Association Charter

To establish and acknowledge:

1. The Garrett A. Morgan Association of the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), hereafter referred to as "the Association";

2. The Association's general goal is to increase awareness of African American employee issues at all levels within the DOT; and

3. The Association's support of the DOT in pursuing the objectives of the National Transportation Policy, quality management practices and diversity in the Federal work force.

The Association's work with the FHWA shall:

1. Support efforts to ensure African Americans receive equal opportunity in regard to recruiting, hiring, promoting, transferring, training, reassigning, detailing, or other actions facilitating career enhancements;

2. Highlight and promote awareness of the impact African Americans have in the DOT in terms of culture, work ethics and work contributions.

1. The Association shall be a secular nonprofit, non-partisan and noncommercial organization that shall be supported primarily by external contributions and membership dues.

2. The Association shall not discriminate against persons with disabilities or on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age.

3. The Association shall be organized to conduct activities of interest common to its general membership and shall expend funds for those purposes.

1. Although the Association focuses on African American employee issues, membership is open to any employee of the Department interested in these issues.

2. In addition to active members, the Association may be comprised of associate members (inactive), or honorary members. Honorary Memberships are confirmed by a majority vote of members attending a general meeting. Associate and honorary members are not voting members.

The Association will annually elect four officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Association members will nominate and elect officers from among themselves at the general meeting in December. The officers will be nominated and elected by a simple majority vote of members organizations attending the meeting. No officer may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same elected position.

1. The Chairperson with the help of committees, when appropriate, will:
   1. Develop or update a vision statement that will be comprised of strategic business needs and solutions of the Association as they affect African Americans;

   2. Develop or update a statement of direction that will identify specific annual goals and objectives in support of the Association's vision;

   3. Organize, direct and coordinate all the Association's activities to meet defined goals and objectives;

   4. Annually assess progress made, evaluate the effectiveness of the goals and objectives, take necessary actions to correct any deficiencies, and report findings to the Association;

   5. Develop the agenda and preside at all meetings of the general membership;

   6. Serve as the official representative and spokesperson for the Association;

   7. Coordinate with the Association in establishing committees, assuring that committee chairpersons are nominated and elected. Act as an oversight manager of all committees; and

   8. Sign and execute agreements and obligations voted by majority members in attendance at meetings.

2. The Vice Chairperson will:
   1. Keep members informed of African American concern, issues and activities;

   2. Advise and assist the Chairperson in the execution of the his/her responsibilities; and

   3. Execute the functions of the Chairperson in the absence, or upon the resignation, of the Chairperson.

3. The Secretary will:
   1. Keep minutes of all general meetings;

   2. Maintain all official correspondence and documents;

   3. Develop or coordinate reports and correspondence as may be assigned by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson;

   4. Notify members of all meetings and activities;

   5. Circulate minutes, agendas and other pertinent documents;

   6. Maintain a list of members and other non-financial records; and

   7. Coordinate with the Treasurer:
      1. Provide any funds collected to the Treasurer and request receipt for the same; and

      2. Serve as second signature if a checking account is deemed necessary by majority vote of members at the general meeting.

4. The Treasurer will:
   1. Receive all funds payable to the Association and issue receipts for such funds;

   2. Satisfy financial obligations as duly authorized by majority vote of membership present at general meetings.

   3. Keep a clear and accurate record of all Association receipts and disbursements;

   4. Maintain a checking account if required to store funds and issue payments. Ensure that the second signature on the account is that of the Secretary; and

   5. Present a report on the financial status of the Association quarterly or when required.

1. When an Officer resigns, transfers, or gains employment outside of the DOT, he/she shall provide a written notice of resignation to the Chairperson within 2 weeks prior leaving the Association. No position will remain vacant for more than three consecutive months.

2. In the event the Chairperson is the resigning officer, the Vice Chairperson shall assume the Chairperson's responsibilities for the remainder of the term. A new Vice Chairperson shall be nominated and elected by members at the next general meeting.

1. An Association member may recommend that a committee be formed to develop a specific issue of interest. The Association will then consider and vote on establishing the committee provided that an adequate number of members are willing to commit to working on the committee.

2. Any member of the Association may nominate a fellow member to be the Chairperson of a committee. The Association in turn will elect from the available nominations the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, if needed, for the committee.

3. The Committee Chairperson or Vice Chairperson will report the status of the committee efforts at general monthly Association meetings.

The FHWA Administrator and Executive Director, or a representative appointed by the Administrator, will serve as the official liaison between the FHWA and the Association. The role of the Liaison will be to advise and assist in accomplishing Association objectives.

1. General monthly meetings will be held the third Thursday of each month and will be open to any Departmental employee. Other meetings may be held as needed and authorized by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson to discuss special issues identified at monthly meetings. During all meeting, Robert's Rules of Order shall prevail.

2. The officers and committee chairpersons shall have the authority to conduct other meetings with the results of such meetings reported at monthly meetings.

1. Votes by a majority of members present at Association meetings shall constitute a quorum authorized to initiate or transact normal business duly presented. All issues regarding significant changes to the Association shall be presented as a voting issue and voted on by at least sixty percent of the active members.

2. Associate and honorary members do not have a right to vote.

1. With the approval of the Association. Local sections for DOT organizations, designated as Chapters, may be formed at locations other than the Washington, DC, Headquarters building. This includes field offices.

2. Each Chapter shall have power to select its own name and develop its own charter. However, Chapter charters shall be consistent with the vision, goals and objectives of the Association. All chapter charters and subsequent amendments shall be submitted to the Association for approval.

Any amendments or changes to the Charter will be made by a two-thirds vote of members present at general meetings.

The Association will adopt the following order at meetings:

1. Call to order

2. Approval of minutes of the prior meeting

3. Report of the Treasurer (if necessary)

4. Report to the Vice Chairperson (if necessary)

5. Report from committees (if necessary)

6. Unfinished business

7. New business

8. General announcements of interest

9. Adjournment