[MA-RPC] MARPC by-laws

[Frank Bohn]

MARPC members:

Below the double-dashed line you will fine the text of the by-laws as
revised and adopted at the meeting on February 12.  The revisions are
according to my notes taken in the meeting.  Please comment if you believe
any of this revision is incorrect.

I also have this in Microsoft Word files in two versions, one tracking the
revisions and another as a formatted clean copy.  Please contact me directly
if you would like a copy of either or both of these files.

Thanks for your responses and participation in developing this document.

Frank 


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BY-LAWS:
APPALACHIAN TRAIL MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE

I.  Purpose of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership Committee (MARPC):
	The Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership Committee is established by
action of the Board of Managers of the Appalachian Trail Conference
[Conservancy] (ATC).   The purpose of the MARPC is to advise the ATC
Regional Director, the region's Trail maintaining clubs, and the region's
agencies, and to provide direct, two-way communication between the ATC
regional office and the constituent clubs and agencies.  The MARPC provides
a formal structure for regularly scheduled meetings to facilitate
collaborative planning, share experiences, and discuss common concerns among
clubs, agencies and ATC staff.  In addition, the MARPC will provide
discussion forums for issues of Trailwide significance and provide input to
the Stewardship Council, ATC committees, and the Board of Directors on those
issues.  As an advisory body the RPC will have no authority to set
Conference policies or to control Trail maintaining club activities, but
will be fully self-governing within the general guidelines for structure and
function established by the Board.  The RPC must nominate at least two
persons to serve on the Stewardship Council.  (Adapted from a policy
position endorsed by the ATC Board of Managers on 8 May 2004.)

II.  Membership of the MARPC:
	As mandated by the ATC Board, the membership of the MARPC consists
of representatives of each of the Trail Maintaining Clubs in the
Mid-Atlantic Region.  Each club shall select one Representative and one
Alternate to participate in the RPC.  Each club Representative or Alternate
must be a member of the ATC and of the represented club.  Each club will
determine its own procedure for selection of its Representative and
Alternate.  Representatives and Alternates will be appointed for a term to
be determined by each club.  They may serve multiple consecutive terms at
the option of their clubs.

III. Offices of the MARPC:
	The MARPC shall select members to fill the following offices for
terms of three years.  The Chair shall appoint a nominating committee to
develop a ballot for these positions. In the event an officer position
becomes vacant, the Chair will appoint a replacement with the approval of
the MARPC.  The replacement will serve the remainder of the term.  The
committee may remove an individual from office by vote of 2/3 of the member
clubs

	Chair:  The Chair will plan meetings in consultation with the ATC
Regional Director and will preside at MARPC meetings.  A person may serve as
Chair for no more than two consecutive terms.  

	Vice-Chair:  The Vice-Chair will assist the Chair in communicating
with the MARPC members and Clubs.  The Vice-Chair will preside at meetings
in the absence of the Chair, and will assume the office of the Chair in the
event that the position becomes vacant.  

	Secretary:  The Secretary shall provide written Minutes of each
meeting.  The draft of the minutes should normally be circulated to the
MARPC members four weeks after each meeting.

	Representatives to the Stewardship Council:  As mandated by the ATC,
the MARPC will nominate representatives to the Stewardship Council.  These
representatives must be chosen from the Club Representatives or Alternates
to the MARPC.  They must be members of the Appalachian Trail Conference.

IV.  Meetings of the MARPC:
	Two regular meetings of the MARPC will be scheduled each year. The
presence (in person or by teleconference) of the Representative or Alternate
of at least 2/3 of the member clubs of the MARPC will constitute a quorum.

	If urgent matters require MARPC attention between regular meetings,
the Chair may call a special meeting or use electronic mail or
teleconference to facilitate discussion.  When a matter is decided by
electronic mail in lieu of a meeting, the Chair must set a deadline for
responses.  Responses from 2/3 of Representatives, or the Alternate if a
Representative is not able to respond, of the member clubs by the deadline
will satisfy the requirement for a quorum.

	The MARPC will formalize its recommendations or (within its scope)
decisions by a majority vote of the member Clubs participating in the
meeting.  Each member club shall have one vote, cast by the Club
Representative, if present, or Alternate.  A tie vote will count as
rejection.  The presiding Chair may cast the vote for his or her club, if he
or she is the only MARPC member present from that club.

	Meetings of the MARPC will be open to all interested parties,
including agencies and other stakeholders, but only the Clubs through their
Representatives or Alternates will have a vote.  

	The member Clubs, agencies or others are strongly advised to submit
matters for discussion to the Chair at least four weeks in advance of the
regular meetings.

V.  Amendment of these MARPC By-Laws:
	The by-laws of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership Committee may
be amended by a vote of the member clubs at a regularly-scheduled meeting of
the RPC.  Amendments must be consistent with the RPC charter established by
the ATC Board.  Proposed amendments must be circulated in writing to the
club Representatives at least four weeks prior to the meeting.   At least
three-quarters of the member clubs present and voting must, through their
Representatives or Alternates, approve any proposed change. 


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