CISV Atlanta Area Junior Branch
Bylaws
June 2, 2020
Article I – Name and Purpose
Section One – Name
The name of this organization shall be the CISV Atlanta Area Junior Branch of the CISV Atlanta Area Chapter.
Section Two – Affiliation
CISV Atlanta Area Junior Branch (JB) is associated with CISV USA and CISV International. CISV is an independent, non-political, non-profit, non-religious volunteer organization promoting peace education and cross-cultural friendship.
Section Three – Purpose and Objectives
Purpose:
- To make the CISV experience enjoyable and fun for all participants
- To promote international understanding and awareness of world citizenship in our community
- To foster leadership and tolerance among the youth of our communities
- To provide a safe and unique environment for local CISVers
Objectives:
- To provide an active, driven group that keeps participants involved with CISV locally, nationally, and internationally
- To create a medium by which new people are introduced to CISV and become actively involved; and most importantly
- To be a force committed to furthering the goals of CISV at all levels.
Article II – Membership
Section One – Eligibility
Any youth wishing to be in CISV JB Atlanta Area must be eleven (11) years old or older. However, youth wishing to become involved in CISV (specifically, the Village program) may participate in Junior Branch activities at any age below eleven (11).
To become a member of the Junior Branch, a completed Family or Individual Membership application must be submitted to the chapter along with the proper Membership fee.
Article III – Junior Branch Board
Section One – The Executive Junior Branch Board
The Executive Junior Branch shall be composed of the Local Junior Representative(s) (LJR), Junior Local Junior Representative(s) (JLJR), Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Past-LJR(s) shall remain on the Executive Board in a non-voting, advisory capacity for one year after term completion in the interest of maintaining fluidity and a smooth transition. The Junior Branch Advisor shall also sit on the Executive Board in a non-voting, advisory capacity. The purpose of this Executive Board is to take responsibility for the planning, organization, and overall running of the CISV Atlanta Area Junior Branch.
Section Two – The Expanded Junior Branch Board
The Expanded Junior Branch Board shall be composed of additional voting members. Each member will have one vote. Social Media Chair, Merchandise (aka Swag) Chair, Service Chair, and Outreach Chair, and Age Representatives (up to 3).
Section Three – Meetings
Regular Meetings of the Junior Branch
The meetings of the Junior Branch (JB) will be held monthly, on appropriate dates chosen by those organizing the event. Meetings may be held at local buildings, members’ houses, or other various locations. Meetings will range from social activities to activities that focus on the Educational Content Areas and ideals of CISV. They will be planned and run by the Board, but all JBers are encouraged to step forward with ideas.
JB event invitations will go out to all JBers and interested youth. JBers are encouraged to RSVP to events.
Executive and Expanded Board Meetings
The Executive and Expanded Junior Branch shall meet when deemed appropriate by any member on either Board.
Special Board Meetings
Any member of the Executive or Expanded JB Board may call a special Board Meeting for any reason.
Section Four – Elections
Elections shall be held once a year in May or June or approximately 12 months after the last election. All positions whose terms have ended shall be up for election. The Local Junior Representative(s), with the help of the Executive Board, shall coordinate elections. Members must be given at least two weeks notice to apply for a board position through a set, accessible online form as determined by the Executive Board and will be distributed with the help of the Social Media Chair and the Secretary. Once applications have been collected, a ballot with all eligible candidates shall be distributed to all Junior Branch members through email and/or other forms of online communication as determined by the Executive Board. All candidates shall be given the opportunity to write a brief introduction of themselves and their platform to be included on the ballot.
All those interested in running for a position must not only fulfill all the requirements of that position, (see Article IV) but they must have been active in the Junior Branch for approximately one year, having attended approximately 50% of the meetings or having made other significant contributions to the branch as determined by the Local Junior Representative(s). All their dues must have been paid to run, however, the Local Junior Representative(s) May choose to waive this requirement with reasonable cause. If no interested candidate fulfills all requirements, the election shall be opened to all those candidates realistically capable of filling the position as determined by the Local Junior Representative(s).
Those running for a position are not allowed to vote in the category that they are running, but may vote for the other positions.
Section Five – Board Voting
The Board votes when needed and the votes are conducted by the current Local Junior Representative. All members of the Executive and Expanded Board are entitled to one vote. A majority of board members present is needed to pass a vote, but it is highly recommended that if there is an extremely close vote, time should be taken to discuss the issue, with a probable re-vote.
Any board member who has missed three consecutive board meetings will be designated as a temporarily inactive member and will not be taken into account when determining a quorum.
For any official action to be taken, a quorum of either half of the active members of the Executive Board or half the active members of the joint Executive and Expanded Board shall be present.
Section Six – Resignation or Removal
Should any member of the Executive or Expanded Junior Board wish to resign, or if any member is not serving effectively in the position and a removal is needed, it will be brought up at a Special Board Meeting and run by the Junior Branch advisor. Should any member wish to resign, it is necessary for them to provide written notice to the entire board.
For the voted removal of any member of the Executive or Expanded Junior Board a written explanation must be provided to the joint Executive and Expanded board and specifically the member in question 10 days prior to a scheduled vote. The member in question will have the opportunity to present a case as to why they should not be considered for removal. This may be presented in person or in a written statement to the joint Executive and Expanded board. The removal voting must be done so at a meeting with the said member present or with the said member having had 10 days notice of the meeting. In the event that the board votes to remove a member, a written explanation must be provided to the adult board.
Section Seven – Filling a Vacated Position
A vacated position may temporarily be filled by an appointment from the Executive Board. This appointed position would serve until the next Membership meeting (either September or March) where the entire Junior Branch will elect a new person.
Article IV – Officers and Duties
Section One – Local Junior Representative(s)
The Local Junior Representative(s) (LJR) must be at least 15 years old, heads the Junior Branch and its Executive Board, runs elections, Board and General meetings, plays an integral role in the planning of meetings, and is responsible for delegation of tasks. The LJR(s) – along with the Junior Branch Advisor – will sit on the Adult Board and attend Adult Board meetings. The LJR(s) shall also work with the National Committee of Leadership Directors (NCLD) Southern Region.
An LJR shall attend CISV In Motion Conference (CIM). One JB representative (LJR) will be reimbursed for the cost of transportation and registration/ accommodation in coordination with the adult board.
If the LJR is unable to attend CIM, a proxy/representative will be secured. The first choice of proxy/representative shall be a JLJR. If a JLJR is unable to attend, another member of the Executive Board shall.
Term for LJR(s) is one year and LJR(s) will be succeeded by the current JLJR(s).
Section Two – Junior Local Junior Representative(s)
The Junior Local Junior Representative(s) (JLJRs) must be at least 14 years old, assists the Local Junior Representative(s) (LJRs) in all the same duties, and assumes duties of LJR(s) whenever the LJR(s) is unavailable. The JLJR shall attend Chapter Development (CD) Weekend. The JLJR(s) shares all the responsibilities of the LJR(s) and serves a one-year term. The JLJR(s) succeeds the LJR’s position at the end of the LJR’s term.
If the JLJR is unable to attend CD Weekend, a proxy/representative will be secured. The first choice of proxy/representative shall be another member of the executive board.
The JLJR or proxy will be reimbursed for the cost of transportation and registration/ accommodation in coordination with the adult board.
Section Three – Secretary
The Secretary must be at least 14 years old, is responsible for the organization of the Junior Branch and responsible for contact information, notes for meetings, and communications. The Secretary shall serve a one-year term with no term limits.
Section Four – Treasurer
The Treasurer must be at least 14 years old and is responsible for all financial aspects of the JB, including the collection and management of dues. All money brought in by the JB must go through the Treasurer, and the Treasurer must handle all money being spent by the Junior Branch. Basic math skills are highly recommended. The Treasurer shall serve a one-year term with no term limits.
Section Five – Junior Branch Advisor
The Junior Branch Advisor (Advisor) must be at least 25 years old. The Advisor’s primary responsibility is to support the LJR(s) as a co-liaison between the Junior Board and Adult Board. The Advisor serves as a chaperone when needed and works with the JB Executive Board to help run the JB in all aspects where an adult is needed.
The Advisor serves while the relationship between Advisor and JB remains mutually beneficial. A new Advisor is elected by the Adult Board and the JB Executive Board.
Section Six – Expanded Junior Branch
The Expanded Junior Branch Board consists of Age-Group Representatives, Service Chair, Outreach Chair, Merchandise Chair, and Social Media Chair.
An Age-Group Representative (AGR) is responsible for representing the concerns, interests, and ideas of Juniors their age to the Board. There shall be one Age Representative for each of the 11-13, 14-16, 17+ age groups. The applicant must have reached the required age for the position prior to elections being held. If there are no interested Junior Branch members to fill these positions, the positions will remain open until an interested Junior Brancher is elected to the position. These members shall be invited to attend Board Meetings as appropriate.
Service Chair must be at least thirteen (13) years old and will be in charge of organizing service projects for the Junior Branch. This includes being the National Service Project Liaison for the Atlanta Chapter’s participation in the annual CISV USA National Service Project which includes overseeing the project and maintaining contact.
Outreach Chair must be at least thirteen (13) years old and shall be in charge of recruiting new Junior Branch members and reaching out to potential partner organizations and schools.
Merchandise Chair must be at least eleven (11) years of age and will oversee the design and creation of new merchandise in coordination with the adult Merchandise Chair to create, produce, and sell CISV Atlanta Merchandise.
Social Media Chair must be at least thirteen (13) years old and will manage the running of the Atlanta Junior Branch Instagram account along with helping update other CISV Atlanta socials. The Social Media Chair will be tasked with taking and posting pictures at events, creating and posting graphics, and ensuring that our followers stay engaged.
Members of the Expanded Junior Board shall serve a one-year term with the ability to re-apply for the role in subsequent elections. Their responsibilities shall be determined by the executive board based on the priorities and needs of the Junior Branch.
Article V – Bylaws and Amendments
Section One – Bylaws
A copy of the bylaws will be posted to the CISV Atlanta Chapter website for public reference.
Section Two – Amendments
Any active Junior Branch member can submit a neatly-typed amendment to the Bylaws. The amendment should be turned into the LJR(s) or Advisor for consideration and then presented at a joint meeting of the Executive and Extended Boards if deemed appropriate. Board members must be provided with at least 10 days notice of a meeting of which the intent is to review the bylaws. A quorum of ½ of the joint Executive and Extended board members must be present at the bylaws review meeting for an amendment to be considered. A 2/3rds majority vote of the joint Executive and Extended Board is needed to pass an amendment.
Article VI – Disbandment of the Junior Branch
Should the CISV Atlanta Area Junior Branch (JB) disband, all monies in the JB Treasury revert to the care of the Adult Treasury, and all JB assets must be frozen until a new JB establishes itself. All JB monies and past resources must be used to establish a new JB organization.
The Local Junior Representative’s (LJR) Junior Branch records shall be entrusted to the Adult Secretary until a new JB establishes itself. Efforts shall be made by the National Committee for Leadership Development (NCLD) and the Adult Board to reinstate the Junior Branch.