Bylaws

GC-SAGE BYLAWS
Grapevine Colleyville-Supporting & Advocating for Gifted Education

Our mission is to ensure gifted children in Grapevine/Colleyville area reach their fullest potential by advocating on their behalf; connecting parents to valuable resources and to each other; and by educating and supporting their teachers, counselors, and administrators.

ARTICLE I – NAME
This organization shall become an incorporated non-profit organization and shall be called GC-SAGE: Grapevine Colleyville-Supporting & Advocating for Gifted Education. (Herein referred to as “SAGE” or as the “Association”).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND GOALS
Section 2.1 – Purpose. SAGE is an organization of parents, professionals, and community leaders who are concerned with supporting and creating expanded opportunities for the education of gifted and talented students and their families. SAGE supports and encourages the development of such programs, both within the public schools and as extra-curricular activities utilizing community and individual resources.
Section 2.2 – Goals. The goals of SAGE shall be as follows:
A. To increase awareness and sensitivity of parents, teachers, school administrators and counselors, and the public to the intellectual, social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students;
B. To encourage and support the Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District (“GCISD”) in its efforts to provide a qualitatively differentiated educational program by which each student may advance toward his/her fullest potential;
C. To provide a chain of communication between the Association, the community, the GCISD administration and staff, the GCISD School Board, and all who are interested in the needs of gifted students;
D. To provide a base for disseminating information about giftedness and available resources;
E. To provide a support forum for parents of gifted and talented students and to encourage parents’ participation in public education and other programs for gifted children;
F. To locate, utilize and create resources for educational opportunities for all persons interested in gifted and talented education;
G. To be an advocate in supporting local, state, and national legislative programs that benefit education for gifted and talented students; and
H. To act as a center for the exchange of ideas with other groups interested in education for the gifted.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1 – Membership.  Membership in this non-profit organization shall be open to all that are interested in the purposes of the Association.  SAGE shall conduct an annual enrollment of potential members, but may admit members at any time throughout the year.
Section 3.2 – Benefits of Membership.  SAGE may have an opportunity to:
Provide a support forum for parents of gifted and talented children and to encourage parents’ participation in public education and other programs for gifted children;
Keep parents and educators updated on local, state, and national legislative programs which benefit education for gifted and talented students;
Familiarize parents with the administrators of the Grapevine Colleyville Independent School District who are the decision makers for G/T programs;
Inform parents and educators about resources available to gifted and talented students to achieve their utmost capabilities;
Send out informative emails and newsletters regarding important issues for gifted and talented children;
Inform members about changes being considered for the G/T curriculum.
ARTICLE IV – DUES
Annual membership dues and due date shall be determined by the Executive Board.  One membership includes two parents (or guardians). Any change in the dues shall be set by the Executive board.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Section 5.1 – Number. The elected officers of SAGE shall be: President, First Vice President & Program Chair, Second Vice President & Membership Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Fundraising Chair. The appointed officers of SAGE may include, but not be limited to: Communications Chair, Newsletter Chair, Legislative Chair, Community Liaison, and Historian. All officers must have at least one gifted identified child.
Section 5.2 – Term. Term of office shall be July 1 through June 30 of each year.
Section 5.3 – Limitation. No officer shall serve in the same office for more than three (3) full years in succession, unless there is no person willing to so serve as officer other than the person currently serving, nor may any person hold two (2) elected offices at the same time.
Section 5.4 – Vacancies. Any vacancy in any office for an unexpired term shall be filled by the Executive Board
Section 5.5 – Office Sharing. Any elected or appointed position may be held by two persons serving as a single officer with a single vote.  For example, two volunteers may serve jointly as Co-Presidents.  For the purpose of the By Laws, a single terminology is used (i.e. President).
Section 5.6 – Records. Each officer shall be responsible for maintaining written records of that office and shall convey these records to the successor.
Section 5.7 – Attendance. It is expected that the Executive Board meetings shall be regularly attended by its members. If at any time during an officer’s term of office, an elected officer misses three (3) Executive Board meetings, such member shall be deemed to have immediately resigned his/her position with the SAGE, unless a majority of the remaining members agree otherwise.
ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 6.1 – The President shall:
A. Have served previously as a representative on the Association Board in another capacity before serving as President;
B.  Preside as chairperson of all membership meetings and Executive Board meetings;
C. Serve as the public representative for SAGE in all external capacities, such as presenting to the GCISD board and promoting events with the media as well as serve as chairman of the Communications Committee, if one is appointed;
D. Be an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee;
E.  Be authorized to sign on the Association bank account;
F. Represent the Association in any activities related to the education or interests of talented and gifted students and may delegate any member to represent the Association if the President and First Vice President are unable to serve;
G. Be responsible for maintenance of all permanent records of SAGE.
Section 6.2 – The First Vice President & Program Chair shall:
A. Assume the duties of the President in the absence or at the request of the President;
B. Serve as chairperson of the Program Committee; plan for annual membership meetings and provide information about enrichment programming and other resources;
C. Perform all other functions as directed by the President.
Section 6.3 – The Second Vice President & The Member Development Chair shall:
A. Develop and implement a plan to build and maintain general membership;
B. Coordinate the Campus Liaison Team and maintain at least one Liaison from each elementary campus
C. Maintain a current membership roster or database and an up-to-date electronic mailing list for SAGE;
D. Manage the membership renewal process and provide incoming membership funds to the Treasurer for deposit.

Section 6.4 – The Secretary shall:
A. Keep accurate minutes of all membership meetings and Executive Board meetings;
B. Be responsible for necessary correspondence;
C. Maintain Association Bylaws;
D. Have minutes of any prior meeting(s) prepared ahead of each Board meeting in order to be approved by the Board;
E. Be responsible for notifying Executive Board members of the regular and special meetings of the SAGE Board;
F. Perform all other functions as directed by the President.
Section 6.5 – The Treasurer shall:
A.  Have custody of all funds of the Association;
B.  Receive and deposit all monies of SAGE;
C. Disburse such sums as approved by the Executive Board;
D. Keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures;
E. Present a brief financial statement at every regular Executive Board meeting and, if requested, at any regular meeting of the membership;
F. Submit financial records for audit within thirty (30) days of the end of each June.
G. Perform all other functions as directed by the President.
Section 6.6 – Fundraising Chair shall:
A. Serve as chairperson of the Fundraising Committee.

B. Research, develop and present a fundraising plan.

C. Work closely with the Treasurer to monitor fundraising activities and development funds.

D. Perform all other functions as directed by the President.

Section 6.7 – Communications Chair shall:
A. Serve as chairperson of the Fundraising Committee.

B. Develop a communications plan with measurable results that supports the current goals and objectives of SAGE Officers and Chairs (such as growing membership, fundraising)
C. Create and publish an electronic newsletter on a regular basis
D. Create and maintain the SAGE website and social media accounts
E. Develop a relationship with the School Representatives and assist them in disseminating information
F. Develop a relationship with communications or public relations staff at GCISD
G. develop, and refine branding guidelines so SAGE’s written and visual brand remains consistently strong

Section 6.8 – Community Liaison shall:
A. Serve as liaison to TAGT (Texas Association for Gifted and Talented) and report on legislative, conference, and parent division activities.

B. gifted legislation and issues at national, state, and local levels, including following local school board agendas for issues affecting gifted education.

C. Develop relationships with neighboring parent groups and create opportunities for collaboration and networking.

D. Serve as liaison to private and homeschool gifted families.

ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 7.1 – Membership and Authority.  Except as otherwise provided, the Executive Board shall have the power to transact the business of the SAGE.
Section 7.2 – Meetings/Quorum. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held as needed. The date of such meetings shall be set by the President. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the elected Board members.
Section 7.3 – Notice. The Executive Board members shall be notified at least three (3) days prior to the Executive Board meeting.
Section 7.4 – Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President or by notice to the President by three (3) members of the Executive Board.
Section 7.5 – Past President. The immediate Past President, if available, shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Board.
Section 7.6 – Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Executive Board may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing setting forth the action taken is signed by the number of members of the Executive Board necessary to take such action at a meeting. The written consent must state the date of each signature. Transmission of signatures on such written consent may be by personal delivery, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, or by United States mail. Prompt notice of the taking of an action by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to each member of the Executive Board who did not consent in writing to the action.
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS
Section 8.1 – Eligibility. Only members in good standing may be nominated for office in the Association.
Section 8.2 – Nominating Committee. At a general membership meeting to be designated by the Executive Board, a nominating committee consisting of five (5) persons shall be constituted. Two (2) shall be selected from the Executive Board and three (3) selected from its membership. The Nominating Committee shall select its own chairperson, shall secure consent to serve from prospective nominees, and shall present a written slate of nominees for the five (5) elected offices at the next following general membership meeting. Nominating Committee participants are eligible to run for office and be placed on the officer slate.
Section 8.3 – Voting. Election shall be by ballot or show of hands at the last membership meeting of the school year at which the slate of officers will be presented, at which time additional nominees may be nominated from the floor providing consent of the nominee is obtained at that time. The candidates receiving a simple majority (50% plus 1 vote) of the votes cast shall be declared elected.  The president shall vote only in the event of a tie.
Section 8.4 – Term. Officers shall be elected to serve for one (1) year, or until their successors are elected.
ARTICLE IX – STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 9.1 – Designation. The standing committees shall be established and their functions assigned by the elected officers.  The elected officers shall also appoint the chairperson for each committee except Programs, Fundraising, and Communications.  Each committee chairperson shall appoint committee members as necessary and will provide a plan for committee membership renewal and continuity.  This plan will encourage broader membership through the active pursuit of new members and the encouragement of existing members to consider running for chair when the chair’s term is up.
Section 9.2 – Review. All committee actions will be subject to review by the Executive Board.
Section 9.3 – Standing Committees. Standing committees will be established for the purpose of ongoing information and advice.  The standing committees of the Association may include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. Programs Committee. The Programs Committee shall be responsible for planning the programs that further the goals of the Association and providing enrichment resources.
B.  Communications Committee.  The Communications Committee shall Support the efforts of the Communications Liaison to provide a chain of communication among parents, school personnel, the GCISD School Board, and the community.
C.  Scholarship Committee.  The Scholarship Committee shall secure sponsors, create a scholarship application and selection process, and may fund annual scholarships for deserving Gifted and Talented students.
D. The G/T Faculty Recognition Committee shall create an appropriate award recognition program for Gifted and Talented teachers and administrators within GCISD.
E. The Fundraising Committee shall seek additional sources of revenue in addition to general membership revenue in order to fulfill the mission of the Association.
G. By Laws Committee: every 3 years a Bylaws committee shall be formed to review and update the bylaws subject to approval by the Executive Board.
F. Special Committees:  Special Committees (such as Bylaws, strategic planning, etc.), as may be deemed appropriate to implement the work of the Executive Board, may be created and appointed by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE X – MEETINGS
Section 10.1 – General Meetings. General membership meetings of the SAGE shall be held at places and times designated by the Executive Board, with appropriate notice given to the members.
Section 10.2 – Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, the Executive Board, or one-fourth (1/4) of the membership, providing five (5) days’ notice has been given to the members.
Section 10.3 – Open Meetings. All meetings and programs will be open to the public, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board; however, voting is limited to the membership in good standing.
Section 10.4 – Decisions at the general meetings shall be made by a majority of those present.
Section 10.5 – Family Memberships. For purposes of voting at regular meetings, a husband and wife shall have one (1) vote each, so long as their family membership is in good standing.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
The Association’s Charter and/or these Bylaws can be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board for presentation in writing to the general membership prior to the vote, and then by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members voting.
ARTICLE XII – INDEMNIFICATION
The Association shall indemnify officers, members, and other persons participating in the activities of the Association.
ARTICLE XIII – AFFILIATIONS
SAGE may enter into affiliations with associations with common interests and purposes by recommendation of the Executive Board and vote of the general membership.
ARTICLE XIV – DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the Association for any reason, a majority of the Executive Board then in office shall, after providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of the assets of the SAGE in according with its original purpose.