Bylaws of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PUBLICLY FUNDED TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS

Mission Statement: The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools is an organization established for the promotion of professionalism and quality education within the trucking industry.

ARTICLE I - TITLE AND LOCATION
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the “National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools,” in this document it will be referred to as the “Association”.
Section 2. Offices of the Association shall be located in such localities as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. To encourage member schools to promote high standards and ethical principles in the creation and/or administration of training programs.
Section 2. Support member schools as they strive to maintain these standards and principles while providing quality services to the student and the trucking industry.
Section 3. To work to enhance the national image of publicly funded truck driving schools.
Section 4. To actively promote educational resource sharing among Association members; materials could include but would not be limited to curriculum, instructional technology, and marketing strategies.
Section 5. To distribute among Association members current data that could directly impact their schools.
Section 6. To foster educational partnerships among Association members, trucking companies, and related industries; the intent will be to better meet the training needs of the students and the industries they will serve.
Section 7. To provide guidance and advice when Association members are requested to provide comprehensive educational services to the trucking industry — that is, services beyond basic truck driver training.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
FULL MEMBERSHIP: Any publicly funded school or representative employee of that school engaged directly in providing truck driver training shall be eligible for FULL membership in this Association. Each Full Member of the Association shall have one vote.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: Any industry or representative employee of that industry which indirectly supports public truck driving schools shall be eligible for ASSOCIATE membership. Associate members will be limited to agencies such as trucking companies, insurance companies, publishers, and equipment manufacturers interested in the welfare of publicly funded truck driving schools. Associate members are non-voting and ineligible for the Board of Directors.
AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP: AFFILIATE members will be limited to administrators or staff at publicly funded schools interested in the trucking industry or administrators in public schools that contract with proprietary organizations to provide truck driver training. Affiliate members are non-voting and ineligible for the Board of Directors.
Section 1. Proprietary schools will not be eligible for membership.
Section 2. Application for membership shall be made on an application form as may be required by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. A majority vote of the Board of Directors is necessary for the acceptance of an application for membership. Vote may be conducted via telephone or electronically.
Section 4. All applicants who have been accepted into the membership of the Association must submit a fully completed and signed application form that, by doing, signifies their adherence of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of said Association.
Section 5. Membership in the applicable class shall be complete upon application of the Association, approval of the Board, and payment of the appropriate dues.
Section 6. A member may be suspended or expelled for conduct that discredits or tends to discredit the Association; this is done by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any regular meeting.
Section 7. Members expelled for nonpayment of dues may reapply for membership in the manner prescribed in Section 2 of this Article.

ARTICLE IV - DUES AND FEES
Section 1. Dues for all membership categories in this Association shall be fixed from time to time by resolutions of the Board of Directors adopted at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, ten (10) days prior to the meeting. All Directors should receive written notice of the resolution. Dues are $175 per year for Full Members, $350 per year for Associate or $250 for Affiliate Members.
Section 2. Annual dues shall be payable to the Association Treasurer for each membership year. Initial dues will be payable according to a prorated schedule at the time of application.
Section 3. The Treasurer shall notify members who fail to pay their dues within ninty days (90) from the time the same become due. If payment is not made within the next ninty (90) days, they shall be reported to the Board of Directors as in arrears. If so ordered, they shall be dropped from the role of membership, and thereupon forfeit all rights and privileges of members who share in the property and assets of the Association.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1. The annual meeting of this Association shall be held each year on the date and at a place to be selected by the Board of Directors. The President of the Board of Directors may call special meetings.
Section 2. An annual Board of Directors meeting will be held. The purpose of this meeting will be to strategically plan the goals and objectives of the Association and to review current goals and objective status.
Section 3. A monthly meeting of the Board of Directors will be held via telephone conference calling. Such meetings will be scheduled and coordinated by the President. Committee reports will be a regular agenda item at each meeting of the Board. A summary of meeting minutes will be available to the full membership via the website.
Section 4. Regional meetings will be encouraged and coordinated by hosting representatives appointed by the Board of Directors. Hosting representatives will be responsible for all meeting notification. A committee designed by the hosting representative will accomplish planning and coordination.
Section 5. A written or printed notice stating the time, location, and agenda for Board meetings shall be sent conventionally or electronically to Board members at their last known facsimile number or address, not less than two (2) days before the meeting is held.
Section 6. A quorum of any annual or special meeting of the members of the Association shall consist of twelve (12) or more members of this Association in good standing present at such meeting.

ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall conduct the business affairs of the Association.
Section 2. The total number of members to the Board of Directors of this Association shall be twelve (12) as follows: President, 2-year term; Vice President, 2-year term; Secretary, 3-year term; Treasurer, 3-year term; and eight board members, 3-year terms.
The Board Members of this Association shall be nominated from the membership at large and shall serve for terms of three (3) years. Board Members shall be elected at the annual convention and serve their term of office or until their respective successors shall be duly elected and qualified.
Section 3. The Board Members of this Association shall be nominated from the membership at large and shall serve for terms of three (3) years.
Section 4. The role of Past Presidents will be to represent the Association as deemed appropriate by the current Executive Board.
Section 5. The first regular meeting of the newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately after the close of the annual meeting of members.
Section 6. Six (6) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Four (4) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at special/emergency meetings of the Board.
Section 7. Whenever the President shall deem necessary, a vote of the Board of Directors may be cast on any matter during the meeting when a quorum is met by mail, facsimile communication, electronic mail, or other appropriate means. When the Board of Directors requires a mail vote, such vote shall be received in the office of the Association within ten (10) days of the postmark date on the ballot envelope that was sent out to such Board member.
Section 8. If a vacancy shall occur in the membership of the Board for any reason, such vacancy shall be filled by a majority voice or fax or mail in vote of the remaining members of the Board. The board member so elected shall hold office for the unexpired term or until a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 9. The Board of Directors may authorize reimbursement of expenses of members who attend special meetings, appearances, or presentations on behalf of the Association. Reimbursement requires a motion and majority vote.
Section 10. The Board of Directors will be responsible for overseeing any committee formed to address issues of mutual interest.
Section 11. Representatives from stakeholder associations/organizations will be invited to participate in Association board meetings as appropriate.
Section 12. Members shall qualify for nomination to the Board by demonstration of 1 (one) year of active participation in the Association. Deleted a sentence here.
Section 13. Members of the board are expected to attend all prescheduled meetings. Board members failing to attend three consecutive or a total of four scheduled meetings will be removed by office.
Section 14. The board may hire an Executive Director on an annual term, which may be renewed each year at the annual meeting. The board shall determine the stipend each year. The Executive Director shall be chosen by a committee and brought to the full board for approval. The board shall outline the Executive Director’s job duties and description.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary. All officers shall be full members of the Association, have served one year of duty on the Board of Directors, and been employed by a publicly funded school for a minimum of two years.
Section 3. The term of the Vice President shall be two years. Election for a new Vice President will take place every two years. The Vice President shall act as the point-of-contact for committee chairpersons. At the end of two years the Vice-President will assume the office of President.
Section 5. The President shall preside over all regular and special meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association. The President shall submit a state of the Association report at each annual meeting.
Section 6. The term of the Secretary shall be three (3) years or until his/her successor shall have been elected and duly qualified. The Secretary shall be responsible for the preservation of all records and documents of the Association. He/she shall keep complete minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. The term of the Treasurer shall be three (3) years or until his/her successor shall have been elected and duly qualified. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds and assets of the Association. All funds of the Association shall be deposited within a bank deemed secure by the Treasurer and the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall report an itemized listing of financial activities during the monthly Board of Directors conference call and deliver an annual report of the financial activities of the Association together with a report of all receipts and disbursements. When directed by the President or the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall furnish reports of receipts and disbursements together with vouchers supporting such disbursements. The books of the Association shall be audited by a certified public accountant at such times deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
Section 8. In the event of a resignation or vacancy created by other than the ordinary expiration of a duly elected officer’s term, the Board of Directors shall nominate one or more candidates for each vacancy. The Board may, at a regular or special meeting, elect by majority vote a qualified person to fill the vacancy. Persons so elected shall serve until a successor is elected for a full term at the next annual meeting.
Section 9. An officer whose employer is no longer a publicly funded school must immediately resign their position. Such member may still be eligible for an Associate Membership within the Association.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees formed by the Board of Directors will actively carry out the objectives of the Association.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The Board of Directors may approve amendments to the bylaws by a two-thirds (2/3) vote. This vote can take place at any regular or special meeting of the Board called in conformity with the provisions of these bylaws, provided that the Directors have received a copy of the proposed amendment and written explanation therefore at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE X-AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Code of Ethics:
NAPFTDS is committed to providing training programs that earn and maintain public confidence, adhering to sound and ethical business practices. NAPFTDS recognizes that member schools engage in direct marketing; and, thereby, assume certain responsibilities toward potential students, other member schools, employers, and the community at large.

NAPFTDS hereby sets forth the basic fair and ethical principles and practices to which member schools will adhere in the conduct of their training.

BUSINESS STANDARDS

1. Schools will ensure that educational and business practices are in observance to applicable laws, regulations and accrediting standards.
2. No member schools shall engage in any deceptive or unlawful practice.
3. Schools will provide adequate training resources to support quality program/course delivery.

ENROLLMENT

1. Schools will not deny admission on the basis of race, creed, sex or national origin.
2. Schools will provide students with a written description of the training program and/or course prior to enrollment.
3. Schools will communicate in writing to students an equitable and prompt refund and cancellation policy which is consistent with regulatory and accrediting standards.
4. School personnel will not knowingly influence any student to leave another educational institution.

INSTRUCTORS

1. Instructors will possess good character and professional attitude.
2. By experience and/or training, Instructors will have the required knowledge and skills necessary to educate students in proper and safe operations of a commercial vehicle.
3. Instructors will be appropriately licensed/certified.
4. Schools will provide instructors and staff with professional development adequate to maintain their professional knowledge and skills.
5. Students / Instructor ratios should be maintained to ensure quality training.

STUDENT REQUIRMENTS

1. It is the school’s responsibility to ensure that all applicants are qualified to enter the training program / course offered.
2. The prospective student should have a valid state license with NO current driving privilege suspension in any state.
3. Prospective students should demonstrate physical qualifications by passing a D.O.T. physical examination and drug screening as required by FMCSR part 391.
4. Prospective students should meet current hiring criteria as set by the trucking industry.

DISCLOSURE

1. Schools will ensure that prospective students are fully and accurately informed about the nature of the specific training experience provided.
2. Schools will disclose in writing to prospective student requirements for entering training (i.e. minimum age, acceptable vision, acceptable hearing, physical condition, language, driving record, drug and alcohol policy, transportation, and attendance).
3. Schools will provide prospective students with an explanation of job entry requirements within the trucking industry without implied claim or guarantee of employment.

COURSE OF INSTRUCTION

1. Training should enable the student to learn the skills required to drive a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle and to apply these skills to specific driving situations.
2. Instruction will conform to educational guidelines as approved by the state in which the training is being offered.
3. Each student will be given a copy of the D.O.T. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
4. Training will be provided over a variety of road types, traffic conditions and driving situations.
5. Assessment and documentation will be maintained on each student.
6. Schools will provide each graduate the opportunity to test for a commercial driver’s license.

COMPETENCIES

1. To graduate, students must demonstrate by proper testing procedures an understanding of the basic operation of the tractor-trailer so that they may function properly as an entry-level driver in the trucking industry.
2. Graduates must be able to demonstrate safe motor vehicle control and skills under all or most situations normally encountered in the trucking industry.
3. To graduate, students must be familiar with the Federal Motor Safety Regulations including hours of services and maintenance of logs.
4. All graduates must be able to demonstrate that they meet federal, state, and local standards as required for professional commercial truck drivers.

PLACEMENT

1. Without guarantee of employment, schools will provide student with resources and assistance in job placement.
2. The extent and nature of placement services provided will be clearly defined in the school’s promotional literature.
3. Schools must demonstrate graduate employment by documenting statistics.

NAPFTDS recognizes that each member school is unique in the types of programs it offers. NAPFTDS will in no way assume to mandate training procedures. The Association does however, recommend the Model Curriculum developed by FHWA. These codes are adopted to ensure each member school adheres to quality and professional standards.

— Revised 3/5/02 —