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The Council Bylaws
Enacted November 1, 2001

 

Article I:
Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the 
Springfield Area Community Liaison Council is:

a) to assist in the process of integrating the residents of Datema House, the Community Learning Center, and Wilson Creek Group (hereafter "group homes") back into the community as responsible, law-abiding citizens.

b) to facilitate program enhancement for the residents and staff of all three group homes. Examples of program enhancement include, but are not to be limited to, supporting and expanding existing programs as well as developing new ones.

c) raise funds needed for programmatic offerings.

d) to gather together citizens of Springfield, Missouri, in order to offer them an opportunity to help address the needs of area at-risk youth in an organized and purposeful manner.

Article II:
Membership

Section 1:

Let it be known that the Southwest Area Community Liaison Council shall now be known as the Springfield Area Community Liaison Council.

Section 2:

The Missouri Division of Youth Services' Springfield Area Community Liaison Council (hereafter "Council") shall consist of not less than ten (10) volunteer members who shall be appointed by the Regional Administrator of the Missouri Division of Youth Services (hereafter "Administrator") as approved by a majority vote of those present at a Council meeting held for that purpose. Each member may vote at Council meetings.

Section 3:

Up to four representatives of the Group Homes (see Article III, Section 1) may join the Council and are permitted to vote at Council meetings.

Section 4:

The membership shall be comprised of citizens of southwest Missouri who share a concern for children in need.

Section 5:

Members of the Council shall be appointed for a term of two years and may be reappointed for further terms by the Administrator.

Section 6:

Members may withdraw from the Council at any time during their term and for any reason. Should a member withdraw or be removed, a replacement may be appointed by the Administrator to complete the remainder of the two-year term. The decision to remove a member from the Council shall be made by the Administrator without appeal.

Section 7:

All members of the council are expected to attend Council meetings, actively participate in Council affairs, and promote the Council, the group homes it supports, and the Division of Youth Services in a positive manner to the public at large.

Article III:
Meetings

Section 1:

The Council shall meet with one representative from each group home within the Council’s purview at least four times a year for the purpose of conducting business. The representatives must be employees of the Missouri Division of Youth Services and assigned to work at one or more of the Group Homes within the Council’s jurisdiction.

Section 2:

Meetings shall be called by a majority vote of the Council’s Executive Committee and shall be announced no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting date. Emergency meetings may be called at any time by the Administrator or his or her designee.

Article IV:
Responsibilities of the Council Executives

Chairperson:

The Chairperson of the Council shall prepare an agenda for and preside at all meetings of the Council, execute all instruments for and on behalf of the Council, and shall perform such other duties as the Council may prescribe or authorize.

Vice-Chairperson:

The Vice-Chairperson of the Council, in the absence of the Chairperson, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairperson.

Secretary:

The Secretary of the Council shall be responsible for generating and maintaining all record keeping, correspondence, and minutes. The Missouri Division of Youth Services shall provide clerical support for the Secretary. The Secretary shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

Treasurer:

The Treasurer of the Council shall be responsible for management of the Council financial affairs including, but not limited to, maintaining a record of all income and expenses, presenting an oral and written report on the monthly balance of the Council’s account, and providing insight as to the financial status of the Council. When the Council is to pay a bill, either the Treasurer or the Chairperson may authorize its payment but only upon approval of the Council. The Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary.

Term Limits:

Each Council Executive shall serve a term of two years and may serve more than one term.

Article V:
Responsibilities of the Committees

When a committee is needed in order to accomplish a given task, the committee Head shall be appointed by the Chairperson and shall be responsible for preparing an agenda for and calling committee meetings as needed, conducting the business of the committee in a timely manner, and shall be responsible for presenting reports on the activities of the committee at meetings of the Council.

Article VI:
Procedures

Section 1:

For the purpose of conducting business, a quorum must be in attendance and shall consist of no less than two-thirds of the Council’s current membership. Votes small be carried by a majority of those present. A majority shall consist of one over half of the voting members present.

Section 2:

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of the members of the Council present at a regular or special meeting of the Council or by the Administrator alone at any time and for any reason.

Section 3:

All actions of the Council shall require the approval of the Administrator, or his or her designee, prior to implementation. A group home representatives (see Article II, Section 1) may be identified as the Administrator’s designee.

Section 4:

All procedural questions which may arise, and which are not covered by these Bylaws, shall be answered and settled according to the latest version of Robert’s Rules of Order without appeal.

Article VII: 
Dissolution Clause

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors (herein and hereafter known as the "Council Executives") shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liability of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Council Executives shall determine.

Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

END

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