Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands By-Laws
Article I – Name
The name of the organization shall be “Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands” (hereafter referred to as SCPM).
Article II – Mission
The mission of Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands is to make a difference in the lives of seniors through the dedication of a coalition of senior services industry professionals.
The SCPM Vision Statement:
Article III – Membership
Membership is open to those individuals from organizations that derive 65% of their business from the senior community. To be a “member in good standing,” the member must have paid the dues obligation in accordance with provisions of Article IV, and the member must have met any financial obligations to SCPM that may have been previously incurred. A member in good standing is considered to be an “active” member.
In order to protect the Organizational Integrity of SCPM, the board will review membership applications to ensure that membership requirements are met by applicants. Applicants for membership will then be presented to the SCPM membership to be voted in.
Members grant SCPM permission to use his/her name as well as visual images and comments of and from him/her in all SCPM publicity materials. In granting permission, by signing a release with SCPM, the member understands that the images and comments may appear in a variety of formats, including, but not limited to, magazines, newspapers, books, brochures, newsletters, television, videotape, advertisements, photographs, the internet, and social media.
SCPM is released from any and all claims arising out of or in connection with the use of these images, including any and all claims for libel. No fee, royalty, or other compensation is due or expected for such use.
Each member will provide contact information. Members are responsible for keeping this contact information up-to-date by notifying the secretary by email of any changes. Communications with members will be made by email.
Article IV – Dues
Annual dues will be established as part of an annual budget. Dues are payable in January of each year and cover the calendar year. Any member failing to renew membership by paying the annual dues by March 31st of the current year will be assessed a $25 late fee. Only members in good standing will be able to participate in SCPM meeting and events. Dues received from new members after November 15th will be considered as payment of the next year annual dues. No proration of dues will be made.
Members are encouraged to bring potential new members and representatives of senior organizations to SCPM meetings. However, after attending two (2) meetings, the potential member or organization has to join in order to continue to participate in SCPM meetings.
Article V – Board of Directors and Officers
SCPM will be governed by a Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board), made up of four (4) officers. These officer positions and their duties are:
President - the President shall be the chief elected officer and preside at all SCPM meetings and Board meetings. This is a one-year term. The President shall also represent SCPM. After completion of one-year term, the past President may also serve on the Board with no-voting privileges for one (1) additional year.
Vice President - the Vice President shall serve as President when the President is unable to perform those duties. This is a one-year term. The Vice President is also designated as the President-Elect and as President in the following year,
The Secretary – shall keep the minutes of SCPM meetings. The Secretary shall also coordinate the publishing and distribution of the minutes to the membership and shall be the custodian of all minutes. This is a one-year term.
The Treasurer – shall be responsible for all monies and provide periodic reports and the annual budget of SCPM to the membership. The Treasurer shall distribute funds as directed by the Board. The Treasurer is in charge of the bank account. Financial records shall be subject to audit by an officer appointed by the Board. Such audit shall cover the calendar year and shall be reported to the Board the following March 1st. This is a two-year term.
The President and the Treasurer shall each be able to authorize disbursement of the SCPM funds in accordance with the annual budget and Board-approved expenditures outside of the approved annual budget, as long as those expenditures fall within the scope of the mission of SCPM.
Officers will serve in their positions from January 1st to December 31st of each year. Upon completion of the election of new officers in September of each year, the fourth (4th) quarter will be used by current officers and incoming officers for the forthcoming year to work together to plan the smooth transition in January. Vacancies that occur during the course of the year due to resignation or other inability of the individual to continue to serve shall be filled by the majority vote of the Board.
The Board reserves the right to elect a Member-at-Large from the current SCPM membership to serve on the Board. This Member-at-Large will be able to offer insight and perspective on discussion of the Board, but will have no voting power.
The Board will meet at the request of the President or two (2) other officers, but no less than quarterly. The Board may appoint committees and their chairpersons to address specific needs of SCPM, as deemed appropriate. Standing committees are covered in Article IV.
Board member who resign, die, move away, or miss any three (3) consecutive monthly regular meetings, or a total of four (4) monthly regular meetings during the year, shall be replaced by an alternate. The Board members shall be allowed two (2) excused absences that may not be used in consecutive months.
SCPM Board members may be excused as long as they adhere to the following stipulations:
The SCPM Secretary will advise the absent member of the SCPM Board of his/her right to resign or continue to serve. If the member elects to resign his/her office, the vacant position will be filled.
Vacancies of the SCPM Board of Officers or Member-at-Large
Article VI – Standing Committees
Committees will function under the supervision of the Board. The purpose of these committees will be to handle specific functions of SCPM including, but not limited to, membership, social functions, meetings, sponsorships, health/resource fairs, speakers, census reporting, and any other function related to SCPM.
Nominating:
The Board will appoint a nomination committee in March of each year, chaired by the President-Elect. In the event there is no President-Elect, the Board shall appoint a chair of this committee. The Nominating Committee shall have three (3) members in good standing. Nominations for candidates will not be accepted from the floor. All nominations must have prior written consent of the nominee.
Any member of SCPM who meets the requirements of this subsection may offer as a candidate for any office to be filled at any election by giving notice to any member of the Nominating Committee of his/her intention to be a candidate for such office. The Nominating Committee will certify candidates for any office or position of the Board. Candidates must be voting members of SCPM and must have attended five (5) prior monthly meetings within twelve (12) months prior to the elections. The names of all candidates made known to any member of the Nominating Committee must be placed before the membership of SCPM.
The Nomination Committee will report to the Board, which in turn, will present the slate of officers for approval by the membership at the April meeting.
Article VII – Regular Meetings
Regular meetings will be held each month in a convenient place sufficient to seat all members of SCPM.
Notices to membership will be communicated via email. Members of SCPM shall be provided a copy of the SCPM Annual Meeting Schedule at time of membership enrollment.
Code of Ethics
Each member of the Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands (SCPM) makes a commitment to the following Code of Ethics:
Article VIII – By Laws
Proposed revisions to the SCPM By-Laws Regular Meeting 11/19/09
Article V. Board of Directors and Officers
Vice President Responsibilities on Page 3.
Proposed addition
D. The Vice President shall be responsible for heading up the committee for health fair
Article V. Board of Directors and Officers
A. The Secretary shall:
Proposed addition
7. The Secretary will be responsible for taking and maintaining the attendance sign up sheet for each regular meeting. Any representative for the Member Company may sign the attendance ledger at the meeting.
Page 4.
Proposed addition
Officers will serve in their positions from September 1st to August 31st of each year. (This is changed from July 1st to June 30th of each year).
Article VII – Regular Meeting. Page 5
Proposed addition
It is the intention to have all members participate in all events sponsored by the SCPM. In the event that a health fair or other SCPM event is full, however, the members in good standing that have attended seven (7) or more regular meetings during the twelve (12) months preceding the event shall have priority to participate. The Board will have the final decision regarding the participation in the event.
Page 6 Article VIII Annual Meeting
Proposed revision
In July of each year, the regular meeting of SCPM will be designated as the annual meeting at which members shall vote on new officers. (This changed from May).
The name of the organization shall be “Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands” (hereafter referred to as SCPM).
Article II – Mission
The mission of Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands is to make a difference in the lives of seniors through the dedication of a coalition of senior services industry professionals.
The SCPM Vision Statement:
- To increase public awareness of resources available to seniors in our community in the form of goods and services.
- To provide networking opportunities for seniors and health care professionals who interact with seniors in all areas so that they may serve our senior community more effectively.
- Provide educational opportunities for seniors and health care professionals through regular meetings, workshops, seminars, health fairs, and other vehicles that will benefit all involved.
Article III – Membership
Membership is open to those individuals from organizations that derive 65% of their business from the senior community. To be a “member in good standing,” the member must have paid the dues obligation in accordance with provisions of Article IV, and the member must have met any financial obligations to SCPM that may have been previously incurred. A member in good standing is considered to be an “active” member.
In order to protect the Organizational Integrity of SCPM, the board will review membership applications to ensure that membership requirements are met by applicants. Applicants for membership will then be presented to the SCPM membership to be voted in.
Members grant SCPM permission to use his/her name as well as visual images and comments of and from him/her in all SCPM publicity materials. In granting permission, by signing a release with SCPM, the member understands that the images and comments may appear in a variety of formats, including, but not limited to, magazines, newspapers, books, brochures, newsletters, television, videotape, advertisements, photographs, the internet, and social media.
SCPM is released from any and all claims arising out of or in connection with the use of these images, including any and all claims for libel. No fee, royalty, or other compensation is due or expected for such use.
Each member will provide contact information. Members are responsible for keeping this contact information up-to-date by notifying the secretary by email of any changes. Communications with members will be made by email.
Article IV – Dues
Annual dues will be established as part of an annual budget. Dues are payable in January of each year and cover the calendar year. Any member failing to renew membership by paying the annual dues by March 31st of the current year will be assessed a $25 late fee. Only members in good standing will be able to participate in SCPM meeting and events. Dues received from new members after November 15th will be considered as payment of the next year annual dues. No proration of dues will be made.
Members are encouraged to bring potential new members and representatives of senior organizations to SCPM meetings. However, after attending two (2) meetings, the potential member or organization has to join in order to continue to participate in SCPM meetings.
Article V – Board of Directors and Officers
SCPM will be governed by a Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board), made up of four (4) officers. These officer positions and their duties are:
President - the President shall be the chief elected officer and preside at all SCPM meetings and Board meetings. This is a one-year term. The President shall also represent SCPM. After completion of one-year term, the past President may also serve on the Board with no-voting privileges for one (1) additional year.
- The President shall:
- Preside at all meetings of the Board and general membership.
- Serve as the official representative of SCPM before public, media, and government bodies.
- Serve as the Chairman of the Board.
- Have general supervision of all the affairs of the Board and perform other duties as are incident to this office.
- The President shall report to, or cause to be reported, to the general membership of SCPM on a quarterly basis the status and progress of all committees toward accomplishing the goals and objectives.
- Only the President may officially represent SCPM to the above-mentioned entities, unless otherwise stated by the President.
Vice President - the Vice President shall serve as President when the President is unable to perform those duties. This is a one-year term. The Vice President is also designated as the President-Elect and as President in the following year,
- The Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her responsibilities.
- In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall act in his/her behalf.
- The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as the President shall assign and such other duties as are incident to this office.
The Secretary – shall keep the minutes of SCPM meetings. The Secretary shall also coordinate the publishing and distribution of the minutes to the membership and shall be the custodian of all minutes. This is a one-year term.
- The Secretary shall:
- Issue notices of all SCPM meetings
- Keep accurate records of the general meetings
- Keep an official roster of membership
- Update by laws when necessary
- Provide copies of the minutes from the general meetings to those members requesting copies (upon payment of postage and handling)
- Perform all duties as are incident to this office.
The Treasurer – shall be responsible for all monies and provide periodic reports and the annual budget of SCPM to the membership. The Treasurer shall distribute funds as directed by the Board. The Treasurer is in charge of the bank account. Financial records shall be subject to audit by an officer appointed by the Board. Such audit shall cover the calendar year and shall be reported to the Board the following March 1st. This is a two-year term.
- The Treasurer shall:
- Have custody of all monies and securities of SCPM.
- Keep regular books of accounts and submit them together with vouchers, receipts, records, and other papers to the Board for their examination and approval as often as the Board may require.
- Perform such other duties as are incident to the office.
- Disbursements shall be made by check bearing the signature of either the President or Treasurer.
- The Treasurer shall present a monthly financial report to the Board and general membership.
The President and the Treasurer shall each be able to authorize disbursement of the SCPM funds in accordance with the annual budget and Board-approved expenditures outside of the approved annual budget, as long as those expenditures fall within the scope of the mission of SCPM.
Officers will serve in their positions from January 1st to December 31st of each year. Upon completion of the election of new officers in September of each year, the fourth (4th) quarter will be used by current officers and incoming officers for the forthcoming year to work together to plan the smooth transition in January. Vacancies that occur during the course of the year due to resignation or other inability of the individual to continue to serve shall be filled by the majority vote of the Board.
The Board reserves the right to elect a Member-at-Large from the current SCPM membership to serve on the Board. This Member-at-Large will be able to offer insight and perspective on discussion of the Board, but will have no voting power.
The Board will meet at the request of the President or two (2) other officers, but no less than quarterly. The Board may appoint committees and their chairpersons to address specific needs of SCPM, as deemed appropriate. Standing committees are covered in Article IV.
Board member who resign, die, move away, or miss any three (3) consecutive monthly regular meetings, or a total of four (4) monthly regular meetings during the year, shall be replaced by an alternate. The Board members shall be allowed two (2) excused absences that may not be used in consecutive months.
SCPM Board members may be excused as long as they adhere to the following stipulations:
- Notify one (1) of the Officers in advance of the meeting.
- Obtain an agenda of the meeting.
The SCPM Secretary will advise the absent member of the SCPM Board of his/her right to resign or continue to serve. If the member elects to resign his/her office, the vacant position will be filled.
Vacancies of the SCPM Board of Officers or Member-at-Large
- In the event that the President is unable to serve for any reason, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President.
- In the event that the Vice President is unable to serve, his/her replacement will be elected by a majority vote of the Board.
- In the event that the Secretary is unable to serve, his/her replacement will be elected by a majority vote of the Board.
- In the event that the Treasurer is unable to serve, his/her replacement will be elected by a majority vote of the Board.
Article VI – Standing Committees
Committees will function under the supervision of the Board. The purpose of these committees will be to handle specific functions of SCPM including, but not limited to, membership, social functions, meetings, sponsorships, health/resource fairs, speakers, census reporting, and any other function related to SCPM.
- Committees shall meet at such times as may be required to accomplish their purposes.
- Each committee shall maintain a record of its actions and report to the President or such other person as the President shall designate on all actions and SCPM business as deemed necessary by the standing committee or as requested by the SCPM Board or President.
Nominating:
The Board will appoint a nomination committee in March of each year, chaired by the President-Elect. In the event there is no President-Elect, the Board shall appoint a chair of this committee. The Nominating Committee shall have three (3) members in good standing. Nominations for candidates will not be accepted from the floor. All nominations must have prior written consent of the nominee.
Any member of SCPM who meets the requirements of this subsection may offer as a candidate for any office to be filled at any election by giving notice to any member of the Nominating Committee of his/her intention to be a candidate for such office. The Nominating Committee will certify candidates for any office or position of the Board. Candidates must be voting members of SCPM and must have attended five (5) prior monthly meetings within twelve (12) months prior to the elections. The names of all candidates made known to any member of the Nominating Committee must be placed before the membership of SCPM.
The Nomination Committee will report to the Board, which in turn, will present the slate of officers for approval by the membership at the April meeting.
Article VII – Regular Meetings
Regular meetings will be held each month in a convenient place sufficient to seat all members of SCPM.
Notices to membership will be communicated via email. Members of SCPM shall be provided a copy of the SCPM Annual Meeting Schedule at time of membership enrollment.
Code of Ethics
Each member of the Senior Care Professionals of the Midlands (SCPM) makes a commitment to the following Code of Ethics:
- The SCPM member will treat all seniors, family members, and members of the public in general with respect and dignity.
- All dealings and representations by the SCPM member will be made in a professional and truthful manner.
- Information obtained by the SCPM member in dealing with seniors, their family members, and interested third parties will be protected and not distributed without the permission of the senior or the appropriate legal authority(ies).
- The SCPM member will provide the senior with all of the information, reasonably available to the SCPM member, in order for the senior to make an informed decision about the goods or services being proposed and will not promote goods or services to the senior that are not in the best interest of the senior.
- The SCPM member will not promote or sanction any form of discrimination.
- The SCPM member will be responsible for ensuring that he or she and their employees are held to the highest relevant professional standards, including the necessary continuing education to maintain the skills and knowledge of those employees.
- The SCPM member will cooperate with other organizations in an effort to do what is best for the senior.
- The SCPM member will treat other SCPM members and non-members, which may be competing against them in a fair and professional manner, and will not make disparaging comments about them to the senior or within the community.
- The SCPM member will make a good-faith effort to promptly resolve any concerns or complaints about them arising from the senior, their families, or other interested parties.
- The SCPM member will report any suspected violations of the SCPM Code of Ethics to the SCPM Board through its Vice President in a timely manner.
Article VIII – By Laws
- The Board will be provided a copy of the by-laws as they begin their tenure.
- Members of SCPM shall be provided a copy of the by-laws upon request.
- The effective date of these by-laws may be proposed by a majority of the SCPM Board.
- Amendments to the by-laws may be proposed by a majority of the SCPM Board.
- An amendment shall become effective only upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of SCPM present at the monthly meeting called for the purpose of the amendment.
Proposed revisions to the SCPM By-Laws Regular Meeting 11/19/09
Article V. Board of Directors and Officers
Vice President Responsibilities on Page 3.
Proposed addition
D. The Vice President shall be responsible for heading up the committee for health fair
Article V. Board of Directors and Officers
A. The Secretary shall:
Proposed addition
7. The Secretary will be responsible for taking and maintaining the attendance sign up sheet for each regular meeting. Any representative for the Member Company may sign the attendance ledger at the meeting.
Page 4.
Proposed addition
Officers will serve in their positions from September 1st to August 31st of each year. (This is changed from July 1st to June 30th of each year).
Article VII – Regular Meeting. Page 5
Proposed addition
It is the intention to have all members participate in all events sponsored by the SCPM. In the event that a health fair or other SCPM event is full, however, the members in good standing that have attended seven (7) or more regular meetings during the twelve (12) months preceding the event shall have priority to participate. The Board will have the final decision regarding the participation in the event.
Page 6 Article VIII Annual Meeting
Proposed revision
In July of each year, the regular meeting of SCPM will be designated as the annual meeting at which members shall vote on new officers. (This changed from May).