FTDTA ByLaws

ARTICLE I - GENERAL

Name of Organization:
This association shall be known as the Florida Tourist Development Tax Association, hereinafter known as FTDTA.
Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year of this association shall begin October 1, ending September 30.
Rules of Order:
All meetings and affairs of this association shall be conducted as provided for herein. If these Bylaws are silent as to a particular item, Roberts Rules of Order shall be followed.

ARTICLE II - MISSION STATEMENT

The Florida Tourist Development Tax Association (FTDTA) is a professional association dedicated to the preservation, promotion, education and professional recognition of Tourist Development Tax Officials and related personnel throughout the State of Florida.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Definition:
The membership shall be composed of County and City Tourist Development Tax Officials and related employees of those counties and cities one of the designated tourist related taxes authorized by Florida law.
Designated Primary Contact:
Each county or city may designate a Primary Contact for the areas of Collection, Enforcement, and/or Auditing. The Designated Primary Contact, herein after known as DPC, will be listed in the Membership Directory. Regional Directors should be notified of all DPC changes.

ARTICLE IV - STRATEGIC GOALS/OBJECTIVES

  1. To promote communication between the Florida Department of Revenue and the local taxing officials.
  2. To promote continuity between local taxing officials and the Florida Department of Revenue regarding taxes on transient rentals.
  3. To develop and maintain a communications network and distribution system throughout the State of Florida providing the following to all members:
    1. Timely distribution of written correspondence and other materials relative to Tourist Development Tax Issues, including but not limited to, minutes of meetings and statute or rule changes.
    2. Expansion of the use of telecommunications systems (telephones, facsimile machines, etc.) by ensuring that all DPC’s are provided current membership listings and other pertinent information.
    3. A forum for support, feedback, and cooperation for the benefit of the members.
  4. To conduct, analyze and develop options and recommendations relative to proposed and/or enacted Tourist Development Tax legislation.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Goals:
The Board of Directors shall provide leadership, guidance, and general direction for the association. The Board of Directors shall strive to set and accomplish goals and objectives for the association and its committees.
Composition:
  1. The Board of Directors shall consist of:
    1. One (1) elected President
    2. One (1) elected Vice-President
    3. One (1) elected Secretary
    4. One (1) elected Treasurer
    5. Five (5) Regional Directors
  2. Each Regional Director shall represent one (1) region and shall be elected from that region.
  3. The President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected by the membership at large.
Terms of Office:
Each member of the duly elected Board of Directors will assume office on October 1st. Each shall serve a two (2) year term except the President and Vice-President, who shall serve a one-year term. Directors from Region 1, Region 4 and the Treasurer shall be elected at the annual conference in odd numbered years with the Directors from Region 2, Region 3 and Region 5, and the Secretary being elected at the annual conference in even numbered years. The President and Vice-President shall be elected annually at the conference. To provide for a smooth transition between Boards, during the interim period between elections and October 1st the newly elected Board Members shall be designated as President-Elect, Vice President-Elect, Secretary-Elect, Treasurer-elect, and Director-Elect, and each shall ahve full voting rights for all association business.0
Vacancies:
  1. Any vacancy in a Regional Director position shall be filled for the remainder of the term by a member of the vacated region as elected by that regions’ DPC’s.
  2. The President, upon receiving a notice of resignation, shall notify all DPC’s of the vacated region and request a nomination from each. The person who has received the most nominations shall be designated to fill the unexpired term. If no one person receives a majority of the nominations, the nominated names shall be distributed to the DPC’s to vote. The person receiving the most votes shall be declared to fill the unexpired term.
  3. If the President should resign, the Vice-President shall assume the office and serve out the remainder of the term.
  4. If the Vice-President or Secretary, or Treasurer should resign, the Board will fill the vacancy for the remainder of that term by the selection of one of the Regional Directors. If no Director is willing or able to assume the position, the Board shall call for a special election to be handled in the same manner as a Regional Director vacancy except that it will be conducted throughout the five regions.

ARTICLE VI – POWERS AND DUTIES OF PRESIDENT

  1. To provide leadership to the members of the Association in the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Board of Directors and the membership at large.
  2. To prepare and preside over Board of Director meetings and the annual conference.
  3. To appoint committees as deemed necessary.
  4. To conduct elections as may be required by vacancies on the Board.
  5. To receive all official correspondence of the Association.
  6. To appoint a designee as needed.

ARTICLE VII – POWERS OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT

  1. To provide leadership to the members of the Association in the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Board of Directors and the membership at large.
  2. To preside over Board of Director meetings and the annual conference if the President is unable to attend.
  3. Duties as appointed by the President.

ARTICLE VIII– POWERS AND DUTIES OF SECRETARY

  1. To record and distribute the minutes of the Board of Director meetings and the Annual Conference.
  2. To prepare all official correspondence at the direction of the Board of Directors.
  3. To maintain the official records of the Association.
  4. To notify the President of any irregularities.
  5. To ensure the proper and timely filing of all required reports to any regulatory agency.

ARTICLE IX – POWERS AND DUTIES OF TREASURER

  1. To secure and maintain the finances of the Association.
  2. To maintain financial records and submit the records to the Audit Committee annually for review.
  3. To report the financial status of the Association to the Board of Directors at each Board meeting and to the membership at the Annual Conference.
  4. To receive and balance the monthly bank statements.
  5. To oversee the collection and deposit of all funds for the Annual Conference. To ensure proper and timely payment of all invoices owed by the Association.
  6. To notify the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of any irregularities.
  7. To ensure the proper and timely filing of all required reports and returns to any taxing or regulatory agency.

ARTICLE X - POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. To provide overall planning and direction for the FTDTA on an annual and long-term basis.
  2. To be available to assist in the activities of the FTDTA and provide contact with the individual members.
  3. To oversee and direct committees as needed.
  4. To encourage the exchange of ideas and information between members and other interested parties.
  5. To take all necessary steps to ensure achievement of the FTDTA’s mission and goals, to include but not be limited to, the accomplishment of committee responsibilities and duties.
  6. To propose amendments to the Bylaws approved by majority vote of the Board. The proposed amendments must be approved and ratified by a majority vote of the membership at any regular or special meeting prior to becoming effective. Written notice of such meeting containing the text of the proposed amendments must be furnished to each DPC not less than forty-five (45) days prior to such meeting.
  7. To meet at least four (4) times during the year. A majority of the Board must be present or represented. Meetings may be conducted in person, by telephone, or in whatever other way that reasonably will allow the transaction of business, recognition of a quorum and is agreed to by the board.
  8. To call special meetings of the membership provided that at least thirty (30) days written notice is given.
  9. To determine the structure of the five (5) regions.

ARTICLE XI - EFFECTIVE DATE

These Bylaws shall be effective immediately upon approval by the members in accordance with ARTICLE X of these Bylaws.

—Approved by the membership this 28th day of July 2005

Phyllis Graham , DIRECTOR, Region #1

Joanna Young , DIRECTOR, Region #2

Artis Dukes , DIRECTOR, Region #3

Tim Parks , DIRECTOR, Region #4

Randall Luechauer . DIRECTOR, Region #5