"The professional voice of crime prevention in Ohio"
Constitution
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PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Ohio Crime Prevention Association, a nonprofit organization, recognizing that by formal definition, crime prevention is the “anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of some action to remove or reduce it;” and in practical application, crime prevention is a pattern of attitudes and behaviors directed both at reducing the threat of crime and enhancing the sense of safety and security, to positively influence the quality of life in our society, and to help develop environments where crime cannot flourish; through a concentrated, cooperative effort, hereby form the following Constitution and Bylaws for the promotion and advancement of crime prevention in Ohio.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the "Ohio Crime Prevention Association."ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
A. To provide a forum for the exchange and coordination of ideas,
concepts and programs pertaining to crime prevention.
B. To provide an effective means of determining and expressing the
collective view of professional crime prevention practitioners.
C. To inform all elected officials, legislative bodies and all criminal
justice personnel of current crime prevention trends and techniques
necessary for reducing crime.
D. To focus attention on local, regional and state goals and issues
relating to crime prevention.
E. To encourage extensive citizen and community involvement in the
reduction of crime and criminal opportunity.
F. To encourage maximum cooperation between all segments of the criminal
justice system in addition to improving communications with all citizens
toward the goal of crime reduction.
G. To advise the State of Ohio on matters relating to the development
of a comprehensive plan for crime prevention in the state.
H. To do all things necessary and proper to promote sound crime prevention
planning and implementation for Ohio citizens.
ARTICLE III: MISSION
Established on the foundation that crime can be prevented, the Ohio Crime Prevention Association is committed to the development and advancement of a continuum of educational opportunities in crime prevention and community policing, to ultimately improve the quality of life in Ohio communities.
- Coordinates the efforts of members representing law enforcement, government, corporate, social service, educators, the media, faith and citizen partners into a cohesive effective force, dedicated to building safer communities.
- Provides progressive, professional training on all aspects of crime prevention and community policing.
- Gathers a wide range of crime prevention and community policing resources and provides members access to them through a central Resource Center and Lending Library.
- Promotes the beliefs of crime prevention and principles of community policing through the development of comprehensive publications and manuals.
- Recognizes remarkable individuals for their outstanding efforts in reducing and preventing crime in Ohio.
- Serves as a supportive authority and technical advisor to law enforcement agencies on crime prevention, community policing and related issues.
- Collaborates with all levels of government and other organizations to maximize information sharing and resources to achieve the common goal of safer communities.
- Prepares a cadre of presenters to train the community in effective crime prevention strategies and ways to localize initiatives to best meet the needs of a specific area.
- Leads, at the state and national level, crime prevention projects with far-reaching, long-term community benefits.
- Advocates for legislative action on a range of crime prevention measures, to institutionalize crime prevention as a way of life in Ohio.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership Types - There shall be six (6) types of membership,
which are defined as
follows:
A. Active - Individuals working in or retired from non-profit agencies, organizations or governmental bodies, or individuals who are volunteers in crime prevention programs, or community policing efforts; who have a concerned and demonstrated interest in the promotion and advancement of crime prevention or community policing in the State of Ohio. Such membership shall be available to both civilian and law enforcement personnel. These members shall have voting rights and are eligible to serve on committees and hold positions as officers in the Association.
B. Associate - Individuals working in commercial enterprises whose business interests are related to some facet of crime prevention. Eligible for Associate memberships are all persons involved in the design, manufacture, supply and installation in the security industry, building and contracting, architecture, private security companies or related commercial enterprises who have a concerned and vested interest in the promotion of crime prevention in the State of Ohio. Associate members shall have voting rights and may attend and contribute their expertise to general and committee meetings conducted by Active members. Associate members may also serve as members of appointive committees at the will of the President.
C. Corporate Partner - Those public, private, or commercial organizations
that support and encourage crime prevention. Members in this category
may serve as members of appointive committees at the will of the President,
with the right to vote on said committee. Any member of the member
organization will receive all membership services and discounts offered
by the OCPA. There are two categories within the Corporate Partner
membership: A) Not for Profit - Nonprofit agencies, organizations
or governmental bodies who have a concerned and demonstrated interest
in the promotion and advancement of crime prevention or community
policing in the State of Ohio. Such membership is eligible to hold
office, and one member of this non profit organization is eligible
to vote; B) For Profit - Private organizations involved in the design,
manufacture, supply and installation of security industry, building
and contracting, architecture, private security companies or related
commercial enterprises who have a concerned and vested interest in
the promotion of crime prevention in the State of Ohio. Such membership
is ineligible to hold office, and one member of this organization
is eligible to vote.
D. Honorary - Individuals who have provided outstanding services to
the Ohio crime prevention effort. These members will not have voting
rights unless they were Active members at the time they became Honorary,
in which case they will always have voting rights. They may also serve
as members of civic, labor or management groups, etc.; and retired
active members who have demonstrated exceptional support and activity
in community crime prevention programs.
E. Honorary President - Past Presidents of the Association automatically
become Honorary Presidents for life at the close of the last session
of their service as President, as long as they are otherwise in good
standing. Honorary Presidents shall have the same privileges as an
Active member and shall be exempt from paying dues. Honorary Presidents
shall be invited to the OCPA Annual Conference and their registration
fee shall be waived.
F. Contributing - Individuals who support and encourage crime prevention
in the State of Ohio but who are not directly involved in crime prevention
by their employment. All contributing members shall be entitled to
the privilege of the floor in all meetings to freely express their
views, but without voting power.
2. Membership Application
A. Application Process. Application for Active, Associate, or Corporate
membership shall be made by individually initiated petition or by
the recommendation of members of the Board of Directors. All applications
for membership are to be submitted to the Office of the Executive
Director prior to any meeting of the Board. A simple majority will
be necessary for approval of new memberships.
B. Honorary Application. Applications for Honorary membership are
to be submitted by the sponsor to the Board of Directors for approval.
Assignment of Honorary membership shall be by a 2/3 vote of the Board
of Directors.
3. Membership Suspension
A. Responsibility. The Board of Directors shall have the power to
suspend or expel any member by a 2/3 vote.
B. Casting Votes. All Board of Directors members must cast a vote
in a suspension proceeding.
C. Procedure. Any member under consideration for suspension or expulsion
must be notified of such pending action at least fourteen (14) days
prior to the effective date in writing. Such person may then request
an appearance before the Hearing Board. Said Board shall be composed
of three (3) Active members appointed by the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors shall then take action based upon the recommendations
of the Hearing Board.
D. Appeal. All parties, within fourteen (14) days of notification
of the decision by the Board of Directors, may appeal that decision,
in writing, to the Board of Directors.
4. Membership Dues
A. Fees. The Board of Directors will set the annual dues for all
types of membership yearly.
B. Amending. The annual dues fee set by the Board of Directors may
be amended by a 2/3 vote of Active members present and voting at a
general meeting.
C. Delinquency. Any member who is delinquent in the payment of dues
for a period of three months shall be declared not in good standing
and shall be suspended within two weeks after written notice by first
class mail has been given to him/her at his/her last known address
of the effective date of such suspension from the membership. After
four months, he/she will automatically be expelled from the OCPA without
further action.
D. Expulsion. Any member who has been expelled from the OCPA for failing
to pay their dues of assessments can make application for reinstatement
in the same manner as a new member.
5. Membership in Good Standing
A. Standard. A member of the Ohio Crime Prevention Association shall
abide by the Code of Ethics established as a professional standard.
B. Ideals. Members shall be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor
and integrity to maintain the respect and confidence of the public,
subordinates, customers, government officials, fellow officers, and
practitioners.
C. Personal Conduct. Members should conduct themselves as to maintain
the highest public confidence in their profession, their organization,
and in their performance of the public trust.
D. Professional Conduct. Members should conduct their office and personal
affairs in such a manner so as to give the clear impression they cannot
be improperly influenced in the performance of their official duties.
E. Representation. At all times, members shall completely and accurately
represent their credentials, including prior employment, education,
certifications, and personal history.
F. Violation. A member is considered in violation of good standing
if they engage in conduct which is against the best interest of the
OCPA as prescribed by the Board of Directors or use the OCPA in any
manner for one's own personal benefit or profit. This includes usage
of the membership list provided to all members. This list is not to
be utilized as a mailing list, specifically if the member is going
to benefit or financially profit from the usage.
G. Suspension. Members considered in violation will be subject to
membership suspension or expulsion as stated in Article IV, Section
3 of the constitution under "membership suspension."
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
There will be one (1) annual meeting each year at which all members should be present. The elections will take place at the annual meeting, or by ballot as provided for in Article IX of the Constitution.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
The Officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting or through the submission of a qualified ballot, and shall serve for a period of one (1) year or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. In the event that an officer is unable to serve out their term, a replacement will be selected as outlined in the Association Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Composition. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Officers of the Association, the Immediate Past President, and the Council of President’s Representative.
2. Duties and Powers. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the association between its business meetings and between the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may fix the time and place of the meetings, make recommendations to the association, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws, specifically with the power to act on behalf of the association on any matter that needs immediate action or response. The Committee shall be subject to the orders of the association and that of the Board of Directors, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the association. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Board of Directors on all association matters, with a majority vote of the executive committee. Any action must be reported to the Board of Directors within two weeks of said action. The Executive Committee cannot modify any action taken by the Board of Directors. Such action can only be modified by the full Board of Directors. The Board of Directors can modify action taken by the Executive Committee by a simple majority vote.
3. Meeting Schedule. Unless otherwise ordered by the full Board, regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held on an as needed basis. Special meetings of the Committee may be called by the President and shall be called upon the written request of three members of the Committee.
4. Records and Minutes. Minutes of Executive Committee meetings containing all transactions shall be furnished to the full board not more than two weeks after the Executive Committee meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. Board Composition. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting
of nine (9) representatives to be elected, one from each of the nine
(9) districts. The nine (9) districts shall consist of counties outlined
in Appendix I. All elected officers and the immediate Past President,
or a representative from the Council of Presidents in the event that
there is no immediate Past President, are to be included as members
of the Board of Directors with the rights to speak and vote on all
matters acted on by the Board. A meeting shall be held in each of
the nine (9) districts, which are up for election, prior to the Ohio
Crime Prevention Association's general election of officers, to elect
a representative of that district to serve on the Board of Directors
for the next two years. If the immediate Past President is unable
to serve, The Council of Presidents' shall elect a replacement representative,
in addition to the Council Liaison member, to serve on the Board of
Directors, from the members of the Council. The Board of Directors
shall take office and serve concurrent with the duly elected officers.
2. Removal Proceedings. When a member of the Board of Directors of
the OCPA is reduced in rank or removed from his or her agency for
misconduct, or when said member conducts himself/herself in such a
manner as to bring the Association into disrepute, the President shall
appoint a three member committee from the Board of Directors to investigate
said allegations and report such findings at the next executive meeting.
The President shall convene a special Board meeting to review the
results of the investigation and ascertain the suitability of such
member to remain as a member of the Board of Directors. The member
shall have at least two weeks notice to appear at such hearing; said
notice will set forth the allegations against the member. After due
notice to appear at such hearing, the Board of Directors may proceed
with the hearing in the presence of such member or in the absence
of such member. If the member does appear, he/she shall be provided
appropriate time to present any mitigating information. An affirmative
vote of two thirds of the Board of Directors present and voting shall
suspend or remove such member from his/her elected or appointed office.
The action of the Board of Directors is not subject to appeal. If
the member in question is the President, then the Vice President shall
take the appropriate action.
ARTICLE IX: ELECTIONS
1. Election of Officers. Elections for the offices of President,
Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be held during the
annual meeting, or through the submission of a qualified ballot. To
be eligible to be nominated for the office of President, the member
shall have served at least one year on the Board of Directors.
2. District Nominations. An election shall be held in each of the
nine (9) Association districts to select their district representative
to the Board of Directors and candidates for state offices. The even
numbered districts will select a two year representative to serve
during the even numbered years and the odd numbered districts shall
select a two year representative to serve during the odd numbered
years. This primary election shall be held at least sixty (60) days
prior to convening of the annual conference.
3. Submission. The district representative for each of the districts
wishing to enter candidates for office shall submit the candidates
names and the office sought to the office of the Executive Director
of the Association for certification of membership at least sixty
(60) days prior to convening the annual conference.
4. Ballot. All candidates placed in nomination through the districts
shall be named on the ballot for election.
5. Write In. Any Active member having been a member in good standing
for sixty (60) days prior to the annual conference may be nominated
from the floor. If such nomination receives a second, said nominee
shall be eligible for write-in status on the ballot. No other write-in
votes will be considered valid in election.
6. Holding Office. No Active member may hold more than one office
in the Association annually.
7. Chair. The Executive Director shall serve as the chair of the Election
Committee and preside at all meetings. An Election Committee shall
be selected from the membership to conduct the election process.
8. Preparation. The Election Committee shall be charged with preparing
the ballots for election, manning the polls during the election process,
certifying the membership of all voters, ballot box security and the
tabulation of all ballots.
9. Certification of Results. The Election Committee shall certify
the tabulation of the results of the balloting to the President of
the Association and to the Executive Director.
10. Establishing Rules. The Election Committee may promulgate rules
of procedure necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
11. Resignation. Any member of the Election Committee who is nominated
for an office shall vacate their position and the Executive Director
shall choose a replacement.
12. Professionalism. Members seeking a Board of Directors position
should demonstrate professional respect for incumbents and those seeking
the same positions. Professional respect does not preclude honest
differences of opinion. It does however; preclude attacking a person's
motives or integrity in order to be elected to a position. Members
seeking a Board of Directors position must conduct themselves in a
manner as to not violate the Code of Ethics or other bylaws of this
organization. Failure to maintain a standard of good conduct may subject
the member to suspension or expulsion as provided in Article IV, Section
3 of the Constitution under Membership Suspensions.
13. Prerequisites. In order to be elected to a position on the Board
of Directors, a member must meet the following prerequisites. All
nominated and non-retired board members must submit a letter of support
from their supervisor (the person who has the authority and responsibility
for the individual’s time within their agency). All nominated
and elected Executive Committee members must be an OCPA Certified
Crime Prevention Specialist and must have had prior active OCPA committee
experience in order to be nominated for the position. All the prerequisites
must be met by March 1st of the year of the election, so that their
name can officially be placed in nomination.
14. Distribution of Ballots. Ballots shall be distributed to all eligible
members at least 30 days before the annual meeting and returned to
the office no later than five business days prior to the convening
of the annual meting. Members, who did not participate in the mail
balloting, may cast their ballots at the annual meeting.
15. Certification of Ballots. Upon receipt of the all the ballots,
the director shall verify the accuracy of the ballot, and the membership
identification number. Ballots received prior to the annual meeting
shall be taken to the conference and counted at the conclusion of
the election polls, during election tabulation.
16. Voting Eligibility. To be eligible to hold office or to vote, a member has to be a paid member prior to the election.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of members present and casting ballots at any general meeting, provided that before a vote shall be taken on any amendments, such amendments shall be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing, at least thirty (30) days prior to said meeting, for review and subsequent report to the Association.
ARTICLE XI: GRANTS, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS
1. Accepting Money. The Executive Committee is empowered to accept
grants, gifts and donations to carry out the purposes and objectives
of the Association.
2. Use of Funds. None of the monies received by the Association shall
be used for the private pecuniary profit of anyone connected therewith.
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