VIRGINIA STATE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION ASSOCIATION, INC.

CONSTITUTION

ARTILE I                  NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Virginia State Therapeutic Recreation Association, Inc. also known as VASTRA.

ARTILE II               GOALS

                                The goals of this organization are as follows:

                                To support and unite people engaged in all phases of Therapeutic Recreation (TR).

To maintain, support and promote the highest standards of professional performance in the field of Therapeutic Recreation.

To support and promote the development of Therapeutic Recreations Services within all human services delivery systems.

To promote, implement and/or facilitate professional, educational opportunities in the field of Therapeutic Recreation.

To monitor the standards of accrediting agencies to assure the inclusion of Therapeutic Recreation as well as to continually educate and update these agencies regarding the TR profession and the services it provides.

To promote and facilitate TR personnel in meeting the Professional Standards of Practice in the profession of Therapeutic Recreation.

To monitor and where necessary, take appropriate action upon Virginia and/or Federal legislative issues which impact upon the field of Therapeutic Recreation as well as other relevant health care issues.

To promote and advocate for the field of Therapeutic Recreation within the profession and to the public at large.

To act as a resource center in terms of education, career opportunities, program ideas, etc.       

ARTICLE III           MEMBERSHIP

Section I               Any person in the field of Therapeutic Recreation or supportive of the field of Therapeutic Recreation may apply for membership in this organization.

Section II             Membership Classifications:  The Association shall have three (3) membership

                                Classifications which are as follows:

-Professional – a person currently certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

-Associate – a person primarily engaged in promoting the Therapeutic Profession

-Student – a person enrolled in a full time therapeutic recreation curriculum.

Section III            Rights and Privileges of Members:

All members shall receive regular membership services (i.e. correspondence, access to website/facebook, etc.) Only Professional members in good standing may vote, participate in VASTRA election process, or serve on the Association’s Executive Board. The Officers of President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer of the Association shall be reserved for Professional members in good standing who hold a current CTRS certification.

Section IV            Annual dues will be payable in advance for one (1) year by the first of the month following admission.

ARTICLE IV          OFFICERS

Section I               The Executive Officers of this organization shall be President, President-Elect, Secretary, and a Treasurer.  They shall be elected by a plurality vote of the Professional membership.

Section II             The nominee for President-Elect must be a present or past Executive Board Member.

Section III            There shall be an Executive Board consisting of four (4) Officers and eight (8) Members-at-Large.

Section IV            Nominees for office must be Professional members in good standing.

ARTICLE V            COMMITTEES

Section I               There shall be an Executive Committee which shall include the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.  All action taken by this Committee for the Board between official meetings shall require a three fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Executive Committee members.

Section II             The President with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint for his/her term of office, chairpersons for the following standing committees as needed:

Membership

Professional Development (Annual Conference, Workshops)

Public Policy (Legislation, Advocacy)

Fundraising

Marketing (Networking, Resources)

Nominations & Elections

Awards/Scholarship

Constitution Bylaws/Policies/Procedures (Secretary)

Financial (Treasurer)

Student Liaisons (Student Representatives from each University offering a degree in Therapeutic Recreation)

Section III            The chairperson of the Nominations/Elections, Financial, Awards/Scholarship and the Constitution/Bylaws/Policies/Procedures committees shall be a member of the Executive Board.  Exceptions to this must have the approval of the Executive Board.

Section IV            The duties of the standing committees shall be described in the official Manual of Procedures.

Section V             Ad Hoc Committees, as deemed necessary, may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VI          AMENDMENTS

Section I               The Constitution many be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of all members eligible to vote and voting at a meeting called for that purpose or voting (by email) or a 2/3 majority of the Executive Board voting at a meeting or special meeting called for the purpose or voting by email.  There must be at least fourteen (14) days written notice in advance of submission of any amendment.