SECTION 1. The Southwest Oklahoma Impact Coalition, hereinafter referred to as the Coalition, is hereby created among the following entities:
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)
Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC)
Cameron University (CU)
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO)
Redlands Community College (RCC)
Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG)
South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA)
The Coalition is created by and will operate as an instrumentality of these entities to carry out certain mutually determined tasks and functions on behalf of the entities.SECTION 2. The Coalition exists as a voluntary association of its current and qualified entities (Section 1, above). No entity shall be liable for the payment of any sum by virtue of its being in the Coalition, other than the payment to the Coalition of dues and other special assessments as may levied against all entities pursuant to By-laws.
The mission of the coalition is to reinforce and grow wealth in the Southwest Quadrant of Oklahoma by maximizing and coordinating workforce and economic development opportunities through a collaborative process.
SECTION 1. The presidents of the Universities and Colleges and the executive directors of the Councils of Government (ASCOG and SWODA) shall constitute the Board of Directors which shall be the governing body of the Coalition.
SECTION 2. The Coalition, as determined by the Board of Directors, shall invite other public and private agencies and organizations with common or related interests to become partners.
SECTION 3. The Board of Directors, consistent with state and federal law, is directed to receive and expend all grants, gifts and bequests from any source whatsoever for the purposes for which this Coalition exists, and to contract with the United States, the State of Oklahoma and all other legal entities with respect thereto.
SECTION 1. The Coalition shall elect, from its Board of Directors, the following officers: Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.
SECTION 2. The officers shall be elected during the annual meeting of the Coalition. Should any of the officers cease to hold the position at his or her respective member entity for any reason, the office shall be declared vacant and a successor for the remainder of the term of the vacant office shall be elected by the Board of Directors. SECTION 3. The terms of officers shall be for a period of time beginning at the adjournment of the annual meeting at which the officers are elected and ending at the adjournment of the next annual meeting; provided, however, that officers shall continue to serve until their successors are elected.
SECTION 1. The Coalition’s Board of Directors shall meet from time to time as determined by consensus. The Board of Directors will establish an annual meeting for the purpose of electing officers and conducting other business. The Chair of the Coalition shall notify the Board of Directors of the time and location of meetings.
SECTION 2. All meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Coalition will be held under the guidance of the public meeting laws of the State of Oklahoma.
SECTION 3. A quorum must be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Coalition in order to take action on any matter of business. A simple majority of the directors or the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 4. Any director may designate one individual to represent and vote for him/her at a scheduled meeting. (Section 3, above).
SECTION 5. The Board of Directors shall serve without compensation.
SECTION 1. To carry out the aims and objectives of the coalition, the Chair may appoint such committees as are deemed necessary, with approval from the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. The Chair shall name, with the Board of Directors confirmation, members and chair of any committee created.
SECTION 3. The Board of Directors’ Chair shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees.
SECTION 1. The Coalition may establish annual dues and may levy special assessments against its Board of Directors to accomplish its purposes. All dues and special assessments shall be due and payable to the Coalition upon receipt of notice of such dues or levy.
SECTION 2. The Coalition fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
SECTION 3. An annual budget shall be prepared by the Board of Directors, or an appropriate committee established for such purpose, when monies from dues, grants, gifts, bequests, special levies or from any other source become available to the Coalition.
SECTION 4. At the time funds become available to the Coalition, the Board of Directors shall develop and adopt financial policies and procedures.
SECTION 5. The Coalition may establish annual dues and may levy special assessments against its partners. All dues and special assessments shall be due and payable to the Coalition upon receipt of notice of such dues or levy.
SECTION 1. The Coalition may be dissolved by affirmative, majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Coalition Secretary/Treasurer shall notify the members in writing of the intent to consider dissolving the Coalition at least thirty (30) days before the meeting at which dissolution will be considered.
SECTION 2. Upon dissolution or final liquidation of the coalition after discharge or satisfaction of all outstanding obligations and liabilities, the remaining assets, if any, of the Coalition shall be distributed to the participating members, at the time of dissolution, in the same proportion to which each participating member contributed to the overall cost of the operation of the Coalition during the fiscal year of such dissolution or final liquidation.
SECTION 1. The current members may amend these by-laws at a regular or special meeting by majority, affirmative vote.
SECTION 1. The coalition is perpetual, subject to Article IX, above.
Amended by Board of Directors on May 17, 2006.