Constitution

ARTICLE I

Name and Definition

The name of this association is Employees Political Information Committee (hereinafter referred to as EPIC). It is a voluntary, non-profit, unincorporated association of State and other public employees and their family members and friends, and is not affiliated with any political party.

ARTICLE II

Formation of EPIC

EPIC shall become effective July 1, 1972.

ARTICLE III

Objectives

Through Positive Political action:

A. Promote the welfare of active and retired state and other public employees in the State of Alaska.

B. Encourage all persons to participate in political activities for the purpose of obtaining or developing governmental policies, legislation, administration and finances for the advancement of the cause of good government in Alaska.

C. Encourage all persons to participate in political activities to procure candidates and to elect to office persons who are interested in the betterment of the working and retirement conditions of state and other public employees and the advancement of the cause of good government in Alaska.

D. Keep current with all legislation introduced, and advise the membership of legislation affecting it. When corresponding with the membership regarding legislation, all positive and negative effects of the bill will be included.

ARTICLE IV

Membership and Contributions

Membership in EPIC shall not be limited in number. The by-laws may provide for one or more classes of members, the designation of such classes, the qualifications and rights of the members of each class, provisions for termination or forfeiture of membership, and the contributions such members shall make for its financial support.

ARTICLE V

Board of Directors

The EPIC Board of Directors will reflect the same constituency and numbers of Directors which comprises the APEA/AFT Board of Directors. The members composing the EPIC Board of Directors will be active members in good standing, of the Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT and active members of EPIC. The following positions will be elected by members of each group biennially at the EPIC Caucus.

a. Northern Region Supervisory Unit

b. Northern Region Political Subdivisions

c. Southcentral Region Supervisory Unit

d. Southcentral Region Political Subdivisions

e. Southeast Region Political Subdivisions

f. Southeast Region Supervisory Unit

g. Teacher AFT/AFPE Locals

h. Non-Teacher AFT/AFPE Locals

i. University of Alaska Faculty AFT/AFPE Locals

j. University of Alaska Classified Employees Assoc./AFT

The Business Manager of APEA/AFT shall be the non-voting Business Agent of EPIC. The members of the APEA/AFT Board of Directors shall serve as an advisory committee to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

Section of EPIC Board of Directors and Recall

The regional members of the EPIC Board shall be elected by the members of their respective regions at the EPIC Caucus. One alternate will be elected from each region.

Members of the EPIC Board may be recalled by the regional membership of EPIC. In order to institute a recall, a petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the Regional members of EPIC shall be filed with the Board asking that a particular member or members from their region be recalled. In the event this occurs, an election among the regional members of EPIC shall be held by mail ballot and if a majority of those voting indicate dissatisfaction with a member or members of the Board, their term shall conclude. Included with the mail ballot shall be a statement from the recalling group and the board member being recalled, if made available.

In the event a vacancy occurs, either by recall, or ineligibility, or resignation, the alternate member from that region shall fill the position, if there is no alternate, the remaining members of the Board shall fill the position by appointment of a member from the region for the remainder of the term.

Dissolution shall be by a majority vote of the Board of Directors concurred in by a two-thirds vote of the active members present at the biennial EPIC Caucus. In the event of dissolution, all of the assets or property of EPIC prior thereto shall be distributed to such other organizations or agencies of the Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT as may have one or more of the same purposes as this association, and in such proportion as the Board of Directors shall determine by appropriate resolution.

a. EPIC shall not introduce, sponsor, appear in support of or opposition to legislation adversely affecting active or retired state or other public employees.

b. EPIC shall not be politically partisan but shall on a bipartisan basis represent the views of its members.

Amendment of Constitution

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present at the Biennial EPIC meeting. Amendments to the Constitution may be initiated by the Board of Directors or by the Constitution and By-laws Committee at the Biennial EPIC meeting or by mail ballot amongst the members.

ARTICLE I

Membership in EPIC

Section 1. Classifications
a. Active Members. Any active public employee who is a member of the Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT may become an active member of this association upon contributing financial support.
b. Associate Members. Any association, business, other organization, or persons interested in the betterment of the working conditions and compensation of public employees and the advancement of the cause of good government in Alaska, who cannot qualify as an active member, may become an associate member upon contributing financial support.

Section 2. Rejection of Membership Application
The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject any person or organization for membership. Upon the decision to reject, the Board shall provide written notification, giving the reasons for rejection.

Section 3. Revocation of Membership
The EPIC Board of Directors may be a majority vote of the EPIC Board of Directors, suspend or expel from membership any member of any class who shall have by action or expression, jeopardize the good will or image of this association to accomplish its stated objectives. The EPIC Board of Directors shall give written notice to a member whose suspension or expulsion is under consideration by mailing to the last known address or delivering to him/her personally a written document stating that membership is to be suspended or revoked and stating the reasons therefore.

Section 4. Appeal Process
a.         Any person or organization whose applications for membership has been rejected shall have the right to appeal.
b.         Any member who has been suspended or expelled shall have the right to appeal.
c.         Any person or organization whose membership has been rejected, suspended, or expelled may request a review of the action by submitting a written request to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors within thirty (30) days after the rejection, suspension, or expulsion. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall appoint a three (3) member review committee which shall be comprised of one (1) Statewide board member from that region, and two (2) board members from the local Chapter to review the appeal. In the absence of a request for review of said suspension, expulsion, or rejection shall become effective upon a date set by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Contributions
a. Active members shall contribute to EPIC a minimum of $0.75 per month.
b. Associate members shall contribute a minimum of $20.00 per year.

Section 6. Regional and Local EPIC Committees
a. Regional and Local EPIC Committees may be formed for the purpose of promoting political education and political involvement among public employees consistent with Article III of the EPIC Constitution.
b. Upon establishment, a Regional or Local EPIC Committee may be governed by the EPIC Bylaws or may adopt their own by submitting its Bylaws to the EPIC Statewide Board of Directors for approval.

ARTICLE II

Section 1. Number of Members
The EPIC Board of Directors will reflect the same constituency and numbers of Directors which comprises the APEA/AFT Board of Directors. The members composing the EPIC Board of Directors will be active members in good standing, of the Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT and active members of EPIC. The following positions will be elected by members of each group biennially at the EPIC Caucus.

a. Northern Region Supervisory Unit

b. Northern Region Political Subdivisions

c. Southcentral Region Supervisory Unit

d. Southcentral Region Political Subdivisions

e. Southeast Region Political Subdivisions

f. Southeast Region Supervisory Unit

g. Teacher AFT/AFPE Locals

h. Non-Teacher AFT/AFPE Locals

i. University of Alaska Faculty AFT/AFPE Locals

j. University of Alaska Classified Employees Assoc./AFT

The Business Manager of APEA/AFT shall be the non-voting Business Agent of EPIC. The members of the APEA/AFT Board of Directors shall serve as an advisory committee to the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Term of Office
The term of office for Directors shall be for a period of two (2) years. All Directors shall take office immediately upon adjournment of the EPIC Caucus.

Section 3. Quorum for Doing Business
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any Board of Directors meeting.

Section 4. Powers
a.         The Board of Directors shall have such powers as are customary for any governing body of a similar organization. It shall have the specific power of expending the funds of this association in such manner as, at its discretion, will aid in the accomplishment of the objectives of this association.
b.         The Business Manager of APEA/AFT shall act as the Business Agent for EPIC and is responsible for all financial records and recording of all meetings.
c.         The EPIC Board of Directors shall develop methods to establish, certify and/or decertify Regional or Local EPIC Committees.

Section 5. Replacements
If a member of the EPIC Board becomes ineligible to serve or resigns the office, or fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the board without adequate excuse, during the member's term, a vacancy in the office shall be declared by the Chairperson of the EPIC Board. The vacancy shall be filled by alternate members from the region from which the vacancy occurred. The alternate members shall serve for the remainder of the term.

Section 6. Meetings.
a. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once every six (6) months at a time and place fixed at the previous meeting and may meet at such other times as may be determined by the Chairperson or on the request of three (3) members of the Board of Directors. These meetings may take place telephonically. A meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held in conjunction with the Caucus of the Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT.
b. Special meetings of the Board of Directors, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the Chairperson at the direction of the Board of Directors designating the time and place of the meeting.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section 1. Officers
The officer of EPIC shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer elected biennially by the EPIC Board of Directors from among the members of the Board.

Section 2. Duties
The officers shall perform such duties and have such powers as are customary for a Chairperson and Treasurer.

a. The Board of Directors shall develop and make available to the membership a budget prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE IV

Finances

Section 1. Bank Account
a. The Chairperson shall cause to be established a bank account or accounts into which shall be deposited all of the funds of the Committee. All expenditures of EPIC funds shall require two (2) signatures. Eligible for signature are Board Members and the EPIC Business Agent.

b. The structure of this account will be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.

c. The Treasurer shall monitor and record all financial transactions of EPIC and present an itemized report at all EPIC meetings. This report shall include all revenue expenses, and committed.

Section 2. Expenditures
a. No EPIC funds shall be expended in an amount in excess of that which is in the EPIC account.

b. No expenditure from the general account amounting to more than $1,000.00 shall be made without the approval of the Chairperson after receiving a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Contributions to Candidates
Contributions to candidates may be made on a regional basis. Contributions of $100.00 or less can be authorized by agreement of the Chairperson and Business Agent. Contributions in excess of $100.00 must be made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Bond, Audits.
The Board of Directors shall direct such bonds and audits as may appear necessary to protect the funds of this association.

Section 5. Employees
The Board of Directors may hire such employees or contract for the services of such persons as it may feel necessary to carry out the objectives of this association subject to the ability of this association to finance such commitments.

Voting by proxy will be permitted only to the extent that one (1) member may carry not more than one (1) proxy vote.

The members of EPIC shall meet biennially for the purpose of electing the EPIC Board of Directors, and conducting the general business of EPIC. The meeting shall be held in conjunction with the APEA/AFT Biennial Caucus. A quorum shall be ten (10) EPIC members.

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the EPIC members at the biennial meeting or by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those voting in a statewide ballot.