BY-LAWS
SEPTEMBER 1992
Proposed Amendments to by By-Laws
August, 2009
Passed by Membership, September 2, 2009
CAMBRIA COUNTY HEALTH AND WELFARE COUNCIL, INC.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
This organization shall be a non-political, non-discriminatory, impartial, non-profit Council known as the Cambria County Health and Welfare Council, Inc.
ARTICLE II
Objectives
The objectives of this Council are to promote the general health and welfare of the residents of Cambria County and to assist interested persons and organizations to meet their responsibilities effectively by:
1) mobilizing all appropriate resources of the County, and when possible, state and federal government;
2) promoting communication and cooperation among providers and potential providers of services;
3) discourage unnecessary duplication of effort, programs and services affecting health and welfare;
4) surveying, studying, planning and working for sound health and welfare programs;
5) jointly identifying prevailing health and welfare problems;
6) finding ways of effectively solving problems and coordinating health and welfare efforts’
7) offering to all individuals and groups interested in improving county health and welfare, a forum for discussion and the resolution of conflicting interests;
8) developing an informed public opinion as to health and welfare needs, services and deficiencies in the County and;
9) promoting widespread interest, participation and leadership in planning for and stimulating the establishment of necessary services.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. Membership in the Council shall be open to public and private agencies, groups, organizations and individuals interested in implementing the objectives of the Council.
Section 2. Membership will be granted to those above agencies, groups, organizations and individuals upon receipt of the annual dues which shall be set by vote of the Council. Each membership, however, constituted, shall be entitled to one vote. Agencies, groups, organizations shall designate its one voting delegate. Alternates shall be extended the courtesy of access to the floor but will not have the privilege to vote.
Section 3. Duties of members shall be:
a. to establish a dues structure;
b. to elect officers provided for in these By-Laws;
c. to participate actively and constructively in the work of the Council, furthering its objectives and resolving problems and obstacles which occur;
d. to approve the policies and procedures of the Council
e. to approve special project budgets;
f. to provide information, suggestions and support to the objectives of the Council.
ARTICLE IV
Officers, Terms, Election, Duties, Recall and Compensation
Section 1. The officers of the Council shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. The terms of officers shall be for one (1) year with no term limits.
Section 3. A nominating committee shall be selected by the executive committee at its April executive meeting, and appointed by the President at the May regular meeting of the Council. An outgoing President shall serve as a member of the nominating committee.
Section 4. The election of officers shall take place at the August meeting. A complete slate of officers shall be presented by the nominating committee at the June meeting and must consist of Council members. Nominations of all officers may also be accepted from the floor at the June meeting, provided that consent of the nominee has been secured by the June meeting.
Section 5. Duties of Officers:
a) The President serves as the Chief Executive and shall be responsible that policies established by the membership and Executive Committee are put into effect and carried out as may be appropriate. The President shall recommend to the membership and Executive Committee such changes in procedure and policies as is deemed appropriate.
The President also:
1. Shall appoint all Committees or task forces on the advice of the Executive Committee.
2. Shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee and call meetings as necessary between monthly membership meetings.
3. Shall preside at membership meetings.
4. Shall be the official representative of the Council in matters relating to the government and/or other official bodies. The President may delegate this responsibility if such delegation best serves the goals of the Council.
b) First Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President.
1. Shall serve as Membership Committee Chairperson, and organizing efforts to recruit members;
2. Shall perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the President.
c) Second Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President and First Vice President.
1. Shall assist the Treasurer with the billing and recording of membership dues;
2. Shall perform such other tasks as may be assigned by the President.
d) The Secretary will cause a correct and complete record to be made of each meeting of the Council and of the Executive Committee.
1. Shall cause distribution of such records as directed by the Executive Committee and made a permanent par6t of the records of the Council.
2. Shall cause notices of meetings to be given to the membership and/or appropriate committee members.
3. Shall maintain a current membership and mailing list.
e) The Treasurer shall perform those duties necessary to provide safe custody and appropriate control of all funds of the Council subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
1. Shall maintain a careful record of receipts and disbursements of the Council.
2. Shall prepare checks and accurate vouchers in support of all checks and cash disbursements.
3. Shall be assisted by the Second Vice-President in keeping up to date records of membership dues accounts, preparing accurate billings and forwarding these to members as accounts become due.
4. Shall serve on all Committees planning or managing budget and/or finances of the Council.
5. Shall be bonded when and if assets of Council reach two thousand dollars. ($2,000.00)
Section 6. Removal from office
Elected officers may be removed from office for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Council membership present at a regular monthly meeting, provided that the proposed removal shall have been read at the last regular meeting of the Council, or shall have been submitted to each voting member at least fifteen (15) days before action is taken.
Section 7. Vacancy
If any office (except President which shall be automatically filled by the First or Second Vice-Presidents, as provided in these by-laws) becomes vacant for any reason, the Executive Committee shall recommend a successor who shall fulfill the unexpired term of the vacant office and be presented for full Council vote.
Section 8. Compensation
No officer or member shall receive compensation for services rendered to the Council, except for those reimbursements of monies actually expended in behalf of the Council, which are authorized by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
Section 1 Regular Meetings
The Council shall meet in regular session once a month on the first Wednesday of each month from August through June. There will be no meeting in July.
a) Notice of Council meetings shall be given at least sever (7) calendar days prior to the meeting and specify, place and hour of meeting.
b) Under the head of new business, any member may present any matters which shall be considered by the Council.
1. In no case however, shall final action be taken on a new subject involving a question of policy or actual work on the part of the Council, without the recommendation of an appropriate committee that has studied the matter.
2. Only after a report and recommendation has been made by a Council committee may final action be decided by a majority vote of the members present.
Section 2 Special Meetings of the Council
a) may be called at any time by the President, or in the absence of the President, by the Vice-President;
b) must be called by the President within ten (10) days of receipt of a written request signed by eight (8) members;
c) reasons for special Council meetings must be included in the notice of the meeting and should be given seven (7) days before the meeting.
Section 3 Annual Meeting
The Annual meeting of the Council shall be the August meeting at which time election of officers shall be held.
Section 4 Open
Meetings of the Council shall be open to the public, but in voting matters, votes shall be counted as provided for in these by-laws, Article III, Section 2. With the Council’s consent; non-members may take part in discussion of issues.
Section 5 Quorum
A quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) members of the Council, including two (2) officers.
ARTICLE VI
Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year of the Council shall be July to June annually. The treasurer shall be responsible for assuring that the financial records of the Council are prepared, recorded, and ready for review following the close of business each June 30th.
ARTICLE VII
Committees
Section 1 There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and standing committee chairpersons.
a) The composition of the Executive Committee shall reflect the representation of all segments of the membership, e.g., rural, urban, public, and voluntary agencies, the ages, youth, medical, nursing services, etc.
b) The duties of the Executive Committee shall be;
1. The general supervision and management of the work of the Council, including but not limited to: submission of project budgets to the Council membership, and provision for the membership, public relations and audit functions of the Council;
2. The implementation of such policies as necessary in carrying out the purpose, objectives, and work of the Council;
3. To approve the appointment by the President, of committees necessary to carry out the objectives of the Council;
4. To meet as necessary in the intervals between regular meetings of the Council to assure the continuous and effective work of the Council;
5. To plan and prepare the agenda of regular Council meeting to assure effectiveness and communication among all Council members.
c) A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of six (6) members.
Section 2 Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall be appointed as provided for in these by-laws, Article IV, Section 3.
Section 3 Other Committees
All other committees shall be appointed by the President with the advice and confirmation of the Executive Committee.
a) Committees with the exception of Legislative committee shall consist of not less than three (3) members and shall be assigned particular tasks of the Council to carry out the objectives and work of the Council and/or Executive Committee.
b) Standing Committees of the Council shall consist of the Program Committee, Education Committee, Legislative Committee, Membership Committee, Kids-A-Fair Committee and Directory Committee.
ARTICLE VIII
Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the final authority governing the conduct of the Council and its meetings where such conduct is not specified in these by-laws.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments to the By-Laws
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a regular monthly meeting, provided that written notice of such amendment has been sent to all members by action of the Executive Committee at least fifteen (15) days before the date of the meeting at which time such action is taken.
