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SEDC_BYLAWS_revised_June_2009 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.