Louisiana Tire & Automotive Services Association

By-Laws

The Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association was formed in June 1971 by founding members:  Roger Barielle (Fleet Tire Co.), M.J. Falgaust (Meraux Tire), Jim Parnell (Service Tire), Randall Breaux (Breaux Tire Service), Claude Melancon (Melancon Tire Service), Kevin Gaubert (Gaubert Tire Service), Charles Dugas (Dugas Tire Center), Tommy Thompson (Tommy's Tire Service), and Gene Lawson (Regal Tire). 

In 2020, the LITDA rebranded & became the Louisiana Tire & Automotive Service Association (LTASA). Below are the adopted Bylaws of the LTASA.

 

Article I.  Membership Eligibility Article X.  Board of Directors
Article II.  Admission to Membership Article XI.  Board Meetings
Article III.  Suspension or Expulsion of Members Article XII.  Duties of the Executive Director
Article IV.  Districts Article XIII.  Fiscal Year & Budget
Article V.  Committees Article XIV.  Assessments
Article VI.  Election of Officers Article XV.  Rules of Order
Article VII.  Vacancy of Office Article XVI.  Amendments to the Bylaws
Article VIII.  Officers Article XVII.  Effective Clause
Article IX.  Annual & Special Meetings  

Article I.  Membership Eligibility
Section 1.  Associate Members.  Limited to tire dealers, automotive jobbers, and automotive repair facilities. 
Section 2.  Vendor Members. Membership is available to tire wholesalers, parts distributors, and other industry-related persons.

Article II.  Admission to Membership
Section 1.  The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for the processing of membership applications and the evaluation of the applicant’s character and qualification.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to prescribe rules and regulations pertaining to membership, the issuing of certificates, all other matters necessary to the proper administration of the membership. 
Section 2.  The Board of Directors shall set procedures for appeals for rejection of membership applications.
Section 3.  The actions of the Board of Directors concerning membership application shall be final.

Article III.  Suspension of Expulsion of Members
A member renders himself/herself liable to censure, suspension or expulsion for any of the following causes:
  1. Refusal or neglect to give effect to any decision of the organization or the Board of Directors.
  2. A violation of the by-laws.
  3. He/She is found guilty of any act that reflects discredit upon the organization or the industry.
  4. Non-Payment of dues and/or mandatory assessments.
Article IV.  Districts
The state of Louisiana shall be divided into six geographical areas for representation on the Board of Directors.  A minimum of one director shall be elected from each district. The director districts shall consist of the following:
  1. New Orleans
    The area south of the Mississippi State line, east of I-55, including Houma and Thibodaux areas.
  2. Baton Rouge
    The area West of I-55, Parishes east of Atchafalaya River, including the Morgan City Area.
  3. Lake Charles/Lafayette
    The area west of Atchafalaya River, south of State Road LA-10 and west to Texas state line.
  4. Alexandria
    The area south of US Highway 84, including Parishes of Catahoula and Concordia.
  5. Shreveport
    The area north of area 4 and west of US Highway 167.
  6. Monroe
    The area east of US Highway 167 and north of US 84.
Article V.  Committees
Section 1.  The standing committees of this organization shall be:
A.  Bylaws
B.  Communication
C.  Convention
D.  Finance
E.  Hall of Fame
F.  Legislative
G.  Membership
H.  Scholarship
I.   Scholarship Tournament
J.  Training/Education
Section 2.  The President may appoint any additional committees needed to carry out the objectives of this organization. 

Article VI.  Election of Officers
Section 1.  Before each annual meeting, the President shall appoint a nominating committee comprised of at least one person from each district. Said committee shall nominate at least one active member in good standing for each vacant office.
Section 2.  Upon being informed of the committee appointment, said committee convenes in private and consider possible nominations and may interview any active member they so choose.
Section 3.  Said committee shall make the nominating report to the entire meeting when asked to do so by the President.
Section 4.  Nominations may also be made from the floor. 
Section 5.  All active members of this organization in good standing may vote.  Any candidate receiving majority vote of those members present shall fill the office.  In absence of board positions, the Board with 2/3 approvals may appoint a member to vacant position.

Article VII.  Vacancy of Office
If the presidency shall become vacant, the 1st Vice President shall fill the remainder of the term. If the 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer office shall become vacant, two-thirds of the Board of Directors present shall elect from its own a member to fill the remainder of the term.

Article VIII.  Officers
Section 1.  Duties of the President.  Two-Year Term.  The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.  He shall coordinate and supervise the activities and functions of the association.  He shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at the annual meeting.  He shall plan the agenda for the annual meeting and for all board meetings called by his order. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.  He may appoint any committee he deems advisable to promote the welfare of the association.  He may suspend or remove any committee chairman or committee member appointed by him if he deems this to be in the best interest of the association.  He shall make an annual report to the members assembled in meeting on the progress of the association.  He shall familiarize himself with the by-laws of the association, and be available to advise and assists the districts in their activities.  He shall do any and all things that, with the approval of the Board of Directors, he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of the By-Laws, to protect the rights and interest of the association, and promote the common welfare of the members.  The term for the President shall be two years.

Section 2.  Duties of the 1st Vice President.  Two-year Term.  The 1st Vice President shall be chairman of the membership committee.  He shall become acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of the President, so that should it become necessary he can assume the duties of the President.  In case of the disability of the President to the extent that he is unable to perform his duties or his absence from any meeting where his presence would be required, the 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President during the continuance of such disability or absence.  The 1st Vice President’s position is one of assistance to the President.  The term for the 1st Vice President shall be Two-Years.

Section 3.  Duties of the 2nd Vice President.  Four-Year Term.  The 2nd Vice President shall be chairman of the convention committee.  The convention committee shall be comprised of the Executive Director, Committee Chairpersons for the Association, and any members at large that have been selected by the 2nd Vice President and President.  He shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the President and/or the 1st Vice President in the event of the absence of these officers.  Upon doing so, the 2nd Vice President shall have all the powers and responsibilities as outlined in Section 1 and 2 of this article, as if he/she were that specific officer.  The 2nd Vice President shall also have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors or the President.  The term for the 2nd Vice President shall be four years.

Section 4.  Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer: Four-Year Term.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall cause a record to be kept of the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the annual meeting, and any meetings of the members.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as directed by the Board of Directors, the By-Laws, or the President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have the responsibility of all money and funds, both special and trust, of the association.  He shall keep an adequate and correct account of the properties and business transactions of the association, including amounts of its assets, liabilities, and receipts and disbursements.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit a written report to the Board of Directors at least twice annually and more often when so requested by the President of the Board of Directors.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit an annual report to the members assembled in the meeting, and he shall relinquish the books and records to an auditing committee appointed by the President for an annual audit.  The President of the Board of Directors may request an interim audit at any time. 

Section 5.  All officers may be eligible for re-election.

Article IX.  Annual & Special Meetings
Section 1.  The annual meeting of the membership shall be held at least once in the current fiscal year.  The Board of directors shall determine the exact date and place or platform, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary/Treasurer to send a notice electronically or by mail of such meetings to all members at least 60 days prior of the annual meeting.
Section 2.  Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President upon written notice to the members stating time, place or platform, and purpose of the meeting, and sent electronically or by mail no less than 15 days prior to such meeting.  It shall be compulsory for the President to call a special meeting of the membership if he/she is requested to do so for any reason by a written request signed by 10 percent of the active members in good standing.  No business except that stated in the notice of a special meeting may be transacted at that meeting.
Section 3.  A quorum shall consist of a majority of the membership present and in good standing.  Only active members who have paid their mandatory assessments may vote at any meeting providing such assessment was levied at least 90 days prior to the meeting.

Article X.  Board of Directors
Section 1.  The Board of Directors shall consists of all officers, the immediate past President and Board Members at large sufficient in number to allow the Board of directors a total membership of 18(eighteen) with a minimum of 12(twelve) Past Presidents may ex-officially serve on the Board of Directors. Associate members shall represent a majority of the board. If an individual is represented as both an associate member and a supplier, that individual shall be considered an associate member of the board of directors. 
Section 2.  The Board of Directors shall be charged with the responsibility of employing and supervising individuals or firms needed to carry out the objectives of this organization.
Section 3.  In the event a vacancy occurs among the Board Members at Large, the President shall appoint an active member in good standing to fill the remaining term.
Section 4.  Any Board Member or officer may be relieved of his responsibility to the Board for non-performance of duties by at least a ¾ majority at any properly constituted Board of Directors meeting.
Section 5.  Board Members shall serve a Two-Year Term.
Section 6.  All Board Members may be eligible for re-election.

Article XI.  Board Meetings
Section 1.  The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice a year.  At least 30 (thirty) days notice must be given to all Board Members.  The President may hold any additional Board meetings he feels necessary for carrying out the objectives of this organization, provided that 30 (thirty) days notice is given.  If at least 7 (seven) board members request a special Board of Directors meeting, the President shall immediately call a meeting and shall give at least 10 (ten) days notice to all Board Members for a physical meeting or at least a forty-eight (48) hours notice to all Board Members for a virtual meeting.
Section 2.  Fifty (50) percent of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting.
Section 3. The President may vote only in case of a tie.
Section 4.  The Board of Directors may, without meeting together, transact business by mail, phone, email, or video conference by voting upon proposals sent to them by the Executive Director, with the approval of the President.  If, within 10 (ten) days thereafter, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors send in-writing or by electronic poll to the Executive Director their vote or such proposal, such proposal shall be deemed to have been adopted if the majority of votes are cast in favor.  The president shall immediately record any proposals and vote made outside of a meeting to the Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Director.

Article XII.  Duties of the Executive Director
Section 1.  The Executive director shall be the administrative officer of the association.  He/She shall conduct and direct the affairs of the associations under the supervision of the President and the Board of Directors.  He/She shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of all committees.  He/She shall receive all money and funds, general, special, and trust, of the association and shall transfer same to the Secretary/Treasurer for the deposit in the name of the Louisiana Tire & Automotive Service Association in an insured depository designated by the Board of Directors.  He/She may give bond for the faithful performance of his/hers duties as determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.  The Executive director shall be responsible for the keeping of the Constitution and By-Laws and all other official documents of the association.

Article XIII.  Fiscal Year & Budget
Section 1.  The fiscal year of the organization shall be January 1 – December 31 each year.
Section 2.  The Executive Director and Secretary/Treasurer shall prepare and present to the membership at the annual meeting a report reflecting the previous year’s income and expenditures, as well as a budget, anticipated income, and expenditures for the current year.

Article XIV.  Assessments
Section 1.  Assessments shall fall into two categories:
A.  Voluntary.  Assessments requested by the Board from active and associate members of the organization.
B.  Mandatory.  Assessments levied by the Board and must be paid by a member to remain in good standing.

Article XV.  Rules of Order
Section 1.  During meetings “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall be parliamentary authority for all proceedings not specifically covered by these By-Laws.  The Chair shall be the final deciding factor in the general conduct and consideration of the meeting.

Article XVI.  Amendments to the Bylaws
Section 1.  A majority of the active members present (in good standing) may amend these By-Laws providing the entire membership has received in writing or by electronic means the proposed amendment at least 30(thirty) days before a constituted meeting.
Section 2.  If the proposed amendment has been mailed or sent by electronic means at least 30 (thirty) days previous to the meeting, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the active members present (in good standing) may amend the By-Laws.

Article XVII.  Effective Clause
These By-Laws shall be placed into effect immediately upon the adoption at a duly constituted meeting.