Purpose

The Council of Ford Credit Unions was organized to: 1) Promote and encourage membership in existing and future Credit Unions under the same common bond; 2) to encourage and make relevant, cooperation between all Credit Unions under the aforementioned common bond; 3) to provide a forum for sharing information, ideas, services, improvements; 4) to develop an associational, cooperative bond based on similar membership and business operations; 5) to develop and improve personal and business relations among Credit Union officials and management; 6) to monitor legislative activities, and as a group, provide lobbying efforts as appropriate. 

 
BYLAWS
Article I
Name and Address

A. The name of this organization shall be "The Council of Ford Credit Unions". It shall also be known as the "Ford Council". 
B. The mailing address of this organization shall be determined by the Executive Board.

Article II 
Membership

A. Membership in the Ford Council is open to all Credit Unions, present and future, who serve the employees of Ford Motor Company and/or its subsidiaries, joint venture operations, enterprise operations or other organizations, regardless of a change in corporate restructuring by the Ford Motor Company. 
B. An application for membership in the Ford Council is accomplished upon receipt of a request, directed to the Executive Board for membership, signed by the Chairman, CEO, President, Manager or Treasurer of the Credit Union so requesting membership. 
C. The Executive Board will act upon a request for membership within 30 days of receipt of said request and will formally notify the applying Credit Union by mail of their actions. 
D. A denied request for membership in the Ford Council must be brought to the next membership meeting for affirmation or denial by a majority vote of those Council members attending the meeting. 
E. An accepted request for membership in the Ford Council must be reported by the membership officer at the next annual meeting of the Ford Council. 
F. Membership in the Ford Council may be terminated upon receipt of such a request signed by the Credit Union's Chairman, President, Manager, or Treasurer.

  
Article III 
Membership Dues

A. Dues are essential to the operation of the Ford Council by the Executive Board between meetings of the members for ongoing expenses incurred for operation and coordinating meetings. An accounting of all dues received and expenses will be maintained by the Treasurer and presented at each meeting for their approval. 
B. Each Credit Union is requested to pay dues in the amount of $300.00 per year, payable on January 1 or as requested by the Secretary. 
C. Credit Unions requesting and being accepted into membership during a year, will have dues prorated at the rate of $25.00 per month of membership until the next January 1. 
D. Credit Unions unable to afford membership dues, upon request, will have dues suspended by a majority vote of the members attending a membership meeting of the Ford Council, until such times as they can afford same.

 
Article IV 
Meetings

A. An annual meeting of the membership will be held at least once each year, and at a time, date and place to be determined by the Executive Board and the membership will be informed at least 30 days in advance by the Secretary.
B. Special meetings of the members may be called upon request of 5 member Credit Unions or by the President of the Council, and notice of such meeting, 30 days in advance, must be mailed to each membered Credit Union.
C. Meetings will be presided over by the President, or the next Executive Board member in line of succession, Vice President or Secretary.
D. The annual meeting of the Ford Council will contain at least the following agenda: 
     a) Ascertainment of a quorum (5 member Credit Unions) 
     b) Roll call of officers 
     c) Approval of the minutes of the last meeting 
     d) Reports of the Executive Board
     e) Report of the Treasurer
     f) Reports of committees 
     g) Old business 
     h) New business 
     i) Election of directors 
     j) Adjournment.
E. All business meetings of the Ford Council will abide by the rules of Roberts Rules of Order.
F. Elections for officers will be held each year at the annual meeting and election of officers will become part of the meeting agenda as the Order of Business after new business.

 
Article V 
Voting Membership

A. A member Credit Union of the Ford Council is entitled to vote on any business to come before the members at any annual or special meeting. 
B. Each member Credit Union is entitled to one (1) vote cast by one delegate representing a member Credit Union at any meeting of the Council. 
C. Proxy voting by members of the Ford Council is not allowed.

Article VI
Executive Board

A. The Executive Board shall consist of five (5) members. The Executive Officers will be elected by a vote of the Board from within their own number - a President, a Vice President and a Secretary/Treasurer.
B. The term on the Executive Board will be three (3) years, with the terms of 3 members expiring every third year. The members receiving the most votes at the annual meeting election will serve 3 years and any unexpired term open for election will be filled by the next highest vote for the unexpired term.
C. Each elected Executive Board member must be a representative of a different member Credit Union in good standing in the Ford Council.
D. An Executive Board member may succeed themself in any office on such board,  as the voting members should elect.
E. Any vacancy existing on the Executive Board created by virtue of resignation, death, etc. shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board until the next annual meeting of the Council.
F. The Council President may appoint any or all committees.

Article VII
Executive Officers

A. The President of the Ford Council shall preside at all meetings of the Council members and of the Executive Board. In the absence or incapacity of the President, the line of succession will be: Vice President first and the Secretary/Treasurer second.
B. The President shall perform other duties as are customary to that office and as may be directed by resolution from the membership of the Ford Council.
C. The Vice President shall act in the absence or incapacity of the President and perform such other duties as directed by the membership.
D. The Secretary shall maintain or shall cause to be maintained, complete and accurate minutes of all meetings of the members of the Council and meetings of the Executive Board.
E. The Secretary shall be responsible for notification of all members of the Council as prescribed by these bylaws or as directed by resolution of the members.
F. The Secretary shall be responsible for any other duties of the office as directed by the members of the Executive Board.
G. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all funds of the Council, and shall hold such funds in a depository as selected by the Executive Board. Records will be maintained as to abide by law and as required to present a true and accurate accounting to the members and Executive Board of the Council, and said accounting will be presented to the members at each meeting for their approval or question. Disbursements will be made for all expenses of the organization by check/Credit Card only, upon approval of the Executive Board or the membership of the Ford Council.
H. The Treasurer shall be bonded in the name of this organization in an amount chosen by the members of the Council.
I. The Treasurer shall perform other duties of the office as directed by the Executive Board or the member-ship.
J. An appointed committee shall be responsible for the educational material and programs to be offered at each membership meeting. They shall promote the purposes of the Ford Council and new membership into the organization. Guidance shall be offered to the Executive Board and to the direction of the organization, and perform such other duties of the office as directed by the Executive Board and the membership of the Council.

Article VIII
Audit

A. The President will cause to be made, an audit of the records of the Ford Council at least once a year and at such times as is deemed appropriate, or at the direction of the membership.
B. An audit report will be presented to the members at the annual meeting of the Council or any special meeting called for that purpose.

Article IX
Amendments

Amendments to these bylaws may be accomplished by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a duly called special or annual meeting. Members must be notified at least 30 days in advance of any proposed bylaw amendment.

Article X
Reimbursements of 'Expenses

A. Board members will not be reimbursed for expenses incurred while attending the annual meeting of the members, except with prior approval of the Board for unusual circumstances.
B. Board members reimbursement for expenses while attending regular and special Board meetings will be an approved expense upon the presentation of receipts and vouchers.
C. If the President or a representative of the Board has to attend any other meeting or conference, it must be approved by the Board for reimbursement of expenses to be paid.
(Update to previous Bylaws September 21,2002)