BYLAWS CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ARTICLE I

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1 BYLAWS CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ARTICLE I REGIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The name of this organization shall be the CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (hereinafter referred to as the Committee ). This Committee shall implement its objectives and purposes in the counties of Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington, and other such counties, which may be designated as a part of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. Section 3: The street address of the office of this Committee shall be the same as that of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. ARTICLE II AUTHORITY The creation of this Committee is authorized by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments; and is a necessary advisory committee to the Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors. ARTICLE III PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITY The purpose and responsibilities of this Committee shall include, but not limited to the following: A. Review and make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments, for projects implementing the regional criminal justice plan and such other related matters as may be referred to this Committee. B. Provide a forum for coordination on matters of mutual concern among the several agencies operating in this region. 1

2 ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP Membership of this Committee shall consist of at least one representative from each county within the region. The members of this Committee shall be composed of representatives from law enforcement, juvenile justice, drug abuse prevention, non-profit organizations, victim services, mental health, prosecution/courts, education and concerned citizens or parents. The number of members and percentages of representation from the various areas of concern and citizen interest will be determined by the Board of Directors annually to conform to any mandate(s) by funding agencies. Members may represent more than one area of expertise. Section 3: Committee members shall be nominated by the Commissioners Courts of Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties and approved by the Board of Directors. Section 4: The members of this Committee shall be appointed as needed to fill a vacancy or at least every 4 years, whichever comes first. A Committee member shall be able to succeed himself, subject to re-appointment by the Board of Directors. Section 5: Resignation from this Committee shall be by letter to the Committee Chairperson and BVCOG Chairperson. Unexpired terms will be filled by the Board of Directors. Section 6: Members are expected to participate in all Committee business during a fiscal year. Absences noted prior to a meeting will be recorded in the minutes. Members who fill positions on this Committee designed to represent special positions or interest groups shall relinquish his/her membership upon loss of representation. Section 7: A Committee member may cast only a singular vote in the grant scoring process. A Committee member cannot score an application if he or she: 1) is employed by the applicant agency and works for the unit or division that would administer the grant if awarded, 2) serves on any board that oversees the unit or division that would administer the grant if awarded, 3) owns or controls any interest in a business entity or other non-government organization that benefits, directly or indirectly, from activities with the applicant, 4) receives any funds from the applicant as a result of the grant, or 5) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or funds from the applicant. 2

3 Section 8: The membership on this Committee shall coincide with the fiscal year of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. Section 9: Professional staff members of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments who are supported by funding from the Texas Governor s Office, shall be non-voting, ex-officio members of this Committee. ARTICLE V OFFICERS A. The Chairperson of this Committee shall be elected by a majority vote of the Committee, ratified by the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. B. Resignation by the Chairperson shall be by written letter to the Chairperson of the Board. An unexpired term will be filled by a majority vote of the Committee and ratification from the Board of Directors. A. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of this Committee and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by this Committee. The Chairperson shall have power to appoint such subcommittees, as he or she deems necessary to achieve the objectives of this Committee. B. In the absence of the Chairperson, Committee members present shall elect a temporary presiding officer to serve during the meeting. C. The Executive Director, Brazos Valley Council of Governments, shall designate staff to record proceedings of the meetings and to prepare official minutes of the Committee meetings. ARTICLE VI SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEES Subcommittees may be created by this Committee for special purposes. The Chairperson and members of subcommittees shall be appointed by the Chairperson of this Committee. 3

4 Section 3: Subcommittees will automatically dissolve on completion of their report to this Committee. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS This Committee shall meet on call of the Chairperson, Brazos Valley Council of Governments staff, or on call of a majority of the members of this Committee. Meetings shall be held within the region served by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments, the place to be designated by the Chairperson. Section 3: Written notices of time, place, and tentative agenda of a meeting shall be mailed to each Committee member five days prior to the date of the meeting. Committee meetings will be held in compliance with provision of the Texas Open Meetings Act. Section 4: Emergency meetings to address matters of an urgent nature may be called provided each member is notified by telephone or by personal contact and provided said meetings are held in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. The option to participate via conference call will be provided during emergency meetings to facilitate the sharing of information but a quorum must still be present at designated meeting location. Section 5: All meetings shall be open to the public. ARTICLE VIII STAFF The Executive Director of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments shall designate staff to service this Committee and its activities. ARTICLE IX QUORUM The simple majority of the Committee members or a member from each of four counties, shall constitute a quorum. Any action taken by this Committee may be by a simple majority vote of this Committee with a quorum present. 4

5 ARTICLE X RULES FOR PROCEDURE/STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS Robert s Rules of Order shall govern on all matters of parliamentary procedure. This Committee shall be subject to any rules, regulations, acts or mandates placed on the Brazos Valley Council of Governments by local, state, or federal governments or funding agencies. ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS These Bylaws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors with a quorum present. This Committee may make recommendations for amendments to the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments. ARTICLE XII CONFLICT OF INTEREST Members of this Committee shall not use their position on this Committee for a purpose that is or gives the appearance of being, motivated by a desire for private gain for themselves or others, particularly those with whom they have family, business, or other ties. 5

6 CERTIFICATION These Bylaws of the Regional Criminal Justice Advisory Committee are hereby duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Council of Governments on this 13 th day of May, The Honorable Pam Finke Chairperson of the Board The Honorable Joy Fuchs Board Secretary 6