Classified Council Bylaws

Article III: Eligibility

Section 3.1: Representation

The Classified Council, as authorized by the Board of Regents, will represent all Classified Staff.

Section 3.2: Voting Members

For the purposes of these Bylaws, all permanent Classified employees employed by Truckee Meadows Community College, including those working at least 0.5 FTE, are viewed as voting members of the Classified Council. Temporary employees filling Classified positions are welcome to attend Classified Council meetings and social functions but may not vote.

Article IV: Executive Board

Section 4.1: Representative Body

The Classified Council Executive Board will serve as a representative body for the Classified Council and participate in such matters of the institution that may affect them in accordance with the provisions of the Classified Council Constitution and Bylaws and are not to violate current or future policies and procedures within the State of Nevada. The Classified Council Executive Board serves in an advisory capacity to meet the objectives and goals of the Classified Council in a professional and ethical manner. The Executive Board will consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Hospitality Officer, and TMCC NCC Representative. The Executive Board can appoint one ex officio non-voting Board member who has served on the Executive Board in the prior year.

Section 4.2: Election of Executive Board

• Elections will occur prior to the meeting in May.
• The current Executive Board's term will end July 31 of each year.
• The Executive Board shall take office on July 1 of each year.
• Election results will be determined by majority vote.

Section 4.3: Term of Office

• President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Hospitality Officer shall serve a single year (13 months) commencing on July 1 and ending July 31 of the following year. TMCC Representative to NCC will serve a 17-month term, commencing on July 1 and ending November 30 of the following year.

Section 4.4: Duties of Executive Board Members

• To ensure greater accountability on the part of each individual Executive Board member, they shall be responsible to regularly attend Classified Council, Executive Board, and represent Classified Staff at any open College meetings or to arrange a proxy.
• All board members have the right to vote in Classified Council Open Meetings but cannot institute or second a motion.
• Attend monthly meetings with administration (President, VPAA, VPSD, and VPFG) to allow open communication and be advocates for the Classified employees.
• Represent the Classified Council at Board of Regents as is beneficial to Classified Employees.
• The Classified Council Executive Board shall meet at least once prior to each Classified Council meeting.
• The Classified Council Executive Board shall determine issues to be placed on the Classified Council agenda which could include requests from any Classified employee.
• Executive Board members will seek volunteers to chair classified standing committees at the September Classified Council meeting.

Article V: Officers

Section 5.1: President

The President's duties include:

• Chair the Classified Council Executive Board and conduct Classified Council Executive Board meetings.
• Oversee all business of the Classified Council.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Executive Board and Administration.
• Recommend members to all standing committees or other committees as deemed necessary.
• Signature authority on all accounts and authorization for checks unless current full-time position conflicts with this requirement, in which case responsibilities fall to the Vice President.
• Assist other board members as necessary.
• Officially represent the Classified Council before the following groups:
  • Cabinet
  • Nomination/Election Committee. It is the responsibility of the President to either run the nominations and election for the upcoming board along with the Webmaster or appoint a proxy in their place.
  • Symposium
  • If the President is unavailable for any meetings, they are responsible for sending a proxy.

Section 5.2: Vice President

The Vice President's duties include:

• Assist the President in the performance of their duties and such other duties as the President may direct.
• Act in the place of the President in the latter's absence.
• Should the office of the President become vacant, automatically progress to the Presidency and hold a special election for a replacement Vice President within two weeks of the vacancy.
• Chair the Classified Council Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year Award committee.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Executive Board and Administration.
• Assist other board members as necessary.
• Assure representation of the Classified Council before the following groups:
  • Planning Council
  • Symposium

Section 5.3: Secretary

The Secretary's duties include:

• Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Classified Council and all Classified Council Executive Board meetings.
• Conduct the correspondence of the Classified Council.
• Maintain a current list of the members of the Classified Council.
• Maintain the Constitution and Bylaws, including any amendments.
• Maintain a complete file of all correspondence, records, and minutes of meetings to be passed on to the succeeding Secretary.
• Attain Webmaster status for the Classified Council and be the point of contact for the IT department on any IT issues.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Executive Board and Administration.
• Assist other board members as necessary.
• Assure representation of the Classified Council before the following groups:
  • TMCC Faculty Senate
  • Symposium

Section 5.4: Treasurer

The Treasurer's duties include:

• Maintain accurate and current accounting of all monies and financial records belonging to the Classified Council.
• Make a monthly Treasurer's report to the Classified Council.
• Prepare an annual budget to be submitted for approval to the Classified Council at the annual meeting and as required by Administration.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Executive Board and Administration.
• Assist other board members as necessary.
• Work with fundraising committees and advise on proper money handling procedures.
• Maintain full responsibility for any fundraising endeavors or assign a proxy.
• Work with any committee using Classified Council funds.
• In the absence of the President or Vice President, sign checks and approve financial transactions.
• Assure representation of the Classified Council before the following groups:
  • Foundation Board of Directors

Section 5.5: Hospitality Officer

The Hospitality Officer's duties include:

• Provide support to the Classified Council by sending cards, flowers, or gifts as appropriate to classified staff in various situations (e.g., illness, bereavement, retirement, etc.).
• Send notes to any Classified employee who was nominated but not selected as EOM/EOY, notifying them of their recognition and nomination.
• Organize and oversee hospitality events and activities for classified staff, such as holiday parties, potlucks, and other social gatherings.
• Chair the Annual Classified Symposium committee.
• Work with the Treasurer to ensure appropriate use of Classified Council funds for hospitality purposes.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Executive Board and Administration.
• Assist other board members as necessary.
• Assure representation of the Classified Council before the following groups:
  • Symposium

Section 5.6: TMCC's Representative to NCC

The TMCC's Representative to NCC duties include:

• Represent TMCC at the NSC and serve as the liaison between the Classified Council and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) regarding classified staff matters.
• Attend NCC meetings and report back to the Classified Council on relevant issues and developments.
• Advocate for the interests of the Classified Council at the NSHE level.
• Participate in NSHE committees or working groups as needed.
• Attend monthly meetings with the Executive Board and Administration.
• Assist other board members as necessary.
• Assure representation of the Classified Council before the following groups:
  • TMCC Institutional Advisory Council

Section 5.7: Ex Officio Non-Voting Board Member

The Ex Officio Non-Voting Board Member's duties include:

• Provide historical perspective and continuity to the Executive Board.
• Serve in an advisory capacity without voting rights.
• Assist other board members as necessary.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 6.1: Regular Meetings

The Classified Council shall hold regular meetings at least once every two months.

Section 6.2: Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Classified Council may be called by the President or any member of the Executive Board with at least one week's notice to all classified employees.

Section 6.3: Quorum

A quorum for conducting business at regular and special Classified Council meetings shall consist of at least five Classified Employees and five members of the Executive Board.

Section 6.4: Order of Business

The order of business at all Classified Council meetings shall be determined by the President and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Call to Order
• Roll Call
• Approval of Minutes
• Reports (Executive Board, Committees, etc.)
• Unfinished Business
• New Business
• Announcements
• Adjournment

Article VII: Committees

Section 7.1: Standing Committees

The Classified Council may establish standing committees as deemed necessary to carry out its objectives and goals. Each committee shall have a chairperson appointed by the Executive Board.

• Book Scholarship Committee
  
  • Each fall and spring semester, current, full-time TMCC Classified staff employees can apply for a book scholarship provided by the TMCC Classified Council. The employee must not be on probation. The number of scholarships awarded is based on available funds, which are generated by fundraisers put on by the Classified Council throughout the year. Reimbursements will only be processed for NSHE schools and for textbooks and ebooks that are bought or rented. The employee must have a passing grade in order to receive reimbursement.
• Bylaws Committee (biennially)
  
  • Consists of 3-5 members including one ex officio board member. To charge and lead the committee if any revisions/amendments are needed in the Classified Council Bylaws.
• Nominating/Election Committee (annual)
  
  • Consists of 3-5 members. This committee is charged with helping the outgoing Classified President find, nominated and run the election for the new Classified Executive Board. Nominations for each office within Classified Council shall be opened at the March Classified Council meeting every year and remain open until the end of April. Elections will be completed one week before and announced at the May meeting.
• Emergency Loan Committee
  
  • 2-3 staff members and a Chair.
  • This committee is charged with helping current TMCC Classified staff with financial support. In the event a Classified staff member is in need of a little assistance, the employee may complete the Emergency Loan Application online. The application will be submitted electronically to the chair of the committee and then brought forth to the committee. If the request is approved, the committee will provide a check for food or other items, or pay a bill directly up to $250.00 but can up to $300.00 if funds are available.
  • The staff member has three months to pay the interest-free loan back. Once paid in full, Classified staff may fill out another application for consideration.
  • This committee is highly confidential in nature.
• EOM/EOY Committee
  
  • Consists of 6-9 members. Members include Classified, Professional, Administration and/or a student if available.
  • In the event of a tie, a revote will be done. If there is still a tie the Vice President of Classified Council will be the tie breaker.
• Fund Raising Committee
  
  • Consists of 4-10 members. Goal of this committee is to collect donations, find sponsors and identify and plan events to help secure additional funding for the Classified Council.
  • Craft Fair/Bake Sale
  • Rummage sale
  • Silent Basket Auction
  • Turkey Raffle

Section 7.2: Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed by the President or the Executive Board for specific purposes and shall serve until their assigned tasks are completed.

• Egg Hunt
  
  • Open to the TMCC community.
  • Ages 2–10 years, held in the Student Center.
  • Funds for this event are raised through fundraising efforts and pre-filled egg donations comes from the TMCC community.
  • Funding for this event should not exceed more than 10% of earnings from fundraising efforts July 1–March 1, with a maximum allowance of $500.00 each year.
• Halloween Decorating
  
  • Funding for this event should not exceed more than 10% of earnings from fundraising efforts July 1–November 30, with a maximum allowance of $500.00 each year.
• Silent Basket Auction
  
  • Consists of 10–12 members. Goal of this committee is promote and collect donations, find sponsors and identify and plan events to help secure additional funding for the Classified Council.
  • Funding for this event should not exceed more than 5% of earnings from fundraising efforts July 1–November 30, with a maximum allowance of $500.00 each year.
• Symposium
  
  • Professional Development events for Classified employees.
  • Collaboration with the Professional Development office who oversees the planning of this event as well as arranging for guest speakers.
  • Classified Council is responsible for supplies and food. Money raised from fundraisers help pay for this event.
  • Held once per fiscal year.
  • Funding for this event should not exceed more than 50% of earnings from fundraising efforts July 1–June 30 the year prior.
• Turkey/Ham Raffle
  
  • Funding for this event should not exceed more than 5% of earnings from fundraising efforts July 1–November 30, with a maximum allowance of $500.00 each year.

Article VIII: Amendments

Section 8.1: Amendment Procedures

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by the Classified Executive Board or any classified member. The proposal must be presented at a regular Classified Council business meeting.

• The proposed amendment shall be voted on at the next regular Classified Council business meeting following its presentation. A two-thirds majority vote of those Classified Council members present shall be required for adoption.
• Amendments to these Bylaws shall be automatically accomplished at the direction of the Classified Council President as soon as possible.
• The Executive Board notifies the total Classified Council membership that the amendment will be voted on at the next regular business meeting and specifies the date of said meeting.
• A copy of any amendments to these Bylaws must be sent to the President of the College and the archivist in the library.

Article IX: Distinguished Retired Classified Employees

Section 9.1: Distinguished Retired Classified Employee

"Distinguished Retired Classified Employee" is an honorary title granted to a classified employee with a record of distinguished service, after retirement or separation from Truckee Meadows Community College, with good standing.

• Any member of the Classified staff separating from TMCC after eight years of full-time TMCC Classified service can apply for Distinguished Classified Employee status. Status will be voted on by TMCC's Classified Council Executive Board. Upon approval, the Classified Council President will notify TMCC's President for approval.
• Consideration for approval of Distinguished Classified Employee status, by TMCC's Classified Council board and TMCC's President, will be based on examples of distinguished service such as:
  • Leadership positions and/or efforts.
  • Commitments beyond the typical work standards.
  • Volunteer efforts on and/or off campus.
  • Any other evidence of contributions the candidate wishes to present.
  • Applicant's expectations of how he/she will continue to be involved with the TMCC campus.

Section 9.2: Distinguished Retired Classified Employee Application Process

• Applicant must notify their manager and HR of the date of their planned retirement.
• An applicant will need to submit your own letter plus two letters of support or recommendation in addition to, or in place of, a personal statement describing examples of distinguished service. The letters may come from a supervisor, direct department, or anyone in the college that can speak to your service.
• Once nomination request is received, form must be sent to HR to clarify that all requirements are met at the College level. After verification HR will send directly to TMCC President for approval.
• Upon approval of the TMCC President, the Distinguished Classified Employee will be entitled to the following:
  • An invitation to participate in events and ceremonies.
  • A TMCC Classified identification card.
  • Use of the library's resources by signing up for a community borrower library card.
  • Use of the TMCC Fitness Center, at the year's current rate.
  • Continue use of their TMCC e-mail account.
  • Distinguished Classified Employee recipients are honored at the annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremony.
• Time frame for requests
  • Request for Distinguished Retired Classified Employee must be made within 3 years after formally retiring from TMCC.

Article X: Parliamentary Authority

Section 10.1: Parliamentary Procedures

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Classified Council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Classified Council may adopt.