BY-LAWS

• Document Approval Date: 2023-09-16

SECTION 1.1 – NAME

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International PRIDE Caucus

SECTION 1.2 – PURPOSE AND MISSION STATEMTENT

Consistent with ATU commitment to its oath of obligation not to discriminate where everyone can thrive, the ATU PRIDE Caucus works to build relationships with union members and leadership to address homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism and other forms of oppression.

The ATU PRIDE Caucus serves as a gathering place for members who identify as LGTBQIA+ and allies, providing networking and teambuilding across different properties, roles, levels, races, abilities, and ethnic backgrounds. The group provides training, learning, and networking opportunities. It serves as a sounding board to inform leadership of policies, procedures, training, and other actions needed to advance a strong, supportive, and equitable environment for all ATU members.

The mission of the ATU PRIDE Caucus is to build more equitable Locals for ATU members that go beyond living up to the ideas of our Oath not to discriminate, but also strive to empower and strengthen our LGBTQIA+ members with pride and dignity to help lead and transform our working conditions by collaborating with other caucuses and ATU’s COPE Committees.

• Document Approval Date: 2023-04-15

SECTION 2.1 – ALLOWED MEMBERS

All ATU members (Active and Retirees) who are in good standing and self-identify as being LGBTQIA+ or an ally shall be eligible for voluntary membership in the ATU PRIDE Caucus and shall have the right to vote on all things involving the ATU PRIDE Caucus.

SECTION 2.2 – MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Each Member must:

• Maintain good standing with their respective Local
• Pay Caucus dues as set forth by these By-Laws (ARTICLE III)
• Participate in Caucus events
• Commit to the follow group agreements:

1. Maintaining a Safe Space free from judgement
2. Operating with a growth mindset, a “yes we can”, mentality
3. Yes, AND… thinking, not “but”
4. Invite being checked on our privilege and offer each other grace “Ouch” and “Oops”
5. Feedback is a gift that goes both ways
6. Reminding ourselves we are in a vulnerable place and try to be vulnerable, be kind in receiving vulnerability
7. Model the way – engage with empathy, love, compassion and acknowledge each other’s brilliance
8. Holding one another accountable
9. Expect and accept non closure
10. Monitor your airtime
11. Don’t interrupt each other
12. Respect group will

• Document Approval Date: 2023-09-16

SECTION 3.1 – DUES

All members of the ATU PRIDE Caucus will be required to pay dues directly or through their local ATU PRIDE Caucus. The dues amount shall be as follows:

All Members will pay an Enrollment fee of $5.00 for their first year and if there is a break of one year or more in dues.

The annual rate for an Active ATU member shall be $33.00.

The annual rate for an ATU Retiree member shall be $15.00.

The annual rate for an Active ATU member to include Membership and an ATU International Convention (IC) Registration ticket shall be $150.00, but to be eligible for the ticket, the member must maintain this rate for three (3) years before the IC.

The annual rate for an ATU Retiree member to include Membership and an ATU International Convention (IC) Registration ticket shall be $135.00, but to be eligible for the ticket, the member must maintain this rate for the three (3) years before the IC or a combination of three (3) years of Active and Retiree member rates.

All Membership Dues rates, if Paid via PayPal, shall include a three percent (3%) surcharge.

SECTION 3.2 – FINANCIAL SECURITY

1. All monies received by ATU PRIDE Caucus immediately become the property of ATU PRIDE Caucus and shall be dispensed as the members deem necessary by majority vote.
2. All ATU PRIDE Caucus funds and/or monies raised shall not be used to promote the candidacy of any candidate in any ATU related election.
3. ATU PRIDE Caucus members shall set by a vote what the “Working capital funds” minimum level shall be.

• Document Approval Date: 2023-09-16

SECTION 4.1 – FREQUENCY

ATU PRIDE Caucus shall hold a regular meeting monthly on the third Saturday of each month.

SECTION 4.2 – LOCATION

ATU PRIDE Caucus shall hold its meetings via Zoom.

SECTION 4.3 – MEETING RULES

1. ATU PRIDE Caucus shall conduct meetings in compliance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
2. A majority vote shall make all decisions in the event of a tie; the chair shall cast the tie-breaking vote.
3. The time allowed for any speaker to occupy the floor shall not exceed three (3) minutes without the consent of the membership.
4. Any meeting must have a quorum of the Officers to make any decisions that could affect the membership. A quorum of the officers is three (3).

SECTION 4.4 – ORDER OF BUSINESS

Each meeting shall be conducted in the following order unless a motion is made and approved:

• Call to order
• Introductions with pronouns in place of Roll Call
• Approval of previous meeting minutes
• Approval of Agenda
• Follow Agenda
• Business not on the Agenda from membership
• Adjournment

SECTION 4.5 – SPECIAL MEETINGS

Only the President can call a Special meeting, and only the Officers of ATU PRIDE Caucus can request of the President that a special meeting be held.

• Document Approval Date: 2023-09-16

SECTION 5.1 – ELECTED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS/DUTIES

• All positions

When relinquishing the office, the Officer shall turn over to the successor all books, funds, records, and all other items of the ATU Pride Caucus before the installation of the office.

• President

It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the ATU PRIDE Caucus; to preserve order and enforce the By-Laws; to see that all officers perform their respective duties; and to appoint all committees not otherwise provided for.

Be the official spoke person for the caucus.

They shall act as chairman of all Board Meetings; and perform other duties as the ATU International Constitution and By-Laws may require.

Deposit monies if the Financial Secretary is not available.

Be a signatory for ATU PRIDE Caucus checks to issue monies as voted on by the membership.

• Vice President

In the absence of the President, it shall be the duty of the Vice-President to preside and to perform all duties pertaining to the office of the President, assist the President, and work under their direction. Assume and render such assistance as may be required of them in case of vacancy in the President’s office. They shall preside until the ATU PRIDE Caucus members elect a President to fill the vacancy.

Oversees committee operations.

Assist other Officers as needed.

• Financial Secretary/Treasurer

It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to keep a true and proper account between the ATU PRIDE Caucus and its members. To collect all monies due to the ATU PRIDE Caucus and to deposit all such monies in a bank the ATU PRIDE Caucus select, in the name of the ATU PRIDE Caucus. Said monies shall be drawn upon only by checks signed jointly by the President and Financial Secretary, who are authorized officers for the payment of such bills as are authorized by the By-Laws of the ATU PRIDE Caucus.

Deposit monies received. All monies received should be counted and verified in dual custody by the Financial Secretary and another officer. If the Financial Secretary is not available, another officer shall stand in and verify such funds.

Prepare a report for each caucus meeting of the ATU PRIDE Caucus membership expenses and finalize such expenses.

The Financial Secretary shall keep a correct account of the proceedings of the ATU PRIDE Caucus and perform such other duties as pertain to the office.

Assist other Officers as needed.

• Recording Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to:

1. record minutes and to keep a true and proper account of all minutes.
2. record all members in attendance at each ATU PRIDE Caucus meeting.
3. Send out notices, correspondence, New member welcome kits, etc.
4. Assist other Officers as needed.

• Facilitating Member-at-large

Maintain order at meetings and events.

Assist other Officers as needed.

SECTION 5.2 – LEADERSHIP POSITION COMMITMENTS

1. Commit to caucus development for an average of six hours/month
2. Provide leadership to network and ensures performance of all officer duties
3. Foster relationships with other networks and Caucus Groups
4. Engage with leadership team and group members to share updates, relevant success, barriers, etc.
5. Develop meeting agendas with group input
6. Work on logistics and “call the meeting”
7. Ensures that meeting minutes are captured
8. Ensure that membership list and group email list are maintained, with desired levels of confidentiality
9. Celebrate successes with the group
10. Be available for the on-boarding process for new members
11. Increase member engagement

SECTION 5.3 – REQUIREMENT TO BE NOMINATED/ELECTED

All nominees to be elected shall be an active member of ATU in good standing.

SECTION 5.4 – RECAL OF OFFICERS/MEMBERS

ALL Officers and members may be recalled for willfully violating any of the following if the charges are substantiated.

• Violating By-Laws (International or ATU PRIDE Caucus)
• Misappropriating funds
• Bringing the organization under disrepute
• Disrespecting a fellow sibling in a slanderous manner

SECTION 5.5 – OATH OF OFFICE

I (full name) hereby accept the office of (name of office) and willfully acknowledge the responsibilities and duties of such office. I promise to faithfully discharge my duties according to the By-Laws. I further promise to give my successor to this office, all books, funds, records, and all other items in my possession. I shall at all times endeavor to serve the ATU PRIDE Caucus and its members to the best of my ability and to carry out the mission of said organization.

SECTION 5.6 – ELECTIONS

Elections shall be held every three (3) years in conjunction with the ATU International Convention.

Until such time that the Caucus can afford to send representatives to the ATU International Convention all nominations shall be made during a regular monthly meeting between six (6) and four (4) months prior to the ATU International Convention. However, the first nominations and elections shall be held during the meeting in which the first set of By-Laws are approved. Elections shall be conducted by a roll call vote of all members in attendance of the Zoom meeting in which nominations are made.

• Document Approval Date: 2023-09-16

SECTION 6.1 – Number of Members Requirement

A local PRIDE Caucus may be formed with two or more members in good standing of the individual local. Only one local PRIDE Caucus shall be recognized by the Amalgamated Transit Union International PRIDE Caucus.

SECTION 6.2 – By-Law Adoption

The local PRIDE Caucus shall adopt local by-laws that do not conflict with these By-Laws. A copy of the local by-laws shall be sent to the Recording Secretary of the Amalgamated Transit Union International PRIDE Caucus for approval.

SECTION 6.3 – Local Dues Structure Requirement

The local PRIDE Caucus shall adopt a minimum dues structure of not less than $34.00 per member annually (Membership Year June 1 through May 31), $33.00 of which shall be the annual per capita tax to the Amalgamated Transit Union International PRIDE Caucus.

SECTION 6.4 – Member-at-Large

A person who wishes to be involved in the Amalgamated Transit Union International PRIDE Caucus who belongs to an ATU local without a local PRIDE Caucus may join directly with the Amalgamated Transit Union International PRIDE Caucus.

SECTION 6.5 – Membership Notification Requirement

Local PRIDE Caucuses must provide the Amalgamated Transit Union International PRIDE Caucus with a list of all local PRIDE caucus members at least once a year in the month of June when submitting their per capita tax for each member. The list must contain the following information:

• Name (First and Last)
• Pronouns
• Country
• Complete Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address with an indication of yes/no for ATU International PRIDE Caucus Newsletter/notifications

• Document Approval Date: 2023-04-15

ALL By-Law amendments must be submitted in writing to the President and Recording Secretary.

Amendments shall have a first reading at a regular meeting and will be voted on at the very next meeting.