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Bylaws of Kansas Equality Coalition of Riley and Geary Counties, Inc.

Article 1: Identification

Section 1: Name and Primary Office Location

The name of this organization shall be Kansas Equality Coalition of Riley and Geary Counties, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as this Chapter/the Chapter). The principal office of this Chapter shall be in Riley County, Kansas.

Section 2: Mission

Our mission is to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression and to ensure the dignity, safety and legal equality of all Kansans.

Section 3: Diversity

Kansas Equality Coalition views diversity as a core value. We welcome and appreciate the wide range of human abilities and differences, including race, gender, gender identity/expression, age, ability, religion, culture, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, and socio-economic status. We will adopt a pluralistic framework in the development and delivery of our trainings, educational materials and programming, and political activism. We will reach out to all Kansans to ensure that our Board of Directors, chapters, and general membership are reflective of the diversity of the communities in which we live.

Section 4: Relationship to Kansas Equality Coalition, Inc.

Chapter Status - This Chapter shall be a fully integrated chapter of Kansas Equality Coalition, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as State Board), and shall enjoy all the rights and responsibilities thereof. Bylaws - This Chapter shall be subject to the bylaws of the State Board, a copy of which is attached. The bylaws of the State Board are part and parcel of these bylaws, as if reiterated herein. Expenditures Of Budgeted Monies From The State Board - Monies given to this chapter by the State Board may only be spent as budgeted. Section 5: Not-for-Profit Status The mission, activities, and policies of this Chapter shall be consistent with those set forth in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article 2: Membership

Section 1: Individual Membership

Membership and participation in this Chapter shall be free from discrimination on the basis of race, gender, gender identity/expression, age, ability, religion, culture, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economic status, or political affiliation. All individual members of this Chapter shall reside, for the major part of the year, in the region represented by this chapter. Individuals residing in regions without chapter representation shall be assigned to the chapter nearest their residence. Membership is open to all who choose to join. Members in good standing will support the mission of this Chapter and are current in their dues.

Section 2: Dues

Annual membership dues shall be determined by the State Board, and are payable to the chapter to which the member belongs.

Section 3: Privileges

All members in good standing may vote. Members may serve as Officers and Members of the Board except where limited herein. All members may serve on Committees as regular members. All members may attend and participate in all functions, meetings and programs of the Chapter.

Section 4: Meetings

Meetings of the membership shall be held as needed, or by written petition of at least 10% of the membership. Meetings can be either for determining the business of the organization; for educational purposes; or for support of the organization's members. Meeting times and places are to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5: Annual Meeting

The chapter shall meet annually, in April, at a time, place and date determined by the Board. The purpose of the meeting is to elect members of the Board of Directors, to conduct other such business as may properly come before the membership and to provide information to the membership regarding the actions and activities of the organization during the preceding year. Notice of the meeting shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior to its convening and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of such meeting. Notice shall be given in writing either electronically or via postal service.

Section 6: Removal of Members

Chapter members may be removed only for cause, and only by the board of the chapter to which they belong, in accordance with their chapter bylaws. Cause is limited to:

Failure to pay dues
Gross violation of bylaws
Misrepresentation of the organization
Actions against Mission Statement or Statement of Purpose

Article 3: Board of Directors

Section 1: General Powers

The powers, duties, and functions of the Chapter shall be exercised by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Composition

The Board of Directors shall be composed, at a minimum, of a Chair and Treasurer. Each director shall be a member in good standing of this chapter. Members of the Board of Directors must be residents of the State of Kansas.

Section 3: Election

Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the members in good standing of the Chapter. Votes will be tallied at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4: Vacancies

Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled for the remainder of the given term by a majority vote of the membership.

Section 5: Meetings of the Board

The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of six (6) times a year and may be attended by teleconference. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of The Board of Directors shall be one member more than half the total membership of the Board. A quorum is required before a Board meeting may take place in which official transactions are undertaken. Meetings of the Board of Directors will be conducted as specified in the Rules of Governance.

Section 6: Removal from Office

Removal by the Board of Directors - A Director may be removed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, and only for:

Ongoing absence from meetings, as defined by board policy,
Gross violation of bylaws,
Misrepresentation of the organization, or
Acts against the mission of the organization.

Removal by the Membership - 25% of the membership may petition for Recall of a Director. Quorum will be 51% of the membership. A simple majority vote is required. No other Recall by the membership shall be valid.

Article 4: Records and Reports

Section 1: Maintenance and Inspection of Articles and Bylaws

The Chapter shall maintain the original Bylaws and Rules of Governance and a copy of the Bylaws and Rules of Governance as amended to date. Members are to be furnished with a copy of the Articles and Bylaws as amended to date upon joining the Chapter, and upon request of the member. The Bylaws and Rules of Governance as amended to date shall be posted to the chapter website.

Section 2: Maintenance and Inspection of Other Corporate Records

The minutes and accounting records shall be open to inspection on written demand by any member of this chapter or member of State Board, upon written request of any member and within a reasonable period of time, for a purpose reasonably related to the member's interest as a member. These rights of inspection do not extend to the membership records of the Chapter.

Section 3: Inspection by Chapter and State Board Members

Upon written request, the financial records and written minutes of the chapter shall be open to the inspection of the State Board.

Article 5: Committees

Section 1: Executive Committee

Composition - The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the board as defined by the Rules of Governance, and the representatives to the State Board. Duties - The Executive Committee shall administer or cause to be administered the ordinary and necessary business of the Chapter, and shall be responsible for such duties as required or empowered by the Board. Record Keeping - The Executive Committee shall cause to be recorded, and all members of the Board kept promptly and fully informed of, all actions taken by it.

Section 2: Chapter Ad-Hoc Committees

Formation / Dissolution - Ad-Hoc committees may be formed and/or dissolved by a majority vote of the board of directors. Upon formation, the board will state the purpose for such committee and define such committee guidelines as the board deems necessary. Officer Selection - Ad-hoc committee chairs and vice chairs shall be elected by the committee members.

Article 6: Conflicts of Interest

In connection with any actual or possible conflicts of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of his or her financial or organizational interest, and all material facts, to the directors and members of committees with board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

Article 7: Confidentiality

This Chapter shall share membership information with other integrated chapters of the Kansas Equality Coalition and with the State Board, but shall not otherwise sell or make individually identifiable membership information available to any other group or party without the written consent of the member.

Article 8: Contracts and Expenditures

Section 1: Budgetary Authority

Board members, as chairs of their respective ad-hoc committees, have the authority to expend funds for budgeted and funded purposes approved by the Board.

Section 2: Obligations of the Chapter

A majority vote of, and only of, the Board of Directors may commit this chapter to contracts and contractual obligations; however, a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee may serve to veto any obligation approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3: Miscellaneous Expenditures

One-time expenditures under $100 may be approved by any Board Member and Executive Member together. All other expenditures, including all recurring expenses, require Board approval.

Article 9: Suspension / Amendment of the Bylaws

Suspension or amendments to these bylaws are governed by the State Board.

Article 10: Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the Chapter, the Board of Directors of the Chapter, after paying or providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Chapter, shall relinquish all assets to Kansas Equality Coalition, Inc.

Model Approved by State Board: 1/10/2006

Adopted by Chapter 1/24/2006

Rules of Governance

Article 1: Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting shall be held in March or April, depending on when Spring Break falls at Kansas State University and the Spring holidays of Easter and Passover, each year, at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors in consultation with the membership. The Annual Meeting shall serve to inform the membership of the results of the chapter's elections for the Board of Directors and to provided the membership with an annual financial report and a review of all activities conducted by the chapter during the previous twelve-month period.

Article 2: Decision Making Model

In order to promote the full participation of the membership in the direction, activities and policies of the Chapter, a consensus and concurrence model will be used for decision-making. The Chapter shall strive to reach agreements on all non-routine business, i.e. the development of a position statement, using this model. Routine business is defined as the usual tasks or activities needed to conduct the day-to-day business of the chapter.

Consensus implies debate has taken place. The solution presented is generally accepted rather than as a grudging compromise. Everyone understands and can explain and will support the decision. In general the agreement is deep rooted enough to stand for some time without a need to revisit the issues.
Concurrence is an agreement reached by a larger group after study and discussion of an issue or project. It is an agreement of results or opinions. It is a state of cooperation and of acting together. This describes the process as well as results.
All members attending the regular business meetings can participate in the discussion and working towards compromise.
Decisions in which consensus cannot be reach can be tabled, or the Chair can call the question with a requirement of an eighty percent approval of the Board and members gathered for the question to be decided.

Article 3: Meetings

Regular business meetings shall be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, with the exception of December when no meeting will be held, at times and places decided by the Board and membership and announced via the group's listserv, postcards, in Liberty Press (or any other GLBT publication in Kansas), church bulletins, and local newspapers. Those members in good standing present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.
All regular business meetings are open to the general public.
Minutes shall be taken at all regular business meetings of the chapter. Minutes shall be made available to the membership. Minutes of the meetings will be posted on the chapter's website and hardcopies shall be retained for reference by the Board. Copies of the minutes can be requested by the membership either orally or in writing. The Secretary shall reproduce and distribute the minutes as requested.

Article 4: Board of Directors duties and responsibilities

Section 1: Board Make Up

The Board of Directors shall be made up of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and the chapter's representative(s) and alternate to the Kansas Equality Coalition, Inc. State Board.

Section 2: Terms of Office

The Chair shall serve for one year, and cannot serve consecutive terms.
The Vice Chair is elected for one year and automatically becomes Chair the following year. In cases where the Vice Chair cannot assume the responsibilities of the Chair, a new Chair shall be elected.
The term of the Treasurer shall be two years. The incumbent may be re-elected, but cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.
The term of the Secretary shall be one year. The incumbent may be re-elected, but cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms. E) The term(s) of the representative(s) to the State Board of Kansas Equality Coalition, Inc. shall be for one year. Incumbents can be elected to a second term, but cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.

Section 3: Residency of the Officers

Officers shall be residents in the counties served by the chapter. "Area served" is defined as: Clay, Geary, Marshall, Morris, Riley, Washington, western Pottawatomie, and western Wabaunsee counties.

Section 4: Responsibilities and duties of the Officers

Board members of this chapter are expected to attend regular business meetings and committee meetings. Officers shall take a leading role in this chapter's events and activities. Any two Board members may approve one-time expenditures under $100.00. All other expenditures, including all recurring expenses, require Board approval.
Chair: The Chair shall preside at meetings of the Board and all meetings of the Membership, and generally supervise, direct, and control the business and the officers of the Board.
Vice-chair: In the absence or disability of the Chair, the Vice-chair shall perform all the duties of the Chair and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chair. The Vice Chair shall be responsible for the planning and program development for all community forums, debates, and educational programs sponsored by the chapter.
Secretary: The secretary shall be responsible for all tasks customarily to the office, including such things as: maintaining all organizational minutes, maintaining records of attendance at all official meetings, maintaining membership records, publication/notification of meeting times and places, and other such duties as prescribed by the board of directors and these bylaws.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect and disburse the funds of the organization and maintain all financial records, including: maintaining records of all money received and expended for the use of the chapter, depositing and withdrawing money from the approved bank account(s) of the chapter, providing an accounting of the fiscal activity of the chapter at monthly business meetings, responding to all official board and governmental requests for reporting of fiscal information, and other such duties as prescribed by the board of directors and these Rules of Governance. Treasurer shall make an annual financial report to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
State Board Representative(s): In addition to the regular business meetings of the chapter, State Board Representatives shall attend all monthly and other specially called meetings of the State Board of Kansas Equality Coalition, Inc. State Board Representatives are obliged to vote in accordance with chapter discussions and decisions concerning State Board activities and obligations. If the Representative(s) cannot attend a State Board meeting it is their responsibility to inform the Chair and the designated alternate in a timely fashion.

Article 5: Elections

Section 1: Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Chair in November of each year. The Nominating Committee shall provide the Secretary, who is in charge of elections, by the following January meeting, with a slate of candidates for the following election consisting of one or more candidates to replace those officers whose terms are expiring. Elections shall be held in March of each calendar year.

Section 2: Presentation of Candidate Slate

At least 60 days before the Annual Meeting, the Secretary will present the slate of candidates prepared by the Nominating Committee to the membership. Any member at the January regular business meeting may make additional nominations; these additional nominations must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

Section 3: Election Process

Election shall be by secret ballot. Ballots shall be mailed out (via the postal service and/or via email) to members at least four weeks before the Annual Meeting. Ballots can be returned anytime prior to the commencement of the Annual Meeting as called to order by the Chair. The chapter shall make ballot collection boxes readily available to the members upon arrival at the site of the Annual Meeting.

Section 4: Ballot Counting

The Chair at the Annual Meeting shall count ballots.

Adopted 24 January 2006