ALOHA STATE ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF

BY-LAWS
As reviewed and approved by the ASAD members with 2/3 vote
at the Susannah Wesley Community Center meeting room
on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

ARTICLE I: NAME
Section 1: Name
The name of the Organization shall be Aloha State Association of the Deaf (ASAD) or the Association.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND POWERS
Section 1: Purpose
The purpose of the Association is:
a) To secure for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing citizens of the State of Hawaii their full
rights as citizens;
b) To promote on the behalf of its Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing members the betterment of
their education opportunities, career objectives and social conditions;
c) To inform the general public as to the needs of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing people in
the State of Hawaii;
d) To monitor and advise legislative committees when and if proposed bills concerning the Deaf,
Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing are introduced to the State Legislature;
e) To monitor and to evaluate service programs for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing;
f) To maintain affiliate membership status with the National Association of the Deaf.
Section 2: Powers
The powers of the Association are:
a) To have perpetual succession and corporate existence;
b) To buy, hold, own, sell, lease, encumber, or legally dispose property, real and personal;
c) To solicit, receive, invest, and hold money and property by gift, contribution, bequest, devise, or
otherwise, and such property may be sold and converted into cash for the operation and
maintenance of the Association;
d) To borrow money, incur indebtedness by mortgage deed of trust, pledge, or otherwise;
e) To enter into agreements or contracts with any person or corporation, in any legal manner;
f) To do and perform all acts reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Association.
ARTICLE III: POLICIES
Section 1: Association
This Association shall be non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan. No candidate or political party shall
be endorsed by this Association nor by the officers or by the members in their official capacity.
Section 2: Membership

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No person shall be denied membership in this Association because of race, creed, color, sex, sexual
preference, national origin, or disability. It is also the priority of this Association to be unequivocally
opposed to any and all forms of discrimination based on the aforementioned factors.
Section 3: Conflict of Interest
No member with a personal or financial interest of a material nature in the affairs of the Association shall
be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of four (4) elected officers; one (1) Past President; three (3)
appointed Neighbor Island board members; one (1) Oahu board member; and two (2) Directors at Large.
Section 2: Elected Officers
The elected officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Past President.
Section 3: Terms of Office
a) Elected Officers. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Association shall
be eligible to serve for no more than two (2) consecutive two-year terms.
b) Appointed Neighbor Island Board Members and Oahu board member of the Association shall be
eligible to serve for no more than two (2) consecutive staggered four-year terms.
c) In the case of a vacancy in the position of any other member of the Board of Directors, the
unexpired term shall be filled by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors. Any member of
the Board of Directors thus appointed in this manner shall hold office for the remainder of the
vacant positions term.
Section 4: Removal from Office.
Elected and appointed Board members may be removed for failure to carry out their duties or for other
good and sufficient reason by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors present and voting.
Section 5: Resignation
A board of director member may resign at anytime by submitting a written notice 30 days in advance to
the President.
ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: President
The President shall be the chief spokesperson for the Association and shall chair business meetings of
the biennial state conference, symposium, and the Board of Directors. The President, with the approval of
the Board, shall appoint the chair of each standing committee, other than the Elections and Finance
committees, and shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees, other than the Elections and
Finance committees.
Section 1: Vice President

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The Vice President shall serve at any time the President is unable to serve, or when the office of the
President becomes vacant. The Vice President will also perform specific assignments as requested by
the President or the Board of Directors, including, but not limited to, chairing committees.
Section: 2: Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of the biennial state conference, symposium, and
meetings of the Board of Directors and get the minutes ready and submit it to the Elected Officers and
Elected Board Members in forty-eight (48) hours after the meeting; receive and file all records and
communication belonging to the Association; conduct the general correspondence of the Association.
Section 3: Treasurer
In addition to duties outlined under Article VII, the Treasurer shall have charge of vested funds of the
Association and shall serve as chair of the Finance committee.
Section 4: Elected Board Members
Elected Board Members shall serve as liaison between the Association and the members.
Section 5: Immediate Past President
Immediate Past President shall automatically be appointed as Past President and have voting privileges
at Board of Directors meetings.
Section 6: Appointed Neighbor Island Board Members and Oahu board member
Be assigned to special projects and committees determined by the Board of Directors and shall make
reports to the Board of Directors on such projects or committees;

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1: Meetings
The meetings of the elected officers shall be held as necessary.
Section 2: Board of Directors Quorum
The meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least four (4) times a year, the time and location to
be determined by the Board. At least half of the Board Members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3: Special Meetings
Special Meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Board Members at any time. At least
fifteen (15) members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4: General Meeting
A General Meeting of the Association shall be held at least four (4) times a year. The time and location of
this Assembly shall be publicized at least one month prior to the General Meeting. At least fifteen (15)
members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5: Biennial Meetings

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The Election Meeting of the Association shall be held biennially in odd-numbered years at the State
Conferences. At the Election Meeting, reports shall be recorded and officers shall be elected. At least
fifteen (15) voting members of the Association shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6: Electronic Meetings
The Board may conduct meetings through telephone conference calls, video-conferencing, or by other
similar electronically-mediated methods in which all Board members participating in the meeting may
simultaneously see and be seen by all of the other Board members participating in the meeting. Any
decisions made through telecommunications or any electronically mediated methods, shall be ratified by
the Board of Directors at the next meeting.
ARTICLE VII: FINANICAL
Section 1: Fiscal Management and Responsibility
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies belonging to the Association, to submit a
financial report to the Association at each Board of Directors meeting, and at the State Conference. He or
she shall honor only such orders as have been duly assigned by the President or by instruction of the
Board of Directors.
a) The Treasurer shall deposit all funds in his or her care for safekeeping in a bank depository insured
by the FDIC and approved by the Board of Directors. Checking and Savings accounts shall be
maintained with a minimum balance of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) and fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000.00) respectively and all other funds shall be deposited in interest bearing accounts.
b) All accounts are to be in the name of the Aloha State Association of the Deaf, Inc. and all funds
promptly deposited therein.
All checks shall have two (2) signatures, signed by the President and the Treasurer.
Section 2: Bond
The Treasurer and President shall be bonded in a minimum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), premium to
be paid by the Association. The State Conference Chairperson and the Conference Treasurer shall be
bonded in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors, premium to be paid by the Association.
Section 3: Compensation
No honorarium, fees, compensations, commissions, or recompenses shall be paid by the Treasurer to
anyone without the knowledge and approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors present and
voting.
a) The Association shall pay direct expenses (reimbursement) for lodging, meals, and per diem for the
Executive Board during all board meetings, special meetings, and the State Conference, if funding is
available.
b) All affiliates shall be responsible for all expenses of their representatives to all board meetings,
special meetings and the State Conference.
c) The Association shall pay up to one (1) delegate from the Executive Board and the President for the
registration and travel expenses to the National Association of the Deaf Conference or any N.A.D.
business functions under the travel discretion of the Board of Directors, if funding is available.
d) The Association may pay up to four (4) delegates from the Board of Directors for registration to the
National Association of the Deaf Conference under the travel discretion of the Board of Directors, if
funding is available.

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e) The Association shall also pay for any registration associated with the NAD Youth Ambassador
Program at the biennial NAD Conference, pending the availability of funds.
Section 4: Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year of the Association shall be by the calendar year (January 1 to December 31).

ARTICLE VIII: STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1: Standing Committees
The standing committees are Ad Hoc committees that are: Governance, Development, Membership,
Finance, Youth, and Public Policy. The President shall appoint the Standing Committees, other than the
Finance Committee from the Board of Directors as chairpersons no more than ninety (90) days after the
election. Upon approval, the president shall publicize the chairpersons and their missions to all members.
a) The term of the Standing Committees shall be two years or as necessary.
b) The Board of Directors may create and appoint ad hoc committees of any kind as the business of the
Association may require.
c) The chairpersons of each committee shall be responsible to and submit plans of work to the Board of
Directors for approval. No expenditures of monies shall be undertaken without the approval of the
Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX: AUDITOR

Section 1: Auditor
The Board of Directors may appoint a person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of auditing to
act as the auditor of the Association.
The Treasurer or any voting member shall not be eligible to serve as an auditor.
ARTICLE X: Membership
Section: 1: Individual Membership
Regular membership status in the Association shall be conferred to individuals upon payment of annual
dues.
Section 2: Organizational Membership
Organizational membership status in the Association shall be conferred, upon payment of annual dues, to
non-profit, for profit, and government affiliates with a mission and/or interest in furthering the welfare of
Deaf individuals.
Section 3: Lifetime Membership
A lifetime membership may be bestowed upon a deserving individual; who has been a long time member
of ASAD and/or has worked for many years at contributing to the benefit of the Association and the Deaf,
Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing communities. He or she shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of a
general member with the exception of holding office in the Association. No dues shall be required of

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persons holding lifetime memberships. The individual shall be approved by the Board of Directors of the
Association with a four-fifths (4/5) vote.

Section 4: Membership Dues

All membership dues shall be paid to the Association on an annual basis based on receipt, except for
Affiliation Dues.
a) Membership dues are to be determined by the Board of Directors with a two-thirds (2/3) vote at the
first board meeting after the adjournment of the State Conference. Said Membership dues will
thereafter be effective in the Membership Manual at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
b) Affiliated Organizations dues are to be determined by the Board of Directors with a two-thirds (2/3)
vote at the first board meeting after the adjournment of the State Conference. Said Affiliate
Organizations dues will thereafter be effective in the Affiliate Organizations Manual at the discretion of
the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1: Nominations and Elections
a) The President shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of at least three (3) voting members
four (4) months prior to the biennial election.
b) Each nominee must be a resident of Hawaii and an Association member in good standing for at least
two years prior to the nominations and elections.
c) The consent and commitment of each nominee must be obtained before his name is placed on the
nomination list.
d) The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of officers to be presented at the conference and
voted upon when the election of officers is in order.
e) Elective officers shall be elected by ballot.
f) Officers thus elected shall serve a two-year term immediately following the conference.
ARTICLE XII: CONFERENCES
Section 1: Conferences
At least fifteen (15) voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business during
ASAD conference.
Conferences shall be held biennially in odd numbered years.
The conference location shall be determined by the Association at the preceding convention conference.
The President shall appoint a conference chairperson at least one year preceding the next conference.
The Board of Directors shall make final decisions on any contracts involving expenditures or concessions.
At the conference not more than two (2) delegate(s) and alternate(s) depending on the size of the
Association, shall be elected by a majority vote following the National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
guidelines to represent the Association at the next National Association of the Deaf Conference.

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The conference committee shall terminate its activities with a final report to the President and a financial
statement to the President and Treasurer within sixty (60) days following the adjournment of the
conference.

ARTICLE XIII: Chapters: PRESIDENTS, DELEGATES

Section 1: Chapters
a) For governance purposes ASAD members shall be divided into four geographical districts: Kauai,
Oahu, Maui County, and Hawaii. The chapters parallel the four counties of the state of Hawaii.
b) In the future, members may petition the ASAD Board of Directors to subdivide any of these original
four chapters.
c) A chapter and its members shall participate fully in the governance of ASAD.
d) Community Clubs
Community Clubs may be formed in the parts of the state that are separated by water or long distances
from the main population centers where most of the chapter leaders and activities are located.
a) The purpose of the Community Clubs is to help increase members participation in ASADs program
and activities.
b) A request by at least ten members living in a community is required before the formation of an ASAD
Community Club shall be considered. The request must be submitted to the ASAD Board of Directors
for approval.
Section 2: Chapter Presidents on ASAD Board of Directors
The presidents of the Chapter shall serve on the ASAD Board of Directors with vote.
Section 3: Chapter Presidents as Delegates to ASAD and NAD Delegate Assembly
The presidents of the chapter shall be delegates to the ASAD and NAD Delegate Assembly with vote.
ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Proposed Amendments.
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at the
biennial State Conference, provided that amendments are submitted to the Bylaws Committee sixty (60)
days prior to the conference, that copies are distributed to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to
the conference, and that amendments are read during the conference. Any amendments or motions
passed at the State Conference shall become effective immediately, unless specified otherwise. Approved
motions related to the National Association of the Deaf, Inc. (NAD) shall be submitted to the Hawaii
Delegation for its submission at the National Conference.
Section 2: Suspensions.
Any provision in the Bylaws may, in unforeseen and urgent or extenuating circumstances, be suspended
at the State Conference by four-fifths (4/5) vote of the members present and voting.
ARTICLE XV: DISSOLUTION
Section 1: Dissolution

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No part of the net assets of the Association shall ever be distributed to its members, officers or private
persons, except that the Association shall be empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services
rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the exempt purpose for which it was
formed.
In the event that the Association is dissolved, after payment of all debts and liabilities, remaining assets
shall be distributed to national or local 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to the wellbeing of Deaf
individuals in the State of Hawaii.
ARTICLE XVI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1: Parliamentary Authority
ASAD shall conduct its business in accord with these Bylaws and the parliamentary procedures set forth
in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
ARTICLE XVII: OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
Section 1: Official Publication
This Association shall maintain an official publication, to be sent to all members free of charge at a regular
basis.

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF BYLAWS

8th Revision, August 14, 2009
7th Revision, July 3, 1993
6th Revision, July 1, 1991
5th Revision, July 1, 1989
4th Revision, June 20, 1987
3rd Revision, March 1985
2nd Revision, June 1983
1st Revision, June 10, 1981

Deaf Action Group:

3rd revision, February 28, 1979
2nd revision, June 1978
1st revision, June 1976
Original, _____ 1974

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