The Indiana Association of Regional Councils (IARC) is a statewide, 501(c)(3) association of 15 organizations that provide comprehensive, regional planning services that are coordinated with local governments in Indiana.

Most of the IARC member regional councils were formed under I.C. 36-7-7 more than 25 years ago, and are funded by member county dues, multiple grant sources and fee-based services, and have governing boards or commissions comprised mainly of local officials.

Established in 1997, IARC provides a statewide forum for directors, staff and board members of regional planning organizations in Indiana to network and share ideas that promote economic and community development, transportation planning, smart growth and a multitude of other issues on a regional basis statewide.

IARC supports regional development efforts that prioritize and categorize local community and economic development needs and projects based on urgency, feasibility and determined regional priority. The individual services provided by IARC member organizations vary by local jurisdictional authority and local project and planning needs.

Indiana Code 36-7-7 – Establishment of Regional Planning Commissions  - Sec. 2

…The legislative bodies of all the counties in a region may, by concurrent resolutions, request the establishment of a regional planning commission. Official copies of the resolutions must be forwarded to the governor, who shall then appoint himself or a member of his staff to immediately notify the other members of the commission and to act as temporary chairman for the election of officers. The commission, shall by resolution, designate a name for itself that reflects the commission’s role and function and that may include the words “Regional Planning Commission.”

ARTICLE I: NAME AND AREA

The name of this organization shall be the Indiana Association of Regional Councils, hereinafter referred to as IARC. Those commissions and councils organized in conformance with state delineated regions in accordance with Article III Section 1.1 shall define the IARC service area.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE

The objectives of IARC shall be to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge that will strengthen and improve the local governments through the multi-county concept of planning for development; to stimulate, encourage and sponsor educational efforts leading to a greater understanding of the services to be rendered by the districts to all levels of government and community leaders; to study, evaluate and define the working relationships between these districts and agencies of the local, state and federal governments and with public and private organizations having an interest in community and area development activity and to expedite

inter-district coordination and cooperation.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

Membership of IARC shall consist of members from the following groups:

1. Representation from all designated economic development districts and regional commissions or councils of government established under the provisions of Indiana Statutes and consistent with the Governor’s Executive Directives.

2. Affiliate memberships shall be available to relevant local, state and federal development groups and other non-profit and for-profit agencies or entities subject to the approval of the IARC Board of Directors.

SECTION 2

Regional Commission or Council Representation shall be a follows: The Executive Director or designee of each regional commission or council shall be a member of IARC.

SECTION 3

Alternate Representation shall be as follows: Each certified representative shall have the option of naming an alternate representative to serve in his/her absence with proper credentials presented to the Secretary of IARC. An alternate shall be a representative for the same Regional Commission or Council. No alternate will have voting powers unless written authorization is recorded by the IARC Secretary/Treasurer.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP TENURE

Membership in IARC shall be on an annual basis. Members of good standing shall be current in payment of dues and special assessments.

ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Each member serving on IARC is responsible not only to act as a spokesperson for their individual regional commissions or councils, but more importantly, to promote development on a statewide basis.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1

Regular meetings of IARC shall be held at least quarterly.

Section 2

Special meetings of IARC may be called at any time by resolution of the officers, at such time and place as may be deemed necessary. All of the members of IARC shall be notified in writing of such special meetings at least forty-eight (48) hours prior. Notice of special meetings shall specify the business to be transacted.

Section 3

The date of the Annual Meeting of IARC shall be determined by the officers annually with the location to be determined and forwarded to the members with the meeting notice.

Officers and budget for the upcoming year shall be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4

A quorum at any regular or special meeting shall consist of a simple majority of the membership in good standing or their authorized designee. All members in good standing or their designee shall be entitled to all voting rights and privileges.

All actions of IARC shall be by majority vote of voting members of IARC constituting a quorum.

Section 5

Minutes shall be kept of each regular or special meeting of IARC and copies transmitted to each member with the notice

of the next meeting.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICER

Only regional commission or council representatives may serve as officers of IARC. The officers of IARC shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary/Treasurer. Officers shall be elected from the eligible members at the annual meeting of IARC. The officer of Vice-Chair is in direct line for Chair in subsequent years. Officers shall be elected each year and their term shall be for one (1) year. Election to an office shall be for no more than two (2) years with the exception of the office of Secretary/Treasurer which may be held for more than two years. Officers shall assume their respective office on the date of their election. In the case of a vacancy of any office, a special election shall be held at the next regular or special IARC meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1

The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of IARC and shall preside at all meetings of IARC. The chair shall appoint all special committees or advisory committees prescribed by IARC and shall be ex-officio member of all committees. The Chair shall have a vote upon all resolutions. The Chair shall sign all contracts and legal documents authorized by IARC. The Chair shall assume such other duties and responsibilities as are required by the office of Chair. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms as Chair.

Section 2

In the event the office of Chair should become vacant, the

Vice-Chair shall become Chair for the unexpired term. In the event of the temporary absence of the Chair or the Chair’s inability to discharge the duties of his office, such duties of the Chair shall be assumed by the Vice-Chair. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms as Vice-Chair.

Section 3

The Secretary/Treasurer shall sign the minutes of IARC meetings. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have custody of the official minute books of IARC and shall be responsible to transmit all minutes in accordance with Article VI, Section 5.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for all correspondence and notices pertaining to the meetings and recording of official actions of IARC. The Secretary/Treasurer shall sign, with the Chair or Vice-Chair when acting for the Chair, all contracts and legal documents authorized by IARC. The Secretary/Treasurer shall perform other duties and responsibilities normally associated with the office.

Section 4

The Secretary/Treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds and securities and shall deposit all monies, securities and other valuable effects in the name of IARC in such depositories as may be designated for the purpose by IARC.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible to IARC for a record of all property acquired by IARC. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep accounting records showing all financial transactions of IARC in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards and shall make a financial report at each meeting of IARC and shall permit inspection of all financial records. The Secretary/Treasurer shall disburse the funds of IARC in accordance with the adopted budget or as may be otherwise authorized by preparing proper vouchers for such disbursements. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for arranging any required audits.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall further carry out other duties and responsibilities normally associated with the office. Due to the nature of the responsibilities of the office of Secretary/Treasurer, the Secretary/Treasurer may serve consecutive terms.

ARTICLE IX: STAFF

IARC may engage such employees as it deems necessary to carry out its purposes and contractor services.

ARTICLE X: BUDGET, DUES, FISCAL YEAR

The officers of IARC shall prepare a proposed annual budget to be presented to the membership at the annual meeting.

Each member organization shall pay to the Treasurer an annual membership fee as determined by the voting membership at the annual meeting. Such fees are due and payable at the January meeting. The fiscal year of IARC shall be January 1 through December 31 of each year.

ARTICLE XI: ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Advisory Committees, at the direction of the Chair, may be established whose membership shall consist of individuals having experience, training and interest in IARC projects which qualified them to lend valuable assistance on technical and special phases of IARC programs.

ARTICLE XII: REPORTS

The Secretary/Treasurer of IARC shall prepare an annual report which shall be presented at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Amendments to these Bylaws may be presented to IARC by agreement of a majority of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting. Presentation of proposed amendments must be submitted to all regular members of IARC at least fifteen (15) days before the regular or special meeting at which time the changes are to be considered. All amendments shall require a majority roll call vote of the members of IARC in good standing .

These Bylaws are deemed Adopted and shall become effective on the 4th day of June 1997.

(Amended September 13, 2007)

(Amended October 4, 2007)