These Standing Rules are an interpretation and elaboration of the Bylaws of the JLC. Standing Rules are adopted, amended, or suspended by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees and are binding upon all members of The JLC. The Standing Rules are organized in the same order as the Bylaws. Standing Rules, which amplify Bylaw Article I will be found under Standing Rule Article I, etc.

Article I. Name

Article II. Mission and Vision

Article III. Commitment

Article IV. Membership

Section 1. Qualifications

A. Membership Applications and Provisional Course Contracts may be obtained through The JLC Office. Applications for membership must be made on or before the applications deadline of each year.

Section 2. Classes of Membership

A. Provisional

1. Standards for Provisional Membership:
The JLC is committed to an equitable membership
development system based on objective, measurable criteria.

a. Satisfactory application process, including payment of Membership dues and the Provisional Course Fee at time of application. A payment plan can be developed, if necessary.

b. Attendance at one Informational Meeting or an individual informational discussion with a member of the Provisional Committee is highly recommended, but not necessary, before submitting an application.

c. Satisfactory completion of the Provisional Course.

d. Regular attendance at the Provisional advisor group meetings.

e. Determination by the Provisional Committee that the Provisional Member has met the above criteria.

2. Upon satisfactory completion of the application process, the Provisional Committee will recommend to the Board of Trustees the election to Provisional membership those individuals who have met the criteria.

3. The newly-elected Provisional members will begin their Provisional Course, divided into two components: In-League Training and Community Awareness Training. The training period shall be no longer than one year from the date of her election to Provisional Membership unless permission for an extension is granted.

4. Following 90% completion of the Provisional Course, the Provisional Committee will evaluate each Provisional member’s fulfillment of requirements and recommend to the Board of Trustees the election to Active membership those who have met the criteria.

5. A Provisional who resigns prior to election to Active membership must reinstate as a Provisional and will be required to complete the Provisional requirements of that fiscal year.

6. A Provisional who does not complete the Provisional requirements may elect to become a Provisional Holdover for one additional year. A Provisional Holdover must pay the required dues and fees for the additional year. The Provisional Holdover must complete all requirements that have not been completed from the previous year and any additional requirements set forth by the Provisional Committee.

7. A Provisional is not entitled to a refund of either the Membership dues or the Provisional Course fee once the Provisional Course begins.

8. A Provisional must complete 90% of requirements to be transferred as an Active member to an associated Junior League.

B. Active

1. Standards for Active Membership

a. Requirements for maintaining Good Standing

1. Volunteer Commitment:
Each JLC member shall demonstrate her commitment to membership through volunteer service in a JLC project or committee. The volunteer will choose a field of service from which she can derive maximum satisfaction according to her interests, abilities, and available time. The placement must be in place by August 31st. Each Active member of The JLC will be held responsible for fulfilling the commitments of her chosen placement.

2. Annual Payment of Dues:
The annual payment of dues and a $75.00 raising obligation is required. Dues must be paid by May 31st or member will be removed from membership by August 31st for non-payment of dues.

3. Membership Requirements:
Attendance is required at a minimum of four membership meetings. Actives are required to attend one (1) educational offering. Actives in years one (1) through seven (7) of service may be required to work one shift at a fund-raiser each year as determined by the Board. After two (2) years of Active service, excluding any leave of absence, an Active may buy-out of her fundraising shift for $25.00. All Actives are required to keep their membership profile up to date.

First year Actives are those members who have successfully completed 90% of their Provisional Training Course; who have been admitted to Active membership; justify Active membership by demonstrating volunteer service to the community and to The JLC; the First Year Actives shall remain in their small group for one year after their Provisional year. First Year Actives are eligible to make motions, vote and hold office. They shall have to complete all requirements set forth for the Active membership.

4. Community Placement Requirement:
In alignment with the mission of this organization, all Active members of The JLC are required to fulfill one (1) full community placement credit within every three- (3) year period. All projects and committees within the Community Council qualify as a community placement. Actives are required in years one (1) through seven (7) of service to work one (1) three-hour Community Service Shift.

5. All Active members will have a Member Advisor beginning in their second Active year.

6. Transfers:
a. One to two (1-2) years of Active service, excluding any leave of absence: Attendance at two (2) membership meetings and two (2) educational offerings will be required if the transfer is made between September 1st and December 31st. If the transfer occurs between January 1st and August 31st, attendance at two (2) membership meetings and (2) educational offerings will be required beginning in September of that year.

b. Three (3) plus years of Active service, excluding any leave of absence: Attendance at two (2) membership meetings will be required if the transfer occurs between September 1st and December 31st. If the transfer occurs between January 1st and August 31st, attendance at two (2) membership meetings will be required beginning September of that year.

c. A transfer member is encouraged to have a community placement but is not required to fulfill a community placement until after the Annual Meeting following her transfer year.

d. A transfer is required to fulfill the fundraising requirement of an Active member if the transfer occurs more than three (3) months prior to the fund-raiser.

C. Senior Active

1. To request this status, an eligible member must send a written request to the Administrative Assistant prior to the year in which the Active member is eligible, but no later than May 31st of that year.

2. Standards for Senior Active Membership:
a. No volunteer placement is required.
b. The annual payment of dues is required.
c. Attendance at membership meetings is not required.
d. Payment of all active financial obligations is required.
e. Completion of one four-hour shift at a fund-raiser is required. The member may opt to buy out of this shift for $25.00.
f. A Senior Active member has all the rights and privileges of Active membership.

D. Sustainer

1. The annual payment of dues is required.

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Section 3. Privileges of Membership

G. Leaves of Absence

Upon the determination of the Membership Retention Coordinator that the criteria has been met, a leave of absence of up to one year may be granted to an Active member in Good Standing temporarily unable to fulfill her JLC responsibilities. A member on leave will be assessed a $50 fee if the leave is requested by May 31st and a $75.00 of the leave is requested between June 1st and August 31st. If the leave is requested after August 31st, the dues payment will not be refunded. The member on leave will not be required to staff the fund-raiser. All leaves of absence shall coincide with the current fiscal year. The maximum amount of time for a leave of absence is two years.

Upon written request to the Membership Secretary, this leave may be extended to a second year with the approval of the Membership Retention Committee. The maximum amount of time for a leave of absence is two (2) years. If a leave of absence is required after August 31st, the dues will not be refunded. An Active member may request no more than two (2) leaves of absence during her JLC membership.

Section 4. Removal

A member not fulfilling standards for Active or Senior Active Membership for two (2) consecutive years may be removed from membership. Active or Senior Active members who do not fulfill all membership requirements for the year are determined to be Not in Good Standing.

The Membership Retention Committee shall review situations where a member’s fulfillment of membership requirements is in dispute. Removal from membership shall occur at the next Board meeting following the deadline for fulfillment of all membership requirements, including financial obligations, as determined by the Membership Retention Committee. One week following the Annual Meeting is the final date by which all membership requirements shall have been completed or arrangements for alternative service arranged. With the exception of monetary requirements, a member will be expected to actively seek alternative service through the Membership Retention Coordinator to make up for unfulfilled membership and educational requirements in order to remain in Good Standing. Alternative service must be completed on a schedule approved by the Membership Retention Coordinator to remain in Good Standing. The year of Not in Good Standing will commence the eighth day following the Annual Meeting.

Section 6. Reinstatement

A member who has resigned from The JLC in Good Standing may be reinstated. A member is required to pay a reinstatement fee.

Article V. Dues and Fees

Section 1. Annual Dues

A. Amount

1. Annual dues shall be $75.00 for Non-resident members, $170.00 for Active, Senior Active and Provisional members, and $125.00 for Sustainers.

2. An individual who wishes to reinstate shall pay a reinstatement fee of $20.00 plus the current year’s dues.

B. Members whose dues are not postmarked by May 31st may be assessed a late payment fee of $25.00. Members whose dues have not been received or postmarked by a date set by the Board of Trustees may be removed from membership. Placement is confirmed with the payment of dues.

C. Provisional Members

1. Prior to the beginning of the Provisional Course, a Provisional shall pay a course fee equivalent to the current course cost.

2. A Provisional Holdover shall pay the membership dues and Provisional Course fees for the additional year.

3. A Provisional transferring from another League to Cleveland (or those holding over for reinstating) who takes the Provisional course shall pay prior to taking the course a fee equivalent to the current course cost.

4. Active, Sustaining members, and Provisional Holdovers electing to attend the Provisional course offerings shall pay a fee for each session attended when additional charges are incurred as a result of their attendance.

D. All Transfers to Cleveland shall pay a transfer fee of $40.00.

E. All Inter-League members to Cleveland shall pay an annual fee of $30.00.

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Article VI. Meetings

Section 1. Elections

A. Voting by mail may be conducted when authorized by the Board of Trustees, the Bylaws or the Standing Rules. At least 15% of all Actives and Senior Actives must return written ballots before any determination of the election may be conducted. An affirmative vote of an approval, by written ballot, of a majority of the Active and Senior Active members voting shall be required for the determination of any such election or other matter so conducted by mail.

B. To be considered valid, the return envelope and not the ballot must be signed. The Membership shall receive the ballot by mail at least 2 weeks prior to the date on which the ballots are to be counted. All ballots prepared for mailing shall contain the following information: “You must return the completed ballot(s) in the enclosed envelope by (date). Please note: In order to be considered valid, the return envelope not the ballot itself must be signed. The signed envelope guarantees that each person voting is an Active or Senior Active member in Good Standing and voting only once. All envelopes are discarded prior the vote count.”

Article VII. Officers Trustees, and Coordinators

Section 1. Nomination

A. Slate
1. If any position lacks a candidate by identified deadlines such as posting the slate at League House, submitting the slate to the membership for voting, the Annual Meeting or the end of the fiscal year, that position shall be presented as unslated. The sitting Nominating Committee shall continue to conduct the election process to its conclusion at the Annual Meeting as well as continue the search for a candidate for any unslated position.

2. Names of potential candidates for any unslated position will be accepted by the sitting Nominating Committee through October 31st of the current year. Such individuals will be interviewed as potential candidates to fill the unslated position for the current fiscal year. The Nominating Committee will select a candidate from those names put forward and interviewed and submit said candidate to the membership in the form of a single slate for a vote no later than November 10th with ballots returned (faxed or postmarked) no later than November 25th. The individual accepted to fill the unslated position by a majority vote of the membership returning ballots would assume office on December 1st.

3. If a viable candidate for an unslated position cannot be identified by the October 31st deadline that position shall remain unfilled for the current fiscal year. Slating for such positions shall be conducted as part of the nominating process for the next fiscal year.

4. Any and all names received by the sitting Nominating Committee after the October 31st deadline shall be considered part of the nominating process for slating positions for the next fiscal year.

Section 2. Duties-Officers and Trustees

B. President Elect
1. The President Elect shall apply for the Leadership Cleveland Program during the Spring prior to her President Elect year. The cost of this program shall be borne by The JLC.

Article VIII. Board of Trustees

Section 1. Discretionary Fund

A. Discretionary Fund Guidelines

1. The Discretionary Fund is the means by which The JLC may respond to requests by qualified community organizations for financial endorsement of their projects and programs, and for support of legislative and public issues. All expenditures should be consistent with the purpose, goals or external policies voted upon by the membership of The JLC.

2. Requests must:

a. Be from nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations, or the equivalent.

b. Be sent in writing to the Community Vice President, stating the organization’s purpose and proposed use of funds.

c. Be approved by the Community Council Coordinators and the Community Vice President.

3. Requests for Discretionary Fund allocations may be granted if the following conditions are met:

a. Planned use of the funds is compatible with the purpose, goals or external policies of The JLC.

b. An immediate financial need exists or an immediate need for JLC endorsement exists in order to generate broader community support.

Article IX. Indemnification of Trustees and Officers

Article X. Standing Committees

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A. Duties

1. All proceedings of the Nominating Committee are confidential.

2. The principal function of the Nominating Committee is to prepare and present slates of nominees for all officers, coordinator and other positions as referred to in these bylaws.

3. Members interested in elected positions of leadership within the organization shall present a self-submission form indicating their interest in the position to the committee by the established deadline. Materials describing the self-submission process, including the materials necessary to make a member’s interest known to the committee, shall be distributed to the entire membership annually.

4. Meetings or JLC business shall not be conducted at League House without approval from the Nominating Committee while the Nominating Committee is holding interviews for positions of leadership. The Nominating Committee shall inform the office of interview dates and times to ensure that other meetings or business are not scheduled to be conducted at League House while candidates are present for interviews.

5. Once the Nominating process begins, marked by the deadline for receipt of self-submission materials, all communications with the Nominating Committee shall be through the chair of the committee.

6. The Nominating Committee shall cooperate with the AJLI Nominating Committee whenever possible to suggest candidates for AJLI slates.

Section 2. Project Assessment Committee (PAC)

A. This committee shall be overseen by the Community Vice President and shall include, but not be limited to, the following members:
1. Chair
2. Active member
3. Advocacy Council Coordinator
4. Member of Communications Council
5. Member of Education Council
6. Member of Finance Council
7. Member of Fund Development Council
8. Member of Membership Coucil
9. Project Management Council Coordinator
10. Project Development Council Coordinator
11. Sustainer

Section 3. Provisional Advisor Committee
A. Provisional Advisor becomes a two-year placement

B. First Year Actives remain in their small groups for an additional year with their same Provisional Advisor.

C. During their second year, Provisional Advisors become the Member Advisor for their First Year Active group and report to the Membership Retention Coordinator.

Section 4. Other Standing Committees
A. Membership Standards Committee

1. Composition -- This committee is limited to the following members:
a. Chair
b. Membership Trustee
c. Treasurer
d. Membership Retention Coordinator
e. Mentor Chairman

2. Duties -- This committee shall be responsible for reviewing the fulfillment of membership and educational requirements by the members and determining their Good Standing status. This committee is responsible for evaluating the standards required for maintaining Good Standing status. The committee is also responsible for making recommendations regarding an individual member’s status.

B. Personnel Committee
1. Composition -- This Committee shall include but not be limited to the following members:
a. Chair
b. President
c. President Elect
d. Treasurer
e. A member who is an Attorney f. A member with personnel/human resources experience
g. Immediate past chairman of this committee

2. Duties -- The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for overseeing and implementing personnel policies and hiring and reviewing JLC personnel.

C. Community Research and Development Committee (CRDC)

1. Composition -- This committee shall be chaired by the Project Development Coordinator and should include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. A Transfer
b. An Active or Senior Active
c. A Sustainer
d. A past project Chair
e. A current or former member of the Done in a Day Committee

2. Duties -- This committee shall research and monitor The JLC’s focus issues as they relate to The JLC’s priority areas, and identify opportunities for JLC involvement. This committee shall develop and review potential projects and their related funding and recommend potential projects to the Project Allocations Committee (PAC) for their consideration.

D. Member Advisor Committee

1. All Active members will have a Member Advisor Chair, assigned by zip code, beginning in their second Active year. These positions will be appointed by the Nominating Committee and advise groups of twenty (20) members each. Member Advisors report to the Membership Retention Coordinator.

E. Resident Nonprofit Review Committee
1. This committee shall be overseen by the Community Trustee and shall include but not be limited to the following members:
a. President-Elect
b. Member of Finance Council
c. A representative from the Board of Trustees in addition to those listed above.

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Article XI. Special Committees

Article XII. Councils

Section 1. Names of Councils

A. Community Council -- A Project is a specific community activity that has been researched by the Community Research and Development Committee (CRDC) and reviewed and recommended by the Project Allocation Committee (PAC), presented to the Board, approved by the membership and defined by a letter of agreement. A Project has a specific goal to address a community need, incorporates quality volunteer opportunities and offers funding as necessary. A project shall be consistent with the purpose, goals, and priority areas of The JLC. Each Project shall be reviewed annually by the Project Allocation Committee. The membership shall approve each project following the Policies for Placement on Community Projects and shall approve the funding allocations as a slate.

Section 2. General Rules Governing Councils and Committees

A. In the absence of the Council Coordinator or Committee chairs the said group shall elect a chair pro tem.

B. The committee chair does not vote except to break a tie or make a tie.

C. A council or committee may not take action unless a quorum is present. A quorum is a majority of the members of a Council or committee, unless otherwise designated.

Article XIII. Fiscal Policies

Section 1. Other Fiscal Policies

A. The Tribute Fund is monetary donations made to the JLC to honor an individual’s or group’s accomplishments, special occasions or to memorialize someone and to help generate much needed funds to support the JLC’s mission.

1. Contributions to the Tribute Fund are voluntary and do not count towards a member’s fund-raising commitment.

2. Tribute Fund monies may be expended upon Board approval.

B. A JLC member may not be paid for performing a service for the JLC, nor may a member benefit from selling services or products at a JLC event.

C. Honoraria shall not be paid to JLC members when performing in a JLC capacity.

D. The annual budget of The JLC will be approved annually by the membership. Amendments to the budget require a 2/3 vote of the members of the Board of Trustees present and voting.

E. No JLC member, except the President, may sign a contract, deed or lease.

F. Anyone who submits a check for payment which is returned for insufficient funds (NSF) shall be charged a penalty as determined by the Board.

G. All reasonable and necessary expenses incurred while transacting JLC business affairs will be reviewed and may be reimbursed. Reimbursement for mileage must be approved in advance by the respective Council Trustee.

H. A budget and policy statement must be prepared and submitted to the Board for each fundraising event prior to Board approval. Upon the recommendation of the Board, the fundraising event will be presented to the membership for approval.

I. Works in any field or artistic and/or professional endeavor created for the JLC, by any of its members (e.g. manuals, brochures, logos) shall be used only in such ways as are approved by the Board of The JLC. Creator(s) of such work(s) may request the Board to consider the termination of use at any time, with the exception of work(s) utilizing materials financed by the JLC. Upon the approval of the termination of use, the work(s) shall be exclusive property of the creator(s) and subsequent use of the work(s) shall be at the sole discretion of the creator(s), provided that the name of The JLC is not used in any way in connection with such used (i.e. in publicity, promotions, etc.)

Article XIV. Membership Manual

Article XV. Parliamentary Authority

Article XVI. Amendment of Bylaws

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