The Omaha Helath and Human Services Chapter subscribes to the aims and purposes as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees NAPE/AFSCME Local 61. The jurisdiction of this Chapter shall include all non-24 hour Health and Human Services employees in Douglas and Sarpy counties.

This chapter subscribes to the organizing approach to unionism. The work of our chapter leaders is to build participation and solidarity within the ranks of those we represent. Through our work we will lead by example, and build unifying relationships with other workers/members of Local 61 in all bargaining units and agencies. In order to aid in advancing these ideals, the Omaha Health and Human Services Chapter herewith sets forth its bylaws of which this preamble is a part.

Section 1: Membership shall be limited to dues paying members of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees employed by the Department of Health and Human Services non 24-hour facilities.

Section 2: ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP: Any member of this Nebraska Association of Public Employees Chapter shall be eligible for active membership with all the privileges and responsibilities thereunto pertaining, including without limitation, the right to vote and hold office upon payment of the membership dues.

Section 1: The officers shall consist of a President (Chairperson), Vice-President (Co-Chairperson), Secretary/Treasurer, Chief-Steward, and Sgt. of Arms.

Section 2: There shall be a Steering Committee consisting of the officers and two additional elected members at large. The members at large of the Steering Committee shall be nominated and elected by the Chapter membership.

The Steering committee, as nearly as possible shall be composed of members representing all divisions within the Chapter boundaries and shall, as nearly as possible, reflect equal representation of professional and support staff members. The President shall preside over the Steering Committee.

Section 3: The Steering Committee shall have general supervision over all matters pertaining to the Chapter. Whenever an emergency demanding immediate action arises between regular meetings, it shall have the power to act for the Chapter. It shall attend to all matters which usually devolve upon a body of this kind. It shall meet monthly on a mutually agreeable time at least 10 times per year, at the call of the President, or upon written request of three of its members; a majority of those attending shall constitute a quorum. Its actions shall be subject to the approval of the Chapter. All meetings of the Steering Committee shall be open to any Chapter member and there shall be a time designated in each Steering committee agenda for input from members.

Section 4: PRESIDENT: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the chapter. The President shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees, and shall submit names of Chapter members for committee assignments to the Steering Committee for approval.

Section 5: VICE-PRESIDENT: In the absence of, or in case of inability of the President to act, it shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform all the duties of the President.

Section 6: SECRETARY/TREASURER: The Secreatary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the Chapter and shall have custody of all official papers. At the expiration of the Secretary/Treasurer’s term of office, all documents and property of the Chapter shall be turned over to the successor of this office. He/She shall custody of all monies and financial records. He/She shall render all bills for dues, and shall submit a report at each meeting of the monies received since the previous report. He/She shall pay all bills as approved by the Chapter Officers. He/She shall submit a financial report of the Chapter to the Association Board of Directors before January of each year. He/She may be bonded, the fee for which shall be paid out of the funds of the Chapter. The Chapter checking account shall require two signatures for each check written.

Section 7: CHIEF-STEWARD: The Chief Steward, working with union staff, shall be responsible for building and maintaining steward representation for employees. The Chief Steward shall participate in steward training programs for stewards and shall report steward/grievance activity at each steering committee meeting.

Section 8: SERGEANT OF ARMS: The Sergeant of Arms shall be responsible for keeping the meeting in order. The Sergeant of Arms shall use Robert’s Rules of Order as the guideline for keeping order.

Section 9: Any member of the Steering Committee who has two unexcused absences shall forfeit his/her seat. To be excused, an Officer must be notified prior to the absence.

Section 1: There shall be standing committees as follows: a Nominating Committee, a Recruitment Committee, a Government Affairs Committee, and a Steward Committee. Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary; ex., a Media Committee. Duties shall be those as directed by the President and/or the Steering Committee.

Section 2: The President shall appoint the members of committees , who shall serve for one (1) year or until discharged. The President shall name one member of each committee to preside over the committee (the Chief Steward shall preside over the Steward Committee).

Section 3: A Nominating Committee of a minimum of three (3) members shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Steering Committee.

Section 4: A Recruitment Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall be responsible for coordinating efforts to maintain a maximum number of NAPE members within the Chapter worksite boundaries. The Recruitment Committee shall be presided over by a member of the Steering Committee.

Section 5: A Government Affairs Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall be responsible for coordinating Legislative and/or election activities.

Section 5: A Steward Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall be presided over by the Chief Steward and shall be responsible for coordinating and maintaining a Steward representation program.

Section 1: Officers shall be elected biannually and shall hold office for two (2) years or until their successors are installed. The first election of regular officers shall be held within 90 days of the approval of these by-laws that shall be by _____________ .

Section 2: AFSCME election rules shall be adhered to.

Section 3: The Steering Committee shall fill a vacancy in an office by appointing someone to fill the unexpired term.

Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended by a 3/5 vote of those attending a chapter meeting provided notice was served to the members at least one week in advance of the meeting of the substance of the amendment being considered.

Section 1: The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be from January to December.

Section 1: REGULAR MEETINGS: The Chapter shall regularly convene at a regular monthly meeting at least 10 times per year. These may be held in con junction with Steering Committee meetings. Notices of each meeting shall be mailed or posted in a convenient place no less than two weeks in advance thereof.

Section 2: SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings shall be held at the call of the President, upon request of the Steering Committee, or upon the written request of ten percent (10%) of the members of the Chapter. The purpose of the special meeting shall be set forth in the notice to members, which shall be mailed or posted as provided for regular meetings. No business other than that for which the meeting was called for shall take place.

Section 1: Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings.