Central Florida Information

Technology Society
CFITS
 Agenda:
– Introduce the Mission Statement and Focus of
the Society
– Review Society By-Laws Structure
– Discuss the short term and future goals of the
society
– Introduce society website and discuss current
and future website features
– Confirm date for the first board meeting
– Confirm society member dates for 2007
 Mission Statement &
Focus of the Society
CFITS Mission Statement

The mission of CFITS is to share, educate

and develop sound practices for managing
risk, budget, and data security to achieve
business and operational success.

Our focus is on the aspects of information

technology that all companies encounter
and that are not industry dependent.
 By-Laws of the Society
Article I – Name
– The name of the organization is the Central Florida Information
Technology Society (CFITS).
Article II – Purpose
– The purpose of the society is to assist in the promotion and
development of Information Technology professionals through
education, networking and support.
Article III – Membership
– The membership shall consist of IT/MIS professionals and
management of Central Florida businesses. For voting
purposes, there will be one vote per business.
Article IV – Officers
– President
– 1st Vice President
– 2nd Vice President
– Secretary
– Treasurer
– Programs Chairman
 By-Laws of the Society
Officer Obligations
President:
 Preside at all meetings of the society.
 Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
 Appoint all standing and special committee
chairpersons.
 Represent the organization as required.
 Appoint an interim officer to fill an un-expired
term of office that may become vacant prior
to regular elections.
1st Vice President:
 Perform the duties of the President in his/her
absence or disability.
 Perform all duties assigned to him/her by the
President.
 Chair the Hospitality committee.
2nd Vice President:
 Chair Membership Committee
 Co-Chair Programs Committee
 Perform all duties assigned to him/her by the
President.
 Secretary:
 Prepare minutes of all Board and General
Meetings.
 Assign a temporary secretary to take and
prepare minutes in his/her absence.
 Prepare and process correspondence as
required by the society.
 Assist in Public Affairs and publications of the
society membership and any other necessary
society communications.
 Treasurer:
 Create an annual society budget in
coordination with the goals of the society.
 Track financial results to the annual budget.
 Maintain all banking operations for the
society
 Prepare financial reports for Board and
General Meetings.
 Programs Chairman:
 Design, organize and coordinate the four
quarterly meeting programs as outlined
annually by the Board.
 Organize and coordinate with all special
speakers for society events.
 Facilitate breakout sessions at quarterly
meetings.
 If at any time it is determined that a Board
Member is not performing his/her duties as
stated in the By-Laws, a majority vote of the
CFITS Society Board will remove them from
office.
 By-Laws of the Society
Article V – Amendments
 Society By-Laws can only be amended by the
approval of the Board and 2/3 vote of society
membership. A proposed amendment or
change must be submitted in writing to the
CFITS President for review by the Board at
the next scheduled Board meeting. With
Board concurrence, the proposed change will
be submitted electronically to the
membership for vote within 30 days.
 The amendment or change will become
effective upon approval.
Article VI – Committees
 Standing and special committees will be
created as needed by the society board. The
President will define specific responsibilities
of these committees upon creation.
 Nominating Committee:
 Each August, a Nominating committee will
call for annual nominations from the general
membership for the purpose of creating a
slate of officer candidates to serve on the
Board for the next calendar year.
 Nominations for President require a nominee
having previously served in some capacity of
the CFITS Board.
 Effective 2008, only one member per
company can serve in a Board position per
year.
 During the first two weeks of September,
Committee members will contact nominated
candidates and provide detail concerning the
responsibilities of the position. When the
candidate has accepted the nomination, they
will provide a brief biography for ballot
posting.
 Board elections will occur via electronic
voting during last two weeks in September.
 The 2nd Vice-President will tally all votes and
report the results at the end of the November
general membership meeting.
 Induction of the new Officers will take place
at the end of the November General meeting.
 The newly elected Board members will attend
the final Board meeting of the existing Board
in December to ensure a smooth positional
transition.
 Hospitality Committee:
 Plan and host refreshments at CFITS events
as requested by the 1st Vice President.
 Communicate with the 2nd Vice President in
conjunction with society events.
 Contact members to assist.
 Clean up following meetings and events.
 Membership Committee:
 Organize and market society membership
through various media sources.
 Committee members are listed on the
Society website for direct email
communication with potential members.
 As required, be available to speak at local
 By-Laws of the Society
Article VII – Meetings
 General Membership:
 General Membership meetings will be held on the second Thursday of
February, May, August and November.
 Society Board:
– Board planning meetings will be held on the second Thursday of January April,
July and October.
 Special Meetings:
– The President, as required, may call special meetings of the General membership
or Society Board.
Article VIII – Membership
 Membership Criteria:
– Membership is open to all MIS, IT and management professionals in the Central
Florida area.
 Dues:
– Dues are $75 per person per year.
– Annual dues are paid not later than December 31st for the up coming year.
– New member dues must be paid within 30 days of joining the society.
– All dues are sent to the Society Treasurer as posted on the CFITS website.
– Members with unpaid dues will lose access to the website and attendance at
society events until paid past amounts due have been paid.
 Short Term and Future
Goals
 Short Term Goals:
– Establish an effective marketing strategy for
membership
 Orlando Business Journal & other media publications
 Business Buddies \ Word of mouth
 Register with surrounding University and Colleges with
Computer programs
– Establish an effective marketing strategy for business
partners

 Future Goals
– Professional Development for members
– Enhancing Business Efficiency
– Continuing Education and Training
 CFITS.org Website
 Current Features
– Introduction to Society
– About
 Mission
 Society Focus
– Bulletin Board
 Easy member collaboration
 Hardware and software topics
 Society Events Calendar
 Future Features
– Outside vendor event registration links
– Technology Blogs for members
 Board Meeting Dates
2007
 Meeting Dates:
– 2nd Thursdays Quarterly
 January 11th 2007
 April 12th 2007
 July 12th 2007
 October 11th 2007
 Member Meeting Dates
2007
 Meeting Dates:
– 2nd Thursdays Quarterly
 February 8th 2007
 May 10th 2007
 August 9th 2007
 November 8th 2007
Open Discussion