Illinois Association for Family Child Care Bylaws
Adopted 2008
Article I: Name and Address
Article II: Mission Statement
Article III: Membership and Dues
Article IV: Board of Directors
Article V: Elections
Article VI: Area Representatives
Article VII: Committees
Article VIII: Right of Participation
Article IX: Amendments to Bylaws
Article X: Limited Liability of Directors
Article XI: Conflict of By-Laws to State Statute
Article XII: Amendment Or Construct of Law
Article XIII: Dissolution
Article I: Name and Address
1.1 The name of this organization will be the Illinois Association for Family Child also known as Illinois AFCC.
1.2 The Board of Directors will designate the address of the association office.
Article II Mission Statement
2.1: Mission Statement
The Illinois Association for Family Child Care advocates for excellence in family child care for our profession and our communities. Illinois AFCC promotes quality child care through consultation, education, resource sharing and leadership development while acknowledging the individuality and diversity of family child care providers.
Article III Membership and Dues
3.1: Members
Any one interested in the mission and purpose of Illinois AFCC is eligible for membership. There will be four (4) types of membership:
a. Individual Membership
All licensed and licensed exempt family child care providers, assistants and spouses. Individual membership includes an obligation to participate in Illinois AFCC activities, such as committee membership, fund raising, training and other activities of the organization.
b. Associate Membership
Family Child care parent, child care resource and referral agency, or licensed foster care provider.
c. Honorary Membership
An individual, nominated by the Executive Board, who has been an important advocate for family child care, this nomination shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. There are two (2) types of Honorary Membership:
- Honorary Life Membership
Granted to an individual or an organization that donates $2000.00 in a given year to Illinois AFCC.
- Honorary Annual Membership
Granted to an individual or an organization who has demonstrated outstanding efforts in family child care advocacy and public policy. This nomination shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
d. Scholarships
The Franci Pina and Sally Clow Memorial Scholarships shall be awarded to two (2) family child care providers per year who apply in writing to become a member of Illinois AFCC and site financial hardship.
3.2 Annual Dues
Annual membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors for each type of membership and can be changed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
3.3 Membership Term
Membership shall run for one year from the date the membership fee is received.
A member who has not paid the current dues by one month (30 days) after they are due will be dropped from membership. The membership may be reinstated by payment of all dues in arrears. After 12 months, application for a new membership must be made.
3.4 Voting Privileges
Each Individual Member who has paid annual dues shall have one (1) vote at all general membership meetings; Associate and Honorary members shall have no voting privileges unless they serve on an Illinois AFCC committee.
3.5 Membership Rights
A. Subscription to the newsletter
B. Notification of all educational opportunities offered by Illinois AFCC.
C. Attendance at Board meetings. Any member may request to be placed on the agenda by contacting the President fourteen (14) days prior to a board meeting
D. To serve on any Illinois AFCC committee
E. To be nominated to the Board of Directors
3.6 Conflict of Interest
Each member of Illinois AFCC has a duty to place the association foremost in any dealings with the organization or its outreach. Neither Illinois AFCC nor any member may jeopardize the non-for-profit or tax exempt status of Illinois AFCC.
3.7 Registered Office and Registered Agent
Illinois AFCC will maintain a registered office as well as a registered agent in the State of Illinois. The registered agent shall be an executive board member or an appointed Board Liaison.
3.8 Regularly Scheduled General Membership Meetings
There shall be one (1) General Membership Meeting held during an annual training event or conference. The Board of Directors will notify members of the time and place of the General Membership Meeting.
3.9 Notices and Waiver
Any notice required by these by-laws will be in writing and addressed to the individual entitled to the notice. It shall be sent by:
- US Mail to their home or business
- Facsimile to their home or business
- Electronic Mail
A notice under this section shall be considered received four (4) days after mailing or upon the transmission of the facsimile or electronic mail. The membership Secretary shall maintain the address of record.
Article IV Board of Directors
4.1 The business of Illinois AFCC Shall be managed solely by the Board of Directors.
When an Executive Director is hired by Illinois AFCC the day-to-day business will be managed by the Executive Director per the job description of Executive Director. The Board of Directors shall not be less then eleven (11) and shall be an odd number not to exceed twenty nine (31). All members of this board must be a resident of Illinois and a citizen of the United States.
4.2 The Board of Directors will consist of:
- President
- Past President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Membership Secretary
- Executive Director
- 5 to 6 regional Governors
- 10 to 13 Representatives
- 5 Board Liaison Appointments
4.3 The Executive Board will consist of:
- President
- Past President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Membership Secretary
- Executive Director
- Two (2) Governors selected by the Board of Directors
4.4 The Executive Board will be responsible for:
- The day-to-day business of Illinois AFCC in the absence of an Executive Director.
- Establishing committees as needed to accomplish goals set by the Board of Directors.
- Meetings will take place on an as needed basis giving 2 weeks notice prior to scheduled meeting.
The Board of Directors will have approval over all Executive Board recommendations. An Executive Director may be hired and evaluated by a majority decision of the Board of Directors.
4.5 Board of Directors Meetings
- The Board of Directors will hold four (4) meetings per year on the first Saturday of February, May, August and November. The secretary will notify all of the board members not less then fourteen (14) days prior to date of the meeting. Mandatory attendance is required at all board meetings. Two (2) absences may be grounds for removal from the board in accordance with section 4.8 of these by laws.
- Board meetings are open to all members and the dates of meetings will be published in the quarterly newsletter of Illinois AFCC.
- A quorum will exist by the presence in person or by proxy of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors entitled to vote. Board members must send a written proxy vote to the secretary two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting.
- At Executive Committee meetings quorum will exist by the presence of one-half (1/2) of the Executive Committee members.
- The Executive Committee may submit proposals to committee members and consent by voting electronically as long as the proposal is then put into writing by the secretary and signed by all the officers entitled to vote.
4.6 Board Member Eligibility
Any Individual Member of Illinois AFCC shall be eligible for election to the Board of Directors unless:
- they serve as an officer or director of another statewide FCC organization
- membership on this board could cause a real or perceived conflict of interest as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors
Eligibility to the Board of Directors is limited to two (2) members of a family, related through blood or marriage. One of these family members will have voting privileges on the board. The board will determine by simple majority which family member shall have voting privileges.
Each board member has a duty to place the interest of Illinois AFCC foremost in any dealings with the organization or it's outreach
4.7 Filling Vacancies on the Board
- Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by presidential appointment. The Board of Directors will approve the appointment by majority vote at the next scheduled Board of Directors meeting.
- In the event the President cannot fill an open Executive Board position with a qualified person, the President may appoint a committee chair to carry out the duties of the Executive Board position.
- In the absence of a President, the Vice-President will serve as Interim President. An election of a new President will occur at the next scheduled election.
4.8. Termination Procedures
- Resignation of an elected or appointed board member will be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors.
- Removal of any appointed or elected board member may be requested at will and in writing to the President, or Vice president if the office of President is vacant, fourteen (14) days prior to the next meeting of the board. The secretary will send a registered letter to the board member in question seven (7) days prior to the vote. A 2/3 vote of the board is then required to remove a member of the board.
4.9 Employees:
All employees shall be "at will" employees. As an "at will" employee, the employee is free to resign at any time, and with or without notice. Similarly, Illinois AFCC may terminate employment at any time, for any reason, and with or without notice. No one other than the Board of Directors has the authority to enter into any employment agreement and any such employment agreement must be in writing and signed by the parties to the agreement.
V. Elections
5.1 Schedule of Election
The Board of Directors shall establish an election schedule and publish the schedule to cover a ten-year timeline.
5.2 Nomination
A nominating/election committee will be formed each June consisting of the Past President and 2 members selected by the board. This committee will prepare and present its recommendations for candidates to be elected to the Board of Directors. Nominees to the office of President, Vice president and Treasurer must have served on the board of directors for at least two (2) years prior to their nomination. Nominees must submit a resume and two (2) letters of recommendation along with their official nomination form. In preparing the list of candidates, they shall seek and consider recommendations from all Individual Members of Illinois AFCC. The proposed slate of candidates should be submitted in writing to the Secretary by July 31 for a September election.
5.3 Management of Election
The above committee shall send out ballots to all members with postage paid return envelopes by September 15. Ballots must be returned by October 1 st . Only members in good standing of Illinois AFCC as of August 31 of each year will be allowed to vote. The Executive Director shall collect the sealed ballots and at the November board meeting the ballots will be opened and counted by the board. In the absence of the Executive director, the Secretary will collect the ballots.
5.4 New Elected Board Members
The newly elected Board Members will take office in January for a two (2) year term. Orientation of new board members will be done by the Executive Board prior to the next scheduled February board meeting. All business records will be turned over to the new board members during this orientation.
5.5 The Board of Directors shall have the right to call a special election if a term of office shall be vacant for eighteen (18) months or longer.
VI. Area Representatives
6.1 The Board of Directors shall establish regional boundaries and each of these regions shall be divided into multiple Service Delivery Areas (SDA). Each region will have at least one (1) elected Governor and each SDA within the region shall have at least (1) representative.
6.2 SDA Representatives will be elected in their area the same year as the Governor for that region is elected and serve a two (2) year term. Representatives are members of the board and can serve as members or chairs of committees.
VII. Committees
7.1 The following Standing Committees shall be formed:
7.2 Each Standing Committee will have written operating policies approved by the board. Any changes in these policies should be submitted in writing two (2) weeks prior to a board meeting and approved by a 2/3 vote of the board.
7.3 Ad Hoc committees will be formed by the Board of Directors as needed to accomplish the goals of Illinois AFCC. The members of these committees length of service shall be at the Board's discretion.
Article VIII. Right of Participation
8.1 No person(s) will be denied the services of Illinois AFCC or denied membership in Illinois AFCC due to discrimination because of race, sex, age, disability or national origin.
Article IX. Amendments to Bylaws
Amendments to Illinois AFCC bylaws may originate from the membership or from the Board of Directors. All proposed amendments must be submitted in writing or electronically to the Secretary at least fourteen (14) days prior to the next scheduled board meeting.
All amendments will be voted and approved by the membership.
Article X Limited Liability of Directors
To the extent that Illinois AFCC is exempt, or is qualified for exemption, from taxation pursuant to section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 any Director serving without compensation shall be liable, and no cause of action may be brought against any Director for damages resulting from the exercise of judgment or discretion in connection with the duties and responsibilities of such Director unless the relevant act of omission involved willful and wanton conduct as described in the “Local Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act,”
Article XI Conflict of By-Laws to State Statue
In the event that any section or sections of the By-Laws herein shall be in conflict with any State Statue, or the Illinois General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986, the section or sections of the By-Laws are void and the provisions of the State Statute or the Act shall take precedence. Only that portion of the By-Laws that are in conflict shall be void and all other sections shall be enforceable fully.
Article XII Amendment Or Construct of Law
If the Illinois General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986 is at any time or from time to time amended or constructed by any court to expand the circumstances under which, a corporation may make indemnification, IAFCC shall make such indemnification to the extent of such expansion.
Article XIII. Dissolution
13.1 Illinois AFCC may be dissolved at a regularly scheduled or a specific meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting board members. A motion to dissolve must be submitted to the Secretary not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. The Secretary shall notify all members of the Board of Directors of the motion not less than twenty one (21) days prior to the meeting.
13.2 Distribution of Assets
Upon the dissolution of Illinois AFCC, any assets remaining after all outstanding debts are paid shall be donated to an organization or organizations whose mission is comparable to that of Illinois AFCC.
Proposed By-Laws
