BYLAWS

Article I

Name of Foundation

The name of the foundation shall be the Aurora Latino Historical and Cultural Foundation (ALHCF).

Article II

Federal Tax Exemption Organization Category

The ALHCF is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation.

Article III

Geographical Location

The AHHCD shall conducts its primary business in Aurora, Illinois. This does not preclude the involvement with other organizations outside Illinois and the United States.

Article VI

Mission

The ALHCF is dedicated to preserving, increasing public awareness and education, and fostering an appreciation of Aurora’s diverse Hispanic history, ethnic and cultural contributions to society.

Article V

Goals and Objectives

Section 1. Goal: Preserve the history of Aurora’s diverse Hispanic cultures.

• Objective A. Establish and maintain a replica of a Mexican boxcar camp in Aurora.
• Objective B. Collect and publish the history of Aurora’s diverse Hispanic cultures.
• Objective C. Collect and publish the history of soccer in Aurora.
• Objective D. Collect and publish information of Aurora’s Hispanic pioneers who made a contribution to Aurora.
• Objective E. Solicit suggestions for significant historical preservation projects from members of the ALHCF Advisory Board.

Section 2. Goal: Preserve and promote Aurora’s diverse Hispanic cultures.

Objective A. Provide and promote cultural events and activities. Objective B. Participate in and promote other Hispanic cultural activities.

Section 3. Goal: Preserve the Spanish language.

Objective A. Provide bilingual (Spanish and English) educational materials and events.

Section4. Goal: Increase public awareness of Aurora’s diverse Hispanic history, cultures, civic, academic, and artistic contributions. Objective A. Create social and electronic media platforms to promote ALHCF activities.

Section 5. Goal: Partner with other organization to support the ALHCF mission.

Article VI

Foundation Structure

Section 1. The ALHCF board of directors shall be formed with positions of president, two co-vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer.

Section 2: ALHCF advisory board.

Section 3: ALHCF general membership.

Article VII

Board of Directors Responsibilities

Section 1. President:

1. Serve as the ALHCF chief executive officer.
2. The leadership, administration, planning, and implementation of the ALHCF goals and objectives.
3. Preside over all board of directors’ meetings and functions.
4. With assistance with the secretary, prepare agendas for board of directors’ meetings.
5. When warranted, call emergency board of directors’ meetings and or advisory board members.
6. Represent the ALHCF at functions which advance the ALHCF goals.
7. With approval from the board of directors, appoint individuals to fill vacant directors and, advisory board members, committee members, and special positions.
8. In collaboration with the treasurer, prepare the ALHCF annual budget for approval by the board of directors.
9. Keep the board of directors and advisory board members informed on pertinent matters and information.

Section 2. Vice President-Fundraising and Public Relations:

1. Assume the president’s responsibilities in the president’s absence.
2. Provide leadership and chair the ALHCF Fundraising Committee.
3. Provide leadership and chair the ALHCF Public Relations Committee.
4. Assist president form ALHCF committees.
5. Coordinate and participate in other committee meetings as needed, and provide functional guidance.
6. Provide monthly fundraising and public relations committee progress reports at the board of directors’ meeting.
7. Provide the board directors with recommendations for the ALHCF annual budget.
8. In coordination with the president, represent the ALHCF at functions and activities which advance the ALHCF goals.
9. Other ALHCF duties assigned by the president.

Section 4. Vice President-Historical Preservation and Education:

1. Assume the president’s responsibilities in the president’s absence.
2. Provide leadership and chair the ALHCF Historical Preservation Committee.
3. Provide leadership and chair the ALHCF Educational Committee.
4. Assist president form ALHCF committees.
5. Coordinate and participate in other committee meetings as needed, and provide functional guidance.

F. Provide monthly fundraising and public relations committee progress reports at the board of directors’ meeting. G. Provide the board directors with recommendations for the ALHCF annual budget. H. In coordination with the president, represent the ALHCF at functions which advance the ALHCF goals. I. Other ALHCF duties assigned by the president.

Section 5. Secretary:

1. Take written minutes, and or use an audio recorder, to document the monthly board of directors’ meetings, and other meetings when necessary.
2. Prepare and disseminate the minutes from the previous months board of directors’ meetings at the monthly meetings.
3. With direction from the president, prepare and disseminate the agenda for the board of directors’ meetings.
4. Maintain and secure all ALHCF correspondence and fiscal documents.
5. Collect and secure all ALHCF committee minutes and reports.

Section 4. Treasurer:

1. Maintain the accounting for all ALHCF transactions and secure.
2. Assure that all ALHCF checks are signed by the president and the treasurer.
3. Secure electronic and paper bookkeeping records.
4. Secure all ALHCF funds in a federally-insured bank approved by the board of directors.
5. Assure that all checks and cash received are deposited into the banks in a timely manner.
6. Provide a monthly report on the ALHCF fiscal accounting.
7. Collaborate with the president to prepare the annual ALHCF budget.
8. Pursuant to the Federal and State of Illinois 501(c)(3) tax code and the Illinois Secretary of State requirements, prepare and submit annually all required documents and fees if applicable.
9. Arrange for an annual independent audit of the ALHCF fiscal records.

Section 5. Advisory Board Member:

1. Provide the board of directors specialized experience, and skills, to enable the ALHCF to achieve things that it otherwise could not.
2. Advise and assist the ALHCF board of directors on historical and cultural projects.
3. Provide ideas and assist with fundraising and public relations and awareness to meet the ALHCF goals.
4. Represent an audience that the ALHCF seeks stronger connection to.
5. Assist the ALHCF with networking and events planning and implementation.
6. Actively promote the ALHCF.
7. Attend monthly ALHCF board of directors’ meetings.
8. With approval from the board of directors, form standing or ad hoc committees.
9. Conduct advisory board meetings when necessary.

Article VIII

ALHCF Membership

Section A. Individuals, organizations, educational institutions, corporations, and governmental agencies and officials are eligible to become a member of the ALHCF.

Section B. Members do not have a vote on the operations of the ALHCF.

Section C. The cost of annual membership fees will be established and approved by the ALHCF board of directors.

Article IX

Elections and Appointments

Section 1. Board of director’s elections:

1. The ALHCF shall conduct a board of directors’ election every three (3) years in January.
2. The ALHCF president and board members may nominate an individual for a vacant board of director position.
3. The ALHCF board of directors shall vote on the acceptance of the nominee.
4. Tach ALHCF board of director is allowed one vote.

Section 2. Advisory board membership appointment:

1. The ALHCF president shall appoint members to the ALHCF advisory board with recommendations and approval by the ALHCF board of directors.
2. The term for an ALHCF advisory board member is three (3) years and is renewable with approval by the ALHCF board of directors.

Article X

Advisory Board Committees

Section 1. Historical Preservation Committee:

1. Research and recommend significant Hispanic preservation projects.
2. Assist with the planning and implementation of Hispanic preservation projects.

Section 2: Fundraising Committee:

1. Plan and recommend fundraising events which support the ALHCF goals.
2. Assist with the implementation of ALHCF fundraising events.

Section 3: Public Relations Committee:

1. Plan and recommend public relation activities and events which support the ALHCF goals.
2. Establish and maintain electronic social media platforms which promote and inform the general public regarding the ALHCF goals and activities.
3. Prepare and disseminate an annual newsletter to inform ALHCF members and the public of the AHHFC goals; historical, cultural and educational projects.
4. Help increase ALHCF membership and volunteers.

Section 4. Education Committee:

A. Plan and recommend educational activities which support the ALHCF goals. B. Assist in the implementation in ALHCF educational programs and projects

Section 5. The committees will collaborate and assist with the planning and implementation of activities approved by the ALHCF board of directors.

Article XI

Bylaws Amendments

Section 1. The ALHCF board of directors may amend its bylaws when warranted.

Article XII

Limitation of Board of Directors’ and Committee Authority

Section 1. No action by an ALHCF board of director or ALHCF committee member without approval by the board of directors shall be permitted, binding or constitute ALHCF policies and events.

Article XIII

ALHCF Emblem

Section 1. The ALHCF shall create, adopt and copyright a graphic emblem that represents the ALHCF mission.

Section 2. The approved emblem shall be displayed on ALHCF stationary, business cards, promotional materials, and at events.

Article XIV

Conflict of Interest

Section 1. ALHCF board of directors are prohibited from voting on any resolution that is, or may be perceived as a conflict of interest. The board of director shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists or could be perceived as existing.

Article XV

ALHCF Dissolution

Section 1. The ALHCF board of directors have the authority to dissolve the ALHCF.

Section 2. Upon dissolution of the ALHCF, the board of directors shall approve the donation of its assets to one or more nonprofit organizations or schools that predominately provide services for Hispanics.

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