ARTICLE XII- STANDING & SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Standing Committees of the Union are Rules, Member Representation, Union Finance and Stewards.

Section 2. Rules Committee.
(a) The mission of the Rules Committee is to:
(1) Promote the consistency of rules as set forth in the Union's Constitution, Bylaws, and AP&P. The Rules Committee shall make recommendations to the Board regarding issues needing clarification of Union rules.
(2) The Rules Committee shall have the authority to approve local, and committee provisions for self-governance. The criteria for approval shall be consistency within the Union's rules (Constitution and Bylaws) and whether or not the document is effective and complete. All decisions by the Rules Committee may be appealed to the Board.
(b) The chairperson of this committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board.

Section 3. Member Representation Committee.
The committee shall make recommendations for action to the Board on matters concerning negotiation and representation of employees in the following areas:
(a) Election appeals.
(b) Recall elections.
(c) Allegations of a breach of the Union's duty of fair representation.
(d) Assist in the resolution of internal Union disputes.
(e) Contract ratification procedures.

Section 4. Union Finance Committee.
(a) The Union Finance Committee shall consist of the Secretary-Treasurer, as chairperson, the Vice President, and members as designated pursuant to Article IX, Section 1 (d).
(b) The committee:
(1) Shall develop plans for adequately financing the Union and shall, in even-numbered years, present to the Board at their meeting preceding the General Council Board of Directors' meeting, a budget of estimated receipts, expenditures, and budget balances for the ensuing fiscal year. In odd-numbered years, the same information shall be presented to the Board for approval, at their last Board meeting in the fiscal year.
(2) Shall regularly review the fiscal operation of the Union as measured against the budget, report its findings, and make recommendations to the Board.
(3) May perform such other functions regarding fiscal matters as may be directed or authorized by the Board.
(4) Shall review all proposals to be made to the Board that will result in an expense to the Union. The purpose of the review is as follows:
a. To accurately determine the cost of the proposal.
b. To determine the ability of the Union to meet the cost.
c. To judge the overall cost benefit to the Union.
d. To report to the Board their findings and recommendations.

Section 5. Stewards’ Committee.
(a) The committee shall coordinate steward activities statewide.
(b) The functions of the Stewards' Committee are:
(1) Plan and implement a biennial Stewards' Conference.
(2) Supervise publication of the quarterly newsletter.
(3) Monitor implementation and revisions of regular Basic and Advanced Steward Training. Encourage stewards to participate in training. Committee members are encouraged to teach Stewards' Training.
(4) Periodically survey all stewards and contacts to determine accuracy of steward lists, training needs, and ideas for recognition and retention of stewards.
(5) Assist Union Organizers in maintaining steward lists.
(6) Assist locals in development of constitution and bylaws language regarding steward selection and replacement.
(7) Assist locals in developing steward councils or other networks of stewards.
(c) The committee shall work with locals to recognize stewards who have actively participated in the labor movement by awarding service pins for years of service in two-year increments. Chief stewards shall receive a pin recognizing their dedication on an annual basis and stewards that serve for five (5) consecutive years shall be awarded special steward’s jackets.
(d) The committee shall conduct a random drawing of all Union Stewards in good standing whereby one name shall be selected on a quarterly basis to receive a prize of appreciation designated by the committee.

Section 7. Each Standing and Special Committee shall keep minutes of transactions at each meeting, and these minutes shall be included in the Board packets. Statewide committee members shall be designated pursuant to Article IX, Section 1 (d).

Section 8. The Councils of the Union are Local Government, Women's, Stewards, and Higher Education.

Section 9. The Board shall create Community Action Centers throughout the State for the purpose of holding community-based, cross-local meetings to undertake political action, solidarity activities, strategic brainstorming and planning, and to share issues and concerns from locals in the area.
The expenses of these Community Action Centers shall be paid out of a line item in the General Fund budget approved each year.

Section 10. The chairperson or a designated representative from Standing or Special Committees or Councils may present motions to the Board.

Section 11. The Board of Directors may designate Ad Hoc Committees. The President, with the approval of the Board, shall appoint the members of each such committee from the general membership of the Union and designate the chairperson thereof, and may drop inactive or absent members from such committees and fill vacancies, subject to subsequent ratification by the Board. Such committees may be dissolved by action of the Board of Directors.