Bylaws

Article I - Name

Section 1

This organization will be called the Illinois Wind Working Group or simply the IL WWG.

Article II - Purpose

Section 1

The mission of the IL WWG is to communicate wind opportunities honestly and objectively, to interact with various stakeholders at the local, state, regional and national levels, and to promote economic development of wind energy in the state of Illinois.

Section 2

The IL WWG accomplishes this mission by:

• Organizing conferences
• Facilitating communication
• Researching relevant issues

Section 3

The IL WWG is affiliated with the Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America’s state Wind Working Groups. It is hosted by Illinois State University and administered through the University’s Center for Renewable Energy. As part of the University, the IL WWG will abide by all the rules and regulations of the University regarding spending and financial management.

Article III - Membership

Section 1 - Types of Membership

Membership in the IL WWG is open to all individuals and organizations that are interested in helping to promote wind energy in the State of Illinois. There are no membership fees. The Director shall have the power to revoke membership for anyone who is not aligned with the purpose of the organization.

Article IV – Executive Committee and Director

Section 1 - Function and Authority

The affairs of the IL WWG shall be managed by a Director with input from an Executive Committee. The Director shall be a faculty member at Illinois State University. The Director and Executive Committee shall be the governing body with power to formulate policies of the IL WWG consistent with its purposes.

The Director shall appoint the Executive Committee in consultation with the members of the IL WWG. The appointment is for a three year renewable term. The Executive Committee shall consist of 6-8 IL WWG members and any ISU faculty associated with the IL WWG. The Director shall have authority to conduct all business pertaining to the IL WWG andshall be the custodian of the property of the IL WWG and shall assume responsibility for the management of its finances and personnel.

Section 2 - Personal Liability of Executive Committee

To the fullest extent that the laws of the State of Illinois as now in effect, or as hereafter amended, permit elimination or limitation of the liability of advisors, no Executive Committee member shall be personally liable for monetary damages as such for any action taken, or any failure to take any action as an Executive Committee member.

Article V - Meetings

Section 1 - Regular Meetings

At least one regular meeting of the IL WWG shall be held each year at such time and such place as the Director may determine. Notification of the time and place and proposed agenda shall be mailed or faxed or emailed to the members of the IL WWG prior to each meeting. Members of the IL WWG may attend meetings by audio or other electronic means so long as all attending can at least hear and speak to all others attending.

Section 2 - Special Meetings

Special meetings of the IL WWG may be called by the Director or a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. Notice of the time and place of any special meeting shall be given to each member of the IL WWG in writing or fax or email at least three (3) days prior to the date of such special meeting. Special meeting may also be conducted by conference call.

Section 3 - Parliamentary Procedure

Meetings of the IL WWG will ordinarily be conducted in an informal manner. When necessary, meetings shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VI - Committees

Section 1 - Standing Committees

There shall be Standing Committees on Conferences, Communications, and Research. Each Committee shall be open to one representative of each member organization

Section 2 - Conferences

This Committee shall plan the agenda and suggest speakers for the annual conference sponsored by the IL WWG. This committee will also be responsible for planning other conferences and training events as the need for such events arises. The Director and associated ISU faculty shall also be members of this committee.

Section 3 - Communications

This Committee shall plan the communications outreach sponsored by the IL WWG. The Director and associated ISU faculty shall also be members of this committee.

Section 4 - Research

This Committee shall plan the research agenda for IL WWG-directed research. The Director and associated ISU faculty shall also be members of this committee.

Section 5 - Other Standing Committees

When the Executive Committee creates a Standing Committee, it shall state the purposes and the responsibilities of the Committee for inclusion in the Minutes of the Organization. The Executive Committee shall initiate an Amendment to revise the Bylaws, to be voted upon at the subsequent meeting, to include such a Committee. The members of the Committee shall be recommended by the Executive Committee members.

Section 6 - Special or Ad Hoc Committees

When a special or Ad Hoc Committee is created by the Executive Committee, the Director shall be appointed as Chair and members of the Committee shall be appointed to carry out the purpose for which it was created.

Article VII- Fiscal Year

Section 1

The fiscal year of the organization shall be from July 1 – June 30, although this may be altered by the Executive Committee.

Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1 - Initiation of Amendment

Amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by the Director.

Section 2 - Adoption

An amendment initiated as herein provided may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting.

Article IX - Dissolution

Section 1

Should the IL WWG cease to exist by mutual agreement of the members and the University, control of the organization’s assets will revert to Illinois State University.

Section 2

Should the University want to dissolve the partnership but two-thirds of the members want to continue as an organization, control of the organization’s assets will be forwarded to any new organization formed by the continuing members.

Section 3

Should a two-thirds majority of the members want to dissolve the partnership, control of the organization’s assets will revert to Illinois State University.

Article X - Ratification

Section 1 - Membership Vote

These Bylaws shall become effective when ratified by a majority of the vote of the members.