Bylaws

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Types of Membership. This Association consists of six types of membership: professional, regular, retired, student, new professional, and special.

Section 2. Privileges of Membership. Professional, regular, retired, student, and new professional members shall have the rights and privileges normally accorded members of a scientific, educational and professional association, including the right to vote and hold elective office.

Section 3. Requirements for Membership. To be eligible for membership in NECA a person does not have to be a member of ACA.

(a) Professional. Professional members shall hold a master's degree or higher in counseling or a closely related field from a college or university that was accredited when a degree was awarded by one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council on Higher Education.

(b) Regular. Regular membership in this Association shall be open to any person who has a Bachelor's Degree in an area of human development from an accredited college or university and is engaged in some aspect of employment counseling.

(c) Retired. Retired membership shall be open to any member who has furnished proof of retirement from his/her employer, and who has been a member of this Association for at least five (5) years. A retired member shall pay dues at the student rate.

(d) Student. Student membership shall be open to graduate students enrolled half-time or more during the academic year in a counseling or closely related field of study. Student membership is limited to three years.

(e) New Professional. A member who has been a Student member of the Association, and continues as a member after graduation with a degree required to become a Professional Member. This category of membership will pay the Student rate for two years and shall automatically transition to a Professional Member at the end of that period.

(f) Special. ACA or the Executive Council may prescribe and establish criteria for special memberships in the Association provided, however, that no person shall be deprived of any privileges heretofore granted.

Section 4. Severance of Membership. Failure to pay dues as prescribed by the Association shall be interpreted as withdrawal from membership. At that time all rights of a member shall cease, or upon the member's expulsion from the Association, or upon the member's death.