Archive:Bylaws RC2 1

'''Please do not edit this page. Make edits directly on Bylaws RC2. --Gavin Baker 11:41, 10 September 2007 (JST)'''

Section 1.1.1. Annual Elections
Elections shall be called once a year in the spring for all seats on the board.

Members of any chapter (as defined by the chapter) and current members of the board of directors can nominate themselves or other eligible individuals for board positions.

Members of any chapter (as defined by the chapter) and current members of the board of directors shall be eligible to stand for election to the board. There is no limit to the number of terms that a person may serve on the board. If the Coordinator wants to run for the Board, they must resign from the Coordinator position first.

The Coordinator is responsible for announcing elections for the board of directors and determining a deadline for voting. The Coordinator shall appoint an external third party to tally votes and submit results to the board and the Coordinator; the Coordinator shall notify the Organization of the results.

Members of the board of directors are elected by the liaisons of official chapters by preferential voting. Chapters may use whatever internal methods they prefer in order to direct their liaison's vote. Chapter liaisons shall rank candidates for the board of directors in order of preference. Votes are tallied and winners chosen via the Schulze method.

Section 1.1.2. Interim Elections
In the event of a vacancy on the board, the Coordinator shall, within 72 hours, announce the vacancy and open nominations for an interim board member to fill the vacant seat. Nominations shall be open for no less than 14 days. Following nominations, voting shall be open for no less than 14 days. Voting procedures shall be the same as for regular board elections. The winner shall immediately become an interim board member, with all the rights and responsibilities of a board member.

Seats of the board which are vacated and filled by interim board members shall be subject to the same election cycle to the regular board elections. If the vacancy occurs 31 days or less prior to a regular board election, the seat shall remain vacant until the regular election.

Section 1.2.1.1. Chairperson
The board of directors shall have a chairperson.

The chairperson shall be elected by majority vote of the board. Any board member may nominate themself or any other member of the board for chairperson. A board member may accept or decline a nomination. A board member must accept a nomination to be a candidate for chairperson. The board shall elect a new chairperson after each board election, not including the election of interim board members.

In the event of the chairperson's resignation, the board shall elect an interim chairperson. Interim board members shall be eligible to stand for election, to nominate, and to vote in in the election of an interim chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall preside over the election of an interim chairperson.

Notwithstanding the bylaws, the board may establish procedures for electing a chairperson.

The chairperson shall be responsible for: arranging the time and method of meetings of the board, setting the agenda for meetings of the board, and presiding over meetings of the board.

The chairperson shall not vote on motions except to break a tie.

Section 1.2.1.2. Vice-Chairperson
The board of directors shall have a vice-chairperson.

The vice-chairperson shall be elected by majority vote of the board. Any board member may nominate themself or any other member of the board for vice-chairperson. A board member may accept or decline a nomination. A board member must accept a nomination to be a candidate for vice-chairperson. The board shall elect a new vice-chairperson after each board election, not including the election of interim board members.

In the event of the vice-chairperson's resignation, the board shall elect an interim vice-chairperson. Interim board members shall be eligible to stand for election, to nominate, and to vote in in the election of an interim vice-chairperson. The chairperson shall preside over the election of an interim vice-chairperson.

Notwithstanding the bylaws, the board may establish procedures for electing a vice-chairperson.

In the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall act as chairperson, with the duties and responsibilities of the chairperson.

When acting as chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall not vote on motions except to break a tie.

Section 1.2.2. Procedures of the Board
The board of directors shall consist of five members.

At least two-thirds of the board, including either the chairperson or vice-chairperson, must be present at a meeting for the board to conduct business.

Minutes, including all votes, must be taken at all official meetings and published for all members of the Organization. Other records, such as board emails, audio recordings, and logs, may be made available to the members of the Organization as decided by the board. The board may also make procedures for providing access to these documents to the general public.

Voting by proxy at official meetings shall not be allowed.

Absentee voting at official meetings shall not be allowed. The board by majority vote may approve an exception to allow absentee voting on a motion by a board member in the event of the unavoidable absence of that member. The board may only approve an exception to allow absentee voting on a motion which was previously discussed by the board, provided that the motion is not substantively amended during the meeting from which the absentee voter is absent, and provided that new information which casts the motion in a substantively different light is not presented at the meeting from which the absentee voter is absent, as determined by the board in its vote on approving the exception to allow absentee voting. Procedure for absentee voting shall be as follows:
 * 1) Any board member may request an absentee vote prior to a meeting at which they shall be absent.
 * 2) The absentee board member may send their vote to the chairperson in advance of the meeting. The chairperson shall not reveal the vote to the board without the absentee board member's consent.
 * 3) Immediately before voting on the motion in question, the board members present shall hear the request for absentee vote and shall vote to approve or to deny the request.
 * 4) If the board approves the request for absentee vote, the chairperson shall present the absentee member's vote, which shall count equally with the vote of board members present.

The board of directors makes decisions by majority vote. Voting shall take place only in official meetings except as otherwise noted in these bylaws. At any time in discussion of a proposal at an official meeting, any board member may move to call the question; any other board member may second this motion. A motion to call the question is non-debatable and may not be amended. The chairperson shall read the proposal to the board. The board shall then vote on whether to call the question; if a majority of the board votes to call the question, the board shall proceed directly to voting on whether to approve the proposal. If a majority of the board does not vote to call the question, the proposal shall revert to debate. A tie vote does not pass.

Board members must abstain from voting in the event of a conflict of interest. Board members may also abstain for any other reason.

The board shall be governed, in order of precedence, by these bylaws, the rules and procedures of the board, and by Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 1.3. Board Duties and Powers
The board must meet at least once a semester, and should not have regular meetings more than twice a month. Special meetings may be called by the chair if the board needs to meet between regular meetings.

All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Organization shall be managed under, the direction of the board. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board under these bylaws or any provision of law may be delegated by the board to the chair or to any committee of the board.

The board of directors selects, directs, and terminates the Coordinator. The board shall approve important expenditures, appointments, and other major decisions by the Coordinator, as the board defines them.

The board of directors creates, selects, directs, and terminates other executive positions, if needed. It may also create or terminate committees or "teams" as needed, such as web, outreach, or press.

The Board of Directors may vote, either in an official meeting or via email per the procedures in Article V, Section 1.2.2., to reverse an appointment by the Coordinator within seven days of the appointment. Similarly, the Board of Directors can vote in an official meeting or via email to reverse the termination of an appointment by the Coordinator within seven days of the termination.

Members of chapters and volunteers who are affected by an appointment may, within 14 days of the appointment, request the board to review the appointment where there is a conflict with pre-existing appointments. The Board must vote whether to rescind the appointment within 14 days of the request.

The board may vote via email to reverse the Coordinator's decision to approve a new chapter, as defined in Article IV, Section 2. Upon receiving notification of the approval of a chapter, if a board member wishes to reverse the decision, they may send an email to the board calling for a vote. If a quorum of the board responds with a vote within seven days of the approval, and a majority of members voting vote to reverse the decision, then the decision to approve the chapter shall be reversed. In all other circumstances, the chapter shall be approved.

The board must stay aware of all major issues and activities within the Organization.

Board members may not be compensated for their roles as board members. They may be allowed expenses, by resolution of the Board, for attending meetings, if necessary.

Section 1.4. Board Vacancies
Resigning board members must tender their resignation in writing to all remaining board members. All chapters must be notified of any resignations from the board within one week. If a board member resigns, nominations and elections for an interim board member shall be conducted in the same fashion as for normal elections as described in 5.1.1.

Section 2.1 Membership
Any member of a chapter is eligible to join the Core Team. An eligible individual may become a member of the Core Team by attending two consecutive regular or special meetings of the Core Team meetings and notifying the Chairperson of the Core Team in writing prior to the next meeting.

An individual's Core Team membership is suspended if he or she misses two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings. An individual whose Core Team membership is suspended can re-join the Team by again attending two consecutive meetings, as described above.

Any member of a chapter can attend and speak at Core Team meetings; however, only Core Team members may vote.

Section 2.2.1. Chairperson
The Core Team shall have a chairperson.

The chairperson shall be elected by majority vote of the Core Team. Any Core Team may nominate themself or any other member of the Core Team for chairperson. A Core Team member may accept or decline a nomination. A Core Team member must accept a nomination to be a candidate for chairperson. The Core Team shall elect a new chairperson every four months.

In the event of the chairperson's resignation, the Core Team shall elect a new chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall preside over the election of an new chairperson.

Notwithstanding the bylaws, the Core Team may establish procedures for electing a chairperson.

The chairperson shall be responsible for: arranging the time and method of meetings of the Core Team, setting the agenda for meetings of the Core Team, and presiding over meetings of the Core Team.

The chairperson shall not vote on motions except to break a tie.

Section 2.2.2. Vice-Chairperson
The Core Team shall have a vice-chairperson.

The vice-chairperson shall be elected by majority vote of the Core Team. Any Core Team member may nominate themself or any other member of the Core Team for vice-chairperson. A Core Team member may accept or decline a nomination. A Core Team member must accept a nomination to be a candidate for vice-chairperson. The Core Team shall elect a new vice-chairperson every four months.

In the event of the vice-chairperson's resignation, the board shall elect a new vice-chairperson. The chairperson shall preside over the election of a new vice-chairperson.

Notwithstanding the bylaws, the Core Team may establish procedures for electing a vice-chairperson.

In the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall act as chairperson, with the duties and responsibilities of the chairperson.

When acting as chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall not vote on motions except to break a tie.

Section 2.2.3. Removal for Cause
In the case of misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance on the part of either the chair or the vice-chair, the Core Team can remove either by a two-thirds vote. The Core Team shall then elect a replacement to finish the removed officer's term.

Section 2.3 Procedures
The Core Team shall hold regular meetings no less frequently than every other week and no more frequently than weekly. The chair may call special meetings if necessary; absence at special meetings shall not count against an individual's Core Team membership status.

The Core Team makes mid-level decisions, such as determining Organization campaigns and projects, as delegated by the Board. The Core Team makes these decisions by majority vote of present members.

The Board may overrule any Core Team decision.

Section 3. Coordinator
The Coordinator runs the day-to-day activities of the Organization, within his/her powers as defined by the board of directors, as stated in 5.1.3.

To help him/her fulfill these duties, the Coordinator may make and terminate appointments of assistants consistent with the procedures in 5.1.3. The Coordinator must inform the board of all appointments made or terminated.

The Coordinator is responsible for board elections, as detailed in 5.1.1.

The Coordinator must report to the Organization on his or her major activities on a regular basis, as determined by the board.

The Coordinator shall be responsible for taking attendance and minutes at all Core Team meetings. The Coordinator shall assist in the implementation of Core Team decisions through coordinating volunteers or other appropriate means.

The Coordinator cannot be a member of the board of directors. If a member of the board wishes to become the Coordinator, he or she must first resign from the board.

In the absence of a Coordinator, all of the Coordinator's powers and responsibilities return to the board of directors. Within 72 hours, the board of directors shall announce the vacancy to the chapters and begin a search for a new Coordinator.