OUR CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Washington Correctional Association, being cognizant of the serious emotional and financial costs to the community and to the person inherent in the social problems of dependency, delinquency and crime, are deeply concerned.  We are convinced of the need to utilize such preventive and correctional local, county, state and federal services, skills and facilities as may prove effective in reducing the incidence and impact therefrom.

 The Washington Correctional Association, therefore, pledges itself to provide information, education and leadership for members and the community, in order to promote an effective criminal justice system, with particular emphasis on community-based and institutional rehabilitative efforts; and to strive to achieve the prevention and correction of dependency, delinquency and crime throughout the State of Washington.  We shall strive to establish professional standards relating to personnel, methods and ethics; foster sound legislation; and encourage all persons interested in achieving these  goals to join with us.

We believe that the attainment of these ends necessitates qualified personnel and diversity in the Association, as well as in the professional fields.  We shall, therefore, be concerned with the matters of training, working conditions, remuneration, and all such related factors in order that, in areas of this field which lend themselves to and will profit by becoming established as professions, a sound and dynamic profession or professions may evolve: and thus, for the realization of these aims and for the implementation of present and future efforts to achieve them, this Constitution and By-Laws are adopted and dedicated. 

ARTICLE I (Name) 

The name of this organization shall be the Washington Correctional Association (WCA)

ARTICLE II (Purpose) 

The purpose of this Association shall be those enunciated in the Preamble. 

ARTICLE III (Membership) 

Section 1: Membership in the Association shall be in accordance with the principles set forth in the Preamble.  Said membership shall be acquired by meeting the qualifications recommended and determined for each class by the Board of Directors and adopted by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Business Meeting.  If a recommendation is not made by the Board of Directors and if the matter is not presented for vote at any Annual Business Meeting, the qualifications shall be those last adopted by the Association. 

Section 2: There shall be the following seven classes of membership: 

A.                  Associate:  For full-time students and interested citizens not currently working within the field of corrections, retired professionals, and volunteers (subject to verification).  One-year subscription to Corrections Today, On the Line, and The Connections, 20% discount on selected publications and correspondence courses, member rates to WCA/ACA conferences, membership card, certificate, and lapel pin. 

B.         Professional I:  For correctional professions working in the criminal justice or related fields.  One-year subscription to Corrections Today, On the Line, and The Connections, $6,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D), voting privileges in WCA/ACA elections, 20% discount on selected publications and correspondence courses, member rates to WCA/ACA conferences, membership card, certificate, and lapel pin. 

C.        Professional II:  All benefits of Professional I, $10,000 AD&D Insurance, and a copy of the Directory of Juvenile and Adult Correctional Departments, Institutions, Agencies and Paroling Authorities. 

D.        Executive Gold:  All benefits of Professional I, $15,000 AD&D Insurance, a copy of the Directory of Juvenile and Adult Correctional Departments, Institutions, Agencies and Paroling Authorities and the National Jail and Adult Detention Directory, and an additional 10% ACA conference discount. 

E.                Organizational:  For non-profit entities.  One-year subscription to Corrections Today, On the Line, and The Connections, (four copies per issues), 20% discount on selected publications and correspondence courses, voting privileges in WCA/ACA elections (one vote for the organization), one Congress/Conference registration Member discount, three ACA directories, State of Corrections conference proceedings, membership card, certificate, and lapel pin.

F.                  Supporting Patron:  For commercial enterprises (individual or corporate) with an interest in the correctional field.  One-year subscription to Corrections Today, On the Line, and The Connections (four copies per issue), 20% discount on selected publications and correspondence courses, one Congress/Conference registration Member discount, three ACA directories, State of Corrections conference proceedings, membership card, certificate, voting privileges in WCA/ACA elections (one vote for the organization), a listing in the Directory of Juvenile and Adult Correctional Departments, Institutions, Agencies and Paroling Authorities, and four special supporting patron pins. 

G.                 Life Membership:.  The privilege of life membership and benefits of an active member may be extended to any member who has, in the opinion of the majority of the Board of Directors, contributed outstanding and long service to the Association or to the Criminal Justice System.  Additionally, life membership shall be automatically granted to the President of the Association upon completion of the term(s) of office.  Voting privilege shall be the same as that extended to regular members.

ARTICLE IV (Government) 

Section 1: This Association shall be governed by the following bodies: 

A.         The membership of the Association.

B.         The Board of Directors.

C.        The Executive Committee. 

Section 2: All the legislative, executive, administrative and judicial powers of the Association shall be vested in the membership of the Association when in session. 

Section 3: The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the Association,  the Regional Co-Chairs and the standing committee chairs. 

When the Association membership is not in session, all powers of the Association shall pass to and be voted in the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. 

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for carrying out the purposes and objectives of the Association. 

Section 4: The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Association.

 The Executive Committee shall be empowered by the Board of Directors to exercise the executive and administrative duties of the Board.  Any such action is subject to the approval of the Board of Directors at the next scheduled Board meeting. 

ARTICLE V (Officers) 

The officers of this Association shall be President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. 

ARTICLE VI (Amendments) 

Section 1: This Constitution may be amended, or any new Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members voting at the Annual Conference and Business Meeting, providing, however, that the entire membership has been notified in writing of such proposed amendment at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be presented to the Association; or by a two-thirds majority of responses received, within thirty (30) days of mailing, from a mail ballot sent to the entire membership. 

Section 2: An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by a petition in writing by at least twelve (12) members of this Association.  A petition to amend this Constitution must be in the hands of the Secretary of the Association by a date not later than sixty (60) days before the Annual Meeting, if the vote is not by mail ballot.  After receiving a petition to amend as provided above, the Secretary shall notify the entire membership in writing, of such proposed amendment at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting.