THE BYLAWS & STANDING RULES COMMITTEE (BSR)

In order to build on the effectiveness of the Group or Chapter Bylaws Development Handbooks, and to expand the Committee?s outreach and support to more chapter and group leaders, the Organizational Effectiveness Governance Committee (OEGC) is seeking applications for volunteers to serve on the Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee (BSR). In November, the OEGC hopes to appoint up to three (3) volunteers. Members will participate in conference calls, communicate regularly by e-mail, and take on specific projects related to the Committee's work. Applications are due by October 15.

CURRENT BSR MEMBERS: Steven Krieg, Chair; Owen Maloy, Vice Chair; Dick Simpson, Secretary; Ed Dobson; Barbara Postles; George Emmons; Jay Michlin, GovCom Liaison; Gene Coan, Staff Liaison

Below is an overview explaining the purpose of the BSR Committee and the responsibilities of its members, as well as a statement of Committee goals.

OVERVIEW OF THE BYLAWS & STANDING RULES COMMITTEE (BSR)

The Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee (BSR) provides the following services to the BOD and the Club:

Club Bylaws and Standing Rules

1. Draft appropriate wording for amendments to Sierra Club Bylaws and Standing Rules as requested by the Board.

2. Assist other members in wording proposed amendments to the Sierra Club Bylaws and Standing Rules.

3. Advise Club entities on questions regarding Sierra Club Bylaws and Standing Rules.

4. Periodically review the Sierra Club Bylaws and Standing Rules to determine if amendments are needed due to changed circumstances or state law and prepare recommendations to the Board thereon.

Bylaws for Entities

As authority over changes to bylaws for Sierra Club chapter and chapter entities has been delegated to the OE GovCom by the Board, the Committee:

1. Creates and maintains a Bylaws Development Handbook for use by chapters in the creation and amendment of bylaws. The Handbook contains bylaws provisions that MUST be included and those that MAY be included in the bylaws documents of Club entities.

2. Ensures that the bylaws of Sierra Club entities do not violate provisions of the Club Bylaws.

3. Assists members in the development and amendment of entity bylaws documents.

4. Approves or disapproves proposed changes to Club entity bylaws.

5. Certifies that a current copy of each entity's bylaws is maintained in a common file at Club headquarters, in the Office of Volunteer and Activist Services (OVAS).

Chapter, Group and Section Elections

As the authority to establish rules and to monitor elections of Club entities rests with the OE GovCom, the BSR Committee:

1. Creates and maintains an Elections Guidelines document to assist Club entities in establishing procedures and standing rules for elections, nomination candidates, certifying petition candidates, creating, distributing and counting ballots, and certifying and reporting election results.

http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/leaders/bylaws/election.html

2. Resolves or rules upon allegations of entity election irregularities from members.

Members:

* Participate in one to two-hour calls every quarter

* Communicate regularly on e-mail

* Attend annual committee meeting

* Take on assignments involving such things as leader outreach, training, mentoring or materials development.

GOALS OF THE BYLAWS & STANDING RULES COMMITTEE (BSR)

The goals of the Sierra Club's Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee (BSR) are:

* Chapter and Group Bylaws Update - Top Priority. Although all chapter bylaws are in hand, there some non-responsive groups that have not updated their bylaws. Some groups appear to have only minimal levels of activity and have not responded. We are trying to work with the respective chapter leaders to get the remaining groups to submit updated Bylaws

* Election Rules and Guidelines - the proposed minimum election rules and guidelines for chapter and group ExComs are high priority, because the old Guidelines and timelines are obsolete and actually incorrect.

* Standing Rules - the Club's Standing Rules have no uniform system of numbering paragraphs and subparagraphs and no uniform nomenclature for names and defined terms. While not urgent, a good housekeeping duty would be to make conforming changes where necessary.

BSR is looking for candidates with:

* Working knowledge of the Club's grassroots organizational structure.

* Willingness to work with grassroots leaders.

* Attention to detail.

* A genuine interest in increasing the effectiveness of the Sierra Club through strengthening its rules structure.

* Ability to work cooperatively with people holding differing perspectives on the best strategies for reaching the committee's goals

* Grassroots leadership experience in the Sierra Club, including expertise and experience in areas critical to Chapter & Group effectiveness

* Sufficient flexibility in time commitments to allow for full volunteer participation.

* Access to e-mail.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS, CONTACT MATT URBAN, OEGC Chair: [log in to unmask]

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APPLICATION/NOMINATION FORM

Send the completed form to Matt Urban by e-mail to [log in to unmask].

Completed responses are due August 15. If you want to nominate someone else, send that person this entire e-mail message.

APPLICATION FORM FOR Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee

1) Contact Information:

Your name:

Your Membership #:

Your Club entity:

Home Address:

Telephone: Day: Eve:

E-mail address:

Best time to reach you by phone:

2) Sierra Club experience, including length of membership, volunteer positions held, projects worked on:

3) Other relevant experience and qualifications you would bring to the Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee, as related to the qualifications for the Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee described above.

4) Why do you want to serve on the Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee?

5) Describe your general availability for committee meetings, conference calls, and regular e-mail contact.

6) Names, phone, and e-mail addresses of three references including your chapter chair and, including best times to reach them.