MORELOVE BYLAWS

Accepted on December 8, 2024

ARTICLE I (1): NAME AND PURPOSE

1.1. Name:
The name of the organization is MoreLove LLC.

1.2. Purpose:
MoreLove LLC exists to empower inclusive outreach, promote equity, and create a supportive environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

ARTICLE II (2): MEMBERSHIP

2.1. Membership Eligibility:
Membership is open to individuals who meet the following qualifications:

1. Commitment to the Mission: Members should demonstrate a genuine commitment to the purpose and goals of MoreLove LLC, which focuses on inclusivity, equity, and support for marginalized communities.

2. Participation: To be eligible for membership in MoreLove LLC, individuals must have actively participated in at least two events, initiatives, or meetings organized by MoreLove within the past year. Participation includes attending group meetings, volunteering at community events, or contributing to MoreLove’s projects and outreach efforts, remotely or in person.

3. Endorsement or Self-Introduction: New member introductions can take place during any meeting. New members may be introduced by an existing member in good standing or may introduce themselves by expressing their interest and commitment to the mission of MoreLove LLC. Preferably, introductions will occur together during a designated section of a meeting, after which the group may move to accept the new members.

4. Active Engagement: Members should regularly participate in the organization’s initiatives. This includes contributing to discussions and activities, as well as sharing the responsibility for creating a supportive community.

5. Respectful Conduct: Members must maintain respectful and constructive behavior towards other members and the organization’s mission. Inappropriate behavior may lead to a review of membership status by the Board of Trustees.

2.2. Voting Rights:
Each member in good standing is entitled to one vote in all membership decisions. Officers who serve as part of the general membership have a vote like any other member in good standing, with the exception of the President, who serves as a tiebreaker in most instances (see Section 4.3).

2.3. Membership Termination and Loss of Good Standing: 
A member is considered not in good standing if they fail to meet membership requirements or uphold the Code of Conduct. This may lead to suspension or termination. The President and the Board of Trustees will review and address any conflicts, including violations of the code of conduct (see Section 8.2). The Board will notify the member in writing of any termination, and the member may submit a written appeal to the Board of Trustees within 5 days for reconsideration.

ARTICLE III (3): BOARD OF TRUSTEES

3.1. Board Structure:
The Board of Trustees will consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 trustees. The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the actions of the officers, ensuring effective governance, and maintaining a clear separation between strategy and operations. Trustees will be elected as needed to fill vacancies.

3.2. Election and Term of Trustees:
Current Trustees can nominate someone for a Trustee position. To be elected, a new Trustee must receive a two-thirds vote from the current Board of Trustees. Each term lasts two years, with no limit on the number of terms a trustee may serve. Non-members with relevant expertise may also be elected to the Board of Trustees, allowing the organization to benefit from a broader range of skills and perspectives.

3.3. Removal of Board Members:
A Board member may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees, a majority vote of the membership, or may resign by written notice. Reasons for removal include violation of the Code of Conduct, or actions harmful to the organization. The member must be notified before the vote and given an opportunity to present their case. The vote, which may take place at a special meeting, will be final.

ARTICLE IV (4): OFFICERS

4.1. Officer Roles:
Officers of the organization will include a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers of the organization should not serve on the Board of Trustees. All officers are expected to act in the best interests of the organization, ensuring that it operates in accordance with its mission, bylaws, and applicable legal and financial guidelines.

4.2. Election and Term:
General members in good standing are eligible to vote in officer elections. Board of Trustees members do not vote in officer elections but will serve as tiebreakers in the event an unresolved tie during the runoff (see Section 4.4). Officers will serve two-year terms, with no limit on the number of terms they may serve. Elections will be publicly announced and conducted every two years.

4.3. Duties:

President: The President oversees meetings and ensures the implementation of policies. They are responsible for establishing or dissolving committees and appointing committee chairs as necessary to advance the goals of MoreLove LLC. The President abstains from voting in day-to-day matters to maintain neutrality but steps in as a tiebreaker when needed. In the event of a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote to ensure decisions move forward without deadlock. However, in officer elections, the Board of Trustees serves as the tiebreaker (see Section 4.4).

Vice President: Assumes the responsibilities of the President in their absence and supports the President in overseeing the implementation of policies and organizational initiatives as needed.

Secretary: Responsible for maintaining accurate records of all meetings, including Board and annual meetings, and for tracking new membership details, membership status, and votes. Meeting minutes will be organized and made available to members in good standing and Board members upon request, typically within 5-7 business days.

Treasurer: Manages all financial records, ensuring accurate tracking of income, expenses, and donations. The Treasurer is responsible for preparing an annual budget for approval. This budget should be submitted it to members in good standing and Trustees for feedback within 60 days of the fiscal year’s end on December 31, with the final deadline being March 1st. (see Section 9.2).

4.4. Election Process:
Elections for officers will follow a ballot system with the steps outlined below:

Nomination Process: Nominations for officer positions will be accepted leading up to the election. To qualify as a nominee, individuals must be members in good standing. Any current member in good standing may nominate another member for an officer position.

Ballot Distribution and Voting Procedure: Ballots will be distributed in person to all those eligible to vote at the designated election meeting. Voting will be conducted in person during this meeting. Absentee ballots may be provided in the event of unavoidable conflicts. Requests must be submitted to the Board at least 48 hours before the election, with documentation if needed.

Vote Counting: Votes will be counted by a committee of at least two impartial individuals (who can be members), appointed by members in good standing. Results will be announced after tallying, and any challenges to the election process must be raised within 24 hours of the announcement.

Election Results: The candidate receiving the majority of votes for each officer position will be declared the winner.

Ties: In the event of a tie for any position, a runoff vote will be held between the tied candidates. Only those present at the election meeting will participate in the runoff. If the tie remains after the runoff, the Board of Trustees will make the final decision by a majority vote.

ARTICLE V (5): MEETINGS

5.1. Biannual Board Meetings:
The Board of Trustees will officially meet at least twice a year and may convene additional meetings if deemed necessary. A quorum for conducting business will be achieved when a majority of the Board members are present.

5.2. Public Group Meetings:
Public group meetings will be held monthly to foster community engagement, provide updates, and discuss organizational initiatives. These meetings are open to all community members. While no formal quorum is required for general participation, minor decisions may be made by a simple majority of voting members present. However, significant matters, such as budget approvals or amendments to the bylaws, will require both a formal quorum and approval from the Board.

5.3. Annual Business Meeting:
This meeting will provide an opportunity for the organization to review its activities, discuss bylaws, and conduct elections if necessary. It may function as a replacement for a public group meeting.

5.4. Annual Budget Meeting:
Budget meetings will be held annually to prepare and review the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. During these meetings, the organization will discuss financial priorities and ensure alignment with its goals. It may also function as a replacement for a public group meeting.

5.5. Special Meetings:
Special meetings may be called by the President or at the request of at least three Trustees.

5.6. Meeting Announcement:
Notice of meetings will be provided at least 5 days in advance. Special meetings may require only 48 hours’ notice in urgent circumstances.

ARTICLE VI (6): COMMITTEES

6.1. Formation and Dissolution of Committees:
The President may establish or dissolve committees as necessary to advance the goals of MoreLove LLC. Committees may focus on specific areas such as fundraising, event planning, outreach, or other relevant initiatives.

6.2. Committee Leadership:
In addition to officers and Board members, members in good standing are eligible to become committee chairs, fostering broader participation and engagement within the organization.

6.3. Appointment Process for Committee Chairs:
The President will appoint committee chairs based on relevant experience or interest in the committee’s focus area. Chairs may recruit members and volunteers to serve on their committees, encouraging broader community involvement.

6.4. Chair Responsibilities:
The committee chair will organize meetings, coordinate activities, and report progress in good faith to the Board of Trustees and the group. Committees will meet as necessary, and the chair will provide regular updates at monthly group meetings to ensure the committee’s goals align with the mission of MoreLove LLC.

6.5. Volunteer Code of Conduct:
All committees must comply with the Organization’s Code of Conduct, Bylaws, and their designated Committee and Volunteer Codes of Conduct. The Volunteer Code of Conduct must be signed by the committee chair, members, and volunteers prior to participation. Failure to uphold these standards will result in a formal review and may lead to corrective actions as deemed appropriate by the organization.

ARTICLE VII (7): AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

7.1. Amendments Process:
Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any Board member. The proposed amendment must be distributed to all members in good standing at least 5 days prior to the vote. Amendments require a two-thirds vote by the Board of Trustees and must be approved by a majority of members in good standing.

ARTICLE VIII (8): CONFLICT

8.1. Non-Discrimination Policy:
MoreLove LLC prohibits discrimination based on any personal characteristic, including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal status, disability, or age. Discriminatory behavior will be addressed by the President and Board and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination.

8.2. Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: 
Board members and officers must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest in matters where personal, financial, or other interests could reasonably be perceived to affect their impartiality or judgment. In such cases, they must abstain from voting and may also be required to recuse themselves from discussions related to the matter.

8.3. Handling Conflicts:
The Board of Trustees will review and address any conflicts, with the President serving as a liaison, including conflicts of interest and other disputes within the organization. They will determine the appropriate course of action to manage or resolve the conflict.

8.4. Whistleblower Protection:
Any individual who reports a potential conflict of interest or unethical behavior in good faith is protected from retaliation. Reports can be made confidentially to the President or any Board member. MoreLove LLC will maintain confidentiality as much as possible, and retaliation is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.

ARTICLE IX (9): FINANCIAL PROCEDURES

9.1 Fiscal Year: 
The fiscal year of MoreLove LLC will end on December 31st each year.

9.2. Budget Approval:
The Treasurer is responsible for preparing an annual budget for approval. This budget should be submitted it to members in good standing and Trustees for feedback within 60 days of the fiscal year’s end on December 31, with the final deadline being March 1st. The final vote on the budget will be conducted by the Board of Trustees.

9.3. Audit:
An internal audit may be conducted at the discretion of the Board or upon request by a majority of members in good standing, ensuring transparency and trust in the organization’s financial practices.

9.4. Indemnification of Trustees and Officers:
MoreLove LLC may indemnify its trustees, officers, and chairs to the fullest extent permitted by law for actions taken on behalf of the organization, provided those actions are in good faith and within the scope of their duties.

ARTICLE X (10): DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

10.1. Dissolution Process:
In the event that MoreLove LLC dissolves, any remaining assets will be distributed to a charitable organization with similar goals, as determined by the Board of Trustees.

Bylaws of MoreLove LLC
Accepted on December 8, 2024

The Bylaws of MoreLove LLC, approved by the organization’s members on December 8, 2024, serve as the foundational framework for its operations and mission.