We Care for Kids Council By-Laws effective April 2011
 
Article I- Name
 
 Section 1
The name of the organization shall be We Care for Kids Council, hereinafter referred to as WCFK.
 
 
Article II- Purpose
 
Section 1-
Purpose
1.      WCFK is established as a representative assembly from local community agencies and citizen volunteers.
2.      WCFK is organized for the purpose of being a well- informed organization relating to the quality and availability of services to children residing in Montcalm County for the purpose of preventing child abuse and neglect.
3.      WCFK is further charged with the responsibility of stimulating public awareness to maximize resources, improve and expand quality, scope and continuity and availability of services for children, caregivers, parents, and families through community wide planning and education, as well as supporting prevention programs targeted towards children and family support services.
 
Section 2-
Non-Profit Status
WCFK is recognized as a 501 (c ) (3) charitable organization per Federal tax law. All of WCFK’s assets are pledged for charitable purposes. WCFK shall continue as a non-profit entity in perpetuity.
 
 
Article III- Governance and Structure
 
Section 1- Governance
WCFK will be governed by the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee when in the absence of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall manage the day-to-day business of the organization and be accountable to the Board.
 
Section 2-
Board Of Directors
The purpose of the Board of Directors is to administer the Council in the best interests of the membership and the organization. To be eligible to become a Director, an individual must be a member of the Council.
 
There shall be at least sixteen (16) Directors on the Board of Directors. The Directors must represent the agencies mandated through the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) Designation Agreement and the community at large. At least eight (8) Directors must represent the aforementioned mandated agencies. These eight are appointed by their respective agencies and confirmed by the membership at the annual business meeting. At least eight (8) other Directors considered to be representative of the community are to be elected by the membership at the monthly meetings.
The responsibilities of the Board of Directors include, but are not limited to: determining and monitoring the organization’s mission statement and program objectives; ensuring effective planning; determining and monitoring programs and services per the prevention plan; ensuring that adequate financial and other resources are secured and managed; ensuring the external perception of management quality and credibility; establishing board policies relating to governance, management, administration, or program operations; and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical responsibilities.
 
Any grievance by the membership must be presented in writing to the Board of Directors. Upon receiving such notice the Board will hear arguments and respond within 30 days.
 
Section 3-
Executive Committee
The purpose of the Executive Committee is to manage the day-to-day business of the organization in the absence of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee is composed of four (4) voting members: the elected officers- Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, the Treasurer, and one appointed member- the Immediate Past Chairperson. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee are addressed in the by-laws’ Article V, Sec. 2.
 
Executive Committee vacancies are appointed by the Chairperson for the remainder of the term. 
 
Section 4-
Election of Officers
The elected officers are the Vice-Chairperson, and the Treasurer. Officers are elected, from the Board of Directors, by the membership. The election of the treasurer occurs bi-annually at the organization’s  meeting in  September of each even year beginning in 1996, and has a two (2) year term. The Vice Chair is elected annually and succeeds the Chairperson; each has a term of one (1) year. Officers assume their positions in October following the elections.
 
The Membership Committee is responsible to present a slate of officers at the August meeting prior to the election, to be voted on at the  September meeting.
 
Section 5- Membership
WCFK is established as a membership organization. There are two levels of membership: supporting and voting. To be a WCFK supporting or voting member, a registration must be completed and be on file with the organization. Registrations are to be renewed by the members bi-annually during the October meeting.
 
 
A supporting member is an individual or an organization  interested in the mission of the Council and wants to be involved and supportive in some capacity. Supporting members’ benefits include, but are not limited to: inclusion on WCFK mail-lists, notice of opportunities to get involved and support the Council, notice of WCFK events and activities, and recognition when possible.  A supporting member must complete DHS clearance prior to volunteering at WCFK functions/activities.
 
A voting member has all the benefits of a supporting member, but also has voting rights. To be a voting member, an individual/organization must have a current membership application and DHS clearance on file and attend two consecutive WCFK Board of Directors meetings. The member is then able to vote at the third meeting. Voting privileges include the ability to elect officers and Directors on Board of Directors, voting on items presented at   monthly meetings, and determine the dissolution of the organization. A member’s voting privileges may be forfeited per member request or as a result of non-renewal of membership.  
 
Section 6-
Meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet monthly at a regular date and time, unless otherwise announced. Special meetings can be called by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors, and membership will be notified. Regular and special meetings may be rescheduled by the Executive Committee, and those affected will be notified.
 
The Executive Committee shall meet monthly at a regular date and time and as deemed necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the committee.
 
The quorum for a Board of Directors meeting shall consist of those members present at each meeting.
 
The September meeting is designated as the annual business meeting of the organization. 
 
Section 7-
Vacancies
The Chairperson shall appoint persons to fill vacancies of the Executive Committee and committee chairperson vacancies with Board approval. The Executive Committee shall appoint persons to fill Director vacancies on the Board of Directors on an interim basis until the next elections.
 
Section 8-
Fiscal Year
 
The Fiscal Year of the organization shall begin October 1 and end September 30.
 
 
Article IV- Duties of Officers
 
Section 1- Chairperson
The Chairperson will preside at WCFK meetings and functions, serve as spokesperson for the organization, and finalize agendas for meetings.  The Chairperson will appoint Committee Chairpersons and will serve in an ex-officio manner on all committees. The Chairperson will communicate with the Executive Committee, the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the general membership in an open manner to facilitate the business of the organization.   
 
Section 2-
Vice- Chairperson
The Vice- Chairperson shall in the absence of the Chairperson, assume the duties of the Chair.
 
Section 3-
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall process and account for all funds and other assets of WCFK. The Treasurer, and/or his/her designee, shall present a financial report at all regular monthly meetings. The Treasurer will also complete financial records and report that are required by funding sources and other regulatory agencies. The Treasurer, with the approval of the Executive Committee, may appoint a Deputy Treasurer to act in his/her behalf.
 
Section 4- Immediate Past Chairperson
 
The Immediate Past Chairperson shall serve on the Executive Committee for the purpose of historical continuity of the policies and action plans. 
 
 
 
 
Article  V- Committees
 
Section 1- Description of Committees
Annually at the October meeting, the Chairperson will appoint WCFK members to Chair the Committees where applicable.  There are two types of standing committees that serve on an ongoing basis, operational and program.
 
Special and ad-hoc committees, which include those for by-laws and special events, shall be appointed as needed by the Chairperson at the direction of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors. 
 
Section 2- Operational Committees
Operational Committees are concerning the management of business and other organizational items of the council.
 
Executive/Finance Committee: The Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Council, the immediate past Chairperson, and Executive Director.. The Executive Committee will be Chaired by the WCFK Chairperson. The duty and responsibility of this committee is to guide the purpose and policy of the organization and to serve in a supervisor capacity over the Executive Director position. This committee is to prepare a financial statement for the previous fiscal year that will be presented at the meeting in September, assist the Treasurer in preparing the budget, review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors, and offer other assistance as needed.
 
 
 
 
Membership/Nominating Committee: This committee is Chaired by the Executive Director. The committee will consist of at least two other members (one agency representative and one community representative. This committee is responsible for maintaining a proper balance of membership per by-laws; identifying traits of members needed by the Council; and promoting the recruitment of potential members with those traits. This Committee is also responsible to develop projects/activities which orientate and retain members. In addition, this committee shall, during election years, present a slate of officer nominees
 
Section 3-
Program Committees
Program Committees focus WCFK efforts at the community level to further the Council’s goals and mission. These Committees include the parenting and  community education  committee, the fund-raising/public relations committee, the legislative/community advocacy committee, Each program committee shall have: clear purpose and reporting procedures; a Chairperson who consults with the Executive Committee; an initial set of annual goals developed for the Council’s CTF’s prevention plan.  Each WCFK voting member will participate on a committee.  Community volunteers are encouraged and will be added as needed..
 
 
Parenting and Community Education Committee: This committee shall consist of an appointed Chairperson and at least two other members. The primary duty and responsibility of this committee consists of but is not limited to, facilitating the development of activities, programs and resources available within the Montcalm community in order to better educate, support, and improve the relationships of parents/caregivers in their roles with children promote community awareness of child/family well-being (needs and strengths); implement local professional development activities related to the mission of the council;. This committee will also respond to direction given by the Council (e.g. addressing special months or issues). 
 
 
Public Relations/Fund-Raising Committee: This committee shall consist of an appointed Chairperson and at least two other members. The primary duties and responsibilities of this committee consist of, but are not limited to: working with local media and community members/organizations to promote the WCFK Council’s mission, goals, events, activities, and accomplishments to those of its committees (this may also include promoting other local, state, or national level  efforts endorsed by and serving the mission of WCFK); coordination and development of printed promotional materials, and developing and directing all publicity and/or promotions for WCFK. This committee will also brainstorm ideas and search for additional funding opportunities to present to the board of directors. Coordination of approved activities will originate from this committee with additional volunteers/members as needed, depending on the activity.
 
 
Article VI- Amendments and PaRliamentary Authority
 
Section 1-
By-law Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by prior notification and written disclosure of proposed changes at least thirty (30) days before voting on proposed revisions. Proposed amendments shall be voted on at any regular or special meeting of WCFK where there is quorum, needing a simple majority of members present in favor to adopt.
 
Section 2- Parliamentary Authority
Where appropriate, WCFK will abide by the Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
 
 
 
Article VII- Dissolution
 
Section 1- Dissolution
In the event that it is necessary to dissolve WCFK for any reason, all assets, real property, business/personal property, shall revert to the benefit of qualified local government agencies, appropriate non-profit organizations, or the affiliate organization CTF. The distribution of assets will be determined by a majority vote of WCFK membership who will be advised of the dissolution with at least thirty days prior written notice.