2022

BY-LAWS for MAPA

The Metropolitan Activity Professionals Association

Region 6 of MN SWAP – The Minnesota Statewide Activity Professionals

Mission Statement

Mission of the Metropolitan Activity Professionals Association (MAPA) is to provide educational opportunities for the continued growth of the professionals it serves.

Article I: Name

Section 1: The name of this association shall be the Metropolitan Activity Professionals Association, which is also the Region 6 of MN SWAP- the Minnesota Statewide Activity Professionals, and hereafter will be referred to as MAPA.

Article II: Goals and Objective

Section 1: Shall be to provide a professional, supportive network for all those interested in the field of activities or other related fields of study.

Section 2: Shall promote and provide appropriate educational opportunities, offer continuing education units, obtain and make available resources for continued professional growth and development.

Section 3: Shall research and report on new or updated resources for program development.

Section 4: Shall sponsor special events for and with membership.

Section 5: Shall provide Region 6 representation to the MN SWAP board.

Section 6: Shall work with other professional groups &/or related agencies.

Section 7: Shall continue to promote Activities as a profession.

Section 8: Shall specifically be geared to the Activity Professional and the needs of the people they serve.

Article III: Membership/Dues

Section 1: Membership shall be open to any activity professional or other interested person(s). This would include, but would not be limited to those working in long-term care, independent senior housing, adult day services, senior centers, assisted living, and other specialized services.

Section 2: The MAPA board shall review membership fees annually and revise as needed.

Section 3: The membership year shall be January 1st through December 31st. MAPA's fiscal year shall coincide with the membership year.

Section 4: MAPA non-member fee for attending an in-person session is payable prior to the session or at the time of registration at the welcome table. The non-member fee for a virtual session will be paid, and participation verified prior to CEU’s being sent to them.

Section 5: The annual fee shall be paid on or before the first session of the year or January 31st whichever comes first.

Section 6: Any non-member having attended a session may become a full member and may apply the non-member fee toward the annual registration fee if the remaining balance is paid at or before the next MAPA session.

Article IV: Member Duties and Responsibilities

Section 1: Members in good standing are those members that shall abide by these bylaws and shall further the association's goals and objectives.

Section 2: Members shall be encouraged to attend regular business meetings.

Article V: MAPA's Elected Officers of the Board

Section 1: Shall be immediate Past-President, President, Vice President/Region 6 Representative, Treasurer, and Secretary

Section 2: No limits on the number of terms that a member may serve in an office, but the Board shall make an effort to encourage the membership to nominate new board members for each position after a Board member has fulfilled two terms in that office.

Section 3: Shall be elected by active MAPA members in good standing at the fall business meeting. Results of the elections shall be announced at the meeting or before the close of that day.

Section 4: Term lengths are as follows:

Past President- one (1) year

President- two (2) years, elected in the odd-numbered years

Vice President/Region 6 Rep.- two (2) years, elected in the even-numbered years

Treasurer- two (2) years, elected in the odd-numbered years

Secretary- two (2) years, elected in the even-numbered years

Section 5: Terms of newly elected officers shall begin with a transition period with the outgoing officers. At this transition period the outgoing officers will exchange information (all records, paper, or other property belonging to MAPA) and orient new officers to their role. Newly elected officers will take full office responsibility January 1st of the new membership year. Any exceptions will need to be approved by the President.

Section 6: If an officer is unable to fulfill a term of office, the President shall appoint a successor to fill the remainder of the term. A transition/transfer will take place with the newly appointed officer.

Article VI: Appointed Chair Representatives of the Board

Section 1: Appointed chair/co-chair positions are as follows:

Communications

Education

Membership

Hospitality

Additional Chairs as appointed (example: Conference)

Section 2: Length of appointments will run in conjunction with the election time frames when possible. At the transition period the outgoing board representative will exchange information (all records, paper, or other property belonging to MAPA) and orient new board representatives to their role. Newly appointed representatives will take full responsibility of their position January 1st of the new membership year. Any exceptions will need to be approved by the President.

Section 3: Additional Chair(s), Co-chair(s), and committees can be organized and approved by the President as needed and requested by the Board. These appointments are subject to prior approval by the full Board. (example: Conference Chairs, Special Events Chair(s), etc.)

Section 4: When additional/newly organized chair representatives are appointed with no prior position(s), the position will start with a development period with the Board. They may take full position responsibility with the approval of the Board.

Section 5: These positions are encouraged to have a committee from the membership to assist them as needed and as able.

Section 6: Shall perform duties as stated in their job descriptions.

Section 7: Any exceptions or changes with need to be approved by the President.

Article VII: Executive Board

Section 1: Shall function as a committee to carry out the objectives of the association.

Section 2: Shall consist of five (5) MAPA elected officers:

Past President

President

Vice President/Region 6 Representative

Treasurer

Secretary

Shall also consist of four or more (4+) committee chairpersons (additional if co-chairs) and other committee chairs as appointed and approved, which all have voting privileges:

Communications

Education

Membership

Hospitality

Additional Chairs as appointed (example: Conference)

Section 3: One-third (1/3) of the voting board members constitute a quorum. Action can be taken with a majority when quorum is present. Ties shall be tabled.

Section 4: Shall submit an annual written report to the President before or at the last board meeting of the year or at the first board meeting after the special event. Exception made only with President approval and at that time a new time frame will be set.

Section 5: Professional Ethics shall assure that all persons who are serving as board members uphold the duties and responsibilities of their position in an ethical manner as it relates to these bylaws, policies, and job descriptions.

Article VIII: Board Meetings

Section 1: Shall meet no less than four (4) times per year, additional meetings to be scheduled by the President. Board meetings shall consist of:

By-laws review

Year-end reports and reviews

New board member orientation

Session planning or reviews

Legislative updates

MN SWAP nominations, etc.

Section 2: Shall remain open to any interested MAPA member in good standing.

Article IX: Member Business Meeting and Voting

Section 1: Shall be scheduled during a segment of each MAPA session.

Section 2: Shall include a review of the primary objective, committee and representative reports, networking, and other current or pertinent information or business.

Section 3: Action needing a vote will be taken with a majority ruling. Any member in good standing may vote.

Article X: Seminars

Section 1: MAPA shall sponsor at least five (5) sessions per year.

Section 2: CEU’s will be available at MAPA sponsored educational sessions. For in-person sessions CEU’s will not be available for any reason after the session room is cleared or a new session begins. For virtual sessions, members will receive CEU after proof of participation and membership is verified.

Article XI: Dissolution

Section 1: In the event of dissolution of this association, all outstanding debts and obligations will be satisfied before dissolution is complete.

Section 2: In regard to any remaining supplies, equipment, promotions, or monies, the Executive Board shall select an organization(s) to receive these whose goals and objectives most closely represent that of MAPA.

Section 3: The membership shall be informed in writing as to the dissolution.

Article XII: Amendments of By-Laws

Section 1: By-laws shall be reviewed and revised by the Executive Board annually with approval by the membership.

Section 2: Any MAPA member in good standing may submit in writing to the Board any amendments to the by-laws for consideration.

Section 3: Membership approval can be achieved at any business meeting of MAPA by a majority ballot vote.

Section 4: A copy of the accepted by-laws will be filed with the Secretary.

Section 5: A copy of the by-laws will be available on the MAPA website

Section 6: Proposed by-law changes will be posted on MAPA website prior to voting session.

Approval: January 14, 2013

Approved by Board, no changes made: January 12, 2016

Approved by Board, changes made: January 10th, 2018

Approved by Board, changes made: November 18, 2020

Pending approval of the Board: May 19, 2022