SEAPAX By-Laws

  1. Name
      The name of this organization shall be Seattle Area Peace Corps Association (SEAPAX)
  2. Purpose
    1. SEAPAX is a group of returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and friends committed to improving international understanding at the local, state, and national level by actively promoting an increased appreciation for the social, political and economic circumstances of people living in the developing world.
    2. The organization’s goals are:
      • Serve as a social and professional network for RPCVs and friends
      • Assist the Peace Corps in its mission, including assisting prospective and new Peace Corps Volunteers
      • Bringing the World Back Home (the Peace Corps Third Goal "To promote a better understanding of other people on the part of the American people")
      • Collaborating and volunteering with like-minded organizations
      • To be a locally recognized leader in the discussion of peaceful resolution of conflicts among nations and peoples.
  3. Members
    • Membership is open to all those who are interested in promoting the organization’s goals and pay a yearly membership fee of $15.
    • Members will have the right to vote in organizational elections, serve on committees, assume administrative roles as needed, and to participate at meetings.
  4. Meetings
    • The group shall hold a minimum of 1 general meeting bi-monthly
    • These meetings shall be held at convenient locations and times to ensure high attendance
    • The date, time, location, and agenda of the general meetings shall be published on the organization’s website and in the newsletter.
    • Aside from decisions and actions which are required in the execution of officer’s duties, the organization’s activities shall require approval at a general meeting by members present.
  5. Officers
    1. The organization's officers shall include the following persons, who shall be members of the organization:
      • President
        • Represents the SEAPAX at events, assuring the smooth operation of the event and preparing welcoming and promotional remarks at any public event.
        • Provides leadership for the SEAPAX, shaping the agenda, adhering to the mission, maintaining a coherent message for group members, keeping the membership informed through the newsletter and other media.
        • Coordinating the Leadership Team -- determines when job duties need to be split or combined -- encourages and assists team members and prepares and leads meetings
        • Is a liaison with the Peace Corps office and other Returned Peace Corps volunteer organizations
        • Consults with other officers on direction and activities of the organization
      • Vice-President
        • Stands in for the President in case they are unable to fulfill the tasks and duties of the President.
        • Consults with other officers on direction and activities of the organization
      • Treasurer
        • The Treasurer is responsible for the day-to-day financial affairs and accounting of the organization.
        • Responsible for monitoring the organization's revenues and expenses with a bank account balance in the range of $5,000-6,000.
        • Receives and records all individual membership dues payments and NPCA's pass-through memberships
        • Deposits membership checks into bank account
        • Submits new NPCA member information and payments to NPCA
        • Keeps full and accurate account of all organizational receipts and disbursements
        • submits monthly financial statement to SEAPAX membership and to annual financial statement to NPCA.
        • Consults with other officers on direction and activities of the organization
      • Membership Coordinator
        • Develops relationships with the membership in order to determine interests for and direction of the organization
        • Keeps and maintains an accurate list of members and those affiliated with the group, as well as keeps a record of participation in organizational events
        • Works with the Treasurer to ensure that membership fees are collected and credited
        • Consults with other officers on direction and activities of the organization
      • Officers at large (3)
        • Assists other officers in operations of the organization
        • Consults with other officers on direction and activities of the organization
    2. The officers are able to, by simple majority, appoint members to serve on organized and ad hoc committees and to perform certain roles within the organization, including, but not limited to: Website Manager, Newsletter Editing, Social Events Coordinator, Service Events Coordinator, and Speaker’s Bureau Coordinator
    3. The officers are able, by simple majority, to remove any person or persons form these aforementioned roles.
    4. Elections
        Elections shall be held in the following manner:
      • A call for nominations shall be placed in both the February newsletter and placed on the organization’s website
      • A ballot shall be provided in the organization’s newsletter and web-site in time for elections to take place in March.
      • Officers shall take over their positions April 1
    5. Vacancies
        Any member may assume the position of a vacant office through the following procedure:
      • The candidate must approved by a simple majority of the members at a general meeting for a 3 month probationary period
      • The officer shall then be subject to a secondary confirmation vote, notice of which shall be provided in the preceding newsletter and posted on the organization’s web-site
      • Said newly elected officer will serve in this capacity until the term regularly expires
    6. Removal of officers
      • An officer may be removed from their position for failure to execute the duties of their position, failure to attend general meetings, or engagement in behavior that harms the goals of SEAPAX
      • The removal of officers shall follow the following sequence
        1. A petition signed by at least 10% of the members must be presented at a general meeting. This petition must state the actions causing the call for impeachment and their effects on the organization
        2. The petition must be approved by a simple majority of the members present at said meeting for the impeachment motion to be voted upon at the next meeting
        3. The impeachment motion shall be published both on the organization’s website and within the organization’s newsletter
        4. The impeachment motion shall be voted upon at the following general meeting, and shall require a 2/3 vote of members present to become effective
  6. Finance
    1. In addition to the details set forth in the description of the Treasurer’s responsibilities, the finances of the organization shall be conducted as follows.
      • Funds generated from membership dues shall be used for the administration of the organizations and execution of its events
      • Funds generated through fundraisers shall be donated, based on strict criteria, which shall include the cause to which the money shall be donated, a justification for the donation, and the manner in which this cause adheres to the organization’s goals
      • No donation shall exceed the amount of $500
  7. Committees
    1. The officers have the authority, by a simple majority, to form and disband ad hoc committees to assist in the planning and execution of the organization’s activities
  8. Amendment of Bylaws
    1. The organization’s bylaws shall amended in the following manner
      1. A petition must be presented at a general meeting signed by at least 10% of the members. This petition must state the nature of the change in the group’s bylaws and their effects on the organization
      2. The petition must be approved by a simple majority of the members present at said meeting for bylaw change to be voted upon at the next meeting
      3. The bylaw change motion shall be published both on the organization’s website and within the organization’s newsletter
      4. The bylaw change motion shall be voted upon at the following general meeting, and shall require a 2/3 vote of members present to become effective