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ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the Corporation shall be:
“The Athens Mothers’ Center, Inc.”
and it is sometimes referred to in these Bylaws as the Corporation.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSES
1. The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are those set forth in its Articles of Incorporation, as from time to time amended; namely, to promote the welfare and meet the needs of mothers; to help mothers to maintain and improve their self-esteem in their roles as mothers; to facilitate the free and confidential exchange of ideas and current information child rearing and birthing; and to provide child care programs that allow mothers relaxed time without the children so each member can be an active participant in Center activities.
2. The purposes of the Corporation are promoted through an educational program directed toward parents; are developed through conferences, committees, projects and programs; and are governed and qualified by the basic policies set forth in Article III.
ARTICLE III – BASIC POLICIES
The following are basic policies of the Corporations:
1. The Corporation shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
2. The name of the Corporation or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objects of the Corporation.
3. The Corporation may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with child welfare but persons representing the Corporation in such matters shall make no commitments that bind the Corporation.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
1. Any individual who subscribes to the purpose and basic policies of the Corporation may become a member of the Corporation subject only to compliance with the provisions of the Bylaws. Membership in the Corporation shall be available without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin.
2. The Corporation shall conduct an annual enrollment of members but persons may be admitted to membership at any time.
3. Only members in good standing of the Corporation shall be eligible to participate in its business meetings, or to serve in any of its elective or appointive positions. A member in good standing is defined as a person who has submitted a semesterly AMC registration form and has made arrangement of dues. Any interested person is permitted to attend the Corporation’s business meetings. A “member in good standing” is sometimes referred to in these Bylaws as member.
4. Dues shall be assessed according to the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE V – ORGANIZATION
A. OFFICERS
1. Coordinators. There shall be a Coordinator and a Co-Coordinator who oversee the workings of the Steering Committee and the entire Center. Anyone who is an AMC member in good standing and wishes to contribute to AMC can volunteer to be Coordinator and serve for no more than two (2) consecutive semesters; first as a Co-Coordinator and then as Coordinator. Coordinators may return as Coordinator after a two (2) semester hiatus. The Coordinator and Co-Coordinator shall receive a $40 credit toward fees per semester in which they serve.
The Coordinator shall collect and prepare the agenda for the Steering Committee and general meetings; chair Steering Committee meetings; field concerns; complaints of the membership; coordinate registration and scheduling of groups; act as an information link between membership, Steering Committee, facilitators, and the community; serve as an ex officio member of all standing committees
The Coordinator shall have participated in two (2) semesters, have Steering Committee experience, be able to attend meetings, and be on time.
2. Secretary. The Secretary will be a member of Steering Committee, have participated in two (2) semesters and serve for a period of one (1) year minimum, two (2) years maximum; shall take minutes of each Steering Committee meeting; post minutes electronically and make hard copies available upon request; maintain a current membership/phone list. The Secretary may return as Secretary after a two (2) semester hiatus. The Secretary shall receive $25 credit toward fees per semester in which she/he serves.
3. Treasurer. The Treasurer will be a member of the Steering Committee, have participated in two (2) semesters and serve for a period of one (1) year minimum, two (2) years maximum; maintain financial records of AMC; oversee collection of childcare and membership fees; collect and pay AMC bills; maintain checking account and provide monies for disbursement to Childcare Workers; distribute monies to members, etc. for approved expenditures. The Treasurer may return as Treasurer after a two (2) semester hiatus. The Treasurer shall receive $75 credit toward fees per semester in which she/he serves.
B. CHILDCARE COORDINATOR
1. Childcare Coordinator shall plan and implement the AMC childcare program; coordinate activities of Childcare Workers; provide activities and distribute snacks for children; group children; provide child information sheets to workers; supervise daily maintenance of childcare rooms, arrival/departure of workers (9:30/11:30); hire, fire and pay workers. Childcare coordinator shall receive hourly compensation as determined by Steering Committee.
C. COMMITTEES
1. Childcare Committee shall consist of a member to act as liaison for concerns of parents/workers; maintain current list of workers/substitutes (provide list to the evening group which may hire its own workers); provide child information sheets to workers and coordinate monthly cleaning of the nursery.
2. Communications Committee shall consist of publicity and newsletter committees.
a. Publicity committee shall coordinate mailings; place copies of all communications including flyers, brochures, new member orientation packets, lists, Newsletter, etc. in Publicity permanent file and handle all outside advertising for year.
b. Newsletter committee shall prepare AMC Newsletter and distribute to members.
c. Special Interests Committees such as InReach, OutReach and Social shall be formed with the approval and direction of the Steering Committee and will report activities to the Steering Committee.
d. At-large members shall make up the balance of the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE VI – STEERING COMMITTEE
A. COMPOSITION
The Steering Committee shall be made up of at least five (5) active members. The meeting is open to any interested person but only members in good standing may be involved in decision making. The meeting must have a Coordinator present in order to conduct business. The Secretary and Treasurer or their representative must also be in attendance in order to conduct business. At least one member from each committee, preferably the chair, is encouraged to attend.
B. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
1. No member of the Steering Committee shall be entitled by virtue of office to receive any salary or compensation, except as listed previously herein, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a member from receiving any compensation for duties other than as a member.
2. The Steering Committee may hire and fix compensation, without consensus of the membership, of any and all employees, which they may determine to be necessary in conducting the business of the AMC.
3. No member of the Steering Committee shall authorize or bind the AMC to any contract or obligation without prior authority of the Steering Committee.
4. No member of the Steering Committee shall make any public statement using the name of AMC without prior authority of the Steering Committee.
5. The Steering Committee will establish long and short-term goals for the AMC, monitor overall program plans and priorities, monitor major fiscal and program policies; monitor overall control and management of finances (including filing of state and federal forms required by incorporation).
6. The Steering Committee will determine guidelines and monitor all fund-raising, contributions, and special events.
7. The bylaws may be amended, suspended, or replaced, in whole or in part, by the consensus of the Steering Committee with approval of the general membership, or by 2/3 of the general membership.
8. The Steering Committee may create such standing committees, as it may deem necessary to promote the purposes and carry on the work of the Corporation. The term of each committee chair, such as InReach, OutReach and Social, is encouraged to be one year.
9. The chairman of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Steering Committee for approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the Steering Committee.
10. The power to form special committees and appoint their members rests with the Corporation.
C. MEETINGS
Meetings shall be held regularly at a place designated by the Coordinator. Special meetings may be called by the Coordinator or by any member.
A quorum shall consist of five (5) of the Steering Committee members for the purpose of conducting business. Consensus on any item of business shall be reached as long as there is no objection by any member. Members may be polled individually if deemed necessary by any member.
The order of business shall be determined by such rules and regulations developed by the Steering Committee, at its discretion.
All are expected to arrive on time. If unable to attend, it is the committee representative’s responsibility to notify the Coordinator. If the commitment of a committee chair or officer is in question, it is appropriate for the Steering Committee to discuss the chair’s/officer’s involvement and take action if necessary. If a motion is to be considered to remove a member from the chair/officer position, the Coordinator shall notify the member no less than three (3) days before the next meeting of the Steering Committee at which such a motion will be made. The member shall be permitted to explain in person or in writing her/his failure to perform the obligations of the position. The Steering Committee shall then decide on the motion to remove the member from position.
Any member in good standing of AMC may attend Steering Committee meetings, and can request a place on the agenda, if necessary. If a member strongly disagrees with the consensus of the Steering Committee on any matter, the member may request that an issue be referred to the general membership. A matter must be approved by 2/3 of the general membership in order to be put into effect.
ARTICLE VII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. COMPOSITION
The Board shall be made up of at least four (4) members, at least two of which shall be current AMC members and at least two of which shall be non-AMC members. Members of the Board of Directors are nominated by the steering committee. Nominations are then subject to approval by the Board. A Board member’s service shall be staggered among members, last five (5) years and be renewable. The Board shall select a representative, or representatives, to act as coordinator, note taker and liaison between the Board and steering committee.
B. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
1. No member of the Board shall be entitled by virtue of office to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a member from receiving any compensation for duties other than as a Board member.
2. As part of AMC’s non-profit status, AMC is required to have a Board of Directors. The purpose of this Board is to examine the AMC’s financial records and to provide objective guidance to the Steering Committee in relation to childcare policies and any other business the Board deems necessary or that is requested by the Steering Committee or any member of AMC. The Board shall be an advocate for the promotion and welfare of the AMC. The Board shall approve any changes to the AMC by-laws before they are ratified by the membership.
C. MEETINGS
The Board shall meet annually and more frequently if deemed necessary by the Board.
1. A quorum shall consist of three (3) or two-thirds of the Board members (whichever is greater) for the purpose of conducting business. Consensus on any item of business shall be reached as long as there is no objection by any member. Members may be polled individually if deemed necessary by any member.
2. The order of business shall be determined by such rules and regulations developed by the Board, at its discretion.
3. Those persons serving as Treasurer and lead Coordinator are requested to attend the Board’s annual meeting to answer questions regarding AMC finances or operations.
ARTICLE VIII – SEAL
The Seal of the Corporation shall be as more particularly shown in the following impressions:
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