Bylaws

The American Culinary Federation New Orleans Chapter, Inc. (ACFNO), is Chapter LA012 of the American Culinary Federation, Inc. It is a not-for-profit corporation registered in the state of Louisiana, organized as a non-partisan federation of chefs and other culinarians that is dedicated to the promotion of excellence, education, professionalism and collegiality in the culinary profession.

The objectives of the corporation:

Cultivate among its membership the highest ethical, educational, moral, and professional goals
Strive for social and economic recognition as professionals by the employer and by all constituted authority
Promote, support, and contribute to educational and charitable programs in the community
Offer members unique networking opportunities, educational programs, culinary competitions and community events

Section 1. Categories of Membership

There shall be eight (8) categories of ACFNO membership as recognized by the ACF National Office:

A) Junior CulinarianA Junior Culinarian shall be a high school student between sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) years of age. Junior Culinarians shall have no vote.

B) Student CulinarianA Student Culinarian shall be a person that is involved in the culinary profession and has fewer than two (2) years' work experience at the time of joining.

Shall be a student enrolled in a post-secondary culinary education program or a registered apprentice as defined by the ACFEF apprenticeship-training program.
Shall have one-quarter (¼) vote in any electoral proceedings of the ACFNO.
Membership shall be subject to a lifetime limit of four (4) years and is not available to a person who has previously been a Culinarian or Professional Culinarian.

C) CulinarianA Culinarian shall be individuals including line cooks, bakers, pastry cooks or other culinarians not involved in the management or supervision of the respective property with a minimum of six (6) months' full-time employment.

Shall be pursuing on-the-job training and experience necessary to advance to the membership level of Professional Culinarian.
Shall have one-half (½) vote in any electoral proceedings of the ACFNO.
Membership shall be subject to a lifetime limit of five (5) years.

D) Professional CulinarianA Professional Culinarian shall be a person with at least three (3) years' full-time employment in the culinary profession.

Shall have 1 (one) vote in any electoral proceedings of the ACFNO.

E) Senior Professional CulinarianA Senior Professional Culinarian shall be a person retired from employment and a specific age as currently defined by the Social Security Administration and who shall have been an ACF Professional Culinarian for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive years and is a current ACF member at the time of retirement and application for this membership category.

Regardless of age, a member with at least seven (7) years' tenure in any category who is permanently and totally disabled from culinary employment shall be eligible for Life Senior Professional Culinarian membership.
Senior Professional Culinarians shall retain the rights and privileges of the membership category from which they retired, including the right (if any) to vote for national officers.

F) Associate MemberAn Associate Member shall be a representative of a group, company or corporation providing products or services to the culinary profession. Associate Members shall have no voting rights.

G) Allied MemberAn Allied Member shall be a person employed in a field related to the culinary profession (such as dietetics, home economist, food stylist, etc.) who does not qualify at any level of professional membership of the ACF. Additionally, any person who wishes to support and promote the ACF and culinary profession may become an Allied Member. Allied members shall have no voting rights and cannot hold elected office.

H) Culinary Enthusiast MemberA Culinary Enthusiast Member shall be a person of the general non-food professional community that has a passion for the culinary arts. A Culinary Enthusiast Member shall have no voting privileges and cannot hold office.

No other membership categories shall be recognized by the ACF.

Section 2. Benefits and Privileges of Members

Career Advancement — Accelerate career and earning potential with ACF Certification.
Networking and Connections — Connect with other chefs at local meetings; network at regional and national levels with ACF ChefsForum Webinars, ACF MasterCraft Summits, and ACF National Conventions.
Craft Polishing — Engage in continuing education at ACF's Online Learning Center and compete in ACF-sanctioned competitions.
Join the Conversation — Share ideas on ACF's Chef's Table, an online community where members connect and collaborate.
Voting privileges to elect local and National Officers and membership in the American Culinary Federation, Inc. and the World Society of Cooks.
Follow activities of the organization with minutes posted online on the ACFNO page at www.acfchefs.org.

Section 3. Membership Obligations

As a condition of membership, all ACFNO members will be bound and abide by the ACF National Bylaws, Policies and Procedures at www.acfchefs.org, as amended from time to time, including without limitation:

The Culinarians Code
The ACF rules governing Unethical Conduct
The procedure for joining the ACF
Termination and suspension of membership
Notifying the Secretary or national office of address and email changes

Section 4. Dues & Fees

Non-payment of dues shall constitute a member who is not in good standing.
The ACFNO dues structure is on file with the National Office at www.acfchefs.org.

Section 1. Powers and Duties

The ACFNO Board of Directors shall be the managing body of the ACFNO.
The Board of Directors shall have ultimate authority over and responsibility for the business affairs, operating decisions, and assets of the ACFNO, subject to the limitations of law and these Bylaws.
When any corporate action is taken by vote, it shall be authorized by a majority of votes cast at that meeting, providing a quorum is present.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the current elected officers, and the Immediate Past President who is the Chairperson of the Board. Each of these will have one (1) vote.
There shall be a special meeting of the Immediate Past President and newly elected officers for the sole purpose of a formal election of Directors of the Corporation.
Directors/Officers may attend meetings in person or by using any means of communication by which all Directors may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting.
The Board of Directors/Officers must be able to not only fulfill their obligations and responsibilities, but also must be able to inspire others to do their part. Leadership is essential, but it is teamwork and cooperation that ensure success.
It is essential that the Board of Directors/Officers fulfill its fiduciary responsibility. Operating budgets and annual audits require accurate financial statements including balance sheets of revenues and expenditures with documentation to facilitate an efficient system of handling chapter funds. These are to be maintained in a permanent Financial Ledger passed down to the next administration.
Newly elected Directors/Officers should obtain from their predecessors all records and files, including permanent binder of written minutes of Board Meetings including attendance records, reports, financial records, accounts, copies of correspondence, apprenticeship records, any necessary equipment, and copies of National and Chapter Bylaws.
Expectations of Board of Directors/Officers are to demonstrate integrity by maintaining confidentiality of the Board's executive sessions, as well as to demonstrate competence, character, commitment, and communication skills, to be effective leaders and to build teamwork.
Directors/Officers shall serve two-year terms ending on December 31st of each election year.
No Director/Officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Directors/Officers shall serve without compensation.
Directors/Officers may be suspended from office for excessive, unexpected absences: three (3) unexpected absences in a row, or four (4) unexpected absences in a twelve (12) month period. Unavoidable absences would require prior notification to the Secretary and/or President.
Official recorded approval of the Board of Directors and two signatures are required on any financial instrument, asset or liability, for it to undergo transaction. It requires the signature of the President and the Treasurer, or Secretary if the Treasurer is incapacitated. This includes contracts, certificates of deposit, checks, credit card payments, bonds, loans, deeds, and mortgages.

Section 2. Vacancies

Should any vacancy occur in the Board of Directors/Officers caused by death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, a majority vote of the Directors/Officers present may choose a successor, provided there is a quorum. The Director chosen will hold office until the next election.

Section 3. Quorum

At all meetings of the Board of Directors, the presence of a majority of the Directors (Elected Officers and the Immediate Past President) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 4. Regular Board Meetings

Shall be held prior to meetings of the general membership to consider important business, plan programs and further the general welfare of its members.
ACF, Inc. and its Chapters adhere to the latest version of Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.
A written meeting agenda by the President shall be distributed prior to the Regular Board of Director's meeting. Minutes will be recorded by the Secretary or his substitute. All agendas and Board minutes will be kept by the Secretary as part of the permanent records of the Board of Directors in a Binder of Minutes.

Section 5. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President on forty-eight (48) hours' notice to each Director.
Special meetings shall be called on the written request of any two (2) Directors by the President or Secretary in like notice. The notice shall include: Date, Time, Place, and Agenda.

Section 1. Designations

The officers of the Corporation shall be the Chairperson of the Board (Past President), President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms. All officers shall be members in good standing of the ACFNO's Board of Directors and the ACF. No one may hold the office of President and Treasurer at the same time.

Section 2. President

Chief Executive Officer of the organization, and subject to the control of the Board of Directors, in general supervises and manages the business affairs of the chapter and sees that all orders and resolutions are carried to completion.
Presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the general membership.
Responsible for preparing an agenda and giving a copy to the Secretary prior to each meeting.
Has the authority to sign checks along with the Treasurer's second signature for expenditures that have been officially approved by the Board of Directors.
Shall be an ex officio non-voting member of all standing committees except the Nominations and Election Committee, the Internal Audit Committee, and the Ethics Committee.
Attends regional and national conventions and is a voting member of the ACF Board of Governors during attendance as President at national conventions.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date information with the national office and updates the President's Portal with current Chapter Board Members and contact person that is named on the acfchefs.org website.
Calls regular and special meetings of the members at any time deemed necessary.

Section 3. Chairperson of the Board

Becomes Chairperson of the Board of Directors upon the expiration of his term of office, and upon installation of a new President.
Acts as an advisor to the President.
Serves a term concurrent with the term of office of the new President.

Section 4. Vice President

In the absence or disability of the President, performs the duties and exercises the powers of the President, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors/Officers shall prescribe.

Section 5. Secretary

Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the General Membership.
Provides that all regular and special meeting notices are duly sent in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws as required by law.
Responsible for recording minutes of all meetings: confidential minutes of every Board Meeting and maintaining a permanent record of those minutes in a permanent Meeting Binder, as well as recording minutes of the General Membership Meeting, posting one copy on the Chapter website, the other printed copy stored in a permanent Binder of Minutes.
Custodian of the corporate records and the Seal of the Corporation and see that the seal is affixed to all authorized documents.
Accesses the President's Portal and sources the acfchefs.org registration of all current members with the mailing address of each Member.
Notifies all new members of their election to membership.
Notifies ACF National about new officers and address changes for any member in the chapter.

Section 6. Treasurer

Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the General Membership.
Responsible for keeping full and accurate financial records of any receipts and disbursements with supporting documentation in a permanent Financial Ledger belonging to the Corporation.
Prepares a monthly report on chapter finances and submits copies of financial statements that are recorded in the permanent Financial Ledger, and later pass it down to the new administration.
Prepares and presents a budget of expenditures for the Corporation to the Board of Directors.
Collects all money at meetings and events in the name of the Corporation and deposits all money and valuables in the name of and for the credit of the Corporation in depositories designated by the Board of Directors.
Authorized to sign checks along with the President only for expenses approved by the Board of Directors.
Has custody of corporate funds and securities.
If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in a satisfactory amount decided by the Board for restoration in case of death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of any kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.
Shall provide the President and Board a final annual report of all their transactions as Treasurer, and the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 7. Sergeant-at-Arms

Shall see that no one gains admission to the meetings unless duly qualified.
Shall assist the presiding officer in preserving order at meetings.
Perform such other duties as the presiding officer may direct.
Shall have charge of the meeting room.

Section 1. Special Elected Committees

The ACF shall maintain the following Special Elected Committees: Nominations & Elections, Internal Audit, and Ethics.

Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees

Chef and the Child
Membership
Certification
Education & Scholarship
Best Chefs of Louisiana / Finance Committee
Public Relations

Section 1. Eligibility & Process

Candidates for any office may only be an active Professional Member in good standing who has served on at least one active committee of this chapter for a minimum of two (2) years.
Candidates for President may only be an active Professional Member in good standing who has served a minimum of two (2) years as an elected officer of the Board of Directors or a chair of a standing committee.
At the June meeting of an election year, an election committee Chairperson shall be appointed by the President. The Chairperson will solicit names from the members for offices that will be open.
By August 1st, all candidates must sign a letter of intent and send it to the Chairperson. The letter of intent will state:
- The person must have a desire to accept the elective office.
- That they have the time to devote to the demands of that office.
- That they are willing to travel if required by the President.
- That they have, at their disposal, the resources to perform their specific assignments.
- A brief biography not to exceed seventy-five (75) words, including number of General Membership meetings attended that year, Committees chaired, Committees served on, and volunteer activities in the community in the capacity as a chef.
By September 1st, the Chairperson will provide the Secretary with a list of all candidates with letters of intent and biographies attached.
By September 7th, the Secretary shall gather all corroborating information for candidates' eligibility and confer this information with letters of intent to the Election Committee.
By September 15th, the Election Committee shall verify nominees, prepare a ballot sheet and present it to the CPA.
By September 30th, the CPA shall prepare and open an online voting platform to be used only by voting members in good standing. Members lacking electronic capability shall contact the Chairperson or President to obtain a paper ballot.
By October 15th, all ballots must be received by the CPA.
By October 22nd, the CPA shall share the results with the Chairperson of the Election Committee. This time schedule provides enough time to vote again in case of a tie.
At the December meeting, the results will be announced.
At the January meeting, the first order of business will be the installation of officers.

To the full extent authorized by law, the ACFNO shall indemnify any person, made, or threatened to be made, a party in any action or proceedings of ACFNO, except to the extent inconsistent with these Bylaws.

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by new Bylaws adopted by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors.

Any ACFNO member with Professional Culinarian privileges may propose an amendment to the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.

The proposed amendment, to be adopted, must first be recommended by the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.
Then adopted by an affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast by the Board at the Board of Directors meeting, a quorum being present.

The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure shall govern all meetings and proceedings of ACFNO, Inc. and ACF, Inc., except to the extent inconsistent with these Bylaws. See robertsrules.com.

Section 1. Conflict of Interest

All Board of Directors/Officers, Committee Members, or others acting in any capacity for the ACFNO shall avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest that might compromise Board or the organization and disclose any possible conflicts to the Board in a timely fashion.

Section 2. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December of each year.

Section 3. Corporate Seal

The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the State of Louisiana and "Corporate Seal".

Section 4. Agenda

The order of business at any ACFNO meeting shall be as follows:

Pledge of Allegiance
Culinarians Code
Roll Call of Officers
Introduction of Attendees: in person and virtual on Zoom or Phone
Reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting
Report of the Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Introduction of the Educational Workshop (for CEHs) or Food and/or Equipment Demonstration
Buffet

Section 5. Culinarians Code

As a proud member of the American Culinary Federation, I pledge to share my professional knowledge and skill with all culinarians. I will place honor, fairness, cooperation, and consideration first when dealing with my colleagues. I will protect all members from the use of unfair means, unnecessary risks and unethical behavior when used against them for another's personal gain. I will support the success, growth, and future of my colleagues and this great federation.

Adopted at Board of Governors, August 3, 2010

American Culinary Federation New Orleans Chapter, Inc.

Contents