The mission of the Military Toxics Project is to unite activists, organizations, and communities in the struggle against military pollution, to assure its clean up, to limit the transport of hazardous materials, and to advance the development and implementation of preventative solutions to the toxic and radioactive pollution caused by military activities. The MTP mission is based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples, free from any form of discrimination or bias.

The purpose of the Military Toxics Project is to provide information, education, networking and organizing resources. MTP serves as a bridge and facilitator for organizations concerned with military pollution issues. MTP fosters a relationship of mutual respect and support with its members, networks, and collegiate campaigns around the country. MTP works to assist local communities, not for them but with them. MTP activities focus on both service and organizing efforts. MTP helps member organizations and networks to project their individual voices nationally and internationally.

The United States military and defense related agencies generate toxic and radioactive pollution that is hazardous to the environment and human health in the United States and worldwide. The Military Toxics Project believes that the United States Government is fully responsibility for the toxic and radioactive pollution it has created and, therefore, obligated to fund and implement the most rigorous remediation and pollution prevention programs possible.

The goals of any just federal program must be remediation to the highest standard for protection of health and the environment. Cleanups must be fully protective of worker, community, and environmental health. Innovative technology to provide safe alternatives to incineration must be promoted.

The Military Toxics Project position is that the United States Military should become the nation's leader in pollution prevention, containment, cleanup, energy conservation and recycling. To halt pollution of the environment, the military must halt the use of hazardous materials. The military is financed by tax dollars. People have the right and responsibility to keep their government accountable for the pollution the military creates.

Environmental justice is a central principle of the Military Toxics Project because contaminants are most commonly targeted upon communities least able to defend themselves from military polluters. Environmental justice affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity, the interdependence of all species, and the right to live in a healthy community. Everyone has the right to ethical, balanced and responsible uses of land and renewable resources in the interest of a healthy planet for humans and other living beings.

Environmental justice calls for universal protection from extraction, production and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes and poisons and nuclear testing that threaten the fundamental right to clean air, land, water, and food. Everyone has the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self-determination so long as that right does not violate the rights of others. Military pollution violates the rights of others. Therefore, the military must end the production of toxins, hazardous wastes, and radioactive materials. Furthermore, all past and current producers must be held accountable for containment and detoxification.

Environmental justice demands the right to participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making including assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement, and evaluation. All workers have the right to a safe and healthy work environment without being forced to choose between an unsafe livelihood and employment. Environmental justice affirms the right to have one's home free from military pollutants. Victims of environmental injustice have a right to full compensation, reparations for damages, and health care. Governmental acts of environmental injustice violate international law, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the United Nations Convention of Genocide. Environmental justice recognizes the special legal and natural relationship of Native Peoples to the U.S. Government through treaties, agreements, compacts, and covenants affirming sovereignty and self-determination.

Environmental justice calls for the strict enforcement of principles of informed consent, and a halt to the testing of experimental reproductive medical procedures and vaccinations on people of color. The Military Toxics Project opposes the destructive operations of multi-national corporations through military occupation and the repression and exploitation of land, people and other life forms. We call for education that emphasizes social and environmental issues and is based upon an appreciation of our diverse cultural perspectives. Environmental justice requires that we, as individuals, make personal choices to consume as little of the Earth's resources and to produce as little waste as possible. Environmental Justice challenges and reprioritizes our lifestyles to ensure the health of the natural world for present and future generations. MTP works with communities to assist them in the promotion of Environmental Justice.

MTP promotes democratic processes within the federal and local governments. MTP is committed to maximizing citizen input into the decision-making process of government of and for the people. MTP works for and endorses activities that promote the fullest public participation and input by the people into governmental decision-making. MTP also promotes democratic processes within the organization itself. MTP will commit itself to maximizing membership and public input into its own decision-making. All regular MTP meetings are published to the active membership a minimum of thirty days prior.

Access to information is vital to effective citizenry and the protection of public health and the environment. MTP is committed to working on behalf of the public's right to know the hazards and extent of military toxic contamination.

MTP is committed to promoting the development of a pollution-free future based on alternative, environmentally friendly chemicals, pollutant source reduction and pollution-free manufacturing technology. MTP supports military toxics remediation solutions that are fully protective of human health and the environment that produce no discernable negative impacts. MTP supports environmental remediation solutions that do not simply relocate hazards from one community to another, or change hazardous pollution from one medium to another.

MTP is committed to maintaining a cooperative mutually supportive relationship with its members, and other networks and organizations working in the field that share MTP's principles. MTP will, to the fullest extent possible, avoid competition with member organizations and refrain from undertaking activities that might undermine the effectiveness of other national, regional, statewide, local and international military toxics efforts. The principles for cooperative relationships include, but are not limited to:

In an effort to respect local residents and to further its objectives of assisting and strengthening organizations working in the field, MTP will work to develop organizational affiliations rather than engage in organizing communities or regions with existing military toxics campaigns. MTP will contact and seek the support of existing local, regional, or nationally affiliated campaigns.

MTP will make every effort to ensure that its fundraising activities target national level funders and do not compete with local efforts for scant local resources. Therefore, MTP will assist local groups in their fundraising efforts.

To the maximum extent practical MTP focuses on increasing the strengths of local efforts through educational resource distribution to MTP members and by linking network members together for resource exchange. MTP helps local, regional and statewide efforts to develop funding contacts and expertise that support the on-going efforts and the development of its grassroots member organizations.

The Military Toxics Project is a membership organization composed of Affiliate groups, Associate groups, and individuals. The policies, programs and management of the Military Toxics Project are the responsibility of the National Board. The National Board is composed of individuals accountable to grassroots constituencies elected and re-elected at regular intervals. MTP's staff carries out the projects and day-to-day management of the MTP with direction by the National Board.

Any organization or individual working directly on military toxics issues may apply to become a member of the Military Toxics Project. An organization or individual can obtain a membership application through the MTP office. Membership with MTP requires agreement with and work toward the MTP Mission, Goals, and Principles. The benefits of MTP membership include receipt of the organizational newsletter, access to MTP resources, and networking.

To be a Member Group of MTP, an organization must be carrying out or be actively involved in a campaign specifically focused on the issues of military toxins. According to MTP's definition, an active campaign must engage in activities such as the following:

Benefits to Members of MTP may include:

MTP has two group memberships; affiliate and associate, as well as individual members. The criteria and benefits of each level of membership will generally be as follows:

1. Affiliate Membership

Criteria:

Benefits:

2. Associate Membership

Criteria:

Benefits:

3. Individual Membership

Criteria:

Benefits:

Networking addresses specific campaign issues and projects. Networking is accomplished through prearranged communication or through established working groups. MTP networking and working groups are organized around a defined and related issue. The purpose of Networking is to develop a constituent based policy for implementation at a governmental level. Historically, MTP Networks have included such campaigns as:

Participation within an MTP working group is open to any member. Networking members may include local/regional groups, individuals, and national organizations. Networking structure is flexible to allow for evolution.

MTP may undertake major campaigns and discrete projects as necessary. When adopting a campaign or project plan, the Board will also determine the decision-making structure of that plan. In all cases, the MTP Board has ultimate authority. The majority of the Board will approve major campaigns. Campaign efforts can also be ended by a majority vote of the Board. Any MTP Affiliate member can bring campaign or project proposals to the Board.

The MTP National Board includes a minimum of six representatives, who are nominated and elected by, and must be members of, Affiliate member organizations of MTP. The Board also includes a minimum of five At-Large members appointed by the Board to ensure diversity. At-Large members must be members of MTP Affiliate or Associate member groups. Any MTP member may make nominations for At-Large representatives. Board members serve for two years. Since terms are staggered, three Affiliate members are elected and two or three At-large members are elected to the Board annually.

An elected MTP Board member may designate an alternate to his/her seat so long as the alternate is a member of an MTP Affiliate or Associate member group and the MTP elected Board member attends the majority of meetings of the Board in a calendar year.

The Officers of the National Board include a Chairperson, Treasurer, a General Secretary, and a Personnel Committee Chair. Board members elect officers during the first Board meeting following a MTP Board election. The Board may designate individuals as Ex-Officio for specific advisory expertise the Board desires at its deliberations. Ex-Officio members have no voting status on the Board, cannot initiate proposals, or amend proposals. Ex-Officios serve one-year terms.

The Chairperson presides over all meetings of the Board, facilitates meetings or delegates a facilitator, and performs other duties as may be assigned by the Board. The Board Chair will interview all out-going Board members to receive their input and comments or suggestions for improving the organization.

The Treasurer will work with the Executive Director to ensure the financial health of the organization and report regularly to the full Board. The Treasurer will work with the ED and the Board Finance Committee to prepare and propose an annual budget.

The General Secretary is responsible for approving the minutes of all board meetings before they are transmitted to the full board for adoption. Minutes of board meetings shall include all items of consensus agreement or voted approval or failure. Staff or an MTP member not responsible for the meeting content will be assigned the minutes taking.

The Personnel Committee shall consist of a Chair and two other Board members elected by the Board. The Personnel Committee shall write and update, as necessary, Supplemental Personnel Policies, conduct annual performance evaluations of the Executive Director, supervise the Executive Director, advise the Board of proposed staff changes, and perform other duties assigned by the Board.

These four Officers and the past Board Chair will comprise the Executive Committee. If the past Chairperson is not elected to the Board following his/her term, s/he shall be designated as an Ex-Officio Board member.

The Executive Committee meets outside of regular Board meetings to take action on urgent matters or matters assigned by the Board. A minimum of three EC members must be present for decision-making. Actions from Executive Committee meetings must be filed with the minutes of the following regular Board meeting.

A minimum of six MTP Board members are elected from the Affiliate membership by the following process:

MTP Staff will distribute a list of current Affiliate membership out to the Affiliate members.

Affiliate members have thirty (30) days to make nominations.

MTP staff will contact nominees to confirm their acceptance of nomination.

MTP Staff will mail ballots with background data to all Affiliate members within two weeks of the close of nominations.

Ballots for Board members must be postmarked within two weeks (14 days) of the date that ballots were mailed out.

Candidates are notified of the outcome of the vote within one week of the ballot deadline.

Total election time frame is two months (60 days).

A minimum of five At-Large Board members are elected by the following process:

Any member of an MTP Affiliate or Associate member organization may be a candidate for an At-large seat on the National Board.

MTP Staff sends a letter to all Members asking for nominations for At-Large slots.

Members have thirty (30) days to respond.

MTP staff will contact nominees to confirm their acceptance of nomination.

Staff submits to the Board a list of nominees with background information.

Board consults with active Advisory Committees to insure indigenous representation and diversity for ethnicity, geography, culture, gender, and age.

Board elects At-Large members thirty days prior to the next regular Board meeting.

There are no guaranteed slots for "experts" on the Board.

Development and implementation of MTP's organizational policies and goals.

Determine MTP's mission, strategies, and program priorities.

Evaluation of MTP's operations in conjunction with established goals.

Ensure that MTP uses its resources toward fulfillment of its mission.

Monitor financial activities that include review and approval of budgets and financial statements.

Monitor lobbying activity, as there are restrictions on non-profits.

Monitor litigation, as some litigation may have financial or political liabilities.

Ensure that the organization stays in compliance with laws and regulations that relate to non-profits.

Personnel oversight, as defined by the Personnel Committee.

Are available and accessible to staff and other Board members regarding MTP business.

Take an active role in MTP matters.

Attendance of Board meetings, both in person and by conference call.

Take part in a training program on the important parts of running and being responsible for an organization, such as; fund development and grant writing, personnel issues, chairing and facilitating meetings, and diversity training.

Any Board member may be removed from office, with or without cause, by vote of a majority of the total Board membership. Any member proposed for removal shall be given the opportunity to address the Board before the vote. A Board member may be removed for repeatedly missing meetings, as defined in MTP's policies. No removal will be done in secret.

The National Board shall have regular meetings at least four (4) times a year, every three (3) months. At least one meeting shall be in-person.

For the National Board to transact Military Toxics Project business, a quorum of its membership must be present. A Quorum for the National Board is defined as a majority of elected members or their alternates.

The in-person meetings of the National Board shall be open to all members of the MTP to attend at their expense unless funds are allocated. This meeting shall be pre-noticed to the MTP membership through the MTP newsletter. Agendas for the meeting shall be made available upon request. Minutes of MTP Board meetings shall be available to the membership within thirty (30) days of each meeting.

The Board shall hold closed meetings to discuss personnel, contracts, litigation, and other confidential issues. In addition, there may be a need for rapid consultations and discussions, such as phone conferences. In such instances the Board may hold closed meetings, however decisions made at these meetings must be disclosed in the minutes.

MTP will not solicit or accept funds that compromise MTP's ability to challenge polluters and/or pollution practices. MTP will accept monies from employees so long as it could not compromise the MTP mission.

MTP and its National Board may establish advisory committees to assist with specific issues and efforts. Examples of MTP advisory committees include:

Upon the dissolution of MTP, the Board, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities, shall dispose of assets as the Board determines to be consistent with MTP purpose and principles. Preference for disposal of assets shall be given to MTP member organizations that exemplify the principles of Environmental Justice.

The Board, by a vote of majority of its total membership, may amend or repeal the Bylaws in whole or in part. There shall be a thirty (30) day notice to the Board of any proposed Bylaw changes.