San Francisco Coalition for Transit Justice

Coalition for Transit Justice By Laws

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Coalition for Transit Justice (CTJ) is to further the following ideals in whatever way it can:

“To preserve public transportation so that all San Franciscans can have equal access to employment, education, and recreational opportunities. Public transportation remains the City's only feasible method of providing this basic need and right to all its people.

As a matter of social, economic and environmental justice, the Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) should seek to fund public transit using funds gained from those most able to pay, keep transit affordable to low-income people, and increase service and reliability, particularly to communities of color and areas where few people own cars.

The MTA should always work towards reducing subsidies to unsustainable forms of transportation. In addition, as a “transit first” city, San Francisco should encourage use of public transit instead of cars as a means of increasing economic equality among the city’s residents, improving the environment and quality of life of its citizens, and creating ecological and environmental sustainability.

”

Structure: CTJ will have a Steering Committee of six (6) people which will make decisions regarding CTJ. The Committee will be elected every two years by one representative of each member organization of the Coalition and the former Steering Committee members.

Voting: The Committee will strive for consensus, but will take a vote if it cannot be reached.  Only elected members may vote. If a vote ensues, tTwo-thirds (2/3) majority of those members present will be required for passage of policies, action items  andor proposals.

OFFICERS

Terms: The Steering Committee will consist of a rotating Chair elected by the Steering Committee twice a year the last meeting in June and December.  The chair’s term is from January 1 to June 30 and July1 to December 31.   All other officers will serve annually and be elected by the Steering Committee once a year at the last meeting in June to serve a term from July 1 to June 30 (fiscal year).

Responsibilities: The chair will be responsible for scheduling meetings, creating an agenda for meetings, facilitating meeting discussion, and calling for a vote if one is necessary. 

Treasurer: The Committee will also consist of a Treasurer to manage the Coalition’s funds. and a

Secretary: Secretary who will record minutes of meetings, maintain repository of governing documents and adopted policies, and draft a monthly newsletter to be distributed to member organizations.

MEETINGS

The Committee will meet at least once a month. Meetings will not last longer than one hour, unless those in attendance wish to extend the meeting.  The chair shall be conscious of the time scheduling when creating the agenda so as not to overburden the meeting.

QUORUM

Quorum will be a minimum of 3 members.  Meetings will not last longer than one hour, unless those in attendance wish to extend the meeting. The meetings will follow Robert’s Rules of Order.  Once quorum is reached, a reduction of 2 members but not less than 3 members will be considered a loss of quorum and no further business will be considered for adoption.  Only discussion may ensue thereon.

Rules 

Meetings will follow consensus approach to process.

            Process:  An agenda will be created and distributed at least 72 hours (3 business days) prior to the upcoming meeting.  Special meetings can be called with 24 hours notice on any day. 

A proposal is introduce as notated on the agenda.  All proposals must be in writing.  First, the chair will call for clarifying questions germane to the proposal.  Second, the chair will call for concerns and affirmations germane to the proposal.  Third, the chair will test for consensus by asking if there are any blocking concerns.  If there is one or more blocking concerns, the chair will ask the Committee member if they would be willing to stand aside.  If the member(s) chooses to stand aside, their concern(s) will be notated in the minutes verbatim.  If they choose not to stand aside then the chair will proceed to call for a vote.  Once a decision is reached either by consensus or by vote, the Secretary will note it in the minutes.

Minutes: Minutes shall be a record of the action taken by the Steering Committee except that any concerns where members that stand aside for consensus shall be recorded in the minutes verbatim.