ARTICLE I: TITLE

Section 1 Name
The name of this organization shall be Chattanooga Area Employment Consortium (herein referred to as The Consortium.)
Section 2 Area
The area of operations shall include all of, but not limited to, the following: Hamilton County, Tennessee and surrounding counties.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

Section 1 Mission and Purpose
The mission of The Consortium is to improve the quality of life and general welfare for people with disabilities as it relates to employment issues. To achieve this purpose, The Consortium will undertake to:

1. Promote, develop and share employment opportunities;
2. Create awareness and educational opportunities in the community. with the involvement of Corporate Connections.
3. Cultivate inclusion of businesses/employers in Consortium activities especially in the areas of employment opportunities and recognition.
4. Work to include persons with disabilities, their family and friends in Consortium activities.

Section 2 Scope of Authority
The consortium, may undertake to raise funds for programs or projects directly related to the Mission and Purpose of the organization (See Section 1 above).

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 Composition
The Consortium shall consist of representation from Tennessee Department of Human Services- Division of REHABILITATIVE Services, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and representatives of other interested businesses, agencies or organizations functioning within The Consortium area.

Section 2 Individual Membership
Individuals may become members of The Consortium by attending any regularly scheduled meeting of The Consortium and/or expressing a desire to become a member. Members may remain in The Consortium for any length of time, providing they remain active in Consortium matters, comply with the by-laws, standing rules and policies of The Consortium. Active membership shall constitute attendance at no fewer four meetings during a calendar year. <See sustaining membership.>
**Sustaining Membership Sustaining Members are those agencies or companies who have active representation in the Chattanooga Area Employment Consortium for the past two (2) years. Active participation includes attending meetings or events and/or working on special projects for Committee sponsored events. In the event it is needed, “Active Status” will be determined by majority vote of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1 Officers

The Officers of The Consortium shall consist of (1) a Chairperson; (2) a Vice-Chairperson: (3) a Secretary; and (4) a Treasurer. Officers shall be selected from sustaining membership at large with the exception of Treasurer. <See ** Note on Article III regarding sustaining membership.>

Section 2 Terms
(a) General. Each officer shall be elected for a term of one year. Officers will assume their duties at the regularly scheduled meeting following election. Beginning with officers elected in 2000, to assume duties in 2000, Each officer will serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive one-year terms. A break of one-year term must occur between positions held. (b) Vacancy in office: If the office of the Chairperson becomes vacant during the year, the Vice chairperson shall automatically assume the duties of the Chairperson. Vacancies in other officers during the year will be filled by from among all sustaining members at a regular meeting. (c) Elections – ALL Consortium Sustaining members are eligible to make nominations to the Nomination Committee each year during the period of time determined by the Consortium. The Nomination Committee shall, after meeting their obligations, then submit a ballot of candidate for the office to the Consortium. Consortium members will vote to accept or reject the slate of officers as proposed. The annual calendar for the officer nomination process shall be as follows: September: Nominating committee determines potential nominees and secures their agreement to stand as candidates for officer positions October: The approved slate of candidates is presented to the Consortium at the regular business
meeting. Other nominations may be taken from the floor from Sustaining Members during the meeting November: Sustaining Consortium members vote upon the slate of officers as was presented at the October meeting December: Transition month to prepare new officers for taking office on January 1 of the following year.

Section 3 Duties
(a) Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at all meeting of the full Consortium and the Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall call special meetings upon request of one-fourth of the membership of the full Committee or of the Executive Committee whenever deemed necessary. The Chairperson shall be considered an ex-officio member of any and all committees. (b) Vice Chairperson. The vice Chairperson shall perform duties as assigned by the Chairperson and shall exercise the functions of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson at Consortium meetings. When applicable, the Vice Chairperson shall arrange programs for the full Consortium meetings.
(c) Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording all minutes of the full and Executive Committee meetings and perform other duties as prescribed by the Chairperson and other Consortium members as appropriate. The secretary shall be responsible for notifying the membership of the meetings by normal means of communication (i.e., newspaper notices, letters, telephone calls, or other required and appropriate methods). The secretary shall maintain a database of all Consortium members and pertinent information related to members (I.e, phone #’s, fax #’s, addresses, etc.) (d) Treasurer. The treasurer, in conjunction with the Chairperson, shall be responsible for maintaining the checking account, reconciling and filing bank statements, and submitting monthly reports to The Consortium at regularly scheduled meetings. The treasurer shall also be responsible for passing on all information relative to Consortium financial accounts to subsequent treasurers prior to them taking office for a new term.

ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee will be composed of the four officers of the Chattanooga Area Employment Consortium and others as deemed necessary by the officers (e.g., Chairperson of the Awards Luncheon Committee). It shall serve in a planning and steering capacity for The Consortium as a whole. When necessary, it shall also make decisions for The Consortium between regular meetings and then report these decisions to the full Consortium at the next regularly scheduled meeting. If the decision involves an issue which pertains to a particular Committee, the Chairperson of that Committee shall participate in the making of that decision.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

Immediately following elections, committees shall be implemented and volunteers taken to serve on the Committees listed below. Each Committee will be responsible for electing/appointing a Chairperson to perform the duties as indicated. (Officers of The Consortium shall not be appointed as Chairperson of any Committee but may serve on any or all Committees.) The Committee Chairperson shall determine the number of and members of their particular Committee with the concurrence of the Chairperson of the full Consortium. By majority vote of the Consortium Members, any committee may be determine to be active, not active, temporarily in holding, suspended or dissolved. Consortium members have the responsibility of activating any or all of the following Committees: (a) Awards Luncheon Committee- The Chairperson and members of this Committee shall plan and arrange the local awards program to be conducted at the Awards Banquet/Luncheon. The Awards Luncheon Committee shall submit a list of nominees for awards that recognize local individuals, firms, agencies and organizations for their efforts in furthering employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to the full Consortium for its approval. This Committee shall also recognize the abilities and skill of individuals with disabilities who are working in the community or transitioning from school-to-work. This committee shall establish criteria, deadlines and a format for recruiting and receiving names of appropriate individuals, firms, agencies and organizations that are to be considered for the recognition awards. (b) By Laws Committee- The Chairperson and members of this Committee shall be responsible for updating the By-Laws of The Consortium to reflect any changes at any time needed. This Committee shall also be responsible for making sure The Consortium adheres to the By-Laws. (c) Nomination Committee- The Chairperson and members of this Committee shall be responsible for accepting nominations from any/ all Consortium members for competent people to serve in any one of the four offices of the Consortium. It shall be the duty of the Nomination Committee to meet with nominees to determine if they are willing to uphold the mission of the Consortium and if they are willing to serve and commit to fulfill the terms of the office for a minimum of one-year. The Nomination Committee shall determine a slate of officers along with assistance of the Executive Committee. (d) Fundraising Committee- The Chairperson and members of this Committee shall be responsible for developing creative ideas and sound strategies to raise funds that support the mission and work of the Consortium, in compliance with laws regulating regular 501(c)3 organizations. The committee shall work in conjunction with Public awareness and other committees to promote and execute strategies, encourage support and participation of Consortium members and other stakeholders and report results to the entire Consortium. (e) Public Awareness Committee- The Chairperson and members of this Committee shall be responsible for advocating membership in The Consortium from appropriate businesses, providers and other interested partners. In conjunction with the Secretary, they will be responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to date records of members. They will also be responsible for coordination of publicity through newspapers, radio, television, periodicals, films, pamphlets, newsletters and other suitable and appropriator media of any Consortium function. (f) Other Committees or subcommittees within a Committee may be appointed from time to time by the Chairperson of the Consortium or the Chairperson of the Committee to perform various functions.

ARTICLE VII. BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD

Section 1 Purpose
The Business Advisory Board will act in an advisory capacity to assist the Consortium in meeting their mission and purpose (See Article II).
Section 2 Meetings
The Business Advisory Board will meet on a quarterly basis unless determined by The Consortium members that additional meetings are needed. Board members should not miss more than two (2) consecutive meetings without communication with a member of the Executive Committee.
Section 3 Membership
The Business Advisory Board shall consist of representatives from the for-profit industries/companies in The Chattanooga area with duties pertaining to human resource management, culture and/or workplace diversity. Consortium members reserve the right to accept or decline nominations to the Board.

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS

Section 1 General
The Consortium will meet monthly at a time and place to be determined at the previous monthly meeting.
Section 2 Special
Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chairperson and/or Executive Committee or upon written request made to the Chairperson by three or more Consortium members. Committee meetings will occur independently of The Consortium meetings at the direction of the Committee Chairperson.
Section 3 Quorum and Voting
One-third of the Consortium constitutes a quorum. Each member has one vote, and except as otherwise provided herein, a simple majority vote of The Consortium members present and voting is required for the adoption of a motion, resolution, or other proposal.
Section 4 Rules
Unless otherwise stated herein all meetings of The Consortium and its Committees shall be governed by Roberts’ Rules of Order.

ARTICLE IX. FUNDS

• All expenditures (under $500) should be approved by a majority of the Executive Committee prior to funds being spent.
• All expenditures $500 and over should be approved by the majority of the Consortium members present.
• Funds may be solicited to support the activities of The Consortium.
• The Consortium will maintain a non-profit status.
• The treasurer will maintain and administer the funds in conjunction with the Chairperson.
• Prior to any change in the office of the Treasurer, an audit will be conducted by the Treasure, the Treasurer-elect, and a person appointed by the Chairperson. Audits may be conducted at other times at the discretion of the Chairperson.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of The Consortium by a two-thirds vote of those members present, providing that a notice of the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing to each member of The Consortium at least ten (10) days prior to the date of said meeting at which said proposed amendment is to be brought to a vote.