By-Laws

Article I
The name of this organization shall be the Maryland Polygraph Association Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the MPA.

Article II
The objectives of the Maryland Polygraph Association shall be to advance the use of the polygraph as a profession and as a means of promoting social welfare by the encouragement of the use of the polygraph in its broadest and most liberal manner; by promotion of research into instrumentation and techniques; by the improvement of the qualifications of polygraph examiners through high standards of professional ethics, conduct, education, and achievement; to unify polygraph examiners throughout the state and rekindle their interests in the use of polygraph and in the MPA, by the increase and diffusion of polygraph technology through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussion and publications; thereby to advance scientific, professional, and public acceptance of the contributions of polygraph techniques to the promotion of the public welfare and to keep the MPA informed of member sentiment and urge the membership's active participation in civic and community affairs where the polygraph is concerned; and to publicize the name and prestige of the MPA.

Article III

1. Six Classes of Membership
1. Member

To qualify for full privileges and standing as a member, the applicant must meet the following requirements.
1. The applicant must have completed a course of formal instruction in polygraph instrumentation and techniques totaling at least 200 hours of classroom instruction at a school, (civilian, military, or governmental) that is fully recognized and accredited by the American Polygraph Association.
2. The applicant must have administered at least 200 polygraph examinations following completion of formal instruction.
3. The applicant must have demonstrated proficiency in the conduct of polygraph examinations to the satisfaction of the Membership Committee.
All members must have satisfied his/her financial obligations to the MPA, due and payable on or after January first, but not later than March first.


2. Intern

Applicants for intern membership shall be admitted upon the approval of the Membership Committee during the period of their formal training or internship as polygraph examiner, provided:
1. The Intern membership shall not be extended beyond three years from the date of acceptance to intern membership, except where the Membership Committee approves extenuating circumstances.
2. Intern Members in good standing shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of the MPA open to the membership, but shall not represent themselves as being anything but Intern Members of the MPA.
3. Intern Members shall have no voting rights in matters before the MPA nor are Intern Members eligible for election to office in the MPA. All members must have satisfied his/her financial obligations to the MPA, due and payable on or after January first, but not later than March first.


3. Associate

Applicants for Associate membership shall be active polygraph examines who do not meet minimum requirements as described in A-1 above. These applicants may be admitted upon approval of the Membership Committee provided they demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency as polygraph examiners.
1. Associate members in good standing shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of the MPA open to the membership, but shall not represent themselves as being other than Associate members of the MPA.
2. Associate members shall have no voting rights in matters before the MPA nor are Associate members eligible for election to office in the MPA.
All members must have satisfied his/her financial obligations to the MPA, due and payable on or after January first, but not later than March first.


4. Affiliate

Persons who possess a sincere interest in the polygraph field shall be eligible for membership as Affiliate Members of the MPA. Applicants for affiliate membership may include representatives of polygraph instrument manufacturers, personnel involved in the research of polygraph instrumentation and techniques, and any other persons who are approved by the Membership Committee as having a valid or professional interest in the polygraph field.
1. Affiliate Members in good standing shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of the MPA open to the membership, but shall not represent themselves as being other than Affiliate Members of MPA.
2. Affiliate Members shall have no voting rights in matters before the MPA nor are Affiliate Members eligible for election to office of the MPA.
3. All members must have satisfied his/her financial obligations to the MPA, due and payable on or after January first, but not later than March first.


5. Honorary

Those persons who shall have been nominated by two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors and approved by a two-thirds vote on the membership of the MPA as having made significant and outstanding contributions to the polygraph field may be extended honorary membership in the MPA. Any member in good standing in the MPA may suggest a nominee for honorary membership to the Board of Directors.
1. Honorary Members shall be eligible to attend and participate in all activities of the MPA open to its membership, but shall not represent themselves as being other than Honorary Members.
2. Honorary Members shall have no voting rights in matters before the MPA nor are they eligible for office in the MPA.
3. Honorary Members shall be exempt from all dues and assessments of the MPA.


6. Life Member (amended/added 2/20/03)

Life members must be nominated by two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors and then confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the general membership at the annual membership meeting. In order to qualify for nomination these members must have made significant and outstanding contributions to the Maryland Polygraph Association. The minimum qualifications for nomination are as follows:
1. Must have been a members of the Maryland Polygraph Association for 25 years.
2. Must have served on the MPA Board of Directors or appointed committees for 10 years.

Life members show have all rights and privileges granted to members. However, they shall not be assessed dues.

2. Waiver of Membership Requirements

Recognizing that highly capable, renowned, competent, professional and ethical examiners, currently practicing their profession, may not meet all of the requirements for membership in MPA as outlined in Article III, A, the following provisions are established for a waiver of strict membership standards to be granted by the Membership Committee.
1. At the time of establishment of the MPA, all members in good standing of the American Polygraph Association shall be accepted as Members.


2. The requirement for formal instruction at a recognized and approved school may be waived at the discretion of the Membership Committee, however, that individual shall be required to demonstrate proficiency in the conduct of polygraph examinations to the satisfaction of the Membership Committee.

3. Termination of Membership

A member shall be dropped from membership for conduct that tends to injure the MPA, affects adversely its reputation, or which is contrary to or destructive of its objectives. The processing of actions to terminate the membership of a member shall be as follows:
1. Allegations of injurious conduct shall be submitted to the Membership Committee, which shall have the power to conduct the necessary investigation of the allegations and shall determine whether the matter should be dismissed or whether the charges should be present to the Board of Directors for their review and necessary action.


2. Conviction of a member for a felony involving moral turpitude automatically brings his/her case to the Membership Committee and the member shall be dismissed from membership by the Board of Directors without a hearing.


3. In all other cases the Membership Committee shall recommend action only after the member has been informed of the nature of the allegations against him/her and has been afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the Membership Committee pertaining to these allegations.


4. The Membership committee shall inform the member of any recommendations or actions in such cases which has been forwarded to the Board of Directors. The member shall have 30 days from the date he receives such notification to notify the Board of Directors that he/she intends to present his/her case before them. The date of the actual presentation of his/her case by the member of the Board of Directors shall be agreed upon between the parties involved.


5. If a member does not avail himself/herself of the opportunity to present his/her case, nor makes his/her intention of appeal known to the Board of directors, within the 30 day limit, the Board of Directors by a three-fourths majority vote shall determine whether the member shall be requested to resign from the MPA or whether he/she shall be dismissed from membership.


6. If the member appeals and presents his/her case before the Board of Directors, the Board shall inform the member of its decision and shall by three-fourths majority vote permit the member to resign, suspend the member from membership, or dismiss any or all charges against the member.


7. A member who has been dismissed from membership or permitted to resign under the provisions of this section may be allowed to reapply for membership after five years have elapsed from the date of final determination of the Board of Directors. Upon satisfactory proof or evidence that professionally and ethically the member meets the standards for admission into membership in the MPA, the Board of Directors, at their discretion, may consider the application on its merits.


8. Upon proof request any member may resign without prejudice from the MPA or may be considered for nonprofessional status with the organization. Such requests shall be approved by a simple majority of the Board of Directors.


9. Members, regardless of type, shall be suspended automatically for nonpayment of current financial obligations within one year after date due.


10. The provisions of Article III, C, shall apply to all classes of membership in the MPA.

4. Reinstatement Into Membership
1. Any member who resigned without prejudice from the MPA shall be reinstated upon request to the type of membership for which he/she was qualified at the time of resignation.


2. Any member who was suspended for nonpayment of financial obligations may be reinstated upon request to the type of membership for which he/she was qualified at the time of suspension; provided, that this request for reinstatement includes payment of all moneys due the MPA to the date of suspension.


3. Reinstatement into membership may be accomplished upon recommendation of the Membership Committee and approval of the Board of Directors.

Article IV
The officers of the MPA shall be president, three vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, and executive director. All officers shall be elected annually.

1. President

The president shall be elected for a term of one year and shall be the presiding chairman at all official meetings of the MPA. The president shall have general supervision over the affairs and administration of the MPA and of the duties performed by the executive director. The president shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may properly assign to him or as may be provided by the Constitution and By-laws. The president shall represent the MPA at all official functions and have the authority to designate the executive director to act in his behalf should the president be unable to present himself. The president shall call meetings of the MPA or of the Board of Directors or upon written request by one-half of the voting members in good standing in the MPA. The president shall appoint all committees except as hereinafter provided. The president shall, in the event of the unavailability of the Treasurer, be authorized to sign checks drawn on the account of this association to pay authorized bills.

2. Vice President

There shall be three vice presidents elected annually. One vice president shall be a member representing the law enforcement field. One vice president shall be a member representing the private examiner field. One vice president shall be a member representing the governmental field. The vice presidents will carry out any duties requested of them by the president.

3. Secretary

It shall be the duty of the secretary to cause to be entered in the proper books all resolutions, minutes and proceedings of the MPA and of the Board of Directors. The secretary shall conduct correspondence relating to the MPA, issue notices of all meetings of the MPA and of the Board of Directors. The secretary shall keep a current record of the membership and shall perform all duties pertaining to the office of secretary that the MPA may from time to time direct. The secretary shall publish annually a list of members of the MPA, which shall include their address and type of membership held.

4. Treasurer

The treasurer shall be the custodian of all fund and securities of the MPA and promptly deposit all funds in designated banks. The treasurer shall act as financial advisor to the President and board of Directors on all budgetary mattes and problems of finance. The treasurer shall keep accurate records of receipts and disbursements and shall pay all bills promptly. The treasurer's records shall be made available upon request of the Audit Committee and shall be audited by them annually prior to the annual seminar of the MPA. The treasurer shall make a report to the membership at each regular meeting of the MPA and to the Board of Directors as to the status of the treasury when requested to do so. The treasurer shall furnish bond in the amount determined by the Board of Directors, the premium for which to be paid by the MPA.

In the event of death, disability, resignation or removal or any officer of the MPA, the President shall be empowered to select a member in good standing to serve the unexpired term of that officer. In the event of death or resignation of the President, the immediate past president shall perform the duties of the president until the next annual election. If the immediate past president is unable to serve, the Board of directors by majority vote will appoint the acting President for the unexpired term.

Article V
The Board of Directors shall consist of the president, the three vice presidents, the secretary, the treasurer, two members elected from the membership, the immediate past president, and the executive director. The two members elected from the membership shall serve staggered terms of two years, thus requiring the election of one member each year.

1. The immediate past president shall serve as chairman of the Board of Directors and shall exercise that officer's vote only in the case of a tie.

2. The Board of Directors shall meet at least six times during the year (bi-monthly) and shall meet at such other times and places as may be necessary on call of the Chairman of the Board. All Board Members must attend at least four of the six scheduled meetings or be subject to removal from office. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of the members present.

3. In the case of removal, disability, resignation or death of a member of the Board of Directors, the president shall select a member in good standing to fill the expired term of that officer.

4. The Board of Directors shall be the responsible body for the administration of the MPA. In the interval between meetings of the MPA, the Board of Directors shall have authority to take such actions as are necessary for the conduct of the MPA's business and affairs in accordance with this Constitution and By-Laws. The Board of Directors shall make a report of its transactions at each annual meeting of the MPA.

Article VI
At the annual seminar of the MPA, prior to the annual business meeting the president shall name five members, none of whom hold an office or directorship in the MPA, to serve as the Nominating Committee.

1. The Nominating Committee shall meet prior to the annual business meeting of the MPA and shall select a nominee for each elected office and each retiring member of the Board of Directors.

2. The Nominating Committee shall present its report at the annual business meeting of the MPA, at which time the president shall permit additional nominations to be made as may be desired by the membership.

3. Voting shall be by secret ballot and installation of the newly elected officers shall take place immediately.

Article VII
The following standing committees shall be appointed annually by the newly elected president.

1. Membership Committee

A membership committee, consisting of at least three members, two of whom do not hold elected office in the MPA shall be appointed annually. The Membership Committee shall be empowered to examine the qualifications of applicants for all types of membership in the MPA. It shall perform such investigations as may be required in their discretion to determine the eligibility for membership of such applicants. The Membership Committee shall present its nominations for admission of qualified applicants to the Board of Directors, which shall accept or reject by majority vote. The Membership Committee shall also consider charges against members and make their appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors.

2. Committee on Standards and Ethics

The president shall appoint annually a Committee on Standards and Ethics, including at least two members who do not hold elected office in the MPA. The Committee shall undertake the accreditation of training facilities, polygraph schools, and shall examine suggestions for improvement or standardization of polygraph techniques. In addition, this Committee shall devise and hold under continuing review the development of a code of ethics, and make recommendations for laws and ordinances for consideration by the State and its political subdivisions.

3. Auditing Committee

The president shall appoint annually an Auditing Committee, consisting of at least two members who do not hold elected office in the MPA. This Committee shall audit the books and records of the treasurer and of the executive director. It shall make known to the Board of Directors any discrepancies found in the audits of the treasurer's and executive director's records.

4. Committee and Research and Instrumentation

The president shall appoint annually a committee of at least three members or affiliates of the MPA, who do not hold elected office, that will be charged with collecting and presenting to the membership any developments in polygraph instrumentation and research. This committee shall recommend for or against acceptance of new instruments with regard to their effectiveness for use in the polygraph field. The committee shall maintain a current list of instruments that are considered acceptable.

5. Seminar Committee

Following the annual seminar of the MPA, the president shall appoint a Seminar Committee consisting of at least three members. The president will designate the chairman of the Committee, who shall be the program chairman for the next annual seminar by the general membership. The Seminar Committee will then be charged with all matters concerning the next seminar including exact dates, meeting room, living accommodations, and the general seminar program.

Article VIII

1. This Constitution may be amended at the annual Seminar of the MPA by a vote of two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. No amendment will be voted upon unless a copy of the proposed amendment shall have been sent to every member of the MPA at least thirty days prior to the annual Seminar, or it was presented at the prior annual Seminar or some other general meeting at the MPA within a year of the annual Seminar.

2. This Constitution may also be amended by mail ballot upon a two-thirds majority vote of the MPA membership responding, provided that the proposed amendment has been circulated in writing to the membership.

3. Amendments may be proposed by any member to the Board of Directors and shall be submitted to the general membership either on order of the board of Directors or on petition signed by any five members in good standing of the MPA.

4. Amendments shall take effect immediately when approved unless otherwise stated in the amendment.

Article IX
The Parliamentary Authority for the MPA shall be Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) in all instances not covered by the Constitution and by-laws.

By-Laws

1. The site of the next annual seminar and business meeting shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present at the current seminar.

2. Other meetings of the MPA may be called during the year by the Board of Directors. Seminars, training programs, courses, schools, publications and lectures may be sponsored by the MPA, upon approval of the Board of Directors.

3. Membership Dues
1. The annual fee for Members shall be $30.00 per annum.
2. The annual fee for Intern Members shall be $30.00 per annum.
3. The annual fee for Affiliate Members shall be $30.00 per annum.
4. Honorary members pay no dues and are not subject to the APA assessment.

4. The moneys collected by the MPA shall be deposited in a bank designated and approved by the Board of Directors. All expenses shall be paid by check. All checks drawn on MPA accounts shall be signed by the Treasurer or if unavailable by the President.

5. All types of members of MPA shall be entitled to the floor of any meeting, but only members are eligible to vote upon motions, election of officers, and other business of MPA before the membership. Interns, Associates, Affiliates, and Membership Committee or the Honorary members may not vote.

6. Public criticism of one member of another, other than before the Board of Directors, is condemned and expressly forbidden for all members of the MPA.

7. The name of MPA and the use of reproduction of its seal shall be limited to the business cards and letterheads of Members in good standing only. Any other use must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

8. Any member, regardless of type of membership, may indicate on business cards, letterhead, in any autobiography, biography, or in any oral pronouncement that he holds membership in the MPA provided that the exact type of membership is stated.

9. Any motion to change or amend By-Laws must be made by a member and seconded by a member. A majority vote of members in good standing and in attendance at the annual seminar shall cause the amended or new By-Law to be incorporated into the existing By-Laws and takes effect at once unless otherwise specified. The By-Laws may also be amended by mail ballot upon a majority vote of the MPA membership responding, provided that the proposed amendment or change to the existing By-Law is circulated in writing to the membership with an explanation as to its need.