BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Charter Township of Clinton Cultural Diversity Committee and shall be hereinafter referred to as the Committee.

The purpose of the Committee shall be:

1)  To cause and encourage cultural awareness that fosters open communication and positive interaction among citizens of the Charter Township of Clinton.

2)  To affirm the strength and value of diversity in the township, and to promote an appreciation of background and diversity.

3)  To promote and recognize those factors of our culture that bind its citizens together, and to ensure that the Committee's actions are not divisive or exclusionary in practice to citizens in the township.

4)  To support and cooperate with the township in developing activities for the community.

5)  To raise funds to support such activities within the township.

6)  To encourage gifts, endowments, and bequests to support the Cultural Diversity Committee.

7)  To promote cultural diversity projects which may include, but are not limited to, such activities as brochures, pamphlets, festivals, and other recommendations and reports that will be an aid to the township and its citizens.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

1. This committee shall consist of eight to twelve (8-12) voting members. Additionally, one (1) Board Member shall serve as liaison to the Committee approved by the Board of Trustees. The liaison shall hold one (1) vote on the Committee.  Recommendations for membership on the Committee may come from a Board member or the Committee and shall be made to the Township Supervisor for final approval by the Township Board.

2)  Application for membership shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the applicant.

3)  Members of this Committee shall be residents of Clinton Township.

4)  The Township Board Administrative Aide and Assistant Director of Cable TV shall be ex-officio members of this committee.  Ex-officio members shall receive notification of any meetings five (5) days in advance of such meetings and may be present at same.

5)  If a vacancy occurs in the Citizen Membership, recommendation of a citizen for that vacant position shall be made to the Township Supervisor's Office for consideration with final approval by the Board of Trustees.

6)  Terms for Committee members will be staggered with four (4) for three-year terms, four (4) for two-year terms and four (4) for a one-year term with terms renewed for a two-year period.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

1)  Meetings will be held once a month or called at the discretion of the Chairperson or at the request of not less than six members.

2)  Meetings will be held at the Clinton Township Civic Center, 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038 unless an alternate location is designated by the committee members.

3)  Notice of meetings, date, time, place, and purpose shall be issued to all members of the committee not less than five (5) days prior to said meeting.  An agenda and minutes must be prepared for all meetings unless otherwise stated.

4)  A quorum of the Committee shall constitute a majority of the total number of voting members as approved by the Township Board.

5)  Meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.

1)  Officers

     Officers of this committee shall be: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Recording Secretary. The Chairperson of this committee will recommend members to be contact persons for any news releases, interviews, etc. 

2)  Election

     Officers of the Committee shall be nominated and elected by members of the organization on an annual basis.  Such officers shall serve for a period of one year.

1.  Chairperson

A. shall preside at all meetings and notify members of dates and times of these meetings.
B. shall be responsible for the preparation of the agenda and shall submit the agenda for committee approval.

2.  Vice Chairperson

A. shall perform the duties of the Chairperson, at his request or in his absence.

3.  Recording Secretary

A. shall be responsible for the recording of the minutes at each meeting and the notification of all members of the time and date of committee meetings. Notification shall be five (5) days prior to the date of said meeting.  Minutes shall be provided to the Supervisor's and Trustee's offices.

1. Any member of the committee who, without cause or excuse, fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of this committee shall forfeit membership.

2. Any member of this committee who relocated residence outside of the municipal of the Charter Township of Clinton, shall forfeit membership.

ARTICLE VIII - FINANCES

1)  The necessary start-up financial resources for the Committee shall be provided from the General Fund and shall not exceed $500.  Additional financial resources shall be secured by the Committee through private donations.  All expenditures including in-kind or otherwise, and be they from the General Fund or private donations, shall be approved by the full Board.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

1. Any proposed amendments to these by-laws may be introduced by any member of the committee at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose.

2. Action must be taken on any proposed amendment and shall be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the committee.

3. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of members is required to effect an amendment to these by-laws.

4. All amendments to these by-laws shall be submitted to the Township Board of Trustees for approval.