.

Article X - Interpretation

The Executive Committee has the power to interpret the bylaws as deemed necessary for the betterment of the Association.

October 25, 2006