The New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families
ARTICLE 1 – Name, Mission and Vision
Section 1:1: Name
The name of this organization shall be “The New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families,” hereafter referred to as the Coalition.
Section 1.2 Mission
The mission of the Coalition is to improve the well-being of New Mexico’s children by supporting, expanding, and coordinating programs that strengthen healthy family relationships.
Section 1.3 Vision
The vision of the Coalition is a state where families receive support, education, and nurturing to ensure that couples develop healthy relationships and children achieve their full potential.
ARTICLE 2 – Coalition Membership
Section 2.1: Eligibility
Membership is open to all organizations and entities without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex or national origin of its representatives that embrace the mission and vision of the Coalition. Membership is dependent upon approval of a simple majority of the members at a regularly scheduled Coalition meeting. Anyone interested in membership will submit an application to the Membership Committee. The applicant must be sponsored by a current Coalition member in good standing, as defined by paying annual dues and meeting yearly attendance requirements.
Section 2.2: Dues
Each member organization shall pay annual dues as set by the Coalition.
Section 2.3: Rights and Privileges of Membership
Members have the right to attend all general Coalition meetings, receive general publications and mailings/emails, to be a candidate for an office and participate in all Coalition activities.
Section 2.4: Voting
Each member organization or entity shall have one (1) vote. In the case of a tie, the Chair can vote to break the tie even though his or her organization may have already voted.
Section 2.5 Categories of Membership
Categories of membership shall include but not be limited to the following: Business, Schools and Universities, Civic Groups, Government, Faith Communities and Social Service agencies.
Section 2.6: General Powers
The Coalition shall have direction over the affairs of the Coalition, shall determine its policies or changes therein within the limits of the Bylaws, shall actively pursue its purposes and shall have discretion in the conduct of business and formulation of the rules and procedures of the Coalition, consistent with these Bylaws.
Section 2.7: Coalition Member Attendance
The location of each meeting shall be determined by the Executive Committee. If a member organization or entity does not have a representative present at two (2) consecutive scheduled meetings, unless excused, that membership shall become vacant. Teleconference attendance may be acceptable. The Chair or Vice-Chair shall have the authority to excuse absences. Meeting minutes should note any excused absence(s).
Section 2.8: Recommendation of Coalition Members
The Membership Committee will recommend prospective members to the general membership for a vote. A potential member must attend at least one meeting prior to submitting a membership application. Any agency that submits an application must have a representative present during the meeting in which the vote on the application occurs.
Section 2.9: Termination of Membership
A Coalition member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Membership Committee. Membership may be terminated through a majority vote for failure to pay dues in a timely manner, lack of attendance, or engaging in actions that are counterproductive to the vision and mission of the Coalition.
Section 2.10: Nomination and Election of Officers
Coalition officers shall be elected by the general membership. Term of office for the Chair and Treasurer will be two (2) years with option of two (2) additional terms. Term of office for the Vice-Chair and Secretary will be one (1) year with option of two (2) additional terms. Nominations for officers will be accepted from the general membership at the meeting prior to the annual election meeting. Term of office will run from January to December.
Section 2.11: Frequency of Meetings
There shall be monthly meetings, with no fewer than four (4) regular Coalition meetings in each calendar year.
ARTICLE 3 - Officers of the Coalition
Section 3.1: Officers
The officers of the Coalition shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Section 3.2: Election and Term of Office
The officers of the Coalition shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the members present at the election meeting. Term of office will be two (2) years with option of two (2) additional terms for the Chair and Treasurer. Term of office will be one (1) year with option of two (2) additional terms for the Vice-Chair and Secretary.
Section 3.3: Authority and Duties of Officers
Section 3.3.1 Coalition Chair
The Coalition chair shall develop an agenda for each meeting, preside at meetings, ensure meeting location and times, and promote the Coalition’s vision and mission.
Section 3.3.2 Vice Chair
The Vice Chair shall preside at Coalition meetings in the absence of the chair and shall serve as Chair of the Membership Committee.
Section 3.3.3 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall maintain a complete and accurate account of all funds received and disbursed
Section 3.3.4 Secretary
The Secretary shall keep minutes of Coalition meetings and attendance records, and send meeting notices to the general membership.
Section 3.4: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, the Coalition Chair shall appoint a member to serve the unexpired term of office.
Section 3.5: Standing Committees
The Coalition officers shall appoint Public Relations, Political Outreach, and any Ad Hoc Committee Chairs. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the Coalition Chair, and the Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Vice Chair.
Section 3.5.1 Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall promote and enhance the membership of the Coalition and present nominations for membership to the Coalition.
Section 3.5.2 Public Relations/Marketing Committee
The Public Relations/Marketing Committee shall increase public awareness of the Coalition’s
mission and promote activities of the Coalition.
Section 3.5.3 Political Outreach Committee
The Political Outreach Committee shall make contacts and educate state legislators, the Governor’s office, and the New Mexico Department of Human Services on this initiative and the need for these educational programs in the state.
Section 3.5.4 Executive Committee
The Chair, the immediate past Chair, the Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, the Committee Chairs, and the Member at Large (who shall be appointed by the Coalition officers) shall comprise the Executive Committee, meeting as needed, with decision making authority on Coalition issues. Effort shall be made to gather input from the majority of the Coalition membership before decisions are made. Decisions shall be made with the best interest of the Coalition in mind and will be presented at the following general membership meeting.
Section 3.6: Ad Hoc Committees
The Coalition Chair shall appoint Ad Hoc Committees as needed.
Article 4 – Amendment to Bylaws
Section 4.1: Amendments
Amendments to these bylaws may be made at any general meeting of the Coalition after the members have been notified thirty (30) days in advance. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership present at the general meeting (1 vote per organization) is required for approval of an amendment.
Article 5 – Fiscal Agent
Section 5.1: Fiscal Agent
A 501 c (3) non-profit organization may be designated to act as fiscal agent on behalf of the Coalition.
Approved 9-24-09.
Amended 11-17-09.
Amended 5-18-10.
ARTICLE 1 – Name, Mission and Vision
Section 1:1: Name
The name of this organization shall be “The New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families,” hereafter referred to as the Coalition.
Section 1.2 Mission
The mission of the Coalition is to improve the well-being of New Mexico’s children by supporting, expanding, and coordinating programs that strengthen healthy family relationships.
Section 1.3 Vision
The vision of the Coalition is a state where families receive support, education, and nurturing to ensure that couples develop healthy relationships and children achieve their full potential.
ARTICLE 2 – Coalition Membership
Section 2.1: Eligibility
Membership is open to all organizations and entities without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex or national origin of its representatives that embrace the mission and vision of the Coalition. Membership is dependent upon approval of a simple majority of the members at a regularly scheduled Coalition meeting. Anyone interested in membership will submit an application to the Membership Committee. The applicant must be sponsored by a current Coalition member in good standing, as defined by paying annual dues and meeting yearly attendance requirements.
Section 2.2: Dues
Each member organization shall pay annual dues as set by the Coalition.
Section 2.3: Rights and Privileges of Membership
Members have the right to attend all general Coalition meetings, receive general publications and mailings/emails, to be a candidate for an office and participate in all Coalition activities.
Section 2.4: Voting
Each member organization or entity shall have one (1) vote. In the case of a tie, the Chair can vote to break the tie even though his or her organization may have already voted.
Section 2.5 Categories of Membership
Categories of membership shall include but not be limited to the following: Business, Schools and Universities, Civic Groups, Government, Faith Communities and Social Service agencies.
Section 2.6: General Powers
The Coalition shall have direction over the affairs of the Coalition, shall determine its policies or changes therein within the limits of the Bylaws, shall actively pursue its purposes and shall have discretion in the conduct of business and formulation of the rules and procedures of the Coalition, consistent with these Bylaws.
Section 2.7: Coalition Member Attendance
The location of each meeting shall be determined by the Executive Committee. If a member organization or entity does not have a representative present at two (2) consecutive scheduled meetings, unless excused, that membership shall become vacant. Teleconference attendance may be acceptable. The Chair or Vice-Chair shall have the authority to excuse absences. Meeting minutes should note any excused absence(s).
Section 2.8: Recommendation of Coalition Members
The Membership Committee will recommend prospective members to the general membership for a vote. A potential member must attend at least one meeting prior to submitting a membership application. Any agency that submits an application must have a representative present during the meeting in which the vote on the application occurs.
Section 2.9: Termination of Membership
A Coalition member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Membership Committee. Membership may be terminated through a majority vote for failure to pay dues in a timely manner, lack of attendance, or engaging in actions that are counterproductive to the vision and mission of the Coalition.
Section 2.10: Nomination and Election of Officers
Coalition officers shall be elected by the general membership. Term of office for the Chair and Treasurer will be two (2) years with option of two (2) additional terms. Term of office for the Vice-Chair and Secretary will be one (1) year with option of two (2) additional terms. Nominations for officers will be accepted from the general membership at the meeting prior to the annual election meeting. Term of office will run from January to December.
Section 2.11: Frequency of Meetings
There shall be monthly meetings, with no fewer than four (4) regular Coalition meetings in each calendar year.
ARTICLE 3 - Officers of the Coalition
Section 3.1: Officers
The officers of the Coalition shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Section 3.2: Election and Term of Office
The officers of the Coalition shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the members present at the election meeting. Term of office will be two (2) years with option of two (2) additional terms for the Chair and Treasurer. Term of office will be one (1) year with option of two (2) additional terms for the Vice-Chair and Secretary.
Section 3.3: Authority and Duties of Officers
Section 3.3.1 Coalition Chair
The Coalition chair shall develop an agenda for each meeting, preside at meetings, ensure meeting location and times, and promote the Coalition’s vision and mission.
Section 3.3.2 Vice Chair
The Vice Chair shall preside at Coalition meetings in the absence of the chair and shall serve as Chair of the Membership Committee.
Section 3.3.3 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall maintain a complete and accurate account of all funds received and disbursed
Section 3.3.4 Secretary
The Secretary shall keep minutes of Coalition meetings and attendance records, and send meeting notices to the general membership.
Section 3.4: Vacancies
In the event of an office becoming vacant, the Coalition Chair shall appoint a member to serve the unexpired term of office.
Section 3.5: Standing Committees
The Coalition officers shall appoint Public Relations, Political Outreach, and any Ad Hoc Committee Chairs. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the Coalition Chair, and the Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Vice Chair.
Section 3.5.1 Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall promote and enhance the membership of the Coalition and present nominations for membership to the Coalition.
Section 3.5.2 Public Relations/Marketing Committee
The Public Relations/Marketing Committee shall increase public awareness of the Coalition’s
mission and promote activities of the Coalition.
Section 3.5.3 Political Outreach Committee
The Political Outreach Committee shall make contacts and educate state legislators, the Governor’s office, and the New Mexico Department of Human Services on this initiative and the need for these educational programs in the state.
Section 3.5.4 Executive Committee
The Chair, the immediate past Chair, the Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, the Committee Chairs, and the Member at Large (who shall be appointed by the Coalition officers) shall comprise the Executive Committee, meeting as needed, with decision making authority on Coalition issues. Effort shall be made to gather input from the majority of the Coalition membership before decisions are made. Decisions shall be made with the best interest of the Coalition in mind and will be presented at the following general membership meeting.
Section 3.6: Ad Hoc Committees
The Coalition Chair shall appoint Ad Hoc Committees as needed.
Article 4 – Amendment to Bylaws
Section 4.1: Amendments
Amendments to these bylaws may be made at any general meeting of the Coalition after the members have been notified thirty (30) days in advance. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership present at the general meeting (1 vote per organization) is required for approval of an amendment.
Article 5 – Fiscal Agent
Section 5.1: Fiscal Agent
A 501 c (3) non-profit organization may be designated to act as fiscal agent on behalf of the Coalition.
Approved 9-24-09.
Amended 11-17-09.
Amended 5-18-10.
