BY-LAWS of the TENNESSEE ATHLETIC
TRAINERS’ SOCIETY
Approved by the membership July 2, 2026.
ARTICLE I – NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. NONPROFIT STATUS
TATS is organized as a nonprofit professional association under the laws of the State of Tennessee. TATS shall not distribute income or profits to its members, directors, or officers.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
TATS shall have the following membership categories:
A. Licensed Professional Member
Qualifications: Individuals who hold a current, valid license to practice athletic training in the State of Tennessee and whose primary place of practice or residence is in Tennessee. Members must be in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Athletic Trainers and maintain all requirements under Tennessee law.
Rights and Privileges: Licensed Professional Members may vote on all Society matters, hold elected or appointed office, serve as committee chairs, and participate in all Society activities and benefits.
Dues: As established annually by the NATA (National Athletic Trainers’ Association) .
B. Licensed Student Member
Qualifications: Individuals who hold a current Tennessee athletic training license and are enrolled full-time in a graduate program at an accredited institution working toward an advanced degree. May hold this status for a maximum of five (5) years total (cumulative, not consecutive).
Rights and Privileges: May vote on Society matters but may not hold elected office. May serve on committees but may not serve as chair or co-chair except on student-focused committees approved by the Executive Board.
Dues: As established annually by the NATA.
C. Athletic Training Student Member
Qualifications: Individuals enrolled full-time in a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited athletic training program who have not yet obtained licensure. May hold this status for a maximum three (3) years for graduate students.
Rights and Privileges: May not vote or hold office. May serve on student-focused committees as approved by the Executive Board.
Dues: As established annually by NATA.
D. Retired Member
Qualifications: Individuals who have retired from the active practice of athletic training and have retired their Tennessee license. Must submit verification of license retirement to the Secretary and request this membership category through NATA.
Rights and Privileges: May vote on Society matters but may not hold elected office. May serve on committees, including as chair or co-chair.
Dues: Exempt from dues.
E. Military Inactive Member
Qualifications: Licensed Professional Members called to active military duty may request this status for a maximum of two (2) years. Must provide proof of active military service with the request.
Rights and Privileges: Retains all rights and privileges of Licensed Professional Member status during military service.
Dues: Exempt from dues during active service.
Return to Active Status: Upon discharge or at the two-year anniversary of the request, the member must notify NATA and pay appropriate dues to return to Licensed Professional Member status. Failure to do so will result in nonmember status.
F. Associate Member
Qualifications: Individuals professionally engaged in athletics, education, research, medicine, or allied health professions related to athletic training who are not licensed as athletic trainers in Tennessee.
Rights and Privileges: May not vote or hold office. May serve on committees but may not serve as chair or co-chair and have no voting privileges on committees.
Dues: As established annually by the NATA.
G. Honorary Member
Qualifications: Individuals or organizations (such as corporate sponsors) who have demonstrated profound interest in and support for the athletic training profession through their actions and contributions. May be nominated only by a Licensed Professional or Retired Member. Nominations must be directed to the President-Elect and Honors and Awards Committee Chair, with final approval by the Executive Board.
Rights and Privileges: May not vote, hold office, or serve on committees.
Dues: Exempt from dues.
Section 2. GOOD STANDING
Members in good standing are current members of the NATA, have paid all applicable dues, meets the qualifications of the respective membership category, and is in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and ethical standards of NATA, TATS, the Tennessee Board of Athletic Trainers, and the Board of Certification (BOC).
Section 3. CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION
Members must notify the Secretary within thirty (30) days of any change in circumstances that affects their membership classification, including changes in licensure status, student status, employment, or residence.
If TATS determines that a member is in the incorrect classification, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Treasurer and/or NATA Membership Services for reclassification. The Secretary shall notify the member within ten (10) days with an explanation. Members may appeal reclassification decisions in writing to the Secretary within thirty (30) days of notification. The Executive Board shall review appeals and render a decision within thirty (30) days of receipt.
Section 4. NONDISCRIMINATION
TATS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic in its membership policies, programs, or activities.
ARTICLE III – DUES AND FEES
Section 1. ANNUAL DUES
Dues shall be collected annually through NATA for NATA members. Dues amounts shall be established annually by the NATA.
Section 2. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
The Executive Board may levy special assessments upon the membership as necessary to fulfill the Society's mission, provided that such assessments are approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board and ratified by a majority vote of the voting membership.
Section 3. NONPAYMENT
Members who fail to pay dues by the established deadline shall forfeit their membership privileges until dues are paid in full. Continued nonpayment may result in termination of membership as determined by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IV – GOVERNANCE AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. GOVERNING BODY
The governing body of TATS shall be the Executive Board, which shall consist of:
President
President-Elect (non-voting)
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Three (3) Regional Representatives (East, Middle, and West Tennessee)
Standing Committee Chairs (non-voting, ex-officio members)
All voting members of the Executive Board must be Licensed Professional Members in good standing and certified members of NATA. The Parliamentarian shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Executive Board.
Standing Committee Chairs shall serve as non-voting, ex-officio liaisons to the Executive Board to facilitate communication and coordination between committees and the Board.
Section 2. QUORUM AND VOTING
A quorum for conducting Executive Board business shall consist of a simple majority of voting members. Decisions shall be made by majority vote of those voting members present, except where these By-Laws specify otherwise.
The President votes only to break a tie. Proxy voting is not permitted.
Section 3. MEETINGS
The Executive Board shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings may be held in person, via teleconference, videoconference, or other electronic means. The President or a majority of the Executive Board may call additional meetings as necessary.
Notice of meetings shall be provided to all Executive Board members at least ten (10) days in advance, except in cases of emergency when shorter notice may be provided.
Section 4. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Executive Board members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and abstain from voting on matters in which they have a financial or personal interest. The Executive Board shall maintain and enforce a Conflict of Interest Policy as detailed in the TATS Policies and Procedures Manual.
Section 5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Board shall:
Manage the affairs and set policy for TATS
Approve the annual budget and monitor financial operations
Establish standing and ad hoc committees as needed
Approve committee chairs and members
Plan and oversee the Annual Symposium and Business Meeting
Advocate for the profession at the state and national levels
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Review and amend the By-Laws and Policies and Procedures Manual as needed
Perform other duties necessary to fulfill the Society's mission
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Section 1. PRESIDENT
Term: Three year term, may be re-elected one time. The President-Elect automatically assumes the office of President upon completion of the President-Elect term.
Qualifications: Must have served on the Executive Board for at least two (2) years within the seven (7) years immediately preceding election or have served as chair or co-chair of a standing committee for at least two (2) years within the seven (7) years immediately preceding election.
Duties:
Serve as official spokesperson for TATS
Preside over all Executive Board meetings and Annual Business Meetings
Call meetings as necessary
Vote only in the event of a tie
Serve as ex-officio member of all committees
Appoint committee chairs and co-chairs with Executive Board approval
Appoint TATS representatives to allied organizations with Executive Board approval
Perform other duties as necessary to fulfill the Society's mission
Section 2. PRESIDENT-ELECT
Term: One (1) year in the President-Elect role, non-renewable and non-repeatable. Upon completion of the President-Elect term, the individual shall automatically and without further election assume the office of President for a full three (3) year term as set forth in Article V, Section 1.
Purpose of the Elect Period: The President-Elect term is designed as a structured leadership transition and understudy period. During this year, the President-Elect shall work in close collaboration with the sitting President, gaining familiarity with all aspects of Society governance, operations, and strategic direction in preparation for assuming the Presidency.
Qualifications: Candidates for President-Elect must meet all qualifications required of the President as set forth in Article V, Section 1, specifically:
Must be a Licensed Professional Member in good standing with TATS and a Certified Member of NATA;
Must have served on the TATS Executive Board for at least two (2) years within the seven (7) years immediately preceding election, OR have served as chair or co-chair of a TATS standing committee for at least two (2) years within the seven (7) years immediately preceding election;
Must be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and ethical standards of NATA, TATS, the Tennessee Board of Athletic Trainers, and the Board of Certification (BOC);
Must hold a current, valid Tennessee athletic training license throughout the entirety of the President-Elect and President terms.
Election: The President-Elect shall be elected by the Licensed Professional and Retired Members of TATS in accordance with the election procedures set forth in Article VI. Candidates must declare their intent to serve the full President-Elect term and the subsequent full Presidential term (a combined commitment of four [4] years) at the time of nomination.
Duties During the President-Elect Term:
Serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Board.
Shadow and assist the President in the performance of all presidential duties, including presiding over Executive Board meetings when invited by the President for developmental purposes.
Assist the President with strategic planning initiatives, including review of the TATS Policies and Procedures Manual and By-Laws as needed.
Represent TATS at SEATA and NATA meetings and events as assigned by the President.
Perform other duties as assigned by the President to prepare for the assumption of the Presidency.
Assumption of the Presidency: At the conclusion of the President-Elect term, the President-Elect shall automatically assume the office of President at the first Executive Board meeting following the certification of the next President-Elect election. No additional election or vote of the membership shall be required for this transition.
Vacancy in the President-Elect Office: If the President-Elect office becomes vacant prior to assumption of the Presidency, the Executive Board shall call a special election in accordance with Article VI, Section 4. If the office of President simultaneously becomes vacant, the procedures set forth in Article VI, Section 4 shall govern.
Section 3. VICE PRESIDENT
Term: Three year term, may be re-elected one time
Qualifications: Must have served on the Executive Board for at least two (2) years within the seven (7) years immediately preceding election or have served as chair, co-chair, or member of a standing committee for at least two (2) years within the seven (7) years immediately preceding election.
Duties:
Oversees the arrangement of the Annual Clinical Symposia & Members Meeting each year
Represents the President in matters consistent with their functions when the President is not available.
Oversees Regional Representatives
Carries out any additional duties as assigned by the President.
Section 4. SECRETARY
Term: Three (3) years, renewable without term limits.
Qualifications: Must be a Licensed Professional Member in good standing for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the beginning of the election.
Duties:
Record and maintain accurate minutes of all Executive Board and Business Meetings
Maintain official membership records and directories
Verify member eligibility for voting and office
Handle all non-financial correspondence on behalf of TATS
Maintain official records and archives of TATS
Perform other duties as assigned by the President
Section 5. TREASURER
Term: Three (3) years, renewable without term limits.
Qualifications: Must be a Licensed Professional Member in good standing for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the beginning of the election.
Duties:
Maintain accurate financial records of all Society transactions
Collect dues and process all payments
Prepare and present annual budget to Executive Board
Present financial reports at Executive Board meetings and Annual Business Meeting
File all required federal, state, and local tax and revenue documents
Ensure financial audits or reviews are conducted as required
Perform other duties as assigned by the President
Section 6. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Term: Three (3) years, renewable once. One Representative shall be elected from each of the three regions: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee.
Qualifications: Must be a Licensed Professional Member in good standing for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the beginning of the election. Must be a legal resident of the region they represent at the time of nomination and throughout their term.
Regional Definitions: Regions are defined by Tennessee's Grand Divisions as established in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 2:
East Tennessee: Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Greene, Hamilton, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, and Washington counties.
Middle Tennessee: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson counties.
West Tennessee: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Madison, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley counties.
Duties:
Serve as liaison between the Executive Board and members in their region
Communicate Society updates and initiatives to regional members
Gather feedback and concerns from regional members
Facilitate regional networking and professional development activities
Perform other duties as assigned by the President
ARTICLE VI – ELECTIONS
Section 1. ELECTION SCHEDULE
Elections shall be held on a three-year rotation as follows:
Year 1 (2027 and every third year thereafter): Secretary, West Tennessee Regional Representative
Year 2 (2028 and every third year thereafter): Treasurer, Middle Tennessee Regional Representative
Year 3 (2029 and every third year thereafter): President-Elect, Vice President, East Tennessee Regional Representative
Section 2. NOMINATION PROCESS
The Secretary shall announce upcoming elections and call for nominations by electronic communication to the membership by April 1st of the election year. Licensed Professional Members and Retired Members may nominate candidates.
Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Parliamentarian or designated Election Committee member by April 15th. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominees must confirm their willingness to serve and verify they meet eligibility requirements.
If only one qualified candidate is nominated for a position and remains qualified at the close of nominations, that candidate shall be elected by acclamation.
Section 3. ELECTION PROCEDURE
Ballots shall be distributed electronically to all voting members by May 1st. Voting shall be conducted in a secure, orderly, and equitable manner using electronic voting systems. Ballots shall be completed by May 15th.
Election results shall be announced as soon as votes are verified and tabulated. Officers-elect shall assume office at the first Executive Board meeting occurring ninety (90) days after election results are certified, with the exception of the President-Elect position which will begin at the next scheduled executive board meeting. The President-Elect and subsequent President position is a four-year combined term commitment (one year elect plus three year president).
Elections shall be decided by majority vote (greater than 50% of votes cast). In elections for Regional Representatives, each voter may vote for one candidate from each region.
If no candidate receives a majority, a run-off election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the most votes, commencing within two (2) weeks of verification and tabulation. The same procedures shall apply to run-off elections.
Section 4. SPECIAL ELECTIONS
If the office of President becomes vacant, the President-Elect shall immediately assume the office of President for the remainder of the term and shall then serve their own full three-year Presidential term.
If any other elected office becomes vacant, or if both the President and President-Elect offices are simultaneously vacated, the Executive Board shall call a special election within sixty (60) days. The election timeline shall be condensed: nominations open for fifteen (15) days, followed by electronic voting conducted as soon as feasible.
Officers elected by special election shall serve the remainder of the vacated term. If an office is vacated during the first year of a term, the replacement officer may be re-elected once. If vacated during the second or third year, the replacement officer may be re-elected twice (if applicable).
If it is known in advance that an elected officer will leave office, a special election may be held before the vacancy occurs. The elected replacement shall assume office upon the departing officer's official resignation.
Section 5. EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF ELECTIONS
In the event of a declared state of emergency by the President of the United States or the Governor of Tennessee, the Executive Board may suspend or delay elections to protect member safety and electoral integrity. Elections shall be rescheduled to be completed within ninety (90) days of the lifting of the emergency declaration.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES
The following standing committees shall be maintained:
ATs Care
Career Advancement
College & University
Communications
Corporate Relations
Early Professionals
Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee
Governmental Affairs
Honors and Awards
Professional Education
Scholarship
Secondary School
Nontraditional Settings
Section 2. AD HOC COMMITTEES
The President may establish ad hoc committees as needed, with Executive Board approval. Ad hoc committees shall be dissolved upon completion of their assigned tasks or by Executive Board vote.
Section 3. COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Committee chairs and co-chairs shall be appointed by the President with Executive Board approval. All committee chairs must be licensed athletic trainers in Tennessee, NATA members in good standing, and have an NPI number.
Committee chairs serve two-year terms and may be reappointed with Executive Board approval. The President may, with Executive Board approval, remove committee leadership or members at any time.
Committee chairs serve as non-voting, ex-officio members of the Executive Board and shall submit regular reports on committee activities.
Section 4. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Committee size shall be determined by the chair in consultation with the Executive Board liaison. Members serve one-year terms and may be reappointed by the committee chair. All committee members must be licensed athletic trainers in Tennessee, NATA members in good standing, and have an NPI number.
Committee chairs shall recruit and recommend members from appropriate membership categories. The President shall appoint committee members with approval from the committee's Executive Board liaison.
Every effort shall be made to include members from all three geographic regions on each committee.
Section 5. COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Committees shall:
Fulfill roles and responsibilities as defined by the President and Executive Board
Report regularly to the Executive Board on progress, needs, and recommendations
Present annual reports at the Annual Business Meeting
Operate within professional and ethical standards established by the BOC and Tennessee law
Function under the complete direction of the Executive Board
ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS
Section 1. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
TATS shall hold an Annual Business Meeting each year. The date, time, and location shall be determined by the Executive Board, with primary planning coordination by the Vice President.
Notice of the Annual Business Meeting shall be provided to all members at least thirty (30) days in advance through electronic communication.
Section 2. SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Special membership meetings may be called by the President, the Executive Board, or upon written petition of twenty-five (25) voting members in good standing. Notice must be provided at least fourteen (14) days in advance, stating the purpose of the meeting. Only business specified in the notice may be conducted.
Section 3. QUORUM FOR MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Voting members present at any properly called membership meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 4. REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Members may participate in meetings via teleconference, videoconference, or other electronic means, if available. Members participating remotely shall be considered present for quorum and voting purposes.
Section 5. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, except where these By-Laws provide otherwise.
ARTICLE IX – PARLIAMENTARIAN
Section 1. APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President with Executive Board approval. The Parliamentarian must be a Licensed Professional Member in good standing with thorough working knowledge of parliamentary procedure, Robert's Rules of Order, and TATS operations.
Section 2. TERM
The Parliamentarian serves at the pleasure of the Executive Board and shall be reviewed annually.
Section 3. DUTIES
Ensure Executive Board and membership meetings follow parliamentary procedure
Advise the President and Executive Board on procedural matters
Oversee the nomination and election process
Gather nominations for office
Receive, tabulate, and verify votes cast in elections
ARTICLE X – FINANCES
Section 1. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of TATS shall run from January 1 through December 31.
Section 2. BUDGET
The Treasurer shall prepare and present an annual budget to the Executive Board for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. The Executive Board may amend the budget as necessary throughout the year.
Section 3. FINANCIAL CONTROLS
The Executive Board shall establish and maintain sound financial policies and internal controls as detailed in the TATS Policies and Procedures Manual. All expenditures must be authorized in accordance with approved budgets and policies.
The Executive Board can choose to arrange for an annual financial review or audit by a qualified independent party as required by law or deemed appropriate by the Board.
Section 4. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY
The President and Treasurer shall be authorized signatories on all TATS financial accounts. The Executive Board may designate additional signatories as needed.
Section 5. COMPENSATION
Officers, Regional Representatives, and committee members shall serve without salary. Reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of official duties may be reimbursed in accordance with policies approved by the Executive Board and detailed in the TATS Policies and Procedures Manual.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by the Executive Board or by written petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) Licensed Professional Members in good standing.
Section 2. NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Executive Board at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting. The Secretary shall distribute the proposed amendments to all voting members at least thirty (30) days before the meeting at which they will be voted upon.
Section 3. ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS
Amendments require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of voting members present at the Annual Business Meeting or at a Special Meeting called for that purpose.
Alternatively, amendments may be approved by electronic ballot, requiring a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all voting members who cast ballots.
Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
Approved amendments shall take effect immediately upon adoption unless otherwise specified in the amendment itself.
ARTICLE XII – DISSOLUTION
Section 1. DISSOLUTION PROCEDURE
TATS may be dissolved by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the voting membership, provided that written notice of the proposed dissolution has been sent to all members at least sixty (60) days prior to the vote.
Section 2. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS
Upon dissolution, after payment of all debts and obligations, remaining assets shall be distributed to the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Foundation or to such other organization(s) as determined by the voting membership, provided that such organization(s) are organized and operated exclusively for educational, scientific, or charitable purposes and qualify under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE XIII – INDEMNIFICATION
TATS shall indemnify its officers, directors, committee members, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee law against expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, to which they may be made a party by reason of serving in such capacity, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best interests of TATS.
ARTICLE XIV – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
The Executive Board shall maintain a Policies and Procedures Manual that provides detailed operational guidelines and procedures consistent with these By-Laws. The Manual may be amended by majority vote of the Executive Board and does not require membership approval.
Section 2. CONFLICTS WITH National or District Organization
In the event of any conflict between these By-Laws and NATA or the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) By-Laws, policies, or requirements, the matter shall be resolved in favor of NATA's requirements, followed by SEATA’s requirements, as TATS operates as a state association within the national and district structure.
Section 3. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these By-Laws is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 4. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
References in these By-Laws to written notice, mailings, or communications include electronic communications such as email, unless specifically prohibited by law. Members must keep current email addresses on file with TATS.
Section 5. HEADINGS
Article and section headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of these By-Laws.