View the Louisiana Peace Corps Association Bylaws HERE

LOUISIANA PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME

The name of this association is the Louisiana Peace Corps Association ("LPCA"), located in the State of Louisiana.

 

ARTICLE II:  OBJECTS

The Objects of the LPCA are to:

 

a.         Promote the mission and goals of the Peace Corps both in the United States and abroad.

b.         Promote charitable, cultural, educational, scientific, and social exchange and interaction between returned Peace Corps Volunteers and the community at large for the purpose of promoting cooperation, understanding and goodwill.

c.             Promote the mission and goals of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).

 

ARTICLE III:  BASIC POLICIES

The following are the Basic Policies of the LPCA:

 

a.         The LPCA shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan.

b.         The LPCA shall not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, religion, gender, age or sexual orientation.

C.         The name of the LPCA or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used to endorse or promote a commercial or political concern or in connection with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the Objects of the LPCA.

d.         Upon the dissolution of the LPCA, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the LPCA, the remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more nonprofit funds, foundations or organizations which have established their tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

 

SECTION 1.

 

Membership in the LPCA shall be made available to any individual who subscribes to the Objects and Basic Policies of the LPCA.

 

SECTION 2.

 

Each active member of the LPCA shall pay annual dues as established by the executive board.

 

a.       The annual dues shall include a portion payable to the NPCA.

b.       The NPCA's portion of the dues paid by each member to the LPCA shall be set aside by the LPCA for the NPCA and remitted monthly to the NPCA.

c.       Remittances to the NPCA shall be accompanied by a statement showing the name and address of each member paying such national dues.

 

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION

 

SECTION 1.

 

Each officer of the LPCA shall be a member of the LPCA.

 

SECTION 2.

 

Officers of the LPCA shall be a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and membership data coordinator.  These officers shall be elected annually.

 

SECTION 3.

 

Election shall be held by ballot at the annual meeting.  If there is but one candidate for any office, the ballot for that office may be dispensed with and the election held by voice vote.

 

SECTION 4.

 

Officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are elected.  No officer shall serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms.  Terms shall run on a calendar year basis (January I - December 31).

 

SECTION 5.

 

A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the executive board.

 

SECTION 6.

 

If an office remains unfilled after election, it shall be considered a vacant office to be filled by the board-elect.

 

SECTION 7.

 

When an officer fails to attend three consecutive meetings without adequate excuse or is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities as prescribed in these bylaws, the executive board by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote, may declare the office vacant.

 

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1.

 

The president shall:

 

1.         Coordinate the work of the officers and committees to promote Objects of the LPCA.

2.         Preside at all meetings of the LPCA and the executive board.

3.         Be a member ex-officio of all committees except the nominating committee.

4.         Appoint the chairs of committees, subject to the ratification of the executive board.

5.         Prepare an annual summary report of activities of the LPCA and submitting this report to the NPCA.

6.         Be the official representative of the LPCA.

7.         Perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned to him/her by the LPCA.

8.         Approve all newsletters, flyers and/or notices prior to distribution by the LPCA. Be authorized to sign checks.

9.         Be official liaison with other returned Peace Corps Volunteer groups, including, but not limited to, the NPCA.

10.       Have the books and financial reports of the LPCA annually audited, with an audit to be at the close of the officers' term.

11.       Present a written audit report to the executive board annually.

12.       Audit the books upon the resignation of the treasurer and at any time deemed necessary.

13.       Coordinate with the newsletter editor to publish the annual audit reports.

 

SECTION 2.

 

The vice-presidents shall act as aides to the president and shall, in their designated order, perform the duties of the president in the absence or disability of that officer to act.

 

a.         The first vice president shall serve also as projects chair and shall:

 

 I.         Be responsible for coordination of all special community and service projects in order to promote international understanding, global awareness and the Peace Corps goals.

2.         Coordinate among other special projects: a Speakers' Bureau; projects with present Peace Corps Volunteers; World Map and other similar educational projects; environmental projects; and projects involving social issues, such as housing, health, water, transportation, the homeless and elderly.

3.         Have all special projects approved at a meeting of the LPCA.

4.         Be a member of the executive board.

5.         Be authorized to sign checks.

 

            b.     The second vice president shall serve also as programs chair and shall:

 

                        1.         Be responsible for the social activities of the LPCA, which may include ethnic or international dinners, potluck dinners, picnics, and/or speakers.

2.             Have all programs approved at a LPCA meeting.

3.             Be a member of the executive board.

4.             Be authorized to sign checks.

SECTION 3.   

The secretary shall:

 

                        1.         Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the LPCA and the executive board in a bound book.

                        2.         Be prepared to refer to minutes of previous meetings.  Keep a current copy of the bylaws.

                        3.         Conduct all necessary correspondence of the LPCA upon authorization of the president, executive board or the LPCA.

                        4.         See that all notices of meetings are duly given in accordance with provisions of the bylaws in cooperation with the newsletter editor.  Be a member of the executive board.

                        5.         Function as parliamentarian during LPCA meetings.

                        6.         Be chair of the nominating and election committees.

                        7.         Be chair of the bylaws committee and review bylaws annually.

 

SECTION 4.

 

The treasurer shall:

 

1.         Keep such permanent books of accounts and records as shall be sufficient to establish the items of gross income, receipts and disbursements of the LPCA, including specifically, the number of members, the dues collected from the members, and the amount of dues remitted to or received from the NPCA, in cooperation with the membership data coordinator.

2.         Receive all moneys for the LPCA, giving a receipt therefor, and deposit them in the name of the LPCA in a bank approved by the executive board.

3.         Receive and retain a copy of the deposit slip for any deposit made.

4.         Pay all bills as authorized by the executive board or the LPCA.

5.         Keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements in a ledger.

6.         Present a statement of account at every meeting of the LPCA and the executive board meetings and at other times as requested by the LPCA.

7.         Make an annual financial report to the LPCA which includes gross receipts and disbursements, and which will be published in a newsletter.

8.            Be a member of the executive board.

9.            Be authorized to sign checks.

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

 

The membership data coordinator shall serve as membership chair and shall:

 

1.         Be in charge of keeping a current roster of paid members in coordination with the treasurer

2.         Be a member of the executive board.

3.         Coordinate with treasurer and newsletter editor for membership dues collection and mailings.

4.         Distribute copies of mailing list to the executive board upon request.

 

SECTION 6.

 

All officers shall perform the duties prescribed in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in addition to those outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time.  Upon the expiration of the term of office or in case of resignation or termination, each officer shall turn over to the president, without delay, all records, books and other material pertaining to the office and shall return to the treasurer, without delay, all funds belonging to the LPCA.

 

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

SECTION 1.

   The LPCA  executive board shall schedule all meetings.

SECTION 2.

 

The LPCA meeting in November or December shall be designated the annual election meeting at which tirne officers shall be elected.

 

SECTION 3.

 

The privilege of making motions, debating and voting shall be limited to members who are present and whose dues are paid.

 

SECTION 4.

 

Six (6) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the LPCA.

 

ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTIVE BOARD

 

SECTION 1.

 

The executive board shall consist of elected officers of the LPCA and the appointed committee chairs, all of whom shall be members of the LPCA.

 

SECTION 2.

 

The executive board:

 

1.       Shall transact necessary business between meetings of the LPCA and other business as may be referred to it by the LPCA.

2.       May authorize the payment of routine organizational bills and may authorize the payment of other bills not to exceed a total of $500.00 between meetings of the LPCA without the approval of the LPCA.

3.       Shall create committees as are deemed necessary to promote the Objects and to carry on the work of the LPCA.

4.       Shall fill all vacancies in office, including that of president.

5.       Shall present a report at the regular meetings of the LPCA.

6.      Shall receive a financial report from the treasurer at each meeting.

SECTION 3.

 

The executive board is subject to the orders of the LPCA, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the LPCA.

 

SECTION 4.

 

The executive board shall meet at least four (4) times per year, unless otherwise ordered by the executive board.

 

SECTION 5.

 

Four (4) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in any meeting of the executive board.

 

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

 

SECTION 1.

 

There shall be such committees created by the executive board as may be required to carry on the work of the LPCA.

 

SECTION 2.

 

            a.         The president shall appoint the chairs of committees subject to the approval of the executive board.

            b.         The chairs of committees shall be responsible to report to the officer appointed by the president to oversee the work of the committee.

            c.         The chairs of committees shall be responsible for developing a plan or program to implement the purpose of the committee.

            d.         The chairs of the committees shall be responsible for recruiting members to participate on the committees.

            e.         The chairs of the committees shall coordinate with the newsletter editor to report periodically to the LPCA on the activities of the committees.

 

SECTION 3.

 

The term of office for chairs shall be one year or until successors have been appointed.

 

SECTION 4.

 

The chairs shall present plans of work to the executive board for approval.  No work shall be undertaken without the consent of the executive board.

 

SECTION 5.

 

When a chair fails to attend three consecutive meetings without adequate excuse or is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities as prescribed in these bylaws, the executive board, by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote, may declare the chairship vacant.

 

SECTION 6.

 

Upon the expiration of the term of office or in case of resignation or termination, each chair shall turn over to the president, without delay, all records, books and other material pertaining to the chairship, and shall return to treasurer, without delay, all funds belonging to the LPCA.

 

SECTION 7.

 

The LPCA and the executive board each have the power to create special committees in order to carry out specific programs and projects.

SECTION 8.

 

The chairs and members of special committees shall serve until their assignments have been completed.

 

ARTICLE X - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the LPCA shall begin January I and end December 3 1.

 

ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the LPCA in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any regular meeting, provided notice has been given at the previous regular meeting, or thirty (30) days written notice has been given to the membership.

 

ADOPTED BY THE LOUISIANA PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION