Back
ST. CLAIR ALABAMA LIFER'S GROUP
AN AFFILIATION OF THE ALABAMA
LIFER'S GROUP
ORGANIZATIONAL By-LAWS
I . NAME:
The name of the organization is St. Clair Alabama Lifer's Group, an affiliate of the Alabama Lifer's Group (ALG).
II. AUTHORITY OF AFFILIATION AND INCORPORATION
The St. Clair Alabama Lifer's Group is incorporated under the Articles of incorporation of the Alabama Lifer's Group, a non-profit Corporation. The address of the Alabama Lifer's Group is:
%Esther Brown
11076 County Rd. # 267
Lanett, AL 36863
ALABAMA LIFER'S GROUP
Alabama Lifer's Group (ALG) is a non-profit Corporation made up of concerned citizens and prisoners who are attempting to create a more humane attitude toward long term prisoners and a more sensible approach to sentencing.
ALG is a newly formed organization that has come together in hope, spirit, faith and commitment for the purpose of improving the quality of life for long term prisoners, while seeking sane form of redress through legislative means for their ineligibility to receive parole.
ALG strives to educate ourselves, our families and the general public by taking a stand against the severity of punishment, without denying the need for certainty of punishment. ALG has discovered the social and rehabilitative value of maintaining relationships with our families, that this preservation of the family, in the midst of a prisoner's prison term will provide the sort of support that will enhance his healthy return to society as active citizens who are concerned about the injustice of Life-without the possibility of Parole.
ALG believes Lifer's should make strides toward personal growth during their incarceration. That they should grow to the point of accountability and make productive efforts to re-attach themselves to the society from which they have been separated.
The possibility of re-entering society should no-11- be denied and- person that is working progressively toward a better life for himself and those around him (her).
Finally, ALG is an organization of action, working to create a grassroots movement for the purpose of establishing a network of advocates, support groups, and families able to influence political decisions concerning cur cause.
I. PURPOSE:
A. The Purpose of the St. Clair Lifer's Group is to provide a forum and mechanism to address and serve the particular needs of Prisoners incarcerated for life.
B. The organization will work to develop positive moral character and social traits amongst its members and the prison population in general.
II. REQUIREMENTS For MEMBERSHIPS:
A. Full Membership
a. Any person serving a life sentence or serving a minimum of 30 years may become a member by:
i. Attending six (6) meetings of the Lifer's Group.
ii. Actively participating in the meetings and activities.
iii. After the completion of six regular meetings and actively participating in the activities, an applicant for membership, shall submit an application for membership to the Executive Committee for approval. A majority vote will be required for approval of membership.
B. Associate Membership
a. Any person not serving a minimum of thirty (30) years, may apply for Associate Membership by:
i. Attending twelve (12) regular meetings of the Lifer's Group.
ii. Actively participating in the meetings and activities.
iii. After the completion of twelve (12) regular meetings and participating in the activities, an application for Associate Membership shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for approval. Upon receiving a majority the applicant will be accepted for Associate Membership.
III. PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP:
A. Each full member shall have one vote.
B. Each full member is entitled to participate in the Group's activities.
C. Each full member is responsible for the projected character of the group.
D. Each Associate Member shall enjoy all privileges of a full member except the right to vote.
IV. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:
A. The Executive Committee may terminate the membership of any member who has not participated in the group's activities for three (3) unexcused meetings.
B. The Executive Committee may terminate the membership of any member who has not participated in the group's activities (or meetings) with the type of character suitable to the respect and the dignity of the group and its members.
C. Termination shall occur only after written notice to the member and a majority vote is required
D. Such termination will not affect the rights of the individual to be reinstated at a later date. A majority vote is required for re-instatement.
E. The Executive Committee may allow certain restrictions in lieu of termination, provided it is suggested by a member of the Committee, and agreed upon by a majority.
F. Any member who is the subject of termination proceedings shall have the right to be heard prior to a vote for his removal.
V. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS:
A. The group will have meetings where time and space is available. A more definite time and place will be determined at a later date.
VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
A. The Executive power shall be vested in the officers and members of the Executive Committee, who shall be responsible to the membership.
B. Officers of the Executive Committee shall be:
1. Chairman
2. Vice-Chairman
3. Secretary
4. Assistant Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Sgt. At Arms
7. Coordinator
8. Chairman of Committees
9. Parliamentarian
VII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
A. Officers are to attend all general membership meetings, Executive meetings and Special meetings, and to fulfill other such duties, as shall be determined by the Chairman and or Executive Committee.
a. Chairman
i. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Lifer's Group, and convey all communications to the Prison Administration and staff.
ii. The Chairman shall be responsible for organizing and scheduling all Lifer's Group programs, functions and events.
iii. The Chairman shall be responsible for getting approval for guests through the administration.
b. Vice-Chain
i. The Vice-Chairman shall preside in the absence of the Chairman
ii. The Vice-Chairman shall perform all duties assigned him by the Chairman
c. Secretary
i. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Lifer's Group
ii. The Secretary shall initiate and conduct all correspondence with outside guests or agencies, unless a Committee is formed by the Executive Committee to perform such duties.
iii. The Secretary shall maintain copies of the Constitution and By-Laws and provide each member with a copy, and cause to be published for all members any deletion or additions approved by the Executive Committee.
d. Assistant Secretary
i. The Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary when the Secretary is unable to do so, and shall assist the Secretary as needed.
e. Treasurer
i. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of all monies of the Group.
ii. The Treasurer and the Chairman must co-sign any money transactions which are approved by the Executive Committee.
iii. The Treasurer may at each regular meeting or at the direction of the Chairman or Executive Committee, make a financial report.
f. Sergeant at Arms
i. Sgt. at Arms shall be responsible for the keeping of order at all meetings and functions of the Lifer's Group.
ii. Sgt. at Arms shall handle all the physical arrangements for the activities of the Lifer's Group.
iii. Sgt. at Arms shall have the power to recruit the service of any Lifer's Group member to assist him, when needed.
g. Coordinator
i. The Coordinator shall assist the Chairman in organizing and scheduling all Lifer's Group programs, functions, and events.
h. Chairman of Committees
i. The Chairman of Committees shall be served either by the Office of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or the Chairman's designee.
ii. The Chairman of Committees shall establish Committees necessary to perform the services and programs offered and needed by the Lifer's Group.
iii. The Chairman of Committees shall set guidelines for all Committees to adhere to and shall from time to time give a report on the committee activities.
i. Parliamentarian
i. The Parliamentarian shall maintain a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws and have the power to correct, an-end, or modify the Constitution as needed and shall resolve any questions involving the Constitution or By-laws.
VIII. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE:
A. The term of office for all elected officers shall be two (2) years.
B. Election shall be by a simple majority vote of the Lifer's Group.
C. Elected officers shall take office immediately after the election.
D. There shall be no limitations on the terms an elected officer may serve.
IX. DESIGNATION FOR REMOVAL OF OFFICERS:
A. Any officer can resign by giving written notice to the Chairman, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the request.
B. Any officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Lifer's Group Membership.
C. Any Officer who resigns or is removed shall be replaced by the Chairman for the remainder of that term of office.
X. MEETINGS
A. Executive meetings
a. The Chairman at any time, may call an executive meeting to resolve or cause to be heard any matter regarding the Lifer's Group, or its activities.
b. Only members of the Executive Committee shall attend an Executive meeting.
B. Regular Meetings
a. Regular greetings shall be held on a monthly basis, and all members and Associate members of the Lifer's Group shall attend the Regular meetings.
C. Special Meetings
a. The Chairman, from time to time, may call a Special meeting of the Lifer's Group to discuss or cause to be resolved any matter concerning the Croup or its activities.
b. The Chairman shall have the discretion as to who may attend the special meetings.
XI. QUORUM
A. A simple majority of the elected executive members shall constitute a quorum at all greetings of the Executive Committee.
B. A simple majority of the membership present at a regular or special meeting shall constitute a quorum.
C. A simple majority shall be one half (1/2) of the qualifying membership plus one.
XII. RULES OF ORDER
A. The operation of all meetings shall be pursuant to ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER. It shall be the Parliamentary authority of the meetings of this organization, unless such rules are voted suspended during informal meetings and those lacking a quorum as defined by section Yd of the By-laws.
XIII. ADVISORY COUNCIL
A. The Advisory Council shall be composed of at least one liaison officer from the Department of Corrections Staff and a Sponsor designated by the Executive Committee.
B. The duties of the advisory council shall be to implement the purpose and objectives of the Lifer's Group.
XIV. AMENDMENTS
A. These by-laws are subject to amendment, modification, or correction by a majority vote of the membership.
XV. ADOPTION
A. The Constitution (Articles of Incorporation) and By-laws of the Parent Organization, Alabama Lifer's Group (ALG), and these by-laws of the St. Clair Chapter of Alabama Lifer's Group, are hereby approved and adopted by majority vote of the membership this 8th day of November, 2000.
______________________
CHAIRMAN______________________
VICE CHAIRMAN______________________
SECRETARY
Alabama Lifers Group Articles
U.S. House
of Representatives Resolution
Welcome Announcement
Letter of Intent to
form Group
Letter to
Commissioner of Corrections
Proposal to Warden
Membership Application
Articles of
Incorporation
Organizational By-Laws