Sustainable Shoreline Education Association

Constitution

Article I Name and Purpose

Section 1. This organization shall be known as Sustainable Shoreline Education Association

Section 2. The purpose of this organization shall be to:

A. Sustain and enhance healthy communities within the City of Shoreline. A healthy community is defined as consisting of stable neighborhoods, a healthy environment and ecosystem, prosperous small business environment, and an economically viable city.

B. Foster public awareness and participation

• Present complex issues into easily understood principles and values.
• Sponsor, promote or organize community events that involve, inform and educate the public.
• Sponsor public debates during elections.
• Disseminate information via newspaper articles and commentary, public forums, email and other vehicles as resources permit.

C. Provide oversight and promote an independent citizen's forum for informed discussion regarding policies and procedures within the City of Shoreline

D. Organize citizen action groups to observe and report back on projects and processes within the City of Shoreline.

E. Convey to City officials in public forums, specific concerns of citizens

F. Promote public awareness about the Washington State Growth Management Act, City of Shoreline's Comprehensive Plan and Development Code, track City budget issues along with other items and concerns.

Article II

Membership

Section 1. Anyone legally residing in or legally conducting business in Shoreline, , is eligible to become a member upon completing a membership application and payment of dues. Active members have the privilege of voting after 90 days of applying, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Active members can hold office after attending six (6) membership meetings. A member shall be in agreement with the objectives of the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association and pay required dues or assessments, in support of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association. The effective date of this section is January 1, 2007.

Section 2. Membership is open to all regardless of race, creed, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

Section 3 . Active members are defined as one who's Application for Membership has been accepted by the Board of Directors, and have paid the required dues or assessments.

Article III

Leadership and Responsibilities

Section 1. Board of Directors: The Members of the Board of Directors shall consist of no less than five (5), nor more than nine (9) persons and shall serve terms of office for two years. They shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting on a Biannual basis, with the larger amount being elected in the even numbered years. The Board of Directors shall act as the authority for those things not specifically stated in the Constitution and Bylaws. In 2006 only; the Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall serve for a term of one year ending April 30 2007. The Chairperson and the Treasurer shall serve a term of two years ending April 30 2008

Section 2 Officers: The officers of the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association shall consist of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, who are to be elected at the Annual General Meeting of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association. The elected officers shall be come members of the Board of Directors by passage of a resolution of the membership.

Section 3. Duties of Officers:

A. Chairperson: The Chairperson shall supervise the duties of the other officers and committees and shall have general responsibility for directing the ordinary business and corporate affairs of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association. A. Vice Chairperson: In the absence of the Chairperson, or when called upon, shall preside at meetings and perform any other duties of the Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall assume all of the duties of the Chairperson when the Chairperson is unable to do so.

B. Secretary: The Secretary shall have principal responsibility for recording and reporting minutes of all Sustainable Shoreline Education Association meetings and for coordinating with the Chairperson all correspondence of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association and a record thereof. NOTE: no individual member may correspond with any group or individual under the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association name, unless authorized to do so by the Board of Directors. All correspondence must be with the Board of Directors approval. The Secretary in conjunction with the Chairperson is responsible for coordinating the preparation of an agenda and meeting notification.

C. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall deposit funds received by Sustainable Shoreline in the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association bank account or accounts and shall keep an accurate record of the receipts and disbursements of Sustainable Shoreline, including, paid and non remitted membership dues, reconciling the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association checking account, maintaining a file of all bank statements, checks and deposits as well as all receipts for paid bills, purchases, and all unpaid bills.

The Treasurer shall present to the membership at each regular meeting an up-to-date financial report showing the current receipts and disbursements for the preceding month, the previous bank balance and the present bank balance. The Treasurer shall issue checks for all bills received by Sustainable Shoreline or as approved by the board. If for any reason this cannot be done in a timely manner, the Treasurer shall give the check book and ledger to the Vice-Chairperson and the bills shall be paid by the Vice-Chairperson until the Treasurer is able to assume this duty or another Treasurer is appointed.

Any member or officer expending funds on behalf of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association shall provide to the Treasurer a receipt for it. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation and filing of all federal and state tax and information forms that may be required as each becomes due and shall retain a copy in the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association files. The Board of Directors shall agree on a bank account for holding Sustainable Shoreline Education Association funds. Two persons shall have signatory power for all Sustainable Shoreline Education Association checks; that being the Treasurer and the Vice-Chairperson.

The Treasurer shall coordinate with the Membership Chairperson to create and maintain an up-to-date roster. The Treasurer will also coordinate the processing of membership applications with the Membership Chairperson.

Section 4 Duties of Appointees:

Membership Chairperson: The Membership Chairperson shall receive all applications for membership, along with dues and assessments and shall remit all funds and documents received to the Treasurer. The Membership Chairperson shall be responsible for providing an up to date Roster and Mailing List to the Newsletter Editor.

A. Newsletter Editor: The Sustainable Shoreline Education Association Newsletter is recognized as being important as a means to insure regular contact with all (current or potential) members on a timely basis. Therefore, the Newsletter Editor shall oversee the composing, printing, and mailing of the organization's newsletter not more than once a month or less than annually. The newsletter shall contain only public information of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association.. Electronic versions of the newsletter shall be in PDF format to ensure they are not modified after publication

The Newsletter Editor shall coordinate with the Secretary for the minutes of the last meeting, and with the other Officers for anything they may want to have printed. The newsletter shall contain a listing of all officers and their telephone numbers, and a synopsis of the last business minutes.

The Newsletter Editor shall also compose and print any postcard notifications that are necessary to inform the membership of upcoming events.

Article IV

Voting and Elections

The election of officers and directors shall be conducted as the last New Business item on the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting, which is to be followed by the installation of those officers. The Chairperson (if nominated for an Officer position) shall appoint an Election Proctor for this portion of the annual general meeting and to adjourn the annual general meeting.

Article V

Removal and Succession

Board Members and/or Officers can be removed for the following reasons:

1. Non payment of dues and/or assessments;
2. Public behavior that is detrimental to the reputation of the Sustainable Shoreline Education Association;as determined by a 60% vote of the membership

3. Defamation of another member's character;as determined by a 60% vote of the membership

The Executive Authority of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors, as defined in Article III Leadership and Responsibilities. Article VII

Meetings

The General meetings shall take place monthly starting at 7:00PM. An agenda shall be provided to each member at least 5 days before the meeting via the latest email address of record.

The Board shall meet one week the prior to the monthly General Meeting. Article VIII

Committees

There shall be Standing Committees filled by volunteers and/or appointees or as deemed necessary by the Chairperson, and with the approval of the Board of Directors Standing Committees may be: Membership

Human Services, Safety, Criminal Justice

Land Use and Transportation

Natural Resources, Parks, Open Space, Utilities, Arts, Culture, Heritage

Economic Development

Budget, Finance, Technology, Human Resources

Intergovernmental, Public Outreach; Neighborhood Organizations

Ad hoc committees may be appointed and staffed as needed, by the Chairperson.

Article IX

Amendments

A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors, by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, or by a petition signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the Active membership.

1. The Board of Directors shall consider the amendment and may pass on their recommendations to the membership at the next regular meeting. The Board is not obligated to put a proposed amendment to a vote.
2. A copy of the proposed amendment and meeting shall be conveyed by Notice sent to each member of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association in accordance with Washington State law. However the proposed Amendment may only be voted on, during the next Annual General Meeting.
3. Passage of the proposed amendment shall require approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the ballots cast by those attending the meeting.

Article X

Dissolution

A. A motion to dissolve the Society shall require a unanimous decision by the Board of Directors and presented at a General Meeting.

B. Written notification of the motion shall be conveyed to each member of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association in accordance with Washington State law prior to the next regular meeting when the matter will be put to a vote.

C. Approval of the motion shall require vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the ballots cast by those attending the meeting.

D. Upon dissolution of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association, the debts of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association shall be paid, as resources permit. Any property or remaining assets of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association shall be liquidated and donated to one or more charitable organizations, provided that, such foundation or corporation has established its tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, in a manner that business properties, and assets of Sustainable Shoreline, or proceeds thereof shall then be used for and devoted to objects and purposes similar to that of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of Sustainable Shoreline Education Association is located (presently King County) to exempt 501 (c) (4) organizations as set forth above.