HALCEA BY-LAWS

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be Houston Area Lactation Consultants and Educators Association (HALCEA).

Article II – Purposes

The purposes and objectives of this organization are:

1.    To serve as a non-profit education resource to further the professional growth  and collaboration between lactation consultants and educators through evidence-based practice and practice-based case studies.

2.    To enhance the image, credibility and practice of lactation consultants and educators in a responsible and professional manner.

3.     Serve as a mentor and resource organization for non IBCLC persons, e.g. nursing students, WIC Peer Educators, La Leche League Leaders and Certified Lactation Counselors, etc.

Article III – Membership

Payment of dues shall be required for membership.

Non-members may attend for a per-event fee, to be determined by the board of directors prior to each event. Members may attend General Board meetings but will not have a vote on items brought before the board. Non-members may not attend General board meetings.

Multiple levels of membership are available, with different fee levels. Fees and other changes to membership levels will be determined by the Board of Directories on an annual basis. Membership will be on a calendar year basis (January – December). Members may renew in December for the following calendar year. Members can join at any point in the year, and their membership will run through the end of that calendar year.

HALCEA will maintain a membership directory that will be available to all HALCEA members in good standing. This membership directory will not be available to the general public.

HALCEA will maintain and publish an IBCLC Referral directory on the HALCEA website and will be made available to the general public. To be listed in the Referral Directory, the member must be a current IBCLC in good standing and must join at the highest membership level. Members who are listed in the IBCLC Referral directory who do not renew their membership by December 31st, will have their directory listing removed by the end of January. Members can join at any point in the year, and the IBCLC Referral directory will be updated at least quarterly (January, April, July, October).”

Article IV – Officers

The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant-at-Arms.  Officers are chosen by membership vote and will serve terms of two years. Co-Officer positions are permitted. Elections for President, Treasurer and Sergeant-at-Arms will be held in odd years or as needed.  Elections for Vice President, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary will be held in even years or as needed.  These six officers make up the Executive Board, which is responsible for the operation of the organization and for setting policy.

Article V – Duties and Responsibilities of Officers

1.    The President shall:

1.    Be the organizational representation to ILCA and the public

2.    Be responsible for calling and presiding over general meetings and meetings of the Executive Board (at least one Board meeting every year). 

3.    Make an agenda for every general and Board meeting, review or generate the meeting announcements, 

4.    Provide attendance sign-in sheets

5.    Assist the other officers as needed.

2.    The Vice President shall:

1.    Perform the duties of the President in the President's absence 

2.    Sit on the Continuing Education committee, which is responsible for providing speakers/meeting topics, and be responsible for obtaining CERPs through IBLCE for program meetings.  

3.    Have authority to sign HALCEA checks and will have access to HALCEA accounts and financial records. 

4.    Make arrangements to have coffee, water, pizza or healthy snacks if needed.

5.    Will act as historian, e.g. take pictures, etc, keeping a record of HALCEA happenings

3.    The Recording Secretary shall:

1.    Be responsible for taking minutes at general and Board meetings, and disseminating them to the membership

2.    Be responsible for recording attendance at meetings

3.    Maintain a membership directory and a referral list of member IBCLCs.

4.    The Corresponding Secretary shall:

1.    Be responsible for maintaining an e-mail distribution list of the membership

2.    Send out communications to the membership as needed

3.    Maintain the website, www.halcea.info

5.    The Treasurer shall:

1.    Be responsible for an accurate accounting of all monies

2.    Prepare tax and audit reports

3.    Collect organizational dues

4.    Disburse funds

5.    Report the status of the finances at each meeting

6.    Communicate with the Recording Secretary regarding membership dues received, so that an accurate Membership Directory can be maintained.

6.    The Sergeant-at-Arms shall:

1.    Be responsible for finding and scheduling meeting sites

2.    Arrange for any audio-visual needs for programs, correct number of chairs needed, tables, and podium set up.

3.    Communicate the locations, with detailed directions, to the Board

4.    Assist with check-in

5.    Will act as librarian, holding and loaning out our DVDs and CDs  to the membership.

Article VI – Nominations and Elections

The President will appoint a Nominating Committee of three members who will solicit nominations from among the membership of the organization.  The slate of candidates will be reported to the President and mailed to all members by the end of   September . All candidates must have IBCLC as their certification.  Space shall be provided on the ballot for write-in votes.  Ballots shall be returned to the Nominating Committee within two weeks, tallied and reported to the President.  Officers shall be elected by a majority of those voting.  New officers assume their responsibilities on the 4th Tuesday of October.  Once an Executive Board member has served a two year term, that member is eligible for reimbursement for attending a lactation conference of up to $250 but must have reported on that conference at the HALCEA General Meeting.

Article VII – Voting

The membership shall vote to elect officers and to amend the by-laws.  A majority of those members responding shall be sufficient to carry a vote.  Items to be voted upon shall be announced in writing.  Voting may be done by e-mail and/or by ballot at meetings.

Article VIII – Vacancies

The Vice President shall fill a vacancy in the office of President.  A vacancy in any other office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Article IX – Meetings

Meetings shall be held no less than twice a year.  All members shall be duly notified of each meeting. Executive Board meetings will be called at the discretion of the Board and will be open to all.

Article X – Committees

Committees shall be named by the President to fulfill functions as decided upon by the Executive Board.  Committees may be permanent, thus being an ongoing an integral part of each meeting. Committees may be temporary, appointed to perform a function that will terminate within a limited time.  

Article XI – Dissolution

The Houston Area Lactation Consultants and Educators Association may be dissolved by a vote of the majority of those members voting.  In the event of dissolution, any assets shall be distributed to any non-profit organization(s) whose purposes promote breastfeeding education and support.

Article XII – Declaration

The Houston Area Lactation Consultants and Educators Association is responsible for its actions and statements.  Such actions and statements do not necessarily reflect the approval and/or support of other lactation consultant groups.