SCCYPAA
(Santa Clara County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous)
By-Laws
Revised June 2, 2007
I. Mission Statement
Santa Clara County Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (SCCYPAA) has but one primary purpose – to carry its
message to the alcoholic that still suffers. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, we want the hand of
Alcoholics Anonymous always to be there; and for that: we are responsible.
SCCYPAA provides visible evidence that large numbers of young people are achieving a lasting and comfortable
sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. The three legacies of AA -- Recovery, Unity, and Service -- are the backbone of
SCCYPAA, just as they are throughout AA. We unify young people in the Santa Clara area by practicing the principles
of A.A through meetings, events, and outreach.
Newcomers are shown by people their own age, that using AA principles in their daily lives and getting involved in AA
service can have a significant impact on a lasting and comfortable sobriety. As the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous
states, “We are not a glum lot. We absolutely insist on enjoying life”, SCCYPAA shows young people that this is the
case.
II. MEMBERSHIP AND STRUCTURE OF COMMITTEE
A. Only admitted alcoholics may be members of SCCYPAA and all alcoholics are eligible for membership.
B. All elected officers shall serve one full committee term (see Appendix for definition of “committee term”).
C. Failure to attend two consecutive SCCYPAA business meetings, without prior notice to the Chair, Co- Chair, or
Secretary is considered a resignation of committee position.
D. Any break in continuous sobriety is considered a resignation of committee position.
E. The Events Committee Chair and Outreach Committee Chair shall be responsible for forming their own sub-
committees, hold their own meetings and report to SCCYPAA monthly business meetings.
III. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The committee shall elect from its membership the following officers:
1. Chair:
SCCYPAA chair will arrange for and announce the agenda of all SCCYPAA business meetings. Will open and maintain
SCCYPAA business meetings in a reasonable fashion, will conduct all business in accordance to the SCCYPAA
Bylaws. Will affix his or her name to all committee functions, be one of three signatures on all bank accounts. Have at
least five years of continuous sobriety.
2. Co-Chair:
In absence of the Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Chair. Shall carry out various duties assigned by the Chair,
Be one of three signatures on all bank accounts. Have at least three years of continuous sobriety.
3. Treasurer:
Keep accurate financial records of all SCCYPAA transactions. Is responsible for keeping track of 7th tradition money
and keeping it separate at least in the books from SCCYPAA money in order to donate to AA service bodies every six
months. Submit a financial statement at each SCCYPAA business meeting. Have in his or her possession at the
SCCYPAA meetings: all bank statements, deposits and checkbooks, in order to be prepared to make deposits and
disbursements. Maintain all accounts, which are subject to inspection at any time. Be one of three signatures on all
bank accounts. Have at least six months of continuous sobriety.
4. Co-Treasurer:
In the absence of the Treasurer, shall accept the full duties of the treasurer, shall carry out various duties assigned by
the treasurer, except for being a signer on bank accounts. Have at least two years of continuous sobriety.
5. Secretary:
Keep minutes of all SCCYPAA meetings. Furnish information from our records to anyone who requests it. Answer all
correspondence promptly and to the will of the majority of the SCCYPAA members. Furnish minutes to the SCCYPAA
members. Keeps complete list of contact information of all SCCYPAA members. Is responsible for managing SCCYPAA
Google Group. Have at least six months of continuous sobriety. (See item VI, section B for further responsibilities.)
6. Co-Secretary:
In the absence of the secretary, shall accept the full duties of the secretary and shall carry out various duties assigned
by the secretary. Have ninety days of continuous sobriety.
7. Events Committee Chair:
Conducts events planning meetings, is responsible to find locations and arrange events deemed appropriate by the
SCCYPAA committee, and provides speakers for AA meetings at our events, Create an Events Sub-Committee to
conduct such efforts. Have at least two years of continuous sobriety.
8. Co-Events Committee Chair:
In the absence of the Events Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Events Chair and carry out various duties
assigned by the Events Chair. Conduct A.A. meetings at our events. This may include finding readers, greeters and
7th tradition collection helpers. Keeps meeting format binder and ensures that meetings are conducted in a timely
manner. There is no sobriety requirement for this position.
9. Hospitality Chair:
Is responsible for maintaining supplies related to our events: i.e.: all dining supplies, cleaning supplies, refreshments
and decoration supplies. Maintains inventory of such supplies at all times and records drink sales for each event. Have
at least ninety days of continuous sobriety.
10. Co-Hospitality Chair:
In the absence of the Hospitality Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Hospitality Chair and carry out various duties
assigned by the Hospitality Chair. There is no sobriety requirement for this position.
11. Outreach Committee Chair:
Shall have the responsibility to outreach all SCCYPAA functions within the Twelve Traditions of AA, Create an
Outreach Sub-Committee to conduct such outreach efforts. (For example; north & south county sub-committees to
reach out to various Young People’s meetings in Santa Clara County, as well as Outreach efforts in our region. Have
at least six months of continuous sobriety.
12. Co-Outreach Committee Chair:
In the absence of the Outreach Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Outreach Chair and shall carry out various
duties assigned by the Outreach Chair. Have at least ninety days of continuous sobriety.
13. Bid Package Chair:
Shall locate, arrange, and contract with at least two local hotels in which SCCYPAA will be bidding for ACYPAA,
ICYPAA or WACYPAA that particular term. Be responsible for the completion of the Bid Package to the will of
SCCYPAA. Have at least eighteen months of continuous sobriety.
14. Co-Bid Package Chair:
Will assist Bid Package Chair in all duties, which are deemed necessary to ensure Bid Package is complete, Shall
carry out various duties assigned by the Bid Package Chair. Have at least six months of continuous sobriety.
15. GSR Liaison South County:
Shall be the liaison between SCCYPAA and the general service district 40 (south county), attend the GSR monthly
meeting to announce our events and report to SCCYPAA business meeting. There is no sobriety requirement for this
position.
16. GSR Liaison North County:
Shall be the liaison between SCCYPAA and the general service district 04 (north county), attend the GSR monthly
meeting to announce our events and report to SCCYPAA business meeting. There is no sobriety requirement for this
position.
17. Intergroup Liaison:
Shall be the liaison between SCCYPAA and local Intergroup/Central Office, attend the monthly Intergroup meeting,
and report to SCCYPAA. Have at least one year of sobriety.
18. Co-Intergroup Liaison:
Shall carry out various duties assigned by the Intergroup Liaison. There is no sobriety requirement for this position.
19. Graphics Chair:
Shall design and produce all printed SCCYPAA material requiring graphics. (Flyers, business cards, etc.) Have at least
one year of continuous sobriety.
20. Co-Graphics Chair:
In the absence of the Graphics Chair, shall accept the full duties of the Graphics Chair and shall carry out various
duties assigned by the Graphics Chair. Have at least sixty days of continuous sobriety.
21. H & I Chair:
Shall be the liaison between SCCYPAA and H & I, attend monthly H & I meetings and report to SCCYPAA. Have at
least six months of sobriety.
22. Co-H&I Chair:
In the absence of the H&I Chair, shall accept the full duties of the H&I Chair and shall carry out various duties assigned
by the H&I Chair. There is no sobriety requirement for this position.
23. Prayer Chair:
To remind us of the spiritual element of our service work. Have at least thirty days of continuous sobriety.
24. Bylaws Chair:
To maintain committee by-laws and is responsible for enforcing and maintaining these rules of procedure. Have at
least six months of sobriety.
25. Web Master:
Maintains SCCYPAA Website and posts latest events’ flyers. Delegates online inquiries to appropriate committee
members via email. Have at least two years of continuous sobriety.
26. Committee Members at Large:
These are committee members of SCCYPAA, but do not have an elected specified commitment.
IV. ELECTIONS
A. In the spirit of rotation, no officer shall serve more than one full term in the same position. (see Appendix for
definition of “committee term.”)
B. SCCYPAA elections shall be conducted using the election guidelines found in the AA Service Manual.
V. PROCEDURES
A. SCCYPAA shall follow the 12 Traditions and the 12 Concepts for World Service.
B. All SCCYPAA financial transactions shall be made through its bank accounts.
C. SCCYPAA shall maintain a post office box for all correspondence. The treasurer shall make sure that all the rents
are paid on the post office box. All correspondence shall be collected by the secretary.
D. The post office box, bank accounts and SCCYPAA material should not be used for anything other than SCCYPAA
business.
E. Any amendments, deletions, or additions to the By-Laws shall be made in a 3-step process:
1) The change shall be submitted in writing and copies distributed.
2) The change will be discussed and evaluated.
3) The change will be voted on and must pass by a 2/3 majority of the voting body.
F. Two committee members at every event must count & sign off on the monies collected before handing it over to the
treasurer.
VI. MEETING PROCEDURES
A. The Agenda
Regularly Scheduled Business Meetings:
a) Agendas are to follow this order:
1. Meeting Opening/Attendance
2. Approval of Minutes
3. 7th Tradition
4. Committee Reports
5. Old Business
6. New Business
7. Announcements from the floor
8. Closing Prayer.
b)Open positions are to be recognized and filled after “Old Business.”
B. Minutes
1) Secretary is to prepare the previous meeting minutes, noting old business, motions, actions and other important
items.
2) Copies of Minutes are to be posted on SCCYPAA’s Google Group and forwarded to SCCYPAA Webmaster to post
on our Website for all SCCYPAA members to read at least one week prior to the next business or events meetings
for each member to read. Provide some hard copies of the Minutes at the meetings so they may be handed out to
any AA member in attendance who requests them.
3) The minutes are to be read, corrected as needed, and approved at the beginning of each business meeting.
4) It is the responsibility of the Chair to conduct the meeting in such a manner as to allow the Secretary to make the
most accurate notes possible. The group will honor all requests for clarification from the Secretary.
5) Will be in cooperation with SCCYPAA Chair, Events Chair and Webmaster to post the agenda for each meeting on
the Website, and bring a hard copy of the agenda to each business meeting for approval.
C. Reports
1) All committee chairs shall give a report at every regularly scheduled business meeting.
2) All reports shall be provided in writing to the secretary by the end of every regularly scheduled business meeting.
D. Motions
1) Motions must be seconded, discussed, and voted upon. Automatically following vote, minority opinion is voiced. If
one of the majority wishes to reconsider, a second vote must be taken.
2) Motions may be withdrawn or amended by the member making the motion anytime prior to the vote, provided the
member who seconded agrees.
3) In discussion of the motions, the member making the motion has the right to speak first and last on that motion. The
Chair will always ask for further discussion before giving the floor to the member who made the motion to speak last.
4) If a second vote needs to be taken due to minority opinion, minority rights no longer apply.
5) If any vote does not show substantial unanimity, the chair has the right to entertain tabling the motion. If the motion
is tabled it will be the priority in “Old Business” at the next regularly scheduled business meeting.
E. Rules of Discussion
1) Listening
a) Questions shall only be asked at the conclusion of any speaker’s remarks.
b) The only member who may interrupt a speaker is the Chair. The Chair may only interrupt a speaker for these
reasons:
1. Speaking off the topic.
2. Speaking too long.
3. Repeating the previous points at lengths.
c) Any member may make procedural motions at any appropriate break in discussion.
2) Talking
a) Discussion will begin by the chair asking, “Is there any discussion?” The Chair will then call on members or guests
having their hands raised. The Co-Chair or Chair will keep a list of all the people that raised their hands.
b) At the conclusion of discussion, the Chair will ask the Secretary to repeat the motion on the table and a vote will be
taken.
F. Voting
1) Each SCCYPAA member has one vote. The Chair of SCCYPAA can only vote to break ties. The Chair may not
make motions. All officers must vote. Abstention voting is permitted.
2) All decisions must be reached by a discussion with an informed group conscience and possible substantial
unanimity. However, votes will only be accepted from the members of SCCYPAA.
3) If the majority of the vote is substantially made up of committee members at large, then the motion will be
tabled until the next regularly scheduled business meeting.
VII. APPENDIX
1. In the event of a unique condition not covered here, the Chair or any other member may suggest a method of
proceeding, which shall be temporarily adopted (for the meeting only) upon acceptance by a majority of the
members present.
2. The Chair of a meeting is responsible for observing, enforcing and maintaining these rules of procedure. Should a
participant persist on holding the floor without adhering to the requirements of these procedures or should a
participant persist in interrupting or otherwise disrupt the meeting, the Chair has a right to say, “Will you please
come to order.” If the discussion continues, the Chair should declare the meeting adjourned.
3. The 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and the 12 Concepts of World Service precede all procedures covered here. It is not
the intention of SCCYPAA to violate any of the AA spiritual principles.
4. Every SCCYPAA “Committee Term” is one year from the beginning of June through the end of the following May,
with the exception of Webmaster, which is five years.