LGBTQIA+ Caucus By-Laws

ARTICLE I. NAME, PURPOSE, AND GOALS

Section 1

Name: The “LGBTQIA+ Caucus” (“the Caucus”) is a part of the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

Section 2     

Purpose and Goals: The purpose of the Caucus is to support LGBTQIA+ members of GFOA through networking and education, to advocate for LGBTQIA+ members within the profession, and to increase the visibility of LGBTQIA+ people within GFOA and the profession as a whole. [The initial act of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus after appointing officers will be to form a committee of active members to draft and approve a full mission statement and goals for incorporation into this section. See Article VI: Annual Work Plan Section 1.]

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

The LGBTQIA+ Caucus of GFOA shall be open to any current member of GFOA, including both active and associate members. To request membership in the LGBTQIA+ Caucus, members shall complete a membership application and submit to GFOA.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

Section 1

Officers: The Officers of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus shall be composed of the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.

Section 2    

Elections: Each Officer shall be elected by a majority vote of the members in attendance at the GFOA LGBTQIA+ Caucus annual meeting.

Nominations and Terms of Office: Nominations for officers shall be made in advance of the meeting or on the floor at the annual business meeting held at the Annual Meeting of the GFOA LGBTQ Caucus. Nominees do not have to be present to be considered for an officer position.

The term of office for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary shall commence immediately upon the adjournment of the Annual Meeting of the GFOA LGBTQIA+ Caucus.  The Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall hold their positions for (2) years. The inaugural Vice Chair will serve for (1) year to provide for a staggering of elections and continuity of leadership.

The Vice Chair will assume the Chair's position if the chair resigns their position for the remainder of the previous Chair’s term. The Secretary will assume the Vice Chair’s position if the Vice Chair resigns their position or becomes the Chair. The Chair shall nominate a Secretary in the event that position becomes vacant for the remainder of the term.

 ARTICLE IV. MEETING

Annual and Special Meetings: The time, place, and program of the annual business meeting shall be determined by the Chair. Special meetings may be called by the Chair.

ARTICLE V. GFOA SUPPORT

Section 1

GFOA will appoint a member of the staff and one member of the GFOA Executive Board to serve as a liaison to the LGBTQIA+ Caucus.

Section 2

GFOA will compile, produce, and disseminate annually a directory of LGBTQ Caucus members with their express permission.

ARTICLE VI: ANNUAL WORK PLAN

Section 1

Following the election of officers at the annual meeting, a committee will be formed to draft a work plan. The Work Plan shall identify the priorities and tasks for the Caucus for the two-year term of the Officers. As part of its first work plan, the Caucus shall develop a mission statement. The mission statement and caucus name may be amended in the future as by-law changes in Article VII. Amending Procedures.

Section 2

At the annual meeting of the Caucus the Chair shall present an annual report detailing actions taken to carry out the mission of the caucus and present a work plan that will be forwarded for review by the GFOA Executive Board.

Section 3

The Chair shall establish those committees comprised of Caucus members necessary to carry out a work plan that supports the mission of the Caucus.

Section 4

The Caucus may only operate in conjunction with the types of activities described in these by-laws or as directed by the GFOA Executive Board or CEO.

Section 5

The Caucus will advise GFOA’s Executive Board on policies related to matters of public importance, including specific issues for GFOA, state, provincial, and local governments, the public finance industry, or the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, under guidance and direction from GFOA’s Executive Board and or CEO, the Caucus may be asked to make recommendations, conduct further analysis, or develop resources on relevant issues.

Section 6

GFOA will budget funds for the Caucus as part of GFOA’s budget process and the Caucus shall comply with all GFOA budget and financial policies.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDING PROCEDURES

These by-laws may be amended at the annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of all members present, provided that the proposed amendments shall have been prepared in writing and distributed to the Caucus members 30 days in advance of the meeting.