Professionals WithIn Travel – Los Angeles Chapter

ARTICLE I – NAME
This not-for-profit organization, previously and also known as Professional Women In Travel-Los Angeles Chapter, shall now be known as Professionals WithIn Travel-Los Angeles Chapter, hereinafter referred to as PWIT-LA.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
To improve, and make more effective, the status of individuals within the travel industry through the exchange of ideas and personal participation; to further develop the knowledge of our members through educational programs; to strengthen communication, both nationally and internationally, which will contribute to each member’s professional and personal growth; to promote friendship and goodwill globally.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS

SECTION 1 -

General meetings shall be held the third Tuesday of each month, one of
which must be a business meeting (usually scheduled for May).  August is designated as a non-meeting month. 

Executive Board meetings shall be on Monday, one week prior to the monthly general meeting, or at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Special meetings may be called by an Executive Board member upon
agreement by email or verbal request of 4 Executive Board members, or at the discretion of the President.

A quorum shall consist of 4 of the members of the Executive Board in.
attendance in order to transact Organization business.  At such meetings, each voting member shall be entitled to one vote which must be cast in person.  The majority vote of those present at such meeting shall constitute the action of such meetings

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be in three catagories: ACTIVE, HONORARY AND
ASSOCIATE.  In order to participate in special networking events/educationals/etc., one must be an ACTIVE member for the preceding three months.

Eligibility for ACTIVE membership shall be one who is actively engaged in the    
direct, or indirect, sale or promotion of travel with a minimum of one year’s recent experience.

Acceptance will be determined and approved by the Executive Board.

Maintaining ACTIVE membership status requires timely payment of annual dues. 
members are responsible for notifying Membership of any changes of business affiliations or address/phone/email changes.

If an ACTIVE member remains unemployed within the industry for a period of nine months, they will automatically become an ASSOCIATE member without voting privileges for the remainder of the fiscal year.  They may become an ACTIVE  member when they are again employed in selling or promoting travel.

If an ACTIVE Executive Board member becomes unemployed while serving, they will have a three month window in which to secure a new position in the travel industry.  After three months of non-employment, they will be asked to step down from the Executive Board.  They then will become an ASSOCIATE member if they continue to be unemployed for the next six months.  

ASSOCIATE membership shall consist of members who were ACTIVE members at the beginning of our current fiscal year but who are not currently engaged in the travel industry.

ASSOCIATE members may remain ASSOCIATE members for a period of nine months or till the end of the current fiscal year, or whichever comes first.

HONORARY membership may be conferred on any individual in recognition for out- standing service as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.  They will be entitled to all privileges of ACTIVE membership, but without the right to hold office or vote, and they will be exempt from payment of dues.

ARTICLE V – DUES

Annual dues shall be $35.00 for agents actively engaged in the sale of travel, and $50.00 for vendors actively engaged in the promotion of selling travel to Travel Agents, payable by July 1st.  Dues shall become delinquent on September 1st.  Any payment received on or after September 1st will incur a $5.00 late fee.  These dues may change as determined by the Executive Board.

New members who are approved April 1 – June 30 will have their membership applied to the next fiscal year, beginning July 1st.

All Executive Board members must be current by the first Executive Board meeting of the new fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The elective directors of this organization shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice President, Recording/Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and the following Chairs: Membership, Programs, Hospitality, Charity, Public Relations, Webmaster, Historian and Charges des Affaires.

To be eligible for an Officer/Chair position, a nominee must be an ACTIVE member in good standing.  Committee positions are open to the general membership.

The Nominating/Election Committee shall consist of the immediate Past President, Charges des Affaires, and one member elected from the general membership.  The Nominating Committee shall prepare a ballot from nominations submitted by the membership and shall ascertain willingness to serve before placing the nominee on the Ballot.  Nominations shall be open from the floor at the April meeting.

METHOD OF ELECTION
The Nominating/Election Committee shall prepare and email or mail ballots to all ACTIVE members in good standing no later than the first Tuesday in May.  Ballots must be returned no later than the third Tuesday in May.  The Election Committee will tabulate the results and announce the new slate of officers at the June general meeting.  The candidate receiving the most votes for the respective office shall be declared elected.  The President shall have an additional vote only in the case of a tie.

1. PRESIDENT

Leads the organization in accomplishing goals and objectives set forth.  Represents PWIT-LA at all travel industry events.  Holds monthly Executive Board meetings with outlined agenda and topics.  Follow-up with all Executive Board members to ensure completion and accuracy of committee projects.  Oversees all aspects of Bylaws.  Sends personal follow-up greeting to all guests and new members.

2. VICE PRESIDENT

Ensures and supports in the formation of committees.  Assists the President in following up and coordinating with the Executive Board members to ensure completion of committee projects.  Leads General Meeting in the absence of the President.

3. SECRETARY

Takes Minutes at all Executive Board meetings and Annual Business Meeting.  Sends copies of Minutes to all Executive Board members by email or mail, within one week of the Board meeting, not to exceed two weeks.  Ensures Bylaws get mailed to all members of PWIT-LA once a year.

4. TREASURER

Collects monthly meeting fees and membership dues.  Pays all bills.  Balances the checkbook and reports on status at the Executive Board meetings.  Prepares budget.  Provides list of meeting attendees and collects two business cards from new guests at the meeting.  Provides said list and photocopy of business cards to Membership, President, and any other Committee Chair or Board member who may need such information.

5. MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Keeps membership mailing list updated and current at all times (access to computer necessary).  Provides membership directory to all members.  Brings new member applications to the Board meeting for Executive Board approval.  After they are approved, sends a personal Welcome letter. Ensures that new members are announced and introduced at the next General meeting and presents them with their Membership Badge.  Brings application forms to all General meetings.  Follows up with visitors and, if they did not join, provides additional information if needed, and obtains feedback.  Sends out annual dues renewal invoice by June 1st.  Sends a thank you note to guests along with membership application.

6. PROGRAM CHAIR(S)

Puts together a schedule for monthly programs which includes theme, location, menu, speakers, entertainment, raffle gifts, guest events, seminars and educational topics.  Negotiates prices.  Provides Webmaster and Publicity Chairs with updated schedule for publication.  Responsible for ensuring completion of the monthly program announcements via email or regular mail to members and prospective guests in a timely manner.

7. HOSPITALITY CHAIR

Accountable for greeting members and guests at all meetings.  Responsibilities include checking with Treasurer three (3) days prior to General meeting to get final count.  If there are a large number of guests attending, Hospitality should notify the President or Vice President (who will then notify the Executive Board) so that each visitor, as well as member, is made to feel welcome.  Additionally, it will then be each Board member’s responsibility to take at least one (1) visitor “under their wing” by sitting next to them during the meal/presentation and making them fee completely comfortable by talking to them and answering any questions they may have about the group, and by providing an application to them.  This aforementioned procedure should be done only when there are three (3) or more visitors attending.  Sends out Birthday cards to members.  Sends out Symphony cards to members.  Sends out thank you notes to speakers after each meeting.

8. PUBLIC RELATIONS

Notifies Travel Age West, Travel Weekly and any other publications, local or national, as determined by the Executive Board, with details of the monthly meetings for publication under their “Seminars” banner, or depending on the publication, any other area as deemed necessary, including possible articles on our organization.  Establishes contact with all travel media editors and personally invites them to our General monthly meetings.  Follow up with the media at conclusion.  Represents PWIT-LA at any public function.

9. CHARITY

Chairs and sets up committee for fund-raiser for chosen charity.  Chosen charity will be voted on or renewed by the Executive Board at the beginning of the new fiscal year.  During the year, is responsible for monthly donations to the charity (if applicable).  Liaison between the club and the charity; provides Webmaster and Public Relations with information so that it may be posted on website and relayed to the media for either advertising and/or article on the event.

10.0WEBMASTER

Our websites, www.pwitla.com and www.pwitla.org are the primary forms of communication for PWIT-LA.  Webmaster maintains and updates PWIT-LA with information on club activities and events as the become available.  Posts President’s Message, as well as any articles submitted by Committee Chairs, Vendor Specials and notices by members regarding specials or available blocked group space (i.e. cruise or tour, etc.) that they would like to share with the general membership.  Sends emails to general membership advising of web updates.  Ensures website payments are made prior to renewal date.

Keeper of all history of the organization.  Keeps scrapbook current by taking pictures at monthly meetings; inserting invitations from Club events; flyers from meeting or even writing articles on outside events that club members have participated in on behalf of PWIT-LA.

12. CHARGES DES AFFAIRES

An active member who cannot commit to a Chairman position but wants to support the club wherever they are needed the most.  In charge of 50/50 drawing at the monthly meetings (1 ticket for $2.00 / 3 tickets for $5.00)

ALL BOARD MEMBERS

At every general meeting are responsible to help meet and greet members and generally make people feel comfortable and if they are new to the club, help them to get acquainted with the procedures and format of the meeting so that the Hospitality Chair can concentrate on the visitors.

ADDENDUM: STANDING RULES

Due to stringent venue policies, your RSVP is guarantee of payment.
Unless cancellation is made three (3) days prior to the meeting by    calling the Treasurer, there will be no refunds.  Additionally, if you have called to RSVP and indicated that you are “paying at the door” and are a “no-show”, or cancel within the three (3) days, you will still be liable to pay for the meeting.

Exceptions to the aforementioned are:
Major crises: i.e. earthquake, flooding, “Acts of God”, death or hospitalization of member or close family member, or circumstances totally beyond the members’ control.  The President is to make the final decision for an unusual circumstance.

First Written: November 26, 1991
First Revision: April 9, 2004
Second Revision: July 19,2004
Third Revision: July 11, 2005
Fourth Revision: June 9, 2008
Last Revision: September 22, 2009

Our Board of Directors normally meets on the second Monday of the month at a location to be advised on the CALENDAR page of this website. If location is not posted, contact the PRESIDENT for more details. All members are invited to attend. Meet the board and become involved!

In 1998, Travellarians Los Angeles became Professional Women in Travel, a name more easily identifiable with and a charter member of IFWTO, the International Federation of Women's Travel Organizations worldwide.  Due to the changes in our industry since September 11, 2001, we found it necessary to divest ourselves from IFWTO.  More recently, many of our members have affiliated themselves with a newly formed international travel organization called Women In Tourism International Alliances, Ltd. also known as  WITIA .

With more men expressing interest in the organization, we deemed it appropriate  in 2008 to change our name to reflect the broader membership.

For general or specific information, please email us or visit our BOARD MEMBERS page to e-mail the appropriate board member for an immediate reply.  To RSVP for our monthly meeting, please click on MEETING/RSVP.