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Southeastern Economic Development Commission
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Southeast
Economic Development Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
ARTICLE II
Geographic District
Section 1. The Counties of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, H
Hoke, New Hanover, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotla
of the Commission and constitute the Southeastern Economic Devel
ARTICLE III
Purpose and Objectives
Section 1. The purpose of this Commission is to assist the Dist
special problems, to promote district economic development, and
framework for joint Federal, State and local efforts toward provfacilities
essential to the growth of the District.
Section 2. Specific objectives of the Commission are, through
resources, including, but not limited to:
The enrichment of the curricula and the upgrading of the facilities with
a.
public school systems of the District.
The development of means of achieving appropriate occupational t
b.
the public schools.
The achievement of pertinent technical and vocational training at the post-
c.
secondary level.
The encouragement of agricultural diversification.
d.
The development of programs designed to further health efforts,
e.
transportation facilities, housing, and marine resources.
The active participation in an industrial development effort that will benefit all
f.
counties in the District. This will include measures designed t
general pattern of economic activities.
The development of a planning capability and the engagement of a
g.
competent planning staff and specialized consultants.
The promotion of the general economic situation, by whatever mea
h.
measures are available in order to insure the well-being of the District.
ARTICLE IV
Offices
Section 1. The Commission shall maintain the principal offices in Elizabethtown
and in such other places as the Commission may from time to time
business of the Commission may require.
ARTICLE V
Membership
Section 1. The Commission shall be comprised of four (4) member
county in the District. At least one (1) of these members shall be an elected
could include a County Commissioner, Mayor, or City Council Memb
is to be reflective of the minority population of the area serve
requirements of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). M
representation from each member county shall reflect the minorit
respective county making an appointment; however, no member coun
than twenty-five percent (25%) of its representation as minority.
The Commission Board of Directors shall at all times comply with
regulations and guidelines. The Board shall have at least one P
Representative. Private Sector Representative means with respect to any for-profit
enterprise, any senior management official or executive holding
representative of the following: Executive Directors of Chambers of Commerce, or
representatives of institutions of post-secondary education, workforce development
groups or labor groups, all of which must comprise in the aggregate a minimum of
thirty-g body. The governing body shall
also have at least a simple majority of its membership who are e
employees of a general purpose unit of State, local, or Indian t
have been appointed to represent the government.
Section 2. Members to the Commission shall be appointed by the
Boards of County Commissioners by appropriate resolutions. Memb
be designated for a term of four years to serve at the pleasure
County Commissioners. Appointing officials should take into considerati
of the Civil Rights Act of 1965.
Section 3. The terms of the Commission Members shall be, insofa
on a staggered basis insuring an appointment or reappointment each year. Such
appointments shall be made prior to the April meeting, which mee
Annual Meeting of the Commission.
Section 4. The Executive Director shall notify the appointing a
of the expiration date of the terms of Commission members. Appointment or
reappointment action will be requested.
Section 5. The Executive Director will have available a roster
qualified Commission Members. Voting privileges will be extende
qualified to vote.
ARTICLE VI
The Commission, Commission Officers, and the Board of Directors
Section 1. The officers of the Commission shall consist of a Ch
Chairman, and the Secretary/Treasurer, all of whom are to be ele
Directors and by the Commission members. The Commission officers shall be
officers of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Board of Directors will serve as the nominating
officers each year. A nominated slate of officers for the Boardectors shall be
presented to the Commission members at the Annual Meeting. The
elected at the regular meeting of the Commission in April of eac
shall be the Annual Meeting of the Commission.
Section 3. All officers shall be elected for a one year term and assume office
after their elections at the Annual Meeting. Officers may be el
themselves or be elected to any other office, to serve no more t
years in any office.
Section 4. Vacancies in any office, arising from any cause, may be filled by t
Commission at any regular or special meeting. Interim appointme
the Board of Directors.
Section 5. In addition to the Commission officers above named,
Director shall be employed to conduct the business activities of the
accordance with rules or policies adopted by the Commission or t
Section 6. A Board of Directors shall be established and shall
Commission member from each county within the District. The officers elect
Commission shall function as the officers of the Board. Each of
parent county on the Board of Directors. Appointments to the Bo
the respective Boards of County Commissioners or determined by the contin
each county. In any event only one Commission member from each
membership on the Board of Directors.
Section 7. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for establishing the
number of staff and special terms and conditions of the grant of
Director shall have administrative responsibility for the select
members subject to the approval of the Board of Directors accordng to salaries and
guidelines established by the Board and subject to EDA general a
conditions as specified in the then current grant offer.
Section 8. Any personnel employment matters referred to the Boa
a simple majority for confirmation. All notices of discharge or other personne
a lesser nature will be in writing.
ARTICLE VII
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The duties of the Chairman of the Commission are as
To preside at all meetings of the Commission and the Board of
a.
Directors.
To appoint such committees as may be deemed appropriate in the
b.
discharge of the Commission functions.
To promulgate and publish such orders and directives as will pro
c.
the purposes of the Commission.
To guide and direct the efforts of the staff, the functional committees,
d.
and the standing committees in their efforts.
To authorize the disbursement of funds in conformance with the
e.
established policies of the Board and in compliance with the gen
and special terms and conditions of the grant offer and such other
agreements as may be entered into.
To perform such other duties as will promote the purposes of the
f.
Commission or which is required of the office.
Section 2. The Vice Chairman of the Commission shall perform the duties of the
Chairman in his absence.
Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer of the Commission shall perf
To verify and authenticate the records of meetings of the Commis
a.
and the Board of Directors.
To function as the accountable officer for all property and equipment
b.
owned or leased by the Commission.
To act as custodian of all funds of the Commission and function
c.
the Commission treasurer.
To authorize the disbursement of funds in conformity with the bu
d.
and established policies of the Board and in compliance with the
general and special terms and conditions of the grant offer, and
other agreements as may be entered into.
To perform such other duties as shall be assigned by the Board o
e.
Directors.
Section 4. The Executive Director shall be the chief staff officer of the
Commission. He shall function directly under the overall superv
Chairman. All orders and directives to the Commission staff sha
to the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be directly responsible for the
following:
The supervision and direction of all other employees of the
a.
Commission.
The implementation of administrative policies and procedures
b.
concerning the staff and the staff functions as established by the
Board. He shall be responsible for maintaining the necessary re
to satisfy the Commission requirements, and those of such other
agencies as may be involved.
Purchases authorized by the Commission. Appropriate records sha
c.
be maintained of all property and equipment.
The discharge of functional and operational requirements as set
d.
by the Commission or the Board of Directors.
The establishment of liaison with agencies of the local, State,
e.
Federal governments. This will include necessary reports, requests,
and studies which may be required in the normal conduct of busin
Maintain appropriate fiscal and financial records as required by
f.
Board and other authorities.
Other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.
g.
Section 5. Each officer who shall have authority to receive or
of the Commission shall be bonded in an amount which will satisf
the granting agency or agencies.
Section 6. The Board of Directors shall carry out such functions as the
Commission may authorize or direct.
ARTICLE VIII
Compensation
Section 1. Compensation for Commission travel expenses and allo
applicable to the Commission staff, officers, and members will b
provisions of the special and general terms of the currently effectiv
approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The pay scale of all staff employees shall be establ
of Directors. The actual compensation of all staff members, together with all
expenditures of funds shall be itemized and presented to the Boa
monthly, and all expenditures shall be in conformity with approv
ARTICLE IX
Commission Panels and Task Forces
Section 1. The Chairman may, from time to time, appoint qualified individuals to
serve on bodies created to achieve specific objectives and purpo
The creation of appropriate panels and task forces as operating
authorized.
Section 2. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
Committee representatives, as provided in the foregoing articles-Laws, shall
be recommended by the Executive Director, and appointed by the C
Directors. The appointment and makeup of the CEDS Committee shall comply with the
EDA regulations and guidelines.
ARTICLE X
Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of the Commission shall be held d
month of April at a location accessible to all Commission member
Section 2. Regular meetings of the Commission shall be held at
accessible to all Commission members.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or by
Commission members at any time or place by giving five (5) days written notice to
Commission members, together with an outline of business to be a
Section 4. A Commission quorum shall consist of ten (10) Commis
representing a majority of the member counties. If no quorum is
meeting, such meeting may be adjourned until a quorum shall be presen
Section 5. At Commission meetings, each of the Commission membe
shall have one vote, and all Commission actions shall require a
Section 6. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of one Board
member from a majority of the member counties. An alternate may
Board of Directors to serve at any meeting at which the regular
Section 7. Any vacancy occurring shall be filled by the same authority which
appointed the person to the vacant position. Such appointments
unexpired term.
Section 8. The board of directors, or any committee designated
may conduct a meeting or participate in a meeting of the board or committee by means
of a conference telephone or similar communication equipment by
persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear eac
by this means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE XI
Budgets
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall prepare an annual budge
presentation to the Commission for approval, then submitted to t
County Commissioners and such other agencies as may be appropriate. Such request to
the counties shall be in amounts proportioned among them in acco
recent decennial civilian population figures.
Section 2. The annual budget shall show proposed cash outlays f
expenses, and capital equipment and improvements. Each item of expenditure shall be
justified and explained and facilities provided in kind. A brea
funds shall indicate amounts to be appropriated by each county,
in kind, and amount to be obtained through Federal or State grants.
Section 3. The fiscal year for this Commission shall be determi
Members in concert with appropriate Federal agencies.
ARTICLE XII
Amendments
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of
the Commission by a majority vote of Commission members present
is present. Prior written notification of at least seven (7) da
members relative to amendments or proposed changes. Such notice shall list the
proposed changes.
ARTICLE XIII
All matters and things not specifically designated or delayed he
subject to the action of the Commission.
All actions or papers which are in conflict with these By-Laws as amended are
hereby repealed.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS twenty-first DAY OF January, 1971.
REVISED AND ADOPTED THE twenty-eighth DAY OF April, 1998.
REVISED AND ADOPTED THE twenty-second DAY OF April, 2001.
REVISED AND ADOPTED THE twenty-eighth DAY OF May, 2002.
REVISED AND ADOPTED THE twenty-first DAY of April, 2005.
REVISED AND ADOPTED THE ninth DAY of June, 2009.