BY-LAWS

MISSION STATEMENT

Minnesota Polygraph Association (MNPA) is a professional organization to provide training, best practices, and professional resources for continued growth of ethical and evidence-based detection of deception through the use of the polygraph.

MNPA membership consists of professionals who share a common commitment to public interest through communication, promotion, and administration of valid and ethical polygraph practices.

VISION

Advance credibility assessment integrity by ensuring and supporting the highest standards and best practices of polygraph in the state Minnesota.

GOALS

• Advance the creation, communication, and application of polygraph knowledge.
• Foster support for examiners high standards of ethics, conduct, and achievement.
• Promote and defend polygraph integrity.
• Strengthen support for research, best practices, and validated testing techniques.

BY-LAWS

Article I.

After adoption, these Bylaws, will govern the operation of the Minnesota Polygraph Association (MNPA).

Statement of Purpose

The Minnesota Polygraph Association is a Professional Organization established to provide its members access to cost effective training; to promote the use of ethical standards, validated testing procedures, and validated scoring techniques; to support the polygraph community; and to educate members of the public in the proper use of the polygraph.

Article II.

Membership Classifications

Member:

Membership into the MNPA is offered to any examiner who has completed a basic course in polygraph at a school that was at the time of completion accredited by the American Polygraph Association (APA).

Members must also be a recognized member in good standing of the APA, the National Polygraph Association (NPA), or the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP).

Affiliate Member:

Affiliate Membership shall be available when approved by the Board of Directors to any Individual or Corporate Entity supporting the Polygraph Profession.

Member and Affiliate Member Requirements:

A Member or Affiliate Member (prospective or current) shall not have been convicted of a felony or equivalent as defined by Minnesota State Statute. Any other violation of State or Federal Law shall be reviewed and membership approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.

A Member or Affiliate Member (prospective or current) shall not have been convicted by any Court, Labor Hearing, or other Administrative Hearing of violating a person’s Civil Rights or other violations the Board of Directors deems injurious to the Association.

Members or Affiliate Members (prospective or current) who have resigned from any other Professional Organization prior to or during an investigation into misconduct may be denied membership upon review by the Board of Directors.

Prospective Members and Affiliate Members shall submit, either online via the Association website or by US Mail, a completed membership application. Prospective Members shall provide a copy of their completed polygraph school certificate and proof of membership in the APA, NPA, or AAPP. Those prospective Members who conduct post-conviction sex offender testing (PCSOT), must also provide a certificate of completion of an APA approved PCSOT training course. Prospective Members and Affiliate Members must provide membership dues to the Association Treasurer upon application and annually by January 1st. Upon meeting these requirements, a copy of the application will be provided to the President of the Association. The President or his/her agent shall verify the information contained in the application is true and correct and conduct an appropriate background investigation to determine if the applicant meets Membership or Affiliate Membership requirements. Upon completion of the investigation, the President shall submit the findings of the investigation along with a copy of the application via email to all members of the Board of Directors. Board Members shall vote to accept or deny membership. Applicants who have been accepted for Member or Affiliate Member, will be issued a membership certificate. The Secretary will notify all Members and Affiliate Members via email the acceptance of the new Member or Affiliate Member for publishing. Applicants who are denied membership shall have the prepaid dues refunded, less the current fee for a background investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Members are expected to comply with the APA Standards of Practice and the MNPA Bylaws. Members are expected to comply with the APA Continuing Education Standard.

Membership shall remain in effect as long as the financial obligations to the Association are met and the Member or Affiliate Member continues to comply with the APA Standards and all other requirements stated in these Bylaws.

Member Rights:

Members in good standing have the right to vote on all matters brought before the General Membership and at all Business Meetings of the Association. There will be no voting by proxy or absentee voting.

Members in good standing may run for or serve in any Elected Position of the Association.

Members are eligible for appointment to any Board or Committee created by these By-laws or the Board of Directors.

Affiliate Member Rights:

Affiliate Members shall have no voting rights and may not be elected to any office within the MNPA.

Affiliate Members are eligible for appointment to any Board or Committee created by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

Termination of Membership:

Membership in the MNPA may be terminated if a Member or Affiliate Member fails to pay dues or to meet any other requirement for membership. Membership may be terminated upon a vote by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Termination of membership for failure to meet financial obligations does not release the Member or Affiliate Member from this financial obligation. Former Members and Affiliate Members may reapply and that application will be processed in the same manner as other Applicants for Membership. However, former Members or Affiliate Members owing dues or other monies must fulfill that obligation before membership is approved.

A Member or Affiliate Member may be expelled from the MNPA upon a recommendation of the Board of Directors and affirmation votes by two thirds of the membership present during the General Business Meeting.

Any Member or Affiliate Member who resigns, is expelled, or terminated from membership in the MNPA is obligated to return the original membership certificate to the Secretary.

Any Member or Affiliate Member charged in a court of record with a felony or equivalent as defined by Minnesota State Statute shall notify the President of the Association within 15 days. The notification shall include the court where the charges were filed and the allegations listed in the complaint and/or indictment. Any Member or Affiliate Member failing to comply with this requirement may be suspended by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at its discretion suspend membership until a final disposition has occurred.

Article III.

Grievance and Disciplinary Proceedings

Should a Member or Associate Member of the Association be accused of violating the Standards of Practice or other component of APA Standards, the President of the Association shall appoint an Investigator to investigate the substance of the complaint.

Impeachment

Any Member or Affiliate Member in good standing of the MNPA may call for the impeachment of an Officer or Board Member. The Member or Affiliate Member calling for impeachment must notify the Board of Directors in writing outlining and documenting misconduct or failure to meet the responsibility of the Office. The Board of Directors is required to act within 14 days on the Letter of Impeachment by notifying the accused Officer of the specifics of the allegations. The accused Officer shall respond in writing within 60 days to the allegations.

Article IV.

The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Association. It is the Board’s responsibility to oversee the day to day operation of the Association, set annual dues and fees, and assume administrative responsibility for the Association. The Board of Directors shall consist of five voting members.

1. President: The President of the Association shall be elected to a two-year term. The election for President will occur in even number years. The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and will have general supervision of the affairs of the Association. The President may appoint members to committees or boards as needed. Should a member of the Board of Directors resign or otherwise leave an elected position, the President may appoint a member to serve until the position comes up for election. The President shall represent the Association at all official functions. Should the President be unable to fulfill his/her obligations, another Board Member may be appointed to serve in the President’s place. The President has the authority to call meetings of the Board of Directors and chair the General Business Meeting.
2. Vice President: The Vice President of the Association shall be elected to a two-year term. The election for the Vice President will occur in odd number years. The Vice President shall carry out such duties as might be assigned. Should the President be absent or incapacitated, the Vice President shall act as President until such time as the President is able to fulfill his/her duties.
3. Secretary: The Secretary of the Association shall be elected to a two-year term. The election of the Secretary will occur in odd number years and coincide with the term of the Vice President. The Secretary shall conduct correspondence relating to the MNPA and issue notices of all meetings of the MNPA and of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall keep a current record of the membership of the MNPA and other duties as directed by the President.
4. Treasurer: The Treasurer of the Association shall be elected to a two-year term. The election of Treasurer shall occur in even number years. The Treasurer is the custodian of all funds and securities of the MNPA and shall promptly deposit all funds into the financial institution designated by the Board of Directors and memorialized in the financial resolution. The Treasurer shall serve as the financial adviser to the Board identifying any financial problems or concerns. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all money received by the MNPA and all disbursements. The Treasurer shall pay all Association bills promptly. The Treasurer shall hold and have use of the Association credit card for paying Association expenses. The Treasurer shall report to the Board, any substantial change in the financial standing of the Association and to the Membership, the financial status of the Association and the amount of funds on hand during the General Business Meeting.
5. Public Relations: The Public Relations Officer shall be elected to a two-year term. The election of the Public Relations position shall occur in odd number years. The Public Relations position exists to help establish and maintain lines of communication between MNPA and the Public and to manage its Membership with the Public. This position is responsible for the website, training, and other communication with Members, Affiliate Members, and the Public.

Article V.

Nomination and Elections

Election of Officers shall occur annually at a General Business Meeting and the terms will begin January 1st of the next year. It is the responsibility of the President to announce the positions open for Election. Should no candidates appear for Election, the Board of Directors may elect Members to serve.

Amendments to the Bylaws

The Bylaws of the MNPA may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Prior to any amendment to the Bylaws, a copy of the amendment must be published to the General Membership via email. The vote to amend shall occur at the next General Business Meeting. In the event a majority of the Board of Directors votes that the immediate adoption of an Amendment be in the best interest of the Association, the amendment or amendments may be introduced at the General Membership meeting for discussion and if approved, adopted.

Parliamentary Authority

Unless otherwise agreed upon during any meeting or proceeding, the Parliamentary Authority of the MNPA shall be by consensus.

Dissolution Clause

Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.