BYLAWS
Of
COLORADO RURAL SCHOOLS CAUCUS
Article I
Name and Definitions
The name of the organization shall be the Colorado Rural Schools Caucus (hereinafter referred to as “CRSC”).
“Steering Committee” shall refer to the Organization Council of CRSC.
Article II
Membership
Section 2.01 Members Any Colorado school district, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), or other Colorado education organization is eligible for membership in CRSC. Members in good standing shall have executed the CRSC 2000 Resolution and have paid their annual dues.
Section 2.02 Dues The Steering Committee shall establish the amount and payment of dues as may be necessary to carry on the business of CRSC.
Section 2.03 Annual Meetings The annual meeting of CRSC constituents shall be held in conjunction with the annual CASB convention in December. The annual business meeting shall be held in conjunction with the annual CASB convention in December or at any time or location designated by the Steering Committee.
Section 2.04 Special Meetings Special Meetings of members may be called by the Steering Committee. The purpose for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice of said meeting.
Section 2.05 Notice of Meetings Written or printed notice stating the place, day, and hour of any meeting of members shall be delivered personally, by mail, email, or fax to each member entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting.
Section 2.06 Quorum At any meeting, a simple majority of members present shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for all purposes except as otherwise provided by law.
Article III
Steering Committee
Section 3.01 General Powers The Steering Committee shall give direction, support, and counsel to the CRSC Executive Director and make decisions relative to business presented to the Steering Committee.
Section 3.02 Number, Qualification, and Term of Office The Steering Committee shall consist of at least five (5) and not more than fifteen (15) directors. Any change in the number of directors will be voted on and approved by a majority of the Directors before it becomes effective.
A director must be a duly elected school board director of a CRSC member or an employed administrator of a member district, BOCES, or Colorado educational organization. Said person must have a letter from their district board, their BOCES board, or the board of their Colorado educational organization nominating them for the position of CRSC director.
At least one third (1/3) of the Steering Committee shall be representatives of a qualified CRSC Member Board of Education (school board directors) and at least one third (1/3) shall be superintendents.
Directors will serve a three (3) year term following their election. Directors may be re-elected to successive terms. Every effort will be made by the Steering Committee to have the maximum of fifteen (15) directors on the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee shall consist of ten directors representing the ten regions that have been established by the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) and five directors at large representing the State of Colorado.
Section 3.03 Election
- Each CRSC member may submit by mail, fax, or email a nominee
for the position of Steering Committee Director to the office of the CRSC no more than thirty (30) or less than ten (10) days in advance of the Annual Meeting. Any member failing to submit a nomination in a timely manner pursuant to this Section shall forfeit its right to nominate a director for the upcoming election.
- The Steering Committee chairperson shall appoint a nominating
committee to review the nominees to ensure compliance with the criteria established in these bylaws. In the event there are insufficient nominee(s) for the position of Steering Committee Director(s), the nominating committee shall search for qualified candidates and present their names at the annual meeting.
Section 3.04 Resignation Any director may resign at any time upon giving written notice to the Steering Committee Chairperson or to the CRSC Executive Director. The resignation takes effect at the time of the notice of resignation.
Section 3.05 Vacancies A person receiving a majority vote of the remaining Steering Committee will fill any vacancy occurring on the Steering Committee. Any Director so elected will hold office for the remaining term of that Directorship or until his/her successor is duly elected.
Section 3.06 Place of Meeting The Steering Committee may hold its meetings at any location it chooses.
Section 3.07 Meetings Regular meetings and special meetings (conducted in person or electronically) of the Steering Committee shall be held after verbal or written notice is provided to all Directors ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
Section 3.08 Quorum A minimum of 51% of the Directors is required to constitute a quorum to transact business at any meeting. An act of a majority of the Directors present is considered an act by the entire Steering Committee. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting.
Section 3.09 Removal of Directors Any Director may be removed with or without cause at any time. Removal requires a vote of a majority of the Directors. The resulting vacancy will be filled in the manner specified in Section 3.05.
Article IV
Officers
Section 4.01 Officers The officers of the Steering Committee will be elected from the Steering Committee and will consist of a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.
The Executive Director shall designate one person attending a meeting of the Steering Committee to act as a recording secretary and be responsible for the minutes of that meeting.
Section 4.02 Election and Terms of Office Officers shall be elected for one year terms by the Steering Committee. Officers shall assume their positions at the time of the election.
Section 4.03 Resignation and Vacancy An officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Steering Committee. A vacancy shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term.
Section 4.04 Removal The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson may be removed with or without cause by a two-thirds (2/3s) majority vote of the Steering Committee.
Section 4.05 Duties The Chairperson shall preside at all Steering Committee meetings, consult with the Executive Director in planning agendas, bring before the Steering Committee such matters as in his/her judgment may require the attention of the Steering Committee, be responsible for the orderly conduct of meetings, call special meetings of the Steering Committee as necessary, appoint special committees, and sign legal documents to which the CRSC may be party.
The Vice-Chairperson shall perform all of the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence or at the Chairperson’s request.
Section 4.06 Other Officers The Steering Committee may have other officers as may be deemed necessary. Their appointment, duties, and terms will be determined by the Steering Committee.
Article V
Committees
Section 5.01 The Steering Committee may act by and through committees specified by a majority of the Steering Committee. The duties and responsibilities will be designated by the Steering Committee and each committee will be subject to the direction of the Chairperson of the Steering Committee.
Section 5.02 Resignation and Vacancy Members of a committee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Steering Committee. A vacancy shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term.
Section 5.03 Removal Members of Committee may be removed with or without cause by a two-thirds majority vote of the Steering Committee.
Parliamentary Authority
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Steering Committee whenever these bylaws do not provide proper procedure.
Article VII
Finance and Accounting
The Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) is designated as the fiscal agent of CRSC and all accounting for CRSC revenues and expenditures shall be performed by CASB and in accordance with their procedures.
Article VIII
Books of Record, Fiscal Year, Audit
Section 8.01 Books of Record The CRSC Executive Director and CASB will both keep:
(1) Records of all proceedings of the Steering Committee, and all
financial statements of CRSC, and
(2) Bylaws and all amendments and restatements, and
(3) other records and books of account necessary and appropriate to
the conduct of business.
Section 8.02 FISCAL REPORTING An accounting of CRSC revenues and expenditures shall be made and distributed annually to CRSC members.
Section 8.03 Fiscal Year The fiscal year of CRSC will be from July 1 through June 30.
Article IX
Indemnification
CRSC shall, to the full extent permitted by Colorado law, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a member, director, or officer of CRSC. The right of indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and personal representatives of the director or officer.
Article X
Amending or Repealing Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended or repealed. A bylaw to be amended or repealed shall have a first reading at any regular or special meeting of the Steering Committee. At the subsequent meeting of the Steering Committee, a vote will be taken to amend or repeal the subject bylaw.
A simple majority is necessary for a bylaw to be amended or repealed.
Article XI
Dissolution
Should the need for this Steering Committee cease to exist, the Steering Committee may, by two-thirds vote of its members, declare its intent to dissolve. Any CRSC funds remaining will be distributed to CASB at time of dissolution.
Adopted this 10 day of August 2002
Amended this 10 day of June 2003
Amended this 18 day of February 2010
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