FCE BYLAWS

By Laws PDF

ARTICLE I. Name
The name of the organization shall be the National Association for Family and Community Education. FCE, when used hereinafter, shall be defined to mean the National Association for Family and Community Education.

ARTICLE II. Object
The object of the National Association for Family and Community Education shall be:
           A. To strengthen, develop, coordinate and extend non-formal adult education to improve the quality of life for individuals and families.
           B. To provide opportunities for individuals to develop leadership and public policy skills in order to be a positive and effective voice for the family
           C. To provide opportunities for members to be involved in a nationwide network and to take action on public policy issues that affect the health and well being of individuals, children, and families.
           D. To promote programs of national and international importance that affect the family and to provide opportunities for better international understanding.
           E. To function as a non-profit corporation as defined under Section 501 (C) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
           F. To provide a means for receiving gifts, devises or bequests of funds, chattels, money or the income therefrom.

ARTICLE III. Membership
Section 1: Eligibility
Individual membership shall be open to any person, business, or agency that supports and advances the objectives and bylaws of FCE. A state/multi-state/territorial association may become an affiliate of FCE pursuant to Article III, Section 3.
Section 2: Classification
National FCE shall have the following membership classifications.
           A. Regular. A regular member shall be an individual/family including the senior who shall pay national dues through an affiliated state/multistate/territorial association, and who is represented at the national level with a vote by a duly elected official voting delegate. A regular member shall be required to submit a membership form in accordance with directions from the National Treasurer.
                1. Family shall be defined as one or two adults and any children under the age of 18 years who live in the same household.
                2. Senior shall be defined as someone who is 80+ years old.
           B. Supporting members. Supporting members shall be an individual/family who shall pay dues directly to FCE National Headquarters accompanied by a membership form. Membership shall carry with it all privileges of membership except the right to vote. If a supporting member resides in a state that is a state affiliate, national shall notify that state of their submission of membership toNational FCE
           C. Business/Agency. Business/Agency memberships shall be interested groups who pay dues directly to FCE National Headquarters.  Membership shall carry with it all privileges of membership except the right to vote.
Section 3: Honorary Membership
Honorary member shall be a non-member, selected by unanimous vote of the FCE Board for lifetime membership because of their dedicated efforts on behalf of FCE. The honorary membership shall carry with it all the privileges of membership except the right to vote.
Dues shall be waived.
Section 4: Application for New Affiliation
Application to become an affiliate of FCE may be made when at least three (3) FCE members in a state/multi-state area, or territory agree to adopt and advance FCE’s objectives and adopt a constitution/bylaws that do not conflict with those of FCE.  Only one affiliate is permitted in each state, multi-state or territory. A qualified applicant shall submit an application for affiliation in writing along with the appropriate dues pursuant to Article IV, Section 3 (A) and a corresponding membership list. Upon approval of the constitution/bylaws by the FCE Bylaws Committee and approval of the application and the constitution/bylaws by the FCE Executive Committee, and the applicant’s agreement to the terms and conditions of being an FCE affiliate as determined by the FCE Board, then the applicant shall become an FCE affiliate and receive all the benefits of affiliation.
Section 5: Good Standing
A member in good standing shall be one whose current FCE dues have been paid in accordance with these bylaws and who is not under disciplinary action.