AROTA Bylaws

The Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association bylaws provide the official framework for membership, leadership, districts, committees, meetings, fiscal responsibilities, amendments, and organizational governance.

Navigate the Bylaws

Name & Affiliation Objectives & Purpose Membership Districts Officers Executive Board Membership Meetings Committees Fiscal Year & Dues Parliamentary Authority Amendments Dissolution

Article I — Name and Affiliation

Section 1

The organization shall be called the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association, referred to as the Association and/or AROTA.

Section 2

AROTA shall be affiliated with the American Occupational Therapy Association and comply with the rules and regulations set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws of AOTA.

Article II — Objectives and Purpose

Purpose

The purpose of AROTA is to advocate for the practice of occupational therapy in Arkansas and promote the use of occupations to facilitate healthy, productive, and satisfying lives.

Objectives

Further the practice of occupational therapy through research and education.
Provide leadership for growth of the profession of occupational therapy.
Ensure the highest ethical standards for occupational therapy practice.
Foster professional identity of the membership to impact legislative, reimbursement, and consumer issues.
Preserve the functional foundation of occupational therapy.
Engage in intra and interprofessional collaboration to facilitate holistic, client-centered care.

Article III — Membership

General Policies

AROTA shall maintain membership classifications, qualifications, and membership rights. Members in arrears in payment of dues lose membership privileges.

Membership Classifications

Occupational Therapy Practitioner: Licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in Arkansas who meet AOTA standards and have not had their license revoked due to disciplinary action.
Occupational Therapy Student: Individuals enrolled in an entry-level OT or OTA program accredited or pending accreditation by ACOTE and located in Arkansas.
Retired Occupational Therapy Practitioner: Retired occupational therapists and assistants who are no longer working full time and remain in good standing.
Honorary Life: Individuals recognized by the Executive Board for distinguished service in or for occupational therapy.

Member Rights

Eligible members may vote, submit requests for action to the Executive Board, serve on committees, receive member benefits, and participate in AROTA programs according to their membership class.

Good Standing

Members must meet membership requirements, uphold AOTA standards and ethics, and pay applicable dues.

Article IV — Districts

District Mapping

AROTA has four districts: Northeast, Northwest, Central, and South. District lines should be similar to Arkansas congressional districts.

District Membership

AROTA membership is required for district membership. Members are placed in districts according to county of residence, practice, or educational program location for students.

District Officers

Each district may have up to three officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. District officers serve two-year terms.

Duties and Meetings

District officers support communication between district members and the AROTA Board. Districts must hold at least three meetings annually to remain recognized.

Article V — Officers

Elected Officers

The elected officers of AROTA are President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Elections and Eligibility

Officers are elected by the majority of returned ballots received before the deadline. Candidates must reside in Arkansas, be members in good standing, and consent to serve.

Terms of Office

President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer serve two-year terms.
President-Elect serves a one-year term before assuming the office of President.
Treasurer is elected in odd years.
President-Elect, Vice-President, and Secretary are elected in even years.

Duties

Officer duties include representing AROTA, managing association activities, maintaining records, overseeing finances, supporting advocacy, preparing reports, coordinating communications, and supporting board and committee work.

Article VI — Executive Board

Purpose

The Executive Board governs AROTA affairs in accordance with statutory, corporate, and bylaws authority.

Composition

Voting members include the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and District Chairpersons. Non-voting members include standing committee chairs, ad hoc committee chairs, and liaisons.

Duties

Determine membership policies, classifications, and fees.
Award honorary life membership and other recognitions.
Approve replacements for vacancies.
Authorize employment of staff or personnel as needed.
Determine financial depositories and payment processes.
Terminate membership following review and disciplinary action.
Approve and adopt an annual budget.

Meetings

The Executive Board meets at least quarterly. Fifty percent of voting board members constitutes quorum.

Article VII — Membership Meetings

Annual Meeting

AROTA conducts an annual meeting for the total membership at a time and place approved by the Executive Board.

Quorum

Five percent of voting membership in attendance constitutes quorum for annual and special membership meetings.

Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President, Executive Board, or majority of district chairs. The meeting must state the business to be transacted.

Article VIII — Committees, Task Forces, and Liaisons

Formation

The Executive Board may create or dissolve standing committees, special committees, and task forces as needed.

Standing Committees

Awards and Scholarship Committee
Bylaws and Ethics Committee
Finance and Audit Committee
Legislative Committee
Mental Health Committee
Outreach Committee
Nominations Committee
Reimbursement Committee
Research Committee
School Based Practice Committee
Conference Planning Committee

Chairpersons and Liaisons

Committee chairs are appointed or elected according to the bylaws and must be members in good standing. Liaisons may include a Business Manager, Lobbyist, and AROTA Student Representative.

Article IX — Fiscal Year and Dues

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of AROTA runs from July 1 to June 30 and corresponds to the end of elected officer terms.

Dues

Changes in annual membership fees are recommended by the Executive Board for approval by the membership.

Article X — Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised governs the Association when applicable and when not inconsistent with AROTA bylaws or special rules of order.

Article XI — Amendments and Bylaws

Amendments

Bylaws may be amended by electronic ballot sent to voting members. Bylaw changes are approved by a majority of ballots received by the stated deadline.

Revisions

Bylaws must be reviewed at least every two years and revised as necessary. Revisions are the responsibility of the Bylaws and Ethics Committee.

Technical Corrections

The Bylaws and Ethics Committee may make technical, editorial, and clerical corrections to keep the bylaws consistent without calling for a membership vote.

Article XII — Dissolution

If AROTA dissolves for any reason, remaining assets shall be distributed for purposes within Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(6) or any amendment thereto.