AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
OF
FLORIDA PARENT EDUCATORS
ASSOCIATION, INC.,
a Florida not-for-profit corporation
WHEREAS, FLORIDA PARENT
EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION, INC.,
a Florida not-for-profit corporation (the “Association”), is
a Florida corporation not for profit pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter
617.
WHEREAS, the Association has determined that it is to its advantage
and in its best interest to alter, amend and restate its Amended Bylaws,
as hereinafter defined, as provided in these Amended and Restated By-Laws,
as hereinafter defined, as of the Effective Date, as hereinafter defined.
WHEREAS, these Amended and Restated
By-Laws hav e been adopted by a two-thirds
vote of all votes cast by mailed-in ballots mailed to all members of
the Association, pursuant to Article IX, Section 2 of the Amended Bylaws. |
|
NOW, THEREFORE, these Amended and Restated By-Laws of FLORIDA
PARENT EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida not-for-profit
corporation
(these “Amended and Restated By-Laws”), hereby alter, amend, and restate
in their entirety, those certain bylaws of the Association as duly adopted
at a meeting of the original Board of Directors held June 29, 1984, in
Orlando, Florida, and as amended at an annual meeting of the Association
on September 28, 1985 in Titusville, Florida, and as amended at subsequent
annual meetings of the Association held on June 15, 1996, May 24, 1998,
May 26, 2000 and May 24, 2001 in Orlando, Florida (said original bylaws,
as heretofore amended, the “Amended Bylaws”).
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1.01
Name. The name of the Association is FLORIDA PARENT
EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida not-for-profit corporation
(“the Association”). The Association is a non-profit nonstock corporation
incorporated in the State of Florida pursuant to Florida Statutes, Chapter
617, the Florida Not For Profit Corporation Act.
Section 1.02. Registered
Office. The Association shall establish and continuously maintain a
registered office in the State of Florida at such address as the Association
shall from time to time designate.
Section 1.03 Principal
Office Address. The principal office of the Association shall be located
in Orlando, Florida, or at such other location within or without the State
of Florida as the board may determine. The Association may also have other
offices at such other places, either within or without the State of Florida,
as the Board may determine or as the activities of the Association may
require.
Section 1.04 Mission
Statement. The Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) exists solely
to serve homeschooling families in Florida. The FPEA executes that mission
through support for the legal right to homeschool, local school board education
and interaction, support group networking, a state convention, local conferences
and events, informative communications, and most importantly, by giving
individual encouragement, all in accordance with Judeo-Christian principles.
Section 1.05
Restrictions. All policies and activities of the Association shall
be consistent with:
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(A) the Association’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended from time-to-time;
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(B) policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors;
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(C) Florida Statutes, Chapter 617, the Florida Not For Profit Corporation
Act, and, to the extent applicable, Florida Statutes, Chapter 607, Florida
Business Corporation Act;
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(D) applicable federal, state and local antitrust, trade regulation and
other legal requirements; and
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(E) applicable tax-exemption requirements, including the requirements that
the Association not be organized for profit and that no part of its net
earnings inure to the benefit of any private individual.
Section 1.08
Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt, use, and, at will,
alter a corporate seal. Upon the seal of the Association shall appear the
name of the Association and the state and year of incorporation, and the
words “Corporate Seal.” Such seal shall be kept at the Association’s principal
office. Failure to affix the seal to Association instruments, however,
shall not affect the validity of such instrument.
Section 1.09
Purpose. The Association is organized exclusively as a civic league
or organization not organized for profit but operated exclusively for the
promotion of social welfare, the net earnings of which are devoted exclusively
to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes, that qualifies as
an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and any corresponding section of any future federal
tax code (the “Code”).
ARTICLE II
MEMBERS
Section 2.01
Classes of Membership; Qualification.
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(a) Classes. The Association shall have ONE (1) class of Voting
Members, ONE (1)
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class of Honorary Members, and ONE (1) class of Non-Voting Members,
as
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determined by the Board of Directors. Each Voting Membership shall be entitled
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to ONE (1) vote on all matters submitted to the Members of the Association
for a
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vote as follows:
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i. Each Voting Member shall be a homeschooling family as a family
unit (“Family Unit”);
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ii. Each Family Unit shall have ONE (1) vote on all matters
on which Voting Members shall be entitled to vote;
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iii. Any vote cast by a Family Unit shall be final and irrevocable
and, once any Family Unit has cast any vote, such vote may not be retracted
by any member of the Family Unit;
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iv. In the event there is any controversy concerning any vote cast
by any Family Unit, such controversy shall be resolved by the Association
official designated in advance by the Board of Directors to administer
the vote in such Association official’s sole and exclusive discretion,
which resolution shall be final and binding on all persons whomsoever;
and
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v. Only an adult parent member of the homeschooling family may cast
a vote
Honorary and Non-Voting members shall not be entitled to vote on any matters.
A qualified applicant shall become a voting or non-voting member upon payment
of dues applicable to such membership class and shall remain a voting or
non-voting member, as applicable, as long as membership is renewed yearly
by payment of yearly dues. It shall be within the discretion of the Board
to grant membership without full payment of dues to persons who certify
that they cannot afford to pay regular dues. The membership year shall
be from October 1 to September 30.
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(b) Voting Members. Voting members shall consist of all families
who homeschool in the State of Florida, who have desired to join the Association,
have completed an application, and have either (i) paid the applicable
dues or (ii) who certify that they cannot afford to pay regular dues and
have been granted membership pursuant to the Board’s policies from time-to-time
in effect.
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(c) Non-Voting Members. Any and all persons or entities who support
the purposes of the Association and who have paid dues or have been granted
discretionary membership by the Board, including but not limited to, vendors
and families who homeschool outside the State of Florida (not otherwise
qualified as Voting Members).
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(d) Honorary Members. Any and all persons or entities whom the Board
determines by a TWO-THIRDS (2/3) vote have supported the purposes
of the Association to such an extent to be worthy of honorary membership
in the Association.
Section 2.02
Membership Dues
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(a) Members shall pay dues in accordance with the schedule of dues applicable
within a class of membership, the definition and criteria of which may
be annually assessed and approved by the Board of Directors.
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(b) Any member of the Association who fails to renew membership in accordance
with the applicable schedule of dues shall cease to be a Member upon the
expiration of such current term.
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(c) No membership dues or other fees and assessments will be refunded,
except at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 2.03
Applications for Membership. All applicants for Membership must complete,
sign, and submit to the Association’s principal office an application for
membership. Membership shall be subject to the terms of Association’s Certificate
of Incorporation, By-laws and such other policies and procedures of the
Association.
Section 2.04
No Transfer of Membership Rights. No Member may sell, pledge, encumber
or otherwise transfer its membership in the Association or a right arising
from such membership.
Section 2.05 Meetings.
The Board of Directors may call meetings of their respective Members in
accordance with applicable law and these By-laws.
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(a) Place of Meetings.
Meetings of the Members of the Association shall be held at such place
within the State of Florida as may be fixed by the Board of Directors or
the Chairman of the Association and stated in the notice of meeting or
in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
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(b) Annual Meeting.
An annual meeting of the members for the election of directors and the
transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting
shall be held each year on such date in the last six months of the Association’s
fiscal year as shall be designated by the president of the Association
or in the absence or such designation, on the last weekend of May in each
year, or on such other date as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
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(c) Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the members may be called by the president or the secretary
of the Association or by the Board of Directors, and shall be called by
the president at the request in writing of the holders of not less
than one-tenth of all the members entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 2.06
Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings of Members shall be provided
in accordance with applicable law. For Annual Meetings, at least 30 days
prior written notice shall be given.
Section 2.07
Quorum. At all meetings of the Members, ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT
(0.5%) of the total number of the Voting Members as Family Units as
applicable, in person or by written ballot, as applicable, shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business. Notice of a new meeting is not
required if the time and place for the new meeting are announced at the
meeting at which the adjournment is taken, and at the new meeting any business
may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally
called. In the absence of a quorum, the Chairman may postpone such vote
until a substitute meeting can be called. Nothing herein shall require
a quorum at the Annual Meeting of the Members to conduct election of directors.
Section 2.08
Organization. The Chairman, or such person as the Chairman shall designate,
shall preside at all meetings.
Section 2.09
Voting. At any meeting of the Members, each Voting Member present as
a Family Units, as applicable, in person or by written ballot, as applicable,
shall be entitled to ONE (1) vote. The list of Voting Members eligible
to vote shall be set by the Board of Directors not less than TEN (10)
nor more than THIRTY (30) days before the date of the meeting. Except
as otherwise provided by statute or these bylaws, any corporate action
authorized by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Voting Members
which is duly held and at which a quorum exists shall be the act of the
Voting Members.
Section 2.10
Proxy Voting. Proxy voting by members shall not be permitted. The Board
of Directors, in its discretion, may submit to the members written ballots
on specific issues, which written ballots shall be in the form and substance
as the Board, on its sole and exclusive discretion, may determine, which
determination shall be final and binding on all persons whomsoever.
Section 2.11
Action Without Meeting. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of
the Voting Members may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice
and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing is signed by not
less than the number of Voting Members that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting of the Voting Members; provided that written
notice of any such action is sent to all Voting Members within
TEN (10)
days after the date of such written action.
Section 2.12
Voting Lists. For the purpose of determining members entitled to notice
of, or to vote at, any meeting of members or any adjournment thereof, for
any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors may set a record date
which shall not be a date earlier than the date on which such action is
taken by the Board of Directors, nor more than SIXTY (60) days and,
in case of a meeting of members, not less than TEN (10) days, prior
to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination
of members, is to be taken. At such times as the Association has six or
more members, the officer or agent responsible for the membership books
shall make, or cause to be made, at least TEN (10) days before each
meeting of members, a list of the members entitled to vote at such meeting,
or any adjournment thereof, with the address of each. Such list shall be
kept on file at the registered office of the Association, at the principal
place of business of the Association or at the office of the transfer agent
or registrar of the Association, if any, for a period of
TEN (10)
days prior to such meeting and shall be subject to inspection by any member
at any time during usual business hours. Such list shall also be produced
and kept open at the time and place of the meeting of members and shall
be subject to the inspection of any member at any time during the meeting.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.01
General Powers. The property, business and affairs of the Association
shall be managed, controlled, and directed by the Board of Directors, subject
to any limitations in the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or
any other law applicable to the business of the Association. All corporate
powers shall be exercised by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall act as the chief governing body of the Association.
Section 3.02
Number and Composition
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(a) Number of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of
as many directors as the board deems necessary to be representatives of
geographical districts, and as may be amended from time to time to ensure
geographical diversity in the policymaking body of the Association. The
state shall be divided into districts and the number of districts may be
amended by the Board. One resident of each district shall be elected as
a Director. Only a voting member resident of a given district may be elected
or, in the case of a vacancy, appointed to the directorship which represents
that district. All directors shall enjoy equal voting rights.
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(b) Composition. FOUR (4) of the Directors shall be officers.
The officers who shall serve on the Board shall be the Chairman, Vice Chairman,
Secretary, and Treasurer. If the Chairman relinquishes his District, then
the Chairman shall be, ex officio, a Director, with full voting privileges.
A new Director shall be elected or appointed for the respective district
according to the terms hereof.
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(c) Terms. Any person that is a current voting member may nominate
any person that is a current Voting Member, including himself, for a position
of Director, according to procedures established by the Board, provided
that any nominee for a position of Director must reside in the district
represented by said position Members may vote by mail or in person during
the annual meeting. Ballots may only be made on a form provided by the
Association, and must be dated and signed by the member. Elections shall
occur at the annual meeting through procedures devised by the Board of
Directors.
Directors
shall be elected for even-numbered districts in even numbered years and
for odd-numbered districts in odd-numbered years. The term of all offices
will commence immediately following the annual meeting at which the election
was conducted. Directors shall serve FOUR (4) year terms commencing
with the Directors elected during May, 2008, and thereafter [for the transition
from TWO (2) year terms to FOUR (4) year terms the following
rules shall apply: the Directors elected during May, 2007 (the “2007 Directors”),
shall continue to serve the TWO (2) year terms to which the 2007
Directors were elected, which terms shall terminate in 2009, but, effective
with the terms commencing 2009, the persons elected or re-elected in 2009
to seats currently held by the 2007 Directors shall be elected for FOUR
(4) year terms], and may serve consecutive terms if re-elected according
to the terms hereof. Election shall be by a majority of all votes cast,
with run-off elections between the two leading candidates, if necessary,
according to procedures established by the Board. Voting Members can vote
only for the District Director for the district they reside.
No person shall
serve as Director unless he or she is the parent or guardian of at least
one child who(a) is 5 to 18 years of age, (b)is currently being taught
in a homeeducation program, (c) has lived in the Director’s home continuously
for at least 12 months prior to the election, and (d)has been educated
in the home by the Director and/or spouse thereof for 3 years preceding
the election and shall continue to be homeschooled at all times during
the person’s term of office as Director. Additionally, Directors should
have prior leadership experience in a local homeschool association or comparableexperience
in business, civic or church associations.
Section 3.03
Commitment of Board Members to FPEA. Individuals elected to, or nominated
for, a position on FPEA’s board of directors should express a commitment
to support the mission of FPEA.
Section 3.04
Resignation. A director may resign at any time by giving written notice
to the Association. The resignation of a director is effective without
acceptance when the notice is given to the Association, unless a later
effective time is specified in the notice.
Section 3.05
Removal of Directors. The directors serving on the Board of Directors
may be removed at any time for cause as determined by a majority vote of
the Board of Directors. Once cause has been established, removal shall
be by two-thirds vote of the Board. The absence of a Director from two
consecutive meetings of the Board shall be considered sufficient cause
for removal. A person who has been removed as Director shall not retain
membership on the Board and is disqualified from holding any office within
the Association at any future time, except if reinstated by ¾ vote
of the board.
Section 3.06
Vacancies of Elected Directors. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors
caused by death, resignation, removal, an increase in the number of directors,
or any other cause, shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a 2/3 vote
of the Board of Director, following the same procedures established by
the Board for nomination of Directors, to fill the office until the next
Annual Meeting, when the remainder of the term, if any, shall be filled
by election.
Section 3.07
Place of Meetings; Conference Communication. The Board of Directors
may hold its meetings at such place or places, as it may from time to time
determine. If determined by the Board that one or more directors may participate
in a meeting by any means of conference telephone or other communication
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can
simultaneously hear each other, such participation shall constitute presence
in person at the meeting.
Section 3.08
Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall
be held each year, at such time and place as the Board may determine for
the purpose of electing officers.
Section 3.09
Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall
be held at least two (2) times per year.
Section 3.10
Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called at any time by the Chairman or by a majority of the Board,
after not less than seven (7) days’ notice to each Director, provided,
that the notice requirement may be set aside by unanimous consent. Notice
of a special meeting shall be delivered personally, sent by facsimile or
other electronic transmission to each director or mailed, addressed to
the director at his or her residence. Any meeting of the Board shall be
a legal meeting without any notice thereof having been given, if all the
directors shall participate therein or waive such notice in writing before,
at, or after such meeting.
Section 3.11
Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute or by these Bylaws,
a majority of the number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at any meeting, and the act of a majority of the
directors, present at any duly held meeting at which a quorum is present
shall be the act of the Board. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of
the directors present may adjourn a meeting from time to time until a quorum
is present. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is
convened, the directors present may continue to transact business until
adjournment, even though the withdrawal of directors originally present
leaves less than the number otherwise required for a quorum; provided that
the affirmative vote of a majority of the required quorum is required to
take any action other than adjournment.
Section 3.12
Proxy Voting. Proxy voting by directors shall not be permitted.
Section 3.13
Action by Board of Directors. All actions and decisions of the Board
of directors shall be done or made by a simple majority vote of the directors
present at any meeting which is duly held and at which a quorum exists,
unless otherwise provided by these By-laws.
Section 3.14
Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken
at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if
a majority-plus-one of the Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic
transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or
transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board, such
filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form
and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic
form.
Section 3.15
Conflicts of Interest. Except as permitted by law, with respect to
any contract or other transaction between this Association and any director
or organization in which a director is a director, officer or legal representative
or has a material financial interest: (a) the material facts as to such
contract or transaction and as to such person’s interest must be fully
disclosed or known to the Board of Directors prior to approval of such
contract or transaction; (b) such approval shall require the affirmative
vote of a majority of the directors, not counting any vote that the interested
director otherwise might have; and (c) the interested director shall not
be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Association shall adopt and maintain a conflict of interest
policy the requirements of which shall always equal or exceed the minimum
requirements for such a conflict of interest policy imposed upon corporations
that are qualified under Code Section 501(c)(4) or any policy of insurance
pursuant to Article XV.
Section 3.16
Compensation. Directors may not receive compensation from the Association
for the performance of their duties as directors. However, Directors shall
be reimbursed by the Association for actual expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties as directors, subject to guidelines approved by the Board.
Section 3.17
Duties. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to do the following:
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(a) cause to be kept a complete record of all its acts and corporate affairs
and to present a statement thereof to the members at the annual meeting
or at any special meeting when such statement is requested in writing by
50 members of the Association;
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(b) supervise all officers and agents of this Association and ensure that
their duties are properly performed;
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(c) conduct an election of directors and officers;
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(d) promote membership in the Association.
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ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.01
Number and Qualifications. The elected officers of the Association
shall be a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Other offices
may be created as determined by the Board. Officers must have served as
directors on the board for at least one (1) consecutive year in order to
qualify for election, except for the Chairman who must have served at least
two (2) consecutive years.
Section 4.02
Election and Term of Office. Officers shall be elected annually by
the Board of Directors, except for the Chairman who shall be elected biannually
by the Board of Directors, and each shall hold office until the next annual
election of officers or biannual election of Chairman, and until a successor
is elected and qualified, or until the earlier death, resignation, or removal
of the officer. The officers shall be elected from among the current Board
of Directors. The Board may elect a Treasurer from the current Voting Members
of the Association, if deemed necessary.
Section 4.03
Resignations. An Officer may resign by giving written notice to the
Association. The resignation is effective without acceptance when the notice
is given to the Association, unless a later effective date is named in
the notice. Resignation of an Officer shall not constitute resignation
of that person as a Director unless the resignation specifically states
that it constitutes a resignation both as an Officer and as a Director.
Section 4.04
Removal. An officer may be removed from office with cause as determined
by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Once cause has been established,
removal shall be by 2/3 vote of the Board. The absence of the officer from
two consecutive meetings of the Board shall be considered sufficient cause
for removal. An officer who has been removed shall not retain membership
on the Board and is disqualified from holding any office within the Association
at any future time, except if reinstated by ¾ vote of the Board.
Section 4.05
Vacancy. A vacancy in an office because of death, resignation, removal,
or any other cause shall be filled by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.
The term of the officer filling a vacated position shall expire at the
next annual meeting.
Section 4.06
Chairman. No person may serve as Chairman unless he is a current director
or Chairman at the time of nomination, who has served at least two (2)
consecutive years as a director by the time of election and is the parent
or guardian of at least one child who (a) is 5 to 18 years of age, (b)
is currently being taught in a home-education program, (c) has lived in
the Chairman’s home continuously for at least 12 months prior to the election,
and (d) has been educated in the home by the Chairman and/or spouse thereof
for 3 years preceding the election and shall continue to be homeschooled
at all times during the person’s term of office as Chairman. In the event
no Director with two (2) consecutive years experience is willing to serve
as Chairman, any current Director may run regardless of years as a Director.
The Chairman
shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors;
shall see that orders and resolutions of the Board are carried out; shall
represent the Association and/or Board, as instructed by the Board; shall
perform all responsibilities delegated to him by the Board; shall render
an annual report at the annual meeting; and shall see to it that an annual
audit is performed by a CPA or an audit committee, unless this requirement
is waived by the Board, and shall report on the audit to the Board. He
also shall serve notice of all meetings of the Association and of the Board
and shall maintain membership records; provided that he may delegate these
responsibilities to others.
Section 4.07
Vice-Chairman. The Vice-Chairman shall act in the place and stead of
the Chairman in the event of his absence, inability, or refusal to act,
and shall exercise and discharge such duties as may be required of him
by the Board.
Section 4.08
Secretary. The Secretary shall record the votes and keep the minutes
of all meetings and proceedings of the Board and of the Members; shall
keep the corporate seal of the Association and affix it on all papers requiring
said seal; and shall perform such other duties as required by the Board.
Section 4.09
Treasurer. The Treasurer, or the Board’s designee, shall receive and
deposit, within ten banking days, in bank accounts of the Association,
all monies of the Association and shall disburse such funds as directed
by resolution of the Board of Directors; shall sign all checks and promissory
notes of the Association; keep proper books of account; shall make available
all financial records and shall present an itemized fiscal report at each
regular meeting of the Board of Directors; and shall prepare an annual
budget and a statement of income and expenditures to be presented to the
membership at the regular meeting, with printed copies available for distribution.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
Section 5.01
Advisory Committees. The Board of Directors may establish advisory
committees consisting of at least one (1) director and of such additional
numbers of persons demonstrating a sincere interest in the work of the
Association, as it deems appropriate. The function of any Advisory Committee
shall be to advise the Board of Directors on any matters as the Board of
Directors shall determine. No Advisory Committee shall have any responsibilities
for directing or managing the affairs of the Association.
Section 5.02
Other Committees. The Board of Directors may act by and through such
committees as may be specified in resolutions approved by a majority of
the directors currently holding office. Committees are subject at all times
to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, BANK ACCOUNTS AND INVESTMENTS
Section 6.01
Checks, Notes and Contracts. Except as otherwise provided for in these
By-laws, the Board of Directors is authorized to select such depositories
as it shall deem proper for the funds of the Association and shall determine
who shall be authorized in the Association’s behalf to sign bills, note,
receipts, acceptances, endorsements, checks, releases, contracts and documents.
All checks shall require the signature of the Treasurer and the Chairman;
provided that the Board may provide for alternate arrangements.
Section 6.02
Investments. The funds of the Association may be retained in whole
or in part in cash or be invested and reinvested from time to time in such
property, real or personal or otherwise, including stocks, bonds or other
securities, as the Board of Directors may deem desirable.
ARTICLE VII
BOOKS AND RECORDS
The Association
shall keep at its registered office correct and complete copies of its:
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(A) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Association filed
with the Florida Department of State on _________ and these Amended and
Restated By-laws;
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(B) Accounting records;
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(C) Minutes of Meetings of the members, the Board of Directors and committees
having any of the authority of the Board of Directors. All such books and
records shall be open to inspection by any director, or officer of the
Association or his/her agent, for any proper purpose at any reasonable
time. To the extent required by applicable law, the Association’s books
and records shall be open to inspection by Members and governmental authorities.
ARTICLE VIII
USE OF ASSOCIATION’S NET EARNINGS
Section 8.01 No part
of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or
be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons,
except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable
compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions
in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Section 1.09 of these By-Laws.
No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying
on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and
the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the
publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf
of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision
of the Association’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time-to-time,
the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to
be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under
Section 501(c)(4) of the Code or (b) by an organization, contributions
to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Code.
ARTICLE IX
INCOME
Section 9.01
Gifts and Grants. The Board of Directors, on behalf of the Association,
may accept any contribution, grant, gift, bequest or devise, in whatsoever
form, for purposes of the Association.
Section 9.02
Other Sources of Income. The Association shall be funded by membership
dues, government grants and contracts, fees for programs or benefits provided,
grants from private foundations, contributions from business organizations,
and by income from any and all other sources not inconsistent with the
Association’s purposes or Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 10.01.
The fiscal year of the Association shall be on the FIRST DAY (1ST)
of August and end on the LAST DAY (31ST) of July of each year.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
Section 11.01.
Amendments of these By-laws shall first be approved by a TWOTHIRDS (2/3)
majority vote of the Board of Directors and then published in the newsletter
along with the mail-in-ballot or mailed out separately. Said proposed amendment
shall be approved by a TWO-THIRDS (2/3) vote of all votes cast by
mailed-in ballots, that will be mailed to all voting members of the Association
or at a properly called meeting of the Association, or only through mailed-in
ballots, as determined and requested by the Board; provided, however, that
any substantive amendment to ARTICLE I of these By-laws shall also receive
the approving vote of not less than TWENTY FIVE (25) percent of
the Voting Members.
ARTICLE XII
DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION
Section 12.01.
Upon dissolution of the Association, assets of the Association shall be
distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or corresponding
provision of successor law, or shall be distributed to the federal government,
or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any assets of
the Association not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit
Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, in and for Orange County, Florida,
exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations
as the said honorable Court shall determine, which are organized and operated
exclusively for such purposes as the Association is organized and operated.
ARTICLE XIII
HOME EDUCATION PROGRAM
Section 13.01.
For the purposes of the Bylaws, a home education program and homeschool
program are used interchangeably. A home education program is any parent-directed
educational program regardless of modality.
ARTICLE XIV
CONSTRUCTION
Section 14.01
Conflicts. If there arises any conflict between the provisions of these
By-laws and the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed with
the Florida Department of State on ____________ (the “Articles of Incorporation”),
the Articles of Incorporation shall govern.
Section 14.02
Severability. If any provision or portion of these By-laws is held
unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions
of these By-laws shall be unaffected by such holding.
ARTICLE XV
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
Section 15.1.
Limited Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Subject to the limitations
of Subsection 15.1(c), the Association shall indemnify each of its directors
and officers to the extent set forth in Subsections 15.1(a) and 15.1(b)
hereof:
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(a) Action or Suit
by or in the Right of the Association. Each director and officer of the
Association who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party,
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, by
or in the right of the Association, to procure a judgment in its favor,
by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Association,
or is or was serving at the request of the Association as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise (collectively “business entity”), shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such suit or action,
including any appeal thereof, if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Association, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect
to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged
to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty
to the Association unless, and only to the extent that, the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity
for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.
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(b) Action or Suit
other than By or In the Right of the Association. Each director or officer
of the Association who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a
party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding
(other than an action by or in the right of a corporation), by reason of
the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Association, or
is or was serving at the request of the Association as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another business entity, shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding, including any appeal thereof, if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the Association, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful; provided, however, that the termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption
that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably
believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Association,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable
cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
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(c) Limitations
on Indemnification. No indemnification shall be made by the Association
under Sub-sections 15.1(a) and 15.1(b) above, unless pursuant to a determination
by a court or upon a determination by the Association in the specific case
that indemnification of the director or officer is proper under the circumstances
because such director or officer has met the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in Sub-sections 15.1(a) or 15.1(b) hereof. Such determination
by the Association shall be made either by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties
to such action, suit or proceeding or by the members by a majority vote
of a quorum consisting of members who were not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding.
Section 15.2.
General Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Article XV, to the extent that a director or
officer of the Association has been successful on the merits or otherwise
in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Subsections
15.1(a) or 15.1(b), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
he shall be indemnified against the expenses (including attorneys’ fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
Section 15.3.
Advance Payment in Indemnification Cases. If authorized by the Board
of Directors in any specific case, expenses incurred by any director or
officer of the Association in defending a civil or criminal action, suit
or proceeding referred to in Subsections 15.1(a) and 15.1(b) may be paid
by the corporation in advance of final disposition of such action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt by the corporation of an undertaking by or on
behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount, unless it shall
ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the Association
as authorized in this Article XV.
Section 15.4.
Continuity and Nonexclusivity of Indemnification. The indemnification
provided by this Article XV shall continue with respect to any director
or officer of the Association after he has ceased to hold his office and
shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators.
Any such indemnification (whether as expressly provided herein or as extended
pursuant to Section 15.5 of this Article XV) shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which the person seeking indemnification may be
entitled under any other By-Law, agreement, vote of members or disinterested
directors or otherwise.
Section 15.5.
Extension of Benefits of Indemnification. The rights of the indemnification
to which directors and officers of the Association are entitled hereunder
may, in similar circumstances, be extended by resolution of the Board of
Directors to any other person who is or was an employee or agent of the
Association, or while not a director or officer of the Association, is
or was serving at the request of the Association as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another business entity. Any such action by the Board
of Directors shall be consistent with the provisions of this Article 15.5
and may be either general or confined to specific cases.
Section 15.6.
Indemnification Insurance. The Association may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer,
employee or agent of the Association, or is or was serving at the request
of the Association as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
business entity, against any liability asserted against him and incurred
by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether
or not the Association indemnifies him against such liability under, or
pursuant to, the provisions of this Article XV.
Section 15.7.
Notice to Members. If any expenses or other amounts are paid by way
of indemnification, other than by court order, action of the members or
by an insurance carrier pursuant to Section 15.6 hereof, the Association
shall, not later than the time of delivery of notice for the next annual
meeting of members, unless such meeting is held within three months from
the date of such payment, and, in any event, within fifteen months from
the date of such payment, deliver either personally or by mail to each
member entitled to vote for the election of directors a statement specifying
the persons paid, the amounts paid, and the nature and status at the time
of such payment of the litigation or threatened litigation.
ARTICLE XVI
BINDING ARBITRATION
Section 16.1
Binding Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating
to these Amended and Restated By-Laws, or the breach thereof, shall be
settled by mandatory, binding arbitration administered by Peacemaker Ministries,
or its successor (Peacemaker Ministries, and its successors, if applicable
“PM”), if Peacemaker Ministries’s successor shall not then be available
to arbitrate such controversy or claim, then by the American Arbitration
Association (“AAA”). PM shall arbitrate any such claim or controversy in
accordance with its rules then in effect. AAA shall arbitrate any such
claim or controversy in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules.
Judgment on the award rendered by any PM or AAA arbitrator may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The PM or AAA filing fee shall
be paid by the moving party. The PM or AAA arbitrator shall award the costs
of arbitration, including the arbitrator’s fee, against the non-prevailing
party as determined by the arbitrator in accordance with Florida law.
ARTICLE XVII
Section 17.1
Effective Date. These Amended and Restated By-Laws shall be effective
as of the __3__ day of March_, 2008_.
From and after the Effective Date, as hereinafter defined, the Amended
Bylaws shall have no further force and effect and these Amended and Restated
By-Laws shall be the sole and exclusive bylaws of the Association as provided
in Florida Statutes Section 617.0206 and as defined in Florida Statutes
Section 617.01401(3).
______________________-----
CERTIFICATION
I, THE UNDERSIGNED,
herby certify that I am the duly elected and acting President of FLORIDA
PARENT EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida not-for-profit corporation,
and these Amended and Restated By-Laws constitute the By-Laws of the said
Association as provided in Florida Statutes Section 617.0206 and asdefined
in Florida Statutes Section 617.01401(3).
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, I have affixed my hand and seal this __3_ day of
__March__, 2008_.
_________________________________
GARY B. WEAVER
Chairman and former State Chairman
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