ARTICLE I   NAME

 The name of this organization is the Garrett County Family Violence Coalition.

                                                                    ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE

 The principle purpose of the Garrett County Family Violence Coalition is to create a system for a coordinated community response to family violence with the goal of zero tolerance in Garrett County.

                                                                    ARTICLE III.  MEMBERS

 The Garrett County Family Violence Coalition shall consist of 21 representatives appointed by the Board of County Commissioners on advice and recommendation of the Coalition.  There will be Twelve (12) permanent members appointed by virtue of their direct contact and nine (9) members-at-large representing peripheral services, interested parties and service consumers of Garrett County.

1. ?State’s Attorney’s Office;
2. ?Department of Social Services;
3. ?Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Resource Center;
4. ?Sheriff’s Office;
5. ?Barrack “W”, MSP;
6. ?Oakland City Police Department;
7. Board of Education Pupil Personnel Office;
8. ?County Health Department;
9. ?Garrett Memorial Hospital;
10. Community Action;
11. ?Office for Children, Youth and Families;
12. Lighthouse;
13. Ministerial Association
14. Commission for Women
15. ?County Commissioner’s Office;
16. ?County Medical Society;
17. Community (3 members);
18. A Consumer (past or current user) of services;
19. ?Division of Parole and Probation.

Each representative is entitled to participate in all decisions concerning the Garrett County Family Violence Coalition and shall have one vote.  Each representative is delegated authority by their respective agency/organization to act in/on behalf of that agency/organization.  Representatives of the permanent agencies/organizations may appoint a proxy to attend the regular meetings or committee meetings in their absence.  Consumer and lay public act independently of agency/organizational affiliation.

                                                                ARTICLE IV.  OFFICERS

 The officer of the organization shall be Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.  All officers shall be elected for one year from and by the membership and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.  The Chair may not serve more than two consecutive terms of one year each.  The officers shall take offfice at the next scheduled meeting following their election.

                                                    ARTICLE V.  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Coalition and the Executive Committee.  The Chair shall appoint with the advice and consent of the Coalition, all committee chairpersons and committee members, and enforce all provisions and polices of the organization.  The Chair shall perform such other duties as shall be imposed by resolution of the Coalition.  The Chair shall have not vote during meetings of the Coalition, except to break a tie.

 The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair, in the Chair’s absence.  In the event of death or disability of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall act until the Coalition fills the office.  The Vice Chair shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair.

 The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the organization.  The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Chair.

                                                ARTICLE VI.  TERMS OF REPRESENTATION

 The tenure for Members-At-Large (9) shall be for as long as they meet the minimum attendance requirements as set forth in these by-laws.  The tenure for the 12 permanent members shall be for the period of time they represent their respective agencies.  If a permanent position becomes vacant, an agency interim representative may be appointed by the County Commissioners to serve until a new agency head is appointed.

                                                            ARTICLE VII.  VACANCIES

 Vacancies in the class of Members-At-Large shall be filled by appointment upon resignation/removal of the incumbent.  Upon notification and recommendation of the Executive Committee and the Chairperson of the Coalition, the Board of Co7unty Commissioners may remove any member who has had more than three (3) unexcused absences in one (1) year to be replaced in a manner prescribed above.  When vacancies for at-large members occur, suggestions/recommendations for replacements will be taken from the Coalition.  The Coalition Chair will then contact those persons suggested to determine if they are interested in serving.  Potential at-large Coalition member names will then be presented to the full membership of the Coalition for selection and approval.  Upon approval by the Coalition, the names will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for Garrett County for final approval and appointment.

                                                                VIII. COMMITTEES

There shall be the following Standing Committees: Executive
Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Funding Committee, Public Relations Committee and Program Committee.  Ad hoc committees shall be formed as needed for a specific purpose, upon a majority vote of the members of the Board attending any meeting.

                                                        IX. DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

Executive:  This Committee shall consist of all officers and the
Chairperson of the Standing Committees.  Between meetings of the Coalition, regular or special, the Executive Committee shall have and exercise all posers of the Coalition, excepting amendment to the Constitution and by-laws, removal of officers and members of the Coalition, and the filling of vacancies.  This committee shall have on its agenda reports of the various Coalition committees and should plan the next Coalition meeting.

 Long Range Planning Committee: This Committee shall develop, for adoption by
Entire Coalition, a long-range plan for the Coalition which shall include, but not be limited to, the Coalition’s goals, purposes, priorities and programs.

 Funding Committee: This Committee shall assist the member agencies and organizations to prioritize the use of existing funds and to seek additional sources of funding for specific programs/projects consistent with the purpose of the Coalition.

Public Relations Committee:  This Committee is responsible for the interpretation of the purpose and role of the Coalition to the community at large through the media of newspapers, radio, television and other means, for the purpose of gaining support of the program.  It is also responsible for the preparation and distribution of information.  Non-Coalition members may serve on this committee.

 Program Committee: This Committee is responsible for developing and presenting, with the Public Relations Committee, publicly oriented programs.  This Committee shall also assist with the development of programs of the Coalition members to provide uniformity, to avoid overlap and to maximize resources.

                                                            ARTICLE X.  MEETINGS

 There shall be no less than 6 regular meetings of the Coalition each year.  The meetings shall normally occur on the second Tuesday of each month at a locations as designated by the Chairperson.  A majority of those in attendance shall constitute a quorum to conduct the business of the organization.  The meetings of the Coalition shall
Be publicized and shall be open to members of the public who support the purpose of the Coalition.  Proxy votes may be received on matters of business where a vote is required.

                                        ARTICLE XI.  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 Robert’s Rules of Order, revised, shall be the parliamentary authority of this organization excepting as they are superseded by the by-laws of the organization.