On behalf of the CSTE Executive Board, we are pleased to share the finalized changes to the CSTE Bylaws. In late 2018, CSTE sought a formal external review of existing CSTE Bylaws in response to CSTE stakeholders, significant growth of CSTE, and to support long-term organizational effectiveness. The CSTE Executive Board worked with the Georgia Center for Non-Profits (GCN) to review existing governance documents and conduct extensive stakeholder interviews.
Ultimately, GCN identified a few themes that were the foundation of their recommendations. These themes included:
Steering-Committee activities have become misaligned with funding and workload.
- The misaligned workload can be a burden for some Steering Committee Chairs. In addition, limited flexibility doesn’t allow additions to Board leadership for emerging subject areas.
Stipulation of these Subject Matter Experts in board complement restricts the nominating process.
- The current structure focuses primarily on scientific expertise in a specific area rather than for skillsets required for other Executive Board priorities in nonprofit management.
Executive Board meetings weigh program over governance and strategy.
- These bylaw changes would balance these needs to ensure appropriate governance.
GCN Proposed Several Solutions:
Executive Board complement was recommended to increase from 10 to a potential of 13 members. This includes 4 officers and 9 active members who are no longer required to be Steering Committee Chairs. Steering Committees will be represented on the new Programs and Policy Standing Committee.
Changes include the formalization of three standing committees:
Program and Policy: This committee will oversee program and policy development including position statements. Members will include Executive Board members, Steering Committee Chairs, and other Active members as needed.
Governance and Nominating: This committee will ensure compliance with CSTE governance requirements and will recruit candidates for election or replacement on the Executive Board. Members of this standing committee will be representatives of the Executive Board.
Finance and Audit: This committee will oversee the financial activities of CSTE. The Chair shall be the Secretary Treasurer and the committee will comprise Executive Board members.
In addition, Ad Hoc Committees will include Steering Committees and may be established or abolished by the Executive Board from time to time to conduct the necessary work of CSTE.
Finally, changes made to the bylaws will clarify the type of organizational membership, defining CSTE and Council, updating grammar, and ensuring legal compliance.
