Constitution and Bylaws
ELLIS COUNTY CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATION BYLAWS
Amended and Restated April 2012
Article I
Name
Ellis County Christian Homeschool Organization: The name of the corporation shall be Ellis County Christian Homeschool Organization, a.k.a. E.C.C.H.O. The Federal Tax Identification number, assigned by the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service is: 90-0912971, issued on 05 June 2009.
Article II
Offices
Principal Office: The principal office of the corporation in the State of Texas shall be located in Ellis County, Texas. The corporation may have other offices as the Board of Directors (BOD) may determine or as the affairs of the corporation may require from time to time.
Registered Office and Registered Agent: The corporation shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Texas a registered office and a registered agent whose office is identical with such registered office, as required by the Texas Non-Profit Act. The BOD may change the registered office and registered agent from time to time.
Article III
Purpose
E.C.C.H.O. will operate under 501c3 status for the purpose of providing education, fellowship, and encouragement to the children and parents of Ellis County with the common goal of home education. The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code).
This corporation will strive to do all things in a manner that honors Biblical principles.
E.C.C.H.O. has adopted a limited statement to these fundamental principles: We believe the Scriptures to be inspired of God, inerrant and supreme, and the final authority of faithand life. We therefore hold as belief and conviction that children are given by God as a stewardship to the parent and not to the state and that parents have the wherewithal and authority to instruct their own children. (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6, 7)
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Article IV
Membership
Membership in E.C.C.H.O. is based on signed agreement with the bylaws, payment of dues, and good standing with the organization.
As a Christ centered organization we encourage every member to sign our statement of faith. Provision is made for limited membership to those who do not sign the statement of faith.
Provision is made for members who do not sign the statement of faith to participate in programs and activities. Participation in leadership, activity coordination, and other roles for non-signing members will be considered, by the BOD, on a case by case basis.
Membership applications will be reviewed by the BOD prior to acceptance into the organization.
Membership for those who do not home educate at least one child will be referred to the BOD.
Each member family shall complete or update a questionnaire in order to compile and annual directory and email list.
This organization shall be considered a cooperative effort. Each member family is expected to find some way to actively participate in the functions of the group, whether in leadership or in assisting a leader.
Membership dues are required per family and will be determined each year by the BOD.
Article V
Board of Directors
E.C.C.H.O. is a voluntary organization governed by a BOD. The corporation is not governed by members. The BOD will consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of eleven positions. If the number of filled positions falls below three, there will be a reasonable grace period, until the minimum positions are filled.
Director positions are filled by volunteers from the membership. Nominations will be approved by the existing board.
Each nominee must be home educating at least one child, have signed the statement of faith, be a member in good standing, and have been a member of the organization for at least one year. A husband and wife team may occupy one board position. Provisions are made for nomination of members who are not home educating at least one child and will be considered and reviewed, on a case by case basis, by the existing BOD.
Nominations for board positions will be made during March of each year, with Board of Director approval in April. Standing BOD members will review and vote on each nomination during a regularly scheduled board meeting. The BOD may consider nominations at any point during the year on a case by case basis.
Nominees will be contacted by the BOD to determine their qualifications and to ensure that they have expressed an interest in participating on the BOD. Nominations for non- qualifying members will be rejected.
Board of Director members will assume their duties on June 1st, each year. BOD members shall serve a term of two (2) years. Recurring terms may be served as desired. A BOD member must be nominated again for recurring terms.
Ex-Officio Board of Director Positions: the BOD may, from time to time, appoint nonvoting positions to assist with leadership roles, as deemed necessary, and will be appointed for such term as the BOD shall, in each case, specify.
The E.C.C.H.O. BOD must approve all functions conducted under the auspices of E.C.C.H.O. Suggestions for programs or functions may be submitted to any active board member for review by the full BOD at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Quorum: With the exception of addition or removal of Board of Director members, a simple majority of board members shall constitute a Quorum for the transaction of business. In the event a Board member resigns, business may be conducted with a simple majority of the remaining members until such time as the vacancy is filled.
Removal from the BOD: Board members may submit written resignations, email is an approved form, for full board review and acceptance. In other instances, and when necessary, board member removal will take place at a board meeting. Removal may be necessary after a review of any grievance. Reason for removal may include misconduct, nonparticipation in board meetings, or other circumstances which may arise. A 2/3 majority of BOD members must be present to add or remove a member from the board. A simple majority of the members present is sufficient for voting purposes.
Meetings: The BOD shall meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Agenda, minutes and any financial reports shall be provided to the BOD prior to each meeting. Any BOD member who misses three (3) regular meetings in a 12 month period may be removed from the BOD, provided, that the BOD may excuse for good cause any absence.
Special Meetings: Special meetings of the BOD may be requested by two (2) or more members to be called by the President. All BOD members shall be given notification of the special meeting.
Article VI
Officers
Elected Officers: The BOD will elect a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Officers will be elected by the BOD at the first regularly scheduled meeting in June of each year for a term of one year. The term of office for each officer shall begin immediately following the BOD election of said officers. Between meetings, the officers shall have the authority of the BOD, except, that it shall not have the authority to approve or amend the budget, or to amend the by-laws.
President: To be eligible for election as President, the Board member must have served on the BOD for one year. The President shall be the principle officer of the corporation. The President will preside at all meetings of the BOD, appoint all committees not otherwise provided by the BOD, and supervise over E.C.C.H.O. and all of its activities. The President will be one of the approved signatures for check signing and all other banking transactions as necessary. The President has signature authority for the corporation. The President shall perform all other duties as may be prescribed by the BOD from time to time.
Vice President: The Vice President shall assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President. The Vice President shall be one of the approved signatures for check signing and all other banking transactions as necessary. The Vice President shall perform all other duties as may be prescribed by the BOD from time to time.
Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a record of all meetings, which includes an official record keeping book and present a written copy when called upon by the BOD. The Secretary shall maintain a current roster of the BOD including their mailing addresses and shall prepare letters, notices, etc. as requested by the BOD. The Secretary shall perform all other duties as may be prescribed by the BOD from time to time.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be one of the approved signatures for check signing. The Treasurer shall direct and oversee all financial record keeping, funds and securities of the corporation. The responsibilities of the Treasurer shall include but are not limited to reviewing the financial reports. The Treasurer shall present a written copy of such report(s) when called upon by the BOD. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties as may be prescribed by the BOD from time to time.
Article VII
Committees
Budget Committee: The Budget committee will consist of the Treasurer and two (2) other BOD members. Committees shall select their own chairpersons. The proposed budget for the upcoming year shall be submitted at the March meeting and read to present BOD members. The budget will be ratified in the April meeting.
All Other Committees: The BOD shall create other committees required for the function of the corporation. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. Committee members shall be selected by board vote at regularly scheduled board meetings. All committees shall meet as needed and report to the BOD at regularly scheduled meetings.
Article VIII
Pecuniary Gain and Conflict of Interest
The corporation shall not afford pecuniary gain to its volunteers or BOD. No part of the net earnings, donations, or other monies shall inure to the benefit of its officers or committee chairpersons. The corporation may pay reasonable compensation for services and personnel who shall not be voting members of the organization. No part of the activities of the corporation shall be for carrying of campaign for public office including issuance of statement of endorsements.
The corporation may not make any loan to or borrow money from any BOD member, Ex- Officio member, committee member, employee, or volunteer.
Article IX
Policies
Two signatures will be required on checks over $300.00.
The BOD will do a compilation of E.C.C.H.O. receipts and expenditures on a quarterly basis.
Policies, such as the Code of Conduct and Dress Code, as well as other policies will be established by the BOD and any assigned committee. Input for policy, by the general membership, is encouraged and appreciated.
E.C.C.H.O. has been established as a group which seeks to encourage home educating families in a manner that honors Biblical principles. As such, members are required to abide by the organization’s policies.
These guidelines are designed to help E.C.C.H.O. participants understand what is expected of group members. Policy enforcement may include a verbal warning, reprimand, exclusion from an activity, establishing conditions for participants, or other means, up to and including revocation of membership in the organization.
Membership may be revoked by a simple majority vote of the BOD.
Article X
Amendment
The by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the BOD.
Bylaw amendments must be voted on at a board meeting. Bylaw amendments may not be voted on in a board meeting of less than 5 members of the BOD.
Article XI
Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this corporation due to lack of participation, or for any other legal reason, all liabilities and obligation of the organization shall be paid. Any remaining funds in the treasury at the time shall be given to another nonprofit home school organization or other nonprofit organization, to be determined by the remaining leadership.
Amended and adopted this 26th day of April, 2012 by a 2/3 vote of the voting membership as stated in the existing bylaws.