Bingham Township

Parks and Recreation Committee Bylaws

Amended 01/15/2024.

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Bingham Township Parks and Recreation Committee is to assist the Township Board by proposing park and recreation needs and programs for the residents of the Township.

Section 2. Specific Committee Responsibilities:

  1. Work with Township Board regarding potential development, redevelopment, or expansion of both existing or new recreational programs and facilities by planning for short term and long-term parks and recreational needs.
  2. Assist with establishing policies, rules, and regulations with which parks and recreational programs may operate.
  3. Work with the Township Board in the development and completion of the “Bingham Township 5-Year Plan”.
  4. Volunteer to provide direct physical assistance with projects, maintenance, repairs, and construction of facilities and grounds in all Township Parks as deemed practical by the Committee and Township Board.  Where not practical, help with determining a best plan for getting work completed by outside help (contractor).
  5. Conduct community surveys and host public hearings whenever required or appropriate to assist in setting priorities, with grant writing, and recommending plans for expanding park programs and facilities.
  6. Committee investigates opportunities for identifying funding alternatives and other resources for the operation, expansion, or maintenance of parks and programs.
  7. Develop an annual budget to propose to the Township Board no later than March 1 of each year.
  8. Assess and report to the Township Supervisor any safety and security issues at all parks and recreation facilities.
  9. Report to the Township Supervisor all complaints, disputes, or other grievances from the public arising out of the parks and recreation activities.
  10. Serve as township advocates for current township parks and recreation programs, while encouraging usage and support.
  11. Review and evaluate the Bylaws annually or as needed and make any recommended changes to the Township Board.
  12. Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested by the Township Supervisor and/or Township Board.
  13. Committee proposals are presented to the Township Board on a monthly basis through the appointed representative from the Township Board.  It is then up to the Committee to then implement the proposals approved by the Board.

Section 3. Membership

  1. The Committee is composed of up to eleven (11) residents of the Township, approved by the Township Board.  The Committee will also have one appointed representative from the Township Board.
  2. Each Board appointed committee member serves at the pleasure of the Township Board for a period of one (1) or two (2) years.  Members may be reappointed for additional terms by the Township Board.
  3. No individual committee member may act in an official capacity except through the approval of the Township Board or Supervisor.
  4. Any committee member who is absent for three (3) meetings during the calendar year may be removed by the Township Board from the committee unless the absence is due to personal illness, personal injury, or a family emergency.

Section 4. Officers and Duties

  1. Annually at the December meeting, the Committee will elect from its membership a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary.  If during the year a position is vacated, a new person will be elected.
  2. Chairperson: Presides over all meetings and appoints committee members to sub-committees as necessary and may schedule Special Meetings whenever necessary.  The Chairperson sets the final agenda for all meetings after getting input from committee members and then forwarding that agenda to the Secretary to send out to all members.
  3. Vice-Chairperson: Shall act in the absence of the Chairperson.
  4. Secretary: Shall act in the absence of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.  Will send approved agenda to all Committee members and the Township Clerk for posting prior to the meeting.  Will record Minutes of each committee meeting and forward a draft copy to the committee members and Township Supervisor no later than eight (8) days following the meeting, pursuant to the Open Meetings Act.  The Secretary is responsible for keeping all attendance records of committee members as noted in the Minutes.  The Secretary, in the minutes, will highlight any significant issues and proposals for consideration by the Township Board.  The Secretary will post all relevant information to the P&R Website, once approved by the P&R Committee Chairperson, Township Board, or Township Supervisor.
  5. Board Representative: Shall act as the liaison between the Committee and the Township Board, communicating both the Board’s and the Committee’s wishes as required.

Section 5. Meetings

  1. The regular meetings of the Parks and Recreation Committee will be held according to the committee’s established and approved yearly schedule.  The meetings will be held the second Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted.  Following final approval by the committee of their Meeting Schedule, it will be published and posted under requirements set forth within the Open Meetings Act.
  2. All meetings will require a quorum of eligible voting members in attendance in order to conduct business and make decisions.  Meetings held with less than a quorum will be discussion sessions only where no votes will be taken.
  3. Meetings will be conducted under generally accepted Parliamentary rules as described in Robert Rules of Order.

Section 6. Compensation

  1. Appointed members of the committee, except for the Board representative, serve without compensation.  If a committee member attends a Township Board approved meeting/conference, they will be reimbursed for approved expenses only.