To all USGenWeb Project Members: The Advisory Board recently passed a motion to set up a grievance committee and a set of policies and procedures for the committee. (http://ilgenweb.rootsweb.com/GPC/usgwgpc.html). The previous questions about conflicts between the bylaws and the procedures are answered here: (<http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BOARD/2006-07/1153394832>http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BOARD/2006-07/1153394832 http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BOARD/2006-07/1153395587) Although the grievance committee can operate without a bylaw amendment and the procedures are not in conflict with the bylaws a bylaws amendment is needed for the following reasons: To remove the AB from being required to "advise and mediate" grievances. To add the authority to establish a standing committee (a housekeeping item needed per Sturgis). To make the grievance committee a standing committee that cannot be disbanded by future ABs. To make the outcome of a grievance binding. Currently the way the bylaws read the AB, after reaching a decision on a grievance, can only make a recommendation which does not have to be implemented. To insure that a dismissed CC or SP member's website not be given away during the grievance process. Currently the AB does not have that authority. Since this amendment will directly effect the members of the Project the AB is asking for input from the membership. Please feel free to forward to any appropriate list. Linda Haas Davenport NC USGenWeb Project ************* Proposed Amendment: That the following articles of the USGenWeb Project are repealed and replaced as stated below: That Bylaws Article VI, (Duties/Qualifications of Advisory Board), Section 3 is repealed to remove the comment " advising and mediating, if necessary, any grievances or appeals," And, is replaced with the following which includes the authority to establish standing committees and to oversee them. Section 3. The responsibilities of the Advisory Board shall include: addressing any problem issues as they arise, aiding the state projects upon request, establishing standing committees, overseeing elections, overseeing standing committees and appointing a Webmaster to maintain the national website. That USGenWeb By-Laws, Section XIV, Sections 1 and 2, entitled "Grievance Procedures and Appeals Process" are repealed, and to enact in lieu thereof a new Section XIV entitled "Standing Grievance Committee". Section 1. There shall be established a Grievance Committee as a standing committee of the USGenWeb Project. Section 2. The standing Grievance Committee will operate under a set of Grievance Policies and Procedures that may change from time to time. Changes to the Grievance Policies and Procedures must be approved by the USGenWeb Advisory Board. The current Grievance Policies and Procedures shall be displayed on the National website. Section 3. The USGenWeb Advisory Board will appoint the members of the initial standing Grievance Committee, and subsequent members be chosen from qualified applicants per the terms of the Grievance Policies and Procedures. Section 4. The responsibility of the standing Grievance Committee shall be to administer fair, orderly, and speedy resolutions of disputes in accordance with the Grievance Policies and Procedures. Section 5. The outcome of a grievance, whether settled by mediation or by arbitration, is binding upon the membership of the USGenWeb Project. Section 6. It shall be the policy of the USGenWeb Project that all actions, whether under the national standing Grievance Committee or of a local grievance or process at the state or special project level shall be characterized by fairness, courtesy, and respect for the dignity and the rights of each individual involved. Section 7. Appeals may be made to the USGenWeb Advisory Board and its decision shall be final. Section 8. To that end, the following rights and responsibilities apply to all grievance processes within the USGenWeb Project, XXGenWeb State Projects, and Special Projects of the USGenWeb Project. 1) A member may choose to act as his or her own representative, or may select someone to act as his or her representative. The member retains the right to appoint, change or dismiss the representative at any step of the procedure." 2) In actions resulting from the dismissal of a member from his or her position within a State, Local, or Special Project, the dismissed member may not be replaced until the expiration of the time for the filing of a grievance, or if such grievance is filed, until it's resolution. Nothing shall prohibit the recruitment of a temporary coordinator to maintain any website. 3) No member shall be discriminated against for exercising their right to request action by the standing Grievance Committee, for participating in a grievance as a witness, or as a representative of a party to the grievance, and no disciplinary action shall be taken against a party for their involvement in the grievance process. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.3/395 - Release Date: 7/21/2006