By-Laws of the Spiritual Care Guild
of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Updated September 2007

ARTICLE I - Name

The name of this organization shall be Spiritual Care Guild of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

ARTICLE II - Purpose and Standards

Section 1 :  Purpose
Spiritual Care Guild (SCG) is a volunteer organization committed to supporting the Spiritual Care Department of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) through the fundraising efforts of its members. Members will act as ambassadors for CHLA.

SCG will not act as a fundraising agent for any organization other than the Spiritual Care Department of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Section 2 :  Standards
SCG does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or any other basis prohibited by law.

Section 3 :  Articles of Association
SCG is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributions of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by and organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are tax deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE III - Membership

Section 1 : Membership Categories and Obligations
There are two categories of membership, which are determined by the following criteria:

A.       Active Member
Active Members of SCG shall comply with the required financial obligations and participate in the fundraising activities to the best of their abilities.

1. Active Members shall pay annual dues of Seventy-Five Dollars ($75.00).Dues are payable by June 30.If dues are not received by June 30, members will be reminded that (a) their dues are late (b) they may not be included in the roster and (c) their dues must be paid by the first general meeting in September/October. Members whose dues have not been received by the first General Meeting will be notified of their pending removal from the membership. Removal from the membership shall be determined by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.

2. Active members are required to attend the Hospital Tour/General Meeting in September/October, shall attend all other general meetings and are encouraged to attend all fundraising events. Active members shall serve on one committee and may participate in the Nominating process.

3. Active Members shall participate in at least one of the fundraising endeavors of SCG each year. Participation is defined as working on the event committee, purchasing tickets for the event and/or providing in-kind donations or monetary support for an event.

4.  Active Members are included in the Member Directory and are invited to all events.

B.       Friends of Spiritual Care
There are no meeting or committee requirements.

1.  Friends shall pay dues of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00). Dues are payable by June 30. If dues are not received by June 30, a delinquency notice will be forwarded to the member.

2.  Friends are encouraged to attend the Hospital Tour and all fundraising events, but are not required.

3.   Friends are included in the Member Directory and are invited to all events.

Section 2 :  Prospective Members
SCG does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or any other basis prohibited by law.

A.       Criteria for Membership
SCG uses the following criteria for consideration of a Prospective Member:

1.  A Prospective Member shall be at least Twenty-One (21) years of age.

2.  A Prospective Member shall show an inherent interest in volunteerism and a commitment to the continued growth and success of SCG.

3. New Member proposals shall be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.

B.       Application Procedure for Prospective Members
The application procedure for Prospective Members shall be set forth by the Membership Chairpersons. The procedure shall be approved by the Executive Board. Prospective Member applications are due to the Membership Chairpersons no later than the date to be determined by the Membership Chairpersons.

The number of members shall be limited to One-Hundred Fifty (150) Active Members. Approval by the Executive Board is required if the proposed total membership exceeds One-Hundred Fifty (150).

C.       Acceptance of Member
The list of Prospective Members shall be voted on by the Executive Board at the June board meeting. All Prospective Members shall be notified of their membership acceptance in writing by the Membership Chairpersons no later than June 30. All new members will be ratified at the next General Meeting held in October.

Section 3 :  Resignations, Removals, Reinstatements and Leaves of Absence

A.       Resignations
An Active Member, not in arrears with respect to financial or other obligations, may resign in good standing. A request to resign must be made in writing to the Membership Chairpersons by June 30.

B.       Removals
If a member is financially delinquent after two (2) reminders advising a member of their failure to fulfill their financial obligations, such member may be removed. The determination as to whether the member should be removed shall be made by the Executive Board and requires a vote of two-thirds of the Executive Board.

C.        Reinstatements
A member who has resigned in good standing may be reinstated upon payment of current financial obligations. A member who has been removed may be reinstated if the member fulfills all delinquent obligations. Any member requesting reinstatement must contact the Membership Chairpersons no later than June 30.

D.       Leaves of Absence
A member who has been active for at least one year may request a one-year leave of absence. This request must be made in writing to the Membership Chairpersons no later than June 30. While on a leave of absence, the member is required to pay dues as if they were an Active Member. A member is eligible for a one-year leave of absence with the possibility of an additional year extension, if necessary. The additional year extension must be approved by the Executive Board. A maximum two-year leave is allowed.

ARTICLE IV- FINANCE

The fiscal year of SCG for financial purposes shall be March 1 through February 28. This coincides with CHLA's fiscal year.

ARTICLE V- OFFICERS

Section 1 :  Executive Board
The Executive Board shall consist of the following Officers: President, Vice President (Events), Vice President (Communications), Vice President (Outreach), Treasurer, Secretary, two (2) Membership Chairpersons, two (2) or three (3) Fundraising/Benefit Chairpersons, two (2) Fall Kick-Off Chairpersons, two (2) Activities Chairpersons and the Past President.

Section 2 :  Selection
The officers shall be selected by a procedure set forth by the Nominating Chairperson. This procedure shall be approved by the Executive Board.

Section 3 :  Term of Office
The term of office shall be one fiscal year.

Section 4 :  Powers and Duties
The Officers shall have general charge and control of the affairs of SCG.

Section 5 :  Meetings
The Officers shall hold monthly meetings. A special meeting may be called by any one of the Officers.

Section 6 :  Quorum
Four (4) Officers shall constitute a quorum. All business shall be transacted by a majority vote of those present at the meeting unless otherwise provided in the By-Laws.

Section 7 :  Vacancies
A vacancy in an office shall be filled by an appointment by the Past President. The appointed person shall serve out the remainder of the term office.

ARTICLE VI- THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

The general membership committee shall consist of all Members in good standing.

Section 1 :  Meetings
The General Membership Committee shall hold at least three (3) meetings from September through June, unless deemed unnecessary by the Executive Board. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon written request by three (3) Active Members

Section 2 :  Quorum
One third of the Active Members shall constitute a quorum. All business shall be transacted by a majority vote of those present at the meeting unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws.

ARTICLE VII- NOMINATING PROCEDURES

Section 1 :  Selection of the Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee, having been approved by the majority vote of the Executive Board, will be comprised of the President, Past President and the Recording Secretary. Up to three (3) additional Active Members may be selected to serve on the Nominating Committee. The final nominating slate must be approved by all the committee members.

Section 2 :  Duties of the Nominating Committee
The duties of the Nominating Committee are as follows:

A.  Requests nominations from the general membership of Active Members in good standing to fill all Executive Board and Chairperson positions.

B.  Prepares a slate of candidates for all Executive Board and Chairperson positions.

C.   Distributes the proposed slate of new Officers and Chairpersons to Active Members at the June general meeting.

D.  Presents the nominated slate to the Executive Board and the Active Members for approval by majority vote.

E.  Amends the slate of new Officers or Chairperson in the event the proposed slate is not approved.

Section 3 :  Vacancies
The Nominating Chair shall submit to the Executive Board candidates to fill any office vacated during the year.

ARTICLE VIII- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, to the extent consistent with the current law, shall be the authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by the By-Laws.

ARTICLE IX- AMENDMENTS

The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Active Members present and voting at a general Membership Committee meeting or at a special meeting of SCG.

ARTICLE X- POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Executive Board may approve policies and procedures and recommend them to the Active Members for ratification by a majority vote. Any revisions to such policies and procedures must be approved by the Executive Board and ratified by a majority vote of the Active Members.

ARTICLE XI- CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES

Section 1 :  Tax-Free Status
SCG agrees that it will not undertake any activities that would result in the loss to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles of it status as a tax-free non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code or California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Section 2 :  Associate & Affiliate Policies

A.  All Hospital information and assistance is available to members through the A&A Office. Calls must be made to this office, not to other departments or physicians.

B.  The SCG must visit the hospital annually for a tour.

C.   SCG President must attend the A&A Annual Meetings, the New and Continuing Presidents' Orientation Meeting and Presidents' Forum (if scheduled).

D.  Regarding external publicity, only the following dollar amounts may be communicated: (a) total raised since the inception of an A&A group, (b) total goal for the current officially designated projects and (c) total raised for a completed past project.

E.  Fundraising Costs for benefits shall not exceed 50% of the total receipts.

F.  CHLA provides liability insurance covering A&A functions.

ARTICLE XII- USE OF DIRECTORY

The SCG membership list and directory are for the use of the members only and cannot be used for the promotion of any activity unrelated to SCG or Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The membership list and/or directory shall not be used for personal gain or be made available for commercial or soliciting purposes. If a member does use the membership list and/or directory for personal gain or makes available the list and/or directory for commercial or soliciting purposes, such a member may be removed. The determination as to whether the member should be removed shall be made by the Executive Board and requires a vote of two-thirds of the Executive Board.