Colorodo State University Extention  Advisory Committee Bylaws

Revised and adopted by the CSU Extension Advisory Committee on March 29,  2011.

1.   Authority

Article 23-34-104 of the "Colorado Cooperative Extension Act" authorizes Boards of County Commissioners to establish county advisory committees to assist local Extension personnel in planning, developing long-range objectives, establishing priorities, and evaluating programs and performance.  Use of such a committee is mandated by the Colorado State University Extension Administration; and is desired by the Boards of County Commissioners and by the local Extension office personnel.

2.   Membership

The members of the Tri River Area Extension Advisory Committee, also hereafter called the "Committee", shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and shall consist of nine (9) adult regular members:

Two (2) who shall represent Delta County

Four (4) who shall represent Mesa County

Two (2) who shall represent Montrose County

One (1) who shall represent Ouray County

Maximum effort shall be made to represent the general population of the communities in these counties to include, but not limited to:

A.  4-H and youth

 B.  Agriculture/Natural Resources

 C.  Consumer and Family Education

 D.  Horticulture

 E.  General community

 Members may have interests in more than one group.  The Area Extension Director shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee.

3.   Terms of Membership

Extension Advisory Committee members shall be appointed for terms of three years.  Members may be appointed to fill vacancies and/or to succeed themselves but will not exceed six consecutive years as a Committee member.  Such members may apply or be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners for reappointment any time after a one year's absence from the committee.

Extension Advisory Committee members may be replaced during their term due to excessive absenteeism from meetings, conflict of interest, or other activities deemed to be contrary to the best interests of Extension or the Area.

4.   Functions

The Extension Advisory Committee shall act in an advisory capacity to the Area Extension Director and Extension Staff.   It shall:

            A.        Review, comment and make recommendations on program priorities, and attempt to resolve conflict among competing priorities.

B.        Review, comment and make recommendations on Extension budgets.

             C.        Identify and make recommendations in setting realistic long-range objectives.

             D.        Assist with evaluation of Extension program effectiveness.

      E.         Serve as an expanded liaison between the Extension Staff, the people of the area, and the Boards of County Commissioners.

      F.         Assist to publicize Extension programs, obtain necessary support as needed for ongoing programs; and especially emphasize Extension's role as an educational rather than service-type organization.

G.        Develop own operating procedures and standards consistent with these guidelines.

5.   Board Organization

The Extension Advisory Committee shall elect a chairperson, who shall serve a term of two consecutive years.  The chair may serve two consecutive terms for a total of four years.   An individual’s appointment term to the overall Advisory Committee will take precedent over these chairperson terms.

 Program Committees

Program Committees may be formed and shall meet at the request of Extension Agents or the Area Director, and be comprised of Extension Agents with relevant program responsibility, members of the Advisory Committee with an interest in the committee and people from the community who may also have an interest in the program area.

 These program committees shall be coordinated by at least one Extension Agent.  These program committees shall inform both the Advisory chairperson, and Area Extension Director, as to program committee recommendations or outcomes.

 Nominations/Elections

Upon the Chair person position coming vacant any member of the Committee may nominate themselves or another person of the Committee to run for Chair person.  Chair persons so elected assume their duties with the first committee meeting after the annual meeting.    An election may be held at any regular Advisory Committee meeting to fill a vacancy.

 The chairperson of the Committee shall preside at the meetings of the Committee and shall perform the other duties ordinarily performed by that office, including the appointment of sub-committees as required.   The chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all sub-committees.

 In the absence of the chairperson, the Committee shall select a chairperson pro-tempore.

 The Committee shall hold an annual meeting.   Special meetings may be called as necessary.  A quorum will consist of a minimum of five (5) members, provided that at least three of the four counties are represented.

6.   Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws can be amended at any regular meeting of the Extension Advisory Committee, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the Committee members at a prior meeting or by mail.

7.  Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of the ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER (newly revised) shall govern the Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Committee may adopt.

 Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Delta, Mesa Montrose and Ouray Counties cooperating.  CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.