"I am thrilled with Operation School Bell and all the services it provides for students and families.  Not only is it helpful to the students, but those working at Operation School Bell are dedicated, kind, and helpful.  So many students would go without clothes, etc. if it weren't for Operation School Bell.  Thank you on behalf of all the families you serve."

quote from an El Paso County public school counselor

 Revised January 2004

Amended January 2011

STANDING RULES

OF

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE^Ò OF COLORADO SPRINGS

1. Membership

 

1.1    Voting Members  

     (a)  All voting members shall:

(1)  Attend chapter meetings as required;

(2)  Participate in and support the philanthropic programs and fundraising activities of the chapter;

(3)  Have the right to vote and hold office;

(4)  Pay annual chapter dues;

(5)  Assume a member’s share of financial obligations voted by chapter;

(6)  Comply with additional voting member requirements:

a.Serve a minimum of sixty (60) hours between June 1 and May 31 each year;

b.     Work forty (40)  hours on the sales floor in Bargain Box, or forty (40) hours in Operation School Bell^®, or a combined forty (40) hours in Bargain Box and Operation School Bell. These forty (40) hours are part of the minimum sixty (60) service hours obligation.  The forty (40) hours may be exceeded, if desired.  It is the obligation of each member to find his or her own substitute;

c.   Members of fifteen (15) or more years and Presidents who served prior to May 2003 shall have the privilege of meeting the required service hours obligation in the service of their choice;

d.     Report service hours quarterly to the Hours Committee Chairman.  Credit hours shall be allowed for attendance at committee and special meetings and those activities that directly benefit the chapter.  One (1) hour credit shall be allowed for attending a regular meeting.  Travel time shall be one (1) hour.  Social functions are not included unless designated by the Board;

e.    Be financially responsible for each fundraising obligation as voted upon by the membership;

 f.     Attend at least seven (7) meetings in the fiscal year, June 1 through May 31.  The Membership Chairman shall notify a member who has missed more than five (5) meetings that the member’s record shall be referred to the Board for action; and

  g.     Commit to a minimum of one (1) philanthropic program.  Voting members on a committee are required to serve as many times as needed to complete the program.

    (b)  The voting member classification shall have the following subclassifications:

(1)  Voting members.  Members who assume the responsibilities of a Voting member.

(2)  Voting Life members.  Members who previously were granted this status.  This subclassification is closed to additional members.  Voting Life members shall assume the responsibilities of a Voting member except for the payment of chapter dues.

1.2    Nonvoting Members

     (a)  All nonvoting members shall:

(1)  Support the mission of the chapter;

(2)  Pay annual chapter dues;

(3)  Assume a share of financial obligations as voted by membership;

(4)       Have completed a minimum of five (5) years as a member in a chapter or guild;

 (5)       Have no service hours obligation;

(6)       Report service hours quarterly to the Hours Committee Chairman.  Credit hours shall be allowed for attendance at committee and special meetings and those activities that directly benefit the chapter.  One (1) hour credit shall be allowed for attending a regular meeting.  Travel time shall be one (1) hour.  Social functions are not included unless designated by the Board.

(7)       Not vote at regular meetings or hold elected office;

All nonvoting members may:

(8)       Serve on chapter committees, including acting as appointive chairman, and vote with committees;

(9)       Participate in chapter philanthropic programs and chapter fundraising activities; and

(10)     Attend regular meetings.

     (b)  The nonvoting member classification shall have the following subclassifications:

(1)  Nonvoting members.  Members shall have completed a minimum of five (5) years as a member in a chapter or guild.

(2)  Nonvoting Life members.  Members who previously were granted this status.  This subclassification is closed to additional members.

(3)  Associate members.  Members shall complete orientation and shall request such nonvoting subclassification.

(4)  Auxiliary members.  Auxiliary members shall have been accepted into membership of an auxiliary of the chapter; have the privileges and fulfill the obligations of such membership; and pay auxiliary dues.

1.3    Leave of Absence                    

(a)  A member requesting a Leave of Absence or an extension of a Leave of Absence shall submit a written request to the Membership Chairman;

(b)  A Leave of Absence shall be granted for a period of three (3) months;

(c)   A Leave of Absence shall be extended up to a period of one (1) year in three (3) month increments;

(d)  Members on Leave of Absence shall continue to pay dues; and,

(e)   Members on Leave of Absence are responsible for fundraising obligations.  They also are responsible for obtaining substitutes for obligations to Bargain Box and philanthropic programs.

1.4    Procedures for Change of Classification/Subclassification

(a)        Resignation from membership shall be in writing to the Membership Chairman.  Upon resignation all keys to chapter facilities shall be returned. 

(b)       Any member who resigns membership, regardless of classification, will only be reinstated to membership by the Board in its complete discretion.

(c)        All requests for change of classification (voting to nonvoting or nonvoting to voting) shall be in writing to the Membership Chairman and are subject to Board approval. 

(d)       Upon change to nonvoting classification, all keys to chapter facilities shall be returned unless the member works at the Bargain Box, on philanthropic programs, or on fundraising events.

(e)        Changes in membership classification shall be made at the end of the fiscal year, whenever possible.

 1.5          Member Information Form and Orientation

 (a)  Member Information Forms shall be completed by all members and maintained as required by National Assistance League.  Relevant contact information, emergency information and other required personal data shall be recorded on the Member Information Form.

(b)  Members shall sign policies as required by the chapter, which shall be maintained as required by National Assistance League.

(c)   Members shall receive orientation, which shall include national organization, chapter and auxiliary information.  Orientation shall include:

(1)  Chapter orientation meetings;

(2)  Training sessions at Bargain Box; and

(3)  Training sessions for Operation School Bell. 

(d)  New members shall be received into the chapter at least once a year.

(e)   A member who has resigned and wishes to rejoin shall repeat orientation.

2. Board

 

2.1    A Board member shall miss no more than three (3) Board meetings.

3.       Committees

3.1    Each committee shall:

(a)   Have a vice chairman and a secretary;

(b)  Maintain job descriptions and submit changes to the Board for approval; and

(c)   Maintain a procedure book.

4.     Philanthropic Programs

 

4.1             Identification.  Philanthropic programs shall be identified with the Assistance League name.

 

4.2             Name and Description.  Philanthropic programs are:

(a)  Assault Survivor Kits^®.  Provides clothing and hygiene kits to sexual assault victims.       

(b)  Buddy Bear.  Provides teddy bears for children in traumatic situations.

(c)   Community Outreach.  Responds to short-term requests for goods and services from other community organizations.

(d)  It’s in the Bag.  Provides thrift store donations to selected 501(c)(3) organizations.

(e)   Kids on the Block.  Helps educate children, through puppetry, about social issues to enhance their coping abilities and to increase their awareness.

(f)   Operation Can you Hear Me?.  Provides audio screening for preschool children, ages 3 ½ through 5.

(g)  Operation School Bell^®.  Provides new school clothing for children in need in El Paso County public schools, grades K-12.

(h)  Sweet Dreams.  Provides mattress/box spring sets to emancipated children leaving foster care.

 4.3      Membership approval.  All philanthropic programs shall be approved by the membership.

4.4             Membership Evaluation.  The membership shall evaluate each philanthropic program at a minimum of  every two (2) years.

5.     Resource Development/Fundraising

5.1    Identification.  Each fundraising activity or event shall be identified with the Assistance League name.

5.2    Membership Approval.  Each fundraising activity or event shall be approved by the membership.

5.3    Membership Evaluation.  The membership shall evaluate each fundraising activity or event at a minimum of every two (2) years.

6.     General

6.1    The Board, with advice from the Finance Committee, shall determine expenses paid for delegates, i.e. transportation, registration and hotel reservations.  Incidental expenses such as ground transportation, meals not included in the registration, gratuities, etc., will be the responsibility of the individual.

6.2           The Board, with advice from the Finance Committee, shall recommend to the membership whether or not to subsidize expenses of a member who is attending workshops or service on a National Assistance League Committee.

6.3           The Board, with advice from the Finance Committee, shall recommend to the membership whether or not expenses are to be paid for nondelegates attending conferences.                        

                                 7.  Adoption and Amendment of Standing Rules

 7.1           These standing rules may be amended or new standing rules adopted at any regular meeting by two-thirds (2/3) vote without previous notice, or by majority vote if the members are provided with written notice at the previous regular meeting or thirty (30) days written notice.

7.2           A standing rule may be suspended by majority vote, during a meeting, for that meeting only, and will be in full force and effect at the close of the meeting.