ASEP By-Laws

ARTICLE III - Status of Membership

SECTION 1. Transfer to the grade of Fellow - The Membership Screening Board shall make nominations to the grade of FELLOW to the Board of Directors. The affirmative votes of at least eight (8) Directors shall be required to transfer a Member to the grade of FELLOW.

SECTION 2. Admission as Regular Member, Associate Member, or Affiliate Member - Admission to the Association as REGULAR MEMBER, ASSOCIATE MEMBER, or AFFILIATE MEMBER shall be in accordance with the following procedure. The applicant shall submit to the Membership Screening Board an application duly endorsed by at least three (3) members from the same or higher grade. A unanimous vote of the Membership Screening Board is required for an application to be favorably endorsed to the Board of Directors who shall review the findings of the Membership Screening Board.

The applicant shall be duly admitted upon receipt of at least six (6) favorable votes of the Board of Directors. Transfer from ASSOCIATE MEMBER to REGULAR MEMEBR shall be processed following the same procedure as admission to new REGULAR MEMBER.

SECTION 3. Leave of Absence - If all his dues have been paid, a member of the Association may apply for leave of absence for not more than two (2) years by written communication to the Secretary subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Board may at its discretion grant extensions of leave of absence provided that a member shall not be on leave for more than six (6) consecutive years.

A member on leave of absence shall not head a committee, nominate, be nominated, or be elected to office.

SECTION 4. Resignation - A member of the Association may resign from the Association by written communication to the Secretary to be presented to the Board of directors for notification.

A member on leave of absence for more than six (6) consecutive years shall be automatically considered to have resigned. A member thus resigned who has no unpaid dues may be reinstated by the Board of Directors without payment of an entrance fee upon filing of a new application for membership to be processed following the same procedure as admission of new members.

SECTION 5. Cessation of Membership - Any member whose dues are more than two (2) years in arrears shall automatically cease to be a member of the Association. Any member of the Association who ceases to be a member and desires to apply for reinstatement shall be required to file a new application for membership to be processed following the same procedure as for new members.

SECTION 6. Suspension or Expulsion - The Membership Screening Board shall initiate proceedings toward the suspension or expulsion of a member for gross incompetence or gross violation of the Code of Ethics or Standards of Practice set forth by the Association upon receipt of information that a member has committed any of the above causes for suspension or expulsion. The Membership Screening Board shall review the case and if there appears a prima facie evidence of guilt, it shall refer the matter to the Board of Directors which shall advise the accused of the charges against him who, if he so desires, may present a defense either in person or in writing which shall be considered at a meeting of the Board of Directors of which he shall receive due notice. A member may be suspended or expelled from the Association by vote of at least six (6) officers and members of the Board of Directors.