CCIP By-laws

From: Michael R Helfrich, President
Time Stamp 3/30/2002 6:34:35 PM

BY LAWS FOR THE CODORUS CREEK IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSHIP (CCIP)

March 28, 2002 - Michael R Helfrich

GROUP
I. A. The Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership(from here on known as CCIP) is incorporating as a non-profit, membership organization.

MISSION
II. A. Vision. Members of the CCIP believe that it is possible to restore the Codorus Creek and other local waterbodies to a condition that creates safe, healthy, enjoyable, prosperous and sustainable communities for everyone.
B. Mission. The CCIP promotes: educational activities, weekly walks and clean-ups, community planting and clean-up days, citizen response to questionable dumping activities, and the creation of a full-time custodian position for York's waterways. The purpose of the custodian position is to: get to know the waterways; document the state of the waterways; examine suspicious dumping, or reports of dumping, of waste or debris; inform authorities of observations; interact with national and local waterway organizations to improve waterway conditions; promote education, of ourselves and others; and generally promote the revitalization of our waterways.
C. Values. The CCIP believes that our community's physical health, mental health, spiritual well-being, future prosperity, and sustainability should be our highest priorities. We cannot progress without clean waterways.

MEMBERSHIP
III. A. Membership will be given upon agreement to publicly adopt the principles outlined in Article II.
B. There will be no restrictive fees required for participation. Any donation upon entrance into the group is of new members' own volition.
C. Members will be known as "the Body", and will have the right to take part in CCIP elections and general votes.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IV. A. A seven member Board of Directors will be appointed by the Body through elections.
B. It is the purpose of this Board to conduct the affairs of business and organization for the Body of CCIP.
C. It is the duty of board members to attend all meetings of the Body, as well as meetings of the Board arranged, with notice given, for business.
D. It is the duty of the Board to elect, to hold general election of, or to appoint a five member executive committee.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
V. A. An executive committee of five members shall conduct the order of the CCIP Body meetings.
B. These members include, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Historian.
C. 1. The President will organize issues facing the Body into an Agenda, defining the progression of the Body meetings.
2. The President will conduct and maintain the flow of business, allowing for debate, as seen to be productive and orderly.
3. The President will conduct general votes of the Body, maintaining equal consideration for all sides of issues.
4. The President will conduct the business appointed by the Body or the Board.
5. The President will have access to CCIP financial accounts, for the sole purpose of conducting the business of the Board or Body.
D. 1. The Vice President will maintain an awareness of all organization business.
2. The Vice President will be prepared to conduct the duties of the office of President.
3. The Vice President will have access to CCIP financial accounts, for the sole purpose of conducting the business of the Board or Body.
E. 1. The Treasurer will maintain account logs, with known agreed-upon accounting systems, for all CCIP accounts.
2. The Treasurer will conduct the financial business of the Body, Board, and Executive Committee.
3. The Treasurer will have access to CCIP financial accounts for the sole purpose of conducting the business of the Body,Board, or Executive Committee.
4. The Treasurer will give a financial report at the Body meetings.
F. 1. The Secretary will document the affairs of the organization.
2. The Secretary will document the order and motions of the Body meetings.
3. The Secretary will document events and decisions of Board meetings.
4. The Secretary will make a report to the Body meeting known as "last meeting's minutes".
G. 1. The Historian will document and collect information, photos, etc., pertaining to the CCIP.
2. The Historian will make known to the Body any item of interest to the Body, that must be purchased through the organizational funds.
3. The Historian will compile articles, or collections of items, of interest for presentation to the Body.

MEETINGS
VI. A. General meetings of the Body of the CCIP will be held monthly.
B. Meetings of the Board of Directors will be scheduled by the Board as needed.

ELECTIONS
VII. A. 1. The seven seats on the Board of Directors will be appointed through general elections by the Body to be held at the October general meeting.
2. Nominations for the seven seats of the Board will be taken at the September general meeting.
B. 1. Terms of office will be for one year, with terms beginning and ending at the January monthly meeting.
C. 1. a. Elected Board members can be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the remaining Board members, followed by a two-thirds vote of the general Body while quorum is present.
b. Elected Board Members can be removed by a four-fifths vote, regardless of the recommendation of the Board.
D. 1. Election or appointment of Executive Officers will be conducted at the direction of the Board.
E. 1. Special elections will be arranged by the Board in case of position vacancy.

COMMITTEES
VIII. A. 1. There are six permanent committees. These are the Activities, Education, Fund-Raising, Legislative, Monitoring, and Public Relations Committees.
2. The Activities Committee will plan and coordinate events.
3. The Education Committee will work with schools to bring watershed workshops and lesson plans into classrooms, and will work on public education campaigns.
4. The Fund-Raising Committee will conduct events and apply for available money to fund events and clean-ups.
5. The Legislative Committee will work to have our issues addressed by government representatives and officials.
6. The Monitoring Committee will monitor, report data, and arrange workshops to train more monitors.
7. The Public Relations Committee will maintain press relations, increase CCIP visibility, and plan public-awareness events.
B. 1. A Chairperson for each committee will be selected by the individual committees to represent the Committee to the Board, Body, and General meeting.
C. 1. Special Committees, for events or limited duration issues, can be created by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
D. 1. Sub-Committees may be created within committees, as seen fit by the Committee or Chair of the Committee.

MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER LIABILITY
IX. A. 1. a. As part of membership, members agree that any action taken while with CCIP, or in name of CCIP, was of their own volition and free will.
b. As part of accepting members, CCIP agrees to inform members of any known dangers to members, and to inform them of this "no liabilty" clause.
2. All members must judge for themselves their ability to take part in various group activities.
3. No member will hold the Body of the organization, or any individual member of the Body, liable for damages sustained while voluntarily participating in a group activity.
B. 1. a. As part of volunteering with CCIP, volunteers agree that any action taken while with CCIP, or in name of CCIP, was of their own volition and free will.
b. As part of accepting volunteers, CCIP agrees to inform volunteers of any known dangers to volunteers, and to inform them of this "no liabilty" clause.
2. All volunteers must judge for themselves their ability to take part in various group activities.
3. No volunteer will hold the Body of the Organization, or any individual member of the Body, liable for damages sustained while voluntarily participating in a group activity.

MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION
X. A. 1. If any member misrepresents the CCIP or its values, their membership can be revoked by a majority vote of the Board, unless appealed by the Body.
2. If appealed by the Body, it must be put to a vote of the Body, with a quorum present at a general meeting.

AMENDMENTS
XI. A. 1. Additions to the By-laws can be made by a two-thirds vote, with a quorum of the Body present.
B. 1. Amendments must be made by a four-fifths vote, with a quorum of the Body present.