Constitution and Bylaws
Approved by ExCom March 15, 2019
Approved by general membership with 90% affirmative votes April 18,2019
ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE, AND SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION
A. The name of this organization shall be the College of the Redwoods Faculty Organization (henceforth CRFO).
B. The specific and primary purpose of this organization is to operate a labor organization within the meaning of Section 23701a of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. CRFO does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to its members and is organized for non-profit purposes.
C. This organization is the exclusive representative of the employees in the representation unit, which is composed of all faculty, associate faculty, and interns. CRFO will responsibly and equitably implement the provisions of all appropriate state and federal codes.
D. Notwithstanding any of the above statements of purpose and powers, this organization shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the specific purposes of the organization.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
A. ELIGIBILITY: Teaching and non-teaching faculty, and associate faculty employed by the Redwoods Community College District are eligible for CRFO membership.
B. MEMBERSHIP YEAR: The membership year shall run from July 1 to June 30.
C. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEMBERSHIP: Membership is established by payment of dues. Dues may be paid by monthly payroll deduction. A member will lose membership for non-payment.
F. GOOD STANDING: Current District employment and dues paid from July 1, or month of employment, to month of vote shall qualify a member in good standing. All references to members in this document shall mean members in good standing.
F.ASSOCIATE FACULTY MEMBERSHIP:The membership of a former member can continue for one year beyond that member’s last employment in the district if the employee elects. Dues of a member not currently employed in the district shall be $10 per semester.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
A. GENERAL: A general meeting (open to all CRFO members) shall be held at least once each semester. The Executive Committee shall provide timely and adequate notice of meeting location, date, and time.
B. SPECIAL: A special meeting (open to all CRFO members) may be called by majority vote of the Executive Committee or by written petition to the Executive Committee signed by one-third of the membership.
C. RIGHT TO VOTE:
(a) All members are eligible to vote on matters and issues properly before them.
(b) Matters and issues deemed critical to the CRFO mission (by majority vote of the Executive Committee) shall be resolved with 15 calendar days notice by majority vote of ballots received from members.
(c) Any agreement (contract) negotiated between the CRFO negotiating team and the District must be approved with 15-calendar day notice by majority vote of ballots received from members.
ARTICLE V: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. MISSION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The executive mission is to represent all members of the bargaining unit.
COMPOSITION: In addition to the officers and appointees, the Executive Committee shall consist of ONE elected representative from each of the established divisions in the college’s organization chart, ONE from Non-teaching faculty, ONE from Del Norte faculty, TWO associate faculty representatives.Additionally, the President will present to the Executive Committee any need for one or more at-large (faculty) representative positions.
The Executive Committee will review the college’s organizational chart (along with the current structure of the Executive Committee) each year by February 15 to determine division representation for the upcoming academic year.
Election is by majority vote of ballets received from members of the represented group.The President shall announce the need for a representative to the represented group and host an election.
B. DUTIES: Subject to membership direction, the Executive Committee shall schedule meetings to conduct CRFO business and advise the President; annually approve a Chief Negotiator, a Grievance Officer, a Treasurer, a Union Publications Editor, a Secretary, approve a budget and approve stipends and TLU distribution.
C. VACANCY: When a vacancy occurs, the appropriate represented group shall, within 15 calendar days following a vacancy, elect a new representative to serve the unexpired term. Election is by majority vote of ballots received from members of the affected group.
D. QUORUM: 50% plus one of the Executive Committee members will constitute a quorum.
E. TIME OF ELECTION: Elections shall take place in each represented group to fill a normally expired term no later than April 15 of the year prior to the beginning of the term. A brief description of each representative election will be presented to the Executive Committee for validation and recording.
F. ELIGIBILITY: Any member is eligible for election to the Executive Committee.
G. TERM: The elected term is two years beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.
H. VOTE: In the event of a tie vote for representatives, the President shall cast the deciding vote.
ARTICLE VI: ELECTED OFFICERS
A. OFFICES: President and Vice-President.
B. DUTIES:
(a) President: Presides over Executive Committee, general, and special meetings; serves as alternate chief negotiator, represents CRFO at appropriate campus and off-campus events including standing District committees; appoints CRFO members to standing and ad-hoc District committees and to Union committees; interacts with legal counsel; shares in the on-going management of union business with the Vice-president and assures that all appropriate activities of the union organization are tended to.
(b) Vice-President: When necessary assumes President’s duties (due to President’s illness/absence/incapacity, etc.); carries out special duties assigned by the President or the Executive Committee, shares the on-going management of union business with the President and assures that necessary business of the union is successfully conducted.
C. TERMS: The Vice-President and President, shall each serve for a two-year term.
D. NOMINATION AND ELECTION: A nominating committee will be established by February 15 in the second year of the President’s term.The nominating committee will consist of the President, Vice President, an appointee of the President, and an appointee of the Executive Committee.To be eligible to serve on the nominating committee an individual needs to have served CRFO for at least one year as a member of the Executive Committee or a negotiation team.The nominating committee will identify criteria that meets the current needs of CRFO for the positions of President and Vice-President.This committee will consider and communicate with eligible faculty and present a recommendation to the Executive Committee for these positions.
The Executive Committee will consider the recommendations from the nominating committee and develop a slate of candidates for presentation to the membership at a general meeting.During the general membership meeting, additional candidates can be nominated by the membership.The President and Vice-President shall be elected no later than May 15 each year by a majority of ballots cast by members in an open election.
E. REMOVAL: Removal from office before expiration of term is by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee following thirty-day timely and adequate notice as to location, date, and time provided by the Executive Committee.
F. VACANCY: A vacancy affecting the next year will be filled by election no later than May 15 each year by a majoritiy of ballots cast by members in an open election. Other vacancies will be filled within 30 academic days.
ARTICLE VII: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TEAM
A. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TEAM MEMBERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The President will seek the recommendations of the Chief Negotiator in determining the size and personnel for appointment to the negotiating team. The President will approve the membership of the collective bargaining team.
ARTICLE VIII: RELEASE TIME AND STIPENDS
A. DISTRIBUTION: The TLUs release time provided by, or purchased from, the District may be distributed to any of the officers or Union appointees by the Executive Committee as determined by majority vote.
B. STIPENDS: The stipends will be set by majority vote of the Executive Committee for services performed on behalf of CRFO.
ARTICLE IX: APPOINTED OFFICERS
By May 15 of each year the executive committee shall appoint the following for the next academic year:
A. CHIEF NEGOTIATOR: Director of collective bargaining, writes surveys to seek faculty input, interacts with legal counsel and represents the union in negotiations with the District.
B. GRIEVANCE OFFICER: Director of grievance resolution, interacts with legal counsel and maintains grievance files.
C. TREASURER: Maintains financial records, disburses funds, proposes an annual budget, interacts with accountants to oversee regular audits and filing of tax statements and notices, maintains list of members.
D. EDITOR: Director of Union publications edits and arranges for publication of the newsletter.
E. SECRETARY: Keeps, transcribes, and files minutes of all Executive Committee, general and special meetings, maintains electronic copies of minutes for both academic and calendar year, prepares and mails notices to members, and assists the president in correspondence and maintaining files.
ARTICLE IX: ANNUAL SESSION
The CRFO officers serve year round.
ARTICLE X: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Petition for constitutional amendment must be from two thirds of the executive committee or by petition of 20 members. After 15 calendar days notice, ratification requires a majority vote of ballots received from members.
ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY RULES