Granite State News Collaborative Bylaws


Table of Contents

Article I: Name  ...................................................................................3

Article II: Mission  ...............................................................................3

Article III: Objectives  ..........................................................................3

Article IV: Memberships  .....................................................................4

     Membership Tiers

        - Full Members

          Description

          Requirements

          Rights

        - Community Partners

          Description

          Requirements

          Rights

 Adding Members...............................................................................5

 Removing Members..........................................................................5

Article V: Organizational Structure**..................................................5

    - Board of Directors

    - Executive Committee

    - Editorial Board

    - Executive Director

Article VI: Amendments………………………………………………….5


Article I: Name

This organization will be called The Granite State News Collaborative.



Article II: Mission

The Granite State News Collaborative is a statewide multimedia news collaborative that draws on and amplifies the strengths of its members to expand and add missing dimensions to coverage of issues of concern to the NH public as a whole, as well as to particular communities. Through coordinated reporting and engagement activities, the Collaborative will pursue inclusive and responsive coverage that builds public trust and holds government accountable to its citizens.



Article III: Objectives

The objectives of The Granite State News Collaborative are:

- Be a resource to our partners and the public

- Fill in the gaps

- Educate, train and connect the next generation of journalists to ensure a robust journalism ecosystem.






Article IV: Memberships


Section 1: Membership Tiers  


A) Full Partners  


Description

Full Partnership in the Collaborative is open to all New Hampshire news-gathering organizations that regularly produce original news and editorial content. This includes, but is not limited to, newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, wire services, websites and blogs.


Requirements  

Must sign the Collaborative’s memorandum of understanding.


Rights 

Full Partners are entitled to publish content produced by other Collaborative members relative to pre-approved topics and conditions.


B) Community Partners:


Description  

Community membership in the Collaborative is open to all New Hampshire news-gathering organizations that regularly produce original news and editorial content that have not signed the Memorandum of Understanding but would like to work together with one or more Full Partners on a short- or long-term project, initiative or event with the aim of furthering the mission of the Collaborative.


Requirements  

Newsgathering Community Partners:

Must sign a limited-use memorandum of understanding specific to the shared project in which they are participating.


Rights 

Community partners are entitled to publish project-specific content produced by other Collaborative members as defined by the limited MOU.





Section 2: Adding members 

All applications for membership will be reviewed by the Collaborative’s Executive Committee within 60 days of receipt and their recommendation sent to Board of Directors for approval.


Section 3: Removing members

Any member of the Board of Directors can petition to have a membership revoked.  The Executive Director will review the petition and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors.


Article V: Organizational Structure  

Section 1 - Board of Directors 

The affairs of the Collaborative shall be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors. The Board shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and at least three but not more than seven other directors who shall be elected by vote of a majority of the Members at the Annual Meeting.

Each Full Member news organization is entitled to nominate a representative to the Board of Directors.


Section 2 - Executive Committee

The Executive Committee’s voting members are the Collaborative’s Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and the immediate past chair.

The Executive Committee shall meet regularly to address urgent or operational matters between Board of Directors meetings. The frequency and dates of these meetings will be determined by the Chair in consultation with the Executive Committee.


Section 3 - Committees 

Editorial Committee.  The Editorial Committee consists of all full partner organizations and news-producing community partners who want to help guide GSNC news coverage, share content, and work on projects jointly.  The Editorial Committee will oversee day-to-day journalism operations, reporting to the Governance Board to ensure alignment with the Collaborative’s mission and goals.


Finance Committee.  The Finance Committee shall be appointed by the Chair of the Board and consist of at least three members, including the Treasurer, who shall serve as Chair of the Finance Committee. The Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial health and integrity of the Collaborative, including:

  • Developing and recommending the annual budget for approval by the Governance Board.

  • Monitoring financial performance against the budget.

  • Ensuring proper financial controls and compliance with applicable regulations.

  • Reviewing and approving significant financial policies and transactions as necessary.
    The Finance Committee shall report regularly to the Board of Directors.



Governance Committee.  The Governance Committee shall be appointed by the Chair of the Board and consist of at least three members. The Committee is responsible for ensuring that the Collaborative maintains effective governance practices, including:

  • Reviewing and recommending updates to the bylaws, policies, and governing documents to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

  • Overseeing the recruitment, orientation, and evaluation of Board members.

  • Recommending best practices for governance and board operations.

  • Ensuring adherence to the Collaborative’s mission and strategic objectives.
    The Governance Committee shall report regularly to the Board of Directors.

Other Committees.  The Chairman of the Board shall have the authority to appoint other standing or ad hoc committees as deemed necessary to carry out the functions and responsibilities of the Collaborative and to address specific needs or initiatives, with membership, objectives, and reporting requirements defined at the time of appointment.




Section 4 - Executive Director  

The Executive Director shall be hired by the Executive Committee in consultation with the Board of Directors to run the day-to-day operations of the Collaborative.

The Executive Committee shall review the Executive Director’s performance annually before the end of the fiscal year and review compensation, recommending any changes and adjustments to the Board of Directors.


Section 5 - Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting of the Members (the “Annual Meeting”) shall be held every year within the State of New Hampshire on or before June 30, at the place, date, and time determined by the Chair.

The Annual Meeting shall include the following:

  • Presentation of the annual report of the Chair.

  • Presentation of the annual report of the Treasurer.

  • Election of Board of Directors and Officers.

  • Conduct other business as may be prescribed by law, by the Articles of Agreement, by these By-Laws, or as may be specified by the Governance Board or the President.

Notice of the Annual Meeting must be emailed to all Members at least 30 days in advance.



Article VI: Amendments

These articles may be amended at the Annual Meeting as recommended by the Board of Directors.