ARTICLE I

ESTABLISHMENT

 

The Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board of the State of New Mexico is established in accordance with Section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), Public Law 105-220, 112 Stat. 936 and Section 5 of the Workforce Development Act (WDA), Chapter 260, Laws 0f 1999, of the State of New Mexico.  Section 50-14-1 et seq. NMSA 1978 Compilation.

 

ARTICLE II

NAME

 

The name of this Board shall be The Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) hereinafter referred to as the “Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board” (SAWDB).

 

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

 

It shall be the purpose of the SAWDB to set policy for and provide operational oversight of the local workforce system geographically comprised of the counties of Catron, Socorro, Grant, Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana and Hidalgo for the Great State of New Mexico. The purpose of the SAWDB shall not preclude direct relationships between any local government and any other regional job development organization, public or private. The SAWDB shall remain autonomous with each of the local governments in the SAWDB and retain all rights and authority provided to them under their charters and ordinances, the laws of the State of New Mexico, or any other procedures and regulations not in conflict with state or federal law.  The intent of the SAWDB is to carry out functions and responsibilities according to the Act and its Regulations under WIA.

 

Section A  The SAWDB shall assist the Governor, recommend, comment, plan, coordinate, review, identify, provide, develop, monitor, advise and report as follows:

1.      Provide a forum to facilitate the development of workforce training and development under the WIA and WDA.

2.      Increase the capacity of each local government to assist in the development of programs that will provide meaningful job opportunities to all of its citizens.

3.      Provide and support workforce development initiatives to the New Mexico Legislature, the Governor of New Mexico, the New Mexico Dept. of Labor and other local, state and federal executive and legislative branches of government.

 

ARTICLE IV

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The SAWDB will carry out its duties and responsibilities according to the federal WIA, the New Mexico WDA, and all federal and State regulations duly promulgated under these acts. 

Section A  Specifically, as set forth in the WDA, the SAWDB shall:

1.      Advise the New Mexico State Workforce Development Board (hereinafter referred to as the“State Board”) on issues relating to regional and local workforce development needs.

2.      Develop and submit to the State Board and the Governor a Southwestern Area five-year workforce plan that shall be updated and revised annually in accordance with the WIA.

3.      Designate or certify one-stop program operators in accordance with the WIA.

4.      Terminate, for cause, the eligibility of one-stop operators.

5.      Select providers and provide grants to youth activity providers in accordance with the WIA.

6.      Identify eligible training and intensive service providers in accordance with the WIA.

7.      Develop a budget subject to the approval of the chief elected officials of the SAWDB.

8.      Develop and negotiate local performance measurements, as described in the WIA, with the chief elected officials of the Southwestern Area and the Governor.

9.      Ensure linkages with economic development activities.

10.  Encourage employer participation and assist employers in meeting their hiring needs.

11.  Conduct oversight of: a) local programs and youth programs, in partnership with the chief elected officials, authorized pursuant to the WIA and b) employment and training activities pursuant to the WIA, and c) the one-stop delivery system in the Southwestern Area.

12.  Establish as a subgroup, a youth council, appointed by the SAWDB in cooperation with the chief elected officials of the Southwestern Area.

 

Section B  Provide information regarding the following:

1.      The Southwestern Area plan;

2.      Membership of the SAWDB;

3.      Designation and certification of one-stop operators; and the award of grants or contracts to eligible providers of youth activities.

 

Section C  The SAWDB shall also:

1.      Review and evaluate the performance of all Southwestern Area Workforce Development activities and state agencies involved with workforce development.

2.      Develop coordination with the State Board regarding its linkages with the State Board of Education to ensure coordination and no duplication of vocational education, apprenticeship, adult education and vocational rehabilitation programs with other workforce development and training programs.

3.      Provide policy advice, in coordination with the State Board, regarding the application of federal or state law that pertains to workforce development.

4.      Develop an annual report for the State Board and the Governor.

5.      Annually review, for potential inclusion in the Southwestern Area five-year plan, any goals, objectives and policies submitted by state agencies involved in workforce development activities in the Southwestern Area.

6.      Administer WIA funds allocated to the Southwestern Area workforce investment activities pursuant to the WIA and WDA.

7.      Contract, with public entities to further the directives of the WIA and WDA as deemed necessary.

 

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP

 

Section A  Membership of the SAWDB: Pursuant to Section 117 of the WIA, the Southwestern Area membership shall include the following:

 

1)      Board members shall be appointed by the chief elected officials of the SAWDB, based on criteria established by the Governor and the State Board. The composition of the SAWDB shall be in compliance with Section 117 (b) (2)(A) and (B) of the WIA  pursuant to Section 50-14-5D, NMSA 1978 Compilation.

2)      The SAWDB shall contain “a minimum of fifty-one percent (51%) of its members coming from the private sector and shall include representatives of education, labor, government, economic development and community-based organizations and others as appropriate.”

3)      Terms of Appointments pursuant to Section 117(2)(A) of the WIA, the Governor shall certify the membership of the SAWDB once every two years.

4)      Consideration of all appointments shall include gender, ethnicity, categorical representation, and geographic diversity.

5)      The orientation for new members pursuant to the Act shall include specific duties and responsibilities of individual board members.

6)      SAWDB members who miss three consecutive scheduled meetings of the SAWDB without cause shall be requested to resign their Board position and their name shall be submitted to the Chief Elected Officials for a letter to be written for replacement. An exception may be made when the absence is for good cause, as determined by the SAWDB and the affected member requests retention in writing and receives written approval from the Chair.

7)      A vacancy/replacement on the SAWDB shall be filled in the same manner as regular appointments.

8)      A majority of members of the SAWDB shall be from the private sector.   Preference shall be given to persons who are owners of businesses, Chief Executives Officers (CEO’s) or Chief Operating Officers (COO’s) of business and other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority.

9)      Vacancies on the SAWDB shall exist upon the death, resignation or removal of a member.

10)  A person selected to fill a vacancy as provided in these bylaws shall hold office for the unexpired term of her/his predecessor or until her/his death, removal or resignation.

 

Section B  Membership Responsibilities:

1.      Members shall have the responsibility to inform the SAWDB, through her/his designated representative, of any changes in status, which would affect their categorical representation.

Section C  Committee Service:

1.      Members shall serve on committees, subcommittees and taskforces as appointed by the SAWDB Chair.  NO SAWDB member shall serve on more than 2 committees, excluding the executive committee except the board chair, who will be an ex-officio member of all committees.  

 

Section D  Conflict of Interest:

1.      All members of the SAWDB, including the Chair, shall have the authority to vote on all matters that come before the Board where there is no conflict or appearance of a conflict of interest.  As stated in State Information Notice, SIN No. 39-00, paragraph 3(A)(3)(c)(I through iv), no member of the SAWDB shall vote on the provision of services to that member (or any organization which that member directly represents) or on any matter, which would provide direct or indirect, or any benefits to that member or to the organization which that member represents.  A member shall abstain from any evaluation of an affiliate organization with which that member is associated.

 

Section E  Compensation/Reimbursement of Expenses:

Members of SAWDB shall not receive any salaries or wages for their services, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.  Every claim for reimbursement for per diem and travel, as allowed by the Per Diem and Mileage Act of the State of New Mexico, shall be submitted on a travel voucher and in accordance with the appropriate rules, formats and informational requirements of the State Department of Finance and Administration.

1.      Per Financial Reporting and Accounting System Policies and Procedures Manual (C-FRAS) Members of the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) will receive a fixed and regular travel reimbursement of $75.00 per day for Board and all approved committee meetings in place of per diem and mileage.

 

  1. Non-voting board members, and government employees using government vehicles and receiving government compensation, are excluded from the $75.00 fixed and regular reimbursement.

 

  1. Board members traveling to special events and/or events at the request of the SAWDB, SAWDB Chair or their designee will be reimbursed for expenses by submitting regular travel request forms.   Committee chairs will request written permission from the SAWDB Chair for members to travel.

Section F  Liability:

1.      Members of the SAWDB and staff, while acting under the direction of the SAWDB, shall not be held personally liable for the debts, decisions, liabilities or other obligations of the SAWDB.

 

Section G  Gifts and Contributions:

1.      SAWDB members may not accept any contribution, gift, bequest or devise of any property whatsoever that would personally or professionally benefit the member. Contributions, gifts, bequests or other devises of property directly benefiting the WIA mission and participants may be accepted without reimbursement of any kind to the donor.

 

Section H  Representation of the SAWDB:

1.      Members appointed to the SAWDB are considered representatives of the State in matters of workforce development programs in the Southwestern area and are entitled to any rights attendant to membership on the SAWDB, however, no SAWDB member may take any action or carry out any activity on behalf of the SAWDB not permitted to be taken or carried out without the approval, by vote, of the SAWDB.

 

Section I   Staff:

1.      Staff support for the SAWDB shall be provided as determined by resolution of the membership at scheduled meetings.  Contract with staff shall include specific duties of administrative support staff.

Section J Operating Procedures

 

1.  Operating procedures shall be adopted by the SAWDB for committees, staff and the SAWDB.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

 

Section A  The officers of the SAWDB including the Chair and Vice-Chair shall be members from the private sector and shall be nongovernmental persons:

1)      Chair: The SAWDB Chair shall be elected by a majority of the SAWDB members present at scheduled meetings.  The term of office of the Chair shall be for two (2) years and he/she shall preside at all meetings of the SAWDB and perform general and active management of the administrative business of the SAWDB.  It shall also be the Chair’s duty to :

a)      Perform all duties that are incidental to his/her office and such other duties as may be required by the WIA, the WDA and which may be prescribed by the SAWDB.

b)      Preside at meetings of the SAWDB and the executive committee

c)      Execute legal documents when authorized by the SAWDB, the WIA and the WDA

d)      Appoint all committees subject to the approval of the SAWDB, except as otherwise provided by the WIA and WDA. 

2)      Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair shall be elected by a majority of the SAWDB members present at a regularly scheduled meeting. The term of the vice-Chair shall be for two (2) years and he/she shall perform the duties of the Chair in their absence. The vice-Chair shall also perform additional duties from time to time as assigned by the Chair.

a)      In the absence of the Chair or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, or if the office of Chair is vacant, the vice-Chair shall perform all the duties of the Chair and, when so acting, shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the Chair.

b)      The vice-Chair shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the WIA, the WDA, these bylaws, or the SAWDB.

3)      Only members of the private sector shall be qualified to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair of the SAWDB. Each such officer shall hold office until resignation, removal, or other disqualification, to serve or until a successor is elected and qualified, whichever comes first.  The term of office shall be two (2) years.

4)      The SAWDB may elect such other officers as it deems appropriate, and such officers shall serve such terms, have such authority and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the SAWDB.

5)      Any SAWDB Chair or Vice-Chair may be removed for cause by a two-thirds majority of the SAWDB at any scheduled or special meeting.  Any board member or Chair or Vice-Chair may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chair or Vice-Chair.  Any such resignation shall take effect on the date of such notice or any time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

6)      In the event of a vacancy of any office, other than that of Chair, the vacancy may be filled temporarily by appointment of the Chair until such time as the SAWDB shall fill that vacancy.

 

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

 

Section A  Regular and Other Meetings:

1)      The SAWDB shall meet at least once each quarter.  The time and location will be determined at a prior meeting.  The State Board, the Chair, or a majority of SAWDB members at his/hers/their discretion may call special meetings. The time and location shall be determined by the individual(s) calling the meeting.  All meetings shall be held in the Region 4 (Southwestern) of New Mexico.

 

 

Section B  Open Meeting Requirements:

1.      All meetings shall be in compliance with New Mexico’s Open Meetings Act, Section 10-15-1, NMSA 1978 Compilation. An open meeting resolution shall be adopted each year to establish reasonable notice of meetings.

Section C  Meeting Announcement:

1)      Once the meeting date, time and location are established and the agenda developed, a written announcement along with the agenda will be transmitted to all SAWDB members.

a)      All SAWDB members shall receive notice of any meetings at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. All SAWDB members shall receive notice of any special meeting at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. It shall be presumed that the addressee will receive the notice emailed or otherwise transmitted from the SAWDB office on the following business day.

b)      Notice of all meetings shall specify the nature of business to be conducted at such meeting. No action can be taken except on business specified in the notice. New business not specified in the notice may be raised, but no vote or action may be taken on such business at that time.

 

Section D  Quorum:

1)      A quorum of the SAWDB shall consist of a simple majority of the currently appointed membership.  A quorum of a committee shall consist of a simple majority of the members of the specific committee.  If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority shall be the official act of the SAWDB.  A quorum of the SAWDB and all the committees of the SAWDB must contain at least fifty-one percent (51)% of its members from the private sector. A proxy does not constitute attendance under the attendance requirements, but will be used to constitute a quorum.

 

Section E  Minutes:

1.      Minutes of the proceedings for each SAWDB meeting shall be recorded and maintained in the permanent files for the SAWDB.  A summary of the recorded minutes will be prepared and distributed to each member prior to the next scheduled meeting.  The minutes and agenda, as well as supporting and informational material of any meeting of the SAWDB shall be made available to the public upon written request.  Minutes for the committee meetings shall be recorded and made available upon request and shall be maintained in the permanent files of the SAWDB.

 

Section F  Voting:

1.      All members of the SAWDB, including the Chair, shall have the authority to vote on all matters that come before the Board where there is no conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest.

2.      As stated in the Code of Conduct/Conflict of Interest olicy adopted by Amendment No.4), a member of the SAWDB may not vote on a matter under consideration  by the Board relating to provision of services by the member, or by the entity the member represents, if such provisions of services might provide personal, private or professional benefit to the member or his or her immediate family or business represented. 

3.      Any SAWDB member who is unable to attend any regular or special meeting may, by written notice filed with the SAWDB Chair prior to the time of the meeting, give their proxy, in writing, to any other Board member (with or without specific voting instructions) who shall personally be present.

4.       A member shall abstain from any evaluation of an affiliate organization with which that member is associated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

COMMITTEES

 

Section A  Committee Selection:

1.      The SAWDB shall establish an Executive Committee and may establish such other committees or advisory groups as it deems necessary in order to carryout its duties and discharge its responsibilities.  The Chair shall define the duties and responsibilities of all committees, subject to approval of the SAWDB.  The Chair shall appoint committee members of all committees, but all such committee members and Chairs must be certified by a majority vote of a quorum of SAWDB members.

2.      Appointments to all committees shall encompass categorical and geographical representations as broadly as possible to ensure that each committee reasonably represents the membership of the SAWDB.

3.      When appointing committee members, the SAWDB Chair shall do so considering the knowledge, experience and preference of the particular members so appointed.

4.      The composition of all committees shall be at least fifty-one percent (51%) from the private sector.

5.      The SAWDB Chair shall serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.

6.      Committees shall elect their own Chair.  The meeting of each committee to appoint its own Chair shall be at a time and place selected by the SAWDB chair. No SAWDB member shall serve on more than two (2) committees excluding the Executive Committee, except the board chair, who will be an ex-officio member of all committees.

 

Section B  Executive Committee:

Executive Committee:  The Executive Committee is composed of all Committee Chairs and two members at large as appointed by the Chair and is chaired by the SAWDB Chair.  The SAWDB Vice-Chair serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee. 

.  The Executive Committee shall also review and coordinate the work of the other committees prior to the Chair of those committees reporting to the SAWDB. The Executive committee may recommend to the Chairs of other committees that additional work be completed before reporting to the Board, but it may not block the committee Chairs from reporting to the Board.  In cases of disagreement, the SAWDB Chair shall report the disagreement to the Board and explain the reason(s) for the disagreement.  The SAWDB Chair shall act as the Executive Committee Chair and shall exercise the power to vote on the Executive Committee only as required to constitute quorum or  to break a tie vote.

1.      The SAWDB Chair shall determine agenda items for SAWDB meetings.  All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Board at its next meeting following such action, and such reports shall become part of the SAWDB minutes.    Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the Chair in such locations the Chair may designate.

 

Section C  Committee Description:

1.  Executive Committee:  The Executive Committee is composed of all Committee    Chairs and two members at large as appointed by the Chair and is chaired by the SAWDB Chair.  The SAWDB Vice-Chair serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee.  This committee has the responsibility for reviewing and making recommendations pertaining to workforce development operation.   In an emergency which is defined as “Loss of programs, functions, or money or in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, Section D, as Health, Life Threatening or funding that would create a financial hardship”, the Executive Committee may act on behalf of the SAWDB.   In other such emergency situations, the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board (SAWDB) shall be the decision making entity able to award contracts with the CEO Board.  The Executive Committee shall also review and coordinate the work of the other committees prior to the Chair of those committees reporting to the SAWDB. The Executive Committee may recommend to the Chairs of other committees that additional work be completed before reporting to the Board, but it may not block the committee Chairs from reporting to the Board.  In cases of disagreement, the SAWDB Chair shall report the disagreement to the Board and explain the reason(s) for the disagreement.  

2.  Planning:  This committee has responsibility for reviewing and making       recommendations pertaining to workforce development planning and operation.  This includes reviewing state and local plans, identification and certification of workforce areas/boards, resources for those workforce areas and identification of   education needs for services and training.  The Planning Committee shall develop a five-year plan with Board approval and CEO concurrence and annually review and update it as necessary, as outlined in the local plan.

3.Monitoring/Performance:  The responsibility of this committee is to oversee and evaluate workforce development areas and local programs for compliance with rules and regulations to determine program success or failure.  Additionally it will review and approve state and local performance goals, review monitoring and performance reports, make recommendations for recognition, award incentive grants for program success, take corrective action and/or impose sanctions for non-compliance or program failure.  The goal of this committee is to assure the continuous improvement of State training programs.

1.      Stakeholders:  This committee will identify the needs of the employer market and the training needs of the workforce to assure those training programs are driven by local labor market demands.  This committee will survey workforce investment areas, and  employers to gauge the labor market trends and identify demand occupations.  The committee will communicate training/occupational needs to local workforce areas and service providers.

2.      Communication/Marketing/Research:  This committee will facilitate communication, market and promote the State’s Workforce development efforts.  The committee will identify and communicate program successes and human-interest stories.  It will also research, plan and implement a strategy to market and promote programs with the public and employers.

3.      Agency Coordination:  This committee will make efforts to minimize program duplication, facilitate coordination and communication between agencies, employers and training providers.  The committee will research and identify employment and training activities, services available and facilitate the interaction between the government and private sector to assure they do not overlap and are effective and efficient to promote a coherent strategy leading to program success.

 

ARTICLE IX

ANNUAL REPORT

 

Section A  Budget:

1.      SAWDB shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the New Mexico Legislature, the Chief Executive Officers of the counties and municipalities of the Southwestern Area, and to such other federal, state and local government units as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE X

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

Section A  Rules:

  1. Where not otherwise provided for in these bylaws, Robert Rules of Order shall be followed in conducting all meetings of the SAWDB and its committees. The SAWDB Chair shall appoint a parliamentarian for the SAWDB and its committees as appropriate.

 

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section A  First Revision:

1.      The bylaws as contained herein have been revised and amended in accordance with the provision for amendment contained in Section B herein, and these bylaws, as amended, shall replace all bylaws previously enacted by the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board, and shall constitute the duly enacted and governing bylaws of  the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board.

 

Section B  Amendments:

1.      These bylaws may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the SAWDB after notification of such an amendment to the full SAWDB membership, in compliance with Article VII of these bylaws. A committee appointed by the SAWDB Chair shall review these bylaws at least annually.  This committee shall also review and recommend policies and procedures, as needed, for committees, staff, and the SAWDB for board approval.

 

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION

Section A  dissolution:

1.      Upon any dissolution of the SAWDB, the Southwestern Board shall, after paying or making provision for payment of liabilities, dispose of all of the assets in accordance with the WIA and the WDA and any other applicable laws of the State of New Mexico.

 

ARTICLE XIII

COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

 

Section A  Compliance:

1.      The SAWDB, in execution of its business shall comply with all applicable New Mexico Statutes and regulations including, but not limited to, the State Procurement Code, the State Open Meetings Act, as provided in Section 10-15-1, NMSA 1978 Compilation, and the State Mileage and Per Diem Act.

 

 

Approved by the SAWDB

On December 4, 2002 and

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

/s/Willie Marquez                                             .

Willie Marquez, Chairman

 

 

 

/s/ J. P. Jones                                                    .

J. P. Jones, Vice Chairman

 

 

Adopted by the membership

 

Date December 4, 2002

 

 

 

ATTEST: /s/Elizabeth A. Bernal                                                       .                       

                      Elizabeth A. Bernal, Board Staff

                          

NOTE:  Wherever appearing above “Chairperson” has been changed to “Chair” and “the Board” has been changed to “SAWDB”.