embRACE Committee By-Laws

Mission & By-Laws

By-Laws
SEIU Local 925 embRACE Committee: Race And Cultural Ethnicities
       
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this Committee shall be SEIU Local 925 embRACE: Race And Cultural Ethnicities.

ARTICLE II:     MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the SEIU 925 embRACE Committee: Race And Cultural Ethnicities is to:

•  Maximize effective engagement of union members of color of diverse cultures, languages and ethnicities.

• Cultivate relationships through group meetings and activities to develop union leadership, mentorship and education opportunities for members of color of diverse cultures, languages and ethnicities.
• Support the mission of SEIU 925 in a nurturing, stable and culturally diverse environment.

ARTICLE III: COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Section 1. The officer structure of this Committee shall be:
•    Committee Chair
•    Three rotating Committee Co-Chairs
•    Committee Secretary

Section 2. The term of office for the rotating Committee Co-Chairs and Committee Secretary shall be one (1) year beginning on January 1st of each year.

Section 3. Committee Chair. The Committee Chair shall be a member of the SEIU Local 925 Executive Board appointed by the SEIU Local 925 Executive Board. The Committee Chair plays a primary leadership role within the Committee, helping set direction and priorities for the Committee and ensuring that it accomplishes its work. The Committee Chair shall serve as principal liaison to union staff assigned to work with the Committee, and to the SEIU Local 925 President and Executive Board. The Committee Chair, along with the Committee Co-Chairs, shall help set the agenda for Committee meetings.

Section 4. Committee Co-Chairs. The three rotating Committee Co-Chairs are elected by Committee members by secret ballot vote during the first meeting in January. They shall, along with the Committee Chair, help set meeting agendas and chair Committee meetings on a rotating basis.

Section 5. Secretary. The Committee Secretary is elected by Committee members by secret ballot vote during the first meeting in January, and records the minutes of Committee meetings. Meeting minutes shall be provided to Committee members at the following Committee meeting. The Secretary, in conjunction with union staff assigned to work with the Committee, shall maintain an archive of Committee meeting minutes. The archive shall be available for review by any member in good standing.

Section 6. Meetings. The embRACE Committee shall meet monthly, or as needed to accomplish its work, at times and locations intended to maximize membership participation and involvement.

Section 7. New Members. SEIU Local 925 members of color shall be encouraged to join embRACE to keep the Committee growing and vibrant, and to fulfill the Committee’s mission of expanding leadership opportunities for members of color. New Committee members shall be guests at their first meeting, and shall be offered an orientation by a current Committee member. At the end of the meeting, they are welcome to ask questions to help them towards full participation in future embRACE meetings and full Committee membership. The same shall hold true for Committee members who have not attended Committee meetings for four (4) consecutive months.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICER ELECTIONS
Section 1. The Committee Chair shall work with union staff to conduct elections for the other Committee officer positions.
a. At the first Committee meeting in January, volunteers and nominations shall be accepted for Committee officer positions. Only union members in good standing who are full participants in embRACE may hold Committee officer positions. In the event a candidate cannot be present at the January meeting, s/he must submit a letter to the Committee Chair in advance of the January meeting volunteering or accepting nomination.
b. Committee members will be asked to vote on contested elections only. Uncontested candidates are elected by acclamation.
c. Voting for officers is by secret ballot at the January meeting. The candidate receiving the largest vote per office is declared elected. In the event of a tie, there shall be an immediate run-off election at the same meeting.

Section 2. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Committee Chair, the SEIU Local 925 Executive Board shall appoint a replacement.  In the event of a vacancy in any other Committee office, an election shall be held at the meeting following the vacancy to choose a successor, according to the same process as described in Section 1 above.

ARTICLE V: BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these By-laws may be proposed by the Committee Chair or by petition of 30% of Committee members who are full participants, and shall be voted on by secret ballot at a Committee meeting. Bylaw amendments must be presented in writing to Committee members at least two (2) weeks before a vote. Amendments must be approved by at least two thirds (2/3) of those present at a Committee meeting, with a minimum of 10 full Committee participants voting.