Women Leaders in Law Enforcement San Diego County Chapter BY LAWS Revised & Adopted January 20, 2016 1 P age
HISTORY At the beginning of each WLLE San Diego County monthly meeting, the history of WLLE is read to educate all attendees, especially since many are attending their first meeting. In 1987, Sergeant Lacey Burt and Officer Alana Forrest of the Palo Alto Police Department coordinated a meeting to discuss issues related to women in law enforcement. Through the years, attendance at these meetings grew and caught the attention of California Police Chiefs Association President Steve Krull, who in 2006 asked the membership to facilitate a statewide conference to promote Women Leaders in Law Enforcement. The WLLE Conferences are held annually with the venue alternating between Northern and Southern California. Sworn and professional men and women from all agencies and ranks are invited to attend these two day workshops. 2 P age
ARTICLE I: NAME Women Leaders in Law Enforcement San Diego County BY LAWS ADOPTED October 29, 2014 This organization shall be called the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement San Diego County (WLLE San Diego), existing and exercising the powers and authority and assuming the responsibilities delegated to it under these By Laws. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE The mission of the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement San Diego is to promote the collaboration of women and men in the law enforcement community, to enhance relationships across all partners in law enforcement, to share strategies for successful leadership, to create strength within members to face the challenges of balancing work, home and community and to support the values and mission of the statewide Women Leaders in Law Enforcement organization. A portion of funds raised by the organization through fundraising programs and other events will be used to support charitable activities designated by the organization. These charitable activities would include, but not limited to, contributions to youth programs and organizations within the County of San Diego, such as Explorer Programs and/or other youth events in the educational, development, scholastic, fine arts, self improvement and school events or programs. In addition, the organization would provide scholarships to law enforcement personnel for educational, development, self improvement and other programs that will enhance leadership within the San Diego County Law Enforcement community. Finally, the organization would provide contributions to other organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which emphasize or concentrate on youth and law enforcement programs of various kinds; as voted on by the Board. These By Laws establish the formalization of the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement San Diego County and create an operational structure to conduct meetings and manage business activities for the association. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP 3 P age
The membership shall consist of women and men working in or retired from a law enforcement agency and are considered in good standing by their agency based upon the tenants of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. Membership encourages sworn and civilian status. A letter from the agency Chief may be required upon determination by the President at any time. 1. Executive Board Officers President The President shall preside at all meetings and generally perform the duties and functions of the presiding officer to include establishing the meeting agendas. Vice President In the event of the absence of the President, or a vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President shall assume and perform the duties of the President. Secretary The Secretary is tasked with a variety of duties related to marketing WLLE San Diego County. From meeting announcements to training flyers, the Secretary is the group s main distributor of information. In the event of the absence of the President and Vice President the Secretary may be designated to serve as the Acting President. Treasurer The Treasurer shall collect and account for all monies of the association. A Treasurer s report shall be due at each regular meeting. A quarterly audit of the account shall be conducted by the President and Vice President. In the event of the absence of the President and Vice President the Treasurer may be designated to serve as the Acting President. 2. Appointed Position Recording Secretary The Recording Secretary shall document meeting minutes and distribute in draft to the membership for adoption at a following regular meeting. The Recording Secretary will assist the President in preparing Chapter correspondence and perform other administrative duties as may be assigned by the President. The Recording Secretary is appointed by the President and serves at the discretion of the President. 3. Membership 4 P age
Membership in WLLE San Diego is voluntary. Members are law enforcement personnel active, or retired, sworn or civilian, and considered in good standing by their agency. A request for membership shall be presented to the President through mail or in person by completing the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement San Diego membership application. A letter from the agency Chief may be required prior to acceptance into the association. Guests may be signed in by a member in good standing. Membership fees shall be $30 annually for Founding Members. Founding Members are those who become members during the calendar year of 2015. Annual renewal fees for Founding Member s shall remain $30 without a break in membership. Members who sign up in 2016 or later shall pay $50 annual membership fee. All WLLE San Diego Chapter current members will receive a 10% discount on any WLLE San Diego merchandise purchased. This discount does not apply to any other WLLE organizations. 4. Term of Office Each officer shall serve a one year term on a calendar year cycle (January to December 31). Nominations for office shall be called 60 days prior to end of the calendar year cycle. (November 1). Voting for officers shall be conducted at the November regular meeting. Installation of new Officers will be conducted at the January regular meeting. Effective date to assume duties is January 1. The Board may delegate the powers and duties of the vacant office until such time the election process has been conducted. A special election may occur to fill a vacancy. 5. Membership Termination Membership may be terminated upon a motion from any member and a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting. 6. Resignation The resignation of a member may be made in writing or through a verbal notification to any executive board member. ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS 1. General All meetings shall be held in the San Diego County region location to be determined by the President. 2. Meeting Frequency 5 P age
The President shall determine dates of meetings. 3. Quorum A majority of the members present at a regular meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the adoption of agenda items. A minimum of 15 members must be present to vote on items. 4. Conduct of Meetings The President shall have the authority to determine the course of conduct during all meetings. Courteous and respectful interactions shall be the standard of conduct. Members who are deemed to be disruptive, rude or unwilling to follow these standards may be asked to leave. 5. Voting An affirmative vote of the majority of members present shall be necessary to approve any agenda item. Items not on the agenda may not be voted upon until next meeting. The process for voting shall generally follow Roberts Rules of Order: An item is put to the floor by the President for discussion. Members wishing to give input must be recognized by the President. A member that wishes to speak a second time on an item must wait until all other members have an opportunity to speak once. As discussion concludes the President asks for a member to call the question/make a motion. Once a second for the motion has been done the vote is taken. Voting will be done verbally with using Aye, Oppose or Abstain. In order to insure adequate representation for voting a minimum of 15 members present must be in attendance for a vote to take place. Less than 15 members shall require the agenda item be tabled until the following meeting. Members who cannot attend a meeting may designate another member in writing to cast their vote on an agenda item. ARTICLE V: CONFLICT OF INTEREST If a member has a financial interest in an agenda item, member shall make a written or oral disclosure of the financial interest and refrain from voting or attempting to influence the votes of other members. To avert influencing the votes of other members, upon disclosure of a financial interest, the member may not be present during deliberations and voting on the agenda item. ARTICLE VI: BY LAWS 1. Amendment These by laws may be amended by a majority vote of all members present. 6 P age
2. Notice Written notice of any proposed amendment shall be emailed to all members at least three calendar days prior to the meeting at which the amendment may be considered for the action. 3. Effective Date of Amendment No amendment(s) to these by laws shall take effect or be binding until the membership votes. ARTICLE VII: Financial Accounting 1. The accounting year shall begin on the first day of January and end the last day of December during the same calendar year. 2. All transactions and account activity made by the Treasurer shall include the approval of either the President or Vice President. The Treasurer may not delegate any authority to use or to access the account to any person outside the provisions of these By Laws. 3. At the end of the accounting year the financial records shall be closed and a financial report shall be prepared by the Treasurer and presented to the membership within 30 days. 4. Any activity on the bank account that falls outside the established rules and regulations within these By Laws must be reported to the President immediately including but not limited to loss or theft of checks, debit card or any other unauthorized unusual situation. 5. The President is authorized to sign checks with the Treasurer. ARTICLE VIII: Committees 1. Committee Chairs shall provide a written report of the committee s activities to the Board three days prior to each scheduled Board meeting. 7 P age