Bylaws
LANET - LUTHERAN AIDS NETWORK
- BYLAWS -
Adopted by LANET Membership, November 8, 1997
I. Name
The name of this organization is LANET, the Lutheran AIDS Network, hereinafter referred to as LANET.
II. Purpose
The ministry of LANET is HIV/AIDS prevention, caregiving and advocacy in the Lutheran community by:
1. Promoting HIV/AIDS education among Lutherans and providing clear and comprehensive information regarding prevention;
2. Advocating for the physical, emotional and spiritual health and human rights of people touched by HIV/AIDS;
3. Promoting spiritual support for persons affected by HIV/AIDS;
4. Fostering the development of communities of support for those engaged in HIV/AIDS ministries; and
5. Serving as the visible presence of the Lutheran traditions in HIV/AIDS interfaith dialogue and gatherings.
III. Organization
LANET is incorporated under the laws of California as a not-for-profit membership organization in order to fulfill its stated purpose.
IV. Membership
Membership in LANET is open to any individual or organization wishing to share efforts to fulfill its stated purpose. For purposes of conducting official business, individual members and organizational members are each entitled to one vote.
V. Dues
Membership dues in LANET are for the calendar year and are set by the Board.
VI. Meetings
1. LANET membership will meet for the purpose of conducting elections and other organizational business once every odd numbered year, and at such other times as are determined appropriate for fulfilling the purposes of the organization. Notice of the biennial business meeting must be given to all members at least 90 days in advance of the meeting.
2. A special business meeting may be called by unanimous vote of the officers, or on petition of 25 members; all members must be given at least 30 days notice of such a special meeting.
VII. Officers and their Duties
1. The day-to-day business of LANET shall be carried out by or at the direction of its officers, who constitute a Board of Directors.
2. The Board shall consist of 9 LANET members, and shall meet at least two times per year. 3. At the first meeting following each election the Board shall elect officers consisting of a President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer.
4. Members of the Board serve for 4 years, except that for the first slate of officers, 4 members chosen by lot shall serve for 2 years.
5. The President shall preside at all business meetings of LANET, serve as the chief spokesperson for LANET and with the approval of the Board appoint committees as needed to carry out the business of LANET.
6. The Vice-president shall fulfill the duties of the President in the absence of the President, or as delegated by the president, and shall chair the Nominating Committee.
7. The Secretary shall keep a record of all official business of LANET, and assure that notices of biennial or special business meetings, nominating committee reports and notices of proposed bylaws changes are made in accordance with these bylaws.
8. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all income and expenditures of LANET, and report this regularly to the officers and membership.
9. All Board members shall assist in managing the affairs of LANET, carrying out specific activities as delegated by the President or determined by the Board.
VIII. Elections
1. Election of officers will be conducted at the biennial business meeting. The president will appoint a nominating committee consisting of three members, one of whom is a Board member not eligible for nomination in that election. The Committee will present a slate of one nominee for each open position to the membership at least 90 days in advance of the meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.
2. The Board of Directors may appoint a person to fill any vacated position on the Board until the next regularly scheduled election.
IX. Committees
1. The President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer of LANET constitute the Executive Committee, and are authorized to take necessary actions to fulfill the purposes of the organization in the interval between meetings of the Board. Such decision must be transmitted to the entire Board in a timely fashion.
2. The President, Executive Committee and Board are authorized to establish other committees as needed to fulfill the purposes of LANET. Any such committee will have a stated charge and term of office, and report regularly to the Board on its activities.
X. Amendments
These bylaws may be amended by the membership at any biennial or special business meeting, by majority vote of those present. Notice of proposed changes must be provided to the membership at least 90 days in advance, or be put on the agenda by 2/3 vote of those present at the meeting.