CAPITAL AREA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Guidelines and Operating Procedure

ARTICLE I

NAME

Section A—Name

The name of this organization is the Capital Area Information Technology Council (hereinafter the “Council”).

Article II

Vision and Mission

Section A — Vision

A vibrant and thriving IT industry in the greater Lansing region.

Section B — Mission

Encourage a growing and vital IT industry and workforce in the Lansing region, acting as a unified voice to build awareness of IT opportunities in the Capital Area.

Section C — Goals

1. Recruitment

  • Create awareness of opportunities for exciting, leading edge positions in this community
  • Encourage students to prepare for and consider careers in Information Technology
  • Work with our educational partners to assure that students are receiving a strong, relevant foundation for their careers.

2. Retention

  • Identify redeployment and targeted training needed to re-integrate any IT professions displaced by changes in the local economy.

3. Professional Development

  • The Council recognizes that the most motivated (and valuable) IT personnel are those with current skills and knowledge
  • The Council will coordinate the identification of workforce development priorities with training providers and funding sources

4. Increase Awareness

  • Amplify the buzz about the IT industry in the Lansing region

Promote IT opportunities among students, parents, educators, media, and business

Article III

Organization and Officers

Section A—Composition of Board

For organizational purposes, it is recommended that the initial Operating Board consist of at least five members of Capital Area Information Technology Council members in good standing.  The Operating Board will be responsible for determining the appropriate minimum and maximum sizes for subsequent boards.  Up to 1/5 of the Operating Board may consist of Associate members that meet all other eligibility requirements, however, Associate members may not serve on the Executive Committee or hold office.  The Operating Board may also choose to appoint education, economic development, government, or workforce development partners to serve on the Operating Board as ex-officio members.

The officers include:

  • The President
  • The Vice President
  • Such other Officers as deemed necessary by the Operating Board

Section B — Selection and Terms of Board Members

The board members shall be elected at the annual meeting in January from among its members and shall serve for two-year terms, except one-half of the initial Board shall be elected for one-year terms and the remaining half for two-year terms. No Board member shall serve for more than two consecutive two-year terms.

Section C — Duties of the Operating Board

The duties of the Operating Board shall include:

    • Promote the organization’s mission
    • Develop agendas/programs for meetings
    • Establish committees and appoint members as needed
    • Determine and manage budget
    • Represent the Council
    • Elect a President, Vice President and other members of the Executive Committee
    • Appoint replacements for any Operating Board members who may resign their post prior to the completion of their term
    • Establish other roles and procedures as necessary

Section D - Quorum

A majority of the Board then in office, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the action of a majority of Board members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board. If less than a quorum shall be in attendance at the time for which the meeting shall have been called, the meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of vote of the members present or represented, without any notice other than by announcement at the  meeting, until a quorum shall attend.

Section E — Executive Committee

The management of the day-to-day affairs of the Council is delegated to the officers and Executive Director (the “Executive Committee”).  These affairs shall include the approval of applications for general and associate memberships.

  • The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers and other members selected by the Operating Board.
  • The senior staff member of the Council, the Executive Director, shall also be an ex-officio member of The Executive Committee
    Article IV

    Membership

Section A – Membership Eligibility

Membership is open to Information Technology firms and those organizations with significant regional IT staffs.   Firms demonstrating a strong, direct relationship to Information Technology in the region may be approved for membership.  Members may be elected to office, serve on the Operating Board and vote on issues presented to the full Council.

Section B – Associate Membership Eligibility

Organizations and non-Information Technology firms may join the Council as associate members.  To be eligible for an associate membership, the applying entity must demonstrate a direct relevance to Information Technology activity in the region or the activities of the Council.  Associate members may serve on the Operating Board and vote on issues presented to the full Council.

    Article V

    Meetings

Section A—Regular and Special Meetings


  • The annual meeting shall be at a time and place recommended by the Executive Director and approved by the Operating Board.
  • The Operating Board may approve other full membership meetings as it determines appropriate.

Section B—Notice of Meetings

Members shall be notified by mail or e-mail and by posting on the Council’s web site of all regular and special meetings.

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