Tame: Texas Alliance For Minorities in Engineering

For the Academic Year:

TAME, Inc. is: Board of Directors, Active Alliances, Central Office Staff

As an alliance of TAME, you become affiliated with a recognized and respected statewide pre-college program with unparalleled longevity (30 years old in 2006). TAME inspires other organizations to follow in its footsteps, confirming the fact that our mission is one that remains important. We have a history of successful programs and we maintain a presence in more than 15 urban and rural communities. You will join the ranks of those who have served as sources of encouragement and inspiration for tens of thousands of students over the years, many of whom have entered careers and come back to work as volunteers, positively affecting future generations of scientists, engineers and technicians.

I. DUTIES OF TAME CENTRAL OFFICE

oversight and protection of tax exempt status
organizational administration
State-sponsored event coordination
communications hub
provide training for procedural compliance
update and maintain web presence with links to local alliances
fundraise to ensure organizational sustainability
coordinate board member meetings
provide news and opportunities to members and students
quality assurance & oversight of TAME events & programs

II. Requirements of all active TAME alliances:

The importance for Local Alliance compliance is a vital part of TAME being able to maintain its 501 (c) 3 Tax Exempt status, provide data that supports the Vision and Mission of TAME, and provide data for required audits and donor reporting.

All alliances must follow all policies and procedures set forth by the TAME Board of Directors and the TAME Handbook and the following:

Submit completed certification paperwork before August 30th of the current academic year to re-certify your alliance
Submit year-end reporting paperwork before August 30th for activities conducted during the most recently completed academic year
Participate in Alliance Certification Conference Call to be held annually in July
Attend the Fall Conference/Leadership Workshop
Alliance Chair must serve as Alliance Board Representative and participate in all Board related activities and meetings (someone other than the Alliance Chair can be appointed to this position by the alliance if noted on Personnel form). Alliance Board Representative is not obligated to satisfy board member fiscal requirements however participation in these areas is encouraged.
Participate in at least two of following current state sponsored programs:
- Poster Contest (elementary)+
- Essay Poster Contest (middle)+
- T-Shirt Design Contest (high school)+
- Math/Science Contest
- Trailblazer event (usage fees required)
- Statewide Scholarship Program (if offered)
+ New! Beginning in 2005-2006: For each of these 3 contests that a student from your alliance wins first place, your alliance will win a cash award of $150 to help you fund your local programs or activities!
Submit quarterly news and updates about your alliance activity for inclusion in TAME newsletter, including pictures when available
All printed alliance communication must include the words "an alliance of TAME, Inc." directly under the name and/or logo of your local alliance
Any RFP submitted by an alliance for services rendered by an individual must include a completed W-9 (available on the TAME website under "forms")
All donations must be made out to the 501(c)(3) organization, TAME, Inc., in order for them to be tax deductible. It is the local alliances’ responsibility to solicit funds with this understanding and make donors aware that contributions are made to TAME, Inc, but will be used for the purpose for which the funds were solicited. All funds must be submitted to the Central office for deposit into the TAME account. Central office deposits funds using Deposit Direction submitted by alliance treasurer and disperses funds (makes payments) using Request for Payments submitted by alliance treasurer. (Petty cash accounts are allowed so long as they comply with the Petty Cash Policy set forth by the TAME Board of Directors and documented in the TAME Handbook.)

Compliance with the above is mandatory per

TAME Standard Business Practice & Compliance Policy

Alliances who fail to comply with the stated requirements:

cannot hold events and/or utilize TAME’s 501c3 status
cannot solicit funds under the name TAME, Inc.
are not covered under our insurance policy
are not allowed to participate in any State Sponsored events
are not permitted access to their state held funds or use of their petty cash funds

III. Benefits to active alliances:

501(c) 3 tax exempt status
Reduced fee for use of Trailblazer for annual local events
Insurance coverage for up to 3 local events, up to 250 participants (currently under review)
Eligibility to invite area participation in Statewide Poster Contest, Essay/Poster Contest, T-Shirt Design Contest, and Statewide scholarship program if available
Cost-free participation in annual math/science event **
learning and networking opportunities
leadership, teamwork, mentoring and problem-solving experiences
"Each One Reach One" program - a partnership with an assigned alliance to help achieve individual goals by collaborating and sharing efforts and ideas
Board representation giving your alliance and your community a voice

** Covered expenses detailed under "Math/Science Event participation guidelines" in the TAME Handbook.

For the upcoming school year:

We will offer ______ number of programs/events to our target students.

We will serve ________ number of students (an increase of _____ % over last year)

We will bring in ______ number of new volunteers (an increase of ____ % over last year)

V. signatures from alliance chair

On behalf of the Alliance, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to comply with the Requirements for all active Tame Alliances listed above and all policies and procedures set forth by the TAME Board of Directors and the TAME Handbook. I further acknowledge that if the Alliance fails to comply with the foregoing Requirements for all active Tame Alliances listed or any policy or procedure set forth by the TAME Board of Directors and/or the TAME Handbook, the Alliance may be terminated pursuant to the compliance policy set forth by the TAME Board of Directors, the terms of which are included in the TAME Handbook.

________________________________________

Alliance Chair/Date

VI. confirmation from central office

This Agreement will be signed and returned to your alliance chair once your certification is complete. THE EXECUTED COPY YOU RECEIVE SERVES AS VERIFICATION OF YOUR CERTIFIED STATUS.

This acknowledges that on ___________________________, 20______,

_______________________________ Alliance has agreed to meet all of the requirements set forth by Section II, Requirements of all Active Alliances, of the Alliance

Agreement and _______________________________ Alliance is therefore in good

standing with the TAME, Inc. Central Office for the _________________ academic year beginning September 1st and ending on August 31st. This further acknowledges that the

_______________________________ Alliance has represented that it is aware that the failure to comply with Section II (the Requirements for all active Tame Alliances) of the Alliance Agreement and all policies and procedures set forth by the TAME Board of Directors and the TAME Handbook may result in suspension and/or termination of the Alliance.

______________________________________________

TAME, Inc. Executive Director/Date