Bylaws of The National Association of Traffic Accident Reconstructionists and Investigators

NAME AND SEAL

natari bylawsSection 1. The name of this corporation is the National Association of Traffic Accident Reconstructionists and Investigators, hereinafter known as the 'Association".

Section 2. The corporate seal of the Association shall be in such form and design as the Board of Directors may select and shall bear the name of the Association.

Section 3. Definition - The National Association of Traffic Accident Reconstructionists and Investigators is defined as follows: to promote the public safety and welfare; to develop statistical data and the education of its members, affiliates as well as the general public regarding traffic accidents in order to determine the cause of accidents and preventative measures. The organization is to represent an Association of individuals who attain the standards developed and established by the Association and in order to certify those qualified to investigate, analyze, compute and reconstruct the cause or causes of traffic accidents.

Section 4. The corporation is organized exclusively for the purposes provided for under Section 501 (c) (7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incidental or otherwise.

PURPOSE

Section 1. The purposes and objectives of the Association are:

(a) To encourage, promote, aid in and effect the voluntary interchange among members of the Association of data, information, experience, ideas and knowledge about methods, processes, and techniques relating to the profession of accident investigation and reconstruction.

(b) To promote a representative and centralized body or organization to collect, collate, coordinate and distribute data, ideas, knowledge, methods and techniques by any suitable means. Such distribution will be intended to improve the efficiency of, and, if deemed advisable, promote uniformity in accident investigation and reconstruction as such, and develop matters of mutual interest of its members.

(c) To establish ethical and professional standards of work and conduct for its members and to foster and encourage observance of the same.

(d) To publish and distribute books, pamphlets, periodicals, papers and articles supportive of the activities and purposes of the Association, to compile and maintain lists registers and records of those persons responsible for promulgating and carrying out the function of the Association in business, institutions, industry and government, and to publish and distribute the same to the extent deemed advisable; and to establish and conduct such committees, bureaus and offices as are necessary and incidental to the activities of the Association.

(e) To make surveys and studies; hold conferences, symposia, seminars and forums and arrange for the presentation of lectures and papers on matters and problems of interest; to foster, promote, encourage and facilitate discussion, study and research on matters and problems of accident investigation and reconstruction, and generally to collect and disseminate, in any manner deemed appropriate information of service or interest to its members or the public at large.

(f) To conduct and carry on such other related activities as may be necessary, desirable or incidental to gaining recognition of the Association and the attainment of its purposes, including recognition of accomplishments in the field of accident investigation and reconstruction within business, industry and government.

(g) To solicit and collect money for any of the purposes of the Association through entrance fees, membership dues and/or special assessments and/or by acceptance of gifts, legacies, bequests, endowments or otherwise to carry on activities for the purpose of raising funds; to expend, contribute and disburse any funds and/or invest and reinvest in any kind of property or securities (whether or not appropriate for the investment of trust funds); and otherwise to handle and deal with or dispose of any funds collected or monies received, and the income there from, for any and all of the purposes of the Association.

(h) To have offices and to promote and carry on all or any of the activities of the Association, and in connection wherewith to incur any indebtedness or liability deemed necessary or advisable; to issue notes, debentures or other similar obligations to evidence any such liability or indebtedness and to secure the same by pledge or other lien upon any property or assets of the Association and to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire and to hold or sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of any such property, real, personal and mixed, as may be requisite for the transaction of its business or the conduct of its affairs in any state, district, territory or country.

(i) To exercise all powers that are or may hereafter be conferred upon a corporation by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA and to do any and all such other acts and things, including the making and performing of any contracts necessary, desirable or appropriate to carry out or accomplish any of the objects or purposes of the Association, except as herein prohibited or forbidden by the articles of the corporation or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA.

Section 3. Nothing herein shall constitute members of the Association as partners for any purpose. No officer, member or employee of the Association shall be liable for the acts or failure to act on the part of any other officer, member or employee of the Association. Nor shall any officer, member or employee be liable for his act or failure to act under these Bylaws, excepting only acts commissions to act arising out of his willful misfeasance.

Section 4. The Association shall use its funds only to accomplish the purposes and objectives specified in these Bylaws, and no part of said funds shall inure or be distributed to the members of the Association. On dissolution of the Association, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified non-profit charitable, educational, scientific, or philanthrophic organizations, as selected by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. It is not the intention of the Association to issue any stock, to any shareholder, at any time.

MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION

Section 1. Membership in the Association is open only to individuals in the accident investigation and reconstruction field who are of high moral character and who have demonstrated a high degree of integrity.

Section 2. The membership of the Association shall consist of the following classes:

(a) Active Members: Accident Investigators and Reconstructionists who have evidenced a professional level of competence in the accident field will be enrolled as members of the Association in the following categories as determined by the membership committee.

[1] Reconstructionists - one who has demonstrated knowledge, training and skills in the following areas of accident work: lamp and tire analysis; time/space; scale and collision diagramming; estimate of speed using the following methods: skidmarks, yaw marks, vehicle flip, fall and vaults, critical curve speed, conservation of linear momentum and kinetic energy. Vehicle positioning prior, during and after  collision; evasive driving tactics; driving strategy; causation of injuries; law violation; extensive comprehension of traffic control devices; environment at the time of the accident; culpability of driver(s); testimony in Courts of Record. Members of this class shall also meet the requirements of subsection [2].

[2] Investigators - one who has demonstrated knowledge training and skills in the following areas of accident work: photography of scene and involved vehicles; recording of road, weather, lighting visibility and other data collection as required. Minimal interpretation of data and causation factors. Comprehension of traffic control devices and law violation. Interviews and written statements of witnesses and involved parties. Testimony in Courts of Record.

Members of the above classes shall demonstrate abilities as listed, to be determined by the Membership Committee at the time of the initial membership application. Members classed as investigators may upon written request, submit satisfactory proof of membership of the accident reconstruction class requirements to the Membership Committee for consideration. No membership application is necessary and the processing fee shall be waived for members requesting class changes. A member is eligible for this review not more than twice a year.

(b) Associate Members - any person not eligible as provided in section (a) above, but otherwise qualified as determined by the Membership Committee.

(c) Fellow of Society - special membership granted to an individual who has, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of this Association, contributed substantially to the professionalism and standards of the Accident Investigation and Reconstruction field.

Section 3. No person under eighteen (18) years shall be eligible for membership in the Association.