The Arc of Spring Branch Constitution and By Laws
ARTICLE I – NAMEThe name of this corporation, hereinafter referred to as “The Arc” or “the Association”, shall be: Association for Retarded Citizens / Spring Branch – Memorial, dba: The Arc of Spring Branch Memorial.
The Arc’s stated mission is to provide support to all persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSESection 1.
To support all persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), in accordance with the core values of The Arc of The United States:
Section 2.
To associate with (and support financially) The Arc of Texas, Inc. and The Arc of the United States, and to solicit and receive funds for the accomplishment of the above purposes.
Section 3.
The association is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political corporation. No part of any earnings, contributions, or other property shall inure to the personal benefit of any member. No officer or board member shall be remunerated for his service as an officer or board member. No employee of The Arc may serve as an officer, board member, or committee member.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIPMembership shall be open to all individuals with IDD, their parents, family members, foster parents, guardians, professional organizations, or other individuals or entities interested in the purpose of The Arc.
ARTICLE IV– OFFICERSThe officers of the association shall include but are not limited to the following:
ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORSThe board of directors of The Arc shall be comprised of the eight (8) elected officers and the most recent Past President Only the current elected officers shall have a vote. In case of a tie, the Past President will be allowed one vote. Any voting shall be heard in person or via meeting on video conference platform, with the log-in information for such meeting having been disbursed via electronic mail at least three (3) hours prior to the beginning of said meeting.
ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP MEETINGSThe Arc shall hold an annual general membership meeting for the election of officers. Additional general membership meetings may be held as recommended by the Board of Directors. Any called meeting must have thirty (30) days written notice.
ARTICLE VII – DISSOLUTIONIn the event the Association is dissolved as a corporation within the State of Texas, within six (6) months of said dissolution, all property and assets shall be distributed to an organization or agency with 501(c)3 status serving individuals with IDD, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTSThis constitution may be amended at any general membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and in good standing provided the amendment has been proposed to the board by a committee or individual member. Any such proposal should be presented in writing by the board to the entire general membership at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a general membership meeting, at which a vote will be held.
ARTICLE IX – BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
Section 1.
The meetings of the board shall be held monthly or at the call of the President; fifty percent (50%) of the board members shall constitute a quorum. A board member who misses three (3) consecutive board meetings without submitting a report to the President may be replaced by the board, with a vote of the majority of the other board members present sufficient to remove the board member who has missed three (3) consecutive board meetings without submitting a report to the President.
Section 2.
Special board meetings may be called by the President or one of the officers. The President or Secretary shall notify all board members no less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting stating the purpose(s) of the meeting. No business other than the stated purposes(s) may be transacted at a special meeting.
Section 3.
The schedule for general membership meetings will be set each year no later than the January board meeting.
Section 4.
A quorum at the general membership meetings shall consist of five percent (5%) of the membership.
Section 5.
A simple majority is required to pass any vote.
ARTICLE X – FISCAL MATTERS
Section 1.
The fiscal year shall begin July 1 and end June 30th.
The Arc’s stated mission is to provide support to all persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSESection 1.
To support all persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), in accordance with the core values of The Arc of The United States:
- People First
- Equity
- Community
- Self-determination
- Diversity
Section 2.
To associate with (and support financially) The Arc of Texas, Inc. and The Arc of the United States, and to solicit and receive funds for the accomplishment of the above purposes.
Section 3.
The association is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political corporation. No part of any earnings, contributions, or other property shall inure to the personal benefit of any member. No officer or board member shall be remunerated for his service as an officer or board member. No employee of The Arc may serve as an officer, board member, or committee member.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIPMembership shall be open to all individuals with IDD, their parents, family members, foster parents, guardians, professional organizations, or other individuals or entities interested in the purpose of The Arc.
ARTICLE IV– OFFICERSThe officers of the association shall include but are not limited to the following:
- President
- First Vice President (head of delegation for Special Olympics and liaison to The Arc of Texas)
- Second Vice President (programs)
- Third Vice President (fundraising)
- Fourth Vice President (self-advocates advisor)
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Board Member at-Large
ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORSThe board of directors of The Arc shall be comprised of the eight (8) elected officers and the most recent Past President Only the current elected officers shall have a vote. In case of a tie, the Past President will be allowed one vote. Any voting shall be heard in person or via meeting on video conference platform, with the log-in information for such meeting having been disbursed via electronic mail at least three (3) hours prior to the beginning of said meeting.
ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP MEETINGSThe Arc shall hold an annual general membership meeting for the election of officers. Additional general membership meetings may be held as recommended by the Board of Directors. Any called meeting must have thirty (30) days written notice.
ARTICLE VII – DISSOLUTIONIn the event the Association is dissolved as a corporation within the State of Texas, within six (6) months of said dissolution, all property and assets shall be distributed to an organization or agency with 501(c)3 status serving individuals with IDD, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTSThis constitution may be amended at any general membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and in good standing provided the amendment has been proposed to the board by a committee or individual member. Any such proposal should be presented in writing by the board to the entire general membership at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a general membership meeting, at which a vote will be held.
ARTICLE IX – BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
Section 1.
The meetings of the board shall be held monthly or at the call of the President; fifty percent (50%) of the board members shall constitute a quorum. A board member who misses three (3) consecutive board meetings without submitting a report to the President may be replaced by the board, with a vote of the majority of the other board members present sufficient to remove the board member who has missed three (3) consecutive board meetings without submitting a report to the President.
Section 2.
Special board meetings may be called by the President or one of the officers. The President or Secretary shall notify all board members no less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting stating the purpose(s) of the meeting. No business other than the stated purposes(s) may be transacted at a special meeting.
Section 3.
The schedule for general membership meetings will be set each year no later than the January board meeting.
Section 4.
A quorum at the general membership meetings shall consist of five percent (5%) of the membership.
Section 5.
A simple majority is required to pass any vote.
ARTICLE X – FISCAL MATTERS
Section 1.
The fiscal year shall begin July 1 and end June 30th.