CHOCTAWHATCHEE BASIN ALLIANCE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE

Revised August 1, 2007

NWFSC/CBA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College is an organization committed to sustaining and providing optimum utilization of Choctawhatchee Bay. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College provides opportunities for citizens, educators and technical experts to promote the health of the Choctawhatchee Basin watershed. Choctawhatchee Bay watershed is a vital resource for the college and the district the college serves.

BYLAWS

Article I. Membership

Section 1. Classifications: The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College will have two types of membership categories: Annual Memberships (Individual or Family, Senior Citizen, and Full-time Student); and Sponsorship (Bronze, Silver, Golden, and Platinum). All membership categories have voting privileges. Donations are commensurate the type and level of membership. The general public is invited to participate in meetings and activities.

Section 2. All members of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College shall be individuals committed to sustaining and improving the quality of life in and around Choctawhatchee Bay.

Section 3. Admission of Membership: Membership in the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College shall be by application to the Advisory Committee or designee.

Section 4. Termination of Membership: Membership may be terminated by request of the Advisory Committee.

Section 5. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance shall be the calendar year, which shall apply to all terms of office and all business activities.

Article II. Governance and Operation

Section 1. General: The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College shall be governed by the NWFSC District Board of Trustees. Northwest Florida State College shall provide administrative support and oversight.

Section 2. The Advisory Committee shall consist of ten (10) regular Committee members elected by the membership; ex-officio members may be appointed by the Advisory Committee. Regular members shall be elected for two-year terms and may be reelected. Terms shall be staggered with one-half of the Committee standing for election, annually. Members may be elected to one-year terms to fill unexpired terms or to maintain the staggered expiration terms of Committee Members. Ex-officio members shall be appointed to one-year terms and may be reelected. Ex-officio members shall have all duties and responsibilities of regular Advisory Committee Members except voting privileges.

Section 3. Ex-officio Committee Members: The Advisory Committee shall appoint as ex-officio members representatives from Eglin Air Force Base, the Northwest District Office of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Northwest Florida Water Management District unless a representative is serving as a regular Committee Member. Additional ex-officio members may be appointed at the discretion of the Committee.

Section 4. Officers and Committee Chairpersons: The officers of the Advisory Committee are the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected, annually, by the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall also elect, annually, Chairpersons for the standing committees, Technical Advisory, Program Development, Special Event, and Public Outreach Committees. Standing Committee Chairs shall be ex-officio Advisory Committee Members if not serving as regular Advisory Committee Members.

Section 5. Vacancies: In the event an elected Officer or Chairperson becomes vacant, the Advisory Committee shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term. In the event that a regular or ex-officio Advisory Committee position becomes vacant during the fiscal year, Advisory Committee Members may be appointed to a Temporary Status position at the discretion and majority vote of the Advisory Committee. Temporary Status Advisory Committee Members shall have all duties and responsibilities of Advisory Committee Members while filling the term of the appointment.

Section 6. Meeting: The Advisory Committee of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College ordinarily will meet once a month, but not less than four times per year. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance will follow Roberts Rules of Order. They may conduct business by telephone, following the procedures outlined in NWFSC Committee Policy 6Hx1702.14, section “Electronic/telephone attendance at Committee meetings by Committee members,” when the Chairperson, or in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairperson, determines that the best interest of the Alliance requires such. The Advisory Committee is subject to the Sunshine Laws and must advertise meetings and open them to the public.

Section 7. Quorum: A majority of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

Article III. Committees

Section 1. Types of committees of the Alliance shall consist of standing and special.

Section 2. Standing Committees: These Committees will be appointed by the Advisory Committee and will include Technical Advisory, Program Development and Public Outreach, Special Event Committees.

Section 3. Special Committees: The Advisory Committee may appoint a committee to give consideration to any subject deemed to be in the interest and welfare of the Alliance. These committees, at the time of their appointment, shall be given their charges, their length of term, and other pertinent conditions in writing.

Section 4. All Committees shall prepare written reports covering their activities for presentation at the annual meeting.

Article IV. Approval and Amendments

Amendments to the Bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Advisory Committee Members present. The members may propose amendments to the Bylaws by written petition to the Advisory Committee. Bylaws are subject to approval by the President of Northwest Florida State College.

Article V. Fiduciary Agent

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College is a program of Northwest Florida State College.