BY-LAWS

BY-LAWS OF THE ST. CLAIR COUNCIL AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 

ARTICLE I

COUNCIL NAME AND ADDRESS

 

Section 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be the St. Clair Council Against Domestic Violence.

 Section 2. Geographical Area

Primary administration of organization (hereafter, the “Council”) shall be conducted in St. Clair County in the State of Alabama

 Section 3. Official Address

The official address of the Council shall be the YWCA office in Pell City.  For the sole purpose of ensuring public access, the official address shall be the YWCA’s Office at 1918 Cogswell Ave., Pell City, AL, 35125. Email address will be Stclairtaskforce@yahoo.com

 Section 4. Availability of Bylaws.

For the sole purpose of ensuring public access, a copy of the Council’s bylaws shall be maintained on file in the Office of the District Attorney, both Pell City and Ashville, also in the Pell City Office of the YWCA.

 

Article II

MISSION AND FUNCTION

 

Section 1. Mission of the Council

The mission of the St. Clair Council Against Domestic Violence is to end domestic violence in St. Clair County.  The general purpose of the Council shall be to ensure safety and restoration for victims of physical and psychological acts of domestic violence, cessation of the violation, and accountability of perpetrators.  In order to accomplish these purposes the council shall: 1) Improve coordination and consistency among agencies, departments, the courts and members of the community in matters of domestic violence and abuse; 2) Promote effective prevention, intervention, and treatment techniques which will be developed bases upon available research.; 3) Reduce incidents of domestic violence through improved response; 4) Advocate for improved policies, services, and increased resources for families involved in domestic violence; 5) Increase community and professional awareness about family violence and its prevention: 6) Urge and cooperate with government bodies to pass legislation for the prevention of domestic violence.

 Section 2.  Limitations on Activities of the Council

The Council shall neither maintain, nor seek to maintain control over the day-to-day operations of the organizational or individual members of the Council.  Furthermore, the Council shall not be involved in, direct of attempt to direct the delivery of direct services to the victims or perpetrators of domestic violence.

 

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL

 

Section 1.  Council Membership

Membership in the Council shall be open to all organizations and individuals located in or operating in St. Clair County that demonstrate an interest in furthering the mission and goals of the Council.

 Section 2. Duties of Council Members

Council members shall support the achievement of the Council’s mission and goals by (a) supporting and participating in the activities of the Council, and (b) where applicable, ensuring that the member’s policies and procedures are consistent with the mission of the Council.

 Section 3. Meetings

Section 3 (a). Monthly Meetings

There shall be at least one meeting of the general membership, monthly.

Section 3 (b). Special Meetings

Special meetings of the general membership may be called by the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.

Section 3 (c). Notice of Meetings

Notice of a meeting of the general membership may be printed or electronic transmissions and shall state the purpose of the meeting.

Section 3 (d). Voting

At meetings of the general membership each member shall be entitled to one vote in person on matters requiring a vote of the Council’s general membership.

Section 3 (e) Voting registration must be filed and returned to the Secretary by September 1, to be eligible to vote or nominate.

 

ARTICLE IV

Executive Committee

 

Section 1 . Composition of the Executive Committee

Section 1 (a).    The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Council and two At Large Members.

Section 1 (b).   The Council’s Executive Committee shall have the following officers: Chairperson; Vice Chairperson; Secretary; and Committee Coordinator.

 Section 2. Election and Term of Office

Section 2 (a). Officers shall be elected by Council membership at a regular monthly meeting.  Officers shall serve a term of one calendar year,        or until his or her successor is elected.

Section 2 (b). Nomination

Nomination for the Executive Committee will be done at the regular September general meeting.

Section 2 (c). Election  

Election for the Executive Committee will be done at the regular October general meeting.

Section 2 (d) New Term

The newly elected Executive Committee members will begin their term November 1 of the year they were elected.

Section 2 (e) Limitations on Nominations

Section 2 (e) 1. Nominations for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may not be a shelter staff employee.

Section 2 (e) 2. There shall not be more than two members of the Executive Committee from the same organization.

 Section 3. Duties

Section 3 (a). In General

The officers shall perform the duties defined by these Bylaws and shall assume, when authorized by the Council, additional duties necessary to the efficient administration of the Council and the fulfillment of its mission.

Section 3 (b). Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Council; serve as the Chairperson of the Executive Committee; cause adequate notice of all Council and Executive Committee meetings to be issued; be an ex officio member to all Council committees, and perform the duties that usually pertain to such office.

Section 3 (c). Vice Chairperson

The Vice Chairperson shall assume such duties as may be designated by the Chairperson.  In the absence of the Chairperson, The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson.

Section 3 (d). Secretary

The Secretary shall serve as the Secretary of the Executive Committee and of the Council.  The Secretary shall cause minutes of the meetings of the executive Committee and Council to be made available to the members of the Council.

Section 3 (e). Committee Coordinator

The Committee Coordinator shall serve as Executive Committee liaison to council committees. Committee Coordinator shall maintain contact with and coordinate with all council committees.

Section 3 (f). At Large Members

The At Large Members shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.

           

ARTICLE V

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DUTIES

 

Section 1. Function of the Executive Committee

The Council’s Executive Committee shall conduct, manage, and control the affairs and property of the Council.

Section 2. Meetings

Section 2 (a). Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at least 12 times per year.

Section 2 (b). Notice of Meetings

Notice of regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be decided by all Executive Committee member in a reasonable time.

Section 2 (c). Voting and Quorum Requirements

At Executive meetings, each Member of the Executive Committee, present in person, shall be entitled to one vote.  Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, all questions shall be decided by a majority vote, present in person and entitled to vote. 

            *Quorum being half plus one of the Executive Committee present.*

 

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committee

The Council, working with the members of the Executive Committee, shall organize as many additional committees and working groups as necessary to conduct the administration of the Council.

Section 2. Committee Chairpersons

The members of each working committee shall elect a Committee Chairperson.  Each Chairperson will report to the Committee Coordinator the activities of the Committee.

 

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed at any meeting of the Executive Committee by a two-thirds majority vote, present in  person and entitled to vote, provided that the notice of such meeting includes a description of the proposed action.