Article I Name
The name of this council shall be Friends of the Nature Area (FONA).
Article II Purpose
The purpose of this council shall be to advise the Superintendent and Black Oak Mine School Board in matters pertaining to the Nature Area and its educational program, to perform the duties that have been or may be assigned to it by the Superintendent of the Black Oak Mine Unified School District, and to make other recommendations as the council, in its judgment, feels to be of benefit to the Georgetown Nature Area.
Article III Membership
Section 1:
Composition The council may be composed of the following:
Two or more Representatives or staff of the Black Oak Unified School District Two or more Community Representatives representing community organizations, agencies or businesses like Forest Service, Blodgett, KFOK, Rotary and GDR Two or more parents of pupils, or retired staff of BOMUSD One or more high school Student Representatives The goal is to maintain a 7-11 member council.
Section 2: Term of Office No specific terms are recommended. Members may remain on the council as long as they remain active.
Section 3: Selection Process Parents, school staff and community members may be selected by their respective groups during the month of May and shall assume membership at the September meeting. The student representatives shall assume membership at the first council meeting following their volunteering or recommendation in the fall. Students may be recommended by staff. Those persons who are members of this council at the time of the adoption of these by-laws are considered current council members
Section 4: Voting Privileges Each council member shall be entitled to one vote and may cast that one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the council.
Section 5: Termination of Membership A member shall no longer hold membership should he or she cease to be a residence of the Black Oak Mine School District attendance area. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the FONA chairperson Any member missing three consecutive meetings (not including July and August) shall no longer be considered active.
Section 6: Vacancies Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remainder of the year if possible.
Article IV Officers
Section 1: Officers Elected officers of the council shall be Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.
Section 2: Election and Term of Office All officers may be elected by ballot at the September meeting. New officers may assume their duties at the next meeting, once elected. No member may hold the same office more than four years in succession. A vacancy in the office shall be filled by a majority vote of the council for the unexpired portion of the term. Written notice of the election of officer(s) shall be given two weeks prior to the election
Section 3: Duties of the Officers Chairperson: It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to create the agenda and preside at all meetings. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall represent the Chairperson in assigned duties and substitute for the Chairperson during his or her absence and keep track of the BOMUSD Nature Area bequest budget. The Treasurer will also report records from Nature Area account at Georgetown School Secretary: The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and keep on file all records and communications of the council. The secretary will also send out the agenda and minutes via email to the FONA list.
Article V Committees
The council may, from time to time, establish and abolish such standing or special committees as it may desire, for example Arts in Nature Fest committee or Maintenance Committee. No standing or special committee may exercise the authority of the council.
Article VI Meetings of the Council
All meetings shall be open to the public. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by the majority vote of the council with sufficient notice by mail, phone, or e-mail to entire council membership One half plus one of the council members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. However, consensuses is the desired goal of the group To conduct business, a quorum must be present.
Article VII Parliamentary Authority
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the council in all cases where they are not in conflict with these by-laws.
Article VIII Amendments
Provisions of these by-laws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the elected council members present at a duly constituted meeting, providing such amendments are received by all council members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
Approved at FONA meeting on 9/18/08
