PREAMBLE – The purpose of the Michigan Family Support Council shall be:
1. To provide a representative organization for all domestic relations personnel in the State comprised of membership from counties who have joined or may later join.
2. To promote and maintain uniform standards and procedures within the statewide domestic relations system.
3. To encourage desirable programs representing the common interest of the children and their families involved in domestic relations problems in the State of Michigan.
4. To provide a forum for the continued study of child support enforcement problems and the improvement of child support enforcement procedures.
5. To sponsor, promote and present training programs relating to domestic relations, as needed by the membership.
6. To promote and foster effective communication among members of this Council
7. To encourage the preservation of the Family Unit whenever possible.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this association shall be the Michigan Family Support Council (hereinafter referred to as the “Council”).
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Sec. 1 Regular membership is limited to those persons who are Prosecuting Attorneys, assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, their staffs; Friends of the Court, their staffs; Office of Child Support, Support Specialists and their staffs.
Sec. 2 Associate membership is open to anyone actively or previously employed in child support, upon approval of the Board of Directors. Associate members shall enjoy every privilege of this Council except the right to vote and hold office.
ARTICLE III – REGIONS
The Michigan Family Support Council will be divided into the following organizational regions:
1. Family Support Council of Southwestern Michigan
2. Central Michigan Family Support Council
3. Southeastern Michigan Family Support Council
4. Northern Michigan Family Support Council
Additional regions may be organized in the future and may be accepted by the Board of Directors of the Council. The Counties of each region shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Council.
ARTICLE IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 1 The Board of Directors of each region shall elect three persons to serve as Directors on the State Board of Directors. The three persons shall include one representative from each of the three agencies as outlined in Article II, Sec. 1.
Sec. 2 The terms of office of each Director shall be for two (2) Annual Meetings, except that the constituency of the first Board organized under this Constitution shall designate by lot one-half (1/2) of the membership to serve a term of one (1) Annual Meeting in order to stagger terms and insure that no more than one-half (1/2) of the Board membership shall have their terms expire annually. The election of Directors will take place prior to the Annual Meeting and the term of office will begin at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting.
Sec. 3 The business and affairs of the Council shall be managed by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 4 If any vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors prior to the expiration of that Director’s term, the vacancy shall be filled by the Region which said Director represents.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors and/or the President shall establish all committees and appoint the members and chairpersons to study and/or act on special issues and concerns of the Council
ARTICLE VI – LIMITATIONS
Sec. 1 The Council is nonpartisan.
Sec. 2 No debt shall be incurred in excess o f the funds in the treasury of the Council
Sec. 3 Any proposal to affiliate with any other association or organization must be approved by a majority vote of those members present and voting at the meeting of the general membership.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
Any amendment of this Constitution shall be made by a proposal with at least thirty (30) days notice to the general membership prior to a meeting of the general membership and must be ratified by 2/3 vote of the members present and voting.
Revised: 10/05/2012