About Us
The Coalition is a non-profit association of individuals and organizations concerned about women's chemical dependency issues. Members include: individuals and local and state government agencies who work with disablities, health care providers, domestic violence providers, chemical dependency treatment. They may include therapists, researchers, attorneys, and others concerned with public policy issues affecting chemical dependency treatment for women.
What We Do
The purpose of the Coalition is to advocate for improved, expanded, and accessible addiction and related services for women. To achieve its mission, the Coalition:
- Provides networking opportunities for professionals working in chemical dependency and other fields affected by the issues of substance abuse and addiction.
- Provides education and training through conferences/workshops.
- Educates legislators and other policy-makers about the needs of addiction and related issues for women.
- Monitors legislation and proposes policy changes to improve treatment services for women.
Our Mission and Philosophy
The mission of the Women's Coalition of Washington is to advocate for women whose lives are affected by chemical dependency.
The Philosophy of the Women's Coalition of Washington is that addiction is a primary, progressive, and, if left untreated, fatal disease. The origins of addiction in women and their treatment needs are unique. These needs arise in large part from women's cultural and class experiences, and from their diversity of age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Research, prevention, treatment, funding, and state policies must begin to honor and reflect the effects of these unique experiences.
Bylaws
Bylaws of the
WASHINGTON STATE COALITION
ON
WOMEN'S SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES
ARTICLE 1: Name
The name of the Association shall be the Washington State coalition on Women's Substance Abuse Issues (WSCWSAI or Coalition).
ARTICLE 2: Mission, Goals and Purposes
The mission of the Coalition is to advocate for women whose lives are impacted by chemical dependency.
The Coalition is organized as a feminist, non-profit, incorporated 501-c3 voluntary association of autonomous individuals and organizations working in the field of chemical dependency, and others concerned about women's chemical dependency issues. The purposes of the Coalition are to assist and empower chemically dependent women and their children, provide a leadership role in the substance abuse and related communities on behalf of chemically dependent women and their children, facilitate communication among substance abuse programs and related organizations and individuals, provide systems coordination and advocacy on women's chemical dependency issues, and provide education and outreach to Washington state regarding chemically dependent women.
The Coalition believes that addiction is a primary, progressive, and, if untreated, fatal disease. The etiology of addiction in women and their treatment needs are qualitatively and quantitatively unique, derived in large part from women's cultural and class experiences and their diversity of age, ethnicity and sexual orientation, Research, prevention, continuum of care treatment, funding and state policies must begin to honor and reflect the impact of these unique experiences.
ARTICLE 3: Membership
3.01 Definition
Membership shall be one year, expires and must be renewed annually. The Coalition shall send a renewal notice to each current member.
3.02 Voting Rights
Each member shall be entitled to vote for members of the Steering Committee at meetings scheduled for that purpose and to vote on any other matters as are submitted for membership consideration. Each member shall be entitled to one vote.
ARTICLE 4: Meetings of Members
4.01 Annual Meeting
An annual meeting of the members shall be held each year for the transaction of any business as may come before the meeting and may include the election of Steering Committee Members to the Steering Committee.
4.02 Special Meetings
Special meetings of the members may be called by the Executive Committee, by majority vote of the Steering Committee, or upon written request to the Steering Committee of at least one fourth of the members.
4.03 Place of Meeting
The Steering Committee may designate any place within Washington State as the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting.
4.04 Notice of Meetings
Members shall receive at least thirty days' notice of annual meetings and ten (10) days notice for any special meeting.
4.05 Decisions
Any matter submitted to a vote of the members present shall be decided by a simple majority of votes cast except for motions to remove a Steering Committee member or officer, and motions to dissolve the Coalition, which shall be decided by a two-thirds vote of membership.
ARTICLE 5: Steering Committee
5.01 General Powers
The affairs of the Coalition shall be managed by its Steering Committee.
Each Steering Committee Member shall serve a term of two years. All Steering Committee members shall be members of the Coalition prior to election to the Steering Committee. Steering Committee terms shall be staggered.
There shall be no fewer than five and no more than fifteen Steering Committee Members. Steering Committee Members shall be elected by the general membership at the Annual Meeting. In the event of resignation, suspension, or expulsion prior to the completion of a term, a new Steering Committee Member may be appointed by the Steering Committee to serve the unexpired term.
5.02 Election Procedures
The Nominating Committee shall consist of one past co-chair, who will chair the committee and identify two additional Nominating Committee members. The two additional members shall not be current members of the Steering Committee.
The Nominating Committee shall attempt to insure that the Steering Committee nominees are representative of Coalition members in terms of geographical, racial and cultural status. Only members of the Coalition may serve as Steering Committee members or officers.
The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from formal Coalition members for normally occurring at-large vacancies on the Steering Committee. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate for each position, which shall total at least the number of vacancies occurring.
At-large Directors shall be elected to terms of office as set forth in Article 5 Section 1, by a vote of three members.
Nominations shall be made at the last regularly scheduled meeting prior to the annual meeting for consideration at the annual meeting.
The Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from the Steering Committee for normally occurring officer positions. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate for each office.
5.03 Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Steering Committee may be called by or at the request of the Executive Committee or three members of the Steering Committee.
5.04 Open Meetings
All meetings of the Steering Committee will be open unless by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Steering Committee members present a portion of a meeting may be closed for discussion related to a legal or personnel matter.
5.05 Notice of Meetings
Meetings of the Steering Committee will occur according to an annual schedule distributed in writing to each Steering Committee Member at the beginning of the operational year. For any meetings not on the annual schedule, written or telephone notice stating the place, day, and hour of the meeting shall be delivered either personally, or by mail, E-mail or fax, to each member. Thirty (30) days notice shall be required for the annual meeting and ten (1 0) days notice for any other regular or special meeting.
5.06 Quorum
A majority of the Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Committee. If less than a majority of the Steering Committee members are present at a meeting, those Members present shall not decide any matter that requires a vote of the Steering Committee.
5.07 Proxy
Each elected member of the Steering Committee may appoint a proxy to attend Steering Committee meetings in the elected member's place, with full member rights representing the elected member's vote. There shall be only one designated proxy for each Steering Committee member. The proxy shall be appointed annually and named to the Steering Committee as the proxy for that member.
5.08 Emerita and Emeritus Position
These non-voting positions may be accepted by retiring Steering Committee members as offered by the Steering Committee.
5.09 Manner of Acting
The act of a majority of the Steering Committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Steering Committee, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these Bylaws.
5.10 Informal Action by Steering Committee
Any action, which may be taken at a meeting of Steering Committee, may be taken by means of telephone poll without a meeting if written background material on the issue to be voted on is submitted to each of the Members of the Steering Committee prior to the vote. A written record of the vote shall be prepared and adopted by the Steering Committee at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee in the same manner as minutes of a meeting.
5. 11 General Duties
Each Steering Committee Member shall execute all the duties and responsibilities incumbent on Coalition members, including but not limited to regularly attending the Steering Committee meetings, resource development, fund raising, public education, and committee work.
5.12 Removal
The Member whose removal is requested shall have the opportunity to address the Steering Committee at a regular Steering Committee meeting to present her/his position, A two-thirds vote of the full Steering Committee is required to remove a Member.
ARTICLE 6: Officers
6.01 Officer Positions
The Officers of the Coalition shall be the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers of the Coalition shall be elected from among Steering Committee members by the Steering Committee prior to the beginning of the fiscal year in order to assume office at the beginning of the fiscal year. Officers shall serve for terms of two years.
6.02 Officer Duties
Duties of the Coalition's Officers shall be as follows:
Chair: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the membership of the Steering committee and of the Executive Committee or designate the Vice Chair to perform such duties as required. S/he may sign documents with the Treasurer or any other proper officer of the corporation authorized by the Steering Committee to execute documents.
Vice Chair: The Vice Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in their absence or as designated by the Chair. At the completion of the term of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall become the Chair upon approval by the majority of the Steering Committee. In the case where the Chair is unable to complete their term, the Vice Chair shall fulfill the unexpired term of the Chair.
Secretary:
The Secretary shall ensure that minutes of all annual and special Coalition meetings are maintained and that minutes of all Steering Committee meetings are maintained. S/he shall certify members and identify those eligible to vote at each general membership meeting. S/he shall ensure Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Coalition in all cases where applicable and not in conflict with the Bylaws or the Coalition's statement of philosophy. S/he shall ensure proper notice of all meetings and actions in conformance with the Bylaws. S/he shall sign official documents as required by law or by the Steering Committee.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall ensure that books of account consistent with standard accounting practices are maintained. S/he shall deliver a report at each meeting of the Steering Committee and General Membership. The Treasurer shall ensure performance of proper federal, state, and any other reporting which may be required.
Any vacancy occurring in the officer positions shall be filled by appointment of the Steering Committee until the next regular election of officers.
6.03 Executive Committee
The current officers of the Coalition and the immediate past Chair shall be the members. This committee shall in general supervise and control all the business of the Corporation in accordance with the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 7: Committees
The Steering Committee shall designate a Nominating Committee, and may designate other such committees, task forces, and work groups, as it deems appropriate and necessary. The Standing Committees shall be Conference, Education, Legislative, and Membership.
ARTICLE 8: Deposits, Checks, Loans, Contracts
8.01 Deposit of Funds
All funds of the Coalition not otherwise employed shall be deposited in such banks, trust companies, or other reliable depositories as the Steering Committee from time to time may determine.
8.02 Checks, etc,
All checks, drafts, endorsements, notes, and evidence of indebtedness of the Coalition shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Executive Committee member, or in such manner as the Steering Committee from time to time may determine.
8.03 Loans
No loans or advances shall be contracted on behalf of the Coalition, and no note or other evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name, unless and except as authorized by the Steering Committee. Any such authorization may include authorization to pledge as security for loans or advances so authorized, any and all securities and other personal property at any time held by the Coalition.
8.04 Contracts
Contracts shall only be engaged in by majority decision of the Steering Committee.
8.05 Accounting Procedures
The Treasurer shall follow the Coalition's accounting procedures.
ARTICLE 9: Dues
9.01 Annual Dues
The Steering Committee may determine from time to time the amount of initiation fee or special assessment, and the annual dues payable to the Coalition by members if any.
9.02 Payment of Dues
Any annual dues assessed shall be payable by the beginning of the fiscal year unless an alternate payment plan consistent with the policies and procedures adopted by the Steering Committee has been approved.
ARTICLE 10: Conflict of Interest
No member, Steering Committee Member, or Officer of the Coalition shall be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract relating to operations conducted by the Coalition, nor any contract for furnishing services or supplies to the Coalition,
unless,
- a) such contract shall be authorized by a majority of the Steering Committee present and voting at a meeting at which the presence of such Steering Committee Member is not necessary for such authorization;
- b) the facts and nature of such interest shall have been fully disclosed or shown to the members of the Steering Committee present at the meeting at which such contract is so authorized, and
- c) any interested Steering Committee Member has abstained from participating in discussions or votes related to such authorization, other than to disclose the facts and nature of such interest.
ARTICLE 11: Amendment of Bylaws
Written notice of intention to amend or repeal these Bylaws or to adopt new Bylaws shall be given to the general membership by the Steering Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to a vote on the proposed Bylaws. A revision, amendment, or repeal of the Bylaws and adoption of new Bylaws is effective upon a two-thirds affirmative majority of the votes cast by the membership.
These Bylaws were adopted this 24th day of October 2001, by majority vote of the members of the Coalition.
Chair-Marilyn Bordner Vice Chair