2008/10/16

By-Laws amended 2013 -Constitution amemded 2010

The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights “Standing Up for You” By-Laws I. Meetings of the Board (a) Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held bi-annually in April and October, prior to meetings of the general membership, or as deemed necessary. (b) Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or be called at the request, in writing, of three (3) members of the Board. (c) Notice of special meetings shall be given to all members of the board at least one (1) week prior to such meetings, either orally or in writing. Special meetings may be conducted by conference call. II Quorum The quorum required for holding Board, Executive or Committee meetings shall be 50% of those members in attendance. III Conduct of Meetings Meetings shall be conducted according to procedures outlined in Bourinot’s Rules of Order. IV Voting (a) All members present at general meetings of the Coalition, including individual members and members of group organizations, shall be permitted one vote. (b) Decisions shall be made by a majority of members present. (c) A secret ballot, in writing, shall be taken at the request of any member; the request must be approved, prior to the vote by the majority of members in attendance V Election of Executive Members (a) All members of the Executive shall be elected at the annual meeting. Board members shall be elected/ appointed by their respective organization and reaffirmed at the annual meeting. (b) A slate of officers shall be presented by the Nominating Committee, and individual nominations may be made from the floor. (c) Any vacancies which occur shall be temporarily filled by the Board for the remainder of the unfulfilled term. VI Term of Office The term of office shall be two (2) years. Executive members may be re-elected for one additional term. (2010) VII Banking and Signing Officers (a) The Board shall operate a bank account with the President, Vice President and Treasurer as signing officers. (b) The signatures of two (2) officers shall be required on all cheques. VIII Year of Operation The year of operation shall be 1st January to 31st December. IX Duties of Board Members (a) To become informed on all matters which come under the Board’s operation; (b) To attend all Board meetings; (c) To have a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and (d) To share in the Board’s tasks and responsibilities. X Duties of the Executive Committee The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice-President Secretary, treasurer, past President. (2013) (a) The President shall be responsible to oversee the work of the Coalition with respect to the mandate established by the Coalition: (1) Chair the board, executive, annual and general meetings; (2) Act as an ex-officio member of all committees; (3) Mediate any disputes arising in the organization; (4) Act as spokesperson to media for Coalition; (5) Assist in fund raising; (6) Represent the Coalition; (7) Maintain contact with leaders of government, groups or individuals with interests in the Coalition, and (8) Ensure the interests of the Coalition are promoted. (9) Represent the President in the affairs of the Coalition when the President is unable to act; (10) Assist in fund raising. (11) The 1St Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President and 3rd Vice- President shall assist the President in the governance of the Coalition: (12) The Vice-Presidents, in the absence of the President, shall carry on the duties pertaining to the office of the President in order of their standing. (2011) (a) The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records for the Coalition: (1) Issue cheques and keep an accurate record of all financial transactions of the Coalition; (2) File reports and remit funds to government and other agencies as required; (3) Present financial reports to Board, Executive, Annual and General Meetings; (4) Serve as Chairperson of the Finance Committee; (5) Prepare and present annual budget for Coalition; (6) Assist with fund raising, and (7) Recommend annual membership fees to Executive for approval. (b) The Secretary shall maintain written records of the Coalition” (1) Act as a clerk to the Executive, Annual, general and Board meetings; (2) Attend all Executive, Annual, General and Board meetings; (3) Maintain the Minute Book (d) The Past President The Past-President shall assist the Executive and Board of the Coalition, as required. (1) Chair the Nominating Committee (2) Advise and support the President as and when required. (3) Any other duties as assigned by the President. (e) The Executive Director shall assist the Board in its overall operation; (1) Maintain membership lists; (2) communicate all relevant media information to all members, groups and individuals; (3) Prepare media releases and letters on behalf of the Coalition, with the approval of the President, and (4) Deal with correspondence as required by the Executive and Board, and (5) Coordinate preparation of annual report. (6) Give notice of Executive, Annual, General and Board meetings; (7) Review and circulate minutes of proceedings and other relevant information; (2010) XI Board of Directors (2013) A member from each of the following regions shall represent that region on the Board of Directors. (2013) Duties include: (1) Promote the work of the Coalition within their respective regions. (2) Assist in advocating policy change. (3) Maintain open communication among regions. (4) Assist in fund raising. XII Committees The Coalition shall be assisted in its work by the following standing committees: (1) Nominating Committee (2) Financial/Fundraising Committee (3) Communication/Membership Committee Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary. The Terms of Reference of committees shall be determined, from time to time, as required by the Board; be made available to the membership, and be reviewed regularly. Each committee shall appoint its own Chairperson unless specified otherwise. XIII Remuneration Members of the Board and Executive, whether elected or appointed, shall serve without remuneration. Such persons may, however, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the Coalition. XIV New Positions and Services The Board may, at its discretion, create new position or contract for services as needed. XV Annual Report (a) A written Annual Report of the Coalition shall be presented to the annual meeting by the President. (b) An audited financial statement and proposed budget shall be presented for approval to the annual meeting by the Treasurer. (c) An approved copy of the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements shall be on file with the Recorder. (d) A brief report shall be presented at the annual meeting by the Chairs of the Standing Committees. Adopted as amended - Annual meeting – November 5, 2011 Moncton Lions Community Center 473 St George Street. Adopted amended – Annual meeting – November 22, 2013, Peoples Park Tower __________________________________ The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights “Standing Up for You” Constitution I Name The name of the organization shall be The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Residents’ Home Rights. II Definition The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights (CNSHRR) is a non partisan, non sectarian umbrella organization which brings together different like minded groups/individuals to endorse and promote shared principles. III Purpose The purpose of The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights is to fight to achieve and maintain affordable, accessible programs that enhance the quality of life of seniors and their families. This is achieved by: 1. Maintaining close relations with various community partners; 2. Working to raise the profile of nursing home policies and to advance the mandate for policy changes improving the lives of seniors and their families; 3. Issuing press releases and media commentary; 4. Responding to the province’s “Changes to the Standard Family Contribution Policy”; 5. Holding meetings with MLA’s of all political parties in the province and making presentations to the Minister responsible for seniors; 6. Promoting the importance of policy changes for nursing homes in New Brunswick. IV Board of Directors (a) The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights shall be managed by a Board of Directors of not fewer than seven (7) members and not more than (18) members. The total number of member’s board shall include members of the executive. IV Board of Directors (b) Board members shall be elected or appointed by their respective organization and reaffirmed at an Annual meeting. Any organization represented on the board that is absent from two consecutive meetings without just cause shall lose its status on the board. ( 2010) (b) The Board shall have the power to enter into lawful contract and exercise such other acts as are authorized by its constitution and by-laws. (c) The Board shall meet prior to the Annual Meeting in the fall and once in the spring. Other meetings will be scheduled as necessary. (d) The Board of Directors shall consist of: (i) All members of the Executive (ii) Chairs of all standing committees (iii) Two members-at-large. (iv) Seven regional representatives. V Officers (a) The officers of The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, who, together with the Immediate Past President, shall constitute the Executive and shall be accountable to the Board for upholding the purposes of The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights. (b) The Executive Director shall be present at all meetings of the Coalition and shall have voice but no vote.(2010) (c) The Executive shall conduct the affairs of the organization between meetings of the Board. All executive actions must be ratified at the next Board meeting. VI Committees The Board may appoint standing committees on Media and Public Relations, Education, Finance and Funding, Nominations and such special or ad hoc committees as it may deem necessary from time to time. VII By-Laws The Board may enact By-Laws concerning such matters as times and places of meeting, order of business, quorum numbers, voting, reports, duties, membership categories and fees, remuneration, signing officers and so on to guide the orderly conduct of The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights. VIII General Membership (a) Persons or organizations that approve the goals and purposes of The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights, who are accepted into membership on application, shall be members. (b) Membership may be terminated by: (I) resignation when accepted by the Board (ii) Removal for cause by the Board IX Annual Meeting (a) To allow the financial reports to include all the transactions to the end of December, the end of the fiscal year of the organization, To allow the financial reports to include all the transactions to the end of December, the end of the fiscal year of the Organization, the Annual General Meeting of the organization shall be held in the fall, or at a time and place to be determined by the Board. (b) The books and records of the organization may be inspected by members at the time and place of the Annual meeting. X Amendments Changes or amendments shall be presented at an Annual meeting for a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the membership in attendance. Membership shall be advised of any proposed changes at least four (4) weeks in advance. XI Dues and Assets (a) Membership dues shall be established at the Annual meeting. (b) The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights has the right to collect monies and acquire assets, including the collection of membership dues. XII Borrowing The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights may not borrow money in excess of current assets unless approved at an Annual or General meeting. XIII Quorum The quorum for an Annual or General meeting shall be ten (10) Board members. XIV Resolutions Resolutions may be presented at an Annual or General meeting provided that the Board has been advised of such proposed resolutions at least four (4) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Resolutions shall be approved by a majority vote of those in attendance. Emergency resolutions, approved by the Board shall be submitted at the Annual Meeting. Adopted as amended – Annual Meeting April19, 2008 Adopted as amended - Annual Meeting November 21, 2009 Adopted as amended - Annual meeting November 12, 2010