TAPPA - Rules and Regulations


	Regulation I Dues & Fees
Section 1	ANNUAL DUES - TAPPA Annual dues structure shall be set, and may be waived by the Board of Directors. The amount(s), evaluated by the Board annually, are subject to change by majority vote of the Board. Any first time new member joining after August 1st can pay 50% of dues for the remainder of the calendar year OR pay full price for the remainder of current calendar year AND the following calendar year. Any initiation or application fees shall not be discounted. A prior year's member who lets their membership lapse, must pay full year's dues upon rejoining & is not eligible for discounts or credits. The current annual dues are listed as follows: ACTIVE $ 75 ($70 if FPP Member) (deduct $15 if also an FPP member and member of another FPP guild) ASSOCIATE $ 65 ($60 if FPP Member) ASPIRING $ 65 ($60 if FPP Member) STUDENT $ 35 SPOUSE $ 25
Section 2	INITIATION OR APPLICATION FEE - The Board of Directors has the option to assess, set, or waive the initiation fees. The current initiation fee is $10 per application for membership.
Section 3	LATE FEES - The Board of Directors has the option to assess, set, or waive late fees. Late fees may be applied to dues received after February 1st of any calendar year for a member, who was a member the previous year.
Section 4	MONTHLY SEMINARS - TAPPA will hold and conduct monthly seminars, programs, and Print Competitions. The Board of Directors has the option to assess, set, or waive the monthly fee to attend these functions.
Section 5	VISITORS AND GUESTS - It will be the policy of TAPPA to extend to visitors and potential new members the availability of attending up to two of our regularly scheduled monthly meetings as a guest of one of our current Active Members without joining. The guest meeting fee is $35 and includes dinner. A timely RSVP is required. Any subsequent visit by the guest will require membership.
Section 6	VISITATION BY FPP PRESIDENT - At anytime that the President of the FPP makes a visit to one of TAPPA's events, he/she shall be greeted with open arms and treated with the respect and dignity he/she deserves as holder of this high office. The incumbent FPP President will always be an honored guest of TAPPA and not be charged the monthly fee.
	Regulation II Expenses
Section 1	SPEAKERS AND JUDGES FEES - Any speaker or judging fees exceeding $100 require Board approval. Incidentals for speakers and judges, such as meals, gas or travel expenses, and hotel rooms do not require Board approval, but do require receipts to support claims for reimbursement.
Section 2	REIMBURSEMENT OF MEMBER EXPENSES - In the course of day to day activities of running the association, it may be necessary for a member or officer to expend his or her own personal funds in the name of the association. Those expenses, when deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors, will be reimbursed upon timely receipt of documentation provided to the Treasurer.
	Regulation III Committees
Section 1	Committees and the Chairman of all committees shall be established at the direction of the President. There are nine permanent committees; Membership, Scholarship, Print Competition, Program, Library, Door Prize, Hospitality, Website, and Newsletter.
Section 2	MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE - The purpose of the Membership Committee is to recruit new members, screen membership applications, make recommendations to the Board, annually compile and distribute a Membership Directory, provide permanent name tags for all members and temporary name tags for new members, guests, speakers, and judges.
Section 3	SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE - The purpose of the Scholarship Committee is to organize the solicitation of funds to support TAPPA's Scholarship. This committee may conduct raffles, product sales, auctions, seminars, or any other legal activity to raise funds. The funds raised will be distributed within the membership, in the form of scholarships, for the purpose of furthering the education of the membership through seminars and schools, conducted or sponsored by the FPP and/or the PP of A.
Section 4	PRINT COMPETITION COMMITTEE - The purpose of the Print Competition Committee is to conduct the Section Print Competition, an educational effort which will be held one or more times per year. Competition will be held at least sixty days prior to the FPP annual convention. The Board of Directors, with the assistance of the Program Chairman, will set the dates for the competition. The Competition Chairman is responsible for the selection of Judges for the print competition.
Section 5	PROGRAM COMMITTEE - The purpose of the Program Committee, typically chaired by the Vice President, is to conduct the monthly seminars by soliciting the necessary Speakers (and Judges for competition), designed to provide the membership with quality educational opportunities. The Program Chairman is responsible for arranging for Speakers, negotiating honorariums, obtaining publicity release information for newsletter, and coordinating locations and other meeting details.
Section 6	LIBRARY - The Library Chairman oversees the collection, maintenance, and distribution of the Association's video and book library. The Library shall provide the membership with a variety of video tapes and books, of an educational nature in the art of photography, and shall be free to all TAPPA members for a one month check out period. A late fee may be assessed by the Librarian for tapes and/or books not returned at the following meeting. A collection of late fees shall be delivered to the Treasurer in a timely manner.
Section 7	DOOR PRIZE COMMITTEE - The purpose of the Door Prize Committee is to solicit items and prizes from photography related businesses and companies, to be given away at the monthly meetings. It is the duty of the Door Prize committee to send Thank You letters to any and all donors of prizes. The chairman shall oversee the distribution of all donated items at the beginning of each meeting.
Section 8	HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE - The purpose of the Hospitality Committee is to organize the social activities of TAPPA. The annual Holiday Party at which the annual awards will be given, and the installation of new Officers is the most important. Picnics, or other such activities are also the responsibility of the Hospitality Committee. The Hospitality Committee is responsible for establishing the location, time, menu, and program/activities for these events, as well as for advance publicity and notification to the TAPPA membership.
Section 9	WEB SITE - The Web Master is responsible for the design and layout of the association's web site, www.tappa.org, and securing and uploading the information necessary for it to be of good use and service to both the TAPPA Membership and the web-surfing consumer. The Webmaster receives two FPP Service Merits for each completed year of service.
Section 10	NEWSLETTER EDITOR - The Newsletter Editor is responsible for the production and distribution of the TAPPA Newsletter "THE TAPPA TRIBUNE". The Editor serves as reporter, writer, editor, and typesetter, and manages the layout and design. Oversees the printing and mailing procedures. Responsible for solicitation of product statements by photography related businesses, billing, and collection. The funds collected shall be delivered to the Treasurer in a timely manner. The Newsletter Editor receives two FPP Service Merits for each completed year of service.
	Regulation IV Awards
Section 1	OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD - This award is given annually to a member who has a history of performing outstanding and meritous service to TAPPA. This is the only award that TAPPA can give that also includes FPP Service Merits. A) METHOD OF NOMINATION - Nominations for this award must be made at the May Board Meeting by a current Board Member. A list of services performed must be provided. Any nomination must be seconded by another Board Member before being added to the ballot. Once the Board's list is complete, a solicitation from the General Membership for additional nominees is made through the June Newsletter. Any additional nominations must be accompanied by a list of services performed. B) SELECTION PROCEDURE - Upon completion of a final list of nominees, a vote by ballot by Active TAPPA Members will be held at the June Membership meeting. Ballots will be collected in an envelope, envelope sealed, and mailed directly to the FPP Executive Director, no later than June 25th. C) AWARD - The FPP will make the presentation of the award for TAPPA at the annual FPP Convention's Banquet. The award given will be a Plaque, 1 - FPP Merit, and 20 points towards TAPPA's "Photographer of the Year."
Section 2	PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARD - This award is given annually to a TAPPA member who is an active participant in the section activities, including the labor necessary to operate TAPPA and who has photographs that score well in TAPPA's Print Competition. A) METHOD OF NOMINATION - Open to all TAPPA members, regardless of membership type. This prestigious award is earned by accumulation of points. The points are earned as follows: 1) Meeting attendance - 10 points (per meeting) 2) Committee membership - 10 points (upon completion of year) 3) Committee chairmanship - 20 points (upon completion of year) 4) Board membership - 20 points (upon completion of year) 5) TAPPA Salon Entry - 10 points (regardless of # of entries) 6) TAPPA Print Merits - 10 points (per print that merits) 7) 3rd Place (Any category) - 10 points (must score 80 or above) 8) 2nd Place (Any category) - 20 points (must score 80 or above) 9) 1st Place (Any category) - 30 points (must score 80 or above) 10) Best of Show - 50 points (not eligible for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place award) 11) Print of the Month Entry - 10 points (regardless of # of entries) 12) Print of the Month 1st Place - 20 points 13) TAPPA Newsletter article - 10 points (unless required by duties) 14) Outstanding Service Award - 20 points 15) FPP Membership - 10 points (when dues is paid) 16) PPA Membership - 10 points (when dues is paid) B) AWARD - Plaque to be awarded at the Annual Banquet in December.
	Regulation V Grievance Procedures
Section 1	DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIP - Members of TAPPA agree to abide by the TAPPA Code of Ethics, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, and Standard Operating Guidelines. Members also agree to submit to a Grievance Committee all controversies involving purported violations of the said duties of membership by the procedure herein provided, and to abide by the decision of the Board of Directors.
Section 2	GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE - A Grievance Committee shall be appointed at the direction of the President when a violation of the Code of Ethics has been President or the Vice President. In the event that the President is the subject of the complaint, the Vice President shall convene the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee is not a standing committee but is impaneled as needed.
Section 3	POWER TO TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION - After a hearing, provisions for which are outlined in the following sections, the Grievance Committee may submit recommendations for disciplinary action to the Officers of TAPPA against any member for violation of any duty of membership as determined in Section 1, Regulation 1.
Section 4	MANNER OF INITIATING A HEARING A) Any member having reason to believe that a member of TAPPA is guilty of any conduct subject to disciplinary action or a violation of the Duties of Membership may file a complaint in writing, dated and signed, to the President stating the facts on which the complaint is based. The complaint must be filed within ninety days after the violation of the Duties of Membership is known. The President shall promptly initiate a Grievance Committee to investigate the complaint's merit with at least one TAPPA Officer in its membership. The complaint shall be held in strict confidence. B) Upon hearing the complaint, the Grievance Committee shall determine whether to : (1) dismiss the complaint as unworthy of further consideration, (2) refer it back to the complainant, or (3) investigate in detail the facts presented, requiring respondent to furnish the committee with his/her response before making a preliminary determination. The function of the Grievance Committee is to make such preliminary investigation and evaluation of the complaint as required to determine whether the validity and substance of the complaint warrants further consideration. The findings and deliberations of the Grievance Committee are to be held in strict confidence. C) Upon its own motion, the Grievance Committee may and upon instruction by the President must investigate the actions of any member when there are reasonable grounds to believe the member is guilty of conduct subject to disciplinary action and, if so satisfied, shall prepare a complaint and refer it to the President. The Grievance Committee shall designate one of its members to present the case at the subsequent hearing on its behalf as complainant. Before the committee shall make a preliminary determination, a and copy of the complaint shall be sent to the party complained of, requesting said party to furnish the committee with a response.
Section 5	HEARING BY THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE A) After a complaint alleging a violation of membership duty (Code of Ethics, By-Laws, Rules & Regulations, and Standard Operating Guidelines) has been referred to the President by the Grievance Committee with instructions to schedule a hearing, the President shall serve a copy of the complaint on each party complained of (hereafter called the respondent) and notify the respondent that he/she may submit a written reply to the President within ten days and that if he/she does not, the charges may be taken as true by default. The President may accept late submittal of the reply at its discretion. B) Within ten days of receipt of said reply, the President shall mail copies of the reply to the complainant and the Grievance Committee. If no reply is received after ten days, the President shall notify the Grievance Committee that no reply has been submitted. C) After a complaint has reached the Grievance Committee, it may be withdrawn by the complainant only with the committee's approval. D) At any time prior to the hearing of the complaint, the complainant may file an amended complaint with the President, which the Grievance Committee may, at its discretion, allow or disallow. E) The Grievance Committee shall hold a hearing with the respondent and complainant. F) In the event the respondent or complainant fails to appear at a duly noticed hearing without obtaining a continuance or adjournment thereof, the committee may proceed with the hearing in the respondent's or complainant's absence and shall reach it's decision based on the evidence made available at the hearing. Thereafter all other procedures shall follow as herein provided.
Section 6	DECISION OF THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE HEARING A) The President or Vice President shall present the complaint to the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee shall deliberate and reach a decision. The decision of the Grievance Committee shall be by majority vote, in writing, and shall contain findings of fact and a statement of the disciplinary action suggested, if any, and shall be filed with the President. Such decision shall not be disclosed publicly, however, failure of confidentiality shall not invalidate the decision. B) The President shall transmit a copy of the decision to the complainant and the respondent within seven days of rendition. C) Within thirty days after the decision has been rendered, the respondent may petition the Grievance Committee for a rehearing, solely on the grounds of newly discovered material evidence which the petitioner could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered prior to the original hearing. The petition must be in writing and divulge the new evidence. D) Within ten days of the decision of the Grievance Committee on the appeal, the respondent may appeal the decision to the TAPPA Board of Directors. If the appeal request is granted, the TAPPA Board of Directors shall consider the appeal at their next regularly scheduled meeting and render a decision concerning the appeal. E) A decision of the TAPPA Board of Directors is final, and each member of TAPPA, by becoming and remaining a member, agrees not to seek review in any court of law.
Section 7	PRELIMINARY JUDICIAL DETERMINATION If the Board of Directors believes that the disciplined member may resort to legal action because of suspension or expulsion, it may specify that the suspension or expulsion shall become effective upon entry of the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction in a suit filed by the Board for declaratory relief, declaring that the suspension or expulsion violates no rights of the member.
Section 8	NATURE OF DISCIPLINE Disciplinary action may consist of only one of the following: 1. Letter of Censure to member, with copy in file; 2. Relief of Committee Chairmanship, Board or Officer position and/or relief of committee duties; 3. Suspension of membership for a period of time specified by the Board of Directors, not to exceed one year; 4. Expulsion from membership - Expulsion from membership requires a two thirds vote from the Board of Directors. Any discipline imposed may be suspended and the member placed on probation for a period not to exceed one year.