Guild By-Laws

§ 1.1 – Name. The association shall be known as the International Guild of Master Bomb Technicians (hereinafter “Guild” or “IGMBT”).

§ 1.2 – Mission. The mission of the Guild is to safeguard life, property, and the environment by elevating the practice of bomb disposal through the recognition, certification, and support of Master Bomb Technicians worldwide.

§ 1.3 – Purpose. The Guild exists to,

(a)  Establish and maintain an internationally recognized certification standard for Master Bomb Technicians,

(b)  Foster professional excellence and ethical conduct,

(c)  Advance research, education, and innovation in bomb‑disposal science and art,

(d)  Facilitate global cooperation and information exchange among bomb disposal professionals and stakeholders, and

(e)  Provide authoritative advocacy on matters affecting the safety, effectiveness, and welfare of bomb‑disposal practitioners and the public they serve.

§ 2.1 – Incorporation. The Guild shall be incorporated as a non-stock, non-profit professional association under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and shall operate exclusively to promote the common business and professional interests of bomb-disposal specialists and allied professionals, including related educational, scientific, and standard-setting activities, all within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision).

§ 2.2 – Prohibition on Private Inurement. No part of the Guild’s net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its directors, officers, members, or other private persons, except that the Guild is authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments in furtherance of the purposes set forth herein.

§ 2.3 – Political Activity. The Guild shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

§ 3.1 – Classes and Eligibility. The Guild recognizes the following membership classes:

(a)  Certified Master Bomb Technician (CMBT) – An individual who has met all requirements for Master Bomb Technician certification as promulgated by the Certification Board.

(b)  Fellow – A CMBT in good standing with at least ten years of professional experience who has demonstrated distinguished service to the Guild or the bomb disposal profession and has been elected by the Guild Council.

(c)  Associate – An individual engaged in, supporting, or studying bomb‑disposal or related disciplines who does not meet CMBT requirements.

(d)  Student/Trainee – An individual enrolled in an EOD training program recognized by the Guild.

(e)  Honorary Master Bomb Technician (HMBT (Hon.)) – An individual selected in accordance with Article XII.

(f)   Guild Ambassador (Amb-CMBT) – An individual selected in accordance with Article XIII.

§ 3.2 – Rights and Privileges. Only CMBTs and Fellows may vote in Guild elections, serve as officers, or chair standing committees except as otherwise provided herein. Honorary members have social privileges but shall not vote or hold elective office.

§ 3.3 – Admission. Applications for membership shall be submitted in the manner prescribed by the Membership Committee and approved by the Guild Council.

§ 4.1 – Certification Board. The Certification Board shall develop and administer standards, examinations, and procedures for the CMBT credential in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024.

§ 4.2 – Requirements. Certification requirements include a comprehensive job‑task analysis, minimum professional experience, written examinations, practical evaluations, and adherence to the Code of Ethics.

§ 4.3 – Recertification. CMBTs must recertify at intervals not to exceed five years by demonstrating continued competence, professional development, and ethical conduct.

§ 4.4 – Appeals. Applicants denied certification or recertification may appeal in writing to the Appeals Panel of the Certification Board within thirty days of notification.

§ 5.1 – Guild Council. The governing body of the Guild is the Guild Council, composed of the Director, Assistant-Director, Treasurer, Secretary, and five Council-Members‑at‑Large. Council-Members are elected by voting members for staggered three‑year terms.

§ 5.2 – Officers. Officers are elected by the Guild Council from among its members at the first Council meeting following the annual election.

§ 5.3 – Executive Director. The Council may appoint an Executive Director to manage day‑to‑day operations subject to Council oversight.

§ 5.4 – Authority. The Council has full power to act on behalf of the Guild except as reserved to the membership by these By‑Laws or applicable law.

§ 6.1. Standing Committees. Standing committees include, but are not limited to, the Certification Board, Ethics Review Board, Honors and Awards Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, and Nominations Committee. The Council may create other committees as required.

§ 6.2. Composition and Duties. Committee composition, terms of service, and duties are set forth in policies approved by the Council.

§ 7.1 – Annual Congress. The Guild shall convene an Annual Congress of members at a time and place determined by the Council, with at least sixty days’ notice.

§ 7.2 – Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, by a majority of the Council, or by petition of ten percent of the voting membership.

§ 7.3 – Quorum. Twenty percent of the voting membership constitutes a quorum for meetings of members. A majority of seated Council members constitute a quorum for Council meetings.

§ 7.4 – Voting. Voting may be conducted in person, by secure electronic means, or by proxy pursuant to procedures established by the Council.

§ 8.1 – Authority. The Code of Ethics adopted by the Council and ratified by the membership is binding on all classes of members.

§ 8.2 – Compliance. Acceptance of membership constitutes an agreement to abide by the Code and to submit to its enforcement mechanisms.

§ 9.1 – Jurisdiction. Alleged violations of the Code, these By‑Laws, or other Guild policies are subject to investigation by the Ethics Review Board.

§ 9.2 – Due Process. The respondent shall receive written notice of allegations, an opportunity to respond, and the right to representation.

§ 9.3 – Sanctions. The Board may impose corrective action, reprimand, suspension, or revocation of membership or certification, subject to Council ratification.

§ 9.4 – Appeals. Decisions may be appealed to an independent Appellate Panel within thirty days.

§ 10.1 – Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Guild begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December.

§ 10.2 – Dues. Annual dues for each membership class are set by the Council.

§ 10.3 – Budget and Audit. The Council shall adopt an annual budget and cause an independent audit to be conducted at least every two years.

§ 10.4 – Funds. All funds shall be deposited in the name of the Guild in financial institutions selected by the Council.

§ 11.1 – Proposal. Amendments may be proposed by the Council or by petition of ten percent of the voting membership.

§ 11.2 – Notice. Proposed amendments shall be distributed to all voting members at least thirty days prior to the vote.

§ 11.3 – Approval. Amendments are adopted upon an affirmative two‑thirds vote of the members casting ballots.

§ 12.1 - Purpose. This category honors individuals of eminent distinction who have rendered outstanding service to the bomb‑disposal community.

§ 12.2 – Eligibility, Nomination, and Selection. Procedures are prescribed by Council policy, including a limit of two appointments per fiscal year and a required three‑fourths Council vote.

§ 12.3 – Rights and Limitations. Honorary members enjoy lifetime social privileges and may use the post‑nominal “HMBT (Hon.)” but shall not vote or hold elective office.

§ 12.4 - Revocation. The Council may revoke the title for cause by two‑thirds vote following due process.

§ 13-A.1 – The Council may appoint Guild Ambassadors to represent the Guild in designated nations.

§ 13-A.2 – Ambassadors must be CMBTs (or Fellows) in good standing, meet criteria set by policy, and are confirmed by a three-quarters Council vote.

§ 13-A.3 – Ambassadors are exempt from dues for the duration of their appointment and may style themselves “Amb-CMBT.”

§ 13-A.4 – Duties, privileges, and revocation procedures shall be prescribed in Council policy.

§ 14-B.1 – The Council may appoint one Ambassador-at-Large at any given time to serve as the Guild’s principal diplomatic envoy.

§ 14-B.2 – Appointment requires a four-fifths Council vote and confers a renewable five-year term, dues exemption, and advisory Council seat (non-voting).

§ 14-B.3 – Duties, privileges, and revocation procedures shall be set by Council policy consistent with this Article.

Upon dissolution of the Guild, assets shall be distributed exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding provisions of any successor statute, as the Council shall determine.