CONSTITUTION OF THE YORK COUNTY 4-H TEEN COUNCIL SERVING CHARTERED 4-H CLUBS OF YORK COUNTY Adopted September 1, 2015 Revision: 20150901 Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion,
CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I NAME The name of this organization shall be the York County 4-H Teen Council. ARTICLE II OBJECT The York County 4-H Teen Council is a non-profit organization, organized and operated for the purpose of youth, adult, and family development in all aspects of the 4-H Club program and related educational programming, and such other related charitable purposes. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1 Any youth resident of York County who is nine years of age, or has not exceeded their 19 th year of age as of January 1 st of the current 4-H year, in accordance with the South Carolina State 4-H Membership Policy, is eligible for membership within that 4-H year. The 4-H year is defined as that calendar period extending from September 1 to August 30th. Section 2 Membership in 4-H is a privilege, but may be taken from or denied youth who have exhibited behavior that is not in strict compliance with the published South Carolina 4-H Code of Conduct expectations, or who have exhibited behavior that may place other members or leaders at undue risk. Membership shall not be denied based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, marital status, or membership in any other organization. Section 3 Club members are considered to be in good standing if they, at a minimum, actively participate in the project record and / or county presentation programs, attend at least 50% of a club s regularly scheduled club meetings, and actively participate in club activities. Section 4 Clubs may require additional participation over and above that which is defined in Section 3.3 above. However, chartered 4-H clubs within York County cannot set requirements for good standing members below that which is set as minimum participation defined by this document. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS Section 1 The officers of the York County 4-H Teen Council shall be President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Reporter, and Public Relations Coordinator. Section 2 Any candidate for a President of the York County 4-H Teen Council Office must be a senior 4-H member. A junior or senior 4-H member may hold all other officer positions, except that of Secretary/Treasurer, where a senior 4-H member will hold office. Section 3 Candidates for all county positions, officer or regional representative, must have a completed application and a recommendation letter on file before the deadline. An interview will then be conducted. All parts of the application process must be completed before an applicant is eligible to accept any position. Section 4 Candidates for all York County 4-H Teen Council officer positions must have previously held a club officer position for a chartered 4-H club, or must acquire a written recommendation for appointment to a county officer position from their club s adult 4-H Volunteer Leader. Constitution Page 2
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BY-LAWS OF THE YORK COUNTY 4-H TEEN COUNCIL SERVING CHARTERED 4-H CLUBS OF YORK COUNTY Adopted September 1, 2015 Revision: 20150901 Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
BY-LAWS ARTICLE I ORDER OF BUSINESS The order of business for all York County 4-H Teen Council meetings will be as follows: 1. Call to order 2. 4-H club ritual 3. Roll call a. Pledge of Allegiance b. 4-H Pledge 4. Reading and approval of minutes of last meeting 5. Old Business 6. New Business 7. Adjournment ARTICLE II ELECTION OF OFFICERS Section 1 The York County 4-H Teen Council Officers shall be elected through an election process as listed in Article IV Section 3 in the Constitution of the York County 4-H Teen Council. Section 2 Parliamentary procedure will be applied and followed at officer elections. ARTICLE III DUTIES Section 1 President: The President shall preside at all meetings, shall appoint committees, and shall attend to such other duties as are necessary to carry out the county 4-H program. A vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by the vice president for the remainder of the unexpired term. In order to be eligible for this position, the 4-H er must be a senior. Section 2 Vice President: The Vice President shall serve as President when the regular President is absent, shall attend to duties delegated by the President, shall lead the 4-H Club Ritual at the York County 4-H Teen Council Meetings. In order to be eligible for this position, the 4-Her must be a junior or senior. Section 3 Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer will record the minutes and attendance at each York County 4-H Teen Council Meeting. The minutes will be read at each meeting. The secretary will assist the president in other duties as needed or assigned. This position will also be responsible for keeping track of revenue brought in and expenses of the council. They will keep a copy of the York County 4-H Teen Council Constitution and By-laws. They will also be responsible for properly handling council monies, keeping an accurate record of all financial transactions (requiring a receipt for all payments), preparing a written financial report for each meeting, as well as a copy for the 4-H agent to be maintained in the extension office and serving as chairperson for the fundraising committee. In order to be eligible for this position, the 4-Her must be a senior. Section 4 Reporter: The Reporter will supply information, articles, and photos of Teen Council activities to the 4-H office on a regular basis, so that they can be included in the newsletter and website. They will also assist in efforts to promote 4-H Teen Council and York County 4-H activities. The reporter will work with the advisor to coordinate press releases and coordinating news coverage for countywide events. The Reporter is responsible for creating / maintaining a county scrapbook that records events By-Laws Page 3
and activities involving count 4-H members with special concentration toward documenting their achievements throughout the 4-H year. In order to be eligible for this position, the 4-Her must be a junior or senior. Section 8 Advisor: The York County 4-H Teen Council Advisor shall be an appointed adult volunteer who is responsible for critiquing each meeting in support of continued improvement, encouraging County Officers to participate in any related training offered by 4-H, supporting Youth Officers in meeting preparation and program guidance. The Advisor is not an officer of the committee and is not a voting entity. Section 9 Meeting Participation: All elected York County 4-H Teen Council Officers will be present for at least 80% of the Council s scheduled meetings. Each member is allowed one excused absence from a meeting and one excused absence from an event. If excessive absences occur, the proper discipline actions will be taken. ARTICLE IV SPECIAL 4-H CLUB COUNCIL RULINGS Section 1 A York County 4-H Teen Council Officer cannot succeed him or herself in the same office; however, the individual will be eligible for the same office after one year has elapsed. If there are no candidates expressing an interest in holding a particular officer position then the existing officer will be allowed to succeed him or herself in the same office. If the existing officer, because of unusual circumstances, has held the office for less than the normal full year s term, that officer shall be allowed to compete in elections for a successive year. Section 2 Should the President move away, the Vice President will fill the vacancy. Section 3 Should other vacancies occur, and if the President deems necessary, a special meeting may be called for the purpose of electing officers to fill the vacancies. Section 4 Special / Emergency York County 4-H Teen Council meetings may be called by any Council member with the approval of a York County Extension Staff representative. ARTICLE V COMMITTIEES Committees deemed necessary by the York County 4-H Teen Council shall be appointed by the President. Special committees shall be appointed for a length of time necessary to accomplish their assignment. ARTICLE VI CHANGE IN CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Section 1 Any proposed change in the Constitution and By-Laws of the York County 4-H Teen Council must be presented in writing to the York County 4-H Extension Agent. Section 2 Any proposed change of the Constitution and By-laws, recommended to and approved by the County 4-H Extension Agent, must be presented at a York County 4-H Teen Council meeting for comment, review, and voting. The proposed change(s) must be presented in writing 30 days in advance of voting on the change. Section 3 Any proposed change in the constitution and By-laws must achieve a two-thirds vote of voting members present at the meeting at which the proposal is submitted to be accepted. By-Laws Page 4
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