Bylaws of the Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter Northern Alameda Group

Updated January 2023

Table of Contents

 These bylaws are based on the version that took effect in July 2000, as amended in January 2018.

1. Organization

1.1 Name
The name of this Group is the Northern Alameda County Group of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club.

1.2 Establishment
This Group is established by action of the Executive Committee of the Chapter (Chapter ExCom), and is governed by these Bylaws, consistent with the provisions of the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Club, the Bylaws of the Chapter, by applicable law, and by the policies and directives of the Board. This Group is an integral part of the Sierra Club and the Chapter and is not a separate legal entity.

1.3 Purpose
The purpose of this Group is to foster within its territorial limits the purposes of the Club. The group is authorized to undertake activities that are consistent with the purposes of the Club and are not prohibited by the Chapter or by the Board by a general rule applicable alike to all chapters. The Group shall act on questions of public policy only in pursuance of Chapter and Board policies or in a manner consistent with them.

1.4 Boundaries
The territorial boundaries of this Group shall be as specified from time to time by the Chapter ExCom, with due consideration of the wishes of Club members residing therein.

2. Membership

2.1 Members
Group members shall be those Club members of record who reside within the Group boundaries, except that upon written application to the principal office of the Club, a member may join any chapter and any group within that chapter. No member shall belong to more than one chapter and group. Only Group members may vote or hold Group office. Only Sierra Club members in good standing may act on behalf of the Group.

2.2 Powers of Members
By voting in annual or special elections, members shall elect and may recall members of the Group Executive Committee (ExCom) and may determine Group policy. Through petition, members may require the ExCom to call membership meetings.

2.3 Membership Meetings
The ExCom may call, or upon petition by twenty-five (25) members shall call, a meeting of the members. At least twenty (20) days’ written notice shall be provided to the members, stating the time and place to consider subjects specified in the petition or by the ExCom. The  notice shall be published in a Group newsletter or other publication provided to all members. No binding action may be taken at a membership meeting, but resolutions addressed to any Club entity may be adopted. The quorum for a membership meeting shall be fifty (50) Group members.

2.4 Election Petitions
The members may petition for a special election as follows:
a) If signatures are obtained equal to at least fifty (50) percent of the members who voted in the last regular group election, but with not less than fifty (50) nor more than one hundred (100) signatures being required, and the petition contains a request that a special election be held, a special election shall be held to decide the issue unless the earliest date on which the special election could be held is not more than three (3) months prior to the next regular election, in which case the issue may be decided at the regular election.
b) If signatures are obtained equal to at least twenty-five (25) percent of the members who voted in the last regular group election, but with not less than twenty-five (25) nor more than fifty (50) signatures being required, the issue shall be decided at the next regular election.
Petitions shall state separately each issue to be decided. If the issue is the recall of ExCom members, candidates who shall take office if the recall is successful may be nominated in the same petition.

3. Executive Committee

3.1 Number
Subject to the powers of the members as provided by these Bylaws, the management of the affairs and activities of the Group shall be in the hands of an ExCom of nine (9) members elected by the Group membership for terms of two years.

In any election, up to five (5) members may be elected for full terms, as long as the size of the ExCom does not increase as a result and no fewer than four (4) terms will expire in any future year. When filling vacancies in unexpired terms by election, longer terms shall be awarded to candidates with more votes. The candidates who win the higher numbers of votes shall receive any available full terms and the others shall receive the unexpired remainders of the vacated terms.

Members elected shall take office at the fIrst meeting of the year. If not otherwise members of the ExCom, the Secretary and Treasurer shall serve as non-voting members.

3.2 Powers
Only the ExCom or those specifically authorized by it or its designees shall act in the name of the Group. The ExCom shall have the authority to make rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of these Bylaws. If any appeal arises concerning any act or decision of the ExCom, the Chapter ExCom shall have the power to determine the procedures to be followed.

Group actions must be consistent with Club purposes and the policies and directives of the Chapter ExCom and the Board or its designees. The ExCom may call meetings of the Group membership at large with twenty (20) days written notice to all Group members, stating time, place, and subjects to be considered. Notices shall be published in a Group or Chapter newsletter or other publication provided to all members.

The ExCom may call and conduct special elections in accordance with these bylaws.

The ExCom may establish and dissolve sections and committees as provided in these Bylaws.

The ExCom may appoint and remove Group officers, representatives, and committee members at any time. The ExCom may fill vacancies in its elected membership.

3.3 Responsibilities
The ExCom shall assure that the activities and services provided for the benefit of the members by the Group and its sections and other entities comply and are consistent with these Bylaws and any Group Standing Rules, policies and directives of the Chapter or the Board or its designees, the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Club, and applicable law. Such activities may include but are not limited to financial management, membership services, production of publications, and conservation, outings and political programs. Authority may be delegated to carry out such activities, but the ExCom shall retain overall responsibility and control.

3.4 Vacancies
The ExCom shall have the power to fill a vacancy in any elected or appointed office. A vacancy in an elected position shall be filled for no longer than until the next election for Chapter/Group ExComms.

Should a two-year term(s) and a one-year term(s) be open at the time of the Chapter/Group election, the higher vote getter(s) will be elected to the two-year term(s) and the remainder to one-year term(s).

3.5 Officers
The ExCom shall elect from its members the following officers, who shall also be Group officers: a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and at its option, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The ExCom may appoint from outside its membership any other Group officers it considers necessary, including the Secretary and Treasurer. All such officers shall be Group members.

At the discretion of the ExCom, offices may be combined, provided there are at least two distinct officers. Assistants to these officers may be designated from among Group members.

Notice of the officers and appointees of the Group shall be provided to Chapter headquarters annually upon selection, or as required by the Board or its designees.

3.6 Representatives
The ExCom shall elect from among its members a voting Group Representative and Alternate to the Chapter ExCom in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Group. The ExCom may instruct representatives and alternates before each Chapter ExCom meeting. Representatives or alternates shall report to the ExCom after each such meeting.

3.7 Committees
The ExCom may establish and dissolve standing and special committees for such objectives as it may set in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Group.

3.8 Open Meetings
All meetings of the ExCom and its committees shall be open to attendance by any Club member, but the ExCom or its committees may convene in private session for the consideration of any sensitive matter, provided that any vote or final action is taken in open session.

3.9 Quorum
A quorum for ExCom meetings shall be a simple majority of its voting members. An ExCom member shall be considered present at a meeting if able to participate fully and simultaneously by means approved by the ExCom in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Group.

3.10 ExCom Meetings
The ExCom shall hold regularly scheduled meetings at least six (6) times per year at times and places communicated in advance to all Group members.

3.11 Special Meetings
ExCom business may, if necessary, be conducted at a Special Meeting. A Special Meeting may be called by the Chair or any five (5) ExCom members with at least one week's notice, unless all ExCom members waive this notice requirement.

3.12 Acts Taken Outside of Meetings
Provided that a determined and documented effort has been made to contact all ExCom members, the Excom may act outside a meeting as follows:
a) The Excom may act on any matter with the consent of two-thirds of the members of the Excom.
b) In an emergency, or if prior authorization has been given at a regular or special meeting, a quorum of the Excom may act.
Any such action must be reported promptly to all ExCom members, and reported and placed in the minutes of the Excom’s next meeting.

3.13 Absences
Any ExCom member who misses three regularly scheduled meetings over any continuous twelve-month period without being excused for good cause by the Chair shall be automatically removed from the ExCom. The ExCom may reinstate the member by majority vote.

4. Nominations and Elections

4.1 Annual Election
An Annual Election shall be held in the fourth quarter of each year to choose ExCom members. This election and any special elections shall be conducted by secret written ballot mailed to all Group members of record at least four weeks before the closing date of the election, and shall be conducted in such a manner as to ensure facility of voting and tabulation, and secrecy of ballot. The ballot shall allow each voter to vote for as many candidates as there are positions to be filled. A voter may not cumulate votes for any candidate.

The ExCom shall specify the calendar dates and deadlines for appointing the Nominating Committee (NomCom), production of eligible voter lists, receipt of names for consideration by the NomCom, receipt of ballot issue petitions, the NomCom report of names of nominees, receipt of candidate petitions, appointment of the Election Committee, printing and mailing dates for ballots allowing at least four weeks for return of the ballots, receipt of returned ballots, and the date, time and place for counting ballots.

The ExCom shall provide written notice of this schedule and of the opportunity to nominate candidates by petition to all Group members.

4.2 Nominating Committee
A Nominating Committee (NomCom) of at least three Group members, at least one not an ExCom member, none of whom may be a candidate, shall be appointed annually by the ExCom not later than four months before the designated closing date of the election. Sufficient opportunity shall be given for Group members to submit names for consideration by the NomCom. The NomCom shall attempt to nominate at least two more candidates than the number of ExCom members to be elected, and shall report the nominees' names to the ExCom at least two weeks before the deadline for submission of nomination petitions and five weeks before the scheduled mailing of the ballots. Nominees shall be Group members who give their consent. If the NomCom chooses not to nominate a willing candidate, the NomCom shall promptly inform that candidate of the opportunity to seek nomination by petition.

4.3 Petition Candidates
The name of any Group member proposed in writing by at least twenty (20) Group members prior to the deadline for submission of petitions, and who gives consent, shall also be included on the ballot. The nomination petitions shall be retained until the ballots are destroyed.

4.4 Election Committee
An Election Committee of at least three Group members, at least one not an ExCom member, shall be appointed annually by the ExCom prior to the scheduled date of mailing of ballots. Alternatively, the Group ExCom may designate the Chapter Election Committee as Election Committee for the Group. No candidates may serve on the Election Committee. The Election Committee shall cause the ballots to be prepared and mailed, and shall count the returned ballots. Challenges of the conduct of candidates or their campaigns shall be referred to the Election Committee. Decisions of the Election Committee may be appealed to the ExCom.

4.5 Mailing Ballots
Ballots shall be mailed to all Group members of record according to the voter list obtained prior to the election.

4.6 Return of Ballots
Ballots shall be returned to the Election Committee as directed in the ballot instructions. Return of a minimum number of valid ballots shall not be required for the validity of an annual or special election.

4.7 Counting Ballots
The Election Committee shall count the ballots on the closing date of the election, or as soon as practical after the closing date of the election. The candidates or their authorized representatives shall be permitted to be present. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Any tie shall be resolved immediately, first by a recount, then if necessary by lot at the ballot counting. The Election Committee shall report the results immediately to the Secretary. The Secretary shall immediately notify the candidates, the ExCom, membership and other interested parties, and shall report the results to the ExCom at its next meeting. The ballots and nomination petitions shall be retained until their destruction is directed by the ExCom.

5. Functions and Services

5.1 Functions
The Group shall provide functions and services required by the Board, its designees, the Chapter ExCom, or the Group members. The ExCom shall define from time to time the methods and procedures by which these functions and services shall be delivered.

5.2 Publications
The ExCom shall arrange for Group publications to be distributed regularly by print or electronic means to all Group members, giving notice and reporting proceedings of the ExCom, Group meetings, elections and other news, including announcements of social events and outings. This requirement may be satisfied by use of a chapter publication.

5.3 Conservation Program
The Group Conservation Program shall further the conservation objectives and priorities of the Club within Group boundaries, assist in international, national and regional Club actions, and provide for the development and execution of specific conservation strategies and action programs authorized by the ExCom.

The ExCom shall appoint a Conservation Chair and Conservation Committee members in accordance with the Standing Rules of the Group. The Conservation Chair shall provide a point of contact for the public and other Club leaders, and assist the ExCom in conservation planning, budget decisions, resolving conflicts, training, and implementation of the Conservation Program.

The program shall be coordinated with other Club entities. Group leaders shall not make a statement Or take a position publicly that is contrary to a policy or position established by the Chapter ExCom, Board of Directors, the duly authorized chapter, group, committee or other Club entity, or the Club membership through referendum, nor shall Club leaders or staff members mention their Sierra Club affiliation if they, in their own names, make a statement or take a position contrary to established policy.

Conservation actions may not include civil disobedience. No chapter, group, nor other Club entity shall encourage, request or direct any person to violate the law.

5.4 Membership Program
The ExCom shall provide for a membership program that keeps a copy of the roster of current members, assists in efforts to recruit and retain members, and is responsible for recruiting and welcoming members and encouraging them to participate in Club and Group activities.

5.5 Outings and Activities
The Group ExCom shall manage any outings and activities programs in cooperation with any group sub entities that conduct such outings and activities. Such management shall include but is not limited to the establishment of codes of conduct appropriate to each type of activity, provisions for approval and publication of notices, training and certification of leaders, screening of participants, compliance with insurance restrictions and other Club policies, handling of reservations and fees, restricting group size and environmental impact, and investigation of incidents and complaints. All outings and activities shall be sanctioned in advance.

5.6 Political Action
The Group's political program shall include evaluating political issues and positions, planning and conducting the endorsement and support of candidates for public office, and developing and leading the efforts necessary for those processes. This program may include federal, state, provincial, territorial, and local government races as well as ballot initiatives, and shall be conducted in compliance with applicable law and the Club's electoral compliance guidelines.

6. Group Sections

6.1 Sections
With ExCom approval, Group members interested in special activities consistent with Club purposes, or other appropriate subsets of Group members, may form sections, subject to approval of section operating procedures. Because section membership is optional, sections may assess dues and also charge for activities, as permitted by the Group ExCom. Sections shall operate under bylaws approved by the Group ExCom.

6.2 Reports
Each section shall submit an annual report of its activities to the Group ExCom.

6.3 Suspension and Dissolution
By two-thirds (2/3) vote the Group ExCom members present at a regular or special meeting may suspend or dissolve a section, if; in the judgment of the ExCom, such action is in the best interest of the Club. Such action shall not affect the standing of the individual members as members of the Club or Group. Suspension or dissolution shall only take place after written specification of the grounds for the proposed action are furnished to the members of the section affected and to the Chapter ExCom or its designees. At the same ExCom meeting, Group members shall have an opportunity to comment on the proposed action.

Upon dissolution, all remaining assets of the dissolved section shall revert to the Group.

As an alternative to dissolution, the Group ExCom may require new elections to be held for section office.

7. Finances

7.1 Receiving and Expending Funds
The Group may receive funds from Club entities and may receive contributions directly. The Group may not assess or collect dues from its members. Expenditures shall be consistent with all rules, policies and directives of the Board and its designees.

7.2 Fundraising and Fees for Outings and Activities
Consistent with rules, policies and directives of the Chapter ExCom and the Board or its designees, the Group may conduct fundraising and other activities, including outings, that require members and others to pay a fee to participate.

Such fees may include both direct and indirect costs and provide for operating reserves. Announcements of fundraising events shall indicate the intended use of the proceeds.

7.3 Authority Over Deposited Funds
The ExCom shall have authority over all funds deposited in accounts in the name of the Group and its entities. Every bank, savings, or investment account must have on the signature list for that account at least two signatures, including the signature of a Group ExCom officer. generally the Treasurer or Chair.

7.4 Requirement to Deposit
Unless otherwise specified by the ExCom or the Board or its designees, all monies received by Group entities shall be deposited promptly in an account bearing the name of the entity, the Group, and of the Sierra Club.

7.5 Delegation of Authority
The ExCom may delegate fInancial authority to Group entities. The Group shall retain responsibility and control. Group entities must provide satisfactory accounting at least quarterly to the Group Treasurer, including all reports required to satisfy Club requirements and applicable laws.

7.6 Prohibitions
The Group and its entities may not borrow money, own real estate, or contribute from its general funds to political campaigns, candidates or their parties.

7.7 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Group shall coincide with that of the Club.

7.8 Books and Reports
The Group Treasurer shall keep proper books of account, and shall report balances, revenues, and expenses of the Group and its entities to the ExCom at least quarterly, and to the Chapter Treasurer or designee at the end of the fiscal year. The Group Treasurer shall either file, or provide the Club Treasurer with timely information and funds required to file, all reports and returns required to satisfy Club requirements and applicable laws.

7.9 Review
As soon as practicable after the close of the fIScal year, the ExCom shall cause a review to be made of the books, including those of all Group entities. The results of the review shall be submitted to the ExCom for their approval.

8. Construction and Amendment

8.1 Interpretation of Bylaws
All questions as to the construction or meaning of these Bylaws are fIrSt to be referred to the Group ExCom for decision. Appeals from such decisions may be taken to the appropriate level, as established by rules of the Chapter ExCom and the Board of Directors.

The decision of the highest of these entities that chooses to act shall be final. All procedures not prescribed by the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Club, these Bylaws, or the Standing Rules of the Group, shall be governed by the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised.

8.2 Amendment
These Bylaws are fundamental and shall not be added to, amended or repealed except by a two-thirds vote of the Group ExCom and a two-thirds vote of all mail ballots cast in an Annual or Special Election. After proposed bylaw changes have been approved by the Group ExCom, and before they are submitted to a vote of Group members, they shall be submitted to the Chapter ExCom or its designees and the Board or its designees for review and approval.

If an amendment expands the size of the ExCom, but the annual election was held for fewer members, the ExCom may appoint members or hold a special election to fill the new positions. If the amendment reduces the size of the ExCom, the elected members receiving the most votes shall serve.

Approval by vote of the members is not required for amendments needed to keep these Bylaws consistent with changes in the Club Bylaws, directives of the Board or its designees, or to correct inconsequential errors or omissions. Such amendments shall require only a majority vote of the ExCom. A current copy of these Bylaws shall be filed with the Secretary of the Chapter and at the principal office of the Sierra Club.

8.3 Signatures and Effective Date
These bylaws and any amended versions shall be signed and dated by officers acting on behalf of the ExCom and by the national entity designated to approve bylaws. These bylaws as amended shall take effect on July 1,2000, or when the signed copy is filed at the principal office of the Sierra Club, whichever is later. A copy of the signature page shall be returned to the Group, and shall be attached to all reproduced copies.