Constitution of the Association

To establish and acknowledge:

1. The Garrett A. Morgan Association was formed in the Federal Highway Administration in 1989. It is now an agency-wide Association under the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

2. The Garrett A. Morgan Association of the Federal Highway Administration, hereafter referred to as "GAMA' or the "Association";

3. GAMA's goals are to:

   1. Encourage greater communication among and between GAMA and other DOT employees.
   2. Operate as an open organization to help learn more about different ethnic groups and to build camaraderie for the good of the DOT.
   3. Contribute support and recommend ways to improve the FHWA-wide dialogue about managing diversity. Promote a spirit of cooperation within DOT.
   4. The Association's support of the DOT in pursuing the objectives of the DOT including quality management practices and diversity in the Federal work force.

The Association, working with the DOT, shall:

1. Support efforts to ensure that all employees receive equal opportunity in recruiting, hiring, promoting, transferring, training, reassigning, detailing, or other actions facilitating career enhancements;

2. Highlight and promote awareness of the impact all employees have in the DOT in terms of culture, work ethics and work contributions.

1. The Association shall be a nonprofit, non-partisan and noncommercial organization.

2. The Association shall not discriminate against persons with disabilities or on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age.

3. The Association shall be organized to conduct activities of interest common to its general membership and shall expend funds for those purposes.

1. Membership is open to any employee of the DOT.

2. In addition to active members, the Association may be comprised of associate members (inactive), or honorary members. Honorary Memberships are confirmed by two-thirds vote of members attending a general meeting for which prior notice has been given for their proposed selection. An honorary member should be a person who has manifested a genuine interest in the promotion of the programs of GAMA. Associate and honorary members are not voting members.

The officers of GAMA shall be the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer who shall serve for two years, or until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified or until suspended from office for good and just cause by the body or the Executive Committee.

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Association, the Chairpersons of any Standing Committees, and the Immediate Past Chairperson.

2. The majority of the total membership of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for an Executive Committee Meeting.

1. By-Laws

   The Association shall establish By-Laws detailing governance that cannot be changed without previous notice.

2. Standing Rules

   The Association shall establish standing Rules. Standing Rules are permanent resolutions that are binding on the association until rescinded or modified.

3. Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable, and which they are not inconsistent with the By-Laws, Standing Rules or the Constitution.

This Constitution may be amended at any regularly scheduled meeting or by poll of the body provided the proposed amendment was sent to the members at least thirty (30) days before the meeting date at which it is to be considered and receives three-fourths (3/4) votes of those present who are eligible to vote or of the polled body.