BYLAWS

HOUSTON COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I - NAME AND LOCATION

Section 1. The name of this organization is the HOUSTON COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION.

Section 2. The offices of the Association will be located in the city of Houston, Texas.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Association are:

1. To provide opportunity for the exchange of experiences and opinions through discussion, study and publications.

2. To promote the profession of court reporting via the use of written symbols or letters and educate members and the public in the advancement, improvement and uses of court reporters.

3. To develop and encourage high standards of personal and professional conduct among court reporters.

4. To conduct and cooperate in courses of study for the continuing education of court reporters; to hold meetings and conferences for the mutual improvement and education of its members.

5. To disseminate information relative to the functions and accomplishments of court reporters.

6. To cooperate with state and national court reporter associations in the common endeavor to advance the profession of court reporting via the use of written symbols or letters.

7. To cooperate with federal, state and local government for the good of the community and the court reporting profession.

SUBJECT TO PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE ASSOCIATION MAY TAKE A POSITION AND EXPRESS AN OPINION ON ISSUES DIRECTLY AND GENERALLY AFFECTING COURT REPORTING AS SUCH.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Definition of Membership

All current members or persons later admitted to membership in the Association in the manner prescribed herein and whose dues have been paid in full for the current year shall constitute the voting membership of the Association, excepting any person whose membership has been suspended or revoked by order of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Classes of Membership:

(a) Professional

(b) Student

(d) Associate

Section 3. Qualifications for Professional Membership: The following persons are eligible for professional membership in the Association:

(a)	Any person who is an Official Court Reporter in the State of Texas using a system of shorthand or stenographic machine which employs the use of written symbols or letters and who is a holder of a current Certified Shorthand Reporter certificate issued by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas. Said person must solely use the method of shorthand by which the CSR test was passed.
(b)	Any person who is engaged in the practice of freelance deposition or general reporting in the State of Texas using a system of shorthand or stenographic machine which employs the use of written symbols or letters and who is a holder of a current Certified Shorthand Reporter certificate issued by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas. Said person must solely use the method of shorthand by which the CSR test was passed.
(c)	Beginning in the year 2004, any past, present, or future president of the Association is to be a lifetime member and is exempt from the payment of dues. It is the responsibility of said member to notify the Membership Committee of any changes in contact information.

Section 4. Qualifications for Student Membership: Any student who is certified by a court reporter training program instructor or director as being currently enrolled in a court reporting institute which teaches the profession of court reporting using a system of shorthand or stenographic machine which employs the use of written symbols or letters.

Section 5. Qualifications for Honorary Membership: Any person who has attained high rank in the reporting profession as a practitioner of the art of shorthand reporting, as an author of shorthand literature, or as a benefactor of the profession, but who is not in the active practice of shorthand reporting, may be elected an honorary member by a majority vote of the Board of Directors present.

Any person so elected is to be a lifetime member and is exempt from the payment of dues. The honorary membership will cease in the event said person engages in the active practice of court reporting.

Section 6. Qualifications for Associate Membership: Any person, firm, corporation or educational institution interested in the advancement of the court reporting profession and the advancement of the goals of the Houston Court Reporters Association shall be eligible for associate membership, with a majority approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Membership Privileges

(a)	Any person accepted as a professional member will be entitled to all privileges of membership, including voting, nominating, and holding office.
(b)	Any person, firm, corporation or educational institution accepted as either a student, honorary, or associate member will be entitled to all privileges of membership except voting, nominating, and holding office.

Section 8. Membership Application Procedure

Any person desiring membership in the Association must make written application accompanied by the membership fee as prescribed herein, state in the application that applicant possesses the qualifications herein above required. Application must be filed with the Membership Committee.

Section 9. Removal

Members of any classification may be removed from membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, for any cause other than nonpayment of dues. If removed by the Board of Directors, the member can appeal to the membership present at the next regularly scheduled meeting following the decision by the Board to remove. Those members present will hear the appeal and a majority vote will determine the final outcome.

Section 10. Reinstatement

A former member desiring a continuous membership record may be reinstated on showing proof of qualification and paying all dues in arrears. If a continuous membership record is not desired, the member may be reinstated upon showing proof of qualification and paying the current year's dues. If continuous membership is desired, back issues of the newsletter will not be delivered to the member.

Section 11. Resignation

Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the President, but such resignation shall not relieve members so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues or other charges theretofore accrued and unpaid.

Section 12. Joint Membership

If agreed, on a year-by-year basis, between Texas Court Reporters Association and the Houston Court Reporters Association, new members may join both their local and state association at the same time at a reduced rate.

ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Section 1. Organization

To achieve the objectives of the Association, the Board of Directors, consisting of all officers and directors, may, at its discretion, establish organizational units such as committees to serve the special interests of the court reporting profession.

The Board of Directors shall supervise, control and direct the affairs of the Association, its committees and publications; shall determine its policies or change therein; shall actively execute its objectives and supervise the disbursement of its funds; may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable.

ARTICLE V - FEES AND CREDENTIALS

Section 1. Payment of Dues

The annual dues shall accompany the application for membership and shall cover the membership dues for the remainder of the calendar year in which paid.

Should a student member become eligible and seek professional membership during a calendar year for which dues have previously been paid, any current dues paid by the applicant for the student membership shall be applied against the professional dues.

In the event an application is rejected, the membership fee shall be returned to the applicant.

Section 2. Establishment of Dues

Professional members shall pay annual dues in the amount set by the Board of Directors at the September meeting. Dues may be increased in an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the previous year's dues.

Student and associate members may obtain a nonvoting membership by paying annual dues in an amount set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Delinquency and Cancellation

Any member of the Association who shall be delinquent in dues shall be dropped from the rolls and thereupon forfeit all rights and privileges of membership.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS AND VOTING

Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President or the Board of Directors at any time.

Section 1. Notice of Meetings

Notification of any meeting of the Association at which official Association business is to be transacted may be given by the Association's automatic dialing/messaging system, newsletter, calendar, fax or any other means.

Section 2. Voting

At all meetings of the Association, except Board of Director meetings, each professional member shall have one (1) vote and may take part and vote in person only. Unless otherwise specifically provided by these Bylaws, a majority vote of those professional members present and voting shall govern.

Section 3. Quorum of Members

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the professional members in good standing present at said meeting. All actions taken by said members must be ratified by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors must act based upon the majority vote of said members in good standing present at said meeting.

Section 4. Cancellation of Meetings

The Board of Directors may cancel any meeting for cause, except as may be otherwise provided by these Bylaws.

Section 5. Rules of Order

The meetings and proceedings for this Association shall be regulated and controlled according to ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER REVISED for parliamentary procedure, except as may be otherwise provided by these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS

Section 1. Qualifications of Office

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

Any professional member in good standing shall be eligible for nomination and election to any elective office of the Association.

Each elected officer shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Nonelected Officers

The nonelected officers of this Association shall be the President and Past President.

Each nonelected officer shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Nomination and Election of Officers

The current officers and directors shall serve as the Nominating Committee with the past president serving as the committee chair. The Nominating Committee, acting in accordance with the Bylaws, shall present one nominee for each elective office of the Association, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Said slate of nominees shall then be published in the September/October newsletter with a form for additional nominations, to be returned to the Nominating Committee by November 15.

All nominees shall be presented by the Nominating Committee for vote by the professional members present and voting at the January meeting.

Section 4. Term of Office

Each elected officer shall hold office from date of installation at the January meeting and shall serve for a term of one (1) year or until a successor is duly elected and installed, unless removed from office in accordance with the Bylaws.

Section 5. Vacancies - Removal

The Board of Directors, by a majority vote, shall appoint a professional member to fill a vacancy in any office of the Association except Past President, which shall be filled by any previous Past President.

An officer who fails to attend two (2) consecutive scheduled Board of Directors meetings may be removed from said office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Each such absence by any officer may be considered as a separate circumstance.

Each officer of the Association may be subject to removal from office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors if such officer is found to be in violation of the HCRA Bylaws or the Policies and Procedures.

ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers and directors of the Association shall represent the Association in a responsible and appropriate manner and shall perform the duties and responsibilities of the Association as set forth in the Policies and Procedures.

ARTICLE IX - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Qualifications of Office

There shall be four (4) elected Directors of the Association, consisting of at least two (2) freelance reporters and at least two (2) official reporters. Directors shall be designated Director 1, Director 2, Director 3, and Director 4.

Any professional member in good standing for one year shall be eligible for nomination and election to the Board of Directors of the Association.

Section 2. Nomination and Election of Directors

The Nominating Committee, acting in accordance with the Bylaws, shall present one nominee for each Director of the Association, subject to approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Said slate of nominees shall then be published in the September/October newsletter with a form for additional nominations, to be returned to the Nominating Committee by November 15.

All nominees shall be presented by the Nominating Committee for vote by the professional members present and voting at the January meeting.

Section 3. Term of Office

Each Director shall hold office from date of installation at the January meeting and shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until a successor is duly elected and installed, unless removed from office in accordance with the Bylaws.

Even numbered Directors (Directors 2 and 4) shall be elected on even numbered years and odd numbered Directors (Directors 1 and 3) shall be elected on odd numbered years.

Section 4. Vacancies - Removal

The Board of Directors, by a majority vote, shall appoint a professional member to fill a vacancy of any Director.

A Director who fails to attend two (2) consecutive scheduled Board of Directors meetings may be removed from said office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Each such absence by any Director may be considered as a separate circumstance.

Each Director of the Association may be subject to removal from office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors if such Director is found to be in violation of the HCRA Bylaws or the Policies and Procedures.

ARTICLE X - SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The President, with Board approval, shall appoint such other committees, subcommittees or task forces as deemed necessary and are not in conflict with other provisions of these Bylaws. The duties of such committees shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI - COMMITTEE REPORTS

The chair of each committee shall prepare a committee report regarding the committee's performance, as requested by the President, for the Board of Directors meetings.

ARTICLE XII - APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS

The Association shall use its funds to accomplish its objectives and purposes for the benefit of the membership at the direction of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a majority vote of the professional members in good standing, provided notice of such amendment, alteration or repeal, with the text thereof, has been published in the newsletter, or made available on the website, not less than 30 days prior to the time the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal is to be considered.

The amendment, alteration or repeal shall take effect immediately upon adoption by a majority vote of the professional members in good standing who are present and voting.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

HOUSTON COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and directors of the Association and be the governing body of the Association.

1. Directors shall serve for a term of at least two (2) years or until a successor is duly elected and installed, unless removed from office in accordance with the Bylaws. Even numbered Directors (Directors 2 and 4) shall be elected on even numbered years and odd numbered Directors (Directors 1 and 3) shall be elected on odd numbered years.

2. The Board of Directors has the power to appropriate for necessary purposes the unappropriated funds of the Association, and to transfer to other accounts unexpected balances of appropriations made by the Association as the needs of the Association shall require.

3. Shall determine the form and manner in which the accounts and records of the Association shall be kept, and may at any time require the Treasurer or any committee, officer, or member having funds of the Association in charge, to render an account of same, and shall have the full power and authority to take all necessary and proper measures for the protection and care of the funds and property of the Association.

4. Shall appoint committees of one or more of its members, and when necessary for proper execution of the work of the Association placed in its charge, may appoint or employ such agents or assistants as may be necessary with prior Board approval by a majority vote.

5. Shall keep a record of all its official acts and submit a report of the Association activities annually to be maintained in the records of the Association.

6. The President or a majority of the Board of Directors shall have the power to call a Board of Directors meeting when the business of the Association shall render it advisable.

7. Any Director(s) desiring to submit a motion or resolution between the regular Board of Director meetings shall send copies thereof to the President and may informally send each Director a copy; the President shall record the proposed motion or resolution with the name and vote of each Director. An affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors is required on such motion or resolution. Each Director shall be notified by the President of the result of the vote and the action of the Board so taken shall have the same force and effect as if taken in meeting assembled.

8. Each officer and Director shall attend every Board of Directors meeting. Absence may result in removal from office

9. An elected Director may authorize a Deputy Director to act in place of and perform the duties of said elected Director.

10. Officers and Directors shall observe all deadlines as set forth by the presidential calendar and committee schedule.

SECTION I: QUORUM - CALL OF MEETINGS

A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the Board of Directors and any such business transacted shall be valid, providing it is affirmatively passed upon by a majority of those members present at the meeting. The Directors may cast their votes by ballot when necessary.

SECTION II: HCRA STATIONERY

HCRA letterhead stationery shall be used solely for official Association communication. Those authorized to use HCRA stationery are the Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairs of the Association. The President must approve all correspondence sent out on HCRA stationery prior to distribution. Committee Chairs must copy the President and the Board on all HCRA correspondence.

SECTION III: BOARD MEETINGS

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the HCRA regularly scheduled meetings at such place as set by the Board.

Special Board of Director meetings may be called by the President or at the request of three (3) Directors.

Notice of all meetings shall be given to the Directors by U.S. mail, delivery, telephone, newsletter, e-mail or by fax not less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to said meeting being held.

Action taken by ballot by the Board of Directors, in which a majority of the Directors, in writing, indicate themselves in agreement, shall constitute a valid action of the Board of Directors, if reported at the next regular meeting of the Board.

SECTION IV: BOARD PACKETS

Board members must submit to the President motions or proposed presentations for Director and/or general meetings not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting is held.

SECTION V: EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS

And all expenses incurred or proposed to be incurred on behalf of HCRA must meet one of the following two standards to be reimbursable:

A) An expenditure approval request and budget/spending cap request should be submitted to the entire

Board and approved by a majority of the Board before the expenditure occurs; or

B) If the expenditure was not preapproved by the Board, an expense reimbursement request must be

submitted to the entire Board and approved by a majority of the Board before it can be reimbursed.

E-mail is an acceptable forum for the above-mentioned requests.

SECTION VI: BULLETIN BOARD/WEB SITE

The Association may maintain an electronic bulletin board or web site for the use of all HCRA members. The bulletin board may contain current legislation information, newsletter(s), and other information as may be deemed useful.

SECTION VII: AUTOMATIC DIALING/MESSAGING SYSTEM AND NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

The Association may maintain an automatic dialing/messaging system in order to call reporters within the general Houston, Harris County area to remind them of meeting dates, speakers, legislative emergencies, and other pertinent information. No messages may be sent out on the automatic dialing/messaging system without prior approval of the Board of Directors.

The notebook computer owned by the Association shall be in the care and custody of the Treasurer and may be checked out from the HCRA Treasurer as necessary by other officers and directors for Association work.

SECTION VIII: COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

The President shall appoint all Committee Chairs and fill any vacancy in any committee for the unexpired term. All immediate past Committee Chairs will serve in an advisory capacity for that committee for a period of one year. This shall not preclude the President from appointing committee members from general membership who express interest in serving on a particular committee.

It is the duty of the committee chairs to submit to their President for approval, within two weeks after their appointment, a slate of proposed members of the committee. Committee Chairs shall have their committees ready to take over by February 1.

SECTION IX: COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Should be appointed because they are either knowledgeable about or interested in the committee's area of activity;

2. Should know what the specific responsibilities of the committee are;

3. Should know what the Association's practices, Policies and Procedures are;

4. Should know what the past performance of the committee has been;

5. Should know what the reporting procedures to the Board of Directors are;

6. Should establish realistic, attainable goals;

7. Committee Chairs are responsible for completing and maintaining HCRA Committee Activity Reports, to be presented in writing one week prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.

SECTION X: Committee Expenses

Committee Chairs must submit expense items for any project they expect may have expenses to the President for submission to and approval by the Board of Directors before expenses are incurred.

And all expenses incurred or proposed to be incurred on behalf of HCRA must meet one of the following two standards to be reimbursable:

A) An expenditure approval request and budget/spending cap request should be submitted to the entire

Board and approved by a majority of the Board before the expenditure occurs; or

B) If the expenditure was not preapproved by the Board, an expense reimbursement request must be

submitted to the entire Board and approved by a majority of the Board before it can be reimbursed.

E-mail is an acceptable forum for the above-mentioned requests.

All Committee Chairs shall keep an accounting of committee expenses during their tenure to determine if a budget is necessary for that committee for the next fiscal year.

SECTION X1: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS

Duties and Responsibilities of the President

The President shall:

1. Promote and advance the goals and objectives of the Association as set forth in the Bylaws;

2. Preside at all meetings and attend all HCRA social functions, the TCRA Leadership Conference; be a member in good standing of HCRA, TCRA and NCRA;

3. Conduct proceedings according to Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure and HCRA Policies and Procedures;

4. Serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors and serve as a member with the right to vote on all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President will not vote on matters before the Board unless to break a tie;

5. Appoint any special committees and fill any vacancy in any committee for the unexpired term;

6. Abide by deadlines as set out by the Association and newsletter calendar;

7. Provide newsletter editor an article for the column titled "President's Message" and meeting information (i.e.: guest speaker, topic, meeting place, date and time);

8. Perform all duties incidental to the office and such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Association, the Board of Directors or the Policies and Procedures;

9. Notify the Board of Directors of any vacancy occurring in any office by reason of death, resignation, or inability to serve; and recommend a successor to the Board to be appointed and approved;

10. Exercise all other authority not otherwise vested;

11. Develop a presidential calendar, including board meetings, local association meetings, complete committee chair assignments and presidential goals, and submit to the Board;

12. Deliver a copy of the tentative meeting agenda to the board members one week in advance of each scheduled board meeting. Additions and changes may be made as needed until the time of the meeting;

13. Be subject to removal from office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, if the President fails to meet the responsibilities of the office or is found to be in violation of any article of the HCRA Bylaws and/or Policies and Procedures by said Board of Directors, under the applicable HCRA Bylaws.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Past President

The immediate Past President shall:

1. Serve for one (1) year with the same duties and powers as other elected officials;

2. Oversee committees at the direction of the President;

3. Chair the Nominating Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities of the President-Elect

The President-Elect shall:

1. Become President at the conclusion of the term of office as President-Elect. In the event of notification to the Board of Directors of the inability or refusal to serve as President, the Board of Directors will nominate and select a President-Elect to take the place to be filled;

2. Chair the Legislative Committee, and shall have responsibility for coordinating the work of the Legislative Committee

3. Attend all HCRA social functions, the TCRA convention, and the TCRA Leadership Conference; be a member in good standing of HCRA, TCRA and NCRA.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Vice-President

The Vice-President shall:

1. Coordinate with Board members and Committee Chairs to provide all HCRA files, records and database information, if possible in ASCII format, to be presented to the incoming board and Committee Chairs to provide appropriate information concerning their duties and responsibilities;

2. Order name badges, stationery, and other necessary supplies for Board members immediately after election. These expenses shall be submitted to the Treasurer for immediate disbursement;

3. Provide an inventory of HCRA equipment and its location to the Board at the second Board meeting each year;

4. Oversee any additions, changes or modifications to the HCRA Bylaws and Policies and Procedures;

5. Be available as necessary to perform the functions of an absentee officer;

6. Attend all HCRA social functions, and be a member in good standing of HCRA, TCRA and NCRA.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

1. Oversee collection of all monies due HCRA, duly note receipt of same and deposit funds in a proper depository in the name and to the credit of the Houston Court Reporters Association;

2. Maintain all financial accounts of HCRA (checking, savings, and any and all special accounts) in the name and to the credit of the Houston Court Reporters Association;

3. Pay all bills as approved by the Board of Directors in a timely manner;

4. Maintain the Association's general ledger and make this information available to the Board of Directors upon request;

5. Submit income and expense reports at the regularly scheduled HCRA meetings to the Board of Directors;

6. Assist in the formulation and review of an annual budget for program viability;

7. Preserve all financial books and records of HCRA, including all expenditures authorized by fax;

8. Handle the transfer of signature cards and appropriate correspondence with the banking institution where HCRA does business;

9. Receive Board approval before changing bank accounts and/or banking institutions;

10. Prepare and distribute income and expense reports for special events such as fund raising activities;

11. Maintain control of the key to the post office box and pick up mail each Friday;

12. Chair the Membership Committee and have responsibility for coordinating the work of the Membership Committee;

13. Maintain the database of Association members, including all new applications, and update the existing members, providing this information to the President, automatic dialing/messaging system operator, and newsletter editor prior to each issue of the newsletter;

14. Attend all HCRA social functions and be a member in good standing of HCRA, TCRA, and NCRA.

15. Check Signing Authority - All checks disbursing HCRA funds require the signature of the Treasurer.

16. Expenses and expenditures -

And all expenses incurred or proposed to be incurred on behalf of HCRA must meet one of the following two standards to be reimbursable:

A) An expenditure approval request and budget/spending cap request should be submitted

to the entire Board and approved by a majority of the Board before the expenditure

occurs; or

B) If the expenditure was not preapproved by the Board, an expense reimbursement request

must be submitted to the entire Board and approved by a majority of the Board before it can be reimbursed.

E-mail is an acceptable forum for the above-mentioned requests.

17. Contributions - All contributions to HCRA shall be reported to the Board and so noted in the Treasurer's Report, which shall be submitted at each and every HCRA general meeting.

18. Plaques, Awards and Ribbons - Coordinate with the President for necessary awards, certificates, ribbons, or other items to be given.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary

The Secretary shall:

1. Report meetings and transcribe minutes for each HCRA meeting, Director meeting (regular or special), or other meetings which require the taking of minutes;

2. Cause to be made a "motions notebook," numbering and capsulizing motions made, passed and rejected by the Board of Directors to be maintained and delivered to the next Secretary;

3. Maintain all approved resolutions submitted for consideration;

4. Appoint a substitute Secretary to report any meeting, if unable to attend and report said meeting;

5. Attend all HCRA social functions, and be a member in good standing of HCRA, TCRA and NCRA;

6. Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting will be presented to each Officer and Director thirty (30) days from the date of any Board meeting.

SECTION XII: MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Definition

All current members or persons later admitted to membership in this Association in the manner prescribed herein and whose dues have been paid in full for the current year shall constitute the voting membership of the Association, excepting any person whose membership has been suspended or revoked by the Board of Directors.

Classes of Members: Professional, Student, Honorary, and Associate

Professional Member: Any person who is engaged in the practice of court reporting in the general Houston area of the State of Texas using a system of shorthand or stenographic machine which employs the use of written symbols or letters, who is a holder of a current Certified Shorthand Reporter certificate issued by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas, and who engages in the method of shorthand reporting by which the CSR test was passed. All past, present, and future Presidents of the Association are lifetime professional members.
Student Member: Any person who is certified by a court reporter training program instructor or director as being currently enrolled in a court reporting institute which teaches the profession of court reporting using a system of shorthand or stenographic machine which employs the use of written symbols or letters.
Honorary Member: Any person who has attained high rank in the reporting profession as a practitioner of the art of shorthand reporting, as an author of shorthand literature, or as a benefactor of the profession, but who is not in the active practice of court reporting, may be elected an honorary member by a majority vote of the Board of Directors present.
Any person so elected is to be a life member and is exempt from the payment of dues. The Honorary Membership will cease in the event said person engages in the active practice of court reporting.
Associate Member: Any person, firm, corporation or educational institution interested in the advancement of the court reporting profession and the advancement of the goals of the Houston Court Reporters Association shall be eligible for Associate Membership, with a majority approval of the Board of Directors.

Membership Privileges

Any person accepted as a professional member will be entitled to all privileges of membership, including voting, nominating, and holding office.
Any person, firm, corporation or educational institution accepted as either a Student, Honorary, or Associate Member will be entitled to all privileges of membership except voting, nominating, and holding office.

Membership Application Procedure

Removal

Reinstatement

Resignation

Joint Membership

SECTION XIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS' E-MAIL VOTING PROCEDURES

Any Board member desiring to submit a motion or resolution between the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board shall send via e-mail the proposed motion or resolution to the President of the Association in the following form:

"I make the following motion:" (State the motion.)

"Rationale for the proposed motion or resolution:" (State the reasoning.)

Upon receipt of the proposed motion or resolution, the President will forward the motion or resolution to all members of the Board of Directors via e-mail stating the name of the individual introducing the motion or resolution and asking if there is a second.

Upon receipt of a second to the motion or resolution by the President, the President shall announce to the Board via e-mail the name of the individual providing the second and stating the time and date of the President's post.

Within 24 hours of the posted date and time included in the President's announcement of a second to the motion or resolution presented to the members of the board, each member will respond back to the President acknowledging receipt of the proposed motion or resolution.

At the end of the 24-hour period, any member of the Board failing to acknowledge via e-mail their receipt of the proposed motion or resolution will be contacted by the President by telephone or fax to inform them of the proposed motion or resolution.

When the President has successfully assured that all members of the Board have been informed of the proposed motion or resolution, the President will post the entire Board via e-mail stating the following:

1) The date and time of the post;

2) Restating the text of the proposed motion or resolution;

3) Announcing a 72-hour period of discussion beginning at the date and time stated in the post and

ending with a date and time certain at the end of 72 hours, when discussion will cease.

All members of the Board are encouraged to express their views concerning the proposed motion or resolution during the ensuing 72-hour period.

Upon expiration of the discussion period, each member of the Board will cast their vote via e-mail with the President of the Association.

The President will record the name and vote of each member of the Board. An affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors is required for such motion or resolution to pass.

In the event of a tie vote, the deciding vote will be cast by the President of the Association.

Each member of the Board shall be notified by the President of the result of the vote and the action of the Board so taken shall have the same force and effect as if taken at a regularly scheduled meeting with all assembled.

The motion will be recorded by the Secretary in the Minutes of the next scheduled meeting of the Board with the name of each Board member and their vote.