TCDLEI BYLAWS

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute Bylaws
Amendments Approved 3/7/2020
    


ARTICLE I  Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name.

The name of this corporation shall be Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute, which is referred to in these by laws as the Institute.

Section 2. Purpose.

Within the general charitable and educational purposes, the specific and primary purpose of the Institute is to promote and support the administration of justice in Texas, particularly through the continuing legal education of criminal defense lawyers and staff.


ARTICLE II  Power

Section 1. Name.

In effectuating its purpose, the Institute shall have all powers conferred by applicable law.

Section 2.

Notwithstanding the foregoing statement of powers, the Institute shall not engage in any activities which are not in furtherance of, and limited to, the purposes set forth in Article Four of the Articles of Incorporation.


ARTICLE III  Members

Section 1.  Qualifications, Charter Members, Voting Members

a.    Qualifications. A duly licensed attorney or a citizen interested in the education of attorneys in the practice of criminal defense law is eligible for membership in the Institute.  To become a member, a person must apply as described in Sec. 7 6 below.

b.    Charter Members. Charter members of the Institute shall consist of those members who have contributed more than $250.00 to the Institute prior to June 15, 2010, or who have been elected Fellows prior to June 15, 2010, as described in Section 3 below.

c.    Voting Members. The only members who shall have the right to vote on any Institute issues, business matters, or bylaws are those members who are Board of Directors.

Section 2.  Title.

The non-voting members of the Institute shall be referred to collectively as the Membership.

Section 3.  Super Fellows, Fellows, Associate Fellows

a.    Super Fellow - A member of the Institute becomes eligible for election as a Super Fellow Member by (a) making outstanding contributions to the Institute, or (b) contributing at least $3,000.00 in cash or pledge to the Institute or (c) a person who has in the opinion of the Board of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute made a contribution of time and effort in the furtherance of the education and training of criminal defense attorneys in the State of Texas. An affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors of the Institute is required to elect a member as a Super Fellow.

b.    Fellow - A member of the Institute becomes eligible for election as a Fellow Member by (a) making outstanding contributions to the Institute, or (b) contributing at least $1,500.00 in cash or pledge to the Institute or (c) a person who has in the opinion of the Board of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute made a contribution of time and effort in the furtherance of the education and training of criminal defense attorneys in the State of Texas. An affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors of the Institute is required to elect a member as a Fellow.

c.    Associate Fellow – A member of the Institute becomes eligible for election as an Associate Fellow Member by (a) making outstanding contributions to the Institute, or (b) contributing at least $750.00 in cash or pledge to the Institute or
(c) a person who has in the opinion of the Board of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute made a contribution of time and effort in the furtherance of the education and training of criminal defense attorneys in the State of Texas.  An affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors of the Institute is required to elect a member as an Associate Fellow

Section 4.  Meetings.

a. The membership shall meet annually and at such other times and locations as may be set by the Board of Directors.

b. Upon receipt of a written petition by twenty-five (25) or more members requesting a special meeting of the Membership, the Board of Directors shall call such meeting.

c. The Institute Chair may call or schedule a meeting upon giving all members at least ten (10) days written notice.

d. Written notice of all meeting shall be sent to all members at least ten (10) days prior the date of the meeting.

e. The transaction of business taken at any meeting of the Membership, however called and noticed, shall be as valid as if taken at a meeting held after regular call and notice, provided a quorum is present.

f. The number of members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Membership. Unless otherwise provided in these by laws, meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

g. Executive sessions may be called either by a vote of the Board of Directors or by the Chair of the Institute.

Section 5.  Liabilities.

No member shall be personally liable for any indebtedness or liability for the Institute, and any and all creditors shall look only to the assets of the Institute for payment.

Section 6.  Application for Membership.

a. Each application for membership must be endorsed by one Voting Member of the Institute.

b. All applications shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

c. An initial payment of $250.00 must accompany the application for membership.

d. If the applicant is an attorney, they must be in good standing with the bar association or state which has licensed said attorney.

e. If the applicant is not an attorney, then they shall meet such standards as may be set by the Board of Directors, with the primary consideration being the applicant's interest in the education of criminal defense lawyers.


ARTICLE IV  Board of Directors

Section 1.  Number.

There shall be a Board of Directors, referred to hereinafter as the Board. The Board shall be composed of the Chair, the Vice Chair, the Secretary-Treasurer, Immediate Past-Chair and 16 members. Member directors of the Board shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. The Board officers; Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer and Immediate Past Chair serve (2) year terms. 

Section 2.  Qualifications.

Each director shall be at a contributing level of Super Fellow or Fellow Member of the Institute. No officer or director of the Institute may serve on the Board while serving as an officer or director of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (hereinafter TCDLA). Past Presidents are exempt from this rule so long as they do not vote in any capacity in the governing bodies of TCDLA..

Section 3.  Election and Term of Office.

a.     At the annual board meeting, the Board shall elect, from the nominees proposed by the Nominating Committee, those officers for which a vacancy has occurred for the upcoming year.  No nominee shall be elected to the office of Chair without having served as Vice Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.  

b.    Each member director elected shall serve for a term of three (3) years and until their qualified successor shall have been elected. Notwithstanding, a member shall not be precluded from being reelected and serving more than one term.

c.    If a director becomes incapacitated, during their term of office as director, their directorship shall become vacant effective with the happening of the event.

d.   Any elected member of the Board who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without good cause may, by a majority vote of the other directors, be removed from the Board.

e.   If a directorship becomes vacant, the Chair shall appoint a replacement to serve during the remainder of the term for which the vacating director was elected with approval of a majority of a quorum at the next meeting of the board.

f.    The current President of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Chair of the Criminal Defense Lawyers Project shall be ex-officio non-voting members of the Board.

Section 4.  Authority.

The Board shall have the authority to manage the business and financial affairs of the Institute, including all lawful powers necessary, expedient and appropriate to:

a.     Select a Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Article V..

b.     Select and remove all employees of the Institute, prescribe their duties and responsibilities, fix their compensation, and delegate all or any part of such authority to the Chief Executive Officer.

c.     Create special Project Committees and Ad Hoc Committees in accordance with Article VI.

d.    Approve the publication and dissemination of any report or other document prepared by any component body of the Institute, except where such approval is the responsibility of the Membership.

e.     Approve the selection of all contractors of the Institute in accordance with Article VIII.

Section 5.  Meetings.

a.     The Board shall meet annually and as often, at such locations, on such dates, and upon such notice as it deems necessary and appropriate.

b.     Five of the members of the Board, including officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business..

c.     Executive sessions may be called either by a vote of the Board or by the Institute Chair.

d.     Minutes of the meetings of the Board shall be available to all members of the Board and the Membership.

Section 6.  Voting.

a.    Each member of the Board shall have one vote on every matter voted on by the Board. No proxy voting shall be permitted.

b.   Action by the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members at the meeting attended by a quorum. The method of voting shall be at the discretion of the Institute Chair.

c.    The Institute Chair may initiate a Vote on any matter coming before the Board by mail, telephone or any electronic means, in which event a deadline for response shall be fixed and a lack of response within the designated time shall be recorded as an affirmative vote. Approval of any action by such means of voting shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board.


ARTICLE V  Officers

Section 1.  Number, title and qualifications.

The officers of the Institute shall be those designated below:

a.     Number and Title. There shall be a Chair, a Vice Chair and a Secretary-Treasurer. The hierarchy of office in descending order is: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary-Treasurer. Each office accedes to the office immediately above the office currently held by that officer.

b.     Qualifications. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer shall be Super Fellow Members of the Institute or shall be granted such status based upon his or her contributions of time and effort to the education and/or the furtherance of education and training of criminal defense attorneys in the State of Texas, by the Board of Directors of the Institute, and shall have completed at least one 3-year term on the TCDLEI Board of Directors.

Section 2.  Chair.

a.     Election. At the annual meeting of the Board and at each annual meeting thereafter, a Chair of the Institute shall be elected by the Board for a period of one year or until the qualified successor Chair is elected. Should the Chair resign or be unable to continue in office, their duties and responsibilities shall be assumed by the Vice Chair of the Institute until a qualified Chair is elected at the next annual meeting of the Board.

b.     Authority and responsibilities. The Institute Chair shall preside at meetings of the Membership and the Board, performing the usual duties of the presiding officer at such meetings. The Chair shall be the official representative of the Institute when the Institute is to be represented, unless the Board, by a majority vote, shall designate some other member(s) or officer(s) to serve in such capacity. Where authorized, the Chair shall, with the approval of the Board, appoint individuals to committees to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

Section 3.  Vice Chair.

a.     Election.  Election. At the annual meeting of the Board and at each annual meeting thereafter, a Vice Chair of the Institute shall be elected by the Board for a period of one year or until the qualified successor Vice Chair is elected. Should the Vice Chair resign or be unable to continue in office the Board may designate of their members to serve as Vice Chair until a qualified Vice Chair is elected at the next annual meeting of the Board.

b.     Authority and responsibilities. The Vice Chairman shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman, perform the duties of the Chairman. They shall perform such other duties and have such other responsibilities as may be delegated to them by the Board.

Section 4. Secretary-Treasurer.

a.     Election. At the annual meeting of the Board and at each annual meeting thereafter, a Secretary-Treasurer of the Institute shall be elected by the Board for a period of one year. Should the Secretary-Treasurer resign or be unable to continue in office, the duties and responsibilities of the office shall be assumed by a successor to be appointed by the board until the next qualified Secretary- Treasurer is elected at the next annual meeting of the Board.

b.     Authority and responsibilities. The Secretary-Treasurer, with such staff assistance as the Board shall deem appropriate to provide, shall perform all duties requisite of the secretary and treasurer of a corporation, including, but not limited to:

  1.  Keep the minutes of the meetings of the Membership and Board.

  2.  Maintain custody and supervision of the records and the books of the Institute.

  3.  Maintain custody of the official seal of the Institute, with authority to affix it to the documents of the Institute and to attest to the same.

  4.  Receive the property and funds due and belonging to the Institute, exercising custody of all funds, securities, and title documents, and depositing the same in depositories that are prescribed by the Board.

  5.  Sign all checks, drafts, and such other orders upon the accounts of the Institute, unless such duty shall be delegated to other officers or agents designated by the Board.

  6.  Keeping regular and correct accounts that shall be submitted to the Board and Membership when requested.

  7.  Give such bonds for the faithful performance of the duties as the Board may deem necessary, the cost of which shall be paid by the Institute.

  8.  Maintain the records concerning the membership areas of each elected board member, the term of each elected board member, and when each elected board members term is completed or schedules for reelection.

Section 5.  Chief Executive Officer

a.     Selection and term of office. A Chief Executive Officer shall be selected and appointed by the Board for the term to be determined by the Board. Their term may be extended from time to time, and they may be removed for cause by the Board.

b.     Authority and responsibilities. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Institute, having al powers and performing all duties appropriate to the capacity and as may be further designated by the Board. Generally, he/she shall perform all acts and have all powers required or authorized by law for the chief executive officer of a corporation, including the signing or verifying of all documents required by law. They shall exercise such authority over the selection, employment, compensation and direction of the staff of the Institute as may be delegated to him/her by the Board.

c.     The Chief Executive Officer shall be allowed to bring to meetings such members of their staff necessary to assist them in the execution of their duties. Said members of staff will have no voting rights in any meeting.

Section 6.  Compensation of Officers.

a.     The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary-Treasurer shall receive no compensation for their services as officers of the Institute, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses and to a per diem allowance for attendance at official meetings of and official functions for the Institute.

b.     The Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Director(s) if any, and all other employees of the Institute shall receive such compensation and other benefits, if any, as the Board may determine and, additionally, shall be entitled to reimbursement of expenses and to a per diem allowance for attendance at official meetings of and official functions for the Institute under a policy established by the Board.

ARTICLE VI  Committees

Section 1.  Purpose.

The purpose of any committee established shall be to provide information and recommend a course of action to the Membership or Board on matters relevant to the business of the Institute.

Section 2.  Establishment.

a.     Standing Committees shall be established by the Board to recommend policy guidance to the Membership or Board of matters relevant to the Institute.

b.     Project Committees may be established by the Board to conduct each individual project initiated by the Institute.

c.     Ad Hoc Committees may be established by the Board, or under its direction, from time to time to assist in the operation of the business of the Institute.


Standing Committees

Section 1.  Composition.

Each Standing Committee shall be composed of three (3) members of the Membership and/or such other persons as may be deemed appropriate to provide expertise in the area of the committee’s operation. At the time a Standing Committee is activated, the Institute Chair shall, with the approval of the Board, appoint all members of the committee who shall serve a term of one (1) year. Thereafter, each Institute Chair shall, with the approval of the Board, appoint three (3) members of the Membership and/or such other persons as may be deemed appropriate for a term of two (2) years. Each Institute Chair shall name, form the persons appointed, one to serve as chair of the committee for a term of one (1) year.

Section 2.  Meetings and Activities.

Standing Committees shall establish their own business procedures and schedules of meetings with advice and consent of the institute Chair. No alternative representation or proxy voting at Standing Committee meetings shall be permitted. The Committee may, with the approval of the Institute Chair, create such Ad Hoc Committees or subcommittees when deemed appropriate to the conduct of the committee’s business. Standing Committees shall make such formal or informal reports as they deem necessary or as may be requested by the membership or Board. Chairs of Standing Committees shall attend such meetings of the Board as the Institute Chair may request.

Section 3.  Consultants.

With the approval of the Board, a Standing Committee may retain a consultant to provide legal, technical, or other assistance not available from the staff of the Institute.

Section 4.  Compensation.

Committee members shall receive no compensation for their services to the Institute, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their expenses and a per diem allowance for attendance at official meetings and approved functions of the Institute under a policy established by the Board.

Section 5.  Activation or Dissolution.

A Standing Committee may be activated or an established Standing Committee may be dissolved by a vote of two-thirds of the Board present at a meeting attended by a quorum of the Board.

Section 6.  Initial Standing Committees.

The following committees shall be authorized as Standing Committees:

a.     Continuing Legal Education Committee.  The purpose and function of the committee shall be to formulate, subject to the approval of the Board, a program for the ongoing education of the criminal defense lawyers and their staff in this state in all matters touching on the administration of criminal justice.

b.     Funding Committee.  The purpose and function of this committee shall be to investigate sources of funding and, subject to the approval of the board, to formulate for execution a program toward securing funding in furtherance of achieving the purpose of the Institute. 

c.     Nominating Committee.  The purpose and function of this committee shall be to select from among the Membership nominees for officers and directors of the Institute.

d.     Executive Committee.  This committee shall be composed of the Institute Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Immediate Past Chair of the Institute, and three directors.  The current President of TCDLA, the Executive Director, and the Chair of the Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Project may attend all meetings of the Executive Committee, but may not vote on any matter coming before said committee.  The purpose and function of this committee shall be as follows:

  1. To have regularly scheduled meetings at least three (3) times annually;
  2. To set policy for the organization;
  3. To advise and consent to the normal day to day operations of the organization;
  4. To consult with the Executive Director concerning the needs and requirements of the organization;
  5. To make decisions concerning various normal operating functions and policies of the organization;
  6. To make recommendations to the Membership, for their consideration concerning, projects, funding, grants, scholarships, or other internal matters.


Project Committees

Section 1.  Establishment.

Project Committees may be established by approval of the Board for a specific project that is being considered by the Board.

Section 2.  Composition.

Members of a Project Committee and its chair may be appointed by the Institute Chair with the approval of the Board.  The Institute Chair shall appoint to each Project Committee such members from the Membership and other qualified persons deemed appropriate to provide the expertise and experience necessary for the successful conduct of the project for which the committee is responsible.  Project Committees may be appointed upon the approval of a majority of the Board at a scheduled meeting.

Section 3.  Meetings and Activities.

a.     Each Project Committee, if established, shall establish its own business procedures and schedule of meetings with the advice and consent of the Institute Chair.

b.     Each Project Committee, if established, shall submit a progress report at each meeting of the Board and these reports shall be embodied in the minutes of the meeting. In addition, the committee shall make such formal or informal reports to the board or Membership assist deems necessary or as may be requested. Each chair of a Project Committee shall when requested, attend the meetings of the Board and the Membership..

c.     Each Project Committee, if established, shall prepare a final technical report on its project. The report shall contain a full description of the project, the findings and conclusions of the committee, recommendations arising from the findings and, where appropriate, a section discussing the implementation of the project activity. Upon consideration and recommendation by the Board, such reports may be approved by the Institute Chair for publication to the Membership. Technical reports shall contain, in a prominent place, a disclaimer of intent to establish by publication and dissemination of the report a formal policy statement of the Institute.

d.     Ad Hoc Committees and subcommittees may be formed by the committee where deemed appropriate to conduct the business of the committee.

Section 4.  Selection of Contractors.

The selection of contractors shall be based on project committee recommendations, but the Board shall make the final selection of all contractors, Contractors selected shall report to, and be directed by, the Board.

Section 5.  Dissolution.

Each Project Committee shall be dissolved upon completion of its assigned project and the approval of its final report on the project..

Ad Hoc Committees

Section 1.  Composition.

Ad Hoc Committees may be established from time to time for a particular purpose shall be composed of such members of the Membership and other persons a may be appointed by the Institute Chair, who shall name the chair of the committee.

Section 2.  Meetings and Activities.

Each Ad Hoc Committee shall establish its own business procedures and schedule of meetings, with the advice and consent of the Institute Chair, for the accomplishment of the purpose for which it was formed.

Section 3.  Dissolution.

Each Ad Hoc Committee shall be dissolved upon completion of the purpose for which it was formed.

ARTICLE VII  Initiation of Individual Projects

Section 1.  Proposal of Project.

Proposals for the initiation of projects to be undertaken by the Institute may be submitted to the Board by any member of the Institute, any State official, any public or private agency, or any component body of the Institute.

Section 2.  Consideration and action by the Board.

a.     Upon receipt of a new project proposal, the board may direct the Chief Executive Officer to prepare the proposal in a standardized form approved by the board, summarizing the goals and objectives of the proposed project and including a preliminary description of the methods and techniques to be employed and a preliminary budget estimate. In such an event, the Chief Executive Officer shall make a recommendation to the Board concerning (1) whether the proposal is within the scope of the Institute’s authorized activities and (2) whether the project qualifies as an interim project as provide in Section 5, of this Article.

b.     The Board may, by a vote of a majority of its members present at a regularly scheduled meeting, declare a project to be not within the scope of the purpose of the Institute. In that event no further action will be required unless notification to the Membership is deemed appropriate.

c.     If the Board votes to report a project to the Membership, the Institute Chair shall direct the Chief Executive Officer to prepare the proposal in the appropriate form.

Section 3.  Action by the Board.

If, in the exercise of its authority, the Board approves a project, the Board may set policies for the conduct of the project or may delegate that authority to the Executive Director.

Section 4.  Final action.

Upon approval of a project by the Board, the Chair shall direct the Chief Executive Officer to prepare the proposal in final form, to negotiate with the Board or others for funding of the project, and to prepare the formal grant application. The Chief Executive Officer shall prepare a monitoring and evaluation plan to be incorporated in the grant application to assure that the project is carried out in accordance with the policies and objectives of the Institute. The grant application, final budget, and final project plans shall be approved by the Board. Such authority may be delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive Officer or to the chair of the Project Committee charged with the conduct of the project. Such delegation of authority shall be specific in each case and shall not constitute a general delegation for the Board’s authority.

Section 5.  Interim projects.

a.     Authority. Pursuant to Article III, Section 3b, there is granted, and the Board shall have, authority to approve interim projects.

b.     Definition. An interim project is one which, in the opinion of the Board, is within the scope of the purpose of the institute and can be initiated and substantially completed before the next meeting of the Board.

c.     Initiation. An interim project may be proposed by the Board by any member of the Institute, any State official, any public or private agency, or any component body of the Institute.

d.     Action. The initiation of an interim project shall require the same action as is required for regular projects except that prior approval of the Board shall not be required.

ARTICLE VIII  Contractor Selection

Section 1.  Competitive Bids.

All contractors retained to perform work for the Institute or any of its component bodies shall be selected, to the maximum extent feasible, through a formal procedure of inviting and evaluating bids from as many qualified contractors as possible, with the view toward obtaining the maximum competition feasible under the circumstances.

Section 2.  Noncompetitive Bids.

Noncompetitive or sole source awards of contracts shall be made only where the circumstances do not permit any form of competition.


ARTICLE IX  Nominations and Elections

Section 1.

Before the call of each annual meeting of the Board, the Nominating Committee shall meet and nominate one person of the offices are becoming vacant for the upcoming year. In considering nominees for the position of director, attention shall be given to maintaining on the Board representation from all areas of the State. Immediately following the meeting, a list of the nominees shall be furnished to the Institute Chair.

Section 2.

The list of the nominees shall be made known to the Board at the time of the call of the annual board meeting.

Section 3.

At the annual board meeting, there shall be placed in nomination those nominees selected by the Nominating Committee.

Section 4.

All elections shall be conducted at the annual meeting of the Board, and each nominee receiving a simple majority of the vote at said annual meeting shall be elected to the office to which he or she was nominated.

ARTICLE X  Conflict of Interest and Ethical Standards

Section 1.  Conflict of Interest

Any member of the Institute or of its component bodies having the right to vote shall be disqualified from voting on any matter in which, or where, he has a financial interest.

Section 2.  Ethical Standards.

Any member of the Institute or of its component bodies having the right to vote shall disclose to the decision-making body any past, current, or prospective association, personal, financial, or otherwise, if in his/her their opinion such association may unduly influence his/her decision. Moreover, it shall be the policy that all employees shall be guided by this standard in making recommendation upon which any decision will be reached.


ARTICLE XI  Offices

Section 1.  Principal Office.

The principal office for the transaction of the business of the Institute is hereby located in the City of Austin, County of Travis, State of Texas. The Board shall have full power and authority to change the principal office from one location to another in said County..

Section 2.  Other offices.

Branch or subordinate offices may be established at any time the Board at any place or places where the Institute is qualified to conduct its affairs.

ARTICLE XII  Amendment

These by laws may be amended by:

The written consent of two-thirds of the Board; or

Two-thirds of the directors present and voting at an annual board meeting attended by a quorum; or

Two-thirds of the directors present and voting at a board meeting called for that purpose at which quorum is present.