FLA Bylaws

Family Leadership Academy Bylaws

Last Revision April 18 2024

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be Family Leadership Academy, referred to as FLA.

ARTICLE II: MISSION AND VISION

Mission Statement

FLA is a commonwealth which unites families with education and life goals centered on the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We contribute our unique talents and resources to create transformative experiences and relationships that are (1) spiritually strengthening, (2) intellectually enlarging, (3) character building, and (4) leading to lifelong learning and service.

Vision

We endeavor to build lifelong learners committed to excellence in scholarship and unwavering integrity. Rooted in the discipleship of Jesus Christ, we develop servant-leaders committed to building the Kingdom of God.


ARTICLE III: Commonwealth

Section 1: Definitions

1. A “commonwealth” is a group of self-governed individuals who work for the common good or happiness of the community. It aims to exist beyond the creators whose children are now raised and gone, and can stand the test of time.

Section 2: Philosophy

1. Key Focus and Objectives

We seek to fulfill our mission by:

a. Maintaining a restored gospel of Jesus Christ focus. Classes of any subject are encouraged to delve into scriptures, prophets’ words, conference talks, proclamations, and the like.

b. Cultivating a youth program focused on service and building leaders.

c. Encouraging members to take initiative and receive and act on inspiration when considering classes and activities to offer the community.

d. Creating deep bonds of Sisterhood in a culture that encourages loving one another and extending charity and grace.

2. At minimum, FLA offers a day of mentored classes once a week where attendance is required of its members. Parents are encouraged to create experiences in line with our mission, which capitalize on the talents of the mothers, fathers and family members of our community to nurture the hearts, minds and spirits of our children 18 and younger.

3. FLA provides facilities, scheduling, assistance, support and coordination for the benefit of both class mentors and students.

4. While FLA strives to provide quality and godly educational opportunities, neither FLA nor its mentors are to be held liable for any teachings that may not be in harmony with each individual and/or family’s beliefs. Parents have the responsibility to monitor but do not have the privilege to dictate class content. Communication with each child's mentor is encouraged.

5. In order for the FLA Board to perform its fiduciary responsibility, the Board reserves the right to discontinue a Mentored Class at any time.

Section 3: Rights and Duties of Mentors

1. In order for a mentored class to be accepted and taught in the FLA community, it must adhere to the standards set by FLA and meet the needs of current students and members.
2. Prospective Class Mentors shall follow the current Policies and Procedures regarding mentor proposals.
3. A Class Mentor is required to be either an FLA Member in good standing or a non-FLA member approved by the Board.
4. A Class Mentor is encouraged to maintain communication with each student’s parents and must allow an open door policy for parents wanting to evaluate the course’s value for their child.
5. All decisions regarding class administrative matters, ie: class material, teaching methods, class size, rules, assignments, grading, fees, student eligibility, acceptance or expulsion or other approaches within the class are made by the class mentor, but must adhere to FLA guidelines.
6. Class mentors are able to utilize the assistance of the Education Director in both the development and mentoring of their classes.
7. Class Mentors are not employed by FLA.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Requirements

1. Membership in FLA is open to all individuals and families who:
2. Complete the FLA Membership Application.
3. Receive approval and invitation from the Board.
4. Complete the Agreement Form which includes reading and digitally signing the “Building Stewardship Policy”, the “Standards of Moral Conduct”, the “Bylaws”, and the “Parent Offsite Agreement.”
5. Pay Non-Refundable Registration and Building Fees each semester.
6. Pay class fees.
7. Follow FLA Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures.

Section 2: Standing

Members will remain in good standing who fulfill the requirements in this article.

Section 3: Limits on Membership

If the need arises, the Board shall create a policy for membership capacity.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Purpose

FLA shall be managed by a working Board of Directors with board members and duties as specified below. The Board of Directors has authority to conduct all proper business of FLA.

Section 2: Members of the Board of Directors

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Youth Relations Director
4. Education Director
5. Communications Director
6. Secretary
7. Treasurer

Section 3: Presiding Officer

The President is normally the Presiding Officer. In situations where the President cannot be present or otherwise fulfill this responsibility, the Presiding Officer will either be designated by the President beforehand, or the Presiding Officer will fall to the Board Member in the order listed above.

Section 4: Duties of Board Members

General Duties of the Board:

1. Be FLA Members in good standing.
2. Promote the Vision and Mission of FLA.
3. Create and manage policies and procedures as needed.
4. Make monetary decisions (e.g. spending, building fee and membership fees).
5. Approve new members.
6. Review and approve Class Proposals and FLA curriculum.
7. Produce annual Mentor Training, as needed.
8. Create a calendar of regular Member Meetings at the beginning of each school year.
9. Create and manage committees as needed.
10. Supervise the Student Council, when active.
11. Work with the student council to mentor the planning and carrying out of youth activities.
12. Approves FLA theme.
13. Serves as committee chairpersons on FLA committees.
14. All board members present a report at the Annual Members Meeting.

President (or Presiding Officer)

1. Acts as the Standard Bearer of the Vision and Mission of FLA.
2. Acts as Chairman of the Board. Creates agenda and conducts Board Meetings.
3. Facilitates and chairs general meetings and activities.
4. Oversees all aspects of the operation of the organization.
5. Consults and mentors Board Members, Class Mentors and Members as needed.
6. Ensures adherence to Bylaws and Policies & Procedures.
7. Monitors and participates in committees as appropriate.
8. Acts for FLA in exceptional circumstances (e.g. safety and dangerous situations) requiring timeliness in the absence of other Board Members. Informs the Board of actions taken.
9. Personally interviews and recommends new potential families being considered to join FLA.
10. Reports on the state of the organization at Member Meetings.
11. Presents a report at the Annual Members Meeting.
12. Reviews expenditures before the Treasurer sends payments.
13. Works with the Youth Director and student council to create a calendar of youth activities.
14. Approves calendar of all FLA activities for the year.
15. Attends Student Council Meetings.

Vice President (Chief Operations Officer)

1. Serves as the President's assistant and counselor in all things related to FLA operations.
2. Oversees activities such as field trips, Mama's Nights - any activity not youth-specific.
3. If the President cannot fill his or her term, the vice president acts in the capacity of president until a new president can be elected.
4. Arranges for and oversees facilities and maintenance (communication point with landlord around care of building, cleaning schedule, cleaning products–trash bags, soap, hand towels).
5. Works with the Education Director to schedule time and location of classes.
6. Creates a logistical schedule of who opens and closes the building.
7. Secures building location for any recurring activities of FLA including Second Scholar Day.
8. In charge of FLA weekly mama classes.
9. Presents a report at the Annual Members Meeting.

Youth Relations Director

1. Oversees all youth activities.
2. Creates and coordinates annual Youth Retreat.
3. Attends and oversees Student Council, including elections and managing student council positions.
4. Works with the Student Council and FLA President to create appropriate enriching activities for our youth, including selecting the FLA yearly theme.
5. Acts as a bridge of communication between the Student Council and the Board.
6. Works with the Board to create a clear vision of the FLA Scholar Program.
7. Acts as a chairman of all youth committees.
8. Plans and carries out youth mentoring.
9. Creates a yearly calendar of youth-led activities.
10. Networks with other homeschool groups to create opportunities for our youth.
11. Presents a report at the Annual Members Meeting.

Education Director

1. Takes the lead in ensuring that the class offerings at FLA are balanced according to the current needs of the group.
2. Oversees management of and communication with Class Mentors.
3. Makes recommendations to the Board for classes, mentors, and educational quality.
4. Conducts Mentor Training, as needed.
5. Creates a schedule and room assignments for each semester to be approved by the board.
6. Presents a report at the Annual Members Meeting.
7. Analyzes class demographics and makes recommendations on the needs for adding families.
8. In charge of creating and carrying out official FLA educational opportunities outside FLA days.
9. Finds and secures outside mentors when needed.

Communications Director

1. Sends weekly emails with updates and information, acts as “the voice” of FLA.
2. Notifies members about meetings, classes, schedule changes, and any other important information using a method agreeable to the Board.
3. Uses mass texting to remind members of activities.
4. Maintains yearly calendar.
5. Maintains all aspects of the website.
6. Presents a report at the Annual Members Meeting.

Secretary

1. Take minutes and maintain records of all board meetings and general member meetings.
2. Maintains a current database of members, membership directory, demographics, communication lists/groups and organizes all files.
3. Maintain a file of all completed paperwork (i.e. Membership Agreements, Class Proposals, and Standards of Moral Conducts, etc.)
4. Responds and manages the waiting list, and follows up with prospective members to answer any questions.
5. Provides training to new members by sending welcome email and new member documents.
6. Creates demographics of FLA families.
7. Prepares a report at the Annual Member Meeting.
8. Prepares and proposes meeting agendas to the president.
9. Creates all pertaining youth directories and updates youth communication tools/platforms.
10. Keeps Policies and Procedures documented and up to date.

Treasurer

1. Handles receipts and disbursement of funds, including approved reimbursements of FLA expenses incurred by members.
2. Maintains accurate records of all financial transactions involving FLA.
3. Reconciles monthly bank statements.
4. Creates and maintains budgets as directed by the Board.
5. Follows up with members to make sure membership fees and building fees are paid.
6. Prepares and presents a year end financial statement at the Annual Members Meeting.
7. Manages and obtains group insurance as needed.
8. Reviews, makes recommendations and carries out all duties having to do with tax filing and liabilities.
9. Manages non-profit status.

Section 5: Election of the Board of Directors

To be qualified to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, one must commit to fulfill the duties of the board position and be a member in good standing with Family Leadership Academy.

1. Terms of office shall be one year.
2. Elections shall be held at the Annual General Membership Meeting in the spring of each school year.
3. Board members shall begin their term at the close of the last day of class of the Spring/Winter FLA semester.
4. Elections shall be conducted by one Board Member, first by nomination, then by secret ballot.
5. Ballots shall be tallied by two members in attendance at the election meeting. These two shall be selected by the President or Presiding Officer. The vote counters should not be candidates on the ballot currently being decided. They will count the votes and report the results to the President or Presiding Officer.
6. The position will be filled by the nominee who receives a majority vote. Results will then be announced to the Members.
7. The privilege of voting is given only to those members who attend the Annual Meeting, are in good standing, and have paid the membership fee for the upcoming Fall semester.
8. All board positions are voted on by general membership.

Section 6: Board Member Vacancy

1. Any Board Member may be removed from office by a vote of 2/3 of the General Membership who shall attend a regular or special meeting in which such a vote may occur.
2. Any Board Member may resign by giving written notice to the Board.
3. If a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Board appoints a Member in good standing to fill that position until a new Board Member can be elected. Elections to fill such vacancies shall occur at the next Annual Meeting.

Section 7: Meetings of the Board of Directors

1. The Board of Directors will meet weekly during FLA class periods at a time selected by the President and approved by the Board.
2. The Board of Directors will hold additional strategic planning meetings as needed.
3. The Board of Directors will hold and attend the Member Meetings.

Section 8: Quorum of the Board of Directors

1. A quorum of the Board of Directors will consist of five (5) Board Members.
2. Board decisions and actions are formalized by majority vote as long as at least a quorum is present.

ARTICLE VI: MEMBER MEETINGS

Section 1: Member Meetings

Regular Member meetings shall take place at minimum annually at the discretion of the board.

Section 2: Annual Meeting

The Regular Member meeting during the spring semester shall be known as the Annual Meeting.

Section 3: Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called by the President or a minimum of three Members who provide notice to the president. The President will notify all Members at least three (3) days prior to such meetings.

Section 4: Quorum of the general membership shall be one half of the current members.

Section 5: Voting

As long as at least a quorum is present, all votes of the general membership will be decided by simple majority vote unless they involve amending the bylaws or taking away privileges of Members in which case, a two-thirds (2/3) vote is required.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Creating Committees

1. Committees may be established as needed to carry out FLA business. (e.g. A Board Member might create a committee to help them with their assigned duties.)
2. Any Member may propose the creation of a committee. Creation and dissolution of committees shall be approved by the Board.
3. Committees may be continuous (standing committees) or temporary (e.g. for a specific purpose or event) as required.
4. Standing committees should have and follow written objectives, duties, guidelines and procedures.

ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the society in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENT

Section 1: Amendment Process to the Bylaws

1. Any Member has the right to propose an amendment with written notice to the President thirty (30) days before the next regular meeting.
2. Members shall be notified of the proposed amendment ten (10) days before the next regular Member meeting.
3. An amendment will be adopted with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of Members in attendance at the meeting.