Operation C.A.R.E. Bylaws

Preamble

Whereas: There is a need to protect citizens and the motoring public from injury and suffering on the public highways, and;

Whereas: The common belief that a united effort toward traffic safety will result in greater safety for all;

Therefore: The administrators of highway enforcement and safety programs are convinced that it is in their best interest to join together in the endeavor of reducing human suffering on the highways, and do hereby pledge themselves to this service and cooperation venture.

 

Article I - Name

Section 1. The legal name of the organization is "Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.), Inc." The organization will commonly be known as "Operation C.A.R.E.."

 

Article II - Mission and Objective

Section 1. The organization is formed as a multi-jurisdictional program of patrol, enforcement, and planning activities committed to the goal of accident reduction by accomplishing the following objectives:

A. Strict traffic enforcement to obtain voluntary compliance in the area of:

1. Alcohol and drug-related offenses.

2. Maximum speed limit laws.

3. Not driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license.

B. Ensuring, through promotion and enforcement of safety belt statutes, the use of life-preserving equipment in vehicles to reduce injury and fatalities occurring in motor vehicle accidents.

C. Demonstrate a harmonious cooperation in traffic enforcement efforts between member jurisdictions to obtain voluntary compliance in order to eliminate hazardous violations.

D. Maintaining an efficient movement of traffic.

E. Reduce motor vehicle accidents through the enforcement of other accident-causing violations.

F. High visibility of patrols on designated C.A.R.E. highways during holiday periods.

 

Article III - Membership and Voting

Section 1. The membership of the organization shall be open to members of state police and/or state patrol agencies of the United States of America with statewide policing jurisdiction and responsibilities, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Provincial Police.

Section 2. Membership voting shall be on the basis of "one jurisdiction, one vote." A jurisdiction, in its absence, may give the regional "Chairperson" authority to vote in all matters pertaining to that jurisdiction. Such authorization must be in written form.

Section 3. Associate membership in the organization shall be open to the Governor's highway safety representatives from each state.

 

Article IV - Organization

Section 1. Organization and Officers

A. Organization executive officers shall consist of a chairperson who shall be the administrative head or deputy administrative head of a member jurisdiction, vice-chairperson, secretary treasurer, enforcement coordinator, public information and education coordinator, data collection coordinator, and historian.

B. The President of the National Association of Governor's Highway Safety Representatives (NAGHSR) and the immediate past Executive Chairperson of C.A.R.E. shall sit as Ex Officio members of the Executive Committee.

C. Jurisdictions are divided into ten regions as defined in Annex A of these Bylaws.

D. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Executive Officers, Ex Officio Committee members, and the Regional Chairpersons who will serve and advise members of the Committee in addition to their regular duties. The Executive Committee shall provide a review of all proposed resolutions prior to submission to the annual conference to ensure the resolutions are consistent with organizational goals. Further, the Executive Committee shall cause resolutions to be classified as either "resolutions" or "recommendations." The Executive Chairperson shall establish time frames for the proposed resolutions to be submitted. The resolutions shall be reviewed once every three years by the Resolutions Committee to determine their continued applicability and will be submitted at the Executive Committee Meeting during the Annual Conference. Additionally, any current resolutions which may become outdated before the scheduled three year review, may be reviewed and considered for discontinuance.

Section 2 . Election of Officers

A. Officers for the Executive Committee, except the position of Historian, shall be slated by the Executive Committee at the annual last quarter meeting to be presented for election by the membership at the annual first quarter meeting.

B. Regional chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, serving regions as defined by regional boundaries, shall be elected by the members of the jurisdictions comprising that region at the annual first quarter meeting.

C. The Historian will be selected by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Executive Committee.

 

Article V - Standing Executive Committees

Section 1. Enforcement. The Executive Enforcement Coordinator shall be responsible for enforcement programs and activities on the executive organization level. Aid and assistance shall be provided any member jurisdiction desiring such. The Executive Enforcement Coordinator may call upon the appointed Regional Enforcement Coordinator for assistance as needed.

Section 2. Public Information and Education. The Executive Public Information and Education Coordinator shall be responsible for public information and education programs and activities on the executive organization level. Aid and assistance shall be provided to any member jurisdiction desiring such. The Executive Public Information and Education Coordinator may call upon the appointed Regional Public Information and Education Committee Coordinators for assistance as needed.

Section 3. Data Collection. The Executive Data Collection Coordinator shall be responsible for data collection programs and activities on the executive organization level, and for developing and distributing standard holiday reporting procedures. Aid and assistance shall be provided any member jurisdiction desiring such. The Executive Data Collection Coordinator may call upon the appointed Regional Data Collection Coordinators for assistance as needed.

Section 4. Historian. The Historian shall be responsible for maintaining a history of Operation C.A.R.E. since its inception. The Historian also will maintain a reference library containing such items as: annual reports, resolutions, conference guides, public service announcements and other related materials.

 

Article VI - Regional Standing Committees

Section 1. The elected Regional Chairperson shall appoint an Enforcement Coordinator, a Public Information and Education Coordinator, and a Data Collection for his/her region.

 

Article VIII - Meeting Locations

Section 1. Meetings.

A. Annual. The Executive Chairperson shall designate the location of the annual last quarter and first quarter meetings, and additional meetings as may be deemed appropriate or necessary, in order to conduct the organization's business.

B. Regional. The Regional Chairperson shall designate the location and times for regional meetings as is deemed appropriate or necessary.

 

 

Article IX - Ascension of Officers

Section 1. In the event of inability of the Executive Chairperson to perform the duties of his/her office, the Executive Vice-Chairperson shall ascend to the position of Executive Chairperson to serve until the next election of officers. The Executive Chairperson will appoint members to fill existing vacancies.

Section 2. Any Executive Committee Officer may be removed from a position by a simple majority vote from the Executive Committee.

 

Article X - Meeting Procedures

Section 1. Except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws, "Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall govern the conduct and deliberations of the annual executive conference and executive committee meetings.

Section 2. The Executive Secretary-Treasurer shall act as parliamentarian at all Executive Committee meetings.

 

Article XI - Bylaws Amendments

Section 1. Procedures.

A. Proposed changes to the Bylaws shall be presented in writing to the Chairperson. These proposed changes shall be discussed and voted upon by the Executive Committee and must receive a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee members present in order for further consideration.

B. Bylaws alterations or amendments adopted by the Executive Committee shall be presented to the next scheduled annual meeting for consideration. A two-thirds majority vote shall be required of those members present for formal adoption.