WENHAM COUNCIL ON AGINGBY-LAWS (Revised 2008)
The name of the organization shall be "The Wenham Council on Aging," hereafter referred to as “The Council,” as established by the Town Selectmen of Wenham, Article II: - Purpose & PhilosophyThe Council’s mission is to provide and advance those programs and services that enrich the lives of older adults in the Wenham community. Pursuant to this goal, the Council shall: 1) Provide education to the community to the needs of the age 60+ population of the community and enlist the support and participation of the citizens of Wenham. 2) Design, advocate, and implement services to fill the needs of the seniors and to coordinate with existing agencies. 3) Examine, review, and up-date programs and services for Wenham seniors, based on available data. 4) Review and up-date annually all documents, policies and procedures for a 5) Cooperate with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Senior Care and be cognizant of state and federal legislation and programs regarding elders. 6) Provide advice to the Town Selectmen on the funding needs of the Wenham Council on Aging. Function as an Advisory Council to the Town Selectmen, in order to maintain an effective flow of communication between the senior population and the Article II: PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY The Council’s mission is to provide and advance those programs and services that enrich the lives of older adults in the Wenham Community. The Council will further: 1) Advocate for services to fill the needs of the Wenham seniors. 2. Assist the Director of the WCOA in evaluating programs and services for Wenham seniors, based on available data. 3. Assist the Director in evaluating documents, policies, and procedures for the Wenham Council on Aging. 4. Serve in an advisory capacity to the Town Selectmen on the funding needs of the WCOA. 5. Be available to the Director of the WCOA on any matters pertaining to the WCOA. 6. Interact effectively with THE FRIENDS OF THE WENHAM COUNCIL ON AGING on matters relating to the Wenham Council on Aging, its funding needs, and the policies and mission of THE FRIENDS OF THE WENHAM COUNCIL ON AGING. Article III: Organization & Structure The Council shall serve as a policy-making Council only in relation to those areas listed above and has no authority over appointments of staff, administrative responsibilities of the staff, the employment practices, and/or Town of The Council shall consist of nine (9) Members, who shall be appointed by the Town Selectmen and have terms of office of three (3) years. The Council may offer to the Town Selectmen individuals for appointment to the Council. A member of the Town Selectmen shall be a liaison to and ex-officio, non-voting Council member. In addition to Council Members, the Council may appoint Associate Members. Associate Members may attend all Council Meetings, but may not vote on Council matters. Associate Members may also participate on Council Committees and may serve as leaders for Committees. The principal office of the Council shall be located at Article IV: Voting Rights of Members All voting rights shall be vested in the Members, and each individual member shall have one vote, with respect to any question or matter that may come before a meeting of the Members of the Council. All votes are to be cast openly, i.e., no secret balloting. Article V: Meetings of Members Council meetings: 1) Regular Meetings of the Members of the Council shall be held once per month on the second Tuesday from September through June, with no regular meetings scheduled for July and August. Notice of all regular meetings of the Council shall be posted at 2) Special Meetings of the Council may be called at any time by the Chair or a Member of the Council. Written or verbal notice must be sent to each member in sufficient time to ensure attendance. Minutes from these meetings are to be presented at the Regular Meeting following the date of the special meeting. Committee Meetings are to have at least one Member of the Council in attendance. Minutes from these meetings are to be presented by the Committee leader at the Regular Meeting, following the date of the Committee meeting. 3) Quorum -- At all Council meetings, the presence of a simple majority of the total membership shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. Votes shall be cast only by Members in attendance. 4) Conduct of Meetings -- All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. 5) Resignation -- In the event a Member wishes to resign from the Council, he/she shall notify, in writing, the Council‘s liaison from the Town Selectmen and the Chair 6) Attendance -- Regular attendance is expected of all Members. In the event of absence of any Member for three (3) consecutive meetings, except for reasons of health or extenuating circumstances, as duly reported to the Chair in advance of the Council meeting, the Council may request resignation of that Member through the Town Selectmen. Six (6) absences during any calendar year shall constitute an automatic dismissal from the Council. Notice of any dismissal or resignation is to be provided, in writing, to the Town Selectmen. (By the Chair.) Article VI - OFFICERS Council officers: A. The officers of the Council shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Assistant Officers may be elected, if it is the wish of the Council. 1) Chair --The chair shall be the chief executive office of the Council, and, subject to the direction of Members of the Council, shall have charge of the business, affairs, and property of the Council on its general operations. She/he shall prepare an agenda, preside at all meetings of the Members, appoint all sub-committees, and be an ex-officio member of all committees. 2) Vice-Chair -- During the absence or disability of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall exercise all the functions of the Chair and, when so acting, shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the Chair. 3) Secretary/Clerk -- The secretary/clerk shall: a) Record all the proceedings of the meetings; b) Cause all notices to be given in accordance with the By-Laws and as may be required by statute; c) Perform all duties relevant to the office of Secretary/Clerk; and d) The Council may appoint a corresponding secretary, or include duties related to correspondence in this section. B. Terms of office are for a 1-year period with reappointment for a maximum term of office no longer than six years). Officers of the Council shall be elected prior to the summer recess and shall take office immediately. C. Election of officers to fill vacancies created by death, resignation, or other cause may take place at any regular or special meeting and shall be for the unexpired term of the previous incumbent; however, the office of Chair, if vacated, shall be filled by the Vice-Chair for the unexpired term of the Chair's normal term of office. Article VII: AMENDMENTSAmendments or alterations of these By-Laws may be considered at either a regular or special meeting of the Council, called for such purpose. In either case, a seven-day notification of the meeting with a copy of the proposed amendment and its purpose, shall be given to each Council Member. Accompanying this notification, shall be the full text of the proposed amendment or alteration, and a statement of the purpose of the proposed changes. The proposed amendment or alteration of the By-Laws must be approved by two thirds of all Council Members. Article VIII: EFFECTIVE DATEThe effective date of these By-Laws shall be the date of the meeting at which the By- Laws shall have been approved by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the Members. The date on which this approval is voted is Chair: Jack E. HauckVice Chair: Sue BannonClerk: Mary J. KellyMembers:Bobbi Black Eleanor Perkins Jane Richardson Gladys Robertson Merle Welsh (One vacancy at time) Dated: Approved by Wenham Selectmen, ARTICLE VIII: EFFECTIVE DATE FOR REVISIONS: The effective date of these By-Laws shall be the date of the meeting at which the By-laws have been approved by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the members present. Chair: Vice-Chair: Clerk: Members:
Dated:
Approved by Selectmen:
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