C2EA Structure / Bylaws

(Adopted by C2EA Steering Committee 11/22/05)

Introduction.

C2EA's current structure was improvised as we went along during 2005. Some parts worked well and others less well. It's now the time to thoughtfully consider how to structure our ongoing work, encourage broader participation, and build for the longer haul that will be required to achieve our aim of ending AIDS. This proposal is put forward by the current Executive Committee as a basis for discussion and further development in the Steering Committee and throughout the community of those active in C2EA. We hope that C2EA can begin the transition to a new structure during and immediately after the DC Days of Action in November.

Principles.

Among the principles that guided us in putting forth this proposal are:

  1. The structure will be democratic, facilitating participation in decision-making by all individuals and organizations that support the goals and work of C2EA.
  2. No single ASO or AIDS advocacy organization should control or dominate the decision-making within C2EA at the national, state or local level. All ASOs and AIDS advocacy organizations are strongly encouraged to support C2EA with endorsement, contributions and volunteer participation.
  3. C2EA is a coalition of organizations and individuals. Membership is open to anyone who endorses the four basic demands of C2EA.
  4. State-level affiliates will be the basic units of building the national structure of C2EA, though national or multi-state organizations are welcome to participate and working groups that cut across states may be organized. State and local affiliates should have the authority to plan and take any and all actions they believe to be within the spirit of C2EA, i.e. C2EA is about grassroots organizing and empowered local and state groups do not need authorization from any national structure.
  5. C2EA is made up of people living with HIV/AIDS, their families and allies, and members of communities at high risk of HIV infection. Allies of PLWH/As and those actively committed to HIV prevention have often been a backbone of the AIDS movement and are explicitly welcomed to participate fully in C2EA. We are also strongly committed to the empowerment of PLWH/As and so a majority of the places on C2EA national and state steering and executive committees should be held by PLWH/As or members of the following populations at highest risk of HIV infection (gay men and other men who have sex with men, black and Latina women, injecting drug users, sexually active young people 25 and under).
  6. C2EA strives to have its leadership at all levels reflect the race/ethnic, gender, age, risk group and other demographic diversity of the AIDS epidemic.
  7. The structure will be periodically assessed by the National Steering Committee and state affiliates for effectiveness in meeting the goals and principles of C2EA and should be modified as needed.

Structure.

  1. State, federal district, territorial and commonwealth C2EA are encouraged to self-organize coalitions (affiliates) on whatever basis is deemed most appropriate to the particular state or territory and the resources available.
  2. To be recognized as the "official" C2EA state affiliate, the state organization should include the following key components:
    1. Have a majority of the group or its decision-making committee be persons living with HIV/AIDS and/or members of groups listed above in the principles. States and territories that are newer to PLWHA empowerment and inclusive organizing may apply for recognition as an affiliate with a transitional waiver of this requirement, providing they propose a plan and a timetable (not longer than one year) for reaching this standard.
    2. Clearly spell out how members or participants will be recruited and can join, with openness to anyone who supports the goals of C2EA.
    3. Reasonably reflect the diversity of PLWH/As in the state.
    4. Have at least 10 member organizations and/or individuals from at least two regions of the state
    5. Have a democratic process for making decisions and electing representatives to the national C2EA.
    6. Be committed to taking action around C2EA core demands and related issues and to participating in the national C2EA structure.
    7. Have a fiscal agent to accountably handle any contributions and have a public statement of how contributions will be raised and disbursed.
    8. Be able and willing to take responsibility for the content and operation of the state web pages on the C2EA national website.
  3. Each state and territorial group will elect one representative to the National Steering Committee . The National Steering Committee (NSC) can itself elect up to 15 additional at-large members in order to help enhance the diversity of its membership and encourage the participation of key cross-state constituencies.
  4. The National Steering Committee is the sole body empowered to:
    1. set policy for C2EA,
    2. choose and designate national C2EA campaigns and activities,
    3. certify or if necessary decertify C2EA state groups,
    4. establish and delegate authority to national work and action groups or committees,
    5. pass a budget authorizing expenditures and guidelines for raising funds,
    6. employ any staff members or approve contractual arrangements,
    7. regulate the national content of and operations of the C2EA website,
    8. elect an Executive Committee of 9 to 15 members to oversee work of C2EA and make interim decisions between NSC meetings.
    The NSC shall organize its own schedule of meetings, procedures, officers, etc. The National Steering Committee shall delegate such of its powers as it deems appropriate to the National Executive Committee, except that it cannot delegate the ability to certify or decertify state and territorial affiliates, choose or ratify national C2EA campaigns and approve a basic budget and any changes to the budget of more than 25% overall.
  5. The NSC shall elect a smaller National Executive Committee to oversee day-to-day work of C2EA nationally, make statements and/or take actions on an interim basis between NSC meetings subject to subsequent ratification and perform any other responsibilities delegated to it. The National Executive Committee shall have only such powers as are explicitly delegated to it by the National Steering Committee and those powers may be revoked at any time by a majority of the Steering Committee. All actions of the Executive Committee are subject to review and ratification, reversal or modification by the Steering Committee as a whole.
  6. The NSC will establish a national secretariat to coordinate communications including regulating the website, coordinate national organizing and activities, coordinate fund raising and undertake such other duties as the NSC may assign. The national secretariat may be operated in conjunction with another organization or endorser of C2EA, but its operations and public profile shall be independent of any other organization and responsible solely to the C2EA National Steering Committee. Cooperating organizations will be encouraged to dedicate staff time to support C2EA activities. Any work done in the name of C2EA by a cooperating organization or contractor will be performed according to a specific written agreement that provides policy direction to such work, accountability for all aspects of the work to the specifically designated responsible body of C2EA, and provisions for the C2EA responsible body to change the direction and content of the work or terminate the agreement.
  7. The National Steering and Executive Committees will seek input as often as possible from the state and territorial affiliates and the larger membership. Any participating, endorsing member of C2EA can initiate proposals to be placed on the agenda of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may establish any other committees, work groups or caucuses that it deems necessary to facilitate the work of C2EA. Members or supporters of the Campaign may directly petition the Steering Committee requesting the establishment of a committee, work group or caucus.

Phasing In. These principles and structural elements will become the basis of C2EA's immediate future whenever the current Steering Committee adopts them after discussion and revision/improvement. The current Steering Committee, Executive Committee and staff will facilitate the development and certification of state organizations as rapidly as possible, beginning with the state caucuses on Monday, November 7. The new Steering Committee, based on elections by the state and territorial affiliates, will assume responsibility whenever the outgoing Steering Committee certifies that at least 15 states or territories have elected representatives based on fulfilling the above criteria or a transitional waiver, or on February 1, 2006, whichever comes sooner.

AMENDMENTS

Motioned on January 26, 2006 by: Walt Senterfit / Paul Feldman

1. The date for transition to the new Steering Committee is hereby changed to May 15 th , 2006 or the date, on which the 15 th state affiliate is certified, whichever comes first. The current Steering Committee will continue to be the decision-making body for C2EA until that date, subject to the following amendments to current membership of the Steering Committee.

2. The designated representative of any certified state affiliate will be seated on the Steering Committee with full voting privileges as of the affiliate's certification.

3. Any current member will lose voting privileges and the right to be counted in quorum counts as of the third consecutive meeting missed without either notification of the Chair of reason for absence or representation by an alternate.

Note: New Members will count towards quorum.

Motioned on April 20, 2006 by: Julie Davids / Michael Rajner

To have a 5 person executive Committee: 2 co-chairs, secretary, treasurer and at-large.

Motioned on April 20, 2006 by: Michael Rajner / Fatima Prioleau

That the new date for transition to the new Steering Committee is hereby amended and changed to July 15, 2005; or the date on which
the 15th state affiliate is certified; whichever comes first. The current Steering Committee will continue to be the decision-making body for C2EA until that date, subject to the amendments to current membership of the Steering Committee.

Motioned on July 6, 2006 by: Michael Rajner / Charles Long

That the new date for transition to the new Steering Committee is hereby amended and changed to September 15, 2006; or the date on which the 15th state affiliate is certified; whichever comes first. The current Steering Committee will continue to be the decision-making body for C2EA until that date, subject to the amendments to current membership of the Steering Committee

Motioned on August 31, 2006 by: Michael Rajner / Byron Montgomery

That the new date for the transition to the new National Steering Committee is hereby amended and changed to January 31, 2007; or the date on which the 15 th state affiliate is certified; whichever comes first. The current National Steering Committee will continue to be the decision-making body for C2EA until that date, subject to the amendments to the current membership of the National Steering Committee.

STATE AFFILIATES

States Certified by the National Steering Committee for C2EA Affiliation:

  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Texas
  • Utah