TEXAS KALI ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME AND DOMICILE

Section 1

This Association shall be known as the Texas Kali Association (TKA).

Section 2

The principal office of the Association shall be located in Austin, Texas.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

Section 3

The primary objectives of the TKA are:

• Introduce Kali to the public through, but not limited to lectures, seminars, classes, tournaments, and exhibitions.
• Promote the study of Kali as a means to develop moral character, leadership skills, personal discipline and a healthy union of mind, body and spirit.
• Develop programs for studying, practicing and teaching Kali with an aim to preserve Kali and related arts.
• Serve the community using TKA resources

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 4

Membership in the TKA shall be through a club, organization or as an individual and will be divided into four categories:

• Individual - any person who has an interest in the study, and/or practice of the Filipino martial arts and are recognized as members of the TKA.
• Associate - any club or organization that maintains a cohesive group and upholds the standards of the TKA, and are recognized as members of the TKA.
• Affiliate – any individual, club or organization that shares a common interest with TKA and are recognized by the membership as colleagues of the TKA.
• Honorary – inactive members who have retired or moved away from TKA group locations or persons and institutions that have rendered distinguished service in promoting and developing the objectives of the TKA.

Associate, Affiliate and Honorary memberships must be approved by the Board of Officers.

Section 5 - Requirements of Membership

All members, except Affiliate, will agree to obey the rules and code of conduct of the TKA, as set forth in the Constitution, and meet the financial requirements of membership as applicable.

Section 6 - Code of Conduct

Texas Kali Association members will conduct themselves in a positive, moral and ethical manner with behavior consistent with the standards of the TKA. Mutual respect of others, property and community will maintain a stable and healthy environment for TKA members and those in contact with the TKA. Because the Texas Kali Association wishes to promote individual and community growth through the revival of Filipino martial arts, members should use the knowledge and skills learned for constructive purposes only – to promote health and to preserve life.

Section 7 - Financial Requirements of Members

Upon approval of membership, applicants shall assume responsibility for paying annual membership dues as set forth by the individual club or group. Said fees and dues will be paid on or before dates specified by the club or group.

Section 8 - Meeting of General Membership

General membership meetings shall be held annually in August or as requested by the Texas Kali Association members. Status reports from board members will be heard at each meeting. Written notice for official general membership meetings will be emailed to members at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting date. These meetings shall be called by the Board of Officers for project development, community involvement, social events, decision-making, and general voting for which a simple majority of the membership is required to validate eligible votes.

Section 9 - Status of Members/Non-Members

Applicants shall undergo a probationary period. The probationary period will allow current TKA members to evaluate the integrity, judgment, and ethics required of the candidate. A majority vote of group members shall decide whether membership will be extended to applicants.

Individuals seeking involvement with the TKA, but not membership will be known as Guests. Involvement with the TKA may include study, training, community service and/or social events. Guests will have no official vote concerning TKA matters, but the advice and wishes of a guest may be heard and considered by members. The Chief Instructor or Board of Officers will determine any financial requirements of guest (as applicable) for costs such as tuition and training.

Section 10 – Website and Internet Communications

In addition to the TKA code of conduct, the following general content rules apply to all TKA members and visitors to the Texas Kali website.

• Do not use obscene or offensive language;
• Disagree with due respect, avoid personal attacks;
• No anonymous postings, use your real name;
• Do not solicit, advertise or post spam;
• Respect the privacy of others, do not collect identifying information from participants.

TKA reserves the right to remove comments from the Forum and Guest Book sections that fail to meet our standards. The Board of Officers will monitor and, if appropriate, censor unacceptable content.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 11 - Officers of the Association

In order to organize, regulate and oversee the growth and development of the Texas Kali Association, there shall be a Board of Officers. Officers have been chosen upon the initial birth of the TKA and will remain in office until future board decisions require a change. This board of officers shall make all final decisions, commitments and actions for the TKA while representing all members of the TKA.

Section 12 – Association Founder

The Founder, when participating in association meetings, shall be the only board member with veto power in all matters involving the Texas Kali Association.

Section 13 - Chief Instructor

The Chief Instructor is responsible for overseeing the establishment of training materials, standards of performance and criteria for promotion of the members.

Section 14 - President

The President shall be the chief executive of the Association. He shall sign contracts, documents and other instruments that the Association is authorized to execute. In general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the President.

Section 15 - Vice President

The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out his functions. He shall have such powers and perform such duties as the President may delegate to him.

Section 16 -Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the financial officer of the Association. He shall perform such duties with respect to the finances of the Association.

Section 17 - Director of Operations

The Director of Operations shall record the attendance and proceedings of all meetings of the Association. He shall conduct the monthly organizational reviews and publish meeting minutes. He shall also maintain a roster of the TKA members.

Section 18 – Director of Public Relations

The Director of Public Relations shall function as the correspondent for the Texas Kali Association in matters of community involvement. He shall perform such duties that relate to organizing and representing the TKA within the community at large. He is responsible for communications via mail, email and/or the TKA Website.

Section 19 - Ad Hoc Representative

At times deemed appropriate by the Board of Officers, a temporary board member may be added for special purposes. This additional officer may be a project, camp, seminar or tournament director, a representative from affiliated groups or any single member or committee designed to fulfill additional needs of the Texas Kali Association.

Section 20 – Associate Directors

The Associate Director is elected by the associate group members. They are responsible for instructional and organizational activities in a defined geographic area, club or school.

Section 21 - Election of Officers

Immediately following the election of the Board of Officers, the Board shall convene an organizational meeting and elect from among themselves and from its outstanding and distinguished members, Association officers. The Board of Officers shall issue such rules and regulations governing the manner, mode, restrictions and qualifications of candidates for elections as executive officers.

Section 22 - Voting

Regular and associate members of good standing have the right to vote in a corporate transaction and to vote and be voted in an election for directorship and in other executive offices. Affiliate and Honorary members have no right of suffrage.

Section 23 – Elected Board of Officers

Founder - Erwin M. Ballarta

Chief Instructor – Erwin M. Ballarta

President - Leslie L. Buck, Jr.

Vice President – Rudy Salazar

Director of Operations - Rich Reynolds

Treasurer - To Be Elected

Director of Public Relations - To Be Elected

Associate Director(s)

· San Antonio Group - Mike Connolly

· Victoria Group – Jason Cross

Ad Hoc Director(s)

• Demo Team – Rene Rodriguez
• Kali Mastery Camp – Rene Rodriguez
• Public Relations – Arvee Garde

ARTICLE V - FISCAL YEAR

Section 23

The fiscal year of the Association shall begin January 1st and end on December 31st of the following year.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS

Section 24

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended or altered by the Board of Officers with unanimous consent of the Board and a majority vote of general members.

ARTICLE VII – REVISION HISTORY

Original Issue – October 1996

Revision 1 – May 2004; added the new officers based on the June elections, June 2004