Fairbanks Youth Advocates Bylaws

Article 1: Name and Location

1.1 The name of this Corporation shall be Fairbanks Youth Advocates, hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation.”

1.2 The Corporation’s office is located at 122 10th Ave, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. The mailing address is the same.

Article 2: Purpose

2.1  The purpose of this Corporation is to:

a) provide homeless, near homeless, and other at-risk youth, support to help them move towards stability, health in all its forms, and self sufficiency.

b) provide professional accredited counseling, (faith-based for those who seek it)

Article 3: Guiding Principles and Beliefs for Fairbanks Youth Advocates Inc.

The motivational roots of Fairbanks Youth Advocates lie in the teaching of Jesus Christ, which are central to who we are and what we do as an organization. How one’s “faith” is lived out in practical ways is the true definition of belief.

Fairbanks Youth Advocates provides its services to all youth regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. We respect and honor the human dignity of all people. Under no circumstances is it required or expected that an individual believe a certain way to access or receive services. We accept all as they are, however they are.

3.1  Guiding Principles:

1. That as community citizens, we bear a local responsibility to help those in need, especially young people who have, for reasons beyond their control, found themselves in troubling circumstances.
2. That we must speak up for those who are unable to speak for themselves and advocate for the rights of the less fortunate.
3. That we are most effective when we partner with like-minded agencies, without duplication of services; allowing one another to be and do that which we are uniquely tasked to do.
4. All people have the right to be loved & treated with respect and dignity. (1 Corinthians 13, 1 Peter 2:17)
5. Do unto others as we would have done unto us. (Matthew 7:12)
6. To whom much is given, much is expected.  (Luke 12:48)
7. Prayer is a means of communication through which one exercises faith and hope.
8. God requires us to love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly. (Micah 6:8)“Doing” defines our true beliefs. (1 John 3:18)

3.2  Beliefs:

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God.
2. We believe there is one God, existing in the person of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus is fully man and fully God, and is the perfect expression of God’s love for us.
4. We believe that salvation is a process, initiated by an experience with Jesus Christ, whereby the Holy Spirit dwells within and empowers the believer to live a life of faith and obedience to God.
5. We believe the Holy Spirit unites and empowers all followers of Christ and that together they form one unified body of believers.

Article 4: Board of Directors

4.1 Powers
The powers, management and control of the Corporation, and all of its affairs, shall be vested in the Board of Directors. This will include but is not limited to passing the budget, negotiating leases, setting the vision and strategic plan, passing all policies, hiring and providing oversight of the director, and any other task common to that of a board of directors.

4.2 Members
The Board of Directors shall have up to 7, and not fewer than 4 members. All Board members must agree with the by laws and guiding principles. The Board shall consist of a Board President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other members as indicated.

4.3 Terms
No length of term shall govern when a board member comes or goes but a minimum term of three years is preferred.

4.4 Resignations & Removal
A member of the Board may resign from the Board by providing a notice to the Secretary of the Board. Unless otherwise specified, the resignation shall take effect immediately. A member of the Board of Directors can be removed for illegal and criminal behavior or any action deemed unanimously by the board, to be against the interest of the corporation.

4.5 Vacancies
The Board has the power to fill any vacancy on the board.

4.6 Election of Officers
The Board of Directors will appoint/elect officers at the first regular Board meeting of the year or as needed for any vacancy.

4.7 Reimbursements
The Board receives no compensation other than reimbursements with verification and reasonable expenses incurred in the course of conducting the corporation’s affairs.

Article 5: Officers

5.1 Officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Board President, Vice- President, Secretary, & Treasurer. In addition to the powers and duties of the Officers of the Corporation as set forth in these Bylaws, the Officers shall have authority to perform other duties as determined by the board.

5.2 Duties

The President shall serve to convene all meetings, and work closely with the secretary to set the agenda for the meetings. The President shall exercise general oversight of the affairs of the Corporation.

The Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the President’s absence.

The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining & keeping an accurate record of all records of the corporation and all other duties of this offices prescribed by the Board of Directors, sending out notices regarding meetings and tracking and dispensing other appropriate information regarding the Corporation.

The Treasurer shall ensure that full and accurate accounts of the receipts and disbursements of the corporate funds are made in books belonging to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall ensure that the funds of the Corporation are disbursed as ordered by the Board of Directors and kept in such bank or financial institution as the board may select. The Treasurer shall provide reports to the Board of Directors during regularly scheduled meetings.

Article 6: Meetings

6.1
A spirit of Christian love, respect, and fellowship shall prevail with all board members having an equal voice and one vote. Proxy voting is not allowed.

6.2
Board meetings at a minimum, shall occur 10 times during the year. They shall happen at a time and place as decided by the majority of the Board.

6.3
Special meetings may be called at anytime by the board or by the President.

6.4
A Quorum consists of at least 50% of the Directors currently in office. (Due to the small number of board members August 2018, and in the spirit of trust and for effective decision making, the amendment was made from 51% to 50%). In the absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken except to adjourn the meeting to a subsequent date. The Executive Director is not counted in a quorum.

6.5
Teleconference participation constitutes presence at at meeting, providing that all can be heard and are able to participate in the discussion. All meetings and business can happen using all manner of modern communication.

6.6
The Executive Director and the Clinical Director are considered a non-voting, ex officio members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director and the Clinical Director oversee staff and normal operations, and is responsible to and serves at the discretion of the board.

• Executive Director oversees the operations of Fairbanks Youth Advocates.
  
• The Clinical Director of Clearwater Counseling, oversees counseling staff and operations at Clearwater Counseling.

Article 7: Association

7.1 Fairbanks Youth Advocates will remain an organization not governed by a specific religious organization or denomination. It shall not become a part of a denomination and shall not be ruled over by any ecclesiastical body other than herein provided.

Article 8: Focus Groups

8.1
Committees and/or Focus Groups can be designated or appointed by the Board of Directors as deemed necessary.

Article 9: Executive & Clinical Directors

9.1 
The Executive Director functions as the chief Executive Officer of Fairbanks Youth Advocates Inc. and oversees Fairbanks Youth Advocates as listed in 2.1. The Executive Director shall be salaried and shall be directly responsible to the board. The Executive Director shall report on the progress of the Corporation, answer questions of the Board of Directors, carry out the duties described in the job description and other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

The Clinical Director is to be responsible for the day to day operations of Clearwater Counseling as listed in 2.1. The Clinical Director shall be salaried and shall be directly responsible to the board. The Clinical Director shall report on the progress of Clearwater Counseling, answer questions of the board of directors, carry out duties as described in the job description.

Article 10: Miscellaneous Provisions

10.1 Audits
The corporation shall have an audit completed every third year with reviews on the alternating years.

10.2 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be from January 1 to December 31.

10.3 Budget
The Board of Directors shall approve a budget for the Corporation prior to the start of each fiscal year.

10.4 Property
The corporation may acquire and may hold such things as buildings, homes, offices, morgages, leases, and other real property or it’s instruments, to conduct the corporation’s affairs under the authority of the Board of Directors.

10.5 No Inurement
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall be distributed to or inure to the benefit of any Director, Officer, or employee of the Corporation.

10.6 Grants
Grant monies are intended for special ministry projects or capital projects, and not for the general administration of the Corporation. Such practices shall be scrupulously observed. It is understood, however, that some grants allow for a percentage of the grant monies to be used to cover administrative costs associated with running a particular grant.

Article 11: Amendments

11.1 Bylaws may be amended, added to, or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors of the Corporation at any regular Board meeting.

Article 12: Dissolution of the Corporation

12.1 The Corporation can be dissolved by a unanimous vote of the Board of the Directors at a specially called meeting of the Board. All assets after debts, shall be distributed according to the articles of purpose.

Certification

• 4/9/2012:
  Bylaws were approved and by vote through the Board of Director’s website and update on April, 9, 2012, by Board President Patrick Endres
• 1/22/2010:
  These bylaws were amended and re-approved 01/2012 and updated by the secretary, Marylee 01/22/2012.
• 9/21/2010:
  These bylaws were approved at a meeting of the Board of Directors by a unanimous vote on September 21, 2010
• 8/28/2012:
  These bylaws were amended to change the name of Clearwater Ministries, Inc., to Fairbanks Youth Advocates, Inc.