Bylaws of the Washington Township Municipal Alliance

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be Washington Township Municipal Alliance Committee .

Article II – Authorization

As authorized by the Governing Body of Washington Township, Morris County , through a resolution, this group shall serve as Washington Township Alliance in accord with R-24-06, dated January 16, 2006 .

Article III – Purpose

In accord with the above authorization, the purpose of the Alliance is:

1. Organize and coordinate the efforts of school, police, business groups and other community organizations to fight drug/alcohol abuse.
2. Adopt clear procedures for the intervention, treatment and discipline of students abusing alcohol and drugs.
3. Provide a comprehensive drug/alcohol abuse education and outreach program for parents.
4. Provide a comprehensive community substance awareness program.

Article IV – Membership

Membership on the Municipal Alliance Committee shall be appointed by the Municipal Alliance Chairperson as recommended by the MAC, and shall include but not necessarily be limited to representatives of the following groups (50% of the representatives must be residents):

1. Mayor and/or Township Committee person
2. Police Officer
3. School official
4. Municipal Employee
5. Representatives of local religious groups
6. Senior Citizen
7. Local community volunteer organizations

The Municipal Alliance Chairperson shall be elected by the active committee members at the December meeting. Nominations will be made from within the committee at the November meeting. The chairperson will be elected by a majority vote of the attending voting membership at the December meeting, with a one year term beginning Jan 1.

The Municipal Alliance Coordinator shall be appointed by the Township each year. The duties of the Coordinator include attending the county alliance meetings, coordinating the financial requirements of the grant, and facilitating communication about the grant with the alliance members.

Article V– Functions

The functions of the Municipal Alliance Committee shall be:

1. To create a network of community leaders, private citizens, and representatives from public and private human service agencies who are dedicated to promoting and supporting alcohol and other drug and crime prevention education programs.
2. To conduct an assessment of community wide needs pertaining to alcohol and other drug abuse issues.
3. To identify existing efforts and services acting to reduce alcohol and other drug abuse.
4. To assist in the development of programs at the Municipal level that accomplishes the purpose of the Alliance effort.
5. To assist the Municipality in acquiring funds for Alliance programs.
6. To cooperate with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, as well as the County Alliance Committee to provide data, reports, or other information that may be needed to assist in the Alliance effort.

Article VI – Meetings

Meetings shall be held as the schedule is adopted at the first meeting of the calendar year, each year, which will include the time and place of the meeting.

Article VII – Funding

The Alliance shall adopt a comprehensive plan to provide matching funds at least equivalent to the amount of monies received from DEDR funds. These matching funds shall be a minimum of 25% cash. All decisions of the MACADA involving the use and expenditure of funds require a vote of simple majority of the Alliance .

Article VIII – Voting Procedures and Adoption

All decisions require a quorum to be present; a quorum being defined herein as at least one third (1/3) of the appointed membership. Each appointed member of the Alliance shall have one (1) vote.

Article IX – Amendment

All proposed amendments or proposed changes to the bylaws shall be presented to the Alliance one (1) month prior to the formal voting meeting. All decisions on amendments or changes to the bylaws require a majority vote of the attending voting membership.

Article X – Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Washington Township Municipal Alliance Committee (MAC) to prevent and reduce alcoholism, tobacco, and substance abuse along with violence, vandalism, and victimization, while attempting to remediate the long-term harm and devastation substance abuse causes to our youth and families. We will act in partnership with our community and our allied agencies in a pro-active manner to promote a realistic and responsive approach utilizing education, prevention, public awareness and intervention while providing positive alternatives to these at-risk behaviors.

Organizational Structure and Function

1. The MAC supports prevention initiatives that are best suited to the community through its funding application to the Morris County Municipal Alliance’s annual grant program.
2. The MAC brings together representatives from local government bodies, the educational system, the healthcare community, law enforcement, business, labor, religious leaders, civic associations, social entities, and the community at large to focus on these intergenerational issues.
3. The MAC meets regularly to discuss relevant issues and share the prevention related information or activities of the various participating groups.
4. The communication established at these meetings encourages dialogue, builds partnerships, and provides a support structure for prevention initiatives.
5. The agenda for the MAC meetings will be set by the chairperson with input from the members.
6. Members who wish to invite guests or presentations will request that the chairperson place their request on the next agenda for approval by the members who will determine their possible attendance at a subsequent meeting.
7. The MAC will review its representative membership annually, recommend changes, and define its membership each January.

***These bylaws were duly adopted with a majority vote on June 6, 2006 .