BY-LAWS

DESTINATION MARKETING ASSOCIATION OF NORTH DAKOTA

ARTICE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the "Destination Marketing Association of North Dakota".

ARTICLE II - INCORPORATION - OFFICE

The Destination Marketing Association of North Dakota shall incorporate as a non-profit organization under the laws of the state of North Dakota.  The principle office of this corporation shall be located in the state of North Dakota, city of Bismarck.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this organization shall be a cooperative association of independent Convention and Visitor Bureaus as well as any community which has imposed a user's tax on nightly rental accommodations, who share a broad based community support and whose primary objective is the promotion of their state and communities in their respective areas as conventions, visitors and group meeting destinations. 

This Association shall conduct meetings and exchange appropriate information with the goal of increasing the overall level of convention, visitor and group meeting business in the State.  The organization shall hold an annual meeting of its members.

Further, this Association shall represent the best interests of the State's convention, visitor and group meeting business industry in all legislative and other matters of government.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I - ELIGIBILITY:  Any staff member of any organization, as defined under these By-Laws, sharing general interests in the objectives of the Destination Marketing Association of North Dakota shall be eligible for membership.

Membership shall be granted by the Association at a regular or special meeting, or by written agreement of the majority of members in the interim between meetings of the members.

Application for membership shall be made in writing.  It shall state the name and address of the organization applying for membership as well as the name, address and occupation of the individual(s) who will represent the applicant in the affairs of the Association.  The annual membership rate shall be set by the members of the organization.  There shall be two types of membership - Active and Associate members.

Active Members:  To be eligible for Active Membership in the Association, a member must be employed by an organization in a given community whose sole purpose is the solicitation and service of conventions, visitors and/or meetings.  The voting members of the organization must be vested with the authority to represent the organization in activities and affairs of the Association, and to make commitments to and agreements with the Association that will bind on that organization.  Each Active Member shall have one vote at all annual and special meetings of the Association.  Active Members must have a lodging tax as a funding source.  Organizations with more than one active member shall have one vote per member.

Associate Members:  Associate Membership in the Association is open to any individual or organization whose primary focus is the promotion of tourism.  The annual membership rate for Associate Members shall be one half (1/2) the annual membership rate for Active Members.  Associate Members may serve on Association Committees, but shall have no vote at annual or special meetings of the Association.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Association shall be managed by the ACTIVE members of the Association.  The members shall elect officers at the meeting held during the North Dakota Tourism Conference, a President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.  Each office of the Association shall be a two-year term.

The President shall preside at the meetings of the Association.  The President shall perform all duties incident to the office and recommend such action that will increase the effectiveness of the Association.  The President or acting person shall be reimbursed up to $500 per legislative session for travel related expenses to the State Capital when acting on behalf of the Association and such expenses are not covered by the individual's organization. 

The Vice-President shall assume such responsibilities as may be assigned by the President.  In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall serve in the President's stead.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for recording the minutes of each meeting, and the handling and reporting of the financial records of the Association.

The Active Members shall set up any sub-committee needed to carry out the goals of the Association.

ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Meetings of the membership may be called by an Active Member for the cause by contacting the President.

All members will be notified the time and place of the meeting not less than seven days prior to the meeting.

The annual meeting of the Association will be the first meeting following the North Dakota Tourism Conference and will include the installation of officers.

ARTICLE VII - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of said Association shall be the calendar year Beginning and Ending.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

The Active Members shall have power to make, amend or repeal the By-Laws of this Association, by two-thirds of all Active Members at any annual or special meeting.

These By-Laws for the Destination Marketing Association  were revised and approved by the Active Members present at the October 27, 2005 meeting.