BYLAWS OF THE

Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solutions- _____ Chapter.

ARTICLE I.

NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Name:  The name of the organization is Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solutions - ____Chapter, which will be referred to as FACES- ____.

Section 2. Purpose: FACES- ____ is organized exclusively for charitable, and educational purposes, more specifically, to educate your area residents, including Filipino Americans, about environmental issues in the Philippines, to seek creative solutions to environmental problems; and to support communities working to protect the environment in the Philippines..

ARTICLE II.

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership Categories: There will be the following classes [optional] of memberships:

A. Individual, regular

B. Individual, student or low income

Section 2. Qualification for membership: All members must agree to the National FACES Mission Statement and the goals of the organization and pay annual dues [Note: all members must remit the amount established by the National FACES Board for membership dues  to the National Office but local chapters may set a higher membership fee and retain the difference to support local needs].

Section 3. Qualification for student membership: Student members will be full-time students at any level of formal education.

Section 4. Qualification for low income membership: The criteria for low-income membership will be as defined by the National FACES Board.

Section 5. Right to vote and hold office: All members will have the right to vote and hold office.

ARTICLE III.

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. Membership meetings: FACES- ____ will hold monthly membership meetings.

Section 2.  Quorum: A quorum for the National meeting of FACES- ____ will consist of 25% of the number of members.

Section 3: Parliamentary rules: Decisions will be made by consensus whenever possible. If consensus is not possible, Robert's Rules of order will apply and decisions will be made by simple majority.  Decisions made by consensus or other means will be documented in the minutes of the meetings, which will be available to any member.

ARTICLE IV

Note: The governance of chapters may vary considerably.

STEERING COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS

Section 1.  The FACES- ____ Steering Committee [optional]: The FACES- ____ Steering Committee, guided by the direction, programs and policies adopted during membership meetings will be the governing body.  The steering committee will consist of the chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. Election of officers: Officers will be elected by majority vote. (A chapter may choose to have a nomination committee prepare a list of candidates)

Section 3: Terms: ____________

Section 4: Resignation and Termination: Resignation from the Steering Committee must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A Steering Committee member may be removed by a three-fourths vote of a membership meeting. 

Section 5. Vacancies: Vacancies will be filled by a special election at a membership meeting.

Section 6: Parliamentary rules: Decisions will be made by consensus whenever possible. If consensus is not possible, Steering Committee will use Robert's Rules of order and decisions will be made by simple majority.  Steering Committee decisions made by consensus or other means will be documented in the minutes of the meetings, which will be available to any member.  In matters of dispute, the Steering Committee may at its discretion enter into a conflict resolution process.

Section 7. Officers and duties:

A. Chair (or coordinator): The Chair will preside at all meetings of FACES- ____ and at those of the Steering Committee, will appoint committee members in consultation with other Steering Committee members.  The Chair, as the chapter’s representative to the National FACES organization, will work to ensure coordination with the national organization, prepare Chapter reports and updates to be submitted to the Secretary of National FACES.  [A chapter may elect a chapter representative different from the chair.]

B. Secretary: The Secretary will be the custodian of the records of FACES- ____, maintain minutes of all meetings of FACES- ____ and of the FACES- ____ Steering Committee, conduct the correspondence of FACES________.

C. Treasurer:  The Treasurer will keep accurate records of income and disbursements and will chair the Finance Committee as described in Article V.  The Treasurer will present an annual financial report.  At the conclusion of the term of office, the Treasurer will present a comprehensive report of all financial transactions that occurred during the term of office. 

ARTICLE V.

COMMITTEES

Committees will vary in different chapters.

Section 1. Finance: The Finance Committee will develop an annual financial plan that will be presented to the Steering Committee, will review the organization's financial statements, raise funds, and provide oversight over the finances of FACES- ____.

Section 2. Other committees.  Other committees may be created by the Steering Committee to assist in the development of policies and programs.

Section 3. Committee reports: Each committee chair will submit to the Secretary annually a written report of the committee activities.

ARTICLE VI.

BYLAW AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Proposed Bylaw amendments.  Any member, with concurrence of two other members, can propose amendments for action at a membership meeting.  The Secretary will distribute copies of proposed amendments to the membership at the membership meeting prior to the meeting when the amendment is brought to a vote.

Section 2. Approval of Bylaw amendments: A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast will be required for adoption of a proposed amendment.

ARTICLE VII

RATIFICATION

An affirmative vote by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of FACES- ____ attending the _____ 200_ meeting.

ARTICLE VIII.

 DISSOLUTION

In the event FACES- ____ is dissolved, all property belonging to FACES- ____ will be sold.  The remaining cash assets, after paying final bills, will donated to National FACES or other charitable group.

These Bylaws were approved at a meeting of the members of FACES- ____ on _____ 200_.