By-Laws of the Missouri Student Success Network

ARTICLE I
NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

The organization shall be known as The Missouri Student Success Network, a Missouri not-for-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

The purpose of the Missouri Student Success Network shall be to establish a system that connects schools, parents, community agencies, professional groups, and individuals to a statewide network of support focused on increased success of Missouri at-risk students and youth. The organization will strive to coordinate, strengthen, and increase the effectiveness of programs and services provided for at-risk students and youth and their families. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the purposes for which the organization has been formed include, but are not limited to:

1. The continuing education of those professionals who provide services to students at risk of school failure.
2. The cooperative development of alternative school related policy, advocacy, and supportive efforts.
3. The coordination of comprehensive educational services and the establishment of collaborative efforts to provide those services.
4. The establishment of procedures that encourage the active participation and the appropriate placements for students and youth.
5. The sharing of resources.
6. The development of model collaborative programs and services.
7. The establishment of working relationships with elected officials and other public officials to further the goals of the organization and to encourage the development of a comparable level of quality services for all students and youth in the State of Missouri.
8. The establishment of the organization as the communication link between various federal, state, and local governments, planning agencies, private groups, industries and individuals to assist in the dissemination of information that is critical to serving at-risk students and youth.

ARTICLE III
OFFICES

The offices of the organization shall be initially located at Valley View High School, 5000 NW Valley View Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015. The offices may be relocated as necessary.

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP

The Missouri Student Success Network shall include individual members as well as individuals representing agencies, entities, or organizations. The membership categories of the organization are defined as follows:

1. Individual Members: Those individuals who have paid the application dues or assessment and meet the eligibility requirements established by the Board of Directors.
2. Representatives of agencies, entities, or organizations: Those that provide services to students and youth at risk of school failure.

ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A Board of Directors shall govern the organization. The members of the Board shall be members as described in Article IV. Members of the Board of Directors will represent the nine regions of the state as outlined by the Missouri Student Success Network. Each region will be represented by one Board member with the exception of the Kansas City and St. Louis regions, which shall have two. Board members will be appointed for two years. In the spring of 2005, members of the Board of Directors will be elected to represent the region for a period of three years.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION

The officers of the organization shall be elected from the Board of Directors. Officers shall be a President, Vice-President, and Secretary. The officers shall serve for a term of one year. Individuals may be re-elected to the same or other officer positions. (Election of officers will begin in 2005).

ARTICLE VII
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The officers of the organization shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors prior to the next school year.

A nominee shall agree to serve in the office for which he or she has been nominated before voting for that office shall commence. The election of an officer shall require a majority vote of the members of the Board.

A member of the Board of Directors must be present to cast a vote. No voting by proxy, telephonic, or other means shall be allowed.

ARTICLE VIII
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Board of Directors shall employ an Executive Director to oversee the daily operations of the organization, represent the organization at appropriate functions, direct the implementation of the organization's goals, and further the purpose of the organization.

ARTICLE IX
FINANCES, DUES, AND ASSESSMENTS

1. The fiscal year of the organization shall be July 1 through June 30. 2. The Board of Directors may establish dues, membership fees, assessments, registration fees, or other similar requirements prior to June 30. Membership in the organization shall be contingent upon the payment of fees or assessments established by the Board of Directors. 3. The Executive Director shall be responsible for ensuring that all funds received by the organization are properly deposited, expended, and accounted for. 4. The organization is authorized to receive contributions, grants, gifts, bequests, or other funds designated for the Missouri Student Success Network. 5.

ARTICLE X
RULES OF ORDER

The rules contained in the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Revised; shall govern meetings and procedures to be followed in all areas where they are consistent with these by-laws or the Articles of Incorporation of the Missouri Student Success Network.

ARTICLE XI
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. There shall be at least one meeting per year of the Board of Directors at a time and place to be determined by the Board.
2. A meeting may be convened by the President, or upon the request of five voting members of the Board.
3. Board members shall be notified of Board meetings in writing at least five business days in advance of the meeting. In the event of emergency circumstances a meeting may be held without the five days notice. In such instances, all members of the Board shall be notified at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting; notice in these cases may be by telephone or other electronic means.
4. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be at least one more than one-half of the Board members.

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

Upon dissolution of the organization the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the organization, dispose of the assets of the organization in compliance with the requirement of state and federal law applicable to a 501c (3) corporation, as defined in Article Nine of the Articles of Incorporation.