The Annual Meeting shall be convened for the purpose of electing officers and conducting other related business. Additional meetings may be held as arranged by the Executive Board. Guests may attend Association meetings with prior approval from the Executive Board.
The date and site of each meeting shall be determined by the Executive Board except for the Annual Meeting, which shall be held in the fall of the year.
Notice of the time and location of each meeting shall be sent to the membership no less than 30 days prior to such meeting.
A quorum shall consist of the members in attendance.
Voting: Except as provided herein, matters upon which a vote is called shall be decided by a majority of those voting.
Proxy votes shall not be permitted.
The Executive Board shall decide upon the order of business for each meeting.
The officers of the Association shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Trustees.
A single slate for each office shall be made by the Executive Board, and nominations shall be limited to the full members of the Association. Nominations may also be submitted at the Annual Meeting from the floor.
Terms of office for the President and Vice President shall be for a period of two years commencing on the first day of January, of the year following the Annual Meeting, and shall be elected to no more than four consecutive years in the same office.
Terms of office for the Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustees shall be for a period of two years commencing on the first day of January, of the year following the Annual Meeting, and shall be elected with no term limits.
Upon the expiration of the President’s term(s), the Vice President shall automatically assume the office of President, provided the Vice President is willing and eligible to serve. The transition shall occur at the conclusion of the outgoing President’s term, without the need for further election or appointment. In the event the Vice President is unable or unwilling to serve as President, the position shall be filled in accordance with the procedures outlined in Article II, Section 2.
Election of officers shall be determined by a majority vote.
County representation on the Executive Board shall be limited to one member during each term unless the Executive Board approves an exception.
Traditionally, the President has nominated the Vice President to chair the nominations and conduct that portion of the meeting when elections are held.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and all meetings of the Executive Board. The President shall have the power to establish committees and to appoint co-chairs of those committees. Committee members shall be approved by the President and Vice President. The President and Vice President shall fill vacancies occurring in committees. All authority otherwise invested shall be handled by the President and he/she shall perform the duties.
In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall temporarily perform the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the conduct of Association business as assigned. In the event of a resignation, death or permanent incapacity of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the office, duties, and responsibilities of the President for the unexpired term.
The Treasurer shall act as Treasurer of the Association. The Treasurer shall collect all monies and disperse such funds in the name of and to the credit of the Association. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all money received, shall review and audit all bills and, if correct, make payment therefore in a manner consistent with the order of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep a record of bills certified by the Treasurer, the amount and to whom payable. The Treasurer shall submit a report at each meeting and shall submit a written financial report at the Annual Meeting.
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, and shall maintain custody of all Association records.
The Trustees shall attend meetings, provide support for other Executive Board members, and represent MAFCA on various Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare committees.
Other duties of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Trustees shall be such as the Executive Board may, from time to time, direct.
The Immediate Past President shall maintain the historical records of the Association.
The Executive Board shall consist of the Officers of the Association, the immediate Past President, the Chair(s) of the Program Committee, the Chair(s) of the Legislative and Court Rule committee, and the Chair(s) of the Court Operations and Funding Committee.
Meetings shall be called by the President or by any three members of the Executive Board from time to time as required for proper conduct of the Association’s business.
A quorum shall consist of 5 members of the Executive Board.
The Executive Board shall be responsible for the regular functions and maintenance of Association business, including financial activities, resolutions, Executive Board nominations, membership recruitment and retention, and internal and external communications.
The Executive Board shall have the entire management of the affairs of the Association. They shall fill any vacancies in an office or on the Board except the office of the President, until the next Annual Meeting. All appropriations of funds of the Association must be made or approved by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall have the power and authority to invest or reinvest funds of the Association provided such investments are made for the purpose of securing income for the Association and Association’s Constitution or Bylaws or the laws of the State of Michigan. The Board shall have such other powers and duties as shall be prescribed by law, the Association Constitution and Bylaws, or by appropriate action of the Association.
The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, shall determine the standing and special committees of the Association, and shall define the powers and duties of such committees, subject to provision of the Bylaws. The Chairperson(s) of all standing committees shall be appointed or re-appointed from time to time and shall continue at the preference of the President. Subject to the approval of the President, each standing or special committee may establish subcommittees to assist in the performance of its responsibilities.
Legislative and Court Rule Committee – shall review proposed and pending legislation, court rules, and related policy proposals that impact family courts and child and family issues. The committee shall be responsible for the liaison with state level public and private organizations. The committee will recommend to the Association formal positions and/or other actions to be taken in regard to legislative or court rule proposals.
Program Committee – shall plan the agenda for the meetings of the Association and for coordinating the various aspects of meeting programs with the assistance of the Executive Board.
Court Funding and Operations Committee – shall inform and advise the Executive Board in all matters related to court funding and court operations, including funding structures and sources and other factors likely to impact the function of courts.
Special Committees – may be appointed from time to time, as required, to achieve the Association’s purpose and objectives.
All dues and fees for each membership category shall be paid by members in such amounts as may be fixed and determined by the Executive Board.
Dues shall be due and payable on the first day of January of each calendar year and shall be declared delinquent if not paid by the first day of March. Unpaid memberships shall cease to be a member in good standing and such member’s name shall be stricken from the rolls of the Association.
Amendments to the Bylaws shall be in the same manner as amendments to the Constitution.
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