Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association, Inc.

Amended May 30, 1994

Article I - Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association, Inc.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association is to enhance and promote the professional management of governmental financial resources by identifying, developing, and advancing fiscal strategies, policies, and practices for the public benefit.

Article II - Membership and Dues

Section 1. Membership

The Association shall have five classes of membership:

a. Active member

Any elected of appointed individual having managerial responsibility for one or more areas of financial management and/or operations in a public jurisdiction or political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

b. Associate member

Any person employed in any area of financial 

management, instruction, and/or operations in a public jurisdiction, or non profit/academic organization.

c. Affiliate member

Any individual not employed in the public sector who is interested in the development and promotion ofpublic financial management.

d. Honorary member

Any member elected to this class by the Association for exemplary service to the organization and the profession.

e. Retiree or Student member

Any individual retired from public service or any student in current attendance in a college or university who is interested in public service as a career.

Section 2. Voting

Voting rights are restricted to active membership.

Section 3. Dues

The annual dues in the Association shall be set by the Executive Board by each March 1. The dues year shall be July 1 - June 30. Membership dues shall be payable by August 31 of each year.

Membership dues may be changed by a majority vote of membership at an Annual Meeting.

The dues schedule shall be:

Active: $45.00

Associate: 20.00

Affiliate: 75.00

(new) Affiliate Company: 175.00

(three or more)

Honorary: .00

Retiree or Student: 5.00

Section 4. Application for Membership

Membership in the Association shall be effective only upon application and approval by the Executive Board.

Article III - Officers and Executive Board

Section 1. Officers

The officers of this Association shall be as follows:

President

First Vice President

Second Vice President

(combined) Treasurer/Secretary

The officers shall be chosen by majority vote of the members present at an Annual Meeting. The term of office shall be one year. The Treasurer/Secretary may serve an unlimited term. All other officers may serve one term except that a person appointed to fill a vacancy may complete the unexpired term.

Section 2. Executive Board

(change..one member appointed by president and one GFOA state representative instead of two appointed by executive board.) 

The Executive board shall consist of the four Officers, the immediate past President, three Members elected by the membership for a one-year term, one Member appointed by the President from the active membership and one GFOA state representative appointed by the executive board.

The term of Office for all Executive Board members shall commence on July 1 and end on the following June 30.

No person may serve as an Officer for more than three consecutive terms. No person may serve on the Executive board for more than nine years.

Service as Treasurer/Secretary shall not be considered against this limit.

Vacancies in the Executive Board shall be filled by the Board for the unexpired term upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee.

Officers and Board Members must be active members of the Association.

Article IV - Committees and Meetings

Section 1. Nominating/Scholarship Committee

(added scholarship)

The president shall appoint a four-member Nominating/Scholarship Committee which shall serve a one-year term commencing January 1. Appointments will be made from the membership and will reflect the diversity of the membership. At least one member shall be from a city government. The nominating/Scholarship Committee shall recommend a slate of Officers and Board Members to the Annual Meeting. The report of the Committee shall be made available to the membership at least thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. The Committee shall recommend candidates with the objective of balancing Board representation in terms of location, size, type of government, and type of position. 

The Nominating/Scholarship Committee shall also recommend candidates for any vacancies which arise on the Executive Board.

The Nominating/Scholarship Committee will also have the responsibility of reviewing scholarship applications and recommend a candidate for the annual association scholarship to the Board.

Section 2. Executive Committee

The four officers shall constitute an Executive Committee which is authorized to act on behalf of the Association upon the determination of the President that any such action is required.

Section 3. Ethics Committee 

(generalized duties)

The President may appoint a five-member Ethics Committee from among the active membership, whose function will be to investigate any matters relating to the organizations code of ethics.

Section 4. Liaison/Legislative Committee

(combined committee and incorporated in by laws)

The President shall appoint a Committee from among all the membership,whose function will be to promote coordination and communication with other Massachusetts governmental associations. Committee members may be assigned to attend regular meetings of other associations upon invitation, will maintain communication links between the MGFOA and other associations, and through the Committee's chair will report as necessary to the Executive Board. This committee will also monitor acts of legislation that may effect the association.

Section 5. Conference Committee

(put existing committee in by laws)

The President shall appoint committee (4 or more members) from the membership, whose duties are to plan and coordinate Association conferences. This committee is to be chaired by the first vice president.

Section 6. Programming Board

(put existing committee in by laws)

The President shall appoint a four-member board from the membership, whose responsibility will be two main areas of activity: 

1. To develop, edit and publish a membership periodical; and

2. To organize a regular on-going series of meetings and training programs, both through independent MGFOA sponsorship and joint sponsorship with other state and national associations.

Section 7. Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet at least twice annually, at the direction of the President.

Section 8. Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting shall be held during the period March 1 to May 31, at the direction of the President.

Article V - Organization

The incorporators shall carry out all necessary steps to organize this Association consistent with these by-laws prior the first Annual Meeting, which shall be called within fifteen months from the date of incorporation.

Article VI - Amendment

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active members present at an Annual Meeting. Proposed amendments must be presented to the membership in writing no later than thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. Amendments may be sponsored by the Executive Board or by any five members filing said amendment with the Executive Board at least sixty days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Article VII - Executive Assistant to the President

(new section)

The Executive Committee shall appoint an Executive Assistant to assist the President and any Board member or committee chairman with their duties. This person will act as secretary in order to keep minutes of executive board meetings on file, organize and correspond with the appropriate parties to facilitate conferences, board meetings and the membership periodical, as well as assume any additional duties requested by the President. This shall be a paid position.