Aging Services Council Bylaws
ARTICLE I Name
The name shall be the Aging Services Council (ASC). The ASC is an unincorporated collaboration of community organizations with representation from older adults and caregivers.
ARTICLE II Purpose
The purpose of the Aging Services Council is to ensure that Aging Services Council organizations have the information and services required to address the needs of aging adults and their families.
(Amended March 2, 2006)
ARTICLE III Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Aging Services Council shall include:
- Develop an effective and responsive system of support, which is based on a client-centered model that eliminates or reduces gaps in service delivery.
- Ensure that older adults, family members and caregivers have access to information and support.
- Educate, advise and assist community policymakers, service providers, funders and citizens on aging issues while advocating for both well, vulnerable, and frail older adult populations.
- Serve as an advisory planning body for the Community Action Network
ARTICLE IV Membership and Organization
Section 1. Membership
Membership shall represent a broad spectrum of the community whose voice will meet the goal of fostering community-wide involvement. New members may be received at any time during the year.
Voting Member: The Voting membership is responsible for directing and coordinating the business of the Council at regularly scheduled meetings. Voting members are expected to participate in the Council Committees and must be members in good standing, defined as having attended the two of the last three Council meetings. Voting membership is restricted to individuals representing not-for-profit organizations and government agencies. The number of voting members is unlimited. Each member organization may only have one voting member but may have as many non-voting members as desired. If more than one individual from a member organization is present during a vote, the organization must select which member will cast the votes at the meeting.
Non-Voting Member: The non-voting membership may participate fully in the activities of the Council but may not cast votes on issues coming before the Council. Non-Voting Members may include individuals who are older adults or caregivers as well as representatives from organizations. The number of Non-Voting Members is unlimited.
Section 2. Officers and Terms of Office
The Council shall elect 2 Co-Chairs annually at its October meeting, to serve a two (2) year term of office to begin in October of the same year. The first year Co-Chairs are elected, one Co-Chair will only serve a one (1) year term. The second Co-Chair will serve a two (2) year term and will be joined by a newly elected Co-Chair in the second year. The rotation will continue each year with the Co-Chair having served two (2) years to be replaced by a newly elected Co-Chair. If a Co-Chair does not complete his or her term of office, the unexpired term shall be filled by a member elected by a majority vote of the Council. The vote to fill an unexpired term will take place within the next three meetings of the Council from the time of resignation. Committee Chair positions are to be filled by the choice of the Committees. Committee Chairs serve a one (1) year term of office. Elected and appointed officers of the Council must be representatives from Voting Member organizations that are in good standing. The Co-Chairs may not represent the same organization including board members, management or staff. Of the five officers, no more than two may represent the same organization at any time.
The Co-Chairs shall be the presiding officers of the Council. They shall perform all duties pertaining to their office and those duties delegated by the Council. Co-Chairs will share the duties of the office.
Section 3. Steering Committee
The SteeringCommittee will be comprised of the Co-Chairs and the Committee Chairs and will be responsible for giving direction and leadership to the Council, including setting meeting agendas, and making recommendations to the voting Council and/or decisions between regularly stated meetings. Leadership of member organizations may be asked to attend Steering Committee meetings on an as-needed basis. The Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring that the membership of the Council is broadly representative and will direct the Council to conduct membership outreach as necessary. The Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring the Council has adequate staff support to assist with the running of the Council. The Steering Committee is responsible for approving all Membership Agreements.
Section 4. Standing Committees
The Steering Committee will establish and dissolve standing and ad hoc committees as needed. All members will serve on a committee. Individuals who are not members of the Aging Services Council may serve on committees as needed. Standing committees include the Resource Committee, the Information/Advocacy/Education Committee, and System of Support Committee.
Section 5. Meetings
Meetings of the Aging Services Council are open to the public. The calendar of meeting dates will be set at the beginning of the year, and distributed to the Council. This calendar will serve as meeting notice to the members of the Council. Annual meetings will be held in October. The Steering Committee may call special meetings with three-day notice given to the total membership.
Section 6. Voting
When a Council Member organization is not present for a vote, they may choose to vote by proxy. Only voting members in good standing will be allowed to cast votes.
ARTICLE V Bylaws
Section 1. Ratification
These Bylaws and future modifications adopted by the Aging Services Council will be ratified by a majority vote of the Council.
Section 2. Amending
These Bylaws may be amended at a regularly scheduled meeting by the Council, with recommendations from the Steering Committee and with a thirty-day notice to the membership requesting comments. At a minimum, these Bylaws will be reviewed on an annual basis in October.
Adopted: September 2, 2004
Amended:
