LACYPAA
Los Angeles County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous
Bylaws
Updated May 6, 2007

Preamble:

Los Angeles County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous shall observe the sprit of AA tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principal; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its action never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action. 

I. Mission Statement

Los Angeles County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, September 1997, to carry the AA message to alcoholics who still suffer, regardless of age.  We do this by uniting young people in the Los Angeles area and providing a forum for young people to get involved in service work. LACYPAA provides an opportunity for young AA’s to come together and share their experience, strength, and hope as members of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Our group’s secondary purpose is organizing and presenting a bid for the annual International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. 

II. Membership of Committee

1. LACYPAA is comprised of members of Alcoholics Anonymous who are elected to committee positions.

2. Attendance:
   
   1.    Failure to attend two consecutive LACYPAA business meetings without prior notice to the Secretary or Co-Secretary, shall be        considered a resignation of committee position.
   2.    Failure to attend four LACYPAA business meetings per term shall be considered a resignation of committee position.

3. Any break in continuous sobriety is considered a resignation of committee position.

III.Committee Structure

The group shall elect the following committee positions:

A. Description of Duties

Chair:  Shall arrange for and announce the agenda for all LACYPAA meetings.  Shall open LACYPAA meetings and maintain meetings in a reasonable order.  Shall recognize members entitled to the floor.  State and put to a vote all motions properly made and seconded.  Announce the results of all votes.  Affix his or her signature to necessary committee actions.  Be one of four signatures on the bank account.  Suggested two years of continuous sobriety.

Co-Chair:  In absence of the Chair, shall accept the duties of the Chair including being a signer on bank account.  Shall work closely with the Chair.  Suggested two years of continuous sobriety.  Assist the chair during discussion by keeping track of those who wish to speak.

Treasurer:  Keep accurate financial records of all LACYPAA transactions. Submit a written financial statement at each LACYPAA meeting.  Have in possession at the LACYPAA meetings; all current bank statements, deposits, and checkbooks. Shall be prepared to make deposits and disbursements as determined by the committee.  Maintain account, which are subject to inspection at any time.  Be one of four signatures on the bank account.  Suggested two years of continuous sobriety, a job, a bank account, and a home address.

Co- Treasurer: In the absence of the Treasurer, shall accept the full duties of the Treasurer, be one of four signers on the bank account, and shall work closely with the Treasurer.  Suggested two years of continuous sobriety, a job, a bank account, and a home address.

Secretary:  Keeps minutes of all LACYPAA meetings, documenting exact wording of all motions.  Furnish information from our records upon request.  Answer P.O. Box and website correspondence promptly and in the spirit of LACYPAA.  Shall furnish the Los Angeles County Central Offices with the current LACYPAA mailing address and a list of all members and their contact information.  Provide the previous meetings minutes for the approval of the committee.  Email amended minutes to ICYPAA Advisory Council.  Shall have possession of the Post Office box key and be responsible for checking the LACYPAA Post Office box before each business meeting.  Suggested one year of continuous sobriety.

Co-Secretary:  In the absence of the Secretary, shall accept the full duties of the Secretary, and shall work closely with the Secretary. Suggested one year of continuous sobriety.  

Facilities Chair: Shall obtain commitments from at least two appropriate facilities so sized to be able to accommodate the entire ICYPAA conference, while representing LACYPAA in a professional and responsible manor.

Co- Facilities Chair:  In the absence of the Facilities Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Facilities Chair, and shall work closely with the Facilities Chair.

Events Chair: Shall find locations and arrange events that promote unity and recovery among young people in AA, regardless of age.  All events shall include an AA meeting.

Co-Events Chair:  In the absence of the Events Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Events Chair, and shall work closely with the Events Chair.

Outreach Chair:  Shall coordinate the outreach of all LACYPAA functions to meetings in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, central offices, treatment facilities, and other YPAA groups.

Co-Outreach Chair:  In the absence of the Outreach Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Outreach Chair, and shall work closely with the Outreach Chair.

Bid Package Chair:  Shall coordinate the completion, production, and transportation of the bid package in accordance with the group conscious and the ICYPAA bidding requirements.

Co-Bid Package Chair:  In the absence of the Bid Package Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Bid Package Chair, and shall work closely with the Bid Package Chair.

General Service Liaison:  Shall be the liaison between LACYPAA and general service.  This is a two-year commitment.

Co-General Service Liaison:  In the absence of the General Service Liaison, shall accept the full duties of the General Service Liaison, and shall work closely with the General Service Liaison.

Central Service Liaison:  Shall be the liaison between LACYPAA and central service.  This is a two-year commitment.

Co-Central Service Liaison:  In the absence of the Central Service Liaison, shall accept the full duties of the Central Service Liaison, and shall work closely with the Central Service Liaison.

Travel Plan Coordinator:  Shall research travel options for various AA functions attended or hosted by LACYPAA.  Per ICYPAA bidding requirement number two, the Travel Plan coordinator shall create an outline of all costs to the attendee.

Co-Travel Plan Coordinator: In the absence of the Travel Plan Coordinator, shall accept the full duties of the Travel Plan Coordinator, and shall work closely with the Travel Plan Coordinator.

Graphics Chair:  Shall design and produce printed LACYPAA material requiring graphics, including, but not limited to event flyers.

Co- Graphics Chair:  In the absence of the Graphics Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Graphics Chair, and shall work closely with the Graphics Chair.

 H&I Chair:  Shall coordinate panelist and facilitate Hospitals and Institutions panels approved by the LACYPAA group conscious. 

Co- H&I Chair:  In the absence of the H&I Chair, shall accept the full duties of the H&I Chair, and shall work closely with the H&I Chair.

Unity Chair:  To organize fellowship and to promote unity among LACYPAA members   and their guests, outside of committee meetings and events that involve fund raising.

Co-Unity Chair:  In the absence of the Unity Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Unity Chair, and shall work closely with the Unity Chair.

Meeting Directory Chair: Shall have the responsibility of coordinating the research of “Inaccurate Meeting Directory Listings” and report findings to LA Central Office. 
 
Meeting Directory Co-Chair: In the absence of the Meeting Directory Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Meeting Directory Chair and assist Chair in the research of “Inaccurate Meeting Directory Listings” 

Website Liaison Chair:  Shall be the liaison between LACYPAA and the current Webmaster.

Website Liaison Co-Chair:  In the absence of the Chair, shall accept full duties of the Website Liaison Chair and shall work closely with the Website Liaison Chair

By-Law’s Chair: Shall be responsible for knowing and aiding in efficient conduct of all participants during business meetings in accordance with the LACYPAA By-laws. The By-laws chair shall have the right to interrupt anyone not adhering to the By-laws. Shall set a time and place of sub-committee meetings when By-law amendments are requested by any LACYPAA member. By-laws Chair shall have a copy of the current By-laws at every LACYPAA business meeting. 

Co-By-Law’s Chair: In the absence of the By-law’s chair, shall accept the full duties of the By-law’s chair. Co-By-law’s chair shall attend sub-committee meetings whenever able. 
 
Phone Shift Coordinator: Shall secure three or more volunteers with at least six months of continuous sobriety to answer phones at LA Central Office between the hours of 11:59 p.m. the third Friday of every month until 8:00 a.m. the following morning. 

Co-Phone Shift Coordinator: In the absence of the phone shift coordinator shall accept the full duties of the phone shift coordinator. 

Members At Large:  Member of the committee with the same rights and responsibilities as chairs and co-chairs without the responsibility of a subcommittee.

IV. Annual Elections

Annual elections shall be conducted on the second regularly scheduled business meeting, after the conclusion of the ICYPAA conference.

A. No officer shall serve more than two full consecutive terms in the same position. 

B. LACYPAA elections shall be conducted using “Third Legacy Procedure” found in the AA Service Manual.

V. Procedures

A. LACYPAA shall follow the 12 Traditions and the 12 Concepts for World Service.

B. LACYPAA shall use the established letterhead for all formal written correspondence.

C. Funds spent in the spirit of LACYPAA for LACYPAA events and co-hosted events shall be reimbursed to committee members.

D. LACYPAA Post Office Box:

1. LACYPAA shall maintain a post office box for all mailed correspondence.  The Treasurer shall make sure that all the rents are paid on the post office box.  All correspondence shall be forwarded to the Secretary.
2. The Post Office Box should not be used for anything other than LACYPAA business.

.E. LACYPAA members shall not take any actions individually or collectively without the consent of LACYPAA.

F. LACYPAA bank account, materials, and website should not be used for anything other than LACYPAA business.

G. Any amendments, deletions, of additions to the By-Laws shall be made in a 2 meeting process:

1. First meeting: The change shall be submitted in writing, copies distributed and changes discussed.
2. Second meeting: The changes shall be discussed further and voted on. Changes must pass with a vote of two-thirds of the members present.

H. In case of an emergency when a vote cannot be called, either by committee or quorum, the Chair has the right of decision in the spirit of LACYPAA and the AA Service Manual.

VI. Meeting Procedures

A. The Agenda

Chair, LACYPAA members, or guests may suggest handling any part of the agenda out of order, set by the Chair, but must be approved by a majority vote.

B. Minutes

1. Secretary is to prepare the previous meeting minutes, noting old business, motions, actions and other important items.
2. Copies of Minutes are to be available to every LACYPAA member and upon request from any AA member.
3. The minutes are to be read, corrected as needed and approved. (Minority rights do not apply.)
4. It is the responsibility of the Chair to conduct the meeting in such a manner as to allow the Secretary to make the most accurate notes possible.  The group will honor all requests for clarification from the Secretary.

C. Reports

1. All reports will be concise and well prepared.
2. The only member who may interrupt a speaker is the Chair.  The Chair may only interrupt a speaker for these reasons:
   1)Speaking off the topic.
   2) Speaking too long.
   3) Repeating the previous points at lengths.
3. Any questions during reports will be for clarification only.  No motions may be made.

D. Motions

1. Making a Motion
   a)Any member, except the Chair, may make a motion by stating, “I make a motion.”
   b) Motions may be withdrawn by the member making the motion anytime prior to the vote.
   c) Motions may be amended by the member making the motion anytime prior to the vote.  Amendments must be seconded.
2. Procedural Motions
   a) Close Discussion
   1. Must be seconded and passed by a majority vote
   2. Any vote required must be taken immediately following this motion being seconded.
   b) Table an Item
   1.Must be seconded and passed by a majority vote.
   2. Discussion is limited to once per member.
   3. Automatically becomes Old Business on the agenda if passed.
   c) Adjourn
   1. Must be seconded.
   2. Must be passed by a majority vote.

E. Discussion of Motions

1. Questions shall only be asked at the conclusion of any speaker’s remarks.
2. The only member who may interrupt a speaker is the Chair except when a question of procedure arises.  The Chair may only interrupt a speaker for these reasons:
   a)Speaking off the topic.
   b) Speaking too long.
   c) Repeating the previous points at lengths.
3. Any member may make procedural motions at any appropriate break in discussion.
4. Discussion will begin by the chair asking, “Is there any discussion?”  The member making the motion has the right to speak first and last on that motion.  The Chair will always ask for further discussion before giving the floor to the member whom made the motion to speak last. The Chair will then call on members or guests having their hands raised.  At any time the Chair decides the discussion has escalated above keeping track of raised hands, the Co-Chair will keep a list of all the people that raised their hands and follow the list until the Chair can keep track again.
5. All discussion will be concise, courteous and dignified.
6. After discussion of the motion the Chair will ask the Secretary to repeat the motion on the table and a vote will be taken. 

F. Voting

1. Each LACYPAA member has one vote and are the only ones allowed to vote. 
2. The Chair of LACYPAA can only vote to break ties. The Chair may not make motions.  Abstention voting is not permitted.  All members must vote.
3. At LACYPAA meetings, voting is by a show of hands except at annual election
4. Voting in new members and motions to amend, delete or add to the Bylaws, require a vote of 2/3 of the members presentto pass.  A majority may decide all others.
5. All decisions must be reached by a discussion with an informed group conscience and possible substantial unanimity.   However, votes will only be accepted from the members of LACYPAA.
6. Automatically following vote, minority opinion is voiced.  If one of the majority wishes to reconsider, a second vote must be taken.

G.   Discussion of Non-Motions

1. Questions shall only be asked at the conclusion of any speaker’s remarks.
2. The only member who may interrupt a speaker is the Chair except when a question of procedure arises.  The Chair may only interrupt a speaker for these reasons:
   a) Speaking off the topic. 
   b) Speaking too long. 
   c) Repeating the previous points at lengths.
3. Discussion will begin by the chair asking, “Is there any discussion?”  The Chair will then call on members or guests having their hands raised.  At any time the Chair decides the discussion has escalated above keeping track of raised hands, the Co-Chair will keep a list of all the people that raised their hands and follow the list until the Chair can keep track again.
4. All discussion will be concise, courteous and dignified.
   

VII. Appendix

In the event of a unique condition not covered here, the Chair or any other member may suggest a method of proceeding, which shall be temporarily adopted (for the meeting only) upon acceptance by a vote of 2/3of the members present.

The Chair of a meeting is responsible for observing, enforcing and maintaining these rules of procedure.  Should a participant persist on holding the floor without adhering to the requirements of these procedures or should a participant persist in interrupting or otherwise disrupt the meeting, the Chair has a right to say, “Will you please come to order”  If the discussion continues, the Chair should declare the meeting adjourned.

The 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and the 12 Concepts of World Service precede all procedures covered here.