MEC Committees

ARTICLE V COMMITTEES

A. SCOPE
1. The MEC shall establish the necessary committees for conducting MEC business, consistent with AFA-CWA and MEC policy.
2. Any committee may be created, dissolved, condensed or divided at any time by a majority vote of the MEC.
3. All committees will be supplied with and shall support and follow the AFA Constitution and Bylaws and Policy Manual, as well as the MEC Rules of Procedure and Policy.
4. Insofar as practical, committees should include one member with previous experience.
5. The MEC may at any time create a committee based on need and voted on by a simple majority at a regular or special meeting.
6. Any member in good standing may recommend to the MEC the creation of a new committee. This recommendation shall be made in writing to any MEC member and shall be discussed and approved or not approved at a regular or special meeting of the MEC.

B. ELECTIONS
1. All MEC Committee Chairpersons, Negotiating Committee Members, Committee Consultants and SB/A members will be elected by the MEC from the active members in good standing.
2. Any person seeking a position as Committee Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Negotiating Committee member or SB/A member must submit a resume and/or a signed Willingness-To-Serve statement. It is recommended that resumes be submitted no later than 15 days prior to the posted Election Day. Further, any candidate who wishes to appear before the MEC prior to the Election Day may do so at her/his own expense. The candidate must contact the MEC Secretary/ Treasurer to schedule an interview time on the meeting agenda.
3. Although recommended, individuals need not submit willingness-to-serve statements to the MEC in order to be suggested, recommended or elected as MEC Committee Member and/or MEC Committee Consultant.
(a) Any MEC member or MEC officer may suggest, recommend and/or nominate an individual member in good standing for the position of MEC Committee Member and/or MEC Committee Consultant.
4. The ballot used for elections will contain a space for the name and Council number of the person submitting the ballot. The final vote cast by each LECP/designee will be recorded in the Minutes of the Meeting.
5. In the event that no one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, a run-off ballot will be conducted between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
6. In the event there is a tie for second place in the ballot, a run-off election shall be conducted between the two candidates who are tied to determine which candidate will be on the next ballot.
7. The MEC may at any time choose to delegate the MEC President to appoint a specific Committee Chairperson.

C. TERM OF OFFICE
1. All MEC Committees and Committee Chairpersons will have terms that coincide with that of the MEC Officers, except as otherwise stated.
2. The MEC may at any time replace any member of the committee by a majority vote.

D. MEC RESPONSIBILITY
1. It is the responsibility of the MEC to notify each committee of its duties, term of office, and purpose.
2. The MEC assumes responsibility for insuring that committees perform their duties.

E. CHAIRPERSON(S) RESPONSIBILITY
1. An MEC Committee Chairperson cannot change MEC policy. 2. The MEC Committee Chairpersons represents the MEC.
3. An MEC Committee Chairperson will support a MEC position when dealing with the Company.
4. Committee Chairperson or the Vice Chairperson will communicate with their Local Committees at least once a month.
5. Committee Chairperson or the Vice Chairperson will communicate with the MEC Officers or designee as often as necessary, but no less than once a month, to keep them informed of their Committee projects. This communication may be in written form, or in the form of an electronic communication, and shall be copied to all LECPs.
6. Committee Chairpersons shall submit a written report to the MEC before every regular MEC meeting. The reports should include:
a. Committee activities
b. Problems encountered
c. Trends
d. Suggestions
e. Actions/Resolutions. (If Committee Chairperson has a resolution or Agenda Item to submit to the MEC, she/he should contact the MEC Officers for assistance.)
7. Prior to writing of an Opening Letter, the Committee Chairpersons shall submit their Committee recommendations to the Negotiating Committee.
8. The Committee Chairperson shall maintain files, including data bases if necessary, and an up-to-date itemized list of their AFA property. Upon leaving their position, all files, data bases and AFA property will be transferred to their successor.

F. COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITY
1. No Committee shall make or amend MEC policy.
2. Recommendations for change shall be presented to the MEC for approval.
3. All Committee recommendations will be submitted in writing to the MEC President or designee to be discussed at an MEC meeting.
4. All Committees will act as liaisons between the members, the MEC, and Company. 5. All Committees shall report to the MEC Officers on any discussions with Company. 6. The Committees will support MEC policies and positions when dealing w/Company. 7. Committees are encouraged to work together on a specific project or as needed.

G. GENERAL
1. Vacancies occurring on any MEC Committee will be filled in the following manner:
a. Standard procedures for a regular election will be scheduled for the next regular MEC meeting. The MEC President or designee can appoint a member in good standing to fill the position until the election process is complete if necessary. b. The MEC may choose to delegate the MEC President to appoint a “specific” Committee Chairperson.
2. A MEC Committee Vice-Chairperson shall be appointed by the MEC if the need arises. The election process may be used, but the position will be considered as “appointed”. If the MEC decides to have a permanent Vice-Chairperson for any Committee, then that position will be advertised for MEC elections. The MEC will develop a Scope and Policy for a Committee Vice-Chairperson prior to the election.
3. When it is necessary to utilize flight attendants from Local Councils on MEC projects, the LEC President/ designee will be solicited for recommendations and notified of a selection prior to an appointment. 4. Whenever possible every effort will be made to seek a non-binding recommendation for the Vice Chairperson position from the elected Chairperson of the committee with a vacancy.