BY-LAWS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

VISION STATEMENT

INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY WE WILL STRENGTHEN AND
ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR BICYCLING THROUGHOUT
THE STATE. WE WILL DO SO THROUGH CONTINUOUS AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ALLIED
ORGANIZATIONS, THROUGH EDUCATION, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
CAMPAIGNS AND POLITICAL INITIATIVES.

MISSION STATEMENT

TO PROMOTE BICYCLING AND ITS ACCEPTANCE IN MINNESOTA

PROPOSED STRUCTURE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Officers:        Chair
                     Vice Chair
                     Or 2 - Co-Chairs
                     And 3 At Large members

The member positions on the executive committee shall be a one or two-year appointment to provide all SBAC members with a greater opportunity to serve on the executive committee.  After a one-year absence, a member may again serve on the executive committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Executive Committee sets and develops the agenda priorities for full committee approval.  Its chief function is to “set the tone” and to ensure that The Committee remains a vital, meaningful player in the effort to promote bicycling and its acceptance in Minnesota.  The Executive Committee also recommends the appointment of new citizen representatives to the State Bicycle Advisory Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
2007-2008

Lisa Austin, Co- Chair
Kurt Franke, Co-Chair
Dan Breva, Member
Charles Thomas, Member
Irene Weis, Member

BY-LAWS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE BICYCLE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Article 1 – Committee Name and Function:

Section 1 -    The Bicycle Advisory Committee shall be called the Minnesota State Bicycle Advisory Committee, and shall be referred to hereinafter as “The Committee”.

Section 2 -    The Committee shall serve as the central coordinating and advisory body to develop bicycling goals, objectives, policies, and standards in Minnesota.  As such, this committee will advise and make recommendations to the Governor, the Minnesota State Legislature, the Department of Transportation, and to appropriate state agencies to assist in the State’s efforts to better serve the diverse bicycling populations within Minnesota.

Section 3 -    The purpose of this committee is to:

1. Work toward the goal of making bicycling a viable transportation and recreation option available to the citizens of Minnesota, recognizing the importance of action at all levels of decision-making and funding, including the local community level, in order for this goal to be realized.
2. Assess and identify bicycling needs in the State’s social and physical environments.
3. Develop plans to meet the needs identified.

Section 4 -    The Committee, in its efforts to promote bicycle activities, may lend its name in approval of certain activities, but shall not permit the use of its name to approve, endorse, nor in any way indicate support for specific commercial sponsors of said activities nor for specific products.

Section 5 -    Remuneration of expenses for citizen members shall be at the current State rate.  All bank accounts, deposits, and disbursements of funds shall be made by the Commissioner of the Mn/DOT.

Article II – Membership:

The membership of The Committee shall consist of 11 Minnesota citizens appointed by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT).  Selection of citizen members shall reflect geographic diversity, diversity in bicycle utilization and, where feasible, interconnectedness with organizations whose broad goals may further the accomplishment of the functions and purposes of The Committee.  These will be public members from each of Mn/DOT’s Districts, one member at-large representing the law enforcement community, and up to four members from the Metropolitan area.

The Committee shall also include representatives of State and Federal agencies, which affect and complement the functions and purposes of The Committee, including the State Bicycle Program Coordinator who shall serve as an ex-officio member.

            Department of Administration
            Department of Education
            Department of Health
            Department of Natural Resources
            Department of Public Safety
            Explore Minnesota
            Department of Transportation
            Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
            Metropolitan Council
            Federal Highway Administration
            Higher Education

The representatives of the agencies shall act as resource people and liaisons between The Committee and their agencies; they are expected to participate in discussion and planning and, in so doing, support the accomplishment of committee purposes.

The Committee shall also include 4 citizen members who represent bicycling interests/organizations.  The representatives of these organizations shall act as resource people and liaisons between The Committee and their organization.  Selection of these members will be limited to those who represent one of the following:

            Non-profit Trail Organization
            Bicycle Industry
            Bicycle Club
            Law Enforcement

Article III – Term of Service:

The term of service of the citizen members of The Committee shall be for three (3) years, with service beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

Members of The Committee may be appointed for no more than two consecutive full terms.  There shall be at least a one-year absence before appointed for additional terms as provided in Article X.  The agency members shall serve at the pleasure of their commissioner.  Membership of the bicycling interests/organizations will continue upon mutual agreement between the committee and bicycling interest/organization.

Article IV – Number of Meetings:

The Committee shall meet at least four (4) times per year.  Regular meetings shall be established at the annual meeting by the Chair and Committee membership.

Special meetings may be called by the Chair or co-chairs, or any member, with the approval of sufficient additional voting members of The Committee to form a quorum.  A 15-day written notice to each member of The Committee is required before a special meeting can be held.  At a special meeting, no business shall be transacted other than that specifically stated in the notice for a special meeting.

Article V – Committees:

Other Committees may be established by The State Bicycle Advisory Committee majority vote and The Committee Chair or co-chairs shall have the authority to appoint Ad hoc committees.

Article VI – Duties of Chair or Co-Chairs:

The duties of Chair or Co-Chairs shall be to preside at meetings and serve as a spokesperson for The Committee.  The chair or co-chairs also sets groups for specific tasks as needed.

Article VII – Election of Officers:  (Chair and Vice-Chair or Co-Chairs)

Election of officers shall be by a majority of the members of The Committee either present or by absentee ballot.  The term of Office of the Chair and Vice-Chair or co-chairs shall be for one year.  Any remand of officers shall be by 2/3 vote of the membership of The Committee.

Article VIII – Annual Meetings:

The Annual Business Planning Meeting may serve as The Committee’s annual meeting.

Article IX – Quorum:

A quorum shall consist of a majority of all voting members for all business transacted before The Committee.  In the case of amendments to the bylaws a 2/3 vote of the members present is required.

Article X – Filling of Vacancies:

Vacancies on The Committee shall be filled by the Commissioner of the Mn/DOT and reappointments to The Committee shall be made by the same Commissioner.  Recommendations to fill said vacancies or to renew term appointments may be made by the Chair or co-chairs, or through an Ad hoc committee appointed by the Chair.  Two full terms may be served after fulfilling an unexpired term.

Article XI – Staff Role:

The Commissioner of the Mn/DOT shall have the authority to employ staff to work with The Committee.  The SBAC and staff are to provide ongoing long-term leadership such that The Committee’s potential is realized.  The State Bicycle Program Coordinator will serve as the primary contact between the SBAC and the Department of Transportation regarding bicycle issues.  The State Bicycle Program Coordinator will serve as an advocate of bicycle issues to both the SBAC and the Department of Transportation.

Other staff responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, taking minutes, making announcements, and meeting with the Chair to establish administrative functions, meetings and agendas.

Article XII – Attendance at Meetings:

Any citizen member not in attendance at 50 percent or more of the scheduled committee meetings within a given calendar year will be subject to replacement upon The Committee’s recommendation and with the concurrence of the Commissioner of the Mn/DOT.