A Labor-Community Organizing Hub
The name of this organization shall be Portland Jobs With Justice, hereinafter referred to as JwJ.
JwJ is an affiliate of National Jobs With Justice and is established as a coalition of labor unions, community, religious and student organizations, and individual activists with the purpose of defending the rights of all working people and preserving civil and economic rights for all members of the community; the right to a decent standard of living, the right to job security, and the right to organize.
JwJ is based on direct action and solidarity; people making a pledge to support each other’s struggles whenever and wherever they arise. We will focus on the abuse of civil rights and the struggles of exploited workers and their communities, especially people of color, immigrants, and women.
Section 1.
Individual Membership – Any person who supports the purpose statement of JwJ, signs a pledge card, participates in activities, and conforms to the organization’s rules and policies shall be considered a member in good standing.
Section 2.
Organizational Affiliation – With a 2/3 majority approval of the Steering Committee, any membership based organization which supports the purpose statement of JwJ and agrees to promote JwJ activities among its membership, may become an affiliate.
Section 3.
With a 2/3 majority vote, the Steering Committee may expel any individual member and/or affiliate organization for actions deemed inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of JwJ.
Section 1.
The officers of JwJ shall be four Co-Chairs, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.
Section 2.
All officers shall be elected to two-year terms by the Steering Committee.
The Executive Committee shall serve as the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI – STANDING COMMITTEES
The standing committees of JwJ shall be the Steering Committee, Executive Committee, Outreach Committee, Membership Committee, Fundraising Committee, Media Committee, Personnel Committee, Faith/Labor Committee, and Rules Committee. All other committees focused on program work shall be ‘special’ or ‘ad-hoc’ committees.
Section 1.
Steering Committee – The primary governing body of JwJ shall be the Steering Committee, and voting members shall be comprised of:
Section 2.
Executive Committee/Board of Directors – The Executive Committee/Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as either the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors) shall be the governing body of JwJ between Steering Committee meetings.
Section 3.
Quorum – For purposes of voting the minimum number present shall be:
JwJ shall not discriminate in personnel matters, with either, staff or volunteers, on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, political belief, union membership, income, or marital status.
Section 1.
No member or affiliate organization shall publish or distribute any materials declaring or implying the endorsement by JwJ, without prior approval of the Steering Committee.
Section 2.
No member or affiliate organization shall solicit funds or enter into any contract or other arrangement regarding goods, property, or services, in the name of JwJ, without prior Approval of the Steering Committee.
Section 3.
The total annual budget of JwJ shall be approved by the Steering Committee and shall not be exceeded without the prior approval of the Steering Committee.
Section 4.
It is the intent of JwJ that this Constitution and Bylaws conform to all applicable laws and/or regulations. In all situations where the Constitution and Bylaws do not specify otherwise, these laws and/or regulations shall be followed as the standards for JwJ.
Any voting member of the Steering Committee may propose amendments to this Constitution. Proposed amendments require a vote of the general membership. To be enacted proposed amendments:
End of Constitution
Section 1.
Co-Chairs – The Co-Chairs are the principal public representatives of JwJ. Their primary responsibilities shall be to:
Section 2.
Secretary – The primary responsibilities of the Secretary shall be to:
Section 3.
Treasurer – The primary responsibility of the Treasurer shall be to:
Section 4.
Filling of Vacancies – Vacancies, mid-term, of any officer’s position shall be filled by appointment as provided for in ARTICLE XIII (4) of these bylaws.
Section 1.
Per Constitution Articles V and VII.2 this body may be referred to as either the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. Its primary responsibilities shall be to:
Section 2.
Section 1.
The primary responsibilities of the Steering Committee shall be to:
Section 2.
The Steering Committee shall meet on the first Monday of each month. If the first Monday is a holiday, the meeting may be moved to another night with approval at the preceding Steering Committee meeting.
Section 1.
The duties of the staff shall be defined in the Personnel Policy.
Section 1.
The primary responsibilities of the Outreach Committee shall be to:
Section 2.
The Outreach Committee Chair shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee meetings.
Section 1.
The primary responsibilities of the Fundraising Committee shall be to:
Section 2.
The Fundraising Committee Chair shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee.
Section 1.
The primary responsibilities of the Media Committee shall be to:
Section 2.
The Media Committee Chair shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee.
Section 1.
The primary responsibilities of the Membership Committee shall be to:
Section 2.
The Membership Committee Chair shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee.
Section 1.
The primary responsibilities of the Rules Committee shall be to:
Section 2.
The Rules Committee Chair shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee.
Section 1
The primary duties of the Personnel Committee shall be defined in the Personnel Policy.
Section 2
The Personnel Committee Chair shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee.
Section 1.
The primary duties of the Faith-Labor Committee shall be:
Section 2
The Faith-Labor Committee co-chairs shall attend Steering and Executive Committee meetings and present committee reports to the Steering Committee.
In the event of an officer and/or committee chair becoming unable or unwilling to perform their duties, or if an officer and/or committee chair is behaving in a manner inconsistent with the Constitution and/or Bylaws of JwJ, the Steering Committee may remove this person from their position. Such an action shall require a 2/3 majority vote of the committee.
Section 1.
Section 2.
The Rules Committee shall during odd numbered years:
Section 3. At-Large Delegates
Section 4.
Filling of Vacancies – In the event of a mid-term vacancy the Executive Committee shall fill such vacancy by appointment, subject to approval by the Steering Committee.
Section 5.
Eligibility – Any member in good standing may nominate candidates, be a candidate, and hold office.
Section 1.
The Steering Committee may choose to generate revenue by means of setting a dues structure, establishing a sustainer program, soliciting grants from foundations and/or organizations, soliciting pledges, holding fundraising events, direct mail fundraising, or any other method which does not conflict with the purpose and rules of JwJ.
Section 2.
Section 3.
The Treasurer, with input from the Fundraising Committee, shall prepare an annual budget for approval at the December Steering Committee meeting.
Section 4.
In the event of dissolution of JwJ, all funds shall be surrendered to the National Jobs With Justice.
Section 5.
In the event of a merger between JwJ and another organization, all funds shall be surrendered to the body defined by the terms of the merger agreement.
Any voting member of the Steering Committee may propose amendments to this Constitution. Proposed amendments require a vote of the general membership. To be enacted proposed amendments: