Charter and Operating Procedures (Bylaws)

Section I:

The organization shall be known as the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council of Greater Miami, and herein referred to as the “Council”.

Section II: History of the Formation of the Council

The Council is the result of a community-based effort that began in 2001. This process produced the Miami Dade County Domestic Violence Report Assessment of Gaps in Services [DV Report], which was published on December 15, 2003. The Primary recommendation of the DV Report urged the creation of a multidisciplinary community based Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council [DV/SA Council] to provide an ongoing forum for discussion, collaboration and resolution to systemic issues.

The DVOB approved the DV Report and its recommendations in December 2003. The DVOB forwarded the DV Report with its approval to the Board of County Commissioners [BCC] in January 2004. The BCC approved the DV Report in March 2004.

Simultaneously, the Miami Dade County Alliance for Human Services [The Alliance] and the DVOB provided continuation funding for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Professional Training Institute [Training Institute] for 2004-2007 funding cycle. A portion of these grant funds are earmarked to develop and staff a domestic violence and sexual assault council.

Section III: Mission and Vision Statement

Vision Statement

We envision a healthy, violence-free community where government, criminal justice agencies, the Court, community based organizations, the health care system, the faith community, the business community, the legal community, the sports and entertainment industry, the media, academicians, school personnel, survivors, community activists and appropriate policy makers work together to reduce Domestic Violence [DV] and Sexual Assault [SA].

Mission Statement

The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council of Greater Miami will provide a forum to promote quality services and reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.

Section IV: Core Values

The work of the Council will be guided by its expressed member’s desire for:

  • Collaboration
  • Information
  • Networking
  • Participation
  • Solutions

Section V: Council’s Objectives

  • Provide forum for discussion, collaboration and resolution to system problems facing victims of DV and SA
  • Continue to identify system gaps
  • Engage in county-wide planning to improve system response
  • Recommend resource allocation as needed
  • Implement recommendations of the DV Report
  • Propose ongoing system improvements based on national and global promising practices.
  • Collaborate with the DVOB to reduce Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Consistent with our vision and mission the DV/SA Council will update and consolidate these objectives according to the needs of the community.

Section VI: The Role of the Council

  • Develop and implement an action plan every three years.
  • Discuss and promote promising practices in DV and SA.
  • Identify and make recommendations for resource allocation
  • Promote awareness of DV and SA
  • Impact public policies

Section VII: Membership

  • All members shall agree with the vision, mission and values of the Council.
  • Members shall agree to attend meetings regularly and participate to implement Council objectives.
  • Participation shall be inclusive rather than exclusive
  • Members will seek other members which represent the cultural diversity of our community
  • Members will consist of agency members and individual members at large. Each member will have one vote. (See Voting Section XV below)
  • Agency members will designate a primary voting member and an alternate voting member. The alternate voting member will cast the agency’s vote in the absence of the agency’s voting member.
  • Non–voting representatives of member agencies and individual members at large are welcome to attend meetings as guests of the voting member.
  • Applicants for Council membership shall submit a brief application using a format approved by the Council.

Section VIII: Meeting Attendance

The Council members agreed that regular attendance is essential to the efficient operation and effectiveness of the Council. Accordingly, any voting member who misses three regularly scheduled Council meetings within any 12-month period will be suspended from the Council membership.

In the case of agency members, this rule should be interpreted to mean that both, the primary voting member and the alternate voting member, have missed the same three meetings. The suspended member may petition the Membership Committee to lift the suspension. The Membership Committee shall have in their discretion the power to reinstate the suspended member.

Section IX: Meetings of Members

  • Regular meetings of the Council shall be held monthly on the last Friday of each month, from 10:00 AM –Noon unless otherwise agreed.
  • Special Council meetings shall be held, with proper notice, by the Chairperson or as requested by majority vote of the Council members.
  • Committee meetings shall be set by the respective committee chairperson as dictated by the needs of the respective committee.

Section X: Officers

The Council officers shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The Council shall elect its officers at a meeting scheduled for the election. Officers shall be elected for a one-year term based on a calendar year. No officer shall hold office for more than three consecutive terms. If the Chairperson cannot complete the term of office, the Vice Chairperson shall take over as Chair for the balance of the term. Any officer may be removed by a majority vote of the council members.

Duties of the Chairperson:

  • The Chair will facilitate meetings of the Council
  • Set the agenda for council meetings
  • Oversee the operations of the Council, including committees as appropriate
  • Act as a spokesperson for the Council
  • Act as an ex officio member of all committees

Duties of the Vice Chairperson

  • The Vice Chairperson will act as the Chairperson of the council in the absence of the Chair
  • The Vice Chairperson will facilitate meeting of the Executive Committee.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Chairperson

Duties of the Secretary

  • Review and approve the Council minutes prior to distribution to the Council members
  • The Secretary will preside over the Nominating Committee
  • The Secretary will preside over the Membership Committee
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Chairperson
  • Support Council staff members to facilitate communication among Council members

Duties of the Treasurer

  • The Council will define the duties of the Treasurer as needed

All officers will work closely with the professional staff of the Council to fulfill their respective roles.

Section XI: Executive Committee

A. Role of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee will:

  • Provide leadership and coordination for the Council
  • Provide guidance to ensure that the work of the Council is consistent with its Mission Statement and Objectives
  • Provide in-depth analysis of issues and formulation of proposals for action by the Council
  • Provide linkages between the Executive Committee and other Committees of the Council.

B. Composition of the Executive Committee:

The Executive Committee will be composed of: the officers of the Council, the chairperson of each Council Committee and a representative from the Domestic Violence Oversight Board [DVOB]. The various Committee members shall select chairpersons of the Council Committees. The DVOB representative will be chosen by the DVOB. The Vice Chair of the Council will chair the Executive Committee.

C. Quorum for meetings of the Executive Committee:

A majority of the Executive Committee must be present at any meeting at which the Executive Committee takes action.

Section XII: The Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee will be responsible for screening applications of all nominees for officers of the Council and the election of officers of the Council. The Chairperson of the Council shall appoint five members to the Nominating Committee. The first Nominating Committee shall draft procedures and forms for its efficient operation. The Secretary of the Council will preside over the Nominating Committee.

The Role of the Nominating Committee:

  • Accept nominations for Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer
  • Review all applications for eligibility
  • Present its slate of nominees 30 days prior to the December election
  • Preside over the election of officers

The Charter Officers of the Council will be elected as soon as possible after formation of the Council and shall serve until the first regularly scheduled election of Officers, which shall take place at the December meeting 2005. Thereafter election of Officers will take place each December at the regularly scheduled December meeting. A vote of the members present shall be taken at the meeting. Members not present will be eligible to vote by proxy. Candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall fill the vacant positions.

Section XIII: Membership Committee

The Membership Committee will be responsible for screening of applications for Council membership. The Chairperson of the Counsel shall appoint five members to the Membership Committee. The first Membership Committee shall draft procedures and forms for its efficient operation. There will be no dues required for membership. The Secretary of the Council will preside over the Membership Committee.

  • Accept applications for Council membership
  • Review all applications for eligibility
  • Bring all applicants to the full Council for a vote

Section XIV: Ad Hoc Committees

The Council may establish other committees as necessary to implement the objectives and projects of the Council. The Executive Committee shall give each such committee a clear charter, scope; provide oversight and strategic planning for its actions. Committees will be task oriented and consist of members needed to accomplish specific objectives. Each Ad Hoc Committee will choose its own Chairperson.

Section XV: Voting

A 2/3 majority of Council members present will be required to pass any measure. Each member organization is entitled to one vote on all matters put to a vote of the Council, including the election officers and election of Executive Committee members and action on any proposal.

Section XVI: Role of DV/SA Council Staff

Council staff will support the objectives of the Council at the direction of the Chairperson. Staff will also develop meeting agendas, draft proposals, reports, prepare minutes, meeting notices and provide other clerical functions. The Professional Training Institute will serve in the staff capacity so long as their staff function continues to be supported by the Alliance for Human Services or other Miami Dade County funding. In the event that this funding is discontinued, the Council will actively seek funding and support efforts to provide at least one staff position.

Section XVII: Amendments

This Charter may be amended by a 2/3 vote of Council Members.