Bylaws
The Chattanooga Urban Area
Bicycle Task Force
Bylaws
Revised November, 2005
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Chattanooga Urban Area Bicycle Task Force (BTF).
ARTICLE II
Mission
To devise a plan and programs to facilitate and promote the safe use of bicycles as a viable mode of transportation and recreation for all ages and skill levels.
ARTICLE III
Membership
The BTF shall be composed of citizens, government agency representatives, and business representatives interested in transportation planning pertaining to bicycling.  Official membership will be given to persons, agency representatives, or business representatives who attend three consecutive meetings.  Voting privileges will be active for the third consecutive meeting attended.  Membership privileges will be reviewed at the end of each calendar quarter; those members not attending at least one regularly scheduled meeting during that quarter will lose their voting privileges.
ARTICLE IV
Organizational Objectives
1.    Promote connections between land uses via bike facilities; e.g. connecting neighborhoods to schools, employment centers, cultural resources and recreation and shopping areas.
2.    Promote education for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists about their proper relationship in traffic.
3.    Identify and seek support, both monetary and political, for bike initiatives.
4.    Encourage maintenance of roadways to eliminate hazards to cycling (debris, utility caps, drainage grates, R/R ties, etc.).
5.    Integrate bicycling into the transit system through the transportation planning process.
6.    Promote the renovation of existing roads and bridges and the design of new structures to facilitate safe cycling.
7.    Promote the establishment of bike facilities in conjunction with Greenways.
8.    Promote the construction of terminal facilities for bicycles.
 
 
Officers' and Members' Duties
1 .   The BTF shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson each year.  The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the majority membership of the BTF to serve one year.  The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson may be re-elected for a maximum of three years.
2.    The Chairperson shall arrange and conduct all meetings of the BTF, vote only in the case of a tie, appoint subcommittees to function on behalf of the BTF and represent the BTF on the MPO Executive Staff as a voting member.  The Chairperson shall act as official spokesperson for the BTF; however, this shall not abridge any individual's right to freedom of speech on their own behalf.  The Chairperson shall have such powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization
3.    The Vice Chairperson shall act as Chairperson to conduct any meetings of the BTF in the absence of the Chairperson when requested to do so by the Chairperson.  In the event of the absence or inability of the Chairperson to exercise his duties, the Vice Chairperson shall become acting Chairperson with all the rights, privileges and powers of a duly elected Chairperson, until such time as the Chairperson is able to resume the duties.  The Vice Chairperson or their designate shall represent the BTF on the MPO Executive Staff as an ex-officio, non-voting member.
4.    The officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) calendar year.  The election shall be held at the first regular meeting of the organization in a calendar year. Voting shall be by a show of hands.  The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes, provided a quorum is present, shall be elected.  The officers shall be installed and begin service at the same meeting.  Any officer is eligible to succeed him/herself.
5.    In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chairman before completion of a term, the Vice Chairperson shall automatically become Chairperson.  If, at any time, the office of Vice Chairperson becomes vacant, a new Vice Chairperson shall be elected by a majority of the membership at the first meeting at which there is a vacancy, provided that a quorum is present.
6.    The Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator shall act as Secretary and shall record the attendance and minutes of regular meetings, shall compile the minutes within 5 days of the meeting, and shall distribute the minutes to the Membership.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
  • The BTF shall meet at least 10 times per year.  The regular meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month and as requested by a quorum vote.
  • Meeting notices shall be mailed seven calendar days prior to the meeting outlining the planned agenda. Should there be no business to come before the committee, the meeting will be canceled by written notice seven calendar days prior to the planned meeting date.
  • No action of the BTF will become official unless a quorum is present. 51 % of the voting membership will constitute a quorum.
  • A majority vote shall be required from members present at a meeting on all voted issues.
  • Special meetings, including special public meetings of this organization, may be called at the discretion of the Chairperson when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the organization.  Also, four (4) members of the BTF may petition the Chairperson to call special meetings.  Notice of any such meeting shall state the reasons that the meeting has been called, the business to be transacted, by whom the meeting is called, and the time and place of the meeting.  The business discussed will be limited to that specified in the notice unless there is unanimous consent of all members present at such meeting.
  • Conduct of meetings.  The meetings of the BTF shall be conducted in accordance with Parliamentary Procedure.  However, any rules adopted by the Committee, including these bylaws, shall prevail when in conflict with Parliamentary Procedure.  The Vice Chairperson shall arrange for minutes of all meetings to be recorded.
  • Agenda.  The agenda of the meetings of the BTF shall be set by the Chairperson.  A member may petition the Chairperson to place an item on the agenda at least seven (7) days before the scheduled date for such meeting.  The order of business at all regular meetings shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson.
ARTICLE VII
Subcommittees
  • The Chairperson may appoint members of the organization to any subcommittee necessary to carry on the business of this organization.
  • The following shall be the standing subcommittees of the organization:
    • Public Relations Subcommittee shall procure publicity for the functions and activities of the organization.  It shall arrange to distribute information to the members and the public in general.  It shall utilize available means of achieving a greater degree of public enlightenment on the subject of bicycling.
    • Program Subcommittee shall arrange for all special events, special meeting places, speakers, and meeting plans, as requested by the Chairperson.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments to the Bylaws
These bylaws are intended to serve as a guide for minimum participation by the Chattanooga Urban Area Bicycle Task Force.  The Task Force may amend the bylaws in order to improve BTF's overall performance.  Notice of the intent to amend the bylaws must be given in the tentative agenda that is mailed seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment(s) will be discussed.  The vote of two-thirds of those members present will be required for the recommended change to the bylaws to become effective.
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