Constitution
ARTICLE I - Name
The official title of this non-profit organization shall be the "Association of Food and Drug Officials of the Southern States". The Association shall include the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the territory of Puerto Rico.
ARTICLE II - Objectives
The objectives of the Association shall include the following:
l. To promote and foster the enactment of improved laws and the effective enforcement of all laws for the protection of the public health and prevention of fraud and deception in the production, manufacture, distribution and sale of foods, drugs, cosmetics, therapeutic devices and consumer products.
2. To encourage the adoption of uniform administrative procedures.
3. To encourage cooperation with respect to the enforcement of federal, state, district, county, and municipals laws and regulations.
4. To support the objectives of the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO).
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
There shall be four (4) classes of membership, to be designated as Regular, Associate, Alumni and Life.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The officers of this Association shall consist of a President,Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 2. The duties of the officers shall be specified in the By-Laws of the Association.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall consist of Regular Members as specified in the By-laws of the Association.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
The President shall annually appoint all standing committees as established by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VI – VOTING
Voting shall be restricted to those Regular Members whose credentials have been accepted by the Credential Committee
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
The Association shall meet annually and at others times as necessary to conduct the proper business of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII – DUES AND REGISTRATION FEES
The Executive Committee, subject to approval by the majority of the regular members registered and present at any annual or special meeting, shall establish membership dues and registration fees.
ARTICLE IX – PROPERTY
The Association may accept contributions and endowments, and own property as specified by the By-laws of the Association.
ARTICLE X – By-LAWS
The members shall have the power to make prudent By-laws of the Association as they deem proper for the management of the affairs of the Association, subject to a two-thirds vote of the Regular Members present at any annual or special meeting.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of the Association may be amended as prescribed in the By-laws of the Association.
ARTICLE XII – SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
In the accomplishment of its purposes, the Association may engage in any reasonable activity. When its financial structure permits, it may employ a business manager, scientists, or other workers as may be deemed necessary or helpful, subject to appointment and compensation determination by the Executive Committee, subject to approval by a majority vote of Regular and Life membership voting.
(Revised and Adopted 9-9-02)
ARTICLE XIII DISSOLUTION
In the event of a need for dissolution of the Southern Association of Food and Drug Officials, and after settlement of all just obligations, the Executive Board shall distribute the remaining assets to one or more organizations operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientifjc purposes as shall be at the time qualified as exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1979, or under any successors to said Section of the Code. (Added April 1990, St. Petersburg, FL) (Signed by John Draper, President, 10-1-91 and Mary Logan, Secretary-Treasurer 9-27-91
The Association may dissolve, subject to a two –thirds vote of the regular members present at the annual meeting. (Added April, 1990, St. Petersburg, FL) (Signed by John Draper , President 10-1-91 and Mary Logan, Secretary-Treasurer 9-27-91)