The name of this Chapter shall be the Indiana Art Therapy Association (INDIATA). It is a non-profit entity, organized under the laws of an Affiliate Chapter of the American Art Therapy Association, herein referred to as AATA or the Association.

The purpose of INDIATA shall be: to support, and in conjunction with, the Association toward the provision of educational opportunities within the field of art therapy for members of the general public as well as art therapy professionals, the promotion of public awareness of the field of art therapy; the progressive development of the therapeutic use of art; the advancement of research and standards of clinical practice; the maintenance of criteria for training future art therapists in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques; the provision of appropriate vehicles for the exchange of information with colleagues and the general public; the coordination of the therapeutic use of art in institutional or private practice settings; and the awarding of scholarships.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, this entity is organized exclusively for such purposes as are authorized and permitted by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), and shall not carry on any activities which are not permitted to be carried on by an entity exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The geographical jurisdiction of INDIATA includes the state of Indiana.

Qualifications, Classification and Privileges. INDIATA membership is open to all members of the Association and shall correspond to Association membership categories, which categories currently consist of:

• Credentialed Professional
• Professional
• Honorary Life
• Associate
• Student
• Retired

All INDIATA members (except Student and Associate) will be eligible to vote and hold office in INDIATA.

Application for INDIATA Membership. Application for membership shall be in accord with procedures established by the Association Board of Directors.

INDIATA Membership Dues. Membership dues shall be established by the Executive Board of INDIATA and shall be due on March 1 of each year. INDIATA membership dues shall not exceed the dues of the American Art Therapy Association.

Termination of INDIATA Membership.

1. Members failing to pay INDIATA dues within sixty (60) days after March 1 of each year shall automatically forfeit their membership in INDIATA as of the sixty-first (61st) day. Individuals who have forfeited INDIATA membership because of non-payment of dues may be reinstated in accordance with policies established by the INDIATA Executive Board and shall be required to pay an additional reinstatement fee established by the INDIATA Executive Board.
2. Members who have had their membership to the Association terminated for any reason shall immediately have their membership in INDIATA terminated. Upon reinstatement in the Association, INDIATA's Executive Board may grant reinstatement in INDIATA.
3. The Executive Board may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Executive Board membership, suspend or expel any members of INDIATA for violation of these bylaws, and rules, procedures and policies established by INDIATA. Before such action is taken by the Executive Board, written notice shall be sent to the member not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the Executive Board at which time the matter is to be considered. Said individual shall be entitled to a hearing before the Executive Board before any decision is rendered.

Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of INDIATA shall be January 1 through December 31. In the event that the fiscal year of AATA shall be other than January 1 through December 31, INDIATA's fiscal year shall be amended to correspond with the Association's fiscal year.

The officers of INDIATA shall be: President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Assembly of Chapters. These officers shall constitute the Executive Board of INDIATA.

Qualifications for Officers. Individuals who are Professional Members of INDIATA shall be eligible to hold office in INDIATA.

Term of Office.

1. Officers shall serve for a two (2) year term. If no successor has been elected to take office at the completion of this term, the current officer may serve until a successor has been elected.
2. The term of office shall commence on January 1 for the elected two (2) years.
3. An elected official may serve successive terms on the Executive Board but may not serve consecutive terms in the same office.

Nominating and Election of Officers.

1. Voting members shall elect the officers by mail or electronic ballot.
2. The nominating committee shall prepare and submit the ballot to the membership by mail or electronic ballot with at least one (1) nominee for each elected office. As per the Association, terms of office may be staggered by electing some officers in even numbered years and some in odd numbered years. Every nominee must give written consent prior to placing his or her name in nomination. Voting members may vote for such nominees as appear on the ballot, or may write in a nominee of their own choosing.
3. In the event of a tie, the Executive Board shall elect such officer from amongst those individuals receiving the vote. If the Executive Board does not break the tie, then the tie shall be broken by drawing lots.
4. Ballots shall be mailed during the month of September and must be returned or postmarked within thirty (30) days of mailing date.

Duties of Officers. Officers shall perform those duties prescribed by the Executive Board of INDIATA and the parliamentary authority adopted by INDIATA, manage the business of INDIATA between meetings of INDIATA and perform those additional duties prescribed from time to time by the members.

Vacancies.

1. A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled for the unexpired term by the President-Elect.
2. INDIATA will hold elections at the annual meeting.
3. Officers may serve successive terms on the Executive Board but may not serve consecutive terms in the same office.
4. Should there be a vacancy in any officer positions, the Board may vote to hold a special election. Otherwise, vacancies may be filled by appointment of the President with approval by at least two (2) other members of the Executive Board. To the extent that there are less than two (2) remaining members of the Executive Board, then such approval shall be by unanimous vote. Officers thus appointed will serve until the next regular election. If no action is taken by the Board or President, the officer position shall remain vacant until the next election.

Removal from Office. Any officer may be removed, without cause, from office at any time by mail ballot, regular meeting, and/or special meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of INDIATA membership.

Any officer may be removed, with cause, from office at any time by mail ballot, regular meeting, and special meeting by a vote of five (5) members of the Executive Board, excluding such officers as are the subject of such vote. To the extent that there are less than five (5) members of the Executive Board after excluding such officers as are the subject of the vote, then such removal shall be by the unanimous vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board.

Annual Meetings of INDIATA shall be held each year at such date, time and place as it is mutually agreed to by the Executive Board of INDIATA.

At the Annual Meeting the following will be presented: reports of officers, bylaws amendments, and any other business that comes before INDIATA.

Special meetings of INDIATA may also be called by the President, a majority of the Executive Board, or more than fifty percent (50%) of the membership of INDIATA.

Notification of all meetings shall be sent to the membership no less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Quorum. Those voting members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.

The Executive Board shall consist of the elected INDIATA officers.

The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the affairs of INDIATA and shall perform those additional duties enumerated in these bylaws and shall perform those duties required by law and as shall be assigned by the membership from time to time.

Meetings of the Executive Board.

1. Regular and special meetings of the Executive Board shall be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board.
2. Notification of all meetings of the Board shall be given each board member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.
3. A quorum for all meetings of the Executive Board shall be a majority of the members of the Executive Board.
4. Attendance at any meeting may be in person, by proxy, or by telephone communication.
5. The Executive Board may take any action without a meeting if such action is in writing signed by all members of the Executive Board.

Unless specified otherwise in these bylaws, all standing and special committees shall be determined by the President and approved by the Executive Board. In establishing any committee, the composition, powers, term and duties shall also be designated.

The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

Nominating Committee.

1. Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members of INDIATA of whom no more than two (2), but at least one (1) must be a member of the Executive Board and are appointed by the Executive Board.
2. Nominating Committee will serve from the date appointed until the election results for the current election are announced.
3. The Nominating Committee will be charged with the task of inviting recommendations for nominees for each elective office to be filled.
4. All rules and procedures for the election process not enumerated in these bylaws shall be recommended by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Executive Board.

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed in writing by any two (2) voting members, which shall be considered, put in proper form, and approved as to form by the Executive Board. The proposed amendment shall then be submitted to the voting members for approval.

Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the voting membership at least thirty (30) days in advance of the deadline for receiving ballots.

A majority of the vote of the members voting shall be required to adopt any proposed bylaws amendment.

Once approved by the voting membership, any bylaws amendment must be approved by the Association before it becomes effective. The Association shall have the power to approve.

No amendment shall be made to these bylaws which would interfere with or terminate INDIATA or the Association's status as a charitable organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).