Section
1
The overall purpose of the GCIA is to promote professionalism
and consumer awareness of the automotive collision repair industry
in the State of Georgia.
Section 2 - Objectives
a) To promote the adoption and application of the highest quality
of customer service and fair business practices by the members of
the GCIA.
b) To prevent and eliminate any and all abuses within the automotive
collision repair industry in the State of Georgia.
c) To educate and expose the public to fair business practices within
the automotive collision repair industry in Georgia.
d) To improve the economic welfare of the members of the GCIA.
e) To promote the study and improvement of auto body repair techniques
and education, and to disseminate accurate information about developments
in the automotive collision repair industry.
f) To establish an automotive collision repair apprenticeship program
to promote the profession as a vocation and to supply the shrinking
work force demand.
g) To promote uniformity and certainty in the customs and usages in
the automotive collision repair industry and associated industries.
h) To assist in settling differences between GCIA members fairly,
equitably, and justly.
i) To secure, by all lawful means, efficiency in the operation of
auto body repair facilities in the State of Georgia.
j) Improve working relationships between repair operations and insurance
companies.
k) To promote cooperation with other industries and agencies directly
associated with the automotive collision repair industry in the State
of Georgia.
l) To monitor and report on State and Federal legislation that affects
the industry.
m) To promote the activities and resources of aligned industry associations
such as SCRS and I-CAR and to actively work with these groups for
the betterment of the entire automotive collision repair industry.
Article
III
Membership
Section
1 - Eligibility
Membership is open to any business that owns and operates an automotive
collision repair facility in the State of Georgia or any business
that is directly related by providing services and/or supplies, materials,
and equipment to automotive collision repair operations. Related business
members do not have to maintain an office in the State of Georgia.
Section 2 - Levels of Membership
a) Collision Repair Operation, State of Georgia (up to five [5] company
employees).
b) Associate member - individuals in or associated with the industry.
c) Industry Related. Includes, but not limited to: manufacturers of
PBE supplies, service companies, insurance companies, rental car agencies,
information providers, and any and all other related companies that
serve the automotive collision repair industry and its operations.
d) All levels of membership shall have one (1) vote and be entitled
to vote. Collision Repair Operation level memberships with more than
one member are entitled to one vote, although up to five (5) employees
may participate in the GCIA.
Section 3 - Dues
All members shall pay annual membership dues. Annual membership is
for a period from January 01 through December 31 of each year. Annual
dues are payable by the 31st day of January of each year, except when
new members join, whereas, dues are payable at time of admission to
the GCIA for the remainder of that year. The following is the membership
fees for each level of membership:
a) $300.00 - Collision Repair Operation, State of Georgia (up to five
[5] company employees).
b) $50.00 - Associate member, individual.
c) $500.00 - Industry Related.
Section 4 - Admission
Members may be admitted to the GCIA under the following conditions:
a) A membership form is properly completed and submitted to the Secretary
of the GCIA.
b) Executive Committee approves admission application by unanimous
vote.
c) Annual membership dues are paid and received by the Treasurer of
the GCIA based on level of membership option.
Section 5 - Records
a) The Secretary of the GCIA shall keep and maintain an accurate list
of each member, including name, address, phone/fax numbers, eMail
address, and Web site Domain URL.
b) The Treasurer of the GCIA shall keep and maintain an accurate list
of all dues paid by members.
Section 6 - Disciplinary Action
a) The Executive Committee may recommend suspension or termination
of any member that violates the GCIA By Laws and/or any other GCIA
Rules and Regulations.
b) Any action taken against any GCIA member by any insurance commissioner
office must be reported to the Committee on Arbitration.
c) Any member being three (3) months arrears in membership dues shall
stand suspended and be notified by the Secretary of the GCIA. Membership
will be reinstated upon payment of dues and approval by 2/3 vote of
the Executive Committee. If payment of dues is not paid with thirty
(30) days of written notice from the Secretary of the GCIA, the member
shall be terminated by 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 7 - Association Property
a) Any and all logos, plaques, literature, signs, materials, equipment
used by a member shall be subject to recall in the event a member
is disciplined, suspended, terminated or resigns from the GCIA.
Article
IV
Voting
Section
1
No membership level shall have more than one (1) vote. Voting rights
may be transferred to another member of the same company.
Section 2
All
actions of the GCIA shall be by majority vote, except as otherwise
provided in the By Laws. Proxies will be accepted as deemed necessary
by the Executive Committee. Voting shall be by a show of hands counted
by the presiding officer and verified by the Vice-Chairman, Secretary
or Treasurer. Written ballots shall be utilized at the discretion
of the presiding officer.
Article
V
Organization
and Officers
Section
1 - By Laws
There shall be an annual review of the Association By Laws at the
regularly scheduled meeting in September of each year. Any amendments
shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the GCIA and copies
supplied to all members for review. The full membership body, in attendance,
shall vote upon amendments during the regularly scheduled meeting
in November of each year. Approved amendments shall be effective on
January 01 of the next calendar year.
Section 2 - Executive Committee
The
Executive Committee shall determine policies and activities of the
GCIA, manage financial requirements of the Association, establish
and abolish committees, appoint committee chairs and membership, and
have general management of the Association.
a) The Executive Committee shall consist of the Executive Director,
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Operations Manager,
and all standing committee Chairs.
b) Members of the Executive Committee shall be GCIA members in good
standing.
c) The Executive Committee shall meet one (1) hour prior to the regular,
bi-monthly scheduled GCIA meeting; or as often the Committee may deem
as necessary. The Secretary shall deliver notice of special meetings
to Committee members by first class USPS mail at least five (5) days
in advance of the meeting.
d) Two-thirds of the Executive Committee constitutes a quorum for
the transaction of business. In the absence of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman,
the committee shall choose a chairman for the meeting. If a quorum
is not present, the Executive Director will determine when to reschedule
the Committee meeting.
e) Any Executive Committee member absent from three (3) consecutive
meetings shall be reviewed by the Executive Director for possible
replacement. If it is determined that the position should be filled,
the Executive Committee shall do so by majority vote and fill the
position as provided by the By Laws.
f) Whenever any vacancy shall occur in the Executive Committee by
death, resignation, or otherwise, the position shall be filled by
election by a 2/3 majority of the committee at its next scheduled
meeting. That person shall hold office until the next regular election
of officers.
g) An Executive Committee member may be removed for cause by a vote
of 2/3 of the committee at a regular or special meeting.
h) The Executive Director, the Chairman, or the Treasurer may approve
any expenditure of $200.00 or less of Association funds for payment.
The Executive Committee must approve any expenditure above $200.00
by majority vote, either by meeting or polling by phone or fax.
Section 3 - Officers
Officers of the GCIA consist of the Executive Director, Chairman,
Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Operations Manager. Officers
are nominated and elected from a majority of the full membership at
the regular scheduled November Association meeting of even numbered
years. Officers hold their positions for a period of two years and
take office beginning January of the following year after the election.
Section 4 - Duties of Officers
The duties and powers of the GCIA officers will be as follows:
a) Executive Director:
b) Chairman:
1. The Chairman shall preside at all regular and special meetings
of the Association and of the Executive Committee, and shall be a
member ex-officio, with right to vote, of all committees.
2. He shall appoint all committees, temporary and permanent. He shall
be one of the officers who may sign checks on behalf of the Association.
He shall have such powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging
to the Chief Executive of any organization.
3. The President shall also, at such times as he shall deem proper,
communicate such matters and make such suggestions as may in his opinion
tend to promote the prosperity and increase the usefulness of the
Association, and shall perform such other duties as are necessarily
to the office of the President.
c) Vice-Chairman:
1. In case of death or absence of the Chairman, or his inability for
any reason to act, and during the period of such absence of incapacity,
the Vice-Chairman of the Association shall have all the rights, privileges,
and powers as if he had been duly elected Chairman. The Vice-Chairman
shall also perform such other duties as usually pertain to his office,
or as may be assigned him by the Chairman or the Executive Committee.
d) Secretary:
1. The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the Association
in the appropriate books. He shall file any certificates required
by any Federal or State statute, he shall serve all notices to members
of the Association and attend all meetings of the Association, and
Executive Committee, and keep a record of their acts and resolutions.
He is to conduct all correspondence and to carry into execution all
orders, votes and resolutions not otherwise committed and to keep
a list of members of the Association. He shall attend to all correspondence
of the organization in connection with the duties incident to the
office of the Secretary. In the absence of disability of the Secretary,
the Chairman may appoint a Secretary Pro Tem.
e) Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall keep an account of all money received and expended
for the use of the Association, and shall make disbursements as approved
by the Executive Committee. He shall deposit all sums received in
a bank or trust company approved in writing by the Executive Committee.
He shall make an annual report when called upon by the Chairman. The
funds, books and vouchers in his hands shall at all times be under
the supervision of the Executive Committee, and subject to its inspection
and control. At the expiration of his term of office he shall deliver
over to his successor all book, money and other property, or, in the
absence of a Treasurer-elect, to the Chairman. In the absence or disability
of the Treasurer, the Chairman may appoint a Treasurer Pro Tem.
Article
VI
Committees
Section
1 - Standing Committees
Standing committees of the GCIA shall be as follows:
a) Committee on Membership
b) Committee on Legislation and Statistics
c) Committee on Public Relations
d) Committee on Education
e) Committee on Arbitration
Section 2 - Special Committees
The Chairman and/or the Executive Committee may, at any time, establish
and appoint other committees on any subject for which there are no
standing committees of the GCIA.
Section 3 - Committee Membership
The Executive Committee and/or Chairman will nominate, along with
each Committee Chair, select and appoint members to each committee.
Article
VII
Meetings
Section
1 - Schedule
The GCIA will hold regular bi-monthly meetings on the third Thursday
of each odd-numbered month during the year. Regularly scheduled meeting
dates may change but will be announced at the previous meeting. All
attempts will be made by the Secretary to notify all members of any
changes to schedule meeting date or time.
a) Meetings will begin at 7:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm.
b) Meetings will be held at a convenient location determined by the
Executive Committee.
Section 2 - Quorum
A presence of twenty-five percent (25%) of all paid members in good
standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
at regular scheduled meetings.
Section 3 - Order of Business
The order of business for meetings shall be as outlined below. Robert's
Rules of Order shall prevail. Any questions as to priority of business
shall be decided by the Chairman without debate.
