Section 1 Preface
Section 2 Boise Redhouse Inc. Formation
Section 3 Organizational Structure
Section 4 Personnel Requirements
Section 5 Personnel Responsibilities
Section 6 Meeting Format
Section 7 Financial Guidelines
Section 8 Guidelines for All Groups
Section 9 Approvals
Section 1 Preface
This is the By-Laws for the operation of the Boise Redhouse Inc. (BRI) non-profit corporation. BRI has been established to manage a property to provide meeting space and other services to the recovery community in the Boise area. It is the intent of the BRI Board of Directors for this set of rules to be their guide in managing a property for the benefit of independent recovery groups who utilize the property for recovery meetings and other related activities. It is also the intent of the Board of Directors that this set of rules provide continuity as members of the Board of Directors change with time. And finally, it is the intent of the current Board of Directors that the By-Laws be a “living document” with the expectation that existing policies may be amended and new policies added, as required, by future boards. It has been reviewed for legal conformity and compliance with the laws of the State of Idaho.
Section 2 Boise Redhouse Inc. Formation
Boise Redhouse Inc. (BRI) was established in the fall of 2018 to find and secure a new meeting hall for the AA groups meeting at the Red House on Myrtle and 2nd street. A new meeting hall was found at 1747 S. Broadway and the 1st AA meetings were held there on April 15th 2019. BRI is not an AA group. BRI is a Non-Profit corporation run by a Board of Directors. It is established to manage a property to provide meeting space for independent recovery Groups in the Boise Area. To fulfill this mission, BRI has done the following to operate legally and efficiently.
Filed with IRS 10-16-18 as a Non-Profit 501(c) (3) as a public charity. EIN 83-2477864
Filed with Idaho Secretary of State as a Non-Profit Corporation on 9-16-18. File # 3329208
Signed a lease for 1747 S. Broadway on 4-11-19
Developed and filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Idaho
Developed Operational By-Laws
Established a Bank Account
Section 3 Organizational Structure
Board of Directors: Primary control of this association shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of a minimum of 3 persons. All changes to the corporation operation must be approved by a majority vote of the Board. New Board members must be nominated and approved by the existing Board. The Board of Directors duties and responsibilities are governed by the Boise Redhouse Inc. By-Laws (see Section 5a).
Officers: The day to day operation of the corporation will be carried out by the officers of the corporation. Officers are nominated and approved by the Board of Directors. Positions are; President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Site Manager. People holding these positions may also be Board Members. Officer’s duties and responsibilities are described in the Boise Redhouse Inc. By-Laws (see Section 5b).
Members: The Boise Redhouse Inc. may have members who attend any of the meetings at the facility or express an interest in the operation of the corporation. Members may attend BRI board meetings and communicate issues and concerns to Board Members or Officers. Members do not have voting rights in the operation of the corporation.
Section 4 Personnel Requirements
Directors: Directors shall have 3 years of continuous sobriety and attend AA meetings on a regular basis. Directors will commit to serving for 2 years. They may serve longer if needed.
Officers: Officers shall have 2 years of continuous sobriety and attend AA meetings on a regular basis. Any officer with access to the organization’s bank account must have a steady source of income. Officers will commit to serving for 2 years. They may serve longer if needed.
Members: Any person who attends meetings at the facility or has a common interest in the facility.
Section 5 Personnel Responsibilities
5a Directors:
Must attend all BRI meetings
May nominate new Directors or new Officers
May make motions to remove Directors or Officers
Must vote on nominees
Must vote on all motions presented to the BRI by the Officers
May make motions to change or improve operations
All legal contracts, tax filings, State reporting forms, utility accounts and bank accounts must have at least one directors’ signature.
5b Officers: (Includes President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Site Manager)
Maintain all lease requirements with the landlord – All Officers
Maintain Checking Account – President and Treasurer
Set fee levels and collect fees from the AA Groups – President and Treasurer
Pay expenses in a timely manner
Monthly Lease Payment– President and Treasurer
Monthly Water-Sewer-Garbage Fee – President and Treasurer
Monthly Gas Bill – President and Treasurer
Monthly Electric Bill – President and Treasurer
Annual Insurance Bill – President and Treasurer
Supplies as needed – Site Manager
Minor maintenance as needed – Site Manager
File Annual Report to the State – Can be done online – President and Treasurer
Tax filings – Form 990-N, Follow 4221-PC Reporting Requirements – President and Treasurer
Conduct monthly meetings – President or Vice President
Maintain minutes from all meetings – Secretary
Produce monthly Treasurer’s report – Treasurer
Operate and maintain the physical structure and surrounding grounds – Site manager
Maintain a supply of keys and keep a record of people who have keys – Site Manager
Responsible for door and window signs, Update Groups Meeting sign – Site Manager
Establish, implement, and promote a code of conduct (see Section 8) for guests. – All Officers
Establish and maintain relationships with our community partners (e.g. City of Boise, Veterans Administration, Ada County Courts, Interfaith Sanctuary, business neighbors). – All Officers
Establish and maintain relationships with our natural Recovery partners (e.g. Groups meeting at our facility, other Groups in Boise, Area 18, All Districts, CPCPI, and TSNAC. – All Officers
Section 6 Meeting Format
BRI business meetings will be held monthly on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. The BRI President will chair the monthly or any special meetings. The Vice President will chair if the President is unavailable. The Secretary will record minutes of all BRI meetings.
Start Meeting
Secretary reads minutes from last meeting
Presidents Report
Vice Presidents Report
Treasurer’s Report
Site Manager Report
Directors Report (one or all of the Directors)
Old Business
New Business
Close Meeting
Note: Motions can only be made by Directors or Officers. Motions will be discussed and refined if needed. All motions at a minimum must describe; What is to be done, who is responsible, when it is to be completed, and how much it will cost. When proposed in its final form, the directors will vote on the motion. It must pass with a majority of those voting. Motions shall be documented in the minutes with vote count.
Section 7 Financial Guidelines
The BRI financial goal is to balance income and expenses to provide services to the Groups at the lowest cost. BRI will maintain a prudent reserve for monthly operations and unforeseen expenses. Guidelines are as follows;
The treasurer will prepare a monthly report to show the income, expenses and account balance for presentation at the monthly BRI business meeting.
To maintain a Prudent Reserve, the treasurer shall endeavor to maintain 3 times the average monthly operating expense in the bank account. Currently this is $4000. This target amount shall be reviewed every 6 months in January and July, and adjusted if needed.
Fees will be charged to the individual AA groups utilizing the facility and are based on 1) the number of meetings per month, 2) average attendance at the meetings, and 3) supplies provided by the group. BRI will review income and expenses every 6 months, in January and July, and adjust fees if necessary.
BRI will inform and discuss any fee changes with the Groups General Service Reps (GSRs) prior to changing the fee charged.
Section 8 Guidelines for All Groups
BRI wishes that all Groups have free and unfettered use of the facility during their allotted times. Groups are autonomous and may conduct meetings in any way they desire. There are however guidelines we suggest that deal with Safety and Security of the facility and all occupants.
Section 8a Use of Facility
During the time allotted for a Group’s use, there must be a “Responsible Person in Charge”. This is typically a Meeting Chairperson or person authorized by the home group to hold meetings. This person has a key to the property and is responsible for opening and closing (locking) the facility.
Any problems with the facilities electric, gas, lighting, plumbing, heating or cooling equipment should be reported to one of the BRI Officers. Any damage to the facility should also be reported.
Basic custodial duties are expected such as emptying the garbage if needed, turning off coffee maker, and cleaning up the coffee area after the meeting.
Section 8b Special Events
Groups routinely conduct special events either during their assigned meeting times or sometimes during times where meetings are not being held. These events include Group Business meetings, Christmas parties, Thanksgiving pot-luck meals, fund-raisers or additional meetings around the holidays. BRI encourages these activities and suggests planners consider the following guidelines.
Activity should be scheduled to not interfere with other groups using the building
Activity should be announced via poster on the bulletin board and at close of regular meetings
The group sponsoring the activity is responsible for set-up and clean-up
Responsible person(s) must be present and secure the building after the event
Section 8c Code of Conduct
The BRI wishes to provide a facility that stresses the safety and well-being of guests of the building, and as such has a minimum expectation of behaviors. All groups utilizing the facility must incorporate and promote the following:
Practice respect and common courtesy among all people using the facility.
Behave consistent with sobriety, or efforts toward recovery.
Respect the facility and its contents to prevent damages.
Be accountable for behaviors harmful to persons and property.
The following behaviors will not be tolerated. If in the judgment of the group chairman or members, a person showing these behaviors, can be asked to leave the building and surrounding grounds:
No physical, verbal, and/or psychological abuse toward guests and volunteers.
No drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs in the building or surrounding grounds.
Causing a disruption of meetings for any reason.
No smoking or vaping in the facility or on the grounds covered by the lease.
Behavior that may cause damage to the facility or equipment and furnishings inside.
Failing to accept the consequences for behaviors harmful to persons, property, and surrounding grounds.
Gambling for money in the building or surrounding grounds.
Staying between meetings or sleeping overnight in the facility.
Participating in sexual activity in the building or surrounding grounds.
Rowdiness or disorderly conduct in the building or surrounding grounds.
No firearms, clubs, dangerous knives or other weapons are allowed. Pocket knives or sporting knives are allowed but cannot be used in a threatening manner.
No criminal activity is allowed on the property.