BYLAWS
of
The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children

Article I
Name and Purpose

Section 1.1:

Name: The name of the organization shall be: The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.

Section 1.2:

Purpose: The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is organized for the charitable and educational purpose of supporting communities in serving and protecting children and families from drug environments.

Article II
Membership

Section 2.1:

Membership: Members include state agencies, statewide nonprofit organizations, other statewide organizations concerned with children and families endangered by drug environments, and representatives of local organizations as identified by the membership.

Article III
Responsibilities and Duties of Members

Section 3.1:

Responsibilities of General Membership: Members of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children are responsible for approval of the organizational structure (including these bylaws); promoting multidisciplinary coordination within and outside of their organizations; developing plans for the state organization; promoting statewide education, training and support of local DECs and others; assisting in gathering of data to demonstrate needs and impact; soliciting needs from local multidisciplinary groups and representing statewide alliance with the local groups; assisting in resource acquisition for statewide efforts.

Section 3.2:

Number and Selection: Members of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children are selected and approved by the membership.

Section 3.3:

Criteria for Membership: Members of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children are representatives of state agencies, statewide nonprofit organizations, other statewide organizations concerned with children and families endangered by drug environments, and representatives of local organizations as identified by the membership.

Section 3.4:

Election Procedures: New Members shall be elected by a majority of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children present at such a meeting, provided there is a quorum present.

Section 3.5:

Representative Replacement: The Member representatives may be replaced by their respective agency or organization. Such replacement shall be made with written communication that designates the new individual by the agency. Written notification may be made by letter or electronically to the Chairperson of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.

Section 3.6:

Reimbursement: Members may receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in fulfilling their responsibilities as a Member, if funds are available, and within policies determined by the Steering Committee.

Section 3.7 

Voting: If a vote on any issue is taken, each member agency or organization shall have one vote. The designated representative of the member agency or organization shall represent the vote for the agency or organization that they represent. If the designated representative of the agency or organization is unable to attend a meeting, the agency or organization may appoint another individual to serve as the voting representative for that specific meeting.

Article IV
Leadership

Section 4.1:

Steering Committee: The Steering Committee of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children will consist of nine individuals. Four (4) members shall be representatives from State agencies: Health and Senior Services, Social Services, Mental Health, the Criminal Justice System and will be selected by the Agency they represent.  The agencies will be permanent members of the Steering Committee.  The individuals will be replaced at the discretion of the agency with input from MODEC. 

The other members (5) will be elected by the membership and include four member individuals and one representative of a local Drug Endangered Children team.  The five members of the Steering Committee, elected by the membership, will serve aterm of three years each, with the initial terms being one year, two years, and three years. 

Section 4.2:

Responsibilities: The Steering Committee is responsible for setting the agenda for membership meetings; setting policy; ensuring ongoing planning, implementation and evaluation of plans; approving budgets and funding plans; and maintaining membership in the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. The Steering Committee is responsible for election of officers, who shall be from among the Steering Committee.

Section 4.3:

Chairperson: The chairperson to preside over meetings and oversee the work of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.  The Chairperson is responsible for chairing meetings of the membership and steering committee, and representing the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.

Section 4.4:

ViceChairperson: The ViceChairperson shall preside over meetings in the absence of the Chairperson, and assume other tasks as requested to support the chairperson.

Section 4.5:

Secretary: The secretary is responsible for ensuring that organizational records are accurately maintained, including decisions of the Steering Committee and the membership, lists of Members, and lists of local Drug Endangered Children teams.

Section 4.6:

Treasurer: The treasurer shall ensure that annual budgets and related information are presented to the Steering Committee for review and approval, and that financial records are accurately maintained.

Article V
Meetings

Section 5.1:

Meetings and Notice – General Membership.  Regular meetings of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children will be held at least twice annually, at the time and place determined by the Steering Committee. Notice of meetings shall be distributed in writing, either electronically or via mail service, at least two weeks prior to each meeting.

Section 5.2:

Annual Meeting:  The annual meeting of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children shall be in April of each year.  Election of steering committee members shall be conducted at the annual meeting.

Section 5.3:

Meetings and Notice – Steering Committee.  Regular meetings of the steering committee will be held at least quarterly, at the time and place established by the steering committee. Notice of meetings shall be distributed in writing, either electronically or via mail service, at least two weeks prior to each meeting.

Section 5.4:

Quorum.  A quorum shall consist of at least 51% (fiftyone percent) of the Members before official business can be transacted or motions made or passed.

Section 5.5:

Participation in Meetings. Participation in meetings may be in person, by telephone conference call, or other electronic means, provided that all Members can communicate clearly with each other. If a vote on any issue is anticipated, and a Member is unable to attend, said Member may authorize in writing to another Member in attendance to cast his/her vote by proxy. A Member in attendance shall not cast a vote by proxy for more than two (2) absent Members in any given voting session.

Section 5.6:

Action without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (including amendment of these bylaws) or of any committee may be taken without a meeting with these conditions:

1. 80% the Members of the alliance or committee must consent in writing, either electronically or on paper, to taking the action without a meeting and to approving the specific action.

2. Reasonable time shall be allowed for consideration of the issue prior to action.

3. Action without a meeting must be recorded in written form including electronically.

4. Such action shall have the same force and effect as any other vote of the alliance.

Article VI
Advisory Boards and Committees

Section 6.1:

Establishment. The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children may establish any committee necessary to fulfill its mission, including a Nominating Committee.  Committees shall recommend a chairperson for approval by the Steering Committee.

Section 6.2:

Size, Duration, and Responsibilities. The size, duration, and responsibilities of such committees shall be established by a majority vote of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.

Article VII
Staff

Section 7.1:

Staff.  The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children may hire or secure staff for the purpose of implementing policies and programs of the organization.

Article VIII
Amendments

Section 8.1:

Amendments.  These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Steering Committee to be sent out with regular meeting announcements at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

Article IX
Dissolution

Section 9.1:

If the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is dissolved, any assets shall be directed to a nonprofit organization for use consistent with the purpose of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, as approved by the General Membership.