BYLAWS

CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR
BETTER GOVERNMENT (CCBG-PC)

Article I - Name

The organization shall be known as the Concerned Citizens for Better Government (CCBG) Political Committee (PC), hereafter referred to as CCBG-PC.

Article II - Objectives

1. To provide the citizens of Santa Rosa County with a vehicle and sounding board for redress of grievances concerning local government.
2. To work in concert with local government to improve communications between local government and citizens.
3. To encourage open, moral governance by providing a venue for oversight and accountability of local officials.
4. To participate in the election process by supporting the candidates who identify smart growth, quality economic development, excellent schools, open government, and citizen participation in all major county decisions, in their political platforms. Selected candidates will be supported on the organization's website and via the media and mailings.
5. To participate in meetings of the County Planning Board and the Board of County Commissioners to support important issues, such as major land rezoning proposals, residential growth, commercial growth, new road construction, new schools, and how these projects will be funded.
6. Other objectives of the CCBG-PC will be developed as the organization matures.

Article III - Membership

1. Membership is open to all Santa Rosa County residents without regard to age, sex, marital status, disability, political belief, race, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.
2. Annual membership dues of $25.00 shall be payable in advance upon becoming a member, and then yearly on or before November 15th of each year. The annual dues shall be prorated in a member's second year depending on the month he/she joined CCBG-PC.

Article IV - Officers

1. The officers of CCPB-PC shall be Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers must be active members in good standing, having demonstrated regular attendance and participation at quarterly general membership meetings, and assigned committee meetings. Officers shall be elected bi-annually at the October-December quarterly general membership meeting. Elections shall be conducted by the Chairperson who will take nominations from the floor. Voting in elections will be by secret ballot, unless a candidate is unopposed, in which case a voice vote may be taken. The duties of the officers shall be:
   1. The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings of the organization and the Steering Committee, and exercise general supervision over all organizational activities. The Chairperson shall have the authority to sign all official documents and to appoint all committee chairpersons. The Chairperson shall have the authority to call special membership meetings, when deemed necessary.
   2. The Vice Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson in supervising the activities of the organization, and to sign official documents and preside over all meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
   3. The Secretary shall be the recording officer of the organization and the Steering Committee. The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes of all quarterly, special, and Steering Committee meetings, making those minutes available to the general membership. The Secretary shall have the authority to sign official documents in the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair.
   4. The Treasurer shall collect all funds paid to the organization and deposit these funds in accounts designated by the CCBG-PC, and he/she shall be responsible for making all authorized expenditures. The Treasurer shall make all financial reports required by a Florida Political Committee to the State. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget and make a financial report at each quarterly membership meeting regarding receipts, expenditures, and the financial status of the organization.

Article V - Committees

1. All committees shall be under the direction of, and report to, the Chairperson and the Steering Committee.
2. The Steering Committee shall be the principal governing body of the organization, and its membership shall not exceed 16 members. The original Steering Committee shall consist of the founders of the CCBG-PC who shall remain in office unless voted off the Committee by a majority of the members. If a Steering Committee member leaves, or is voted off the Steering Committee, that member can be replaced by a member of the general membership by a majority vote. The Steering Committee, with input from the membership, shall decide which issues and candidates to support, and how periodical/mailing/media advertising funds should be spent. The Steering Committee shall adopt an annual budget, and administer the policies of the organization.
3. The Grievance Committee shall have cognizance over all grievances regarding Santa Rosa County governance submitted to the organization. The Committee shall endeavor to facilitate a solution acceptable to the individual submitting the grievance.
4. The Political Action Committee shall research all candidates and issues deemed relevant by the Steering Committee. The Political Action Committee shall present its recommendations to the Steering Committee regarding which candidates the organization should back, and how the CCBG-PC should stand on the relevant issues.
5. The Public Information Committee shall create mailings, articles for the website, and media/periodical advertisements to the Steering Committee for approval. The Public information Committee shall represent the Steering Committee and the CCBG-PC at public speaking engagements, when requested to do so by competent authority.
6. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for the organization's fund raising activities, and provide oversight of the Treasurer's activities.
7. Other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the Chairperson as deemed necessary to carry out the organization's activities.

Article VI - Meetings

1. The regular meetings of the CCBG-PC shall be held quarterly at the date, time, and place designated by the Steering Committee. The regular meeting held in the last quarter (October - December) shall be known as the annual meeting of the organization, and shall be used for election of officers and presentation of annual reports by the Chairperson, the Steering Committee, and the elected officers.
2. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or the Steering Committee, or by written request of at least 30% of the membership. At least 10 days notice must be given, and the purpose must be stated in the notice.
3. The Steering Committee shall meet monthly or more often if required by the Chairperson.
4. Thirty percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
5. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of all meetings.

Article VII - Amendments

The CCBG-PC bylaws may be amended at any regular quarterly meeting by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.

Adoption of Bylaws