ARTICLE I.
Name

Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the “Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council” Organization (hereinafter referred to as “MYAC”).

ARTICLE II.
Purpose

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council Organization “MYAC” exists to provide a voice for the young adults of our community allowing the opportunity to address issues and concerns that affect them directly and offer solutions to local government officials through participation and community involvement.

ARTICLE III.
Membership

Section 1. Criteria: Members of the Organization shall either reside in New Haven, attend New Haven schools, or shall be any other individual selected by the MYAC members upon receipt of a completed application. All MYAC members must be between the ages of 13-18 years of age.

Section 2. Membership: Members shall consist of high school students and junior high students representing 7th and 8th grades. Junior high school members shall serve MYAC in a representative capacity only and will not be able to hold any elected officer position until high school.

Section 3. New Members: All new members shall be required to fill out the necessary application. All new members will be selected from the current MYAC membership.

Section 4. Membership Agreement: Members shall agree to:

a. Represent their youth and the City of New Haven in a professional manner either in public or during meetings.

b. Maintain mutual respect for themselves, other MYAC members and youth advisors.

c. Maintain an academic grade level of a “C” average.

d. Attend bi-monthly and/or special meetings.

e. Contact and notify either the Youth Coordinator or Secretary of any absence.

f. Contact and notify either the Youth Coordinator or Secretary if a member decides to step down and withdraw their membership.

g. Turn in any apparel in their possession within two (2) weeks of their departure from MYAC.

Section 5. Membership Review: In order to maintain a level of fairness to every MYAC member who attends regular meetings, it is important for MYAC members to make an honest effort to commit to this Organization. If other commitments and/or scheduled obligations constantly create a conflict which prevents a MYAC member from attending regularly scheduled MYAC meetings and/or regular participation of MYAC events, or the member fails to consistently attend or notify the Youth Coordinator or Secretary of his/her intentions, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board of Directors and Youth Coordinator, to meet and discuss the future of any specific MYAC member. The Executive Board of Directors and Youth Coordinator shall then meet with that member to determine their continued membership and future participation with MYAC. The final decision will be made by the Mayor.

ARTICLE IV.
Voting

Each member shall hold the privilege of one (1) vote for any motion brought before a quorum of the MYAC Organization. A quorum shall consist of those members who are in attendance as long as fifty percent (50%) of the members are present.

Quorum: If a quorum does exist, then the voting procedure will consist of a simple majority of the vote of the members present at the meeting.

No Quorum: If there is no quorum, an informal meeting will be held, however no voting will be allowed to occur.

The President shall only exercise his/her voting privilege in the event of a tie.

ARTICLE V.
Executive Board of Directors

Section 1. Officers. The Executive Board of Directors will consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the MYAC membership at the annual meeting of the members; and they shall hold office until their successors are qualified and elected at the next annual meeting.

Section 2. Officer Requirements. Each member, who desires to hold any elected position on the Executive Board of Directors, shall be required to be a high school member who is active in this Organization and has served on MYAC for at least one (1) year prior to accepting any nomination to the Board.

Section 3. Succession of Officers. In the event an officer is unable to complete the term of any office, the Executive Board of Directors shall open that position to nominations and vote on a successor to complete the term of the vacated office. The newly elected individual(s) must be a member(s) who attends regular meetings, has served on MYAC for at least one (1) year prior to accepting any nomination to the Board, and remains in good standing with the Organization.

Section 4. Succession of President. In the event a successor is necessary for the office of President, the Vice President shall become President and perform the duties of President. With respect to the office of Vice President, the Executive Board of Directors shall open that position to nominations and vote on a successor to complete the term of the Vice President. The newly elected individual(s) must be a member(s) who attends regular meetings, has served on MYAC for at least one (1) year prior to accepting any nomination to the Board, and remains in good standing with the Organization

Section 5. Term of Office. The term of each office of the Executive Board of Directors shall be a one (1) year term. Existing officers shall have the option to run for another term if they so desire.

Section 6. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting for this organization shall be held on the first regularly scheduled meeting in May. The election of officers will also be held during this meeting.

ARTICLE VI.
Officer Duties

Section 1. President. The President shall serve as chief executive officer of the Organization and shall have the powers and perform the duties usually incident to that office. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors. The President is authorized to sign, on behalf of the Organization, instruments in writing, prior to review by the Youth Coordinator. The Secretary shall thereupon attest any such document, if applicable.

Section 2. Vice President. In the absence or inability of the President to act, the above-referenced duties of the President shall be performed by the Vice President. The Vice President shall perform such other duties as shall be delegated to her/him by the Executive Board of Directors.

Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary of the Organization shall have the general powers and duties to maintain any written notes, briefings, agendas, or any other memoranda and minutes of any meetings of the Executive Board of Directors and current membership information. The Secretary shall also take attendance at each meeting. It shall further be the responsibility of the Secretary to send out meeting agendas one week prior to any business meeting. The agenda shall be reviewed by the Youth Coordinator before its mailing.

Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be a MYAC youth member. The Treasurer shall maintain full and accurate accounts of all assets, liabilities, commitments, receipts, disbursements and other financial transactions of the Organization. The Treasurer shall also provide a full financial report at the first business meeting of the year; and, if called upon to do so, shall perform such other duties as may, from time to time, be delegated to her/him by the Executive Board of Directors or the President.

Section 5. Adult Youth Advisor. An adult youth advisor shall be appointed by the Mayor to represent the actual funds of the Organization. The adult youth advisor shall have custody of any funds and other personal property of the Organization and shall keep, or cause to be kept, correct and accurate books of the MYAC Organization and shall also deposit, or see to the deposit of, the funds of the Organization in a depository to be maintained by the adult youth advisor for MYAC and shall render financial statements on a monthly basis to the Treasurer of the MYAC Organization.

ARTICLE VII.
Amendments to Bylaws

Any amendments to these Bylaws may be adopted and made effective by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board of Directors, as long as that amendment has been brought in front of, and discussion has been made by, the MYAC members at a business meeting. In the event the Executive Board of Directors cannot reach a unanimous vote, the amendment shall be brought before the members and voted upon by a simple majority of the vote, as long as a quorum exists.

The Amendments to the above-written Bylaws have been mutually agreed upon by the undersigned Executive Board of Directors and are effective upon execution by said Executive Board of Directors. Amendments shall remain in full force and effect until such time as proposed modifications are unanimously adopted by the Executive Board of Directors.