Constitution & Bylaws
The governing documents of the Code Enforcement Association of Texas, establishing our standards, structure, and operational procedures.
CEAT has requested publication of its corrected bylaws. The current supplied document is missing Articles IX–XIII, so this page is presented as a partial reference while the complete, board-approved file is obtained.
Request the complete bylaws from the CEAT SecretaryArticle I. Offices
1.01 Principal Office
The principal office of C.E.A.T. in the State of Texas shall be the professional worksite (office) of the President, so long as it is located in the State of Texas.
1.02 Registered Office and Registered Agent
The C.E.A.T. shall comply with the requirements of the Act and maintain a registered office and registered agent in Texas. The registered office may, but need not, be identical with the Association’s principal office in Texas. The Executive Board may change the registered office and the registered agent as provided in the Act.
1.03 Territory
The geographical sections that C.E.A.T. represents shall be all participating villages, cities, townships, counties and state agencies within the boundaries of the State of Texas.
Article II. Membership
2.01 Membership Classes
(a) Active Members – Any person involved in the regulation of health and safety in the environment, both natural and man-made, and resides or works in the State of Texas, shall be eligible for regular membership; and, upon payment of established dues shall be known as an “Active Member.” (b) Associate Members – Any student, non-resident, or individual interested in code enforcement. Associate members shall not have voting privileges. (c) Member Agency – A participating governmental agency shall be considered a member agency with a $100.00 contribution, renewable annually at $100.00. (d) Lifetime Membership – For any individual or organization who has rendered outstanding meritorious service in furtherance of the objectives of C.E.A.T.
2.02 Termination of Membership
(a) Any member leaving the code enforcement profession for a period in excess of six months will cease to be an active member. (b) Any member that has acted in such a manner as to bring discredit upon C.E.A.T. may be suspended and/or terminated from membership. Determination of membership will be made by the Executive Board and/or with a majority of the Voting Delegates taken by secret ballot. (c) Any member whose membership is terminated may not reapply for membership in the C.E.A.T. Association for a period of one year from the date of termination, and may not attend any meeting or function, including as a guest. (d) Any member in default of his/her financial responsibilities for a period of three (3) months shall be dropped from the C.E.A.T membership. This section does not preclude reinstatement upon payment of dues. Shall be reinstated at the desertion of the Executive Board.
2.03 Membership Dues
Annual membership dues shall be $60.00 per active member and associate member, $100.00 per member agency and no charge for lifetime membership due October 1 of each program year. Said annual dues shall cover a period from October 1 through September 30. There shall be no prorated dues. New members paying membership fees during the 4th quarter of C.E.A.T. fiscal year (July, August, and September) shall have the option of beginning their membership immediately and having to renew on October 1st, or they may elect to delay the effective date of new membership until October 1st of the new fiscal year.
2.04 Membership Year
Membership year of C.E.A.T shall be from October 1 to September 30 of each year.
Article III. Mission
3.01 Mission
C.E.A.T. was formed to study and advance the science and practice of code enforcement through certification to further the interests of the profession to promote fellowship and understanding among its members; without regard to race, creed, color, and national origin, or sex.
Article IV. Board of Directors
4.01 Appointment & Terms
The Board of Directors for C.E.A.T. shall be appointed by the Executive Board to serve as an advisory council and shall consist of three members, serving a two year term, and the Board of Director Emeritus. The Board of Directors members may be appointed to consecutive terms of office on a semi-annual basis. The Board of Directors shall be Ex-Executive Board member or Ex- Committee member. The Board of Directors shall serve on the Finance Committee, the By-Laws Committee and work on the Legislative Update. The Board of Directors Emeritus shall serve as deemed necessary by the Executive Board. A member of the board of directors shall be conveyed all typical duties associated with the requirements and duties of C.E.A.T. Historian by C.E.A.T. President.
Article V. Executive Board
5.01 General Powers
The affairs of C.E.A.T. shall be managed by C.E.A.T. Executive Board, which shall exercise all general powers conferred by the laws of the State of Texas upon Associations, organized under the Texas Non-Profit Association Act and shall have such additional powers and duties and restrictions on such powers and duties as are specifically provided in Articles V. of these Bylaws.
5.02 Number, Qualifications and Tenure
The officers of C.E.A.T. shall be eight (8) in number and there shall be a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms and Ex-Officio (Immediate Past President). The normal term of office shall be two (2)-year for the Executive Board officers commencing at the end of the annual business and educational conference. A.) An active member of C.E.A.T. in good standing shall be eligible for office with current Certificates as a Code Enforcement Officer through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. B.) All nominees running for office must be registered and present at the Annual Business and Educational Conference to have their names entered on the official ballot. C.) All nominees must meet the following criteria: 1.) Dues must be current prior to nomination. 2.) Must be a member of C.E.A.T. for at least two (2) fiscal years. 3.) Must have actively served a minimum of one year on a C.E.A.T. committee. 4.) Must be willing to serve in the nominated position.
5.03 Election
The Active Members of C.E.A.T. shall elect the members of C.E.A.T. Executive Board who will serve for a two (2)-year term. No officer shall be elected to more than two (2) consecutive full terms.
5.05 Quarterly Meetings
The Executive Board shall meet, at least quarterly, at such time that the Executive Board designates. At the quarterly meeting, the Executive Board shall transact any business that may come before the meeting.
Article VI. Officers
6.01 President
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association. The President shall supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Association. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board.
6.02 1st Vice President
The 1st Vice President shall preside over all C.E.A.T. meetings in the absence of the President. The primary duty of 1st Vice President shall be to chair the Conference Committee.
6.03 2nd Vice President
The 2nd Vice President shall preside in the absence of the 1st Vice President and in the absence of the President at all C.E.A.T. meetings. The primary duty of the 2nd Vice President shall be to chair the Education Committee, Steering Committee.
6.04 3rd Vice President
The 3rd Vice President shall be responsible, in the absence of the 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and President, to preside over all CE.A.T. meetings. The primary responsibility of the 3rd Vice President is to serve as the Membership Chairperson.
6.05 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody, and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Association.
6.06 Secretary
The Secretary shall take minutes of the meetings of the members and of the Executive Board and keep the minutes as part of the corporate records.
6.07 Sergeant-at-Arms
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be the parliamentarian and shall maintain order in all meetings and functions of the Association. The Sergeant at Arms shall chair the Reginal "Reggie" Jackson Code Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the "Charles W. Daniels C.E.A.T. Scholarship Award".
6.08 Ex-Officio
The ex-officio shall chair the "Wes Castolenia" Community Service Award, be the the program coordinator to ensure that each program provides for the membership shall be of the highest quality.
Article VII. Indemnification
7.01 General
To the maximum extent permitted or provided by the Article 1396-2.22A of the Texas Non-Profit Association Act, the Association shall indemnify and advance expenses to persons who are directors, officers, employees, agents or other persons so identified.
Article VIII. Transactions
8.01 Contracts
The contracts entered by CEAT shall be signed by the President with approval by the Executive Board.
8.06 Prohibited Acts
As long as C.E.A.T. is in existence, and except with prior approval of the Executive Board, no Director, officer, or member shall do any act in violation of the bylaws or a binding obligation of C.E.A.T., or act with the intention of harming C.E.A.T.
Article XIV. Parliamentary Authority
Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of C.E.A.T. by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
Code of Ethics
Professional Conduct
I will uphold the constitutional property rights of all citizens to ensure due process with fairness and consistency. I will exercise diligence, objectivity and honesty in executing all professional responsibilities. I will carefully avoid conflicts of interest, or the appearance of impropriety, in the performance of my official duties. I will continually strive for professional excellence through meetings, training, seminars and education. I will promote and maintain partnerships with other departments, agencies and associations, both public and private, having similar values and objectives. I will actively utilize and promote effective communications through advanced technology within my community and the Code Enforcement Association of Texas. I will serve my community and the Code Enforcement Association of Texas with respect, dedication, concern, courtesy and responsiveness.