Our chapter stretches from Fresno all the way up to Redding. We hope you enjoy traveling because our meetings and parties usually spread out quite a bit. This site offers you heart-warming and personal stories about our members so you may have a chance to get to know them better. Every quarter we post ournewsletter so you will be sure to be informed on what's going on. It will have many topics to choose from including medical articles, doctor-related info, kid's stuff, and even the exchanging of recipes. We hope you can participate with us, too. Our chapter is diverse and large which makes it to be very interesting and different than most. When you are visiting our area, please drop by an event and join in. We love to have members from all over the LPA family come by and say "hi." We will do our best to keep our events calendar up-to-date. Thanks for taking the time to visit our website. Enjoy! up

    

     What is LPA? Little People of America, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. Membership is offered to those people who are usually no taller than 4'10" in height. Their short stature is generally caused by one of the more than 200 medical conditions known as dwarfism. Membership is also available to relatives and interested professionals who work with short statured individuals. up



     Our mission Little People of America, Inc. (LPA), will assist dwarfs with their physical and developmental concerns resulting from short stature. By providing medical, environmental, educational, vocational, and parental guidance, short-statured individuals and their families may enhance their lives and lifestyles with minimal limitations. Through peer support and personal example, our members will be supportive of all those who reach out to LPA. Lastly, by networking with national and international growth-related and genetic-support groups, LPA will enhance knowledge and support of short-statured individuals. up

     Where we began In 1957, well-known actor Billy Barty made a national public appeal for all little people in America to join him for a gathering in Reno, Nevada. Mr. Barty and 20 other little people joined together for a week of sharing and learning that they were not alone in facing the challenges of dwarfism. Little People of America was formed! Today, Little People of America, the largest organization in the world devoted to people of short stature, has more than 5,000 members and assists in the formation of related groups throughout the world.

    Who are we? Dwarfs or other people of short statue (either proportionate or disproportionate) come from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Most people with dwarfism are born to average-size parents with no history of dwarfism in the family. Although some types of dwarfism may have associated medical complications, most short-statured individuals have a normal life span and normal intelligence. In fact, people with dwarfism have achieved the same range of career paths as average-size persons, including doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, welders, and artists. Our Parents Group provides valuable information and opportunities for families. Children meet short-statured adult role models as well as other children with dwarfism. It is important to know that they are not alone. Parents exchange ideas and learn about health care, adapting the home and school, laws that address their children's needs, and everyday community experiences. As adolescence can be an especially tough time for young people with dwarfism, LPA offers support and guidance to teens and young adults on many issues. LPA also publishes the Parents Forum, a national newsletter for parents of dwarf children.

    LPA also offers... many services to its members and the entire short-statured community. LPA, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. Hundreds of dedicated LPA volunteers throughout the US seek to improve the quality of life for short-statured people everywhere. LPA offers information on employment, education, disability rights, adoption of short-statured children, medical issues, clothing, adaptive devices, and parenting tips. Information is provided through a national newsletter, LPA Today, and numerous seminars and workshops. LPA also provides opportunities for social interaction and participation in athletic events. Little People of America, Inc., provides educational scholarships, medical-assistance grants, assistance in adoption, and funds for publications and other projects. Getting involved Many opportunities are open to those who would like to get involved through one of 50 local chapters, which meet monthly. Additionally, regional meetings provide opportunities for exchange of information and social interaction. The LPA annual national conference usually attracts more than 1,000 persons for a week full of fun, sharing, and learning. This conference includes workshops, parent meetings, singles get-togethers, teen events, children's activities, fashion and talent shows, athletic events and nightly dancing. Free medical clinic examinations are available by world renowned specialists in dwarfism. Seminars cover disability rights, medical issues, sibling concerns, adaptive living, sexuality, employment, and a variety of other pertinent topics.

These Bylaws govern the Little People of America, Inc.  Little People of America, Inc., was conceived in Reno, Nevada, in 1957, organized in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1960, and incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Indiana in 1961, and designated as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 in 1986.

Concerned with the need for people of short stature to become useful members of society through education, employment, and social adjustment, and to focus attention on the fact that the magnitude of any physical limitation is a function of attitude of both the short stature and the average size person, and concerned with the desire to assist in these matters, Little People of America, Inc., has been organized; and to such ends the Bylaws of which this preamble is a part, are herewith in set forth.

The name of this organization shall be Little People of America, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "LPA.”

The object of this Corporation shall be to provide and maintain, within its resources an organization dedicated exclusively to promoting the highest interest of people of short stature (to be known as "Little People") in their medical, vocational, environmental, educational and psychological concerns.  Such objectives will include the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).  This corporation, its Directors, and Officers, shall not be empowered to engage in any objectives other than as described above.  No substantial part of this Corporation shall be for the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence Legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on:  a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or b) by a Corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law).

The purpose of LPA is to assist dwarfs with their physical and developmental concerns resulting from short stature.  By providing medical, environmental, educational, vocational, and parental guidance, individuals of short stature and their families may enhance their lives and lifestyles with minimal limitations.  Through peer support and personal example, our members will be supportive of all those who reach out to LPA.  Lastly, by networking with national and international growth related and genetic support groups, LPA will enhance knowledge and support short stature individuals.

A National Headquarters shall be established for the purpose of administering the daily business of LPA.  The Board of Directors shall determine the location of the National Headquarters.

SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY
Any citizen or resident of the United States shall be eligible for membership in LPA, provided he/she is of good character and in presenting an application, can show satisfactory evidence that he/she

A.    Is a little person generally no more than four (4) feet, ten (10) inches tall, usually due to a medical condition commonly referred to as dwarfism.
B.    Is an average-sized relative of a member.
C.    Is an average-sized person who is a supporter of LPA.

SECTION 2 - ADMISSION
Admission to membership will be made after compliance with Article V, Section 1, and after properly executing an application for membership and payment of dues.  Admission to membership for Supporting members will be made after compliance with Article V, Section 1, and through a District Director.

SECTION 3 - CLASSIFICATION
There shall be eight (8) classes of members in LPA:

A.    Regular members shall be properly admitted Little People who are current in dues and age 24 or over.
B.    Young adult members shall be properly admitted Little People who are current in dues and are ages 18 through 23 inclusive.
C.    Teen members shall be properly admitted Little People who are current in dues and are ages 13 through 17 inclusive.  This status includes voting privileges in the teen group only.
D.    Children shall be properly admitted Little People who are current in dues, through age 12 inclusive.  This status includes voting privileges in the children's group only.
E.    Auxiliary members shall be properly admitted average-sized relatives or guardians of a little person properly qualified under Section 1 above.
F.    Life members shall be properly admitted short stature or average size person.  The applicant will then be entitled to permanent membership without further payment of dues.
G.    Honorary Life members are those individuals who have contributed in an outstanding way, on a national basis to LPA.  They need not be Little People but must receive three-fourths approval of the Board of Directors, and no more than one per year may be so designated.
H.    Supporting members shall be properly admitted average-sized persons who are not relatives of a little person and are supporters of LPA.

SECTION 4 - OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
In order to insure continuance of LPA on the highest level, members of all classes shall do the following:

A.    Pay all dues on time.
B.    Endeavor to attend all local meetings whenever possible.
C.    Endeavor to attend and support other district and national meetings.
D.    Exercise their obligation to vote in all elections.
E.    Accept the vote of the majority and give support to the wishes of the majority.
F.    Respect the chairpersons of all meetings and be properly recognized before speaking.
G.    Be loyal to the organization and its members.
H.    Voice any disagreements and complaints to the proper officer or in open meeting, keeping in mind constantly the good of the individual members and the organization.
I.    Agree to abide by the Bylaws of LPA with no recourse against LPA, any officer, or member thereof.

SECTION 5 – VOTING
Young Adult, Regular, Life, Honorary Life, Auxiliary, and Supporting shall constitute the voting members of LPA for general business purposes.

SECTION 6 - INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Any non-resident or non-citizen of the United States may be eligible for membership in LPA, provided he/she is of good character and in presenting an application can show satisfactory evidence that he/she is within one of the three categories listed in Article V, Section 1.
An International Member:

A.    Will be obligated to pay all dues on time, and forward the dues directly to the Vice President of Membership.
B.    May not vote in Chapter, District, or National Meeting.
C.    Is not obligated to attend Chapter, District, or National Meetings.
D.    Will not belong to a district of LPA, and will address inquiries to the International Correspondent.

SECTION 7 – MEMBERSHIP DATABASE SECURITY
The Executive Committee and Board of Directors shall be responsible for the security and usage of the LPA Membership database.

SECTION 1 - OFFICERS
The officers of LPA shall be as follows:

A.    President
B.    Senior Vice President
C.    Vice President of Finance
D.    Vice President of Membership
E.    Vice President of Programs
F.    Vice President of Public Relations

SECTION 2 - ELECTION

A.    Elections shall be held in even-numbered years.
B.    The President and Senior Vice President must have been an active eligible voting member for four membership years and have served in an elected or appointed position at the national, district or chapter level for at least two membership years.
C.    The Vice Presidents must have been active eligible voting members for three membership years.
D.    Candidates shall make their intent of running for a national office known 120 days prior to a national election.
E.    Candidate is not required to be a person of short stature.
F.    Candidate shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
G.    Voting shall be by the membership.  The executive committee will vote in the case of a tie.  The candidate who receives the most popular votes shall be elected.   Mail-in ballots will be used.

SECTION 3 - ORDER OF SUCCESSION
The order of succession to Presidency in case of vacancy is as follows:

A.    The Senior Vice President shall succeed the President.
B.    In the event the vacancy occurs with the President and Senior Vice President, the Vice President of Finance will be Acting President until such vacancies can be filled by nominations and vote of the Board of Directors and/or the Membership.
C.    The remaining Executive Committee members will fill other Executive Committee appointments on an interim basis until approval by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4 - DUTIES
The following are the duties of each of the officers of LPA:

A.    President

1.    Shall preside at all national meetings of the members, meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
2.    Shall appoint all temporary committees.
3.    Shall assist the Vice President of Programs with all committees and communications, which involve confidential personal and financial information.  She/He will assist with Grants and Loans awarded by Little People of America, Inc.
4.    Shall recruit Committee Chairpersons for all standing Committees and bring recommendations to the Executive Committee for approval.
5.    Shall oversee the following Committees: Bylaws and Policy, Executive, and Personnel.

B.    Senior Vice President

1.    Shall, in the absence of the President at meetings, assume the duties of the President.
2.    Shall be chapter coordinator and be responsible for encouraging and establishing new chapters in appropriate areas.
3.    Shall oversee responsibilities as assigned by the President.
4.            Shall assist District Directors with the development of local membership not served by chapters.
5.    Shall oversee the Employment and Historian Committees.

C.    Vice President of Finance

1.    Shall review and make recommendations to the Executive Committee on all investment decisions and strategies as defined by the Finance Committee.
2.    Shall establish and maintain guidelines for approval by the Executive Committee for safeguarding of assets.
3.    Shall define, implement and monitor all internal financial controls of LPA Inc.
4.    Shall review with other members of the Executive Committee and respond to recommendations made by the Finance Committee.
5.    Shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee on the allocation of funds for all grants and loans awarded by LPA.
6.    Shall oversee the Finance and Fundraising Committees.

D.    Vice President of Membership

1.    Shall be responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of programs that meet the concerns of the members.
2.    Shall oversee the following Committees: Parent, Young Adult, Teen, Older Adults, International and Information Technology. 
3.    Shall be responsible for overseeing the database and staff, contractors, and volunteers with access to the database..

E.    Vice President of Programs

1.    Shall meet the specialized needs of the dwarf population through grant and loan programs.
2.    Shall oversee the programs that allocate funds to applicants in the short stature community.
3.    Develop further programs deemed necessary and beneficial to the membership and general dwarf community.
4.    Shall oversee the Adoption Committee.

F.    Vice President of Public Relations

1.    Shall inform and educate the public about LPA and our concerns.
2.    Shall be responsible for coordinating and managing those activities dealing with public relations and publicity for the organization.
3.    Shall oversee those committees that deal with the media and public relations and the Advocacy and Outreach Committees.
4.    Shall be responsible for working with the LPA Today editor and supervise activity.

SECTION 5 - TERM OF OFFICE
Officers shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive full terms.

SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP
The Executive Committee shall consist of the national officers of LPA.

SECTION 2 - DUTIES
The Executive Committee shall:

A.    Do such acts and perform such duties as shall be specified in these Bylaws.
B.    Be voting members on the Board of Directors.
C.    Appoint standing Committee Chairpersons.  Consideration will be given to applicants for committees who have combined qualifications that reflect leadership skills in regards to the LPA community and professional and/or relevant community service experience.
D.    Shall oversee the Conference Review Committee and be available as a general resource to all standing Committees
E.    Follow policies as directed by the Board of Directors, maintain confidentiality of personal and financial information.
F.    Appoint members to represent LPA in organizations or programs that advance the interests of the dwarfism community.
G.    Have authority to appoint assistants or task groups where needed to help in fulfilling their duties. The assistants and task groups will be selected by the President or individual Vice President for whom assistance is being provided.

SECTION 3 - MEETINGS AND QUORUM
The Executive Committee shall hold such meetings, as it deems necessary upon such notice, as it shall from time to time determine necessary, and a majority of the quorum shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business of the Committee.  A majority of the members at any meeting shall be the act and deed of the Committee.

SECTION 4 - ACTS WITHOUT A MEETING
The Executive Committee may, under such rules as it may from time to time prescribe; perform any or all of its acts or duties by mail, electronic media, or telephone without the necessity of a personal meeting.

SECTION 1 - ANNUAL MEETING
There will be an annual meeting to be held on a national basis.

A.    The selection of the conference and annual meeting sites shall be in accordance with Article XXI, Section 2 and the guidelines, policy and deadlines established by the Conference Review Committee and Board of Directors.  
B.    In the event that it becomes necessary during the ensuing year to change the time or place of the National Conference, this change shall be made by the Executive Committee, with majority concurrence of the Board of Directors.
C.    All National Meeting sites that are in a public facility will be fully accessible to people with disabilities.

SECTION 2- SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of members may be called by the President, by majority of the Board of Directors, or by written petition signed by no less than one-tenth (1/10) of all members authorized by the By Laws to vote.

SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP
The Board of Directors shall consist of the 14 District Directors.  District Directors and National Officers shall vote on matters brought before the Board of Directors, except the President who shall vote in the case of a tie.

SECTION 2 - TERM OF OFFICE
Each district shall elect its directors who will represent that district as a member of the Board of Directors.  The term of office of the District Directors shall commence three months after the district meeting at which they were elected and shall continue for three years.  Each district shall elect an assistant director.  Should the District Director resign or decease, the assistant director will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.  The vacancy of the assistant director will then be filled by appointment of the director, and such appointed assistant director shall serve until the next district meeting of members in that respective district.  At that time the district will vote to fill the office of assistant director for the rest of the term.  Should both the director and assistant director resign within the term of office, and then the vacancies shall be filled by election at the next district meeting of members in that respective district.

SECTION 3 - QUORUM
A simple majority of the whole Board of Directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum thereof, and the act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4 - MEETINGS
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the National Conference.  In the event that a District Director is unable to attend board meetings, he/she may delegate, with the approval of the President, an eligible voting member from his/her district to serve in their capacity as a proxy during the board meetings.  This person must have served or is currently serving in a Chapter or District office.

SECTION 5 - DUTIES
The Board of Directors shall be the governing body and have supervision over the property and affairs of LPA, and may perform such acts and make such rules, regulations, rulings, decisions, and alter, amend, or repeal same, consistent with the Articles of Incorporation, and or By Laws and not repugnant thereto as may be necessary and proper to carry on the business and promote the interest of LPA.  In any and/all cases where problems and/or questions cannot be settled or agreed upon, passed, or approved at a general membership meeting, then they shall be taken up at the next meeting of the Board of Directors and acted upon.  The Board's decision shall be final and binding as the governing body of LPA.

SECTION 6- ACTS WITHOUT A MEETING
The Board of Directors may under such rules as it may from time to time prescribe or perform any or all of its acts or duties by mail, electronic media, or telephone without the necessity of a personal meeting.

SECTION 1 - GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES
The United States shall be divided into 14 districts.  These districts shall be numbered and composed as follows:
DISTRICT 1    -    CONNECTICUT, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW    HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND AND VERMONT
DISTRICT 2    -    NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA
DISTRICT 3    -    DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA
DISTRICT 4    -    FLORIDA, PUERTO RICO
DISTRICT 5    -    INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN, OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA
DISTRICT 6    -    ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
DISTRICT 7    -    ARKANSAS, KANSAS, MISSOURI AND OKLAHOMA
DISTRICT 8    -    LOUISIANA AND TEXAS
DISTRICT 9    -    IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA
DISTRICT 10    -    ARIZONA, COLORADO, EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, UTAH AND WYOMING
DISTRICT 11    -    ALASKA, IDAHO, MONTANA, OREGON AND WASHINGTON
DISTRICT 12    -    CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA
DISTRICT 13    -    ALABAMA, GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE
DISTRICT 14    -    HAWAII

SECTION 2-TERM OF OFFICE
Districts 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 shall elect their director in 2003.  Districts 2, 5, 8, and 11 shall elect their director in 2004.  Districts 3, 6, 9, 12, and 13 shall elect their director in 2005.  They shall continue in like manner every three years.  A District Director shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive full terms.

SECTION 3 - ELECTION
The District Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership at a district meeting to be held between August 1 and December 1.  Absentee mail-in ballots may be used.

SECTION 4 - ELIGIBILITY
The District Director shall have been an active eligible voting member for two membership years.  He/she shall have been an active member of the district in which he/she is running for office for one membership year.

SECTION 5 - DUTIES OF DIRECTOR
The District Director shall have the following duties:

A.    Shall have primary responsibility for the continuance of activities in the district and the solicitation of membership.
B.    Shall screen applicants for membership.
C.    Shall appoint all committee chairpersons in the district.
D.    Shall oversee local area chapters and their officers in respect to ongoing activities.
E.    Shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
F.    Shall work for the formation of local chapters.
G.    All District Directors are limited to activities within the boundaries of their respective districts with respect to membership and dues.
H.    Shall provide financial reports for the District and Chapters within the District as per the LPA Policy Manual.
I.    Shall train the district director-elect.

SECTION 6 - DISTRICT MEETINGS
The District Director shall be responsible to see that at least one meeting per year shall be held within six months prior to the National Conference.  All District Meeting sites that are in a public facility will be fully accessible to people with disabilities.

SECTION 1 - APPLICATIONS
Applications for local chapters shall be made through the District Director and to the Executive Committee for approval.

SECTION 2 - FORMATION
Eight eligible voting members may form local chapters upon application.

SECTION 3 - BOUNDARIES
The Executive Committee shall have authority to issue a charter to one chapter in any one area, county, or group of counties of a district provided evidence is given that there are a sufficient number of members residing in the area.  The qualifications and classes of membership in each chapter shall be the same as for LPA as set forth in the Bylaws.  All members of each chapter must also be members of LPA.

SECTION 4 - AUTHORITY OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall have authority to make rules and regulations for chartering, fixing chapter boundaries, and combining or dissolving chapters.

SECTION 5 - DISSOLUTION
A chapter may be considered inactive when membership drops below a total of five eligible voting members or the chapter has not met for one year.  In the event of dissolution of a chapter by action of the Executive Committee, the membership status of chapter members in good standing will be maintained as members at-large in their district.

SECTION 6 - BYLAWS
Each chapter chartered by LPA shall adopt such Bylaws for its operation, as it may deem proper, provided, however, that nothing contained therein shall conflict with or contravene the Bylaws of LPA.  Chapter Bylaws or any amendments thereto shall not become effective until approved by the District Directors.

SECTION 7 - ACTIVITIES
Chapters shall engage in such activities as are consistent with LPA ideas and are conducive to member welfare.  Such activities shall be restricted to the geographical area, county, or counties, for which the chapter is certified, except as Executive Committee may authorize.

SECTION 8 - CHAPTER PRESIDENT

A.    Shall have primary responsibility for the continuance of activities in the chapter.
B.    Shall have been an active eligible voting member of the chapter in which he/she is running for office for one membership year.
C.    Shall train the Chapter President-elect.
D.    The term of office of the Chapter President shall commence three months after the chapter meeting at which they were elected.

SECTION 9 – AUTONOMY
Chapter Presidents will respond to and work with District Directors in carrying out their functions as described in Article XI, section 8 of LPA Bylaws, and Article X, Section 5.

SECTION 10 - MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
All members of a district who are not in a local chapter shall be considered members-at-large of that district.

SECTION 1
The Executive Committee shall appoint the Chairperson for the following standing committees.
 

A.    Adoption
B.    Advocacy
C.    Bylaws and Policy
D.    Conference Review
E.    Employment
F.    Finance
G.    Fundraising
H.    Historian
I.    International
J.    Information Technology
K.    Older Adults
L.    Outreach
M.    Parents
N.    Teens
O.    Young Adults
P.    Personnel

SECTION 2 - TEMPORARY COMMITTEES
The President as required may appoint temporary committees and chairpersons.

SECTION 3 - COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Each standing committee chairperson should appoint other members to assist as necessary to carry out the work of the committees.  Personal and financial information gathered by some committees should be confidential and discussed only during committee and Executive Committee deliberations. The terms of the committee chairperson and members will coincide with the term of the National Officers.

SECTION 4 - USE
The Executive Committee and/or the designated Vice President shall govern standing committees.

SECTION 1 - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year for LPA shall be shall be from October 1 through September 30.

SECTION 2 - ADMINISTRATIVE YEAR
Officers shall take office at the time of installation during the National Conference.  Installation of the new officers shall take place as part of Old Business of the Board of Directors.  

SECTION 1 - TIMING
Annual membership dues shall be due one year after payment and shall be considered delinquent after one year.   National, District, and Chapter Officers whose dues are delinquent shall forfeit their right to hold office.

SECTION 1- LIFE MEMBERS

A. All life membership dues shall be separately held as an endowment known as the Life Membership Fund.  The Life Membership Fund shall be invested under the direction of the Vice President of Finance.
B. Income and appreciation from the Fund shall be distributed at the end of each fiscal year up to a maximum of 10% of the Fund.  The distribution to national, Districts and Chapters shall be in the same proportion as for Annual Membership dues.

SECTION 2 - RECORDS
Records of all financial transactions shall be maintained by the Vice President of Finance and made available for review at each National Conference.

ARTICLE XVI - INSIGNIA
The design shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XVII - AFFILIATION
No group of LPA, sub-group or auxiliary may affiliate with any other organization without the advance authorization of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 1- METHOD
These Bylaws may be amended at the National Conference in even numbered years, provided that the resolution for amendment shall have been submitted to all District Directors one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the National Conference.

SECTION 2 - REQUIREMENTS
To become effective, any amendment must receive a two-thirds favorable vote of the District Directors with each Director voting as instructed by a two-thirds favorable vote of the district members that submit a ballot.  Mail-in ballots will be used.

SECTION 3 – EFFECTIVE DATE
Amendments to these Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon approval, or as specified in the amendment.

SECTION 4 - CORRECTIONS
All automatic grammatical punctuation and correlative corrections in these Bylaws and/or amendments thereto, shall be effected by the Bylaws Chairperson at the time said Bylaws or amendments were adopted, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

The latest revision of Robert Rules of Order shall be the guide for conduct of all meetings.

Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all the assets of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization (s) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Directors shall determine.  Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the Court of Common Pleas of the country in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization(s) as said Court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

SECTION 1
For voting on National Officers and Bylaw Amendments, mail-in ballots will be used prior to the National Conference. 
SECTION 2
Bids for the time and place of future National Conferences must be reviewed and approved by the Conference Review Committee and Board of Directors. If there are competing bids, the final choice will be determined through a popular vote of the membership conducted by mail-in ballot.  If there are no competing bids by the deadline set by the Conference Review Committee, and given 30 days notice, the Board of Directors will vote to approve or disapprove a bid without the need for a mail in ballot to the membership.

LPA will conduct a certified audit of its financial records.  The first audit will be issued in 2000, and cover at least 1999.  Thereafter an audit will be conducted at least every two years.

LPA will issue an annual report.  The first annual report will be issued in 2000.  Thereafter an annual report will be issued at least every two years.


Adopted November 1960
Incorporated May 1961
Amended July 1966
Amended July 1978
First revision July 1980
Second revision July 1980
Third revision July 1983
Fourth revision July 1984
Fifth revision July 1986
Sixth revision July 1987
Seventh revision July 1989
Eighth revision July 1990
Ninth revision July 1991
Tenth revision (Article XXIII) 1994
Eleventh revision December 1994 – Merger with LPA Foundation
Twelfth revision April 2001 – Incorporation of amendments approved in 1998 and 2000
Thirteenth revision July 2002
Fourteenth revision May 2005 – Incorporation of amendments approved in 2004
Fifteenth revision July 2005 – Incorporation of amendments approved in 2005
Sixteenth revision September 2006 – Incorporation of amendments approved in 2006