DALRC By-Laws PDF Print E-mail

BYLAWS OF

DELTA AIR LINES RETIREMENT COMMITTEE

A Delaware, nonprofit labor organization

 
ARTICLE I


PRINCIPAL OFFICE

 
The principal office of the Delta Air Lines Retirement Committee (the "Corporation" or "DALRC") shall be DALRC, Post Office Box 55569, Houston, TX  77055.  The Corporation's Board is hereby granted full power and authority to change said principal office from one location to another.


ARTICLE II

 
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

 
2.1       Statement of Purpose.  DALRC is a nonstock (i.e., nonprofit) organization representing Non-Pilot and Pilot retirees, present and future, their spouses, survivors and dependents in the Delta Affiliated Medical and Insurance Plans of Delta Air Lines, or any future plans.  DALRC also will to protect, to the extent possible, other earned benefit programs established for Delta retirees for their service to Delta including, but not limited to, benefit programs such as life insurance, accident insurance, and travel benefits, the Non-Pilot D&S Trust, the Delta Family Care Pension Plan for Non-Pilot retirees and Pilots.  

 
2.2       Exclusive Exempt Purpose.  DALRC is a nonprofit employee organization organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(5) of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any corresponding future provision of Federal income tax law (the “Code”), and is not organized for the private gain of any person (other than through such payments as are permitted by Section 501(c)(5) of the Code). Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, no Member, officer, employee or representative of DALRC shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on behalf of DALRC not permitted to be taken or carried on by an organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(5) of the Code.  None of DALRC's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any Member.

 
ARTICLE III


MEMBERS

3.1       Classes of Members.  The Corporation shall have one class or members.  Any person who is a non-pilot or pilot retiree of Delta Air Lines, present or future, and their survivors may be a member.  Members may become a member of the Board, Standing Committee and/or Ad Hoc Committee.  The initial term of a membership shall be from the date the applicant pays his or her dues and submits the dues form.  Annual dues, as established by the Board, must be paid to be eligible for membership.  All Members of the Corporation shall be registered with and by the Treasure who will maintain the official membership record.  All Board Members and Standing and Ad Hoc Committee Members shall be Members in good standing, which means that a Member is current with his or her annual dues and listed in the membership record. 

3.2       Voting Rights and Representatives.  Each Member shall be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy provided that the Member is in good standing as evidenced in the official membership record.

3.3       Voting by Proxy.  Each Member may vote by proxy.  Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the Member or by his or her duly authorized attorney-in-fact and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation.  A proxy shall be revocable at will, notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the contrary.  The revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until Notice thereof has been given to the Secretary of the Corporation.  No un-revoked proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.  In no event shall a proxy be voted on after three (3) years from the date of its execution.  A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised, written Notice of such death or incapacity is given to the Secretary of the Corporation.

3.4       Dues and Assessments.  The dues, which are necessary to be a member in good standing of DALRC, will help support the many avenues of communication and any action necessary to keep Delta Air Lines retirees informed regarding the status of their earned benefits received without the protection of a contract.   Except for the initial dues drive held in May 2007, the amount of Members' annual dues will be set each January at the scheduled DALRC Board meeting. 

3.5       Nontransferable.  Except for a transfer from a Member to his or her survivor(s) upon his death, Membership in the Corporation is not transferable.

3.6       Resignation or Termination.  A Member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation.  The resignation shall be effective upon receipt by the Corporation or at such subsequent time as may be specified in the notice of resignation. Any dues and/or assessments collected from the member are non refundable upon the Members resignation.  The Board may, by resolution, terminate a Member for nonpayment of dues.

3.7       Meetings of Members.  Unless specially called by the Board, which must give 30 days written Notice, there shall be no meetings of the Members.

3.8       Non-Liability of Members.  Members shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or other obligations of DALRC.  The liability of the Members of DALRC for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under law.

  ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 4.1       Board of Directors.  The affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors, which will be comprised of not less than 5 representative, at least one (1) from each of the four (4) primary departments.; total of a minimum of  5 members  or no more than eight (8)members; 2 from each of the primary departments.  The powers of the Corporation shall be exercised by, or under the authority of, the Board except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or a resolution adopted by the Board.  Two representatives from each Department (as defined in Section 11.5(d) below) will be elected by the membership of DALRC attributable to such Department.  

4.2       Qualifications of Directors.  Each Director shall be a natural person at least 18 years of age who need not be a resident of the State of Delaware, but must be a retiree, [present or future,] of Delta Air Lines.  Each DALRC member nominated to serve as a Director of the DALRC Board must be a member in good standing of the DALRC for at least the 2 consecutive years immediately prior to being nominated, in order to be eligible to serve on the DALRC Board of Directors.  Each Director shall hold his office until he shall resign or shall be removed or otherwise disqualified to serve or his successor shall be elected and qualified.

4.3       Election of Directors. 

             (a)        Boards' Elections.  The scheduled yearly elections will take place over a one month period, beginning each October 01 and ending October 31 for each following calendar year.  DALRC will use the DALRC website, www.dalrc.org , E-mail and word of mouth to solicit possible candidates for Board members.   A list of the qualifications necessary to nominate a candidate will be listed on the website under “Election of DALRC Board” on the DALRC homepage.  Candidates can be self-nominated or nominated by their peers and must be a Member in good standing with DALRC.  Candidates nominated by their peers, must consent and contact the Chairman of DALRC through email or in writing to express his or her desire to serve if elected, prior to posting his or her name as a candidate on the website.  Each DALRC member nominated to serve as a Director of the DALRC Board must be a member in good standing of the DALRC for at least the 2 consecutive years immediately prior to being nominated, in order to be eligible to serve on the DALRC Board of Directors.  Nominations will be taken for 7 days beginning on the first day of the month October 01-October 07 for candidates for available positions in each department.  The candidates will be verified for eligibility and a list of candidates for each department will be posted on the website no later than October 10th.  At that time, Members of DALRC in good standing will have the ability to select 2 members from the list of candidates from the Department they currently work in or the Department they were working in at the time of their retirement as long as the nominee meets the eligibility requirements to serve on the DALRC Board.  The process of narrowing the list of candidates down will end October 20th.  At that time, the top 3 candidates in each Department will be posted and each member of DALRC in good standing will be asked to vote for 1 person to represent them for a 2 year term on the DALRC Board.  The top 3 candidates will be posted on the DALRC website no later than October 22 for 7 days, ending on October 29th with the results of the election announced on the website on October 31, of each year.

4.4       Term.  Board members will serve a two year term. The two board members representing each Department will serve staggered terms.  Directors shall have the ability to stand for election at the end of each term providing they have met all the requirements for serving as a member of the Board of Directors.  Board elections will be held in October for terms to begin January 1 and end two years later, December 31.   

4.5       Vacancies. Vacancies on the board shall exist (1) on the death, resignation or removal of any Director, and (2) whenever the number of authorized Directors is increased.  Directors may be removed with or without cause by a 2/3 vote of the Directors then in office. At any time when a Director cannot complete the final six months of his or her term, the remaining Board members shall fill such position by using the list of candidates available from the most recent election of the respective Department unless a decision is made by a 2/3rds vote of the Directors that the position will not be filled. If at any time, there is not an eligible candidate to fill the position that is available, the DALRC Board shall, if deemed necessary, appoint a representative after reasonable solicitation of candidates and consideration of all eligible candidates had been made to find the best qualified candidate, based on nominations from active and retired employees, spouses, and survivors who are Members in good standing in DALRC for their respective Department. Any open position with less than 6 months left in the term will stand for election the following election year. Any vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, of any Director may be filled by the Board. In the event of a vacancy in any office other than that of Chairperson, such vacancy may be filled temporarily by appointment by the Chairperson until such time as the Board shall fill the vacancy.  If a vacancies occurs on the board in the Chairman position due to (1) on the death, resignation or removal, the Board will elect a new Chairman within 30 days of the vacancy of the Chair position.  

             Definitions.

            (a)        “Act” means the State of Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.

            (b)        “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

            (c)        “Corporation” means DALRC.

            (d)       "Department" means each of the following five work areas of Delta Air   Lines:

                        (i)         Airport Customer Service;

                        (ii)        In-Flight Service;

                        (iii)       Sales, Marketing and Reservations;

                        (iv)       Technical Operations                          .

4.6       Compensation. 

             (a)        Directors.  Members of the Board of Directors may be compensated for their work on the DALRC and all related committees.  In addition, all reasonable expenses incurred working to support DALRC by Directors, including, but not limited to, travel, meeting expense, postage, office supplies and any other expenses deemed necessary, shall be reimbursed by the DALRC within 30 days from the date the expense was incurred, provided the proper receipts and expense forms are received by the Treasurer at least one week prior to reimbursement and such receipts and forms give sufficient documentation to justify the expense for the Corporation's nonprofit and tax-exempt purposes.   

             (b)        Members.  DALRC Members working to assist and support DALRC are eligible to receive compensation for work done in conjunction with any DALRC activities, programs or processes.  Member volunteers may serve on Ad Hoc committees and assist in other areas of support and are eligible to be compensated for their assistance. 

4.7       Removal of Directors.  The Members [or other Directors] may remove any Director from office, either with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Directors at any Board meeting. If any Director is removed, the resulting vacancy may be filled by the Members [or other Directors] entitled to elect Directors.  If removed for Cause, it may or may not include a Director's violation of the following requirements:

             (a)        Directors are required to participate in each quarterly meeting of the Board and as necessary in special meetings called to discuss pressing matters of interest to DALRC and the Delta Air Lines retirees they represent; provided, however, a Director may miss up to 2 scheduled events, such as Board meetings, per year. 

             (b)        A Director who fails to attend 2 scheduled events per year (examples. DALRC Annual Meeting, lobbying efforts on behalf of DALRC and Delta Air Lines retirees) with notice of more than 30 days will be subject to removal from the Board.  

             (c)        Directors will be required to participate to the extent possible in regularly scheduled conference calls and other forms of communication necessary to keep up to date on DALRC programs and policies necessary to lead DALRC.

             (d)       Directors are expected to share equally in the work of DALRC and have the time necessary to devote to working on behalf of Delta retirees on a regular basis.  Failure to actively participate in normal activities necessary to stay informed and help evenly distribute the duties of the Board may result in removal from the Board. 

4.8       Resignations.  Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation.  The resignation shall be effective upon receipt by the Corporation or at such subsequent time as may be specified in the notice of resignation.

4.9       Voting Rights.  Each Director shall be entitled to one vote.

 ARTICLE V

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

5.1       Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors will meet quarterly.

5.2       Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the Chairperson, who shall give 14 days Notice to the Directors.

5.3       Quorum. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of its active Board members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  The acts of a majority of the Directors present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board.

5.4       Participation in Meetings.  One or more Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board or a committee thereof by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.

5.5       Place of Meetings.  The Board may hold its meetings at such places as the Board may appoint or as may be designated in the notice of the meeting.

5.6       Organization.  Every meeting of the Board shall be presided over by the Chair, or in the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair, or in the absence of the Chair and the Vice Chair, a chair chosen by a majority of the Directors present.  The Secretary, or in his or her absence, a person appointed by the chair, shall act as secretary.  Board meetings will be conducted consistent with Robert's Rules of Order Revised.

5.7       Consent of Directors in Lieu of Meeting.  Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all Directors and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

 
6.1       Election and Term.  The Board shall elect officers for conducting meetings and maintaining records.  All officers shall be elected by Board members for one (1) year terms ending December 31 each year. Officers may be elected for successive terms.

6.2       Number.  The officers of the board shall be Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.

6.3       Removal of Officers.  Any officer or agent may be removed by the Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served.  Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of any person so removed.

6.4       Resignations.  Any officer may resign at any time by giving written Notice to the Corporation.  The resignation shall be effective upon receipt by the Corporation or at such subsequent time as may be specified in the Notice of resignation.

6.5       The Chair. The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation with all powers and duties normally vested in a chief executive officer of a nonprofit corporation. In the absence or disability of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall assume temporary responsibility for such duties. The Chair also may or may not serve as a standing member of the Board of the DALRC Retiree Benefit Trust (“VEBA”).

6.6       The Secretary.  The Secretary shall record and keep accurate minutes of Board meetings and maintain all external correspondence of the Board. At the absence or request of the Secretary, another member may be appointed to record the minutes of a Board meeting or maintain certain correspondence.

6.7       The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Corporation and shall deposit all funds in the name of and to the credit of the Corporation. She or he shall keep accurate records of the financial affairs, shall the keep the membership records, and shall be responsible for disbursements at the direction of the Board. The Treasurer also will serve as a standing member of the Board of the DALRC Retiree Benefit Trust ("VEBA").

 

ARTICLE VII


      STANDING COMMITTEES

7.1       Establishment and Powers.  The Board, at its initial meeting and by resolution, shall establish the following committees as Standing Committees of DALRC: 

            (a)        Finance;

            (b)        Government Affairs;

            (c)        Meetings/Events;

            (d)       DALRC Insurance and VEBA; and

            (e)        Nomination and Membership.

 
The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of a committee.  Any Standing Committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board, except that a committee shall not have any power or authority as to the following:

             (f)        The adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws;

            (g)        The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board; or

            (h)        Action on matters committed by the Bylaws or a resolution of the Board exclusively to another committee of the Board.

The Standing Committees will assist the Chairperson and Board with the business of DALRC.  Standing Committees may be added or removed by the majority vote of the Board and amending these Bylaws.  Standing Committees will report to the Chairman of DALRC.

7.2       Election of Standing Committee Members.  Applications for Standing Committee members will be located on the www.DALRC.org website and are available by written request from DALRC when vacancies occur.  The Standing Committee elections applications will be posted each year [on October 1] on the www.DALRC.org website and the Board will close the application process and select the best qualified candidates on [November 1]. The Board will select Members of DALRC's Standing Committees after reviewing all eligible applicants and determining the best qualified for the specific committee. The member will be selected by the Board either at the regular Board meeting or through a conference call after thorough review of all candidates and clear understanding of the role of position being filled.

7.3       Composition.  The number of members of each Standing Committee will be not less than 6 or more than 8.  It will not be necessary for the committee to have representation from each Department.  

7.4       Term and Vacancies.  Positions on the Standing Committees will be for 1 year terms beginning with each January 01 calendar year.  If vacancies occur during the year and the specific Standing Committee deems it necessary to fill the vacant positions, the Chair [of the Standing Committee or the Board] will request that a notice be posted on the DALRC website requesting additional applicants apply.  

7.5       Committee Organization.  Each Standing Committee will be chaired by a Board member for the year, unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws.  Additional members of the committee may come from other Directors or from DALRC Members who have expertise, special aid, and/or insight into the operations of the Standing Committee to further its goals and purposes, consistent with the exempt purposes of DALRC.   

            (a)        The Chairman of DALRC will also serve as the Chair of the Government Affairs committee and be a member of the Finance committee. 

            (b)        The Treasurer of DALRC will serve as the Chair of the Finance committee. 

 

Article VII

AD HOC COMMITTEES

 
8.1       Committee Organization.  By resolution, the Board may form any number of Ad Hoc Committees.  Ad Hoc Committees will report to the Chair of DALRC.  Each Ad Hoc Committee will be chaired by a Director. Additional members of the committee may come from other Directors or from Members of DALRC who have expertise, special aid, and/or insight into the operations of the Ad Hoc Committee that will further its goals and purposes, consistent with the exempt purposes of DALRC.

8.2       Selection.  Any Member in good standing of DALRC may apply for participation in an Ad Hoc Committee.  Applications for Ad Hoc Committee members will be located on the www.DALRC.org website and are available by written request from DALRC when vacancies occur.  The Board will select members for Ad Hoc Committee members after reviewing all eligible applicants and determining the best qualified for the specific committee. The member will be selected by the Board either at the regular Board meeting or through a conference call after thorough review of all candidates and clear understanding of the role of position being filled.

DALRC also will post immediately on its website, www.dalrc.org, solicitation of qualified applicants to fill positions on the newly formed Ad Hoc Committees and provide applications and the necessary qualifications to serve on each Committee.  The selection of members of the Ad Hoc committee and other advisory Committee members will be made by members of the Board after careful consideration of the talents and skills of each eligible candidate. 

The applications detailing the skill sets necessary to serve on the committee will be posted on the www.DALRC.org website and through E-mail on or before November 15th  for a two week period.  On December 01, the Board will close the applications process and select the best qualified candidates from the applications received.  If vacancies occur during the year and the specific Ad Hoc Committee deems it necessary to fill the vacant positions, the chair will request that a notice be posted on the DALRC website requesting additional applicants apply.   The Board will select all members of the Ad Hoc Committees.     The Ad Hoc Committee holds an election each January to elect the Chair of the Committee for the year unless otherwise specified in the bylaws.

8.3       Composition.  The number of members of each Ad Hoc Committee may vary and will be determined by the Board depending on the task.  It is suggested that the committee have at least 4 members and not more than 8.  It will not be necessary for the committee to have representation from each Department.  

8.4       Term.  Positions on the Ad Hoc committees will be for 1 year terms beginning with each January 01 calendar year. 

8.5       Establishment and Powers.   The following are the Ad Hoc Committees:

            (a)        Benefits (Including Non-Revenue Flight Benefits);

            (b)        Charitable Outreach; and

            (c)        Marketing and Publications.

 
Ad Hoc Committees may be added or removed by the majority vote of Board and amending these Bylaws.

 8.6              Voting Rights. The Ad Hoc members shall remain without voting rights in the general affairs of the Corporation. 

 

ARTICLE IX

 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 9.1       Appointment and Composition.  The Board may appoint an Advisory Committee, consisting of people who, through their influence or expertise, can provide special aid and insight into the operations of the Corporation and further its goals and purposes.  Members of the Advisory Committee do not need to be Members of DALRC.  The number of Advisory Committee members may range from 0 – 5.

9.2       Voting Rights.  The Advisory Committee members shall have no voting rights.

9.3       Meetings.  The Advisory Committee members will attend regular quarterly meetings at the request of the Board, when necessary, to provide assistance on specific issues pertaining to their expertise.

 
ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, MEMBERS AND OTHER AGENTS

10.1     Indemnification.  DALRC shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify each of its agents against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that any such person is or was an agent of DALRC, provided that such agent acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of DALRC.  For purposes of this Section, an “agent” of DALRC includes any person who is or was a Director, Officer, Member, or other agent of DALRC, or is or was serving at the request DALRC as a Member, officer, or agent of another trust, partnership, joint venture, nonprofit corporation or other enterprise, or was a Member, officer, employee, or agent of the Delta Section 1114 Non-Pilot Committee of Retirees appointed by the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York; “proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative; and “expenses” include but are not limited to attorneys’ fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this Section.

10.2     Expenses.  Expenses incurred in defending any proceeding shall be advanced by DALRC to the agent prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt by DALRC of an undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay such amount if it shall be determined ultimately that the agent is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized hereunder.

ARTICLE XI

 
MISCELLANEOUS

11.1     Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be January through December.

11.2     Annual Audit.  The financial transactions of the Corporation and its books and accounts may be audited and or reviewed annually by an independent certified public accountant.

11.3     Financial Matters. All plans for solicitations, allocation to and distribution of funds shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

11.4     Amendment.  These Bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of all members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting provided advance Notice of the changes has been provided. No amendment shall be considered which will make DALRC no longer a nonprofit corporation.

11.5     Definitions.

            (a)        “Act” means the State of Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.

            (b)        “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

            (c)        “Corporation” means DALRC.

            (d)       "Department" means each of the following five work areas of Delta Air Lines:

                        (i)         Airport Customer Service;

                        (ii)        In-Flight Service;

                        (iii)       Sales, Marketing and Reservations;

                        (iv)       Technical Operations.

             (e)        “Director” means an individual serving on the Board.

             (f)        “Members” mean the individuals that satisfy the requirements for membership set forth in Article 3 of these Bylaws.

             (g)        "Notice" shall mean written notice that is given to any person, either personally or by sending a copy by first class or express mail, postage prepaid, or by telegram (with messenger service specified), telex or TWX (with answer back received) or courier service, charges prepaid, or by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, to his or her address (or to his or her telex, TWX, facsimile number, or electronic mail address) appearing on the books of the Corporation or, in the case of Directors, supplied by him or her to the Corporation for the purpose of notice.  If the notice is sent by mail, telegraph or courier service, it shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in the United States mail or with a telegraph office or courier service for delivery to that person or, in the case of telex or TWX, when dispatched or, in the case of facsimile or electronic mail, when receipt has been confirmed.  A notice of meeting shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and any other information required by the Act.  Except as otherwise provided by the Act or these Bylaws, when a meeting is adjourned, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting, or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting, other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken. 

 Adopted:         __________________

                        [date]

 010209


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