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Bylaws of Kansas Equality Coalition of Southeast Kansas, Inc.

Article 1: Identification

Section 1: Name and Primary Office Location

The name of this organization shall be Kansas Equality Coalition of Southeast Kansas, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as this Chapter/the Chapter). The principal office of this Chapter shall be in Crawford 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 board.

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 appointed by the board of directors.

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 10/25/2011