• The mission of the Coalition is to reduce the problems associated with substance use disorder in Tippecanoe County while enhancing family and community life.

• We believe alcohol and drug use to be one of the leading health and social problems in our nation today. Alcohol and drug use negatively affect virtually every member of our society through its impact on crime, families, health, education, employment, and economies. We believe an important step toward the eradication of drug use and the excessive use of alcohol is to address the problem through the combined efforts of citizens at the community level. 

• We, the Coalition, support the coordination of a community-based comprehensive drug-free network to address the problems associated with alcohol and drug use and to promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

MEMBERSHIP

To ensure the effectiveness of the Coalition, membership shall reflect, to the extent possible, representation from the categories recommended by the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana as follows: Family, Judicial, Youth Serving Organizations, Community organizations to reduce substance use, Media, Businesses, Local Government, Religious/Fraternal organizations, Civic & Volunteer groups, Health Care Professionals, and Law Enforcement. 

The voting membership of the Coalition shall be composed of citizens who have completed and submitted the Drug Free Coalition Membership Form, attended 50% of regularly scheduled monthly meetings and at least one per quarter in the twelve months prior to any vote, and actively participate in at least one (1) committee, and attend at least 50% of their chosen committee(s) meetings. Voting Members shall have all the privileges of General Members plus the following:

1. voting rights as defined within these bylaws.

2. may be elected to executive office.

The voting membership of the Coalition will be permitted to attend the meetings virtually but require in person attendance at least two meetings per year. 

MEETINGS

It is the intent of the Coalition to meet monthly and no less than six times per calendar year to address pertinent business and/or concerns. At least a 48-hour notice of a special meeting shall be given, including the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. All meetings are open to the public.

Quorum: At any regular meeting, 50% + one of current members shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of those members present shall make final vote. 

Annual Meeting: Shall be held in June unless otherwise specified. 

OFFICERS

Chairperson: Shall preside over all Coalition meetings and exercise other powers as prescribed in the bylaws and of the Coalition. 

Vice-Chairperson: Shall perform all of the duties of the Chairperson in the event of the Chairperson’s absence. The Vice-Chairperson is to succeed to the office of Chairperson at the end of the Chairperson’s term(s) or in the event of the Chairperson’s resignation from office before the end of the term unless a different Chairperson is elected. 

Treasurer: Shall attend all meetings of the Coalition and keep a record of all financial transactions of the Coalition. Monthly reports of all monies received and expended will be given at each regular meeting and approved by the members.

Vice-Treasurer: Shall assist the Treasurer in managing the financial responsibilities of the Coalition and shall perform the Treasurer's duties in their absence or as delegated by the Treasurer. The Vice-Treasurer will collaborate on preparing monthly financial reports, ensuring accuracy and transparency in recording financial transactions. Additionally, the Vice-Treasurer may undertake specific financial tasks or projects as assigned by the Treasurer to support the Coalition’s financial oversight. In the event the Treasurer is unavailable, the Vice-Treasurer shall present financial reports at regular meetings and seek member approval for financial transactions.

Secretary: Shall attend all meetings and keep a record of all proceedings of said meetings and attendance. Monthly meeting minutes shall be presented and approved at each meeting. 

Vice-Secretary: Shall assist the Secretary in recording and managing the documentation of the Coalition’s meetings. In the absence of the Secretary or as designated, the Vice-Secretary will attend meetings to record proceedings, attendance, and any pertinent discussions. The Vice-Secretary will support the preparation of monthly meeting minutes and ensure their accuracy. When needed, the Vice-Secretary will present the minutes for approval at meetings, upholding the Coalition's standards for detailed and reliable records. Additionally, the Vice-Secretary may assume specific administrative tasks assigned by the Secretary to facilitate smooth documentation practices.

Executive Director: A paid position responsible for the coordination of all activities and documents relating to the Coalition. The Executive Director is an employee but is not entitled to any form of employee benefits. The Executive committee shall act as advisors to the Executive Director with a majority present. 

• Election and Term of Officers: Officers shall be elected at the June meetings of the Coalition and shall hold office for one year or until a successor shall be duly elected. Officers may serve for more than one term. 

• Vacancies: Any vacancy that occurs during an officer’s term shall be filled upon the recommendation of the nominating committee with the concurrence of the Coalition. Any officer so elected shall hold office until the next June meeting of the Coalition or until a successor is duly elected. 

• Attendance: Officers or their designee are required to attend 75% (minimum of one per quarter) of all meetings to maintain their elected position. 

REPRESENTATIVES AT LARGE

Committee chairperson or their designee shall serve as Representatives at-Large and will serve on the Executive Committee. Each representative shall represent a different area of the Tippecanoe County population (examples include education, business, law enforcement, treatment, etc.). 

Term of Representatives at Large: Representatives shall begin at the Annual meetings of the Coalition and shall hold office for one year or until a successor shall be duly elected. Representatives may serve for more than one term. 

Attendance: Representatives are required to attend 50% (minimum of one per quarter) of all meetings to maintain their position. 

COMMITTEES

Sub-Committees: There shall be no standing sub-committees except for those that are formed due to a particular need. A sub-committee may be approved by members of the Coalition as a result of an issues addressed during a meeting. Sub-committees shall hold regular meetings as they deem necessary and are free to disband as desired. Sub-committees will report regularly at each meeting until they are disbanded. Each sub-committee shall elect a Chairperson. The Chairperson of a sub-committee shall be a member of the Executive Committee until the sub-committee disbands. Sub-committees shall function on an as-needed basis. 

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected Officers, Representatives at Large, Executive Director, and any Sub-Committee chair(s) of the Coalition. The Executive Committee shall meet as needed and shall have final authority when determining grant funding. The Executive Committee shall also be empowered to make recommendations to the Coalition as needed. Recommendations may include but are not limited to: amendments to the Bylaws, Comprehensive Plans, Executive Director issues, website information, and spending of discretionary funds.

MINI-GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Coalition shall conduct a quarterly request, if funds are available, for Mini-Grant Applications from community organizations to make funding decisions that will fulfill the recommended actions of the Comprehensive Plan. Any organization desiring to present a request for a mini grant shall be required to make a verbal and written request at the appropriate meeting. The written request will specify which category of funding the request represents (law enforcement, treatment, or education/prevention). If funded, the organization agrees to acknowledge the Coalition grant in any publications and to make a written and verbal progress report to the Coalition in a timely manner. 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

To eliminate conflict of interest during the grant process, any member(s) submitting or recommending a mini-grant application for funds to the Coalition shall abstain from voting on the grant, and that abstention shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting as a permanent record. 

RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used when conducting any meeting of the Coalition. 

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