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KAAAC Bylaws 2025

Kansas African American Affairs Commission Bylaws as ratified in November 14, 2025

  • Article 1: Name
    • Section 1 The working name of this Commission shall be the Kansas African American Affairs Commission, hereinafter referred to as KAAAC. The Official name shall remain the Kansas Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.
  • Article 2: Authority
    • Section 2.1 KAAAC is an advisory commission to the Governor of the State of Kansas, established by 1997 Session Law Ch. 44, Sec. 1 . KAAAC derives its authority from Kansas Statutes 74-9901 through 74-9906.
    • Section 2.2: To the extent any provision of these Bylaws contradicts Kansas statute or regulation, the statutes or regulations are controlling. If a provision of these Bylaws is unenforceable because of a conflict with Kansas statute or regulation, such provision shall be severable, and the remaining Bylaws remain in force and effect.  
  • Article 3: Mission
    • Section 3.1 The Kansas African American Affairs Commission serves as a conduit between the African American community and the Governor to advise the Governor on issues that include policy, legislation, or programs that impact the African American community in the State of Kansas.
  • Article 4: Duties
    • Section 4.1 The duties and responsibilities of the KAAAC are listed in the statute (K.S.A. 74-9905). The commission will determine its strategic focus annually at its September meeting based on the needs of the African American Community.
  • Article 5: Commissioners
    • Section 5.1 The appointment process for commissioners is addressed in (K.S.A. 74-9902 and 74-9903).
    • Section 5.2 Resignation – KAAAC commissioners who find themselves unable to perform their KAAAC duties for three consecutive unexcused meetings of the commission or more than 50% of such meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the commission, effective immediately.
    • Section 5.3 Removal - If a commissioner willfully neglects to perform his or her duties or engages in unethical or illegal behavior, the commission may recommend the commissioner for removal for cause upon resolution adopted by KAAAC by quorum vote. Upon finalized resolution, the commission shall send the recommendation for removal to the appointing authority for review and evaluation.
  • Article 6: Meetings
    • Section 6.1 Consistent with K.S.A. 74-9903(b) KAAAC will meet at least four times a year. The chairperson may call additional meetings. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. KAAAC Commission meetings will comply with the Kansas Open Meetings Act, K.S.A. 75-4317, et seq.
    • Section 6.2 All KAAAC meetings are open to the public. The public may only be excluded from KAAAC meetings in compliance with the Open Meeting Act (KSA 75-4319) for executive sessions.
    • Section 6.3 Each meeting may have an opportunity for public comment at the discretion of the Chair.
    • Section 6.4 Commissioners shall designate a regular meeting date and publish the dates for each year in advance of the start of the fiscal year.
    • Section 6.5 Voting. KAAAC acts through recorded votes of commissioners at KAAAC meetings. Absent commissioners may submit written statements to be read at the meeting; however, they may not be represented by an agent, and no proxy voting is allowed.
    • Section 6.6 Elections. As listed in the statute (K.S.A. 74-9903(a)), annual elections will be held each June for the selection of a chairperson and a secretary.
  • Article 7: Duties of Officers (may need to retitle this to special duties or something)
    • Section 7.1 Chairperson. 
      • Section 7.1.1 Presides at all meetings;
      • Section 7.1.2 Prepares the agenda, conferring with the committee chairperson, the 7.1.3 Executive Director, and other commissioners as appropriate;
      • Section 7.1.4 Appoint committee chairpersons, except as otherwise designated in these bylaws, and assign commissioners to committees as recommended by KAAAC;
      • Section 7.1.5 Calls special meetings;
      • Section 7.1.6 Assures that all approved orders, resolutions, and policies of KAAAC are followed and carried into effect;
      • Section 7.1.7 Authorizes press statements on approved KAAAC policy.
    • Section 7.2 Vice Chairman/Secretary
      • Section 7.2.1 Assist the Chairperson in the performance of their duties;
      • Section 7.2.2 Perform the duties of the Chairperson in their absence;
      • Section 7.2.3 Serve as the chairperson of a legislative committee.
    • Section 7.3 The Executive Director
      • Section 7.3.1 Duties – from the statute The duties of the executive director are listed in the statute (K.S.A. 74-9904). “The executive director shall be the administrative officer of the advisory commission and shall serve the advisory commission by gathering information, disseminating findings of fact and other information, forwarding proposals and evaluations to the governor, the legislature, and various state agencies, carrying out public education programs, conducting hearings and conferences and performing other duties necessary for the proper operation of the advisory commission.”
      • Section 7.3.2 The Executive Director may spend up to $1000 at their discretion, not to exceed 10% of the overall budget per fiscal year. When any expenditure is made, the Director will report the amount and reason to the commission at the next meeting.
      • Section 7.3.3 The Executive Director will compile the annual report (detailed in Article 9)
  • Article 8: Committees
    • Section 8.1 Budget Committee
      • Section 8.1.1 Share management and oversight for the KAAAC budget with the Executive Director
      • Section 8.1.2 They may engage in fundraising for reasons agreed upon by the commission.
      • Section 8.1.3 The committee will provide a quarterly budget report, detailing any money received or spent and the reason for each transaction
      • Section 8.1.4 The budget committee shall have at least one member from each political party represented on KAAAC at the time
    • Section 8.2 Other committees or subcommittees
      • Section 8.2.1 May be established by a majority vote of the commission
      • Section 8.2.2 Duration and any reporting for subcommittees are established on a case-by-case basis
      • Section 8.2.3 Subsequent committees shall have at least one member from each political party represented on KAAAC at the time.
  • Article 9: Reporting
    • Section 9.1 Commissioner reports
      • Section 9.1.1 Each commissioner shall provide a written summary of their activities conducted on behalf of KAAAC, demonstrating their engagement with their community.
      • Section 9.1.2 The summary is to be submitted to the Executive Director at the end of each fiscal year quarter, resulting in four summaries per fiscal year.
    • Section 9.2 Executive director reports
      • Section 9.2.1 The Executive Director shall provide a written summary of their activities on behalf of KAAAC, demonstrating their engagement with the commission and the executive branch.
      • Section 9.2.2 The summary should be completed at the end of each fiscal year quarter, resulting in four summaries per fiscal year.
      • Section 9.2.3 The Executive Director is responsible for compiling the submitted commissioner reports and their reports into an annual report on the activities of the commission to be presented to the Governor.
      • Section 9.2.4 The report must be completed before the end of each fiscal year.
  • Article 10: Parliamentary Authority
    • Section 10.1 The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised edition shall govern KAAAC in all cases to which they apply and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, rules, and procedures KAAAC may adopt, and any statutes or regulations applicable to this commission.
  • Article 11: Amending the Bylaws Section
    • Section 11.1 The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the KAAAC. The amendment must be submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Rules and procedures KAAAC shall adopt may be amended at any regular meeting, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to all commissioners at least ten business days before the meeting at which action is to be taken.
  • Article 12: Adoption
    • Section 12.1 Upon adoption by KAAAC, these bylaws shall be effective November 14, 2025, and all previous bylaws, rules, and procedures, other than those contained in the enabling legislation, statutory authority description, and rules of practice, are hereby rescinded.