The Atlanta/Southeast Chapter of MRA, founded in 1978, was the first MRA Chapter.
It all started at the 1978 Annual MRA Conference in Miami, when some members from the Atlanta area were chatting and decided they should get together more often than at the National meetings. With a very high level of interest expressed by the 25 MRA members who attended a series of meetings in Atlanta over the summer, it was decided that a Chapter should be formed. The requisite paper work was completed and in October of 1978 the Chapter was authorized by the National Board of Directors and incorporated in the state of Georgia.
The planning and organizing of the National Conference held in Atlanta in May, 1980 provided a focal point for the Chapter efforts that first year as members worked together and got to know each other better under the direction of Conference Chairman Wanda Hutcheson. The Conference was a great success, and the Chapter was off to a flying start.
One of the major purposes of the Chapter was to provide educational opportunities for its members and other in the industry. The Chapter's Seminars Program has been a major activity in that area. Based on a survey of the Chapter membership, which indicated a high level of interest in the subject of Costing, the first Seminar - "Costing Field Work" - was held in June 1981 in Louisville for the next eight years, and also was taken travelling to other Chapters in Dallas, Chicago and California. With two Seminars conducted each year other Seminar topics have included Ethics, Business Planning, Laws Affecting Employees, Motivation, etc. In addition to Louisville, over the years Seminars have been held in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Greensboro, Nashville, Savannah, Orlando, Memphis and Atlanta, and jointly with the Southwest Chapter in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
Another purpose of the Chapter was to provide an opportunity for networking and getting to know the other people in the Chapter and the industry. To provide this, the Atlanta/Southeast Chapter had held about six lunch/dinner meetings each year with speakers or topic discussions, a holiday party each year, an open house at National meetings, an annual YOC Baseball Game with Atlanta AMA, and various other activities and functions.
The Chapter also wished to provide more input to and more leadership for the National Association. In line with this goal, Chapter members who have been elected to the National Board of Directors are Wendell Joyner, Wanda Hutcheson, Myra Ebner and Warren French, and Myra Ebner served as President of National MRA in 1986. In addition, many Atlanta/Southeast members have served on various National Committees.
The Atlanta/Southeast Chapter through the years has been proud of being "The First Chapter" - not only in the time sense, but also in the context of being the best - #1. May this tradition, and the many other traditions of the Chapter, continue in the years ahead.
Wendell Joyner, May, 1990
THE ATLANTA/SOUTHEAST CHAPTER BI-LAWS (APPROVED JUNE 2007)
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1. Name. The name of this organization is Atlanta/Southeast Marketing Research Association Chapter, Inc.
Section 2. Offices. The offices of this Chapter shall be in any such place within one of the Chapter states that the Board of Directors may designate. Incorporation of the Chapter will be in the State of Georgia .
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The general objective of this Chapter shall be the same as the Marketing Research Association, Inc. (Hereinafter "MRA") as specified in Article II of the MRA Bylaws. The particular objective of this Chapter shall be to promote the purpose of MRA in the southeastern area of the U.S. and to provide a functional unit to assist MRA in the structure of National and Regional meetings in the Southeastern area.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERS
Section 1. Classification. Classification of membership shall be consistent with the National Bylaws.
Section 2. Admission. A person or company may become a member by:
a. submitting an application on a form prescribed by the Association and by meeting all other qualifications set forth by the National Bylaws.
Section 3. Dues and Assessments. Dues and Assessments shall be consistent with the National Bylaws.
Section 4. Suspension of Expulsion. Membership in the Chapter may be suspended or terminated for cause. Sufficient cause for such suspension or termination of membership shall be a violation of the bylaws or any rule or practice duly adopted by the Chapter or any other conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Chapter. Suspension or expulsion shall be by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present; provided, that a statement of the charges shall have been mailed at least fifteen (15) days before final action is to be taken. This statement shall be accompanied by a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the Board of Directors at which the charge shall be considered and the member shall have the opportunity to appear in person to present any defense to such charges before action is taken by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Resignation. A member may withdraw from the Chapter by sending written notice of the resignation to the President, which shall be effective upon receipt after fulfilling all obligations to the Chapter.
Section 6. Chapter Units. The Board of Directors may establish administrative and geographic classification from time to time as the Board of Directors determine necessary in furthering the purposes of the Chapter.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meetings. Special meetings of the Chapter shall be held during each quarter, unless the Chapter Board of Directors specifically cancels a regular meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held upon the call of the Board of Directors, or upon the written request of at least twelve members.
Section 3. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the membership shall be held at a regular meeting.
Section 4. Notice of meetings. Notice of all meetings shall be given by the Secretary by serving personally or mailing notice of such meeting:
- in the case of regular and annual meetings, not less than ten days and not more than fifty days previous to such meeting, to each member entitled to vote at the meeting.
- in the case of special meetings, not less than three days previous to such meeting, to each member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice of a special meeting shall state the business to be transacted at the meeting.
Section 5. Quorum. Fifteen (15) percent of the members in good standing of the Chapter entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Chapter. A majority vote of the members in good standing present in person or by proxy at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to act.
Section 6. Mail Voting. The Board of Directors may. at its discretion, invite the members of the Chapter to vote by mail, fax or any other method consistent with National Bylaws, on any matter which can properly be acted on at a membership meeting. A written response from fifteen (15) percent or more of the members entitled to vote as counted in the most recent membership roster shall constitute a quorum for a valid decision.
Section 7. Proxy Voting. Proxy voting is permitted, subject to such uniform procedures and rules as the Board of Directors may establish.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer and four Directors at Large.
Section 2. Qualification for Director at Large. Any member in good standing for more than one year shall be eligible for election as a Director at Large.
Section 3. Term of Office. Directors at Large shall hold office for two years, or until their successors are elected.
Section 4. Limitations. No person shall serve as Director at Large for more than two consecutive terms, but a Director at Large may, after serving the maximum two terms, serve as an officer.
Section 5. Duties of the Board. Under the Chairmanship of the President, or in the absence of the President and President-Elect, the Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the Chapter. The Board of Directors shall be charged with carrying out the objective of the Chapter.
Section 6. Board Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Chapter shall meet at such times as it may determine, but no less than four times each year, with at least one meeting in each quarter of the year.
Section 7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or any other two Board members. Notice of the special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be in writing served personally or by mail to each Board member no less than seven days prior to the meeting date. The notice shall contain a statement of the business to be transacted.
Section 8. The Board of Directors may meet by telephone conference so long as each Director may hear the other Directors participating in the conference call.
Section 9. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the written consent thereto by the members of the Board shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.
Section 10. Quorum. A majority of the Board or by proxy shall constitute a quorum and a majority vote of the Directors present in person or by proxy shall be necessary to transact business.
Section 11. Chairmanship. In the event of the absence of both the President and the President-Elect at any meeting, a majority of the quorum present shall choose among themselves a temporary Chairman for that meeting.
Section 12. Voting. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the President or the individual serving as Chairman shall have an additional vote.
Section 13. Removal. A member of the Board may be removed for good cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board Members present at a special meeting called specifically for that purpose.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. The officers of this Chapter shall be a President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. Qualifications. Any member in good standing for at least one year shall be eligible for election to any office.
Section 3. Term of Office. The President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected. The Secretary and Treasurer shall hold office for two years, and be elected in alternating years or until their successors are elected. All will be installed at the annual meeting after their election.
Section 4. Limitations. No person shall serve in the same office more than two consective terms. No person shall hold two offices or be an Officer and a Director at Large at the same time.
Section 5. Duties. The duties of the Officers of the Chapter shall be those performed ordinarily and customarily by persons holding such offices.
Section 6. Removal. An Officer may be removed for good cause by two-thirds vote of the Board Members present at a special meeting called specifically for that purpose. An Officer whose removal is being considered at a meeting may not be the Chairman of the Board for that meeting and another member of the Board shall serve as temporary Chairman for that meeting.
Section 7. Vacancies. Vacancies in any office shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at it's next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. This is redundant as noted in Article VII, Section 4 and shall be deleted from Article VI, Section 7.
ARTICLE VII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the President and shall consist of the President-Elect, who shall serve as Chairman, and four (4) other members in good standing.
- The composition of the Committee shall be made known to Chapter membership no later than March 1 of that year.
- No member of the Nominating Committee shall be a candidate for office or for membership on the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Schedule. The Nominating Committee shall present to the membership no later than April 1 a slate of at least two candidates for each office and directorship unless in its judgement only one person is qualified to be a candidate for the office or directorship. Additional nominations may be made by any member, with the endorsement of five additional members, to the chairman of the Nominating Committee within fifteen (15) days of ballot mailing.
Section 3. Elections. Not later than May 15, the Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall send to all Chapter members in good standing a ballot containing the names of all nominees, and specify a date not less than fifteen (15) days from the date of mailing by which the ballot must be returned to the impartial Auditor for that election, who has been appointed by the President. The Board of Directors may direct that a membership vote be undertaken by mail, email or fax ballot or any other method consistent with National Bylaws and laws of the Chapter's state of incorporation. A mail or fax ballot shall require that ballots be received by the Chapter office by the set deadline to be valid. Individual members in good standing are entitled to vote on matters presented for a vote of the membership.
Section 4. Vacancies. Vacancies in any office or on the Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 7. The person receiving the plurality of the votes cast shall be declared the winner for each position.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committee. The Standing Committees of this Chapter shall be:
- The Nominating Committee, as detailed in Article VII of these Bylaws;
- All other committees as provided for in the organizational plan of the Atlanta/Southeast Chapter.
ARTICLE IX - FINANCIAL MATTERS
Section 1. Bonding. The Treasurer of this Chapter and other such persons as the Board of Directors may designate, may at the discretion of the Board, be bonded for amounts deemed appropriate by the Board.
Section 2. Expenditures. No obligations shall be incurred and no disbursements of funds shall be made unless first authorized by the approved budget of the Chapter or authorized by a vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of this Chapter shall begin on June 1 and terminate on May 31.
Section 4. Audit. The Chapter may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, have its financial records audited annually.
Section 5. Compensation. Elected officers and directors shall not receive a salary for performance of their duties, but may be reimbursed for their expenses. Officers and directors performing support services on behalf of the Chapter in addition to their duties as officers and directors may be compensated for such services, subject to disclosure to and approval by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended or repealed in whole or in part by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing present in person or by proxy at any annual or special meeting of the Chapter, provided notice of any amendment accompanies the notice of the meeting; or by a two-thirds vote of the members voting by mail-in accordance with the provisions of Section 6, Article IV.
ARTICLE XI - RELATIONS WITH MARKETING RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
Section 1. Bylaws. The Bylaws of the Atlanta/Southeast Chapter may not be contrary to those of the Marketing Research Association. Should any provision of the Bylaws of Atlanta/Southeast Chapter need interpretation or construction, it shall be so established in a manner consistent with the provisions and intent of the Marketing Research Association's bylaws, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Marketing Research Association.
Section 2. Limitation. Atlanta/Southeast Chapter may not bind, contract for or take any position on behalf of the Marketing Research Association without express approval of the President or Board of Directors of the Market Research Association.
Section 3. Policies. Atlanta/Southeast Chapter shall follow the policies and procedures of the Marketing Research Association, including, but not limited to the antitrust directives of the Marketing Research Association, and shall provide timely notice to the Executive Director of the Marketing Research Association of activities undertaken by the Chapter.
ARTICLE XII - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. Power to Indemnify. Atlanta/Southeast Chapter shall have the power to indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, committee member, employee or agent of Atlanta/Southeast Chapter to the full extent permitted by law. The Chapter would have to remove this section from the bylaws completely unless the Chapter is purchasing insurance. MRA National holds insurance for Chapter Directors and Officers (only), therefore the Chapter does not have the power to indemnify (unless as I said, it is purchasing insurance).
Section 2. Liability Insurance. Atlanta/Southeast Chapter may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, committee member, employee or agent of Atlanta/Southeast Chapter against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not Atlanta/Southeast Chapter would have power to indemnify him or her against such liability.
Section 3. Use of Funds and Dissolution. Atlanta/Southeast Chapter shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws, and no part of its funds shall inure or be distributed to the members of Atlanta/Southeast Chapter. On dissolution of Atlanta/Southeast Chapter, any funds remaining shall be distributed to the MRA National Organization.
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