ARTICLE I. NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1.
The name of the association shall be THE NORTH DAKOTA BUILDING OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION.

SECTION 2.
The objectives of the Association shall be to advance and improve the standards of building inspection practices in the State of North Dakota, to disseminate information and experience relative to the improvement of methods, theories and regulations pertaining to building construction and zoning, to advocate and sponsor in so far as possible, the passage of more efficient building code and zoning legislation throughout the state, to elevate the standards of personnel requirements for Building Officials, to make known to the public the true nature and importance of the services performed by the Building Officials, to discourage any influence of party politics in the selection and retention of Building Officials or in the efficient and professional administration of this office, to encourage and promote good public relations and good government to municipalities, and to further the spirit of cooperation among the members.

SECTION 3.
The Association shall be in association with the North Dakota Fire Prevention Association and shall officially represent the Building Officials of the State in the activities of the North Dakota Fire Prevention Association. The Association is not organized for profit, and no part of the income shall inure to the benefit of any member or officer except as reimbursement for necessary expenses actually incurred for the Association.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
Active membership shall be restricted to individuals who are Chief Enforcement Officers of Municipal Building Departments and State Agencies enforcing State Building regulations and to employees of any government department or bureau engaged in the administration or formulation of laws or Ordinances, rules or regulation, relating to buildings.

SECTION 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Associate membership shall be restricted to organizations or firms interested in the maintenance, promotion and improvement of the standards of buildings, housing, city planning or zoning, but not directly engaged in the sale of the building materials or equipment or methods of construction, and to individuals representing manufacturers, architects, engineers, general contractors, financial institutions, insurance companies and others engaged in the building industry directly or allied with it or former active members of this Association.

SECTION 3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary membership shall be restricted to individuals of distinction who have rendered outstanding service in the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the Association. Honorary membership shall be conferred after presentation to the membership of the Association by the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE and approved by a 2/3 majority of the vote of the active members present at any regular or special meeting of the Association.
Such Honorary Member’s shall retain the rights and privileges of their previous class of membership, if any, and shall be exempt from the payment of any annual dues.

SECTION 4. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Life membership shall be restricted to individuals who have held a position of Enforcement Officer of Municipal Building Departments, or State Agencies enforcing State Building Regulations for a period of at least fifteen (15) years, and who shall have been an active member of the North Dakota Building Officials Association at the time of retirement or release. Retirement or Release as used here shall mean an Enforcement Officer who is no longer active on a full or part-time basis as an Enforcement Officer. Life membership shall be conferred after presentation to the membership of the Association, by the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, and approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members present at any regular or special meeting of the Association. Such Life Members shall retain the rights and privileges of their previous class of membership and shall be exempt from the payment of any annual dues.

SECTION 5. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
Student Membership shall be restricted to students who are enrolled full-time in a post-secondary educational institution within the State of North Dakota; and, who are pursuing a major course of study in architecture, engineering, code enforcement, construction, or a related field. The annual dues for Student membership shall be one-half the amount of regular annual dues as established by the By-Laws of the North Dakota Building Officials Association.

SECTION 6. APPLICATIONS
Applications for each class of membership shall be made in writing and must be endorsed by an active member of the Association in good standing. A check, or cash, in the amount of the Annual Dues Fee must accompany all applications for membership.

SECTION 7. FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP
Any member shall forfeit membership whose conduct has proven detrimental to the welfare, interest, or good name of the Association, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The member, if expelled, shall have the right to request a review of the action by the general membership at a regular meeting and a majority vote of the members present shall be final. . Prior to the hearing, the member shall be advised of the charges in writing. Such a vote or action shall be taken only after a hearing at which the member shall be given an opportunity to appear in his or her own defense or to reply to the charges in writing.

SECTION 8. REPRESENTATION AND VOTING RIGHTS
The Active and Life Members of the Association shall have the sole and exclusive right to vote. Active members who may become inactive as Officials, hereinbefore qualified, may continue membership on an Associate Membership status, upon payment of the annual dues, providing dues are paid within three (3) months of the current year. Any Member of the Association may introduce an item for consideration by either the Executive Committee or the entire membership.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS
SECTION 1.
The officers of the Association shall be active members, elected as provided in the By-Laws, and shall consist of a President, a Vice President, and a Secretary-Treasurer. The officers shall conduct business according to the North Dakota Building Officials Association By-Laws.

SECTION 2. TERMS
The terms of all officers shall end on the 31st day of December, at which time the officers elected at the annual meeting of the Association shall take office.

SECTION 3. VACANCIES
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the unexpired term shall be filled by the Vice-President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice-President or Secretary-Treasurer, the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall elect, by a majority vote, a member of the Association to fill the un-expired term.

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1. FORMATION
There shall be an EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE which shall be composed of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Past President and five active members of the Association who shall be elected. Four of the five shall be elected by REGION, and one shall be elected at large. At the initial election, members from REGIONS I AND II shall be elected to two (2) year terms and members from REGIONS III and IV shall be elected to one year terms, thereafter. REGIONAL Members shall be elected to two (2) year terms. The Member at-large shall be elected to one (1) year terms.

SECTION 2. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall be responsible to the membership for the management of the affairs of the Association, for the promotion of the purposes of the Association, and for the meetings-of the membership. The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall outline policies and present recommendations concerning matters of interest for action by the Association. The Past President of the Association shall preside as Chairman of the Committee.

SECTION 3. ATTENDANCE
Any member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE who misses more than three (3) meetings during the period of one (1′) calendar year shall automatically be removed from the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. If an acceptable reason is given for the absence, the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, by a majority vote, may waive the above.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS
Any amendments to this Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any meeting of the members, provided written notice of the proposed amendments shall have been given by mail to the members at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.

Constitution and Amendments readopted this 1st day of March 2006.

Past President – Bruce Taralson
President – Todd Johnson
Vice-President – Chris Rose
Secretary-Treasurer – Steve Johnson