About

In the Fall of 1959, the ground work was laid for the formation of a new chapter of the American Right of Way Association in North and South Carolina to be known as the Carolinas Chapter. Those persons involved in the formation of the new chapter were from the North Carolina State Highway Commission, the South Carolina State Highway Department, Duke Power Company, South Carolina Electric and Gas Company, Bureau of Public Roads, Appraisers, Realtors, Attorneys, and other companies and individuals who were interested in or allied with the Right of Way profession. Much work was accomplished in the Fall of 1959 and the Winter of 1960 and on February 9, 1960, Carolinas Chapter No. 31 was chartered in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Hotel Charlotte.

In attendance at the meeting was Frank C. Balfour, founder of the Association, Fred Crane, National Chairman, and fourteen other pilgrims who came from all parts of the country to join in the chartering ceremonies of the new chapter. These men were members of the Executive Committee of the National Association or committeemen from the various national committees.

Based on Chapter records, there were seventy-three charter members of the newly organized chapter with approximately fifty in attendance for the chartering.  The first president of the chapter was Wallace D. Gibbs, Jr., a Fee Appraiser, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Other officers were I. H. Boinest, Vice President, Chief Right of Way Engineer of the South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, Columbia, South Carolina; Henry E. Bryant, Secretary and Treasurer, Fee Appraiser of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Eugene E. Manning, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Construction Engineer with Piedmont Natural Gas Company of Charlotte, North Carolina. Twelve standing committees were appointed for the first year in addition to two National Directors. All of the above officers, directors and committeemen served until the fall meeting of the chapter held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in November, 1960. The chapter began with four meetings each year. Historically, election of officers has taken place at the fall meeting.

Since the formation of the Chapter in 1960, there have been several outstanding members who have served the Chapter and the Region and have served on International Committees. The most outstanding member to emerge from the chapter is George Migett, past International President and International Professional of the Year. Chapter history was made in 2001 when Kent Winslow, past Chapter President, won the International Professional of the Year Award and Samantha Strangman won the Regional Professional of the Year Award.  This was the first time our Chapter had won both awards in the same year.  Other members of the Chapter have served with distinction as Regional Chairmen of Region 6 and also as chairmen and members of various International Committees.

The Carolinas Chapter has hosted many Region 6 seminars.  In addition to regional meetings our Chapter hosted a most successful International Seminar in Charlotte, NC in 1992.

As one of the largest chapters in Region 6 and the Association, Chapter 31 generally has approximately 200 members. The chapter is unique in that it serves two states, North and South Carolina.

Education and professionalism go hand in hand and Chapter 31 has been a leader in both areas. A strong education program has been the spark plug for one of the most active SR/WA programs in the Association with sixty-five registered senior members at the present time. Each year since 1973 a worthy member of Chapter 31 has been a recipient of the Calvin J. Hager memorial award as right of way professional of the year.

We are proud of the many accomplishments of our chapter and look forward to new horizons in establishing a noteworthy Right of Way Association for professionals.

2019 John Palmer
2018 Anthony Alderman
2017 Jason Bloch
2016 Matt D. Rhoad
2015 Buster Allen, SR/WA
2014 Julia McDonald, PLS, PE
2013 John Yeagley
2012 Bill Christian, Jr. SR/WA
2011 John T. Gaffney
2010 Dan G. Rushing, SR/WA
2009 Paul E. Thompson, III, SR/WA
2008 Ray Dorman, SR/WA
2007 Robert Drayton, SR/WA
2006 Samantha Strangman, SR/WA
2005 Richard W. Pegg, SR/WA
2004 Angel Banks, SR/WA
2003 Teddy L. Greene
2002 Norman A. Medford, SR/WA
2001 Kent Winslow, SR/WA
2000 Tom Fox, SR/WA
1999 James Taylor, SR/WA
1998 Pate Hodges, SR/WA
1997 Paul O. (Mac) Semple, SR/WA
1996 A. D. (Doug) Allison, II, SR/WA
1995 Carolynn Robinson, SR/WA
1994 John A. Horne, SR/WA
1993 John B. Williamson, Jr., SR/WA
1992 N.W. (Nick) Dockery, Jr., SR/WA
1991 D. Glenn Stacy, SR/WA
1990 Faison Lewis, SR/WA
1989 C. Jeffrey Triplette, SR/WA
1988 Douglas D. Maloch, SR/WA
1987 John C. Colville, SR/WA,
1986 Jerry L. Bush, SR/WA
1985 A. J. DeStefano, Jr., SR/WA
1984 Tony E. Maye, SR/WA
1983 Carl R. Acker, Jr., SR/WA
1982 Robert H. Broome, III
1981 Larry N. Wright, SR/WA
1980 Heyward D. Wessinger, SR/WA
1979 Vernon M. Dull, SR/WA
1978 C. Jack Baldwin, SR/WA
1977 George E. Midgett, SR/WA
1976 Donald G. Baise, SR/WA
1975 Bobby Horton, SR/WA
1974 F. D. Morgan, SR/WA
1973 J. A. Vousden, SR/WA
1972 T. E. Henson, SR/WA
1971 W. W. Willard, SR/WA
1970 Calvin J. Hagar, SR/WA
1969 T. C. Wilkes, SR/WA
1968 James P. Rae, SR/WA
1967 J. McNary Spinger, SR/WA – James P. Rae, SR/WA
1966 William D. Moon, SR/WA
1965 Sidney O. Holstein, SR/WA
1964 Charles Bradshaw, SR/WA
1963 C. H. Albright, SR/WA
1962 M. E. White, SR/WA
1961 Joseph L. Walker, SR/WA
1960 Wallace D. Gibbs, SR/WA 

CAROLINAS CHAPTER 31

INTERNATIONAL RIGHT OF WAY ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I – GENERAL

Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be Carolinas Chapter 31, International Right of Way Association.

Section 2. This Chapter is a Chapter of the International Right of Way Association, a corporation formed

under the laws of the State of California and all of its rights and powers are subject to the laws of said State,

the Articles of Incorporation of said Association, and the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of said Association,

including the requirement that all Chapter bylaws and amendments thereto are not effective until their

approval by the International General Counsel of said International Right of Way Association.

Section 3. Each member of this Chapter must conduct himself or herself in such a manner as to reflect

honesty and the integrity of the International Right of Way Association and each is bound by the Code of

Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct of said Association. A member may be suspended or expelled

from this Chapter and from said Association on such grounds and in the same manner provided for in the

International Bylaws.

Section 4. This Association being non-political, non-partisan and non-sectarian, no member shall present

himself or herself as a representative of the Association without proper authorization from the Association. In

any presentation wherein a member is in anyway identified as member of the Association, said member shall

specifically indicate that the opinions expressed represent only private opinions and are not intended to

reflect policy positions of the Association or this Chapter.

Section 5. The administrative year of this chapter shall be from July 1 to June 30

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

The classes of membership in this Chapter and the requirements for such membership shall be those

established in the International Bylaws of the International Right of Way Association.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held at the time and place designated by the President.

Regular meetings shall be held at least four times each calendar year at intervals not less than 28 days

apart. A scheduled regular meeting, except the annual meeting, may be postponed by the President with the

concurrence of a majority of the Chapter Executive Board.

Section 2. An annual meeting of the members of this Chapter shall be held prior to the fifteenth day of the

second to last month (May) of each administrative year. Annual reports of all officers and committees will be

presented at that time. Chapter officers, including International Directors, for the coming year shall be elected

at said meeting and such other business as may be presented may be conducted.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President and shall be called upon receipt of a

written or electronically transmitted request of four members of the Chapter Executive Board or ten active

members of the Chapter.

Section 4. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the active members in writing or via electronically

transmitted communications or by telephone at least five days prior to such meeting.

Section 5. Seven active members or ten percent (10%) of the active membership of the chapter, whichever is

larger, shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this Chapter shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer,

together with such other officers as may be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Executive

Board.

In addition to the officers listed above, there shall be elected each year from the active membership of the

Chapter, one member to serve as a member of the International Board of Directors of the International

Right of Way Association. Said International Director shall be elected for a two-year term so as to comply

with the International Bylaws providing for two directors from each Chapter.

Section 2. Except for officers appointed by the President as provided in Section 1 of this Article, all officers

shall be elected by ballot from the active membership of this Chapter; the officers so elected and appointed

shall serve for one year beginning at the start of the administrative year or until their successors are duly

elected or appointed and installed.

Section 3. If the office of International Director shall be vacant, the Chapter shall, at an election scheduled

for and held at the next regular meeting of the chapter following the date the vacancy occurs, elect a Director

to hold the office during the unexpired term. If the Chapter fails to elect a new Director and to certify such

election to the International Secretary prior to the next meeting of the International Board of Directors, the

International Board of Directors, by a majority vote of those members in attendance, shall elect a Director

from the membership of the chapter present at the International Board of Directors meeting who shall hold

office for the unexpired term.

If the office of the President shall become vacant, the Vice President shall immediately succeed to the

duties and office of President. In the event of a vacancy in any other office except the offices of Vice

President or International Director, said office shall be filled by the President from the active members of

the Chapter with the concurrence of the Chapter Executive Board.

Section 4. No officer may be re-elected to the same office until two years have elapsed following the end of

the term to which elected, provided, however, that this limitation shall not apply to the office of Secretary,

Treasurer or International Director.

Section 5. The officers of this organization shall perform duties as herein set forth.

A. International Directors.

The International Directors shall act as liaison between the International and

Chapter structures of the Association working in close cooperation with the Regional Chair and Vice

Chair. They shall inform the Chapter Executive Board of all actions and activities occurring at meetings

of the International Board of Directors and of such other matters as may come to their attention. They

shall attend the annual meeting of the International Board of Directors and cast the Chapter’s votes. The

failure of a Director to attend the International Board of Directors meeting shall constitute his or her

resignation.

B. President.

The President shall be the chief Executive Officer of the Chapter and ex-officio member of all

committees and shall, subject to the control of the Executive Board, have general supervision, direction

and control of the business and officers of the Chapter. The President shall preside at all meetings of the

chapter and of the Executive Board, and shall have the general powers and duties usually vested in the

office of President, and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Bylaws of the

Association, this Chapter or the Chapter Executive Board.

C. Vice President.

The Vice President shall have the general powers and duties of a Vice President; shall

act as President in the case of the absence or disability of the President; shall advise and assist the

President when called on to do so, and shall perform such other duties as may be required by the

Executive Board. In case the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall become

President.

D. Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep a book of minutes of all of the meetings of the Chapter and the

Executive Board, shall carry on all correspondence of the Chapter and shall perform such duties as may

be required by the Executive Board.

E. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the Chapter and keep a proper record thereof, shall

deposit them in a convenient responsible bank, and shall disburse them only upon receipt of proper

authority from the Chapter Executive Board. The Treasurer shall provide financial reports as required by

the IRWA Headquarters in a timely fashion. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as are

delegated to that officer by the Chapter’s Executive Board.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES

Board. The elected Chapter officers, immediate Past President, and the Committee

Chairpersons shall constitute the Executive Board of this Chapter. The Executive Board shall have the

power and duty to conduct and direct all the business and affairs of the Chapter.

Section 2. Quorum. Seven (7) members of the Executive Board, if including at least three officers of the

Chapter, shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Board for the transaction of business. In the absence of

the Secretary, a Secretary pro-tem shall be appointed by the presiding officer.

Section 3. Committees. There shall be in this Chapter, certain standing committees as provided in this

Article. Unless specifically provided otherwise herein, the Chairperson and members of each standing

committee shall be appointed by the President immediately after taking office. They shall be appointed from

the active members of the Chapter to serve at the pleasure of the President. The President, or in case of the

disability or absence of the President, the Vice President, shall be an ex-officio member of each standing

committee.

Section 4. Committee on Nominations and Elections. A Committee on Nominations and Elections shall be

appointed by the President not later than the end of the seventh month of the administrative year and shall

consist of a Chairperson and at least three members. This committee shall present and recommend a slate

of officers to the membership for their consideration not later than the ninth month (

March

) of the

administrative year.

Section 5. Professional Development Committee. There shall be in this Chapter a Professional Development

Committee, consisting of (either 3 or a multiple of 3) members, each of whom shall be elected or appointed

for a three-year term. The Chairperson of said chapter Professional Development Committee (PDC) must

have attained the designation of Senior Member -International Right of Way Association and the other

members of the PDC, if not designated as Senior Member, should be an SR/WA Candidate or possess an

IRWA Discipline Certification whenever possible.

Section 6. Education Committee. There shall be in this Chapter an Education Committee, consisting of

(either 3 or a multiple of 3) members, each to be appointed by the President for a three-year term; provided,

however, that at the time of the initial appointment of the membership of said committee, that one-third of

said members shall be appointed for a one year term, one-third for a two year term, and remaining one-third

for a full three year term.

Section 7. Membership Committee. There shall be in this Chapter a Membership Committee, consisting of a

Chairperson and others as desired, appointed by the President.

Section 8. There may be such other standing or ad hoc committees as the Executive Board shall from time

to time determine to be necessary, provided, however, that there shall be established in this Chapter

committees corresponding to those certain International Committees designated for Chapter counterparts by

the International Board of Directors or the International Executive Committee.

IRWA Chapter Bylaws – August 2010

4

ARTICLE VI – DUES

Section 1. Annual dues of active members of this Chapter shall be such sum as is provided by the

International Bylaws of this Association as and for the annual per capita assessment plus the sum for

Chapter dues which may from time to time be established by the Executive Board.

Section 2. In addition to the dues required herein, all applications for new active membership shall be

accompanied by an application fee which may be established by the International Executive Committee.

Section 3. Annual dues of Associate Members of this Chapter shall be an amount which may be established

by the Executive Board.

Section 4. Annual dues of Retired Members, with magazine, of this Chapter, shall be an amount established

by the Executive Board.

Section 5. Annual dues of Retired Members, without magazine, of this Chapter, shall be an amount

established by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII – RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Rules of Order are hereby adopted as the rules for the procedure and conduct of all meetings of this

Chapter and of its Executive Board and Committees, except as otherwise specifically provided in these

Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be repealed, amended or new bylaws adopted at any regular meeting of the Chapter by

an affirmative two-thirds vote of the active members present after the same has been sent by mail or via

electronic transmission to active members of the chapter at least 10 days prior to the meeting. Said action by

the Chapter shall not become effective until approved by the International Executive Committee or its

designee.

ARTICLE IX – INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

Nothing in these Bylaws shall be interpreted to be inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation or the

International Bylaws of the International Right of Way Association.

APPROVED:

Eric Finn ____________________________ Date: ___April 29, 2010____________

International General Counsel

International Right of Way Association

RESOLUTION

ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

WHEARAS, Chapter 31 of the International Right of Way Association desires to update its Bylaws to conform

to the suggested Association format and to reflect procedural practices suggested by its Executive Board;

NOW THEREFORE, Be it resolved that These Bylaws adopted by Chapter 31 on this

27th day of August, 2010 be effective and replacing all previous Bylaws from this day forward.