C2C Bylaws

Colleague 2 Colleague (C2C) is an organization designed to facilitate the exchange of information, expertise, and resources among faculty, staff, administrators, and other professionals interested in instructional technology, online instruction, and distance education. C2C fulfills its mission through professional development sessions, conferences, networking, and collaborative activities.

The organization’s primary focus is on staff development and collaboration among educational professionals in K-12, higher education, government, nonprofit,and education-related commercial sectors, with particular emphasis on the Midwest region while remaining open to broader participation.

Membership in C2C is open to all interested faculty, staff, administrators, and students from participating institutions and partnering organizations. Participating institutions may include schools, community colleges, technical colleges, and public or private universities, as well as other organizations that share C2C’s goals and interests.

Membership is individual and voluntary. Unless otherwise determined by the Steering Committee and approved by the membership, no membership dues shall be required.

All general meetings and events of the organization shall be open to the entire membership.

Section 1. Elections and Membership Voting

When elections and policy changes come before the membership through a formal vote, each individual member shall have one vote. The votes will be grouped and averaged by institution so that no single institution has more influence than another, regardless of how many members it has.

Section 2. Steering Committee Voting

A quorum for conducting Steering Committee business shall consist of the members present at a duly announced meeting, provided that at least two members of the Leadership Team are in attendance.

Meetings may be held in person or virtually, as determined by the Leadership Team.

Robert’s Rules of Order, Latest Edition, shall serve as the basis of parliamentary procedure when applicable and when not in conflict with these bylaws.

Section 1. Officers

The officers of C2C shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. Together, these officers constitute the C2C Leadership Team.

Section 2. Terms of Office

Officers shall serve one-year terms unless otherwise specified. Officers may be re-elected or have their terms extended as outlined in these bylaws.

Section 3. Elections and Vacancies

Officers shall be elected by the membership according to the procedures established by the Steering Committee and bylaws. In the event an officer position becomes vacant during a term, the Leadership Team may determine whether and how the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term.

Section 1. Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside over all general meetings of the organization, including meetings of the steering committee, conferences, and symposia, and coordinate the activities of C2C during their term of office. The Chairperson, along with the Treasurer, shall serve as authorized signers on all accounts and expenditures for C2C.

The Chairperson shall assume office at the conclusion of the annual Summer Institute on Distance Learning and Instructional Technology (SIDLIT) shall serve one-year term. The Chairperson may be re-elected for one additional consecutive term. Extensions beyond two consecutive terms may occur only upon approval by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee.

In the event the Chairperson is temporarily unable to perform their duties, the Vice-Chairperson shall serve in their absence.

Section 2. Vice-Chairperson

The Vice-Chairperson shall preside over meetings in the absence of the Chairperson and shall assist the Chairperson as needed. The Vice-Chairperson shall be elected prior to and announced at SIDLIT and shall serve a one year term, with eligibility for re-election for one additional consecutive term.

Succession from the Vice-Chairperson to Chairperson is expected as part of leadership development and continuity; however, succession is not automatic and shall be confirmed through election or affirmation by the membership.

Section 3. Secretary

The Secretary shall maintain the membership and electronic mailing list; keep minutes of all C2C meetings, including SIDLIT; and coordinate the collection and preservation of records from subcommittees. The Secretary shall provide meeting minutes electronically to the Chairperson for review and, upon approval, make them available to the organization.

The Secretary shall ensure that all notices are given in accordance with these bylaws.

Section 4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds and securities of C2C and shall be responsible for receiving, depositing, and disbursing monies in the name of the organization. The Treasurer shall provide a financial report at each official meeting and shall perform all duties customarily associated with the office.

In the absense of the Treasurer, the Vice-Chairperson may temporarily assume these duties.

The fiscal year of C2C shall run from September 1 through August 31

Section 1. Leadership Team

The Leadership Team, composed of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, shall serve as the foundation of the Steering Committee and shall handle routine business of the organization, including event planning and operational decision-making between general meetings. The Leadership Team should meet at least monthly prior to Steering Committee Meetings.

Section 2. Steering Committee

The C2C Steering Committee shall be composed of volunteers from the membership and organized into subcommittees. Each subcommittee shall be led by a chair approved by the Chairperson of C2C.

Subcommittee chairs are responsible for convening meetings as needed and reporting activities an recommendations to the Steering Committee at official meetings. Additional subcommittees may be created as needed by the Chairperson in consultation with the Leadership Team.

C2C will maintain a web presence, including social media, plan the annual Summer Institute on Distance Learning and Instructional Technology (SIDLIT), as well as additional events as appropriate.

Section 1. Periodic Review

Every even-numbered year, an ad hoc Bylaws Review Subcommittee shall be formed to review and recommend updates to these bylaws. The subcommittee shall be composed of active members of the Steering Committee and shall be formed no later than the spring of that year, with its work completed no later than July.

Section 2. Amendments

Proposed amendments to the bylaws shall involve, at a minimum, deliberative input by the Bylaws Review Subcommittee, review by the Steering Committee, and a formal vote of the membership once the Steering Committee has reached agreement on the proposed changes. Amendments shall be adopted by a majority vote of members present at a duly noticed meeting.