Bylaws

Table of Contents:

  1. Name and Mission
  2. Membership
  3. Meetings of Members
  4. Committees
  5. Budgets and Reports
  6. Amendments

BYLAWS OF 
THE COMMISSION ON EQUITY, RACE, & ETHNICITY

ARTICLE I — NAME AND MISSION

Section 1 – Name: The Commission on Equity, Race, & Ethnicity

Section 2 – Mission: The Commission on Equity, Race, & Ethnicity (CERE) works to create an equitable campus community for people of all racial, ethnic, and intersecting identities through providing education and advocating for institutional change.

ARTICLE II — MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 -- Membership: The Commission on Equity, Race, & Ethnicity is composed of self-selected UMD staff and faculty members committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, socially-just campus, who agree to actively participate in the activities of the commission and their own intercultural development work. Members are encouraged to serve for at least three years if possible. At the end of each academic year, current members will be asked to indicate whether they intend to continue with the commission for the following year. At the end of each academic year, CERE leadership will send out an open call for new members to the campus community. New members may be invited to attend the final meeting of the year as guests. An additional call to membership may be sent out in the fall if needed.

Section 2 -- New Members: New members who meet the membership criteria are welcome to join the commission on a rolling basis. New members must go through an educational “on-boarding” process to learn about the history, philosophy, mission and activities of the commission.

Section 3 -- Selection of Officers: The CERE leadership team will consist of co-chairs on staggered two-year terms, who will work together to set the agenda for meetings and ensure the effective functioning of the Commission. Previous chairs are eligible to be nominated again. The Financial Officer will be elected to a renewable two-year term. In addition, each year one or more members will be chosen to serve as notetaker and website maintainer. 

  • The co-chairs will call and preside over meetings; ensure that inclusive discussion / dialogue practices are followed at meetings; represent the Commission on the Campus Change Team; act as representatives of the Commission in other public forums; write year-end reports; appoint an on-boarding education committee; provide overall leadership to the Commission. The continuing Chair will provide mentoring to the new Chair regarding processes to help maintain continuity.  
  • The Financial Officer will keep an accurate accounting of the Commission’s funds and expenditures; will provide regular updates at meetings; will handle all financial transactions as required for the business of the Commission including creating a yearly budget.
  • The Notetaker is responsible for accurate reporting of meetings and for archiving of meeting notes. The Notetaker may delegate the note taking task to others as needed. The Notetaker may also oversee the Commission’s website content, or another website maintainer may be chosen.

Elections will take place at the end of the spring semester or as necessary. Members seeking to serve as an officer will indicate their interest publicly. Members may also be nominated by other members publicly. The list of candidates will be shared with the full membership via email at least one week before voting. Voting will be by secret paper ballot if there are multiple candidates for positions. Otherwise a voice vote to approve candidates may be taken. A current officer or commission member who is not running for election will preside over the election process. 

ARTICLE III — MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 1 – Regular Meetings: Meetings will be called at the discretion of the co-chairs, and in consultation with the membership. Regular meetings shall be held twice per month during the academic year and monthly during the summer, unless voted on by the membership. The commission may meet more frequently.

Section 2 – Quorum: Quorum shall consist of a simple majority (51% or more) of currently active commission membership. 

Section 3 – Open Meetings: All commission meetings are open to all students, staff, faculty, and administration members. Should a visitor wish to contribute information, announcements or concerns, they may indicate their interest to a co-chair, who will use discretion regarding inviting the visitor to speak.  Visitors may not participate in a consensus process.

Section 4 -- Voting: All decisions of the Commission will be made by simple majority as long as the meeting has a quorum. In the event of no quorum, decisions must be postponed. 

ARTICLE IV – COMMITTEES

Section 1 – Committees: Much of the work of the Commission is accomplished through ad hoc committees composed of volunteers with particular interest in a given task. These committees are appointed at regular meetings of the Commission. While the Commission can delegate responsibilities to a committee (such as to facilitate a campus-wide diversity forum), no committee or individual member of the Commission can purport to represent the Commission without the Commission’s approval.

ARTICLE V – BUDGETS AND REPORTS

Section 1 – Budget: The Financial Chair will draw up a budget for the forthcoming academic year and recommend it to the Commission at the subsequent regular meeting. Approval of the budget, as well as any subsequent changes will be by simple majority of the members present. It will be the Financial Chair’s responsibility to process any expenditures through official University channels.

Section 2 -- Annual Report: An annual Report will be provided to the membership by the Officers during the following year. The report will include a summary of the year’s accomplishments, committee reports, itemized budget (showing receipts and disbursements for the past year), plans for the future, and any other pertinent information. A committee may be established to assist the Officers in preparation of the report. The Annual Report may be distributed electronically.  A paper copy of the report will be kept on file and a copy will be sent to the Chair of the Campus Change Leadership Team.  An electronic version of the Annual Report will be posted on the Diversity Commission website.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

Section 1 – Amendments: The By-Laws can be amended through simple majority. Two consecutive meetings will be required. The proposed changes can be introduced at the first meeting. If approved by a simple majority of the members present, the proposed changes will be sent to the entire membership prior to the subsequent meeting. Final approval must occur by simple majority at that subsequent meeting.