This document printed from the University of Illinois Extension Christian County at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/christian/
Constitution and Bylaws
CONSTITUTION
CHRISTIAN COUNTY HOME AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION ASSOCATION
REVISED April 6, 1999
ARTICLE I. Name
The name of this Association shall be Christian County Home and Community Education Association. This Association shall be incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under Illinois Law.
ARTICLE II. Affiliation
The Christian County Home and Community Education Association shall be affiliated with the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education. Affiliation shall be based on the approval of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association constitution and by-laws by the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education Board and payment of annul dues to the same based on the December 31 membership. Affiliation will entitle the Christian County Home and Community Education Association to participate in the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education district, state, national, and international meetings and to have access to program support material and consultation with Illinois Association Home and Community Education Board members.
ARTICLE III. Location of Office
The office of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association shall be located at 1120 N. Webster Street, Taylorville, 62568 in Christian County in the state of Illinois.
ARTICLE IV. Objectives
The objectives of this County Association shall parallel those of the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education, namely:
· To bind together the units of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association.
· To promote the well being of the individual and family.
· To bring about a better of the relationship of the home, community, state and nation.
· To speak for and to further the interest of the family and community.
ARTICLE V. Structure
Section 1. Membership. The Christian County Home and Community Education Association does not discriminate by race, color, national origin, sex, or creed. Individuals may become members of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association by subscribing to the constitution and by-laws of this Association and by paying annual membership dues.
Section 2. Units. This County Association shall be composed of basic Units of members. A Unit is a group of members in a given geographical location within the county who meet monthly to receive educational program opportunities as planned and/or developed by the county.
Section 3. Dues. Dues shall be determined by the County Association Board based on the proposed yearly budget. The budget shall be approved by the membership at the annual or special meeting(s). Dues shall be payable in September of each year. Any member whose dues are not paid by November 30th shall automatically be suspended by the County Association Board from the enjoyment of the privileges of membership in the County Association.
ARTICLE VI. Christian County Home and Community Education Association Board
The direction of the program, fiscal and other affairs of this County Association shall be vested in a Board of Officers and Directors. The officers shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. To complete the membership of the Association Board there shall be Directors elected as needed to promote education program opportunities considered essential to fulfill the Objectives of this County Association.
ARTICLE VII. Meetings
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The Annual meeting of this County Association shall be held at such time as designated by the Association Board.
Section 2. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the County Association may be called by the President of the Association Board with the approval of the County Association Board. Notice of special meetings shall be given to all members of the County Association at least thirty days prior to the date of the meting. The President of the County Association shall call a special meeting upon written request of one-fifth of the membership of the County Association.
Section 3. Quorum. One tenth of the membership of this County Association shall constitute a quorum at any annual or special meeting.
ARTICLE VIII. Finance
Section 1. Investment of Funds. Funds of the Christian County home and Community Education Association shall be invested as authorized by the County Association Board.
Section 2. Distribution of Assets. In case of dissolution of this County Association this for distribution of the assets, not inconsistent with the provision of the "General Not for Profit Corporation Act" shall be adopted: 1) No distribution of the property of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association shall be made until all debts are fully paid and then only upon its final dissolution and surrender of organization and name, and as otherwise provided by law. 2) Action by two-thirds of the members present in quorum shall be necessary to may any distribution.
The Christian County Home and Community Education Association Board shall recommend the plan of distribution of the assets and direct the submission of the plan to annual or special meeting of the membership.
ARTICLE IX. Authority
Section 1. Legal. This County Association shall operate in careful adherence to the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and the State of Illinois.
Section 2. Federation. The Christian County Home and Community Education Association constitu90n and by-laws shall not conflict with the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education constitution and by-laws.
Section 3. Parliamentary. The Rules contained in the most recent revision of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this County Association in all cases in which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of this County Association.
ARTICLE X. Amendments
This Constitution may be revised, altered, amended or replaced and a new Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the quorum at any annual or special meeting. The Association President shall notify the Association membership of the proposed changes at least thirty days prior to the meeting date.
BY-LAWS
CHRISTIAN COUNTY HOME & COMMUNITY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
REVISED April 6, 1999
ARTICLE I. Christian County Home and Community Education Association Board
Section 1. Membership. The Board as defined in the Constitution Article VI shall consist of President, First Vice President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and Directors for the Christian County Home and Community Education Association.
Section 2. Terms of Office for Officers. The officers of the County Association shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of two years. The President, Second Vice-President and Secretary shall be elected in even years and the First Vice-President and Treasurer elected in the odd years. Each officer may serve more than one term in the same position but no more than four successive years on the County Association Board. A possible exception to this rule would be to allow the Treasurer to serve more than four successive years if she/he so desires.
Section 3. Terms of Office for Directors. Directors shall be elected for a term of two years, three in even years and others in odd years, and shall serve until their successors are elected. Each Director shall serve more than one term in the same position but no more than four successive years on the County Association Board. The County Association Board shall determine which directors shall be elected in the designated years.
Section 4. Duties of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association Board. It shall be the duty of the County Association Board to transact the regular business of this County Association, make policies and plan the County Association education program in consultation with the Extension Unit Leader, verify the reports of officers and committee, approve final plans for the County Association activities and perform such other duties as may be necessary for efficiently carrying out the work of this County Association.
Section 5. Meetings.
(A) The County Association Board shall meet twelve times a year. The Association Board President may call a meeting whenever she/he judges such action to be necessary and shall do so when requested in writing by three members of the Board. A majority of the members of the Association Board shall constitute a quorum.
B) Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of this County Association shall be held at a time selected by the Association Board. The following items of business should be included in the Annual Meeting Agenda:
· Reports from County Association Officers, committee and Units
· Approve budget for the ensuing year
· Elect officers for the ensuing year
· Receive reports from the Extension Unit Leader and Christian County Personnel of the University of Illinois Extension
· Share visions for the future of the Association
· Conduct other business which may be presented to the Association
· Present a program and/or related activity for continuing education or pleasure of the attendees
Section 6. Order of Business. The order of business at all meeting of this Association should be as follows:
· Call to Order by the presiding Officer
· Minutes of the previous meeting
· Reports of the Vice-presidents
· Report of the Treasurer
· Reports of Directors and Special Committees
· Unfinished Business
· New Business
· Adjournment
ARTICLE II. Duties of Officers of the County Association Board
Section 1. General Duties. The County association Board shall:
· Transact general and specific business
· Select standing and special committees
· Develop and promote a membership plan
· Develop financial plans
· To prepare, approve and record policies as needed
· Establish and maintain lines of communication between county and unit officers in matters related to the Association
· Encourage participation in District and State Association meetings/activities
· Provide safe storage for all County Association Board important records
Section 2. President. The President shall preside at the Annual meeting of this County Association, at meetings of the Board and the Advisory Committee (By-Laws. ARTICLE V Section 2). The President, with the approval of the Board, appoints all committee not otherwise provided for.
The President shall perform such other duties as the office may require.
Section 3. First Vice-President. The First Vice-President shall be Chairperson of the Program Committee (By Laws. ARTICLE V. Section 2). The First Vice-President shall work with the Program Committees and Extension Unit Leader in planning and carrying out various phases of the County Association program. The First Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in case of the absence or disability of the President. The First Vice-President shall perform such other duties as the office may require.
Section 4. Second Vice-President. The Second Vice President shall be the Chairperson of the County Membership Committee (By-Laws. ARTICLE V. Section 2). She/he shall send county membership reports as requested to the District Director. The Second Vice-President shall perform such other duties as the office may require.
Section 5. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of the transaction of the County Association Board, Executive Committee, Advisory Committee and the Annual Meeting of the Association (By-Laws. ARTICLE V. Section 2). The Secretary shall provide a current copy of the County Association Constitution and By-Laws to the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education District Director. A new cop of Constitution and By-Laws will be provided whenever either document is amended. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as the office may require.
Section 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of this County Association and shall pay them out only at the direction of the Association Board. The Treasurer shall make a financial report at teach meeting of the County Association Board and at the Annual Meeting of this County Association. A copy of each treasurer's report shall be placed in the permanent file of the President. The Treasurer shall make such other reports and give such bond as the Board may direct. The cost of such bond shall be paid by the County Association. The Treasurer shall submit records for review at the end of the County Association year and at other times as directed by the Board.
Due to the amount of responsibility associated with the Office of County Association Treasurer, it would (appear to) be advisable for the Association Board and President not to assume that the Association Treasurer should automatically serve as Chairperson of the Finance Committee as in previous years.
The Association Treasure may serve in a counseling and/or advisory capacity as a non-voting member of the Finance Committee.
ARTICLE III. Finances
Section 1. Finance Committee. The County Association President with the approval of the County Association Board shall appoint a Chairperson and members to serve as the Finance Committee who shall review assets, anticipated income and expenses of the County Association. This committee shall plan and implement ways of meeting financial obligations. Some programs of the County Association Committees may evolve into a method of und-raising for the County Association.
Section 2. Budget Preparation. The annual budget of the County Association shall be prepared by the County Association President, the County Association Treasured and the Extension Unit Leader for approval by the County Association Board and subsequent presentation to the Association membership for ratification at the Annual Meeting of the County Association.
Section 3. Contributions. The Christian County Home and Community Education Association is authorized to receive voluntary contributions.
ARTICLE IV. Remunerations. Members for the Christian County Home and Community Education Association Board shall serve without remuneration. Necessary travel and subsistence expenses for delegates may be allowed by a vogue at the County Association Board to attend the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education state meetings and other such meetings.
ARTICLE V. Committees
Section 1. General Composition and Procedures. The Association President, with the approval of the County Association Board, appoints chairperson and members of committees except where such membership is specifically defined by the By-Laws. The Chairperson of each committee reports and submits all recommendations from the committee to the County Association Board. Any committee whose function has been completed is automatically dissolved.
The Association President serves ex-officio on all committees except Nominating Committee. The Extension Unit Leader serves ex-officio without vote on all committees.
Section 2. Standing Committees
A. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the County Association Board shall be comprised of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to transact any business of the County Association delegated to it by the Association Board.
B. Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee, chaired by the County Association President, shall be composed of Unit Chairperson or a Unit representative meeting quarterly in regular session with the County Association Board.
It shall be the duty of the Advisory Committee to relay from their Units suggestions, concerning plans, policies and other items of mural concern for the County Association.
The County Association President shall call additional meetings of the Advisory Committee when it appears necessary or when requested in writing by five members of the Advisory Committee.
C. Program Committee. The Program Committee shall be chaired by the County Association
First Vice-President. Other members are Program Directors of the County Association Board and unit First Vice-Chairperson. It shall be the duty of the Program Committee to recommend to the County Association Board Program content and activities based upon careful study of County problems and concerns. Suggested Education programs proved by the University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education may be utilized. Educational programs developed by the County Association will be shared with members of Units through special instruction and guidance provided by the County Association at county-wide training sessions for unit volunteers and/or appointees. This information will then be relayed on a monthly basis to their respective units. Other program emphases, special events, interest groups and activities will be developed in cooperation with County Association Directors responsible for the various related areas of interest and/or activities. There shall be at least one meeting of the Program Committee each year.
D. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the County Association Second Vice-President and shall be composed of the County Association Board and unit Second Vice-Chairperson. It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to develop a Membership Promotion Plan for the County Association to include a design for retaining current members, to reach new or transferring members and enrolling them as active participating members in the membership categories designated by the County Association and the Illinois Association for Home and Community Education.
Plans for the membership promotional shall include provisions for the following types of membership in the County Association.
1. Unit Member. Any person paying the required current membership fee is entitled to become a participating member of any selected Unit within the County Association, and may participate as desired in any of the County Association activists provided the required fee is paid for each event—registration, activity/participation, cost of meal, travel, etc.
Unit Membership dues will be determined by the County Association Board. (Constitution. ARTICLE V. Section. 3)
2. Mailbox Member. A person who may want to participate in County Association activities, but who does not wish to be an active member of a unit may pay Mailbox Member dues to be determined by the County Association Board. (Constitution. ARTICLE V. Section 3) They will receive the monthly County Association publication.
3. Bride. A new bride, if not a current member, within six months of marriage may have six months free membership, with the option of becoming a Unit or Mailbox Member after the six months free membership, for half the yearly dues as determined by the County Association Board. (Constitution. ARTICLE V. Section 3)
4. Transferring Members. When a member transfers from one county to another, the member is not asked to pay membership dues in a second county until the date of membership dues expires in the first county. (This is an IAHCE policy.)
5. Membership Recognition. Recognition should be given to those Association members who complete twenty (20) years and fifty (50) years consecutive membership in the County Association. The type of recognition and a date and place for acknowledgement shall be determined by the County Association Board in cooperation with the Membership Committee.
Additional membership categories may be appropriate for consideration as conditions/situations change within the county.
E. Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee of three members shall be appointed by the County Association President. This Committee shall report the list of nominees for offices to be filled by election at the Annual Meeting of the County Association as specified in ARTICLE I. Section 2.
Section 3. Special Committees
A. A Policy Committee, composed of the County Association Board Secretary, Immediate Past County Association president (or other Past County Association President) and one other Past County Association Board member will conduct an annual review of Policies of the Christian County Home and Community Education Association.
A copy of the current County Association policies will be included in the annual program book.
B. A Constitution and By-Law Review Committee shall review the Constitution and By-Laws each even-numbered year. Recommendations for revisions shall be reported to the County Association Board for consideration and approval in preparation for subsequent presentation at the Membership Annual Meeting for ratification. This committee chosen at random by the Association President from the Association membership should purposely have no binding guidelines for selection and appointment.
C. Other Special Committees may be appointed by the County Association President as needed.
(By-Laws. ARTICLE II. Section 2.)
ARTICLE VI. Unit Organization
Section 1. Home and Community Education Unit. There shall be Home and Community Education Units for members established in various geographical locations within the county for the purpose of receiving education programs as planned by the Association.
(Constitution. ARTICLE V. Section 2)
Section 2. Officers and Directors. Each Unit will elect a Chairperson, First Vice-Chairperson, Second Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer annual at the regular May meeting. Unit Directors similar to the County Association will be appointed by the Unit Chairperson to promote the Objectives of the Association and to receive educational opportunities as developed by the County Association Board, standing and special committees. All Unit officers and directors will assume their duties in September, and shall arrange for unit meetings and/or special activities of the unit.
Section 3. Unit Chairperson. The Unit Chairperson shall preside at all unit meetings and shall with approval of the Unit Executive Committee, appoint all unit committees and appoint unit directors of program to correspond with current directors of the County Assonating Board. The chairperson of each unit shall relay the recommendation of the unit to the County Association Advisory Committee. The Chairperson shall perform other duties as the office may require.
Section 4. Unit First Vice-Chairperson. The First Vice-Chairperson serves on the County Association Program Committee and implements the Association program in the unit. The First Vice-Chairperson may plan and develop additional program components within the unit. The First Vice-Chairperson shall perform all duties of the Chairperson in the absence of that officer and shall perform other duties as the office may require.
Section 5. Unit Second Vice-Chairperson. The Second Vice-Chairperson serves on the County Association Membership Committee. The Second Vice-Chairperson shall promote the county membership plan for the unit. This officer shall:
Keep a record of all unit membership
Collect dues, provide members with a receipt of payment and transmit dues received to the County Association Treasured along with a duplicate of the receipt.
Contact members who are delinquent in payment of dues before reporting such delinquency to the County Membership Committee
Perform other duties as the office requires
Section 6. Unit Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the unit organization. Records shall include business transactions, attendance, programs and other matters of interest. The Secretary shall perform other duties as the office may require.
Section 7. Unit Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and have charge of all funds of the unit organization and pay them out on order of the unit. The Treasurer's report shall be made at each unit meeting and all records given to her/his successor. The Treasurer shall perform other duties as the office may require.
ARTICLE VII. Amendments
These By-Laws may be revised, altered, amended or replaced and a new set of By-Laws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the quorum at any annual or special meeting. The County Association President shall notify the Association membership of the proposed changes at least thirty days prior to the meeting date.
