Teen Center hours: 3:00-5:30PM (Mon-Thu) and 1:00-5:30PM (Friday)
The Kyle Hyland Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) public charity established in 2015. The KHF serves a vital need in the community and the organization is the only one of its kind, not only in Benicia but in many other surrounding cities. Benicia is a small town where teens have few places to go to gather and support each other. While some improvements have been made in the level of mental health services provided by local school districts, many teens in trouble often struggle to find the support they need. Parents with at-risk teens also encounter difficulty finding the help they need, with few local resources or referrals. The stigma of mental illness remains with little to no understanding in the general public. As a result of this lack of support and resources, youth continue to battle anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The programs of the Kyle Hyland Foundation are designed to provide a full range of support for youth including mental health programs and other services for youth as well as a teen center in the city of Benicia. In 2019, we served over 180 teens.
Kyle was born in Vallejo but had always called “Benicia” his home. He was a Junior at Benicia High School and an accomplished musician that played in multiple bands. In the most recent years prior to his death, he played keyboard and sang background vocals with his band, “Noah’s Ark”. Kyle also played guitar and ukelele. His other interests included snow skiing, skateboarding, camping, golfing, riding rollercoasters, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of the BHS Key Club, a former soccer player for Benicia Youth Soccer League and was a BYSL referee. One of Kyle’s favorite things to do, other than music, was to just clown around and make people laugh. He had a unique ability to make people feel better when they were sad, troubled or upset.
Kyle had suffered with depression and anxiety since the age of 14. Kyle was hospitalized in early 2014 for suicidal ideation. He had been in therapy since that time but lost his battle with depression on December 22, 2014 when he completed suicide.
Kyle was part of a close and loving family. He was well-loved and had many close friends in the community. He touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed.
Suicide is a tragedy that many parents believe could never happen in their family. Kyle’s death is proof that this is just not true. It can and does happen to the closest of families. Mental illness is not selective. No one is immune. It is an illness just like any other and sometimes can be fatal.
Music was a huge part of Kyle’s life and thus, we freely offer a place and equipment for teens to express themselves through music at the Benicia Teen Center. We need to be able to bring some good from the tragedy of Kyle’s death. He often complained “there is nothing to do in this town!” We think he would be happy with what we have accomplished.
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1. Name. The name of the organization shall be The Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support. It shall be a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the state of California.
SECTION 2. Purpose. The Corporation is organized for exclusively charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under said Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Specifically, the Corporation will provide charitable and educational support to youth by offering mental health programs and other services, and will maintain a teen center where teens can be provided emotional support through mentoring, counseling, music, and art.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
The principal office of the corporation in the State of California shall be located in the County of Solano. The Corporation may have other offices, either within or without the State of California, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may require from time to time.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
The corporation shall have no members except for the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. General Powers. Responsibility for policy setting, financial oversight, and strategic affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, but in no event shall be less than 3 and no more than 12. Each director shall hold office two-year terms to be staggered unless duly removed as prescribed in Article V. Director terms shall be staggered such that approximately one half are elected each year. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected.
SECTION 3. Regular Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on a regular basis and shall be called by the President or designated Chairman. The Board of Directors may provide the time and place for the holding of additional regular meetings with notice as described in Section 5.
SECTION 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may designate the place for holding any special meetings of the Board of Directors called by them.
SECTION 5. Notice. Notice of any meeting shall be given at least week previous thereto by written notice delivered personally, mailed to each director at his/her/their address or by electronic mail or other notification. Any directors may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
SECTION 6. Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the number of directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article IV. A quorum shall not be established if more than 50 percent of such quorum is related by blood or marriage or otherwise have joint financial interests, such as business partnerships, etc. If less than a majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors may adjourn the meeting.
SECTION 7. Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8. Action Without a Meeting. Any action that may be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing (or electronic mail), setting forth the action so to be taken, shall be documented before such action by all of the directors. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as any other validly approved action of the Board. All such consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.
SECTION 9. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise provided by law. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the remaining term of his/her/their predecessor in office. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election by the Board of Directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the Directors.
SECTION 10. Compensation. No Director or Officer shall for reason of his/her/their office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an officer or director from receiving any compensation from the organization for duties other than as a director or officer. The Board of Directors may authorize reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred by Directors in connection with the performance of their duties as Directors on behalf of the corporation. See Article VII, Section 2.2, for additional details.
SECTION 11. Presumption of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at a
meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his/her/their dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he/she/they shall file his/her/their written dissent to such action with the person acting as the Secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof, or shall forward such dissent by registered mail or by electronic mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to director who voted in favor of such action.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. Number. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors, including a Chairman of the Board. In its discretion, the Board of Directors may leave unfilled for any such period as it may determine any office except those of President and Secretary. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except for the offices of President and Secretary, or President and Treasurer, which may not be held by the same person.
SECTION 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation to be elected by the Board of Directors shall be elected every 2 years by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Each officer shall hold office until his/her/their successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, or until his/her/their death, or until he/she/they shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.
SECTION 3. Executive Director. At such time, that the Board of Directors decides to hire an Executive Director, the Executive Director shall be an ex officio member of the Board of Directors. He/she/they may sign, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed.
SECTION 4. Removal. Any officer, agent or director may be removed by a unanimous vote of the remaining Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer, agent, or director shall not of itself create contract rights, and such appointment shall be terminable at will.
SECTION 5. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation,
removal, disqualification, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
SECTION 6. President. The president shall be the principal executive officer of the
Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He/she/they shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless there is a Chairman of the Board in which case the Chairman shall preside. He/she/they may sign, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
b) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law.
c) Be custodian of the corporate records.
SECTION 7. Secretary. The secretary shall: (a) Keep the minutes of the proceedings of
the Board of Directors in a secure location; (b) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) Responsible to ensure that the corporation is compliant with all required corporate filings. (d) Keep a register of the post office address of each Director and any financial or familial relationships, which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such Director; and (e) In general perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors. (f) He/she/they may sign, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed.
SECTION 8. The Treasurer. The treasurer shall keep full and accurate account of the receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall reconcile all financial assets and liabilities of the Corporation on a regular and timely basis; but shall not be personally liable for the safekeeping of any funds or securities so deposited pursuant to the order of the Board. He/she/they shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors and shall render to the President and Directors at the regular meeting of the Board, and whenever they may require accounts of the financial condition of the Corporation and any transactions inquired of by the Board. He/she/they shall perform the duties usually incident to the office of the Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her/them by the President or by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNITY
The Corporation shall indemnify its directors, officers and employees as follows: (a) Every director, officer, or employee of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred by or imposed upon him in connection with any proceeding to which he/she/they may be made a party, or in which he/she/they may become involved, by reason of his/her/their being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or enterprise, or any settlement thereof, whether or not is a director, officer, employee or agent at the time such expenses are incurred, except in such cases wherein the director, officer, or employee is adjudged guilty of willful misfeasance or malfeasance in the performance of his duties; provided that in the event of a settlement the indemnification herein shall apply only when the Board of Directors approves such settlement and reimbursement as being for the best interests of the Corporation. (b) The Corporation shall provide to any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or enterprise, the indemnity against expenses of suit, litigation or other proceedings which is specifically permissible under applicable law. (c) The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, direct the purchase of liability insurance by way of implementing the provisions of this Article VI. (d) He/she/they may sign, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed.
ARTICLE VII
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this conflict of interest policy is to protect this
tax-exempt Organization’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization that might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
SECTION 2. Definitions.
2.1 Interested Person. Any director, principal officer, member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
2.2 Financial Interest. A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family: (a) An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement, (b) A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the corporation has a transaction or arrangement, or (c) A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the corporation is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial. A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Section 3.2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
SECTION 3. Procedures
3.1 Duty to Disclose. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
3.2 Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she/they shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
3.3 Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest.
(a) An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she/they shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
(b) The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
(c) After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
(d) If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the corporation’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
3.4 Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy.
(a) If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
(b) If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
SECTION 4. Records of the Proceedings. The minutes of meetings of the governing
board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain: (a) The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest is present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact exists. (b) The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
SECTION 5. Compensation.
5.1 A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
5.2 A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
5.3 No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
5.4 The majority of our Board of Directors will be non-salaried and will not be related to salaried personnel or to parties providing services. In addition, all compensation decisions will be made by the Board of Directors.
5.5 Further, all compensation paid will be reasonable and will be based on the following factors: (a) the type and amount of compensation received by others in similar positions, (b) the compensation levels paid in our particular geographic community, (c) the amount of time the individual spends in their position, (d) the expertise and other pertinent background of the individual, (e) the size and complexity of our organization, and (f) the need of our organization for the services of the particular individual.
SECTION 6. Annual Statements. Each director, principal officer, and member of a
committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person: (a) has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, (b) has read and understands the policy, (c) has agreed to comply with the policy, and (d) understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
SECTION 7. Periodic Reviews. To ensure the Organization operates in a manner
consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects: (a) Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm’s-length bargaining, and (b) Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Organization’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes, and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit, or in an excess benefit transaction.
SECTION 8. Use of Outside Experts
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Section 7, the Organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
ARTICLE VIII
CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
SECTION 1. Contracts. The board of directors may authorize any officer or officers,
agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no
evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of
money, or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time
to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.
ARTICLE IX
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of July and end on the last day of June each year.
ARTICLE X
CORPORATE SEAL
The Board of Directors may at its discretion provide a corporate seal, which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the State of Incorporation and the words, “Corporate Seal”.
ARTICLE XI
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Unless otherwise provided by law, whenever any notice is required to be given to any director of the Corporation under the provisions of these bylaws or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or under the provisions of the applicable Business Corporation Act, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws adopted when necessary, by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors.
The above Bylaws were approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on the ____________25th_________ day of _______August_______, 2021__.
__________________________________
Barbara Gervase, President
___________________________________
Mary Shahbazian, Vice President
__________________________________
Nancy Ferguson, Treasurer
__________________________________
Paula Contreras, Secretary
The mission of the Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support is to provide charitable and educational support to teens by offering mental health programs and other services, and to maintain a center where teens can be provided emotional support through mentoring, counseling music, and art.
If You’re Thinking About Suicide, Are Worried About A Friend Or Loved One, Or Would Like Emotional Support, There are Resources Available 24/7 To You.