ARTICLE I

The name of the association shall be The Washington Administrative Law Judges Association (WALJA).

ARTICLE II - ELIGIBILITY

An individual who, in the State of Washington, is primarily employed to conduct administrative hearings, write formal decisions based upon administrative hearings, or supervise or review such hearings or decisions, is eligible for active membership.

B. Associate Membership

1. The following persons are eligible for associate membership:

a. Individuals who, in the State of Washington, conduct administrative hearings, write formal decisions based upon administrative hearings, or supervise or review such hearings or decisions on a part-time or occasional basis, and are not eligible for active membership.

b. Retired Active members.

2. An associate member may participate in the activities of the Association but is not a voting member.

C. Honorary Membership

1. Honorary memberships may be conferred, by majority vote of the members at a regularly scheduled meeting of the organization, on those persons who have rendered outstanding services in administrative law or related fields.

2. An honorary membership shall not carry with it an obligation to pay dues or a right to vote or hold office.

D. Membership Questions

The executive Board shall have the authority to resolve all questions, issues, and interpretations regarding eligibility criteria for membership.

SECTION II –– Dues and Assessments

Effective October 1, 2004, as a condition of membership, active and associate members shall pay annual dues of $50.00 on or before the first day of the annual convention. The payment of yearly dues entitles members to membership in both WALJA and the National Association of Administrative Law Judges.

B. Special Assessments

Special Assessments may be proposed by the Executive Board and shall be submitted for approval by a majority of voting members (in person or proxy) at a regularly scheduled meeting of the organization.

C. Fiscal Year

WALJA’’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

SECTION III –– Termination of Membership

Active and associate membership shall be terminated for the following causes:

1. Resignation or permanent separation from qualifying employment or office. (However, the member may apply for Associate Membership).

2. Failure to pay dues or authorized Special Assessments after due notice.

SECTION IV –– Affiliation with the National Association of Administrative Law Judges.

WALJA is an affiliate organization of the National Association of Administrative Law Judges (NAALJ). Active members of WALJA shall also be active members of NAALJ by virtue of their membership in WALJA. Individual membership in NAALJ is required. Associate Members of WALJA shall, if approved by NAALJ, also be associate members of NAALJ by virtue of their membership in the Association.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS

The organization shall meet regularly at a location to be designated at the previous meeting or such other location as designated by the President upon reasonable notice. Regular meetings shall take place quarterly.

SECTION II –– Special Meetings

The President is authorized to call special meetings upon reasonable notice to the membership. Members are free to schedule regional forums for the convenience of members who are unable to attend regular meetings by notifying the President who shall designate the chairperson for the forum. Such regional forums shall not transact business on behalf of the organization, but shall function as a channel for communication between members.

SECTION III –– Quorum

A quorum of ten members in person or by proxy is required for the convening of any regular or special meeting. Once a quorum is established, a call for the quorum shall not be considered until all agenda items of business have been completed.

SECTION IV –– Rules for Meetings and Forums

Roberts Rules of Order (Revised) shall be applicable to all meetings and forums where not inconsistent with the Constitution and by-laws of the organization. Rules may be suspended by a two-thirds majority of those members attending in person or by proxy. Proxy voting is authorized on all items of business. Proxies may be general or specific, assignable or non-assignable. Proxies must be in writing and signed. The proxy must be on file with the Secretary prior to the call for the question on which it is to be voted.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

The Officers of the organization shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and two representatives at large. Officers shall be elected at the annual convention and shall begin their terms of office with or without formal installation immediately following said convention. The terms of office shall continue until the next election at an annual convention. The Vice-President elected one year shall automatically succeed to the office of President the next year. Candidates may be nominated at the time of election without a second. Election will be by majority vote of those eligible to vote in-person or by proxy.

SECTION II –– Vacancies

A vacancy in the office of President occurring mid-term shall be filled by the succession of the Vice-President if a Vice-President is in office at the date of the vacancy. Otherwise, all vacancies shall be filled by vote of the members at a Special Election at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the organization. Special notice of such an election shall be provided to the members at least seven days prior to the election.

SECTION III –– Executive Board

Between meetings, the business of the organization shall be carried out by an executive board consisting of the officers and the chairpersons of each standing committee.

SECTION IV –– Committees

The President is authorized to appoint standing committees which will serve for the duration of the term of the officers, and special committees of limited duration. The President may appoint the chairperson of each such committee, who shall remain as chairperson for the duration of the year, or until such time as the committee work is completed, if earlier. The President may remove a committee chairperson at any time for good cause. The chairperson shall have the discretion to appoint such additional committee members as are deemed appropriate. The appointments to committees shall to the greatest extent possible, be representative of all identifiable employment groups within the organization. Standing committees are as follows:

A. Continuing Legal Education

This committee shall be charged with the responsibility of promoting professional development of association members including, but not limited to, seminars, workshops and additional educational opportunities.

B. Legislative Committee

This committee shall be charged with the responsibility of studying current law and proposed legislation that affects the conduct of administrative hearings. The committee shall also present to the legislature matters of interest to the association after approval of the Executive Board or the members as a whole. The Bar Liaison shall also be part of this committee.

C. Staff Management Relations Committee

This committee will define and examine problems and relations between members of this organization and management, and define objectives and methods for improving, informally or formally, relations between the membership and the various managements with which they deal for the benefit of members and the enhancement of the efficiency and quality of the administrative adjudication process.

D. Convention and Social Events

This committee will schedule, select the location of facilities for, and complete administrative arrangements for the annual convention. The committee will report to the membership in detail concerning arrangements made not later than the general membership meeting next preceding the convention. The decision of the committee concerning convention arrangements will be final, subject only to ratification by the Executive Board.

E. Administrative Law Committee

This committee will examine and evaluate proposals for legislative and regulatory changes in the general field of administrative law or the specific areas of administrative adjudication concerning organization members. The committee will also accede to generate proposals for improvement in the field of administrative adjudication.

F. Committee Reports

1. Each standing committee, once activated by appointment of a chairman, shall report to the board no later than once month after the chairman appointment concerning its composition, its proceedings and activities to date, and shall provide to the Executive Board a statement of its goals and objectives.

2. Each standing committee chairman shall report in writing to the officer designated by the Executive Board at least once each calendar month concerning the proceedings and activities of the committee since the preceding report, whether that committee had met or not.

The President, Secretary, or Treasurer may make necessary expenditures of the funds of the organization without prior approval of the membership, but with the knowledge and approval of the other named officers. A record of the receipts and disbursements shall be available to the members at all times and a formal report may be waived at any meeting.

SECTION 2 –– Audits and Protests

The first duty of the Treasurer, after election, shall be to audit the accounts of the organization, and thereafter, bring any significant discrepancies to the attention of the Executive Board. The audit shall be reduced to writing and be available to the members on request.

B. Protests

At any regular meeting, a meeting a member in good standing may protest a previous expenditure which was not approved by the membership. The Treasurer shall then prepare a written statement in support of the expenditure and submit same to the Executive Board and the protesting member. The protest shall then be considered on the agenda of the next regular meeting prior to any other old business, unless withdrawn by the protesting member.

ARTICLE VI –– AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These By-laws may be amended by the members at a regularly scheduled meeting at which a majority of all members are present in person or by proxy. The text of the proposed amendment shall be published to the members at least seven days prior to the meeting. Only minor revisions, not altering the substance of the proposed amendment may be added without an additional seven day notice. A majority vote by members and proxies shall be required to amend these by-laws.

SECTION 2 –– Revisions

The By-Laws of the Washington Administrative Law Judges Association (formerly Washington Association of Administrative Hearings Officers) are written as revised and amended at the annual meetings held at: Crystal Mountain, Washington in 1989 and Leavenworth, Washington in 1992. (June 4, 1998 by Miriam T. Kasperson WALJA President).

SECTION 3 –– 2004 Revisions

The By-Laws of the Washington Administrative Law Judges Association are written as revised and amended at the membership meeting held at Seattle, Washington on September 9, 2004. (September 9, 2004 by Brian O. Watkins, WALJA President).

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