ARTICLE 1 - Name:

The name of this organization shall be Bay Area Concierge Association.

ARTICLE 2 - Purpose:

The purposes of the organization shall be, but are not limited to:

• To increase the professionalism of and establish ethical standards for the Concierges and Guest Services in the Bay area.  We will accomplish this through increased community awareness.
• To expand the horizons of the Concierge and offer opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• To assist in the activities and interests of the Concierges.
• To foster friendship, networking and communication among Concierges in the Bay area.

ARTICLE 3 - Membership:

SECTION 1
A member shall be any person actively employed in the Bay Area as a Concierge, Guest Services and/or Primary Provider representative.  Prospective members must meet all requirements set forth for membership. 

SECTION 2
Associate membership may be granted to businesses or organizations that have direct relationship to services that a Concierge offers a guest/client.  As of January 1, 2004, the total number of Associate memberships may not exceed 25% of total membership.  Associate members are to be approved by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3
Honorary membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Officers of the Organization.  Candidates for Honorary membership may be elected by a 2/3 vote of those present at an Association business meeting.  Honorary members will not pay dues and are not considered voting members.  Honorary members have the option to attend board meetings.

SECTION 4
Expulsion -- Any member may be recommended to the President for expulsion.  If the President and Board feel there is just cause to recommend expulsion, a secret ballot vote will be carried out by all members attending the next regular business meeting.  Membership shall be notified prior to the meeting that the vote will take place. The charges and cause for expulsion will be presented to the membership for consideration and voting on the question of expulsion shall take place.  The decision of the vote by the membership shall be considered final.  Any member may be deemed ineligible for renewal if they miss more than six meetings in one calendar year.  Re-application into the Association may be submitted in writing, subject to approval and vote by the Board.

SECTION 5
All members, having met all criteria for membership, agree to abide by the guidelines for membership detailed in these By-Laws.  Membership is non-transferable.

SECTION 6
The Officers of the Organization may not be members of other local Concierge/Guest Service organizations.

SECTION 7
Members of BACA who are no longer employed as a Concierge at any property will be given a 90 day grace period to continue attending BACA functions while actively seeking new employment as a Concierge. If, after 90 days, the member has not been re-hired as a Concierge, they will be considered ineligible for BACA Membership, and their membership in BACA will be terminated, as stated in the By-Laws, Article 3, Section 1, and in the membership application. 60 days of re-employment may be waived by the board.

ARTICLE 4 - Board of Officers:

SECTION 1
The Officers of the Organization shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Vice-President of Community Affairs - Pinellas, Vice President of community Affairs – Hillsborough, Director of Membership – Pinellas, Director of Membership – Hillsborough, Secretary, Treasurer and Director of Concierge Relations. The Board of Officers will be composed of the holders of these elected positions.

SECTION 2
All Officers shall be elected following nomination and majority vote of the members present at the election meeting to be held in November each year.  Term of office for all Officers will be for one (1) year.  Term of office begins January 1.  All Officers can serve two (2) consecutive terms in their appointed seat.  Terms of office may be extended by recommendation of the Board of Directors and ratification by majority of voting membership through ballot vote.

SECTION 3
Two representatives from the Associate Membership shall serve on the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity. This representative shall be elected by a vote among the Associate Members at the November election meeting. This position does not entitle the representative to voting privileges. The term of office is one year.

ARTICLE 5 - Duties of Officers:

SECTION 1
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board.  The President will appoint all committees, oversee the activities of all officers and committees, and represent the Association in all instances required of the Chief Officer of the Association.

SECTION 2
The Vice-President will act in place of the President in the absence of the President, and shall perform such duties as designated by the President.

SECTION 3
The Vice-Presidents of Community Affairs will serve as the Public Relations representative for the Association, coordinate and oversee media relations, and function as the liaison between the Association and the community.

SECTION 4
The Directors of Membership shall work to recruit new members in their prospective areas.

SECTION 5
The Secretary will be responsible for keeping all records of the Association.  The Secretary shall be responsible for all official communications of the Association and perform other duties as assigned by the President.

SECTION 6
The Treasurer shall handle all financial matters and will be responsible for maintaining all financial records for the Association.  The Treasurer will disburse funds at the direction of the Board.  The Treasurer shall perform any other duties as assigned by the President.

SECTION 7
The Director of Concierge Relations will mentor and welcome new concierge members to the association

SECTION 8
Any Officer that fails to fulfill their duties, may be removed from Office by a majority vote of the Board.

ARTICLE 6 - Election of the Officers:

SECTION 1
Nomination of the Officers will occur at the regularly scheduled business meeting of the Association held in October.  The Nominating Committee will present a list of those members eligible for nomination at the regular business meeting held in September of each year.  Election of Officers will occur at a meeting to be held in November of each year.  All terms of office will be for a period of one (1) year.

SECTION 2
A majority vote by secret ballot of all full members present at the election meeting shall decide the election of Officers.

SECTION 3
In the event of a tie, a re-vote will be taken.

SECTION 4
Vacancies on the Board will be filled by appointment of the Board for the remainder of the term.  The position of President will be filled by the Vice-President, with a new Vice-President being appointed by the Board.

ARTICLE 7 - Meetings:

SECTION 1
Regular business meetings shall be held once a month.  The date of the regular meeting may be changed with proper advance notice to the membership.  All members who fail to attend four (4) consecutive or six (6) total meetings may be expelled from the Association.  See Article 3 for re-application for membership.

SECTION 2
It will be the responsibility of each member to ensure that his/her attendance at each meeting has been noted.

SECTION 3
Meetings of the Board will be held at the discretion of the President.

SECTION 4
Special meetings and social function meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Board.  Notice for these meetings must be given at least ten days prior to the meeting if at all possible.

SECTION 5
Business of the Association shall be approved by a majority vote of the members present at any regularly scheduled meeting.  A quorum of 2/3 of the Board must also be present for any voting to occur.

ARTICLE 8 - Ethics & Standards:

SECTION 1
All members will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times when attending any event or gathering endorsed or sponsored by the Association.

SECTION 2
When receiving goods or services on a complimentary basis from local businesses, each member is expected to provide an appropriate gratuity based on the full value of the service or goods provided, but NO member shall in any manner represent himself as spokesman, agent, or sole representative of the Association.  Questions pertaining to, or business of, the Association shall be referred to the Vice-President of Community Affairs.

SECTION 3
Each member must respond to all invitations received with regards to Association meetings or events within the time frame specified.  Please cancel 48 hours in advance so another member may take your place.

SECTION 4
NO member shall bestow endorsement of the Association to any business or their products.

All functions of BACA must be approved and sanctioned by the Board of Directors.  Any outside functions not approved by the Board are forbidden to use BACA name.

Release of membership list to outside persons or organizations is not allowed except by express approval of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5
Failure of any member to adhere to the Ethics and Standards herein described will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.

ARTICLE 9 - Amendments:

SECTION 1
The By-Laws of this Association may be amended by a 2/3 vote of all full members of the Association.

SECTION 2
The Secretary will notify all full members of the proposed amendment and the meeting.  All amendments must be submitted in writing to the Board and be considered by a 2/3 vote by all full members of the Association.

SECTION 3
All proposed amendments to the By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Board for consideration.