Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

BY-LAWS OF THE CHSA

Approved by Membership January 10, 2001

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ARTICLE I. - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the California Head Start Association.
ARTICLE II. - MISSION STATEMENT
The California Head Start Association is the unified voice providing leadership and
advocacy for the Head Start community.
ARTICLE III. - VISION
The California Head Start Association will mature and evolve into a major organization
representing Head Start interests at different tables/venues.
ARTICLE IV. - CORE VALUES
Inclusive Congruence
Flexible Unity
Professional Proactive
Informed Leadership
Quality-Centered Collaboration
Integrity
Additionally, the CHSA adheres to the Code of Ethical Conduct adopted by the National
Association for the Education of Young Children.
ARTICLE V. - MEMBERSHIP
A. There shall be two (2) types of memberships: individual and organizational.
B. Individual memberships shall be open to any individual who supports the purpose
of the Association. Each individual shall be a voting member of the CHSA.
C. Organization memberships shall be open to any corporation, organization, or
agency that supports the mission of the Association. There shall be no voting
privileges for this type of membership.
D. An annual fee structure for individual and organizational membership shall be
established by the Board of Directors.
By-Laws of California Head Start Association
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ARTICLE VI. - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. COMPOSITION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The composition of the Board of Directors shall be not less than 5 members but
not more than 27. The composition of the board of Directors, all of whom shall
be voting members, shall be as follows:
1. Nine Clusters Representatives
2. One Tribal Head Start Representative.
3. Two Migrant Head Start Representative.
4. Four elected officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer
5. Immediate Past-President
6. Four Head Start Agency Staff Members
7. Four Head Start Agency Parents
8. Two Friends of Head Start
B. ELIGIBILITY FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Regional cluster representatives, Native American, Migrant, elected officers,
immediate past president, staff, parents and friends are eligible for board of
directors membership if they are current members in good standing.
1. Cluster Representatives
Cluster representatives will be selected by the CHSA designated Clusters.
If the cluster does not appoint a representative, the Association President
may appoint.
2. The Tribal and Migrant Representatives
The Tribal and Migrant Head Start Representatives will be selected by the
Tribal & Migrant Directors Associations. If the association does not
appoint a representative, the CHSA Association President may appoint.
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3. Elected Officers
Officers shall be elected by the general membership (refer to Article IX).
4. Staff, Parents and Friends Representatives
Staff, Parents and Friends Representatives will be nominated by each
cluster and selected by the Board of Directors. Selection process may
include an application.
C SPECIFIC POWERS AND DUTIES - Directors shall be responsible, among other
duties, for (1) approving policy and overseeing the implementation of the policy
by the officers, (2) approving all policy statements issued on behalf of the
California Head Start Association (the corporation), (3) approving an annual
budget, (4) ensuring fiscal and legal integrity of the corporation, (5) approving
committee appointments composed of directors and/or members of the
corporation, (6) regular attendance at Board meetings and Board sponsored
events, (7) planning and carrying into operation such other measures as they
deem proper and expedient to promote the mission of the corporation.
D. Board of Directors Vacancy - In the event of a vacancy between elections; the
President shall fill the vacancy with the concurrence of the Board for the
remainder of the term.
E. QUORUM
One-third (1/3) of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
F. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Composition
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers,
including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate
Past President. The President is the chairperson of the Executive
Committee.
Duties
The Executive Committee shall have the authority to conduct necessary
business between meetings of the Board of Directors and to handle such
affairs as may be requested by the Board of Directors. The Executive
Committee shall not have the power to modify any action taken by the
Board.
By-Laws of California Head Start Association
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ARTICLE VII. - OFFICERS
A. The officers of the Board of Directors shall consist of: President, Vice-President,
Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President.
Term of Office
Officers shall serve for a term of two years or until their successors are
seated. No officers shall serve more than two terms in the same office.
No member shall serve as an elected officer for more than 8 consecutive
years.
B. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
1. President
Shall preside over all meetings of the Association; signs documents; is an
ex-officio member of all Committee; appoints committee chairpersons,
staff, and provides general supervision of the Executive Director. The
President shall also serve as, or appoint a liaison for Region IX
Association.
2. Vice President
Shall attend all Association meetings; shall act in absence of the
President; attend Committee meetings as ex-officio in the absence of the
President; assist President as called upon. Serves as liaison to
Government Affairs Committee.
Secretary
Shall record minutes of meetings and corrections of previous minutes;
maintains current complete lists of all voting members; sends copy of
minutes to the Board of Directors after each Association meeting;
determine quorum for each meeting of the Board of Directors. Serves as
liaison to Membership/Membership Services Committee.
Treasurer
Shall keep accurate account of all Association funds; report to the Board of
Directors at each meeting the financial activities and status of CHSA; write
checks for all expenditures submitted with proper documentation; solicit CHSA
memberships and collect fees; compile and transfer membership information to
the Secretary. Serves as liaison to Association Operation Committee.
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Immediate Past - President
Acts as an advisor and mentor to the Executive Committee.
Acts as the official liaison to Head Start - State and Collaborative Office,
the Region IX/HSQIC. Also serves as liaison to
Collaboration/Contracts/Fund Development Standing Committee.
ARTICLE VIII. - OTHER COMMITTEE
A. Standing Committees
The Association shall have the following standing committees:
Association Operations
Membership/Membership Services
Government Affairs
Collaboration/Contracts/Fund Development
B. Ad-Hoc Committees
The President may establish Ad-hoc@ committees to respond to special
situations as they arise. Such committees may not exist for more than two
years without the approval of the Board of Directors. Unless already a
member of the Board of Directors, the chairperson of an ad-hoc committee
shall not have voting rights on the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX. - ELECTIONS
A. The Association/Operations Committee shall develop and present a slate of
candidates for each office in February of the appropriate year. The Board will
approve the slate at the March meeting. The Secretary shall verify the candidates
are members in good standing qualified to run for office.
B. Elections will be held via mail ballots in March. Officers will be elected upon
receipt of a simple majority of returned ballots. Announcement of new officers is
provided at the April board meeting and general membership meeting in May.
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ARTICLE X. - RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
A. Resignation
Any Board member who finds it impossible to complete his/her term of office
should submit a written letter of resignation to the Board of Directors of the
California Head Start Association. The resignation will create a vacancy and
the vacancy will be filled according to Article VI, Section D.
B. Removal of Board Members
Any Board Member may be removed by an affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3)
of the members of the Board. Action for removal of a member of the Board
may be taken if the member is absent from three (3) consecutive regular
meetings in a 12-month period. Removal can also occur whenever the Board
of Directors determines that the mission and/or vision of the Association would
be best served by such action. The removal will create a vacancy and the
vacancy will be filled according to Article VI, Section D.
ARTICLE XI - MEETINGS
A. Meetings ?? Board of Directors
1. The Board of Directors shall meet not less than four times per year. The
Board of Directors will determine meeting dates annually. Any variances
in the established schedule of meetings shall be at the discretion of the
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may meet prior or
between quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors as required.
2. Meetings shall be held as outlined in Robert=s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised in all cases to which they are applicable and which they are not
inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the
Association may adopt
3. Any issue brought before the Association at a regular meeting of the
Board of Directors must be passed by a simple majority of those voting
members present. Proxy voting will not be permitted.
4. The President may call special meetings of the Board of Directors,
provided that notice is given not less than 48 hours prior to the meeting
date. Such notice shall state the purpose, for which the meeting is called,
and the date, time, and location of the meeting.
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B. Meetings - General Membership
The general membership of CHSA shall meet no less than twice per year,
including at the annual conference and annual statewide meeting.
C. Meetings - Committees
By common consent, the Board of Directors can authorize committees to
substitute conference calls, faxes, and/or other electronic media for a face-to-
face meeting. Any binding actions must meet all other bylaw requirements.
ARTICLE XII. - AMENDMENTS
A. All recommendations for amendments shall be referred to the By-
laws/Nominating Committee for recommendation to the Board of Directors.
B. All proposed amendments to the by-laws should be presented in writing to the
general membership not less than thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of
amendment.
ARTICLE XIII. - COMPENSATION
Directors shall not receive any compensation for their services as directors of the
organization. Directors may be reimbursed for their expenses, by Association if any,
incurred in carrying out the purposes of the organization with approval of the Executive
Committee
ARTICLE XIV. - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the California Head Start Association shall begin January 1 and end
on December 31 in each year.
ARTICLE XV - TAX EXEMPT STATUS:
CHSA shall be operated within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future U.S. internal
code).
ARTICLE XVI - NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
By-Laws of California Head Start Association
The corporation shall not discriminate in any aspect of its functions including, but not
limited to, the selection of board members, the hiring of employees, or the acceptance
of clientele. No one shall be discriminated against because of age, sex, race, creed,
national origin, color, sexual orientation, disability and/or veteran status.
ARTICLE XVII ?? INDEMIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Each director or officer, or former director or officer, of this corporation shall be
indemnified by this corporation against any liability, expense, attorney?•s fee and cost
reasonably incurred by them or their estate in connection with, or arising out of, any
action suit, or claim in which they are made a party by reason of being, or having been,
a director or officer of this corporation, if the action of the officer or director is done in
good faith, and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the corporation.

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