Bylaws
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PINELLAS EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COALITION INC. ARTICLE 1 : NAME & LOCATION 1.1 NAME: The name of this Association shall be the PINELLAS EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COALITION. 1.2 LOCATION: The principal office and the location of the Association shall be at the offices of the elected president or as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. Other offices for the transaction of business shall be located at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. ARTICLE 2 : PURPOSE The PINELLAS EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COALITION shall promote the provision of services to ex-offenders and their families by networking within the public and private sectors and providing the ex-offender the opportunity to successfully re-enter the community . ARTICLE 3 : DISSOLUTION This corporation is not organized, nor shall it be operated for pecuniary gain or profit and it does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits or dividends to its members and is soley organized for nonprofit purposes. No part of the net income or this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof, of any individual. Upon dissolution of the corporation, a prorated portion of its assets attributable to dues and remaining after payment of, or provision of payment of all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to a non-profit organization dealing with the welfare of ex-offenders and maintaining exempt status under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. ARTICLE 4 : MISCONDUCT 4.1 DEFINITION Any display of misconduct. Inappropriate speech or behavior exhibited by a guest or member by which any guest or member is slandered, impugned, maligned or any way characterized on the basis of gender bias, race. Religious preference, nationality or ancestry, nor comments or conduct of a sexual nature shall be condoned or tolerated by the Coalition. 4.2 COMPLAINT PROCEDURE Any guest or member may file a complaint with any Board Member, Officer, or Committee Chair Person, who will note and document the nature of the alleged misconduct and bring to the attention of the President and/or full Board for action. 4.3 IMMEDIATE ACTION It is the duty of the President, or Committee Chairperson observing any ongoing misconduct to issue a warning to the party or parties involved to immediately desist in the conduct in question. If the behavior is so severe and/or continues to disrupt the good order, the guest or member shall be asked to leave or face removal. Failure to comply may result in forcible expulsion by authorities. 4.4 CRIMINAL WRONGDOING Any case of criminal wrongdoing shall be immediately reported to the proper authorities. 4.4 HEARING Any complaint filed against an Officer or Board Member shall be heard by the Board as a whole. All complaints filed against any other member will be heard by a committee of three, comprised of a Chairperson appointed by the President or the Board, one member chosen by the complainant and the other person chosen by the accused. The hearing will be held in no less than thirty days unless waived by all parties involved. Following presentations by the accused, the complainant and a review of all pertinent facts, a report shall be submitted to the Board of Directors of the Committee’s findings for action. If the Board finds for the complainant, sanctions may be imposed based on the severity of the offense, ranging from a written reprimand to suspension or permanent expulsion from the Association. Suspension or permanent expulsion shall require the concurrence of 2/3 of the members present. ARTICLE 5 : GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE All grievances shall be in writing and submitted to any Officer or Board member. The President will appoint a Chairperson and the parties involved shall each choose a member to hear the matter. A date for the hearing shall be set within 45 days, unless otherwise agreed upon by all parties concerned. All persons required to attend shall be notified in writing. If the grievance is against the President, the Board shall appoint the Chairman. ARTICLE 6 : MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS 6.1 MEMBERSHIP Any individual with an interest in assisting the ex-offender is welcome to attend the PINELLAS EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COALITION. Those seeking full membership must make application, fulfill the dues requirement or service in lieu of dues and be approved by the members of the Coalition at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 6.2 VOTING RIGHTS Only members who are current with dues requirements and have attended at least four of the last twelve general meetings held that year retain full voting privileges on matters presented to the general membership or committees on which they may serve. 6.3 Dues Dues will be assessed those wishing full membership with voting rights prior to the end of the calendar year as follows: Organizations $100.00 and allow the organization to delegate an individual to represent it and vote. Individuals $20.00 or service to the coalition in lieu of dues. ARTICLE 7 : OFFICERS 7.1 OFFICERS DESIGNATED The officers of the PINELLAS EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COALITION shall be the Chair Person, Vice-Chair person, treasurer, secretary and six Board Members at large. Three Board members shall be initially nominated by the Chair and approved by the board and three more the following year. Board member will serve a term of two years. Only full members of the PINELLAS EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COALITION are eligible to hold office and the immediate past Chair who shall also sit as a voting member of the board. 7.2 TERM Officers and Board members shall be elected annually by a majority vote of eligible Association members and shall hold office for a term of one year and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. 7.3 COMPENSATION There shall be no compensation of the officers except for approved related expenses. 7.4 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE Any officer may be removed from office for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. 7.5 VACANCY Any vacancy in the position of President, Vice president, Secretary, or Treasurer may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the majority vote of the Board. ARTICLE 8 : DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS 8.1 DUTIES OF THE CHAIRPERSON The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and Board and shall have general charge of and control over Association affairs, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and shall nominate the board members at large. 8.2 DUTIES OF THE VICE CHAIRPERSON The Vice Chairperson shall perform such duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. In case of the death, disability, or absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall be vested and assume all the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson. 8.3 DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes of all the meetings of the Board and general membership and shall give notice as required by these By Laws of these meetings. The Secretary shall have custody and charge of all the books, papers and records of the Association except such as by resolution shall be given to the Chairperson of the Association. 8.4 DUTIES OF THE TREASURER The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies of the Association received or dispersed, make such reports as required by the Board and shall deposit all monies and valuables in the name of and to the credit of the Association in such banks and depositories as the Board shall designate. At the Board’s discretion the Association may provide software to maintain such records as required or approve the use of an accounting professional to prepare such reports or audit records as desired. The Treasurer shall also be responsible for the billing and collection of all dues and assessments and provide the Board a list of those eligible to vote. 8.5 REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS The Board may, by majority vote, remove an officer or director from office if they are no longer eligible to serve or have unexcused absences from two consecutive meetings. The Board shall notify such officer or director and the Chairperson shall replace that member for the remainder of the term of office. 8.6 LEAVE OF ABSENCE For sufficient reason, such as illness or vacation, a member may request a leave of absence. ARTICLE 9 : COMMITTEES 9.1 GENERAL Advisory functions may be delegated to various committees to be established from time to time as the Chairperson or Board shall designate to cover the needs of the ex-offender and their families as identified by the Coalition. ARTICLE 10 : MEETINGS 10.1 ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Association shall be held in November at a location to be designated by the Directors. 10.2 REGULAR MEETINGS Monthly meetings shall be held on the fourth Thursday of every month, excepting the month of December. 10.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS Special meetings of members may be called by resolution of the Board or by a call signed by a majority of the members; or by a call of the Chairperson of the Association. 10.4 QUORUM The presence of ten (10%) of the membership shall be necessary at a regular meeting of the Association to constitute a quorum. The presence of fifty (50%) of the Officers and Directors shall be required to constitute a quorum for the meeting of the Board. In case a quorum is not present on the day fixed for the meeting, the members present may adjourn from time to time until one is obtained or adjourn and reschedule. ARTICLE 11 : PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Parliamentary authority will be the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. A Parliamentarian may be appointed by the Chairperson at all meetings to assure that they are conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. ARTICLE 12 : AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS These Bylaws may be amended by the membership at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been provided and read at the previous meeting. ARTICLE 13 : FINANCES The Board shall establish a budget and present it to the membership for approval at the annual meeting. ARTICLE 14 : DONATIONS Donations will be accepted to defray the expenses of the Coalition. ARTICLE 15 : TERMINATION The membership of any member shall terminate upon resignation of the member, expiration of the period membership or expulsion or suspension of the member or for failing to pay dues or failure to follow the Bylaws. Following a determination by the Board that a member should be suspended or expelled, a notice of intent to expel shall be sent by mail, which shall set forth the reasons thereof. The member shall be given an opportunity to be heard, either orally or in writing before such suspension or expulsion shall be effective but in no event shall such a hearing take place without thirty (30) days notice. Such a hearing shall take place before an appointed committee Selected according to the Bylaws. APPROVED AND ACCEPTED AUGUST 26, 1999 Pattie Harris Chairperson
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