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Rainbow Alliance By-Laws
Article I - NAME and
PURPOSE
Section 1: Name of
the Association
The name of this Association
shall be Rainbow Alliance, referred to as RA from this point
forward in this written set of Bylaws.
Section 2: Purpose
| i. |
RA
is an Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered
Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students of the University of Florida |
| ii. |
RA
has the primary goal of improving the environment for LGBT people
at the University including professional development, academic
enrichment, and educational programs. |
| iii.
|
RA
is dedicated to making the University of Florida an exceptional
place to work and learn for LGBT people. We believe that working
for equitable treatment and affirmative support of all staff,
faculty and students is important in achieving this goal. |
Article II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Eligibility
| i. |
Eligibility
for membership in RA is open to all full- or part-time faculty
and staff of the University of Florida who share the goals of
the organization. |
| ii. |
Membership
is also open to employees of the University of Florida Health
Science Center. |
| iii.
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It
is preferred that prospective members be nominated for membership
by a current member in good standing. |
| iv.
|
Graduate
students may also be considered for membership, with the Executive
Board's approval. |
| v.
|
If
the Executive Board determines that a graduate student's participation
causes a conflict of interest with a faculty member, an accommodation
may be sought, including limiting the graduate student's participation
in RA. |
Section 2: Active
and Inactive Members
| i. |
The membership of RA shall consist of active
and inactive members. |
| ii. |
Any person who is eligible for membership,
or secures written acceptance by the RA Executive Board to be
a member of RA must contribute at least a minimum gift, as established
by the RA Executive Board, to be considered an Active Member
and have Active Status within RA. |
| iii. |
To maintain Active Status, each member must
renew his or her membership annually. Failing to renew membership
will be considered a reason to be considered an Inactive Member
and have Inactive Status within RA, and will not enjoy the benefits
of Active Membership. |
| iv. |
Members choose their level of involvement with
RA functions and programs. |
| v. |
However, to be a voting member requires attendance
at three functions per 12-month period. For this purpose, the
Executive Board will keep a roster of attendees to be used in
verifying voting status. It is the member's responsibility to
make sure their attendance is noted. |
Section 3: Term of
Membership
| i. |
The
term of Active Membership in RA will consist of 1 year beginning
the first day of the month after the person seeking membership
makes a contribution of at least the minimum gift set by the
RA Executive Board. |
| ii. |
Any
person eligible for membership, or who secures written acceptance
to be a member by the RA Executive Board, may apply for membership
at any time throughout the calendar year. |
Section 4: Removal
| i. |
Any
member may be removed by a majority vote of the Executive Board. |
| ii. |
Reasons
for removal include: undermining the organization, misrepresenting
the organization or its members, misuse of organizational resources,
other reasons considered inappropriate in achieving RA's goals.
|
| iii.
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An
expelled member may appeal the decision at a business meeting.
A vote of two-thirds of voting members present can override the
decision of the Executive Board. |
| iv.
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Dues
or other payment to the organization will not be returned to
expelled members except under unusual circumstances, and at the
discretion of the Executive Board. |
Section 5: Member
Database
| RA will
not share, lend, or sell its member list or member contact information
to any other organization, individual, of corporation. |
Article III - Executive
Board
Section 1: Executive
Board Membership
| i. |
RA
is run by an Executive Board that may consist of two to four
members. |
| ii. |
One
of these members is elected by the general membership to be President.
|
| iii.
|
Other
roles are delegated within the Executive Board. |
| iv.
|
The
Executive Board must be able to account to the Governing Board
for any money that it handles. |
Section 2: Executive
Board Duties
| i. |
The
Executive Board must report to the members on a monthly basis,
possibly through a meeting or a newsletter. |
| ii. |
The
Executive Board shall issue a Call for Elections every April.
One half of voting members or majority vote of the Executive
Board are required for elections to be held. |
| iii.
|
Elections
should be concluded before the end of the Spring Semester, and
terms for new officers begin in August. |
Section 3: Resignation
and Removal
| i. |
When
a position on the Executive Board is vacated, the Executive Board
may appoint a replacement from Active Members within the ranks
of RA. |
| ii. |
Officers
may be asked to step down or may be expelled through action of
the remaining Executive Board. |
| iii.
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In
either of the above cases, the action must be supported by 50%
of voting members. |
Article IV - Governing
Board
| i. |
A
board of three to five members acts as a Governing Board to provide
oversight to the Executive Board's handling of the Rainbow Alliance
Fund and any other money matters. |
| ii. |
Board
members are proposed by officers to the general membership. |
| iii.
|
If
objections are raised, a vote is held and a majority of members
may reject a candidate for the Governing Board. |
| iv.
|
The
board selects a Chair at its discretion. Choice of a Chair should
be immediately reported to the Executive Board. |
| v.
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Any
changes in the Governing Board should be reported immediately
to the membership. |
| vi.
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The
Governing Board must meet at least once a year. |
| vii.
|
The
Governing Board receives no financial compensation. |
Article V - Rainbow
Alliance Fund
Section 1 - Reasons
for the Fund
| RA has
a goal of creating a Fund at the University of Florida Foundation
to promote the organization's basic goals at the University of
Florida. |
| Specific
areas for contribution include but are not necessarily limited
to: |
| i.
|
Specific
areas for contribution include but are not necessarily limited
to: |
| ii.
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Working
toward establishment of an LGBT Resource Center at the University
of Florida |
| iii. |
Supporting
organizations at the University that work toward RA goals. |
Section 2 - Handling
of the Fund
| i.
|
Specific
details of the operation and handling of the fund will be spelled
out in the letter of intent filed with the University of Florida
Foundation, with the express understanding that its content has
been approved by a majority of the officers and Governing Board. |
| ii.
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Changes
to the letter of intent must be approved by a majority of both
the officers and the Governing Board in a special meeting. Members
must be notified of any proposed changes to the letter of intent. |
| iii. |
The
President of Rainbow Alliance or designee approved by a majority
of the officers and Governing Board will be the listed contact
for Fund deposits and disbursements. |
| iv. |
The
letter of intent will spell out how the Rainbow Alliance Fund
is to be used and who the contact will be under a variety of
circumstances. |
Article VI - Officers
and Duties
| i.
|
The
President shall convene and reside over regularly scheduled RA
meetings. The President shall also serve as the official liaison
between RA Members and the University of Florida. The President
will also be responsible for maintaining RA's official Web Site,
www.ra-online.org. |
| ii.
|
In
the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform
the duties of the President. |
| iii. |
The
Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of RA actions,
including overseeing the taking of minutes at all RA meetings,
sending out meeting announcements (via email), distributing copies
of minutes and the agenda to each RA member (via email), and
assuring that corporate records are maintained. The Secretary
shall read the minutes from the previous RA meeting and from
any Special Meetings that have been held in the interim. |
| iv. |
The
Treasurer shall assist in the preparation of the budget, help
develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available
to RA members and the public. The Treasurer shall present a financial
report at each RA meeting. |
Article VII - Amendments
| These
Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority
of the RA Executive Board. Proposed amendments must be submitted
to the Secretary to be sent out with regular Board announcements. |
Rainbow Alliance By-Laws
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