EVANSVILLE LITERACY COALITION
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Mission Statement
I. 1- To support and promote literacy efforts in southwestern Indiana.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Organization
II. 1- The Coalition provides support and leadership to those who are interested in improving literacy skills. The scope of service is determined by the financial support from individuals and organizations.
II. 2- The Coalition serves without regard to race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual preference, disability, age or income.
II. 3- The Coalition has and shall maintain current status as a not-for-profit organization as specified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Code.
II. 4- The principal office of the Coalition is located in Evansville, Indiana.
II. 5- The Coalition does not have nor does it control shares of stock.
ARTICLE III
Membership and Dues
III. 1- Persons who are interested in becoming members of the Coalition are invited to submit a membership form to an Executive Committee Member.
III. 2-Dues are payable prior to the annual meeting. Notices are sent by the Treasurer with the assistance of the Secretary.
III. 3-The current annual dues are $25 per year.
III. 4- The annual dues may be adjusted by a vote of the membership at any annual meeting.
III. 5- Members may resign by submitting a letter, in writing, to the Secretary. Resignation does not entitle members to a refund of dues paid for the current year.
ARTICLE IV
Benefactors
IV. 1- Persons or organization who make financial or in-kind contributions to support the Coalition’s mission are always welcome but are not required to attend the formal meetings.
IV. 2- The Committee Chair keeps these persons and organizations informed of the work of the Coalition with email, website and other media tools.
ARTICLE V
Management
V. 1- The Coalition has an Executive Committee that includes these four elected officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
V. 2- The Coalition has four permanent Committee Chairs: Finance, Fund Development, Nominating and Programs.
V. 3- A Coordinator will assist with managing the Coalition if funds are available.
ARTICLE VI
Officers’ Duties
VI. 1- The Chair has general supervision of the affairs of the Coalition and presides at all annual, regular and special membership meetings and performs other duties as may be identified by the membership. The Chair is an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
VI. 2- In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair performs the duties of the Chair. The Vice Chair has other powers and duties as assigned by the Chair and/or the Executive Committee.
VI. 3- The Secretary sends official notices of the annual meeting, all membership meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee. The Secretary records the proceedings and all membership and Executive meetings and distributes the minutes of all meetings within ten (10) working days after the meeting. The Secretary maintains a permanent record of all meeting notices and the minutes of all meetings called by the Chair. The Secretary performs other duties assigned by the Chair.
VI. 4- The Treasurer will work closely with the Director, Committee Chair and the Coordinator (if Coalition requires) in handling all income and expenditures related to the management of the Coalition. The Treasurer has additional powers and duties as assigned by the Chair.
VI. 5- All officers are elected for one year and may be re-elected for two consecutive years.
ARTICLE VII
Committees
VII. 1- The Chair, in cooperation with the Coordinator, appoints all committee members. Committee members serve under the rules and regulations as prescribed by the Executive Committee. Committee appointments are for one year. Members may serve more than one term.
VII. 2- Committee Chairs present an annual report of the years’ activities at the annual meeting and at membership meetings as requested by the Chair.
VII. 3- Members may serve on more than one committee.
VII. 4- The duties of the Standing Committee Chairs are:
a – The Finance Committee Chair presents matters pertaining to the financial management of the Coalition as directed by the Chair.
b – The Fund Development Chair plans the current and long term strategies to raise ample funds that assure the financial stability of the Coalition and that support and promote literacy.
c – The Nominating Committee Chair initiates and implements activities to find new members who bring skills and abilities to support the Coalition’s purposes. The Committee formally nominates members for election to the Coalition at regular, special and annual meetings and also submits a slate for officers’ election.
d – The Program Committee Chair initiates and recommends current and long term opportunities as assigned by the Chair.
VII. 5- The Chair appoints members to serve on other committees as needed. The appointments are for regular, special and continuing projects.
VII. 6- The Committee Chairs may have counsel from the elected officers as requested. Committee Chairs are appointed for one year and may be re-appointed by the Chair.
ARTICLE VIII
Meetings
VIII. 1- Annual meetings are called by the Chair no less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. Meeting notices include an agenda and the date, time and location of the meeting. Notices are sent via electronic mail and posted on the website at www.evansvilleliteracycoalition.org.
VIII. 2- The annual meetings of the Coalition are held in May. The agenda for all annual meetings include but is not limited to these items:
1 – Reports by all appointed committee chairs.
2 – Board Chair’s Report
3 – Secretary’s Report
4 – Treasurer’s Report
5 – Other items of general or specific interest
VIII. 3- Regular membership meetings are held at least quarterly at a date, time and location as specified in the notice from the Secretary. The notices are sent no less than ten (10) calendar days prior to the meeting. Agendas for the meetings are prepared by the Board Chair and Secretary. Regular meetings are held at a date, time and location that is convenient for the greatest number of the members of Coalition.
VIII. 4- The Executive Committee meets at the request of the Chair to conduct the business of the Coalition between the regular and special meetings. All actions taken by the Executive Committee are presented to the members via electronic mail with five (5) working days after the decisions have been made.
VIII. 5-Action in Lieu of a Meeting: Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Executive Committee may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent to such action in writing. Such written consent is made a part of the minutes for that meeting. Such action by written consent has the same force and effect as the unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX
Quorum
IX. 1-A simple majority of the members initially present constitutes a quorum to transact business at any meeting. Members may not vote by proxy.
ARTICLE X
Compensation
X. 1-No Coalition member may receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation for her/his services to the Coalition. Legitimate expenses incurred and requested by an officer member on behalf of the Coalition are reimbursed by the Treasurer.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
XI. 1-These by-laws may be amended by the members at any regular, special or annual meeting provided that a notice of the proposed amendment (s) has been sent to all members, in writing, at least ten (10) working days prior to such meeting. Prior notice to any proposed amendment shall not, however, be necessary at any meeting if two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Coalition are present.
ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous
XII. 1- The fiscal year begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June of the following year.
XII. 2- The most recent edition of Roberts’ Rules of Order are the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these by-laws or any other specific rules of procedure adopted by the Executive Committee.
XII. 3- The logo for the Coalition, as prescribed by the Executive Committee is used to identify the mission, the objectives and the accomplishments of the Coalition. It is used in all media formats to present a positive image.
XII. 4- The Coalition keeps correct, current and complete records of events and financial accounts to comply with current business practices as specified by current local, state and Federal laws and orders.
XII. 5- If events dictate dissolution of the Coalition, every effort will be made to pay all identified liabilities. All remaining assets will be distributed to other 501 (c)(3) organizations organized and operating exclusively for charitable or educational purposes. Any assets not so disposed of will be given to the current court of the county in which the principal office of the Coalition is located for disposal at their discretion.
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