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Our Bylaws
These bylaws establish how United in Pride dba Heartland Pride is governed — how the board is elected, how decisions are made, and how we serve the LGBTQ+ community and its allies across the Heartland.
Preamble
Article I
Purpose
The organization shall be organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes for the empowerment, unification and awareness of the LGBTQ+ and Allies communities as 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Article II
Nonmembership
The organization shall have no official members.
Article III
Election, Eligibility and Terms
The organization shall be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board shall serve without pay and shall be responsible for the business of the organization.
Board Members shall consist of nine (9) persons. The Executive Board Members — President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary — shall serve three (3) year terms. Five (5) At Large Members will serve a two (2) year term. An individual may serve more than one term is their role if the Board approves the request with a majority vote.
Eligibility for Executive Board positions
Eligibility to participate in the elections as a person running for an Executive Board position shall be determined using the following guidelines:
- Attendance at two (2) of the pervious three (3) Board Meetings, AND
- Demonstrated history of involvement the organizations events preferably as a volunteer or logistical coordinator, AND An in-person interview by the current Board if deemed necessary.
OR
- Attendance at two (2) of the previous three (3) Board Meetings, AND Recent previous experience serving in a role similar to the role they wish to run for at another non-profit organization, AND An in-person interview by the current Board if deemed necessary.
Any question of eligibility shall be determined by the Executive Board Members.
§ 1 — REMOVALS
Any member of the Board may be removed, without cause, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the seated members of the board if their presence on the Board is deemed a liability to the reputation of the organization.
This includes:
- Inappropriate, aggressive/bullying, or lude behavior on social media (personal or professional)
- Involvement in legal action that could damage the reputation of the organization
- Misappropriation of donated funds
- Inappropriate behavior at a community event
- Poor attendance record for Board meetings
The is not meant to be an exhaustive list but rather constitutes the types of behaviors or situations that may result in Board removal.
§ 2 — Vacancies
Vacancies within the Board shall be filled by a majority vote of the seated members of the Board.
Article IV
Duties & Responsibilities of Board Members
§ 1 — President
The President shall preside at all Board meetings. The President shall coordinate and provide in advance of monthly meetings the agenda to sitting board members. The President shall nominate committee chairs, temporary or permanent. The President shall see all books, reports and certificates required by law are properly kept or filed. The President may sign checks or drafts or organization. The President shall oversee board development and insure there is an annual budget to submit for board approval.
The President shall represent the organization and advocate for the community by being a part of the Mayor’s Advisory Board. This requires that the President attend and participate in the monthly advisory board meetings reporting back to the rest of the Board members at the next monthly meeting. In the event that the President is unable to attend the advisory board meeting regularly, a delegate may be selected to attend on their behalf to represent the organization and report back to the rest of the Board members.
§ 2 — Vice President
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence. The Vice President shall work closely with the President to ensure consistency and work on leadership development to be groomed to assume the office of President when appropriate. The Vice President shall oversee board development, Pride Chair members and other key planning committee chairs according to the organizational chart. The Vice President shall be required to participate in monthly board meetings.
§ 3 — Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the organization in appropriate books. The Secretary shall file any certificate required by any statute, federal or state. The Secretary shall distribute all official notices for this organization. The Secretary shall be the official custodian of the records and seal of this organization. The Secretary shall present to the Board at any meeting, any communication addressed to the organization. The Secretary shall attend to all correspondence of the organization. The Secretary shall distribute copies of minutes of meetings. The Secretary shall ensure treasurer’s reports and minutes of meetings are updated in the Public Viewing Binder and ensure said Binder is available at the monthly Board meetings. The Secretary shall be required to participate in monthly board meetings.
§ 4 — Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies or securities of the organization. The Treasurer shall ensure the development of the annual budget and fiscal plan to submit for board approval. The Treasurer shall oversee the budgetary and finance committee to develop the annual budget and fiscal plan. The Treasurer shall keep record of the organization’s budget and prepare financial reports as needed. The Treasurer shall ensure that the annual tax filings are prepared and filed in a timely manner. The Treasurer shall deposit the funds of the organization in the bank account established at the financial institution that has been approved by the Board. The Treasurer must be one of two officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization. No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to endorse transactions. The Treasurer shall render a treasurer’s report each month that includes the name of the organization, the period which the report covers, the cash balance at the beginning of the period, the income received during the period, the expenses paid during the period, the cash balance at the end of the period and the signature of the treasurer. The Treasurer shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be required to participate in monthly board meetings.
MONEY HANDLING AT EVENTS
At least two (2) Executive Board Members must be present at any Heartland Pride events/fundraisers where money handling is required. If the Treasurer is unable to be in attendance, the officers present shall, as soon as possible, turn over any monies collected to the Treasurer for deposit into the Bank Account of Heartland Pride. The Treasurer shall collect and distribute mail from the post office box.
§ 5 — Members at Large
Members at Large shall be required to participate in monthly board meetings. Members at Large shall provide leadership to clarify and sustain the mission of the organization. Members at Large shall provide information, ideas and suggestions from the community to the Board and communicate the activities and ideas of the Board to the community. Members at Large will assist with Community Outreach, Entertainment, Logistics, Youth Pride, Fundraising, and Diversity Coordinator.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Community Outreach Member At Large shall oversee memberships with strategic partnerships within the community as well as maintain a volunteer pipeline by overseeing the staffing committee and volunteer coordinator. The committees and chairs that would fall under this Chair would be Volunteer, Pride Prom, Development & Sponsorships, and Proud Horizons.
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment Member At Large shall oversee the entertainment has been vetted and secured for the events that are scheduled throughout the year. The committees that would fall under this Chair includes Pageant and Royalty.
OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS
Operations & Logistics Member At Large shall oversee that all equipment and material are ordered and secured for events hosted by Heartland Pride throughout the year. They are to ensure that everything is in place that is needed in order to create a safe and welcoming space for all community members.
YOUTH PRIDE
Youth Pride Member At Large shall oversee all of the organization’s efforts to support the youth in our community and actively look for ways to expand these efforts. This would include planning and executing the annual Youth Pride event, overseeing the logistics of the Kid’s Corner at Pride, and managing the scholarship program.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Diversity & Inclusion Member At Large shall ensure that individuals within our represented community have equitable access and representation in all aspects of the organization (ie. Policy, events, etc). This person shall look through the lenses of diversity to gain the perspectives of various groups and find ways to include them.
FUNDRAISING & SPONSHORSHIP
Fundraising & Sponsorship Member At Large shall oversee the fundraising efforts of the organization. This person will focus on sourcing and establishing strong relationships with community sponsors. They will also assist in identifying and applying for regional and national grant opportunities.
§ 6 — Committees & Chair Persons
The Board may appoint a volunteer coordinator and standing as well as ad hoc committees and chairs as needed. The Board shall establish Task Committees as it deems necessary. Committee tasks and operating budgets shall be determined by the Board. Each Task Committee shall have no power to act except as specifically directed by the Board. Committees and Chairs shall consist of the following (but not limited to):
RULES & BYLAWS CHAIR
Rules & Bylaws Chair shall oversee that Robert’s Rules of Order are practiced during board meetings. This Chair shall ensure that the organization’s bylaws are practiced and regularly review them to ensure that they remain up-to-date and relevant to the organization’s operations. This individual shall report to the Secretary.
PAGEANT & ROYALTY COMMITTEE
Pageant & Royalty Committee shall assist with planning and executing the annual royalty pageant. They will work with pageant winners to coordinate community appearances throughout the year that support the mission of the organization. This committee reports to the Entertainment Member At Large.
Article V
Pride Alliance
§ 1 — Purpose
Support the missions, programs, and events of smaller LGBTQ+ related groups and organizations in the greater Omaha area.
§ 2 — Eligibility
- Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status that supports LGBTQ+ causes OR a community group or organization with a demonstrated history of supporting LGBTQ+ causes.
§ 3 — Application
- A representative with a leadership role within the interested group or organization must request an application from the Heartland Pride Board President via email at [email protected].
§ 4 — Funding
Pride Alliance organizations that are in ‘Good Standing’ will each receive a portion of the next funds raised during the annual Heartland Pride Parade & Festival to support their missions through programs and events throughout the year. Because the amount of funding awarded will be based on the success of the annual festival and parade, the total funds each organization receives from Heartland Pride may vary from year to year.
To be in ‘Good Standing’ organizations must:
- Host and staff an approved interactive booth at the annual festival.
- Assist with one other pre-approved Heartland Pride sponsored event during the year.
Article VI
Meetings
§ 1 — Monthly Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly on such dates and times as may be established by the Board of Directors. Notification of Board Meetings shall be published no less than five (5) calendar days prior to the start of the meeting. Agenda’s shall be provided to the Board in advance of the monthly Board meetings. In the event a meeting needs to be cancelled, by majority vote of the Board, due notice of the cancellation shall be published.
§ 2 — Committee Meetings
Meetings of any committees shall be held on such dates and at such times as may be established by the Board of Directors.
§ 3 — Pride Recap Meeting
The PRIDE RECAP Meeting shall be held at the first monthly Board of Directors Meeting following Pride.
§ 4 — Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors or Operations Committee shall be held on such dates and at such times as may be established by the Board of Directors. Notice of such meetings, describing the time, place, and purpose of the meeting, shall be given to each Board or Committee member no less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting.
§ 5 — Meeting by Telecommunication or Other Electronic Means
Any Planning Committee Meeting or Special Meeting may be held by telecommunications or other electronic means in which all participants may clearly communicate with each other.
§ 6 — Attendance
Members of the Board of Directors shall be required to inform the President if they will not be in attendance at a Monthly Meeting or Special Meeting. Failure to notify the President that you will be unable to attend a meeting 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting, may result in removal from the Board.
§ 7 — Quorum
- A majority of board members constitutes a quorum.
- In absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken except to adjourn the meeting a subsequent date.
- Passage of a motion required a simple majority.
§ 8 — Voting
Each member of the Board shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters. Voting may be done by telecommunication or other electronic means in accordance with Section 4. Voting results shall be published in the Public Viewing Binder.
§ 9 — Conflicts of Interest
Any member of the Board who has a financial, personal, or official interest in, or conflict (or appearance of a conflict) with any matter pending before the Board, of such nature that it prevents or may prevent that member from acting on the matter in an impartial manner, will offer to the Board to voluntarily excuse him/herself from the discussion and voting on said item.
§ 10 — Fiscal Policies
The fiscal year of the board shall be March 1 to February 28 (29 on learning year).
§ 11 — Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of Board members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present and provided a copy of the proposed amendments are distributed to each Board member in advance of said meeting.
Schedule A
Current Board
Executive Board Positions and Member serving Heartland Pride under these bylaws.
Schedule B
Amendment History
A record of the dates on which these bylaws have been ratified or amended by the Board.