Whereas the Constitution of The Potato Association of America in Article VIII provides for the creation of sections and further prescribes that each section may develop its own bylaws for the conduct of its affairs provided such bylaws are in harmony with the constitution and bylaws of the Association the following shall be the bylaws of the Certification Section - The Potato Association of America.

1. Name - The name of the section shall be: Certification Section - The Potato Association of America.
2. Purpose - To strive for improvement of the seed potato industry by:

1. Improving certification procedures.
2. Exchanging information among seed potato workers.
3. Encouraging research directed toward improvements of seed potato performance.
4. Encouraging uniformity in regulations and identification of seed quality.
5. Encouraging high ethical standards for seed producers, dealers and certification officials.
3. Membership:

Voting membership in the Section is open to all members of The Potato Association of America who have an official status in the program of a legally authorized and constituted seed potato certification agency. (Official status is defined as having an assignment which at least in part is directly involved with the carrying out of certification procedures.)

1. Agency membership - shall be open to all legally authorized seed potato certification agencies operating throughout North and South America.
2. Membership fees:

• Individual- membership may be as set at any annual meeting.
• Agency fee schedule
• Annual registration fee - applies.
4. Officers:

1. Chairman - Elected annually by the voting membership of the Section. Presides over all meetings, directs the affairs of the Section and serves as a non-voting member of The Potato Association of America Executive Committee.
2. Vice-Chairman - Elected annually by the voting membership. Presides in the absence of the Chairman. Serves on the Executive Committee and shall assume responsibility for program planning.
3. Secretary-Treasurer - Elected annually by the voting membership. Records meeting minutes. Custodian of Section funds. Serves on the Executive Committee. A complete financial report shall be prepared and submitted to the Executive Committee of The Potato Association of America at least one month prior to The Potato Association of America annual meeting.
4. Executive Committee - Composed of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer and two other members, elected for two-year terms. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Section and shall be responsible for reporting to The Potato Association of America Executive Committee all activities of the Section.

5. Meetings - Two regularly scheduled meetings shall be held each year. One meeting shall beheld during the winter months and the other at the time and place of The Potato Association of America annual meeting. Additional meetings may be held with the approval of the Executive Committee.
6. Elections - Shall be held during the winter meeting each year.
7. Committees - The Chairman or the Executive Committee shall appoint such standing and special committees as may be appropriate to serve the needs of the Section.
8. Audit - The Executive Committee shall be responsible for auditing the books of the Treasurer and submitting a financial report to The Potato Association of America Executive Committee.
9. Quorum - A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of eight (8) agency members, i.e. 1 vote per member agency.
10. Amendments - These bylaws may be amended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the quorum at any regularly scheduled or special meeting. All members must receive written notification of the proposed change at least two (2) weeks prior to the time of voting.

Adopted February 18, 1970
Amended February 16, 1972
Amended December 3, 1998