Bylaws

ARTICLE I - Name

The name shall be the Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas.

ARTICLE II - Definition of Basic Needs

Basic Needs is defined as food, clothing and housing as related to rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. Basic Needs does not address affordable housing or shelter. While there is a wide range of other services and supports that may be essential for an individual to reach self-sufficiency (child care, health care, education, to name a few), this Coalition focuses on basic needs services.

ARTICLE III - Purpose

The purpose of the Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas is to:

Assist, advise, and educate community policymakers, service providers, funders, community groups, and citizens in addressing basic needs in Austin and Travis County; and
Maximize services and resources through the development, coordination, and implementation of effective strategies for service delivery.

ARTICLE IV - Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Basic Needs Coalition shall include:

A. Planning

Act as the Official Planning Body for the Community Action Network (CAN) regarding Basic Needs Services;
Foster community–wide involvement in policy development, planning, and implementation of strategies.
Maximize resources by jointly establishing and achieving goals and objectives based on assessments of needs in the community, pooling and acquiring resources, and developing integrating services;
Develop local, state and federal linkages;
Build consensus among service providers on a foundation of knowledge, understanding, and trust; and
Oversee updates and revisions to the Community Action Network’s Basic Needs Assessment.

B. Action

Identify and address gaps in services;
Foster the development and maintenance of effective and responsive service systems;
Promote community awareness of Basic Needs;
Identify and/or develop additional resources for basic needs services;
Identify and address barriers to collaboration; and
Establish clear channels of communication.

ARTICLE V - Membership and Organization

Section 1.	Membership
	Membership shall be recruited from a broad spectrum of community organizations and agencies, including nonprofit organizations, government agencies, faith based organizations whose voice will meet the goal of fostering community-wide involvement. Membership terms will not be restricted, although members are expected to update their membership forms annually, on or before the annual membership meeting in September. New members may be received at any time during the year. The Executive Committee will be responsible for membership representation. Each member organization of the Coalition may submit the name of alternate(s) to represent the same interests as the member. Alternate members must be approved by the Membership Committee. The alternate should stay informed of the ongoing work of the Coalition. Members in “good standing”: If a lead representative or their alternate fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Coalition or assigned committee meetings, then the organization shall be deemed to have submitted its resignation from the Coalition. The Executive Committee, for good cause shown, may refuse to accept the resignation of any Coalition member. Member: Must serve on a Coalition sub-committee. Must be a member in good standing as defined in the bylaws to vote. Must pay annual dues Governmental agencies are exempt from dues Request for waivers may be considered by the executive committee Associate Member: Organizations that have an interest in the work of the Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas but do not require full member status; e.g., funders or general community participants: Associate members may serve on Coalition committees
Section 2.	Executive Committee
	The Executive Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, the immediate past chairperson, and the Chairs of the Standing Committees. The Executive Committee will be responsible for giving direction and leadership to the Coalition, including setting meeting agendas, and in making necessary decisions between regularly stated meetings.
Section 3.	Standing Committees
	The Executive Committee will establish and dissolve standing and ad hoc committees as needed. Standing Committee Chairs shall be appointed by the Coalition Chair. Any member may choose to serve on a committee, and committee chairpersons may appoint members.
Section 4.	Absences and Vacancies
	If the Chair is absent, the Vice-Chairwill preside at any stated or called meeting. In the event of a resignation of an officer, the Executive Committee may recommend a replacement or wait until the regular elections in August.
Section 5.	Meetings
	Meetings of the Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas are open to the public. The calendar of meeting dates will be set at the beginning of the year, and distributed to the Coalition. This calendar will serve as meeting notice to the members of the Coalition. Annual membership meetings will be held in September. The Executive Committee may call special meetings with notice given to the total membership.
Section 6.	Notices and Voting
	Members in good standing (as determined by the Membership Committee) are eligible to vote. When the Coalition member is not present, the alternate may have full voting privileges. There will be no voting by proxy. Each member organization will have one vote.

ARTICLE VI - Bylaws

Section 1.	Ratification
	These Bylaws and future modifications adopted by the Basic Needs Coalition of Central Texas will be ratified by a majority vote of the Coalition.
Section 2.	Amending
	These Bylaws may be amended at a regularly scheduled meeting by the Coalition, with recommendations from the Executive Committee and with a thirty-day notice to the membership requesting comments. At a minimum, these Bylaws will be reviewed on an annual basis in September.