BYLAWS OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this organization, as established by Code of St. Mary's County Section 25-15 as adopted by the St. Mary's County Board of Commissioners in 1963 is the St. Mary's County Human Relations Commission, hereinafter referred to as the SMHRC.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

The purpose of this Committee is to encourage and insure equal treatment to all, without regard to race, color, religion, ethical or moral conviction, national origin, sex, age, or handicap, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws or regulations in the areas of housing, employment, and public access.

ARTICLE III

Activities

To accomplish its purpose SMHRC will:

a.   Facilitate the filing, processing and, where appropriate, the referral of grievances.

b.   Educate the community to the rights and responsibilities mandated for individuals in the areas of  housing, employment and public access.

c.   Advocate for the removal of all vestiges of discriminatory practices.

ARTICLE IV

Members

Section 1

Members of the SMHRC, numbering not less than 11, are appointed by the St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners. The members shall serve without compensation. The term of office of each member shall be 2 consecutive staggered four (4) year terms, and upon completion of the initial term of office, a member may be reappointed to serve for one additional four (4) year term.

Section 2

Terms for appointed members will commence on the first of July of the year of the appointment. The terms of one-fourth of the SMHRC shall end each year. Appointed members who have served for 2 consecutive full terms may not be reappointed for a period of four years.

Section 3

Membership should consist of and reflect the broad diversity of the county's population.

Section 4

Vacancies that occur other than by completion of a four - year term will be filled by appointment by the County Commissioners. The interim appointee will complete the term of the member he or she is replacing.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1

The officers of the SMHRC shall be the Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson and Treasurer who shall be elected by the SMHRC as provided by Article VI of these by-laws.

Section 2

The term of office for the Chairperson Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer shall be one {1) year, commencing July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. No officer shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive years. All mid-term vacancies shall be filled by election, said election to be held at the first regular monthly meeting held after the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE VI.

Election of Officers

The SMHRC shall nominate and elect candidates for office from its membership at the meeting held in May and elect in June of each year. A majority vote of those present shall prevail in all elections.

ARTICLE VII

Duties and Powers of Officers

Section 1

The Chairperson of the SMHRC shall preside at all meetings of the SMHRC and of the Executive Committee. The Chairperson. shall serve as an Ex-Officio member of all committees and shall appoint special committees as authorized by the SMHRC. The Chairperson shall prepare or delegate the preparation of a comprehensive annual report covering the SMHRC's activities upon the approval of the SMHRC and shall be presented to and filed with the Board of County Commissioners.

Section 2

The Vice-Chairperson shall assume and perform the duties of the Chairperson in his or her absence.

Section 3

a.   The Treasurer shall develop an operating budget annually which shall be presented to the SMHRC for approval by majority vote, and then presented to the proper County office as designated by the County Commissioners.

b.       The Treasurer shall be authorized to expend funds provided for in said budget.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Meetings and The Conducting of business

Section 1

a.   Meetings of the SMHRC shall be held at least once each month and in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The Chairperson shall prepare the agenda to be followed at the meeting of the SMHRC. All regular - business meetings of the SMHRC shall be open to the public except for specifically designated executive meetings or sessions.

b.   Case Review and other related confidential matters shall be conducted in executive session.

Section 2

The conduct of business before the SMHRC shall be governed by Roberts' Rules of Order. Newly Revised, except that such rules may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting.

ARTICLE IX

Special Meeting

Section 1

Special meetings of the SMHRC may be called by the Chairperson whenever in the judgment of that person such meetings are necessary, or upon the request of three (3} members of the SMHRC. Only matters about which the members of the SMHRC have been notified shall be discussed at a special meeting.

Section 2

The members of the SMHRC shall be informed of all special meetings at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting. and the oral or written notice of the meeting shall include a statement of the business or questions to come before the meeting.

ARTICLE X.

Quorum

A quorum for a meeting shall be a majority of the currently appointed membership.

ARTICLE XI

Removal

Section 1

The SMHRC may, upon consideration of the factI request the resignation of any member who fails properly to discharge the duties and responsibilities of his or her office. The SMHRC may, upon consideration of the fact. request the resignation of any member who is absent from three (3) meetings during the calendar year without notification.

Section 2

Recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners of the removal of any member or the request for resignation shall be approved by a majority of those members present and voting at any meeting.

 

ARTICLE XII

Amendments

Section 1

Any member of the SMHRC may propose to the membership at a regular meeting a motion in writing containing a proposed amendment to these by-laws.

Section 2

The Chairperson shall refer 'proposed amendments to these by-laws to the By-Laws Committee for consideration. The By-Laws Committee shall consider the motion and report on it to the membership at the next regular meeting. Approval by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at the meeting shall be required for amendment.

Section 3

Whenever an amendment has been proposed, the members of the SMHRC shall be notified of the proposed amendment at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which a vote may be taken.

Section 4

The final approved version of the bylaws will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for review and approval.

ARTICLE XIII

Standing Committees

In order to facilitate activities of the SMHRC, there may be various standing committees including but not limited to: a Budget Committee, a By- Laws Committee, a Complaints Committee, a Special Events Committee.