Diocese of Phoenix Affiliate
Of the
ARIZONA ALLIANCE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITIES

Operating procedures

ARTICLE I. IDENTITY AND MISSION

Section 1. Name.

This organization shall be known as the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Affiliate (PHX Alliance) the statewide Arizona Alliance of Catholic School Communities.

Section 2. Purpose.

The purpose of this organization is to "advise and assist in organizing local Catholic school communities throughout the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix to address major public policy issues affecting Catholic school children, their families, and teachers." Toward that end, the PHX Alliance networks, educates, then mobilizes Catholic school communities to enhance advocacy efforts in congressional and state legislative districts.

Section 3. Authorization.

The PHX Alliance operates under the authority of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and must adhere to all diocesan policies, standards and administrative operations. Under the supervision of the Bishop, Superintendent of Catholic Schools – through the Diocesan School Board – is responsible for approving and facilitating the operating procedures and conduct of the PHX Alliance.

Section 4. Nonprofit Status.

As an organization of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, the PHX Alliance must comply with all requirements applicable to organizations exempt from federal income taxes under section 501

(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. These include an absolute prohibition in political campaigns on behalf of, or against, any candidate for elective office.

ARTICLE II. ACTIVITIES

Section 1. Consultation and Service.

A. The PHX Alliance advises the Bishop and Superintendent of Catholic Schools on public policy issues affecting Catholic schools and their families.

B. The PHX Alliance provides counsel to, and networks together, individual Catholic school communities when addressing common local issues of public policy.

C. The PHX Alliance assists the Bishop and Superintendent of Catholic Schools in conducting issue campaigns diocesan-wide to ensure timely and coordinated advocacy of federal and state public policy agendas supportive of quality Catholic school education.

D. The PHX Alliance advises and assists the Bishop and Superintendent of Catholic Schools in maximizing Catholic school participation in programs of federal assistance.

Section 2. Limited Jurisdiction.

A. The PHX Alliance cannot act apart from the Bishop and/or Superintendent of Catholic Schools and cannot make decisions and/or position statements binding on the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix without the approval of the Bishop/Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

B. The PHX Alliance’s activities are centered exclusively on issues of public policy and do not involve the academic curriculum, operational or personnel matters of individual diocesan Catholic schools.

ARTICLE III. RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER GROUPS

Section 1. Diocese of Phoenix.

The Diocese of Phoenix engages in the faith formation of the young through Catholic schools by integrating faith throughout an educational process that promotes academic excellence, moral values and lifelong service. In support of this mission, the PHX Alliance collaborates with the Diocese to organize and facilitate a community-based advocacy effort, networked through its Catholic preschool, elementary and secondary schools, to effectively influence state public policy and federal public policy on educational matters.

Section 2. Arizona Alliance of Catholic School Communities. (AZ Alliance)

Under the guidance of the Arizona Catholic Conference, the AZ Alliance serves as a unified body supporting quality Catholic school education and addressing statewide mutual public policy interests of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Phoenix. The PHX Alliance works through the AZ Alliance to identify state/federal public policy issues, to develop advocacy strategies, and to activate local Catholic school advocacy networks.

Section 3. United States Catholic Conference. (USCC)

The USCC is the public policy agency of the bishops of the United States of America, which carries forward the Church’s work in society. The PHX Alliance is an a member of the USCC National Coalition of Catholic School Parent Associations, which advocates federal public policies supportive of quality Catholic school education through a united, nationwide, grassroots effort of diocesan/statewide Catholic school advocacy organizations.

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Composition and Operation.

The PHX Alliance consists of all elementary and secondary school communities (families, faculties, friends and supporters) engaged in the ministry of Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Phoenix. The PHX Alliance operates with the informed and active participation of its community advocacy networks and the guidance of the Diocesan School Board.

Section 2. Arizona Catholic School Advocacy Networks. (AZ-CANs)

A. Responsibilities.

AZ-CANs are small groups of two or more people within each Catholic school who implement the use of local strategic advocacy tactics in response to action alerts from the Diocesan School Board. Each AZ-CAN has three primary responsibilities:

NETWORK: Through each AZ-CAN, individual Catholic school communities are organized into local advocacy teams.

EDUCATE: Through each AZ-CAN, Catholic school communities are informed about issues and legislation affecting their welfare and trained in grassroots legislative tactics.

MOBILIZED: Through each AZ-CAN, Catholic school communities are activated to communicate with their state or federal legislators and other public policy officials regarding their educational rights and public policy.

B. Local School Alliance Representatives.

Two designated PHX Alliance Representatives within each local Catholic school serve to coordinate their respective AZ-CANs networking, educating and mobilizing school families and faculties to immediately respond to state/federal legislative matters.

1) The principal responsibility of PHX Alliance Representatives is to communicate directly themselves with state/federal legislators on behalf of legislative action supported by the Diocese of Phoenix, the Arizona Catholic Conference or the USCC. Their second responsibility is to establish and maintain an effective AZ-CAN within their school which respects the culture and needs of their local community.

2) To ensure that effective channels of communication throughout the diocese will operate smoothly, local school Alliance Representatives:

Regularly check with their principal for any messages from the PHX Alliance and disseminate information to local Catholic school communities.

Report to the local school advisory board on a regular basis on the activities of the PHX Alliance.

Provide Catholic school families and faculties with the names, addresses and phone numbers of their congressional and state legislative district representatives.

3) Each Catholic school principal designates two people, one parent (who is also a member of their School Advisory Board) and another person, hopefully a teacher, as local school Alliance Representatives to coordinate their school’s AZ-CAN.

Eligibility considerations for local school Alliance Representatives:

Are dedicated to Catholic school education and the care of children.

Possess the practical experience and/or training which enable them to advance the purpose of the PHX Alliance and achieve it’s consultation and service activities.

Will deal with situations as they relate to the common good of the entire Catholic school community, instead of a particular constituency or self-interest.

Can maintain high integrity and strict confidentiality and be supportive of decisions once made.

Will be able to attend meetings and periodic in-service programs and to actively participate in Alliance activities.

Will have both an interest and ability to work with groups of people as well as the communication skills and the time necessary to serve in this position.

Section 3. Diocesan School Board.

Responsibilities.

1.) The Diocesan School Board advises the Superintendent on public policy issues affecting Catholic school teachers, students and their families.

2) The Diocesan School Board assists the Superintendent to strategically coordinate state/federal public policy informational and issue campaigns, through networks located within local Catholic school communities, which advocate the Diocese’s state/federal public policy agendas by:

Identifying Issues: Collaborate with the AZ Alliance to advise the Diocese on the selection, prioritization and then framing of public policy issues to be advocated.

Developing Advocacy Strategies: Collaborate with the AZ Alliance to assist the Diocese to formulate a strategy for advocating official positions.

Activating Community Advocacy Networks: Collaborate with the AZ Alliance to assist the Diocese to contact Local School Alliance Representatives to activate their AZ-CANs when strategic action is required.

3) The Diocesan School Board assists the Superintendent to facilitate the general organization and operation of the PHX Alliance.

B. Meetings regarding Alliance Activities.

Regular Diocesan School Board Meetings.
The Diocesan School Board will include on each of its regular meeting agendas the activities and operations of the Alliance as a standing order of business.

AZ Alliance Meetings.
The Diocesan School Board will meet twice each year in conjunction with their counterparts from the Diocese of Tucson, under the guidance of the Arizona Catholic Conference. The AZ Alliance meetings will occur prior to, and immediately following, the state legislative session.

ARTICLE V. ALLIANCE FINANCES

Section 1. Fund raising – Activities by the PHX Alliance.

All PHX Alliance fund raising activities shall have prior approval of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and shall comply with diocesan guidelines and procedures. Fund raising activities shall be for the stated purpose of the PHX Alliance, however, in the event of extraordinary need, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools may direct funds for other than previously designated purposes.

Section 2. PHX Alliance Monies.

Monies collected by the PHX Alliance shall be handled with good and prudent business practices. All monies collected shall be receipted, accounted for, balanced and properly deposited in diocesan cash management accounts. The Superintendent of Catholic Schools and one designee shall be signatories on all PHX Alliance account(s).

Section 3. Purchases, Order of Goods or Services.

Absolutely no one in the PHX Alliance may obligate the diocese for purchases, orders of goods, or services without prior approval of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments Proposed by the PHX Alliance.

Amendments to the Alliance Operating Procedures may be proposed by its Diocesan School Board to the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for approval only after fair notice and review have been provided to the membership.

Section 2. Amendments by the Bishop/Superintendent of Catholic SchooOctober 4, 2007 7:21 PM the right to amend or waive provisions of the PHX Alliance Operating Procedures for "Just Cause." The membership will be given notification of changes made.