THE MARYLAND JOINT CHILD SUPPORT COUNCIL (MJCSC) BYLAWS
The members of the Maryland Joint Child Support Council recognize that by working together we can improve child support enforcement in Maryland. The Council will do all in its power to help its members and to work for better laws and procedures relating to child support. Our main concern is to see that all children are supported by their parents and that the laws and agencies of Maryland recognize, enhance, and enforce that obligation.
The purpose of the Council shall include, but not be limited to:
- Encouraging the improvement of child support enforcement.
- Fostering communication and cooperation among the branches of government concerned with child support.
- Recommending and working for improvements in law to make child support enforcement more effective and responsive to the needs of the state and unsupported children and to reduce the number of conflicting legislative initiatives that can impede adoption of meaningful legislation.
- Providing a forum for the sharing of ideas on managerial innovations that might improve the administration of child support enforcement.
- Serving as an exchange medium for information and ideas on child support enforcement.
- Studying, among other things, the causes of child support delinquencies, how child support is determined, what comprises child support, and methods of facilitating the processing of changes in support orders.
The Council shall be a voluntary organization, incorporated as a nonprofit, non-stock corporation. Contributions may be solicited from individuals, governmental agencies, foundations or groups to help defray operating expenses.
Funds may additionally come from registration fees set for an annual conference, workshops, and from dues. The amount of the registration fees and dues shall be set by the Governing Board.
Regular membership in the Council shall be available to those individuals within Maryland who, by reason of their academic, professional and/or legal relationship to the investigation, prosecution, defense, consumption, or enforcement of child support, may desire to attend the meetings of the Council… Each individual member shall be entitled to one vote, provided that he or she has been a member for three months or since the incorporation of the Council.
- Associate, non-voting memberships shall be available to those individuals who wish to participate as expert resources, but who do not wish to attend the meetings of the Council… Associate members shall have no voting privileges (nor may they advocate legislation or other policies) authorized by the Governing Board. Such authorization can include membership on advisory committees.
- All motions voted on by the general membership shall be passed by a simple majority of all regular voting members present, except for amendments to Article I; Article II; Article III; Sections three and Article V; Section two and three, which shall require a two-thirds majority of all regular voting members present.
The affairs of the Council shall be governed and managed by a Governing Board, whose officers and members shall be elected biennially at the regular annual meeting of the Council. The officers and members of the Board shall serve a two year term. No officers shall serve consecutive terms in the same position. The Governing Board shall meet at least bi-monthly and special sessions may be called as needed.
A Governing Board shall be established with the following responsibilities:- The Governing Board shall designate standing committees, including a nominating committee and shall set their duties and functions.
- The Governing Board shall recommend bylaws and policies to the membership of the Council.
- The Governing Board MAY (shall) recommend to the Council positions on legislative and regulatory proposals.
- The Governing Board MAY (shall) appoint a legislative coordinator and define his or her duties and responsibilities.
- The Governing Board shall elect a MEMBER (successor), pursuant to Article V, for any vacancy on the Board. That MEMBER (successor) shall serve until the next annual election.
- The Governing Board shall have power to hire or fire any paid employee of the Council.
- The Governing Board shall coordinate the Council’s work with interested persons in the areas they represent.
- Seven members of the Governing Board shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the Board.
- The Secretary shall send written notice to Board members at least ten days prior to each Board meeting, unless notice is waived by Board members.
The officers, elected at the annual meeting, shall include a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and seven other Governing Board members.
A. President
The President shall be the presiding officer. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Governing Board and the Council. The duties of the presiding officer shall include the usual duties of a President. (S)he may speak on behalf of the Council when so instructed by the Board. The President shall make appointments to all ad hoc committees. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall supervise any employees of the Council.
B. Vice President
The Vice President shall preside over meetings not attended by the President. The Vice President shall assume all duties requested of him or her by the President, Governing Board, or a majority vote of the Council. The Vice-President shall succeed to the office of President at the expiration of the President’s term or if the President vacates the office mid-term.
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall be a recording and corresponding secretary. The Secretary shall keep true and accurate minutes of all meetings of the Governing Board and general meetings. The Secretary shall prepare and distribute minutes of all Governing Board and Council meetings.
D. Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, disburse and account for all monies received by the Council at the annual meeting. The Treasurer shall also make such other reports as may be designated by the Governing Board. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and securities in the name of the Council in depositories designated by the Governing Board.
Board Members
Board members shall be elected from each of the following agencies/organizations, eligibility being determined by place of employment or organization affiliation.
- Two (2) members from Department of Social Services.
- Two (2) members from Cooperative Reimbursement Agencies.
- Two (2) members from Child Support Enforcement Administration.
- Five (5) members from the membership at large.