Constitution

CONSTITUTION

 ARTICLE I

ASSOCIATION

There is hereby created the Minnesota Food Protection Association, Inc., not for pecuniary purposes, which shall hereinafter be referred to as MFPA. MFPA is chartered as an affiliate of the International Association for Food Protection, Inc., hereinafter referred to as IAFP.

The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and/or scientific purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried or (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of MFPA will be to:

Provide a forum for individuals (including professionals and students) in the areas of food, beverage, feed, and dietary supplements (hereinafter referred to as “food”) safety and quality.

      1. Improve the professional status of the members.
      2. Assist members in their technical work and professional development.
      3. Disseminate information regarding the protection of the food supply.
      4. Promote sanitary methods and procedures for the development, production, processing, distribution, preparation and serving of food.
      5. Promote methods and procedures for supervision and inspection of the production, processing, distribution, preparation and serving of food.
      6. Promote improved methods for the examination of food samples.
      7. Promote the development and adoption of uniform equipment and quality standards to improve the sanitary handling of food.
      8. Promote methods and procedures for improving the food supply.
      9. Cooperate with other professional groups in the improvement and promotion of food safety and food quality.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.        The classes of membership in MFPA shall be Regular, Student, Sustaining, Retiree, and Honorary Members.

Section 2.        The qualification of the several classes of members, the dues of each, the manner of becoming a member, and their rights and privileges shall be prescribed in the Bylaws, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.        The officers of MFPA shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary who shall hold these offices for one year, or until their successors are elected or appointed, as provided in the Bylaws.

A. The President of MFPA must be a member of IAFP in good standing throughout his or her term as MFPA President.
B. Upon the termination of each Annual Meeting, Vice President, and Secretary shall automatically succeed to the offices of President and Vice-President respectively.
C. The Secretary shall be elected as defined in the Bylaws, Section 2.  The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of MFPA and the Treasurer, the Immediate Past President and the Affiliate Council Delegate.

  1. The Immediate Past President will serve a one-year term.
  2. The Treasurer and Affiliate Council Delegate will serve four-year terms.
  3. The Treasurer and Affiliate Council Delegate shall be elected as defined in the Bylaws.
  4. In the event of a tie vote, the presiding officer will be permitted to vote.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 1.        Each year MFPA shall hold an Annual Business Meeting.

A quorum to conduct business for any meeting shall be determined to consist of the voting members present.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS

Section 1.        Any member may propose amendments to the Constitution by submitting them in writing (including electronic transmission) to the Secretary, at least 45 days before the next announced Annual Business Meeting.

The Secretary shall notify all members at least 30 days before the Annual Business Meeting that the proposed amendments will be open for discussion at that meeting and that a vote will be taken.

  1. Within 60 days following a majority affirmative vote of the members present at the Annual Business Meeting, the proposed amendments shall be submitted to the entire membership of MFPA for a ballot vote.
  2. All members voting on such amendments shall, within 45 days after issuance of such notification, register their vote in writing with an individual designated by the board, on ballots furnished by MFPA. Such ballots may be electronic.
  3. The ballots shall be recorded and reported to the Executive Board by the individual designated by the Board, and the President shall report the result to the MFPA membership.
  4. If the proposed amendments pass by a two-thirds affirmative vote of those members who register their vote, the amendments shall become a part of the Constitution on the date the President issues notice or 30 days after the result is reported to the Executive Board, whichever comes first.

ARTICLE VII

BYLAWS

Section 1.        The MFPA parliamentary procedure shall be governed by Bylaws adopted by majority vote of voting members in attendance at a duly called meeting.