About

 Agile Austin’s mission is to promote agile software development concepts such as those set forth in the Agile Manifesto (agilemanifesto.org), to create a public forum for the exchange of practice information, and to create opportunities for the professional development of members.

Agile Austin Charter

I. Name
The name of this organization shall be “Agile Austin”.

II. Purpose / Mission
 

Agile Austin is a not-for-profit educational association.

Agile Austin’s mission is to promote agile software development concepts such as those set forth in the Agile Manifesto (agilemanifesto.org), to create a public forum for the exchange of practice information, and to create opportunities for the professional development of members.

III. Membership
 

Membership is open to all individuals in the Central Texas area interested advancing the mission of Agile Austin.  Individuals may become members of Agile Austin by simple payment of annual dues to the Treasurer.  Only members may vote in elections, in matters of finance, or other matters of official business.

IV. Executive Board – General Description
Agile Austin shall be directed by an Executive Board (the board).  The board is responsible for pursuing the mission of Agile Austin and conducting the business of Agile Austin in accordance with the terms of this charter.  Board members are elected to one year terms by a simple plurality of votes cast by Agile Austin members at the annual electoral meeting.   The board consists of five members; the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Program Chair, and Communications Chair.  The Executive Board, by majority agreement, shall have discretionary authority to spend up to the amount of money denoted in Article I between general membership meetings.  Distribution of funds in excess of the Article I amount require authorization by a plurality of member votes in a general membership meeting.

V. Executive Board – Specific Roles and Responsibilities
Aside from the primary role specified below, all board members are expected to assist any other board member as necessary to effectively advance the mission of Agile Austin.

President: The President presides over all Agile Austin and Agile Austin Board meetings.  The President shall be constantly informed of the affairs of Agile Austin and shall cause the provisions of this charter to be faithfully carried into effect.

Vice-President: The Vice-President seconds the President in all duties of office.  In addition, the Vice-President is responsible for securing a slate of nominations for the board in advance of elections and for obtaining corporate sponsorships in support of the organization’s mission.  The Vice-President is responsible for taking meeting minutes.

Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for collecting, disbursing, and reporting the status of all funds of Agile Austin in accordance with this charter.  The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining a membership directory and for obtaining corporate sponsorships in support of the organization’s mission.

Program Chair: The Program Chair is responsible for implementation of the Agile Austin educational program.  As such, this individual directs the acquisition and coordination of presenters and identifies agile resources.

Communications Chair: The Communications Chair is responsible for maintenance and support of the Agile Austin eMail list, the Agile Austin Board eMail list, and the Agile Austin website.  This individual is also the face of public relations to the external community, and, as such, is responsible for publicizing Agile Austin events to the media as press releases and announcements.

VI. Adoption and Maintenance of Charter
This charter shall be adopted when signed and approved by two-thirds (2/3rds) of individuals attending the charter meeting.

The initial Executive Board (the chartering board) will be elected by a simple majority of individuals attending the chartering meeting.

The initial term of the chartering board will run until September 1, 2008.

This charter may be altered or amended by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of members at any general meeting.  Members must be notified by email of proposed amendments no less than 30 days before the meeting in which the vote is taken.

 
Articles
Article I. Financial considerations
Annual dues shall be $30.  The way and means of collecting dues will reside with the board.

The Agile Austin Board may spend no more than $100 between general meetings without authorization of the membership.

Corporate sponsorships shall be solicited.  Sponsorship may be in the form of cash or in-kind donations.  The way and means of sponsor recognition will reside with the board.

The board may authorize the assessment of a fee for participation of non-members in Agile Austin activities.  Members are entitled to free access to all

 Agile Austin meetings and programs.

Article II. Elections
Board elections will be held in April of each year and board terms will begin on September 1st of that year.

Article III: Meetings
Agile Austin will sponsor general meetings.

Article IV: Amendments
To date there are no amendments to this charter.