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Polk County Citizen Corps Council
By-Laws

Article I.  Name of Council
The name of the Council shall be the Polk County Citizen Corps Council, hereinafter referred to as “Council”.

Article II.  Purpose
The purpose of the Council is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service in support of the county-wide emergency services and to make our county safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.
Article III.  Membership
Section 1.  Any person residing or working within the County of Polk may attend the meetings of the Council.

Section 2.  The Council will consist of employees of emergency services and volunteer members of the community working in conjunction with the emergency services in Polk County. All volunteer members shall complete the application requirements prior to being recognized as a member of the Council.

Section 3.  The Council will draw from the attached list of programs (attachment #1).

Section 4.  Members and citizens at large are invited to participate in all public meetings and share thoughts, opinions and suggestions to the group whenever appropriate. However, only the Council members will be empowered to vote on decisions of the Council.
Article IV.  Organization
The structure and organization of the volunteer component of the Citizen Corps is illustrated on the organizational flowchart designated as attachment #2. The Council represents the volunteer agencies shown on attachment #1. The Council works in unison with the countywide emergency services.

Article V.  Officers of the Council
Section 1.  The Council consists of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and a maximum of nine Council members (a minimum of five members including Chairman and Vice-Chairman). Each organization will select one member of the Council to represent their interests on the Council, as that pertains to voting. The Chairman will only vote in case of a tie when the vote is not taken by ballot.

Section 2.  The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council may be selected from the Council, but will require a nomination and majority vote of the Council to be elected to hold office. The term of the office of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Council members will begin and end at the first meeting of each calendar year. There will be no limit to the number of terms the Council members may serve.

Section 3.  The entire Council, including the Vice-Chairman, will be allowed to vote on issues. A simple majority will decide the vote.

Section 4.  In the Chairman’s absence, the Vice-Chairman will preside at all meetings and shall perform those functions usually associated with the offices and shall be able to make, second, and vote on all motions. In the absence of an organization representative, a designated representative from that group can represent the group and cast their vote, only after making it known to the Council that they are authorized by their group to do so.

Section 5.  The Council will be responsible to see that minutes of the meeting are taken, properly posted and that future meetings are announced as required by law. A copy of the minutes will be forwarded to each Council member, as well as a representative for each organization and agency, listed in Attachment 1, in Polk County.

Section 6.  It is not the intent of the Council to regulate the daily workings of any of the volunteer organizations. Rather, it is our goal to establish direction, collaboration between the agencies and organizations, establish goals, and increase consistency of purpose among all involved with the Council.
Article VI.  Meetings
Section 1.  The regular quarterly meeting of the Council shall be held at a place, date and time determined at each prior meeting. The notice of these meetings shall be posted for public notice as prescribed by law.

Section 2.  The Chairman or Vice-Chairman, or a majority of the members may call special meetings of the Council any time, provided that reasonable notice is given to the members.

Section 3.  A small quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of One-third of the members of the Council, or at least three members.
Article VII.  Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the Modern Edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the Council in all cases where they are inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the Council may adopt.

   A. A member may bring a communication or introduction of an order of business to the Council for consideration and the Chairman may put the question up for discussion.
   B. A motion is made for a vote and seconded.
   C. Discussion.
   D. The Chairman then states the question and announces a vote and whether the vote will be by voice, show of hands or by ballot.
   E. After the count is taken the Chairman will announce the results of the vote.

Article VIII.  Committees
Special committees may be appointed by the chairman from time to time to study areas of special interest. Such committees shall serve until the completion of the work for which they were appointed.

Article IX.  Order of Business
At all meetings of the Council, the following shall be the order business:

1. Call to order
2. Introductions
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Communications or announcements
5. Committee reports
6. Unfinished business
7. New business
8. Adjournment

Article X.  Amendments
Section 1. The following procedures shall govern the enactment of amendments to these by-laws:

Sub-section a. Proposed amendments shall be presented at a regularly scheduled business meeting of the Council.

Sub-section b. Adoption of the amendments to these by-laws shall be by a majority vote of the Council.

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"Attachment 1"
(Attachment to By-Laws)


Participating Organizations in Polk County

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